Things to Do in Reykjavik

About Reykjavik

Reykjavik sits on the North Atlantic between volcanic mountains, its colorful buildings lined up against black rock. Nordic design meets Arctic landscape. The compact capital is busy with cafés, modern galleries, and bookshops that stay open late through summer's endless daylight—though the creative energy here can feel self-conscious. Steam rises from geothermal pools throughout the city. The northern lights appear overhead in winter. Ancient Viking sagas mix with contemporary life in unexpected ways: you can soak in naturally heated outdoor pools while snow falls, then catch new music in small venues that launched Björk and Sigur Rós. The city runs on contrasts. Quiet snowy winters give way to crowded weekend nights, stark lunar landscapes sit next to warm locals, and this small capital feels both old and new. Don't expect polish. Expect something stranger—a place where thermal energy literally bubbles up through the streets and nobody finds that unusual.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Strætó city buses cost 490 ISK ($3.50) for single rides or 7,000 ISK ($50) for 7-day passes. Taxis expensive at 500-800 ISK ($3.57-5.71) per kilometer plus 690 ISK ($4.93) base fare. Car rental essential for countryside: 8,000-15,000 ISK ($57.14-107.14) daily depending on season and vehicle type. Flybus airport transfers cost 3,500 ISK ($25) one-way. Walking excellent in city center and around Tjörnin pond. Bicycle rentals cost 3,000-4,000 ISK ($21.43-28.57) daily but weather dependent. Domestic flights to other regions cost 15,000-30,000 ISK ($107-214). Harbor area easily walkable from downtown.

Money: Icelandic króna (ISK) is the currency but cards accepted everywhere, even for small purchases. Landsbankinn and Arion Bank ATMs dispense 50,000-80,000 ISK ($357-571) per transaction. Budget $80-120 USD daily for mid-range travel including meals. Tipping not expected as service charges included in prices. US dollars and euros accepted at some tourist shops but change comes in ISK. Banking hours 9:15am-4pm weekdays. Mobile payments and contactless extremely common. Tourist VAT refunds available for purchases over 6,000 ISK ($42.86).

Cultural Respect: Greet with 'Halló' or 'Góðan dag' though English universally spoken. Nordic culture emphasizes equality and informality - first names used even with officials. Remove shoes when entering homes. Photography of Northern Lights requires patience and respect for locations. Icelandic language preservation important - street signs in Icelandic only. Literary traditions strong - many locals published authors. Swimming pool culture central to social life year-round. Respect for nature paramount - stay on marked paths. LGBTQ+ friendly society with Reykjavik Pride major annual event. Viking heritage celebrated but presented historically, not romantically.

Food Safety: Traditional lamb soup at Café Loki costs 2,200-2,800 ISK ($15.71-20). Fermented shark (hákarl) at restaurants runs 1,500-2,000 ISK ($10.71-14.29) for tasting portion. Fish and chips at Icelandic Fish & Chips cost 2,500-3,500 ISK ($17.86-25). Local beer at bars costs 1,000-1,500 ISK ($7.14-10.71) due to alcohol taxes. Hot dogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur famous stand cost 400-500 ISK ($2.86-3.57). Bottled water expensive at 300-500 ISK ($2.14-3.57) - tap water excellent and free. Skyr (yogurt) at stores costs 200-400 ISK ($1.43-2.86). Restaurant prices high but portions generous. Happy hour (usually 4-7pm) offers discounted drinks.

When to Visit

Summer (June-August) offers 19-22 hours of daylight with temperatures averaging 50-59°F (10-15°C) and minimal rainfall (1-2 inches monthly). This peak season sees 40-60% higher accommodation costs but provides optimal conditions for highland tours and midnight sun experiences. The Reykjavik Arts Festival occurs in late May, while Culture Night transforms the city every August. Shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) feature moderate temperatures around 39-50°F (4-10°C) with occasional northern lights visibility after mid-September. Accommodation prices drop 20-30%, though weather remains unpredictable with 2-4 inches monthly rainfall. Winter (November-March) brings temperatures of 28-39°F (-2-4°C) with 4-19 hours of daylight, perfect for northern lights viewing and ice caves. Hotel rates plummet 50-70% during this off-peak period. The Dark Music Days festival enlivens February, while New Year's Eve features spectacular citywide fireworks. Spring visitors enjoy lupine wildflowers and puffin arrivals, while autumn offers dramatic storms and fewer crowds. Budget travelers should target November-February; northern lights ensoiasts should visit September-March with clear, dark skies; summer adventurers will find July-August ideal for Westfjords and highland access.