By air
Keflavík International (KEF), ~50 km
Europe · Iceland
Reykjavík, Iceland
A colourful capital near hot springs
Getting there
Best time to visit
June to August for the midnight sun; September to March for the aurora
Don't miss
Hallgrímskirkja
Harpa
The Sun Voyager
The Old Harbour
Things to do
Hallgrímskirkja's tower
Whale watching
The Harpa concert hall
Geothermal pools
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Hedwig Storch · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Layers, swimwear for the pools
A quieter corner
Sundhöllin, the city's historic geothermal pool
Questions travellers ask
When should I visit Reykjavík?
June to August for the midnight sun, or September to March for the aurora.
How far is Keflavík airport from Reykjavík?
Keflavík International (KEF) is about 50 km from the city.
What should I see in Reykjavík?
Hallgrímskirkja and its tower, the Harpa concert hall, the Sun Voyager and the Old Harbour. Whale watching is on offer too, and hot dogs, lamb soup and fresh fish will keep you going.
Do I need swimwear in Reykjavík?
Yes — for the geothermal pools. Try Sundhöllin, the city's historic geothermal pool.
About Reykjavík
- Coastal
Where it is
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city of Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói bay in the south-west of the country, with Mount Esja rising across the water to the north.
History
According to the medieval Book of Settlements, Ingólfur Arnarson, the first permanent Norse settler, made his home here in 874, and the name, Smoky Bay, is said to come from steam rising from hot springs. Reykjavík was farmland until the 18th century, gained a trading charter in 1786, and became the capital of the independent Republic of Iceland in 1944.
People
Reykjavík's people speak Icelandic, which has changed remarkably little since the sagas, and most also speak English. Neighbourhood geothermal pools are the heart of social life, and Icelanders traditionally use patronymics, names formed from a parent's first name, rather than family names.
Known for
- Hallgrímskirkja church
- The Harpa concert hall
- Geothermal swimming pools
- Whale watching from the Old Harbour
- The Sun Voyager sculpture
Did you know?
Reykjavík is the northernmost capital of a sovereign state in the world, and virtually all of its buildings are heated with geothermal energy.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.