Reykjavík

Why go

Reykjavík holds a third of Iceland's population and is more town than city — corrugated-iron houses, a concert hall on the water, and a pool culture that functions as the national living room. Most visitors use it as a base; two days is enough before the road.

Five things to do

• 01

  A neighbourhood swimming pool

  Hot pots at 40°C, all year.

• 02

  Hallgrímskirkja tower

  The whole city, colour-coded by roof.

• 03

  Harpa concert hall

  Basalt-inspired glass on the harbour.

• 04

  Reykjadalur hot river

  Forty minutes' drive, an hour's walk.

• 05

  The Golden Circle in reverse

  Start at Gullfoss to dodge the coaches.

Neighbourhoods

Getting around

Buy the transport card on arrival — every city on this list has one, and it is cheaper than single fares within about four journeys. Walking covers more than the map suggests: most of the districts above are within thirty minutes of each other on foot.

Taxis and ride apps are worth it late at night and when you are carrying luggage. Everything else is faster on the metro, the tram or the ferry, in that order.

Where to eat

The rule that holds in Reykjavík is the rule that holds everywhere: eat at the busy place, at the hour the locals eat, and order the thing the kitchen makes most of. Reserve for dinner in the districts above; lunch rarely needs it.

Two days here

1. Morning: A neighbourhood swimming pool
2. Afternoon: walk Old harbour
3. Evening: Harpa concert hall
4. Day two: The Golden Circle in reverse

Compare these dates elsewhere

Places to stay in Reykjavík, priced by each site in its own currency.

Booking.comBiggest inventory; free cancellation on most rooms.Check price ↗AgodaUsually strongest across Asia.Check price ↗ExpediaGood for flight-and-hotel bundles.Check price ↗Hotels.comCollect-ten-nights reward scheme.Check price ↗Trip.comOften cheapest for East Asian cities.Check price ↗HostelworldHostels and guesthouses the big sites miss.Check price ↗KayakCompares the comparison sites.Check price ↗TrivagoSide-by-side rates for the same hotel.Check price ↗AirbnbFlats and whole houses rather than rooms.Check price ↗TripadvisorReviews first, prices second.Check price ↗

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