Reykjavík Map

Iceland's compact capital on one map: the sights, the main shopping street, the harbour, the lagoons and the terminals where day tours and airport buses leave from.

Staying downtown puts you within walking distance of almost everything on this map.

Hotels in central Reykjavík ↗
  • Sights
  • Whales & wildlife
  • Hot springs & lagoons
  • Airports & ferries

Tap a marker for details, tours and places to stay.

City population
~140,000
To Keflavík Airport
50 km
Hallgrímskirkja tower
74.5 m
Daylight, Dec–Jun
4–21 h

Getting your bearings

Central Reykjavík is small enough to walk across in 30 minutes. Most sights sit between Hallgrímskirkja on the hill, the shopping street Laugavegur running downhill to the east, and the Old Harbour by the sea. The pond (Tjörnin) and City Hall mark the south-west edge of the old town, and the Grandi district, with museums, food halls and the whale-watching boats, extends west along the harbour.

Top things to do in Reykjavík

  • Hallgrímskirkja: the expressionist church modelled on basalt columns. The tower lift costs a small fee and gives the best view of the city's colourful roofs.
  • Harpa and the seafront path: walk from Harpa past the Sun Voyager sculpture, with views across the bay to Mount Esja.
  • Perlan: a museum of Icelandic nature with a man-made ice cave, a planetarium aurora show and a free outdoor deck.
  • Geothermal pools: join locals in a neighbourhood pool such as Laugardalslaug or Vesturbæjarlaug for a fraction of lagoon prices, or book Sky Lagoon for an oceanfront spa.
  • Whale watching and puffins: boats leave the Old Harbour year-round for whales and from about May to August for the puffin colonies on Akurey and Lundey.
  • Food: try a hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, lamb soup, skyr and the fish of the day. A food walking tour is a good way to sample a lot quickly.

Food tours are one of the best-rated things to do in Reykjavík and a good first-evening activity.

See Reykjavík food tours ↗

Where to stay in Reykjavík

Downtown (101), between Hallgrímskirkja, Laugavegur and the harbour, is the best area for a first visit: everything is walkable and many day tours pick up from nearby bus stops. Around Hlemmur, at the eastern end of Laugavegur, is slightly cheaper and still central. Laugardalur has larger hotels near the main pool and campsite. If you are driving, hotels just outside the centre have free parking, which is scarce and metered downtown.

Downtown hotels and guesthouses fill up early in summer and around New Year.

Compare Reykjavík hotels ↗

Day trips from Reykjavík

  • Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, about 230 km round trip.
  • South Coast: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and the black sand beach at Vík, a long but very popular day.
  • Reykjanes Peninsula: the Blue Lagoon, lava fields and recent volcanic eruption sites, 45 minutes away.
  • Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Kirkjufell and the Snæfellsjökull glacier, about 2 hours each way.

Getting around

Strætó city buses cover the capital area and accept payment through the Klappið app. Many tour companies pick up at numbered bus stops around downtown rather than at individual hotels, because large buses are not allowed in the narrow streets. For the airport, see our Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík guide.

Plan your trip to Reykjavík

Where to stay

Compare hotels, guesthouses and cabins in Reykjavík.

Find places to stay ↗

Tours & tickets

Guided tours, day trips and activities with free cancellation on most bookings.

See tours ↗

Northern lights

September to April: guided aurora tours by bus, super-jeep or boat, with free rebooking if the lights don't show.

Northern lights tours ↗

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Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Reykjavík?

One or two days is enough for the city itself. Most visitors stay three to four nights and use Reykjavík as a base for day trips to the Golden Circle, the South Coast and the Blue Lagoon.

Is Reykjavík walkable?

Yes. The centre is compact and mostly flat apart from the hill up to Hallgrímskirkja. You can walk from the church to the Old Harbour in about 15 minutes.

How far is the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavík?

The Blue Lagoon is about 50 km from Reykjavík, a 45-minute drive. It is only 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport, so many visitors go on their arrival or departure day.

Can you see the northern lights from Reykjavík?

Sometimes, during strong displays, especially from darker spots such as Grótta lighthouse. Light pollution makes them much weaker in town, so a tour or drive out of the city gives far better chances.

Last reviewed October 2026. Opening hours, prices and road conditions change: check official sources before you travel.