Things to do in Reykjavík
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Hans Petersen
Reykjavík has plenty of photo shops, but prices for film are astronomical. Hans Petersen is the best place to go for slide or print film, photographic equipment and processing. There are other branches near the Nordica Hotel on Suðurlandsgata and in the Kringlan and Smáralind Shopping Centres.
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Karamba
Quiet during the day, colourful Karamba becomes a lively drinking spot at night. Newly opened in 2009, the bar has become an instant hit for its eclectic DJ sets and frequent (and often impromptu) live band performances. There’s sometimes a cover charge if better-known musicians are playing.
reviewed
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Whale Watching and Blue Lagoon
Varies (Departs Reykjavik, Iceland)
by Viator
For a unique day of Icelandic activities take the combined Whale Watching and Blue Lagoon tours, and make the most of your time in Iceland. Observe the whales…Not LP reviewed
from USD$105.27 -
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b5
With its barely-there name and super-sleek interior, this bistro-bar flirts with pretentiousness but is actually a very mellow place. Pop in for the comfy seating, light Scandinavian-style bistro meals, games consoles for the kids to borrow and funky tunes on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Rex
Rex caters to an older, richer and more beautiful crowd than your average nightclub. It's a place where business deals are made over perfect cocktails, and where visiting celebrities can party in peace. Its three floors glow with rich red wallpaper, soft velvet seats and chandeliers.
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Sívertsen’s Hús
Sívertsen’s Hús is a beautiful 19th-century home belonging to merchant Bjarni Sívertsen, once the most important man in Hafnarfjörður. It’s decked out with period pieces – a piano, rich drapes, woven wallpaper, mahogany furniture, delicate crockery and silver spoons.
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Menningarfylgd Birnu
Menningarfylgd Birnu aims to show visitors round Reykjavík 'the cat's way'! But rather than yowling on a dustbin, Birna leads people on 1½-hour cultural tours, dropping in on artists' studios, local characters and places of culinary interest, as well as mainstream sights.
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Reykjavik Sightseeing including Gullfoss and Geysir Express Tour
10 hours (Departs Reykjavik, Iceland)
by Viator
Combine two tours in one for the perfect Icelandic experience: See the highlights of Reykjavik in the morning, then spend the afternoon touring Gullfoss, Geysir…Not LP reviewed
from USD$113.07 -
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Sun-Craft
Reykjavík is littered with fascinating statues and abstract monuments, but it's Jón Gunnar Árnason's shiplike Sun-Craft sculpture that seems to catch visitors' imaginations. Its situation - facing the sea and snow-capped Esja - may have something to do with it.
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Puffin Express Boat Trips
Around 50,000 puffins nest on Lundey and Akurey, two islands just offshore from Reykjavík. Between May and late August you can visit them on the one-hour Puffin Express boat trips, which sail from Reykjavík harbour at 8.30am, 10.30am, 2.30pm and 4.30pm daily.
reviewed
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Landmannalauger Day Trip from Reykjavik
by Viator
The wonder of Southern Iceland! This journey takes you through the beautiful countryside of southern Iceland and the central highlands. See colorful mountains…Not LP reviewed
from USD$168.95 -
Iceland from Below Tour
3 hours (Departs Reykjavik, Iceland)
by Viator
Journey through Iceland's underground caves and craters on this unique day trip about an hour outside of Reykjavik.As you enter the caves through a narrow…Not LP reviewed
from USD$81.88 -
Whale Watching including Gullfoss and Geysir Express Tour from Reykjavik
10 hours (Departs Reykjavik, Iceland)
by Viator
For a full-day experience with a difference, go on a whale watching boat trip in the morning then spend the afternoon touring Gullfoss, Geysir and other…Not LP reviewed
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Árbæjarlaug
It’s a step out of town, but the slickly designed Árbæjarlaug is well known as the best family pool: it’s half inside and half outside, and there are lots of watery amusements (slides, waterfalls and massage jets) to keep the kids entertained. Take bus 19.
reviewed
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Café Garðurinn
This tiny but tasteful vegie cafe is based around seven tables and the hum of civilised conversation. Choice is limited, but the daily soup and main are always delicious and unusual (we can vouch for the weird-sounding Catalonian tofu balls!). Half portions are available.
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Ning’s
The mouthwatering smell of frying pork greets you at this Chinese fast-food restaurant, handy for the City Hostel. There’s a good, cheap menu of noodles and stir-fries, and the cooking is MSG-free. The set lunch is very popular at lunchtime, or there’s a takeaway counter.
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Café Ópera
Soothing Café Opera, based upstairs in an old merchant's house, occasionally has a piano player tickling the ivories. The house speciality is the entertaining 'Hot Rock Fantasy' - sizzling meat or fish steaks that you get to 'cook' yourself on slabs of mountain granite.
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Sódóma
Just opened in 2009, Sódóma (named after a fictional bar from a famous Icelandic film) is a central venue rising from the ashes of former stalwart Gaukur á Stöng. It acts as a rougher rock bar, and its size gives it prominence as one of the city’s main live-music venues.
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Batteríið
For a few years now, this place on the wrong side of Lækjargata has been one of Reykjavík’s main live-music venues. When you know it holds just 300 people, you understand how cute and teeny the city’s bar scene really is… Escape the crush in the fairy-lighted courtyard.
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Dómkirkja
Iceland’s main cathedral, Dómkirkja is a modest affair, but it played a vital role in the country’s conversion to Lutheranism. The current building (from 1848) is small but perfectly proportioned; its plain wooden interior is animated by glints of gold.
reviewed
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Kringlan Shopping Centre
For brand-name clothing by Prada, Hugo Boss and other top names, trawl along Laugavegur or head to the Kringlan Shopping Centre. While you're here, check out the huge mural by the artist Erró. There are also cafes, restaurants, banks, telephones, a cinema and a crèche.
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Borgartún
The government-owned liquor store Vín Búð is the only shop licensed to sell alcohol here. It has a branch on the way towards Laugardalur at Borgartún which is open 11am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and Saturday, and 11am to 7pm Friday.
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Argentína
This dark, fiery steakhouse rightly prides itself on its succulent locally raised beef – the best red meat you’ll eat in Reykjavík. It also serves tender char-grilled salmon, reindeer, lamb, pork and chicken, with a wine list to complement whatever choice you make.
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Nelly's
By serving the cheapest beer in town (around Ikr900 for 1½L), publike Nelly's naturally pulls in a young, studenty crowd. There's a cheerful atmosphere, DJs and live bands play regularly, it opens until 06:00 at weekends, and there are daily offers on alcohol.
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Snaefellsjokull, The Glacier and The National Park Tour from Reykjavik
10 hours (Departs Reykjavik, Iceland)
by Viator
See Iceland's outstanding nature in just one day! Spot seals and seabirds along the coastal waters off Iceland's Snaefellsnes Peninsula and spend the afternoon…Not LP reviewed
from USD$171.55