The statue in the centre of Austurvöllur park is of Jón Sigurðsson, who led the campaign for Icelandic independence.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Þingvellir National Park
27.38 MILES
The world’s oldest parliament, Althingi (pronounced ál-thingk-ee; also called Alþing) was uniquely situated at this monumental site where two tectonic…
Alþingi Site
25.87 MILES
Near the dramatic Almannagjá fault and fronted by a boardwalk is the Lögberg (Law Rock), where the Alþingi (Parliament) convened annually. This was where…
Hallgrímskirkja
0.53 MILES
Reykjavík’s immense white-concrete church (1945–86), star of a thousand postcards, dominates the skyline and is visible from up to 20km away. An elevator…
National Museum
0.45 MILES
Artefacts from settlement to the modern age fill the creative display spaces of Iceland's superb National Museum. Exhibits give an excellent overview of…
Settlement Centre
26.92 MILES
Housed in an imaginatively restored warehouse by the harbour, the must-see Settlement Centre offers fascinating insights into the history of Icelandic…
Settlement Exhibition
0.09 MILES
This fascinating archaeological ruin-museum is based around a 10th-century Viking longhouse unearthed here from 2001 to 2002 and other Settlement-Era…
Harpa
0.3 MILES
With its ever-changing facets glistening on the water's edge, Reykjavík’s sparkling Harpa concert hall and cultural centre is a beauty to behold. In…
Icelandic Phallological Museum
0.78 MILES
Oh, the jokes are endless here... This unique museum houses a huge collection of penises, and it's actually very well done. From pickled pickles to…
Nearby Reykjavík attractions
1. Austurvöllur
Grassy Austurvöllur was once part of first-settler Ingólfur Arnarson’s hay fields. Today it’s a favourite spot for cafe lounging or lunchtime picnics and…
2. Alþingi
0.03 MILES
Iceland’s first parliament, the Alþingi, was created at Þingvellir in AD 930. After losing independence in the 13th century, the country gradually won…
3. Dómkirkja
0.03 MILES
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 (built…
4. Ingibjörg H Bjarnason Statue
0.03 MILES
Two things set the statue of Ingibjörg H Bjarnason apart from other monuments in the area: it depicts a historical female figure and it is not made by…
5. Old Reykjavík
0.05 MILES
With a series of sights and interesting historic buildings, the area dubbed Old Reykjavík is the heart of the capital, and the focal point of many…
6. Skúli Magnússon Statue
0.07 MILES
This statue represents Skúli Magnússon, the ‘Father of Reykjavík’, who organised the city's early industry.
7. Association of Icelandic Artists
0.08 MILES
The small gallery here shows contemporary Icelandic art.
8. Aðalstræti 10
0.09 MILES
Reykjavík's oldest timber house dates to 1762 and is now home to changing exhibitions charting the course of the city's history.