Choose from 46 Fun Things to Do in Reykjavik
Leidarendi Lava Caves
- Cave tours include helmets, safety equipment, and full instruction, but bring warm clothes, hiking boots, a waterproof jacket, and plenty of water.
- Follow the rules and avoid touching or disturbing any of the cave’s natural structures in order to preserve the fragile rock formations.
- There is no cell phone coverage or WiFi at the Leidarendi Lava Caves.
- Due to the natural terrain, the Leidarendi lava tube is not wheelchair accessible and is not suitable for children under 5.
Hveragerdi
The celebrated Hveragerdi hot springs are one of the principal draws for visitors to the town, ranging from hissing steam vents and gurgling puddles of mud, to pools so hot that locals use the water to boil eggs and bake bread in a ground oven. Along with bathing in the naturally heated Laugaskarð swimming pool and enjoying an organic clay foot bath, the area around Hveragerdi also offers prime terrain for hiking, surrounded by lush forests running along the banks of the Varmá river. As of 2008, the region is also home to a new hot spring and its creation is the subject of the town’s fascinating Quake 2008 exhibition.
Akurey Island (Puffin Island)
- Akurey is a must-visit destination for bird-watchers, nature lovers, and photographers.
- Akurey's proximity to Reykjavik makes it an easy half-day trip from the capital.
- Dress warmly; it gets cold out on the water, even in summer.
- Binoculars make for a more rewarding puffin-watching experience: Many boat tours supply their own.
Videy Island
Across the water from Reykjavik lies Videy Island. Once the main harbor until Reykjavik took over in 1943, the first settlement on the island dates from the 10th century. These days birds are the main inhabitants of the island with around 30 species coming to breed there. For humans, there is a restaurant, located in Videyjarstofa house, the first stone and cement building in Iceland, which dates from 1755. The island was once home to Augustine monks until 1539 when the reformation began in Iceland. There are also walking tracks and horse-riding.
Videy Island has another unusual function - it houses the Peace Tower memorial erected for John Lennon by Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon. First lit in 2007, the memorial is a huge laser which beams into the sky from the 9th of October (Lennon's birthday) until December 8th (the date of his assassination) each year. Iceland was chosen as the site due to its peaceful nature and cheap, natural electricity.
Practical Info
Regular local ferry services run hourly between Skarfabakki - Sundahofn harbour and Videy Island daily and takes about twenty minutes. Bus number 5 takes you from Reykjavik to the Sundahofn harbor.
Mt Esja
- Mt. Esja is a must-visit destination for lovers of adventure and the outdoors.
- Take care when climbing—it can be steep and the upper slopes are often covered in snow.
- Dress in waterproof clothing and wear good, sturdy walking shoes.
- Check the day’s weather forecast before heading out.
- The various hiking trails are marked with a number indicating their level of difficulty, ranging from one boot (easy) to three boots (difficult).
Vatnajokull National Park
- Dress in layers, bring waterproof boots, and be prepared for the weather to change unexpectedly.
- A park entrance fee is charged on a per-vehicle basis.
- Hiking trails are marked according to level of difficulty and indicate which are appropriate for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility.
Skaftafell National Park
With no roads traversing the region, hiking, glacier hiking and ice climbing are the main ways to get around in Skaftafell and a vast network of trails are mapped out by the Skaftafell Visitor Center, which now acts as an information center and exhibition space for the entire Vatnajokull National Park. Dotted with active volcanoes, fast-flowing glacial rivers and lava-sculpted peaks, Skaftafell’s highlights include the dramatic Svartifoss waterfall (Black Fall), tumbling 20 meters over a cliff of black basalt, the scenic Morsárdalur valley and the looming ice caps of nearby Öræfajökull, Iceland’s highest peak.
National Museum of Iceland
- The National Museum of Iceland is a must-visit for those with an interest in history.
- The museum’s free smartphone audio guide provides a wealth of illuminating insights.
- Children under 18 and people with disabilities get free entrance.
- Your entrance ticket also gets you into the Culture House, home of the National Library and Archives.
- The on-site Cafe Kaffitar serves light refreshments, coffee, and Icelandic delicacies.
- The Museum Shop sells books on Icelandic culture and handcrafted souvenirs.
Seljalandsfoss
Plunging from a height of around 60 meters, Seljalandsfoss might not be Iceland’s widest or mightiest waterfall, but it’s certainly one of its most famous, forming a dramatic arch of water that dominates the picturesque Thórsmörk valley. Surrounded by wild flowers in the summer months and floodlit after nightfall, a visit to Seljalandsfoss provides ample opportunities for snap-happy tourists, but its most distinctive feature is its narrow chute of water, which allows a breathtaking vantage point from behind the falls. Uniquely, a footpath runs all the way around the waterfall, allowing visitors to get within meters of the rushing water, standing amidst the spray at the foot of the Eyjafjöll Mountains.
Skálholt
Practical Info
Strokkur
Opened up by an earthquake in 1789 and reactivated by human intervention in 1963 after being blocked by a second earthquake, Strokkur has been erupting regularly ever since. Cradled in a 3-meter wide crater, Strokkur’s highly anticipated eruptions begin with the formation of a pulsing bubble of hot water, which reaches temperatures of around 200 °C before a rush of steam breaks through and shoots into the air. The geyser now stands among Iceland’s most popular natural attractions, located in the Haukadalur geothermal area and a much-visited sight along the Golden Circle route from Reykjavik.
Skógafoss
- Skógafoss is a must-see attraction for nature lovers and those who want to check off Iceland’s most important sites.
- Waterproof clothing is recommended—Iceland’s weather changes quickly and you can get soaked by the spray, especially when it’s windy.
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.
- The climb to the top of the fall’s stairway is fairly demanding, but there are also plenty of photo opportunities from the bottom.
Thingvellir National Park
Althing was Iceland’s initial version of Parliament, and reflected the governmental style of Iceland’s early Norwegian settlers. In the ancient Norse culture, individual chieftains ruled disparate geographical areas but worked collaboratively with other chieftains to create a balance of power; this collaboration required annual face-to-face gatherings of chieftains and their extended clans. These gatherings would last two weeks or more, accompanied by temporary dwellings and markets, as well as entertainment like storytelling, feasts and sports tournaments.
By the year 930, the public land of the Thingvellir region had been chosen for this purpose, as it was deemed accessible from much of the country, which is full of (then-insurmountable) obstacles like huge mountains, glaciers and wide rivers. While communal gatherings here ultimately strengthened the Icelandic culture, the power of the Althing system eroded over time, proving ineffective at keeping more influential chieftains in check. The country was folded into the kingdom of Denmark in the late 1300s, kicking off a long period of decline that included the Black Plague and other deadly diseases; Danish imposition of the Reformation and later, a crippling trade monopoly; and many violent volcanic eruptions.
Though it evolved to represent the voices of an increasingly feudal system of land ownership, the Althing continued to be held at Thingvellir until 1798, when it was moved to the growing capital of Reykjavik. Within two years, it would be dissolved by royal decree, but re-established in 1848; it was this fateful move that prompted Iceland’s eventual autonomy as a sovereign state with its own flag and government.
Eyjafjallajökull Volcano
- The Eyjafjallajökull volcano is a must for nature lovers.
- Eyjafjallajökull is still an active volcano, and as such, is best explored in the company of an experienced guide who can brief you on safety practices.
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes and warm, rainproof clothing.
- Due to uneven surfaces near the volcano, it’s not recommended for wheelchair users.
Langjökull
Practical Info
Laugardalur
- Laugardalur is a must-visit for outdoor and sports enthusiasts.
- Laugardalur is one of the easiest geothermal pools to get to if you’re staying in Reykjavik.
- Entrance to the park is free but there is an admission fee for the pool.
- The pool has seven hot tubs (one filled with salt water) and a sauna.
The Pearl (Perlan)
- Spot sites including the Snæfellsjökull glacier, Keilir volcano, and Mount Esja from the telescopes on the observation deck.
- The temperature is kept at 14°F (-10°C) in Perlan’s ice cave. Vests are provided to keep guests warm.
- The entire museum, including the ice cave, is wheelchair accessible.
- In addition to the Út í bláinn restaurant, Perlan also houses a café and gift shop.
Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin)
- There is only one swimming pool at the Secret Lagoon, so advance reservations are recommended.
- Visitor facilities include a snack bar, showers, and changing rooms; towels and swimsuits are available for rent.
- All visitors must shower thoroughly before swimming in the lagoon.
Viking World
- Viking World is a must-visit for history enthusiasts.
- The museum café offers spectacular views over the harbor.
- The museum and café are wheelchair-accessible.
- There is free Wi-Fi throughout the building.
- There is an admission fee, but children under 14 get in free.
Sun Voyager (Solfar)
- Solfar is a must-see for art enthusiasts and culture lovers.
- There is no charge to see the sculpture.
- Solfar sits on Reykjavik’s Sculpture and Shore Walk, a popular trail that leads to landmarks, including Harpa Concert Hall and the Partnership sculpture by Pétur Bjarnason.