4 Best Sights in City Center West, Reykjavík

This striking architectural landmark is renowned for its innovative, dynamic design by Henning Larsen Architects and Batteríið Architects in collaboration with Danish--Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson. Known for his large-scale installations that engage natural elements, Eliasson contributed to Harpa's distinctive glass façade, which is absolutely magical to experience from both outside and within the building. The southern side of the building features over 1,000 12-sided glass modules, referred to as "quasi-bricks," which create a kaleidoscopic effect by reflecting and refracting light, echoing Iceland's volcanic basalt formations. 

Harpa serves as a cultural hub, hosting concerts, conferences, and exhibitions as well as being the home of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera. Its location by the harbor enhances Reykjavík's skyline, making it a must-visit destination for both architecture enthusiasts and visitors seeking to experience the city's vibrant cultural scene. Visitors can book guided tours of the building, attend one of the many performances on schedule, or dine in one of the facility's restaurants. A cinematic exhibition called the Volcano Express runs in the basement of Harpa, introducing visitors to Iceland's volcanic activity.

Established in 1984, there are now more than 100 members creating work in the Icelandic Printmakers Association community. This is their gallery, studio, and event space, which is located inside of the Reykjavik Art Museum (entrance to the rear of the building) and hosts regular exhibitions, workshops, and studio hours. As traditional print-making techniques are no longer taught in Iceland, some of the machinery in the workshop is one-of-a-kind in the country. 

This interactive exhibit has been constructed around remains of a Viking longhouse dating from around 871 (hence its name). Unearthed in 2001 during the construction of the Hotel Centrum, this remarkable find was preserved in situ and now occupies an oval-shape basement designed specially to frame the excavation site. A large, backlit panoramic image, showing how Reykjavík might have looked during the age of settlement, encircles the longhouse, and an illuminated strip installed in the surrounding walls marks the layer of tephra used to determine the approximate date of the remnants. Display boxes positioned around the longhouse house a collection of small items that were also unearthed in the excavation, giving a more complete picture of what life was like for Reykjavík's earliest inhabitants. 

Though established as a single-room exhibition, the Settlement Exhibition has been expanded in recent years, occupying the basement of neighboring buildings on Aðalstræti and making its way aboveground in the historic black timber house that stands at Aðalstræti 10. These newer wings continue the story of Reykjavík into the modern day, tracking the development of the capital through photos, video, and a scale model of the historic Kvósin neighborhood that is brought to life with the help of VR viewfinders. Aðalstræti has been staged partly as the residence of Reykjavík's bishop in the 19th century and partly as a general store from the early 20th century—two roles the building has played over the course of its life.

Also known as Hafnarhús, this former warehouse of the Port of Reykjavík now houses the city's main art museum. Six gallery halls occupy two floors, and there's a courtyard and "multipurpose" space. The museum's permanent collection includes a large number of works donated by the contemporary Icelandic artist Erró. There are also regular temporary exhibitions. Admission is free with the Reykjavík City Card.