46 Best Sights in Reykjavík, Iceland

Many graduates from the country's oldest educational institution, established in 1846, have gone on to dominate political and social life in Iceland. Former president Vigdís Finnbogadóttir and numerous former prime ministers and cabinet ministers have studied in this school's hallowed halls. Other notable graduates are film producer Hrafn Gunnlaugsson and well-known author Þórarinn Eldjarn. This is a lovely building to enjoy the exterior of, but it is still an active school and not open to visitors.

One of Reykjavík’s most recognizable landmarks, Mt. Esja (pronounced ess-ya) stars in just about every promotional shot or picture postcard of the city. It holds a special place in the hearts of locals, who often take a day trip there to ramble along its network of winding trails. However great it looks from the city, the view from the top of this mountain—not actually a single mountain but a range of many peaks—is even better. To get here, take bus 57 from Mjódd to the Kléberksskóli stop and transfer to Bus 29 to Esjurætur.

Established in 1884, the National Gallery is the country's premier art museum, responsible for the collection, conservation, research, education, and presentation of Icelandic art. Rotating exhibitions highlight various aspects of Icelandic art practices and a diverse range of artists. The Vasulka Chamber Center for New Media Art is housed within the National Gallery of Iceland—it maintains materials on the life and work of Steina and Woody Vasulka and is dedicated to the study, collection, and display of video, digital, audio, and multimedia art in Iceland.

At Reykjavík’s geothermal beach at Nauthólsvík, where runoff from the city’s hot water supply is used to heat a small lagoon of seawater, temperatures can reach up to 22°C (71.6°F) during the summer. Facilities include changing rooms; showers; hot tubs; a steam room; a barbecue grill; and a small shop selling swimwear, light snacks, and refreshments. Access to the beach and lagoon is free all year round, but the use of the beach facilities is free only between May and September. A small fee is charged for winter services, with significantly reduced opening hours. Lifeguards are on-site during open hours only.

Also known as the Living Art Museum, Nýló is located inside the Marshall House and displays some of the more experimental works by local artists. Media range from paint and plant-flavored ice cream to video and sculpture.

Modern architecture and nature converge at Reykjavík's city hall, a building overlooking Tjörnin Pond. Inside, a three-dimensional model of Iceland, over 76 square meters (819 square feet) in size, is often on display in the gallery when the space isn't being used for official events and other temporary exhibitions.

At this charming domestic zoo, visitors can meet horses, cows, sheep, and other Icelandic farm animals as well as reindeer, foxes, and seals. The park is wildly popular with local children, who flock to the climbing structures year-round and enjoy the merry-go-round, drop tower, and other small rides in the summer months.

Housed in an old fish freezing plant with great views of the harbor, the city's maritime museum offers a maze of interactive exhibits that the whole family will love. Who knew learning about Icelandic fisheries and trading vessels could be this much fun? There's also a whole Coast Guard vessel that can be explored.

At this museum you can explore thousands of photographs from both amateur and professional photographers, dating back as far as 1860. This is a unique opportunity to explore more than 100 years of Reykjavík—and Iceland—through a variety of perspectives.

This low white building, constructed in the 18th century as a prison, today houses the office of the prime minister.

Designed by Jón Gunnar Árnason and unveiled in 1990, Sólfar is a gleaming stainless steel sculpture resembling a Viking ship. Located along Reykjavík’s Sæbraut waterfront, it symbolizes hope, exploration, and the sun. Often photographed at sunrise or sunset, visiting the sculpture's platform offers stunning views of Mt. Esja and Faxaflói Bay.

This natural pond by the City Hall is popular with ice skaters during the winter and attracts birds (and bird-lovers) year-round. A portion of the pond is kept warm by a flow of geothermal water, creating a year-round pool for the city's swan, goose, and duck population. Visitors are discouraged from feeding the birds during nesting season, as it attracts seagulls who like to feast on young waterfowl. Tjörnin is surrounded on its southern end by Hljómskálagarðurinn, an expansive public park that features a sculpture garden, a geothermal footbath, and a children's park.

The city's Customs House—a bureaucratic necessity, especially for an island nation—is decorated with an impressive mosaic mural. The piece of art depicts scenes from the local harbor and was designed by Gerð Helgadóttir. There isn't a ton to see inside, but the mural is worth a visit in itself. Rejuvenation of Tryggvagata in recent years has seen the installation of benches and more public space on the expanded sidewalk in front of the mosaic, providing more opportunity to stop and appreciate this massive installation. 

The beautiful heart and headquarters of all activities on Viðey Island, Viðey House happens to be the oldest building in Iceland made of stone, and it boasts a restaurant, a bar, and facilities big enough for both intimate concerts and medium-size parties. Downstairs, there's an exhibition of historic items linked to the building's significant past. Across from the house is one of Iceland's oldest churches, from 1774, whose original interior fittings are well preserved. Ferry rides are complimentary to those with a Reykjavík City Card.

Blue whales, fin whales, humpbacks, and belugas are just some of the 23 different species featured in this great pod of life-size models at the Whales of Iceland exhibition. Located in an old industrial area close to Grandi Harbor—an area undergoing revitalization by an influx of thriving culture—this family-friendly exhibition, which claims to be "the largest whale exhibition in Europe and perhaps even the world," is designed to both educate and foster support of whale tourism, as opposed to whale hunting.

Traditionally the city's main shopping street, Laugavegur now has stiff competition from the Kringlan and Smáralind malls. But this short stretch is packed with eateries, coffeehouses, and bars, and becomes a hot spot after dark.