Must-see attractions in Greater Reykjavík

  • Gerðarsafn Art Museum

    Greater Reykjavík

    In this beautifully designed museum you'll find excellent rotating modern-art exhibitions and a notable permanent collection of 20th-century Icelandic…

  • Viðeyarstofa

    Greater Reykjavík

    Just up from Viðey's harbour sits Viðeyarstofa, Iceland's oldest stone house. Icelandic Treasurer Skúli Magnússon was given the island in 1751 and he…

  • Bookless Bungalow

    Greater Reykjavík

    No, not a house without books, but the former home of Harry and Douglas Bookless, Scottish brothers who ran a fisheries operation here in the early 1900s…

  • Volcano House

    Reykjavík

    This modern theatre with a hands-on lava exhibit in the foyer screens a 55-minute pair of films in English (hourly) about the Vestmannaeyjar volcanoes and…

  • Natural History Museum of Kópavogur

    Greater Reykjavík

    Iceland’s unique geology and wildlife are showcased here. Highlights include an orca skeleton, a good collection of taxidermied animals and Mývatn lake’s…

  • Reykjavík Museum of Photography

    Reykjavík

    This gallery room, high above Reykjavík City Library, is well worth a visit for its top-notch exhibitions of regional photographers. If you take the lift…

  • Heiðmörk Nature Reserve

    Greater Reykjavík

    A nature reserve since 1950, this suburban open space 18km southeast of the city centre is great for walking among Sitka spruce and the Rauðhólar (Red…

  • Nýló

    Reykjavík

    This dynamic centre for emerging and established contemporary artists, live music and other performances has a new space in the renovated Marshall House…

  • Museum of Design & Applied Art

    Greater Reykjavík

    All elements of Icelandic design ranging from unique furniture to knitwear, shoes and album art are celebrated at this small museum. There's also a Kraum…

  • Aurora Reykjavík

    Reykjavík

    Learn about the classical tales explaining the Northern Lights, and the scientific explanation, then watch a 35-minute surround-sound panoramic high…

  • Siggubær

    Greater Reykjavík

    With its tiny rooms, tin walls and everyday items dotted around (sewing baskets, armchairs), Siggubær provides an insight into life for a fisher's family…

  • Jón Sigurðsson Statue

    Reykjavík

    The statue in the centre of Austurvöllur park is of Jón Sigurðsson, who led the campaign for Icelandic independence.

  • Skúli Magnússon Statue

    Reykjavík

    This statue represents Skúli Magnússon, the ‘Father of Reykjavík’, who organised the city's early industry.

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    Elliðaárdalur

    Greater Reykjavík

    Reykjavík's largest green space is encircled by a 10km loop, which takes you past a water dam, small waterfalls and a river stocked with Arctic char,…

  • Unversity of Iceland

    University of Iceland

    Reykjavík

    You'll spot the University of Iceland just south of the city centre, near the National Museum.

  • Salurinn

    Greater Reykjavík

    Iceland’s first specially designed concert hall is built entirely from local materials (driftwood, spruce and crushed stone) and has fantastic acoustics…

  • Landakotskirkja

    Reykjavík

    This working Catholic church was built in 1929 in the Gothic style on a hillock overlooking central Reykjavík. On Saturday the sermon of the 6pm service…

  • Beggubúð

    Greater Reykjavík

    Built in 1906, Beggubúð was a household goods shop on the town's main street. It moved to its current site in 2008 and is laid out as it was in the early…

  • Aðalstræti 10

    Reykjavík

    Reykjavík's oldest timber house dates to 1762 and is now home to changing exhibitions charting the course of the city's history.

  • Reykjavík University

    Reykjavík

    Reykjavík University has a scenic campus near the beach and the domestic airport.