Reykjavik is the ideal starting point for exploring Iceland’s stunning volcanic landscape.
Dive into the adventure with these 15 incredible experiences to see, do, and taste in Reykjavik and throughout Iceland. And remember, this is just a glimpse of the unforgettable journey you can take, whether solo, with friends or family.
- Walk Viking roots in modern Reykjavik
- Enjoy the finest cinnamon buns
- Hunt for the northern lights by boat
- Indulge in a delicious coffee experience
- Hike or zipline over a glacier
- Have a drink with the locals
- Soak in a geothermal hot spring
- Experience the best local flavours dinner
- Snorkel between the continents
- Have an ice cream in Europe’s northernmost capital
- Get friendly with an Icelandic horse
- Experience Iceland in miniature
- Take part in the New Year celebrations
- Witness the annual sheep and horse round-up
- Join one of the darkest festivals in the world
Just beyond the city lies a breathtaking wilderness where moss-covered lava fields meet majestic green hills, and cascading waterfalls tumble through dramatic canyons, all crowned by glittering glaciers on the mountains.
A stone’s throw from the city, you’ll find a playground of natural wonders: glaciers, volcanoes, geothermal hot springs, and black sand beaches where the roaring Atlantic Ocean meets the shore and puffins nest in the cliffs above.
Photo source: Unsplash
Walk Viking roots in modern Reykjavik
Beyond the whale-watching cruises, waterfront walks, and striking modern architecture, there are still pockets of Viking influence to be found in Iceland’s seemingly quiet capital city.
The streets of central Reykjavik are lined with snow-white, deep red, and navy blue wooden buildings, and it’s a short walk from the shore to Hallgrimskirkja, the crowning glory of the city.
Photo source: Unsplash
This grey-as-concrete Brutalist-style cathedral stands on a small hill above the main shopping street.
In front of the striking façade is a statue of one of Iceland’s national heroes, Leif Eriksson. A peaceful Viking explorer, Eriksson beat Christopher Columbus by some 500 years in terms of being the first European to reach North America.
Photo source: Unsplash
A couple of Reykjavik’s museums are dedicated to the Viking founders of Iceland. The Settlement Exhibition is in the city centre and was built around a 10th-century longhouse unearthed in 2001. It’s an interesting delve into the archaeological findings.
The Saga Museum down by the new harbour tells a compelling story of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and a people that settled and tilled virtually inarable, near-Arctic land to create a place to live.
Photo source: Saga Museum
Enjoy the finest cinnamon buns
‘Is this the best goddamn bakery in Iceland?’ an American voice booms at the counter at Braud & Co. The staff don’t hesitate to confirm it is. And they have every right to be confident.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
Here, the classic Scandinavian flavours of cinnamon and sugar are baked into sweet-smelling twisted buns as big as a hand – the perfect start to the day.
Braud & Co. has three branches serving freshly baked pastries, sourdough loaves, and rocket-fuel coffee in the city centre alone.
Photo source: Unsplash
Hunt for the northern lights by boat
Every evening between October and March, boats putter out into Faxaflói Bay from Reykjavik’s main harbour.
Out on the open water and away from the city lights, there’s a much better chance of spotting the northern lights. You can choose between keeping warm in the cosy lounge or bracing the cold on deck to scan the star-speckled sky for the ethereal green glow dancing against the night sky.
Photo source: Unsplash
A knowledgeable guide is on board to help you hunt for the lights and capture the best images with your phone or camera.
Indulge in a delicious coffee experience
Said to be the first place in Reykjavik to serve espresso coffee, Mokka Kaffi has been trading since 1958. It’s a favourite among locals who flock to the distinct red building for a caffeine hit before work.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
Located on the ‘rainbow street’ that leads to Hallgrimskirkja, it’s LGBTQ+ friendly and doubles as a quirky art gallery.
Mokka Kaffi’s house waffles are as famous as its Italian-style coffees.
Hike or zipline over a glacier
Ice Pic Journeys offers a range of glacier experiences beyond Reykjavik. Glacier walks are led by professional glacier guides so you can set foot on a vast, icy expanse safely, avoiding hidden sinkholes and chasms.
Photo source: Ice Pic Journeys
Try your hand at ice climbing or enter the sleek, blue world of a natural ice cave. Tours are accompanied by a professional photographer who captures the adventure in the best light.
Ice Pic Journeys also offers the world’s only zip-wire over a glacier for those who want a real adventure on the ice.
Photo source: Ice Pic Journeys
Have a drink with the locals
Iceland has a rocky relationship with alcohol, having been under prohibition until 1989. A slew of cosy craft beer pubs has cropped up across Reykjavik in the past 20 years, and it doesn’t get more Icelandic than the Einstök Bar serving the country’s most famous craft beer.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
However, wine bars have recently become the thing in the Icelandic capital, and none is more atmospheric than Vínstúkan Tiu Sopar.
At this basement bar, the focus is natural wines and wines made by small producers, and a medley of small plates accompanies the extensive wine list.
Photo source: Vínstúkan Tiu Sopar
Soak in a geothermal hot spring
Hvammsvík lies a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik and is one of Iceland’s newest hot-spring experiences.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
On the shore of the Hvalfjörður fjord, it blends seamlessly into the landscape of pale green mountains and shimmering water.
The experience embraces the hot and cold traditions of Icelandic outdoor bathing, and there’s also a farm-to-table restaurant onsite whose chef was trained at Dill, Iceland’s only Michelin-starred restaurant.
Photo source: Facebook
Experience the best local flavours dinner
Leaning into the small-plates craze accompanying Iceland’s wine bar surge, Mat Bar shows off the length and breadth of local Icelandic ingredients mixed with flavours from across the globe.
Photo source: Mat Bar
Here, Icelandic lamb is flavoured with Turkish spice and freshly grilled fish is seasoned with a zesty hit of ponzu.
For a real splurge, hit Iceland’s only Michelin-starred restaurant. Dill has retained a star since 2017, and chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason takes his inspiration from Iceland’s rugged landscape to flavour an exceptional seasonal tasting menu.
Snorkel between the continents
Iceland sits on the continental divide between North America and Eurasia. It runs like a scar along the west of the island, resulting in a dramatic chasm of volcanic rock at Þingvellir National Park.
Photo source: Unsplash
Here, you can walk between the continental plates or, even better, dive or snorkel in the chasm between the continents.
Having filtered through lava for decades, the water at the Silfra fissure is crystal-clear, allowing you to observe this other-worldly underwater landscape of volcanic rock formations.
Photo source: Dive.is
Have an ice cream in Europe’s northernmost capital
Ice cream may seem counterintuitive in Europe’s most northerly capital city, but a rich dairy-producing tradition in Iceland has led to an obsession with the cold desert, no matter the weather.
It’s hard to miss the bright turquoise exterior of Valdis in the funky new harbour district.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
It serves gelato with some distinctly Icelandic flavours, such as rye bread ice cream. Valdis is perfect for a walk along the seafront or topping a waffle dish inside.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
Get friendly with an Icelandic horse
Did you know that once an Icelandic horse leaves Iceland, it is forbidden to return? Iceland’s horses have been purebred since Viking times and are known for their short stature and friendly demeanour.
In Iceland, tradition dictates you must learn a horse’s name before you can ride it, so get to know a friendly Icelandic horse at one of the stables on the southern coast.
Fifteen minutes’ drive from Reykjavik, a horse-riding experience at Viking Horses takes you through the Rauðhólar area, past (and through) shimmering lakes, and into a volcanic landscape of bright red craters.
Photo source: Viking Horses
Experience Iceland in miniature
While most visitors to Iceland head along the southern coast and to the highlights of the Golden Circle, it’s worth turning and facing the other direction to explore West Iceland.
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is a two-hour drive from the capital and is said to represent Iceland’s varied landscapes all in one place.
Photo source: Unsplash
Sheer cliffs plunge to the sea and rustle with birdlife at Arnarstapi, photographers flock to the striking pyramid-shaped Kirkjufell mountain (featured in Game of Thrones), and you can marvel at 8000-year-old lava formations in Vatnshellir Cave.
Photo source: Unsplash
Take part in the New Year celebrations
On December 31, strict traditions are upheld in Reykjavik as people across the city ring in the new year.
It begins at 7 p.m., when most people head out for a meal with family (make sure to book a table at a restaurant well in advance). Afterwards, they gather for bonfires and fireworks across the city before heading home to watch an annual, televised comedy roast at 10.30 p.m.
Just before midnight, everyone heads back onto the streets of Reykjavik and the sky is illuminated with blooming fireworks before they retire to cosy pubs and house parties that carry on until the early hours of the morning. It’s quite the spectacle for anyone visiting Reykjavik over the New Year period.
Witness the annual sheep and horse round-up
Throughout September and into the beginning of October, farmers in the wildlands surrounding Reykjavik begin to herd their sheep and horses from their wild summer grazing back to their farmsteads.
Photo source: Unsplash
There’s a festival atmosphere to the events across the hamlets and small villages of Iceland, with locals and visitors coming to watch the event and celebrate the beginning of autumn. Live music plays and beer flows freely at the Réttarball afterwards.
Visit Iceland has a calendar showing when and where each local Réttir takes place.
Join one of the darkest festivals in the world
As the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik is a vibrant hub of creativity and culture. The city boasts striking landmarks such as the Harpa concert hall along the picturesque seafront, as well as charming art galleries and quirky museums that fill its inviting streets.
Photo source: Unsplash
Throughout the year, Reykjavik pulses with life, showcasing a delightful mix of traditional celebrations and contemporary cultural festivals. Among these, the Iceland Noir Festival shines particularly bright.
This captivating literary event delves into the darker aspects of storytelling, attracting mystery writers from around the world to join local talent during the long, dark days of November.
Photo source: Iceland Noir
Festival-goers can immerse themselves in a series of engaging panels, talks and events dedicated to literary crime, where acclaimed authors explore the intriguing realms of murder and mystery.
Read more about authentic travel experiences in Baltic Outlook.