Hallgrimskirkja
The big massive church on the hill in the centre of the city. You can get a lift up to the top to get a pretty epic view of the city, especially if it’s a nice day. If you happen to be in Reykjavik on New Year’s Eve, Hallgrimskirkja is the place you need to be when the fireworks start.
Sólfarið – Sun Voyager
Beautiful golden sculpture of a boat right by the sea. Looks brilliant, especially when the sun is out.
Harpa Concert Hall
The big massive beautiful glass building on the sea front. Worth checking out to see what concerts, gigs, exhibitions are on. It’s great to just visit too as it is a beautiful building inside and out and it fun the see what the views are on each floor of the building.
The National Gallery of Iceland / Listasafn Íslands
Great art gallery that features a permanent collection as well as usually a couple of exhibitions too.
Reykjavik Art Museum – Hafnarhus / Harbor house
Another great art museum that seem to always have some interesting exhibitions on. They make really good use of the building too.
Reykjavik Art Museum – Kjarvalsstaðir
Another part of of the art museum slightly further out of town, also seems to always have interesting exhibitions on and has lovely gardens all around it.
The Settlement Exhibition
Interesting small museum that tells you all about the history of Iceland. Great way to fill an hour or two if it is raining (and you don’t want to wait 5 minutes).
Directions
Reykjavik City Hall
Worth popping into the lobby just to see the giant relief map of Iceland. There is also a very peaceful lake called Tjörnin that freezes over in the winter.
Volcano House
You can watch a couple of interesting short films about various volcanic eruptions in Iceland over the years, including the one on the island of Heimaey off the south coast in 1973 that I found fascinating.
Perlan
Huge big domed building on the outside of town. Great views over the city.
Directions
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
Very famous Hot Dog stand next to the harbour. Well worth a visit. I recommend one with everything on.
Lucky Records
Great record shop. Very friendly with lots of stock, including lots of 2nd hand.
12 Tónar
Another great record shop. They always seem to offer a cup of coffee as soon as you walk through the door.
Icelandic Penis Museum
If only just so you can tell everybody that you went there.
Grillmarkaðurinn (The Grill Market)
This restaurant is all about the meat. Pricey, but really good.
Fiskmarkaðurinn (The Fish Market)
Funnily enough, this restaurant is all about the fish. Pricey, but also really good.
Directions
Dill Restaurant
It was the first restaurant in Iceland to win a Michelin star.
Directions
Mokka Kaffi
Great cafe that does really awesome waffles. Plus it features on the cover of one of my favourite albums.
Stofan Café
Another great cafe, does lovely homemade cakes and cookies and they are always very friendly.
Stephen Caulfield 