Eight activities for your visit to Iceland’s capital city.
If I asked you to guess a city that was famous for its hot dogs and penis museum, would you guess it was in Iceland? No, me either. But those are two of the things you do not want to miss when you visit Reykjavik.
The capital city of Iceland is known for a lot of quirky activities, in addition to the historical, interesting, and beautiful activities around every corner. If you only have a few days to spend in the city, check out my 3-Day Reykjavik Itinerary. Or find the things you don’t want to miss below!
Visit Hallgrimskirkja and Climb the Bell Tower
Hallgrimskirkja is the largest church (and one of the largest buildings) in Iceland. It is also a functioning church! The building stands proudly on top of Skólavörðuholt hill, towering over the city. It was designed by architect Guðjón Samúelsson to represent the country’s landscape, and is now a symbol of national identity.
The texture built into the church’s exterior represents basalt columns that are found around Iceland, famously on Reynisfjara black sand beach.
The curvature of the church’s walls and the way the columns climb upwards are representative of Iceland’s mountains and glaciers, climbing upward through the unique terrain.
When you visit Hallgrimskirkja, you don’t want to miss the views from the top. The tower reaches 74.5 meters (244 feet) tall and is the perfect place for 360-degree views of Reykjavik. Access the tower by purchasing a ticket from the church gift shop and riding the elevator to the top, where you will find (and maybe hear!) the church bells.
Details for the overthinkers:
- When services are not being held, the bells ring every 15 minutes:
- Monday-Friday: 9 am to 9 pm
- Weekends/Holidays: noon to 9 pm
- The bells are very loud. If you or anyone in your party has sensory issues due to sudden or loud noises, be aware!
- Entrance to the church is free. As of 2026, tickets to the top cost 1500 ISK (~$12 USD) for adults and 200 ISK (~$2 USD) for children.
- Check the official website for seasonal hours and updates.
Sculpture Walk Along the Waterfront
If the weather is nice, you cannot leave Reykjavik without walking along the scenic waterfront of Kollafjörður fjord. There is a wide, paved path along the water which passes by sculptures, lighthouses, and other artist installations.
Starting downtown, you will walk eastward along the path, first passing Harpa Concert Hall – a vision unto itself! Along the walk, you will see:
- Statue of Icelandic cellist Erling Blöndal Bengtsson
- “Sun Voyager” sculpture
- “Íslandsvarðan” sculpture
- “The Shore Piece” sculpture and installation
- The Partnership Statue
- Höfði Lighthouse
The Sun Voyager is the most popular of the installations along this shore walk. It is a symbol of Iceland’s Viking heritage and the hope and exploration which are foundational to Icelandic culture today.
The Rainbow Street in Reykjavik
Skólavörðustígur, Reykjavik’s Rainbow Street, might be the happiest street in the city! This street is a bold celebration of equality and inclusion, which Iceland takes very seriously. Originally installed as part of a Pride celebration in 1999, the rainbow road was so popular that it became a permanent feature of the city. And a permanent part of the annual Reykjavik Pride Parade!
You can shop and dine along Rainbow Street, although expect the prices to reflect that this is one of the most popular streets for tourists to visit.
Eat Icelandic Cuisine
Iceland has unique local cuisine that you don’t want to miss, all of which sheds light on an aspect of the country’s history and culture. Some of the interesting food opportunities you can find in Reykjavik include:
- Hákarl, or fermented shark. This delicacy is most commonly served with Brennivín, a locally made schnapps nicknamed “Black Death”
- Pylsur, the Icelandic hot dog. It is made mostly of lamb and traditionally topped with crispy onions, raw onions, sweet mustard, Icelandic ketchup, and remoulade.
- Fresh sea food, especially cod, haddock, salmon, and langoustine. (The best fish and chips I’ve ever had!)
Reykjavik is also home to Kattakaffihusid, the country’s first and only cat cafe! Adoptable cats roam free around the cafe while you can enjoy a fun latte and pastry.
Flyover Iceland Experience
FlyOver Iceland is an activity I personally recommend to anyone who does not experience motion sickness. This is a unique activity that I can only equate to a ride at Disneyland.
You strap into a chair as if on a rollercoaster, then they slowly drop the floor from under your feet so you are suspended in the air. A huge screen in front of you plays breathtaking drone footage from around Iceland, flying through canyons, over glaciers, and through waterfalls. Your seat moves in sync with the video and wind blows as you go, and it really feels like you’re flying.
Details for the overthinkers:
- As I said, I do not recommend this activity if you get motion sickness! My mom had to take a dramamine to not get sick.
- As of 2026, tickets cost 5950 ISK (~$48 USD) for adults and 3950 ISK (~$32 USD) for children, or cheaper if you buy online ahead of time. Check the FlyOver Iceland website for the most updated hours and pricing.
Go on a Walking Tour
Any new city I visit, a walking tour is the first thing I look for. It is the best way to orient yourself to your surroundings. It also immediately gets you in front of someone local, who has advice to share about what to do in the area.
In Reykjavik specifically, consider taking a foodie walking tour to try the interesting flavors of Iceland, or a folklore walking tour to learn about the mythical history of the country including elves, trolls, and thirteen iterations of Santa Claus. Or choose the budget friendly option and find a free walking tour which will cover all the basics and hot spots.
Museums in Reykjavik
For the museum lovers, Reykjavik has quite a line up! If you have a niche interest be sure to search for a specific museum in Reykjavik; or consider spending time looking and learning at one of these:
Aurora Reykjavik – learn about the Northern Lights. This museum also offers tours to see the Northern Lights, but they book far in advance so plan this ahead of time.
Whales of Iceland – the largest whale museum in Europe with 23 life-sized models of whales found around Iceland. You can also book whale watching excursions through the museum.
National Museum of Iceland – for the history buffs!
The Icelandic Punk Museum – so punk, they don’t have a website. Learn about the history of punk in Iceland in a former underground public toilet.
Lava Show – a live recreation of a volcanic eruption. You sit in a room where real molten lava is flowing. No, really.
The Icelandic Phallological Museum – self described as “dedicated to collecting, studying and presenting actual phalluses and all things phallic.” Hot tip: You can enter the gift shop for free, if you are looking for a quirky souvenir but don’t have the time to do the full museum experience.
Relax at a Geothermal Pool or Spa
There are numerous geothermal pools located around Reykjavik, including 18 public pools, a geothermal beach, and a geothermal spa.
Most people immediately think of Blue Lagoon, which is world famous for a reason. What many don’t know, however, is that Blue Lagoon is nearly an hour outside of Reykjavik. If you want to spend less time commuting and more time soaking, you can visit Sky Lagoon instead.
Sky Lagoon is only minutes from the city center and on the coast of the ocean. It is so coastal, in fact, that you can enjoy the geothermal infinity pool overlooking the North Atlantic, as if you are at sea. But also in paradise. There is a bar so you can enjoy a cocktail or mocktail while you soak in the warm, nutrient-rich lagoon.
The spa offers a 7-step Skjól ritual which includes a cold plunge, sauna, and salt scrub. I highly recommend it.
Reykjavik, Iceland: Final Thoughts
Reykjavik is such a special city, and I hope to spend more time there in the future. I’m considering a weekend jaunt just to get lost in the museums downtown. And enjoy some fresh seafood as a treat.
The city’s surroundings are beautiful. The people in Reykjavik are kind and helpful. The food is unique and reflective of the country’s history and culture.
Even if you have only a weekend to travel, Reykjavik is a great place to spend it! Or use Reykjavik as a gateway to the astounding country that is Iceland.
