27 of the best places to visit in Europe - Lonely Planet
27 of the best places to visit in Europe · 1. London, UK · 2. Venice, Italy · 3. Paris, France · 4. Rome, Italy · 5. Berlin, Germany · 6.
Reykjavík
Most Icelanders live in <anchor>Reykjavík</anchor> and even on the shortest visit you’ll be struck by how quirky and creative the population is. Despite being on the northern margin of Europe, the locals have crafted a town packed with captivating art, rich cuisine and an epic music scene. Learn about a history stretching back to the Vikings and use the city as a base for trips to Iceland’s amazing natural wonders.
Reykjavík travel - Lonely Planet | Iceland, Europe
Reykjavík travel - Lonely Planet \| Iceland, Europe

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![Reykjavik view from Perlan.](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2022-05/GettyRF_524576118.jpg?w=1920&h=640&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cedges&auto=format&q=75)

© Boy\_Anupong / Getty Images

# Reykjavík

1. [Iceland](/iceland),
2. [Europe](/europe)

The world's most northerly capital combines colorful buildings, quirky, creative people, eye-popping design, wild nightlife and a capricious soul.

[**Best Things to Do**](/articles/top-things-to-do-in-reykjavik) [**Things to Know**](/articles/things-to-know-before-traveling-to-reykjavik)

* * *

## Attractions

### Must-see attractions

- ![National Museum interior.](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2019-06/f717f910330ddd9809a923c3ccf32ce030d06dcb46ba3bab2e0834f80046fae5.jpg?fit=crop&ar=1%3A1&w=1200&auto=format&q=75)



[National Museum](/iceland/reykjavik/old-reykjavik/attractions/national-museum/a/poi-sig/426259/1341239)



Reykjavík







Artefacts from settlement to the modern age fill the creative display spaces of Iceland's superb National Museum. Exhibits give an excellent overview of…

- ![Settlement Exhibition](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2019-06/659a01a49b7b61f5d034e096ad606980-reykjavik-871-2-the-settlement-exhibition.jpg?fit=crop&ar=1%3A1&w=1200&auto=format&q=75)



[Settlement Exhibition](/iceland/reykjavik/old-reykjavik/attractions/settlement-exhibition/a/poi-sig/426279/1341239)



Reykjavík







This fascinating archaeological ruin-museum is based around a 10th-century Viking longhouse unearthed here from 2001 to 2002 and other Settlement-Era…

- ![REYKJAVIK ART MUSEUM  THE HARBOUR BUILDING EXTERIOR SOUTH ELEVATION](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2019-06/GettyImages-157901832_master.jpg?fit=crop&ar=1%3A1&w=1200&auto=format&q=75)



[Reykjavík Art Museum](/iceland/reykjavik/attractions/reykjavik-art-museum/a/poi-sig/1376807/359560)



Reykjavík







The excellent Reykjavík Art Museum is split over three superbly curated sites: the large, modern, downtown Hafnarhús, focusing on contemporary art;…

- ![Town houses, Reykjavik](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2019-06/35063af8ac4f36a8a6d87e1eda868938-old-harbour.jpg?fit=crop&ar=1%3A1&w=1200&auto=format&q=75)



[Old Harbour](/iceland/reykjavik/old-harbour/attractions/old-harbour/a/poi-sig/1376466/1341240)



Reykjavík







Largely a service harbour until recently, the Old Harbour and the neighbouring Grandi area have blossomed into tourist hot spots, with key art galleries,…

- ![x-default](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2019-06/458614105f96b9711b1ef022b7afc638-tjornin.jpg?fit=crop&ar=1%3A1&w=1200&auto=format&q=75)



[Tjörnin](/iceland/reykjavik/old-reykjavik/attractions/tjoernin/a/poi-sig/426302/1341239)



Reykjavík







The placid lake at the centre of the city is sometimes locally called the Pond. It echoes with the honks and squawks of more than 40 species of visiting…

- ![Iceland: TjÃƒÂ¶rnin in Reykjavik](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2019-06/496876805_medium.jpg?fit=crop&ar=1%3A1&w=1200&auto=format&q=75)



[Old Reykjavík](/iceland/reykjavik/old-reykjavik/attractions/old-reykjavik/a/poi-sig/1377009/1341239)



Reykjavík







With a series of sights and interesting historic buildings, the area dubbed Old Reykjavík is the heart of the capital, and the focal point of many…

- ![Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús](https://lonelyplanetstatic.imgix.net/marketing/placeholders/placeholder-attractions.jpg?fit=crop&ar=1%3A1&w=1200&auto=format&q=75)





[Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús](/iceland/reykjavik/old-reykjavik/attractions/reykjavik-art-museum-hafnarhus/a/poi-sig/1413774/1341239)



Reykjavík







Reykjavík Art Museum's Hafnarhús is a marvellously restored warehouse converted into a soaring steel-and-concrete exhibition space. Though the well…

- ![x-default](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2019-06/bd32f86539abdff97e0002ad6240b07f-laugardalur.jpg?fit=crop&ar=1%3A1&w=1200&auto=format&q=75)



[Laugardalur](/iceland/reykjavik/attractions/laugardalur/a/poi-sig/426253/359560)



Reykjavík







Laugardalur encompasses a verdant stretch of land 4km east of the city centre. It was once the main source of Reykjavík’s hot-water supply: it translates…


[View more attractions](/iceland/reykjavik/attractions)

[View more attractions](/iceland/reykjavik/attractions)

## Planning Tools

## Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Neighborhoods

From a buzzing shopping and museum-filled district to quieter locales with recreation options and vistas aplenty, these are the best neighborhoods in Reykjavík.

[Read article](/articles/best-neighborhoods-in-reykjavik)

Day Trips

From the southwest corner of Iceland, you have easy access to some of the country's most iconic sights, from glacial caves to steaming lagoons.

[Read article](/articles/best-day-trips-from-reykjavik)

Money and Costs

From transportation to food to a pass that unlocks discounts on must-sees, here’s how to save cash in Iceland's capital city.

[Read article](/articles/reykyavik-on-a-budget)

Transportation

Reykjavík has a population of just 130,000 people, but it spans an area double the size of Paris. Here are the best ways to get around.

[Read article](/articles/getting-around-reykjavik)

Free Things to Do

The Icelandic capital is often ranked one of Europe’s most expensive cities, but it's not without its bargain side.

[Read article](/articles/top-free-things-to-do-in-reykjavik)

Traveling with Kids

Reykjavík is a major metropolis shrunk to small-town size – perfect for a family-sized city break. Here's how to explore the Icelandic capital with kids.

[Read article](/articles/reykjavik-with-kids)

View more

## Plan with a local

Experience the real Iceland

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.

Get started

![](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/public/2023-08/ICELAND_Stocksy_txp41b27a5fq7S300_Medium_3384614.jpg?auto=format&fit=crop&w=864&h=550&q=100)

## Articles

## Latest storiesfrom Reykjavík

[Read more articles](/iceland/reykjavik/articles)

![661798951 "no people, reykjavik, iceland, city, capital cities, downtown, cityscape, skyline, built structure, building exterior, building, architecture, bay, dusk, sunset, mountains, mountain range, snow covered, winter, cold temperature, famous place, travel destinations, tourism, horizontal, outdoors, day, lights, illuminated"](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-06/GettyImages-661798951.jpeg?w=730&h=630&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)![661798951 "no people, reykjavik, iceland, city, capital cities, downtown, cityscape, skyline, built structure, building exterior, building, architecture, bay, dusk, sunset, mountains, mountain range, snow covered, winter, cold temperature, famous place, travel destinations, tourism, horizontal, outdoors, day, lights, illuminated"](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2024-06/GettyImages-661798951.jpeg?w=780&h=425&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)

Destination Practicalities

[A first-timer’s guide to Reykjavík](/articles/guide-to-reykjavik)

Jun 14, 2024 • 9 min read

Iceland's capital offers stunning natural beauty, arty culture, geothermal wonders and the chance to see the Northern Lights. Here's all you need to know.

- ![Couple swimming in Blue Lagoon, Iceland](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2022-07/Stocksy_txp41b27a5fq7S300_Medium_3384614.jpeg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)





Beaches

[9 best places to swim in Reykjavík, from luxury pools to the ice-cold Atlantic](/articles/best-places-to-swim-reykjavik)

Jul 7, 2022 • 5 min read









![one man running in a park in Reykjavik, Iceland](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2022-05/Iceland-Reykjavi%CC%81k-Palmi-Gudmundsson-shutterstock_676739362-RFC.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)





Wildlife & Nature

[Reykjavík’s best outdoor spaces – endless landscapes in a single city](/articles/best-outdoor-spaces-reykjavik)

Jun 19, 2022 • 4 min read









![Man soaking in natural hot spring surrounded by nature in Iceland](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2021-10/GettyRF_615220878.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)





Activities

[The 15 best things around Reykjavík from hot springs to nightlife](/articles/top-things-to-do-in-reykjavik)

Jun 12, 2022 • 9 min read









![April 2018: Woman taking a bath in the hot spring pool of Myvatn Nature Bath during sunset.](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2022-06/shutterstockRF_1164145702.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)





Activities

[The 11 best free things to do in Reykjavík](/articles/top-free-things-to-do-in-reykjavik)

Jun 10, 2022 • 5 min read

- ![Rainbow Street Reykjavik Iceland - stock photo Reykjavik, Iceland - July 5th, 2021: View up the famous Rainbow Street in Downtown Reykjavik Iceland. Halgrimskirka in the background. Reykjavik, Iceland, Northern Europe](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2022-05/Iceland-Reykjavik-Finn-Hafemann-GettyImages-1370085164-RFE.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)





Budget Travel

[11 tips for stretching your dough in Reykjavík](/articles/reykyavik-on-a-budget)

Jun 8, 2022 • 5 min read









![A person walks down the sidewalk of the Laugavegur shopping avenue in Reykjavík](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2022-05/Iceland-Reykjavi%CC%81k-ablokhin-Getty-1328529237-RFE.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)





Destination Practicalities

[Reykjavík’s best neighborhoods for city eats and urban retreats](/articles/best-neighborhoods-in-reykjavik)

Jun 5, 2022 • 4 min read









![People gathered around the Sun Voyager sculpture in Reykjavik](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2022-05/Iceland-Reykjavik-Andrij-Vatsyk-shutterstock_1453185167-RFE.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)





Public Transport

[Getting around Reykjavik is easy, whether it's bustling or oh so quiet](/articles/getting-around-reykjavik)

Jun 4, 2022 • 5 min read









![Fit in just like a local with our tips on what you need to know before visiting Reykjavik](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2022-05/Iceland-Reykjavik-Arctic-Images-GettyImages-523107764-RFC.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)





Tips & Advice

[Shower before going to the pool and other tips every Reykjavik local wants you to know](/articles/things-to-know-before-traveling-to-reykjavik)

May 30, 2022 • 5 min read

- ![Children at the Laugardalslaug pool in Reykjavik](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2022-03/GettyImages-521926336.jpg?w=140&h=140&fit=crop&auto=format&q=75)





Family Travel

[How to explore Reykjavík with kids: whales, hot pools and ice-cream cones](/articles/reykjavik-with-kids)

Mar 3, 2022 • 6 min read


[Read more articles](/iceland/reykjavik/articles)

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