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Coming soon
Iceland · City guide
What to do in Reykjavik
16 vlogs from 16 channels mention 74 places in Reykjavik; 3 of them appear in at least half of the vlogs. Places are ranked by how often the vlogs mention them. Press the play button on any place to watch that exact moment.
- 74places
- 16vlogs
- 176moments
- 4.2 hof video
74 places · most mentioned first
Hallgrímskirkja
Reykjavik's landmark Lutheran church towers over the city centre on Skólavörðuholt hill; an elevator takes visitors up the tower for panoramic city views.
6:54· SteveMarshin 13 vlogsBlue Lagoon
A geothermal spa south of Reykjavik where visitors soak in mineral-rich water among lava fields, apply silica mud and book massages.
1:42· adulting with angelain 11 vlogsHarpa
Reykjavik's concert hall and conference centre, opened in 2011, with a striking, almost see-through glass facade.
5:01· Icelandairin 11 vlogsGolden Circle
A classic day-trip loop through a national park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall, done by car or bus tour. Often busy.
1:37· adulting with angelain 7 vlogsGeysir
The geyser that gave its name to all geysers, in a geothermal field on the Golden Circle; Geysir rarely erupts, but nearby Strokkur blasts water up regularly.
15:09· Icelandairin 6 vlogsGullfoss
A waterfall on the Golden Circle route whose spray reaches even the high viewpoints, often the climax of a Golden Circle day.
23:49· Rick Steves' Europein 6 vlogsÞingvellir National Park
A national park and one of the three main stops on the Golden Circle route.
19:25· Rick Steves' Europein 6 vlogsNational Museum of Iceland
Iceland's national museum covers the country's history, with early carved objects among its highlights.
5:26· Rick Steves' Europein 5 vlogsSkólavörðustígur (Rainbow Street)
Colourful downtown street painted in rainbow stripes for gay pride. It is a symbol of Iceland's commitment to equality and human rights.
14:24· Claire's Footstepsin 5 vlogsSun Voyager (Sólfar)
Modern waterfront sculpture of a Viking-style ship. It honours the Scandinavian seafarers who settled the uninhabited island from the 9th century.
1:37· TravelScoutin 5 vlogsPerlan
A museum at the edge of town covering Iceland's natural wonders, including volcanoes, bird cliffs and a 300-ft ice cave, with a 360° viewing deck.
17:45· Rick Steves' Europein 5 vlogsOld Harbour
Reykjavik's walkable old harbour area, with a waterfront promenade close to the historic centre.
17:12· SteveMarshin 4 vlogsIcelandic Phallological Museum
A quirky museum devoted to the phalluses of animals.
9:22· Claire's Footstepsin 4 vlogsGrótta Lighthouse
A lighthouse on a small island at the tip of Seltjarnarnes, reached by a causeway that is only passable at low tide.
19:53· SteveMarshin 4 vlogsBæjarins Beztu Pylsur
A famous Reykjavik hot dog stand known for its Icelandic hot dogs with sauces and toppings; expect a long line.
Leif Erikson Statue
A statue of the Norse explorer Leif Erikson stands in front of Hallgrímskirkja.
4:01· Rick Steves' Europein 3 vlogsKolaportið Flea Market
Weekend downtown flea market with a mostly local shopping scene. It sells Icelandic wool sweaters and traditional foods.
10:51· Rick Steves' Europein 3 vlogsCafé Loki
Café serving traditional Icelandic food, including fermented shark, fish pie and lamb shank.
9:12· TOPJAWin 3 vlogsSky Lagoon
Geothermal lagoon set in black volcanic rock with an infinity edge over the sea, celebrating Icelandic hot-and-cold bathing culture.
2:27· Tastes & Viewsin 3 vlogsSægreifinn (Sea Baron)
Long-running harbourside seafood spot famous for its lobster soup, with a ship-like door and an authentic old feel.
6:33· Mathers On The Mapin 3 vlogsIcelandic Punk Museum
A small museum about Iceland's punk music scene in the city centre.
5:44· SteveMarshin 2 vlogsReykjanes Peninsula Blue Diamond Route
A 50 km loop with craters, a mud geyser, a lighthouse, geothermal areas and volcanic activity.
18:34· Claire's Footstepsin 2 vlogsHlemmur Mathöll
Food hall in a former bus station, housing several food stalls and restaurants.
8:47· Lucas World Travelin 2 vlogsDeig
Bakery whose name means 'dough' in Icelandic, famous for bagel sandwiches and doughnuts.
5:35· TOPJAWin 2 vlogsSkál!
Counter restaurant whose name means 'cheers', serving Nordic comfort food from a Danish head chef.
12:14· TOPJAWin 2 vlogsLe Kock
Sister restaurant of Deig serving burgers, wings and fries, with potato buns made from a local grower's potatoes.
14:18· TOPJAWin 2 vlogsWhales of Iceland
Immersive museum with life-size whale models. It explores whales' habits, songs and role in the ecosystem.
7:00· TravelScoutin 2 vlogsReykjavík Roasters
Specialty coffee roaster and café that locals recommend for coffee and pastries.
13:12· Gail Schulmanin 2 vlogsFlyOver Iceland
Simulated flight ride over Iceland, including places that are impossible to reach in person.
11:32· Claire's Footstepsin 2 vlogsBrauð & Co.
Popular Reykjavik bakery known for its cinnamon buns and pastries, a budget-friendly snack in a pricey city.
0:23· Tastes & Viewsin 2 vlogs
Mentioned once
43 more picks, each from a single vlog, so not ranked.
The Settlement Exhibition
A museum built around the excavated remains of a Viking-age longhouse found in central Reykjavik.
9:03· Wolters World1 vlogNational Gallery of Iceland
Iceland's leading art museum, one of several art museums in Reykjavik.
9:22· Wolters World1 vlogAusturvöllur (Parliament Square)
Square in front of Iceland's humble parliament house, the Alþingi. The parliament represents a thousand-year democratic tradition.
Einar Jónsson Museum
Museum holding the plaster originals of Iceland's Rodin-inspired sculptor. Its free sculpture garden is filled with his emotive bronze works.
Brút
Contemporary seafood restaurant with a short menu of eight starters and eight mains, nearly all fish, in balanced and uncomplicated dishes.
0:21· TOPJAW1 vlogVíkurgarður (Fógetagarður)
Small historic square in central Reykjavik with a statue of Skúli Magnússon, known as Sheriff's Square.
1:51· TOPJAW1 vlogSkúli Craft Bar
Craft beer bar on Fógetagarður named after the statue outside, pouring almost exclusively Icelandic craft beers.
1:58· TOPJAW1 vlogFish Market (Fiskmarkaðurinn)
Restaurant pairing fresh Icelandic fish with Asian flavours, serving tempura rock shrimp, maki rolls and wagyu beef with truffle.
2:25· TOPJAW1 vlogJungle Cocktail Bar
Creative cocktail bar in central Reykjavik known for inventive house drinks.
4:02· TOPJAW1 vlogBakabaka
Bakery and pizzeria built around sourdough, with pastries by day and pizza, nominated for both best bakery and best pizza.
4:38· TOPJAW1 vlogCafé Ole
Coffee shop first opened in 1992 and recently reopened by its original owner, serving locally roasted coffee.
8:09· TOPJAW1 vlogÓx
Michelin-starred restaurant serving a 20-course modern take on Icelandic cuisine in a 1960s-70s Icelandic home setting.
10:31· TOPJAW1 vlogAmma Don
Speakeasy cocktail bar next to Óx, where the restaurant's tasting menu begins.
10:31· TOPJAW1 vlogVínstúkan Tíu Sopar
Small subterranean natural wine bar with a sommelier and small tapas-style plates.
13:41· TOPJAW1 vlogRaufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel
One of Iceland's largest lava tube caves, formed by rivers of molten rock in the Leitahraun eruption. Guided tours lead visitors through its passages.
1:06· Noah Travel Guides1 vlogInto the Glacier (Langjökull)
Man-made ice tunnels inside Langjökull, Iceland's second-largest glacier. Visitors learn how glaciers form.
4:23· Noah Travel Guides1 vlog12 Tónar
Independent record store on Skólavörðustígur selling alternative music and Icelandic recordings not available anywhere else.
4:21· Icelandair1 vlogLife of Whales Whale Watching
Three-hour whale-watching tours from Reykjavik Harbour, passing Puffin Island on the way to see minke whales, porpoises and dolphins.
9:08· Icelandair1 vlogNordic House
Cultural centre designed by Alvar Aalto, with a Scandinavian library, a design shop and daily cultural events.
11:22· Icelandair1 vlogKvika Footbath
Hidden hot-spring footbath near Grótta, created as an artwork by Ólöf Nordal.
12:50· Icelandair1 vlogVOX
Restaurant at the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica with a bistro and a fine-dining area, focused on local, seasonal New Nordic cuisine.
13:11· Icelandair1 vlogSilfra Fissure
Water-filled rift between tectonic plates in Þingvellir National Park, known for diving.
3:39· TravelScout1 vlogLaugavegur
Reykjavik's main shopping street, lined with boutiques, bookstores, cafes, restaurants and bars.
5:22· TravelScout1 vlogReykjavik Art Museum
Central art museum showing everything from modern installations to classic works by Icelandic artists.
5:49· TravelScout1 vlogReykjavik Fish Restaurant
A casual, cafeteria-style seafood spot where guests order and pay at the counter, then find a seat.
Reykjavík Chips
Simple fries shop serving crispy chips with dipping sauces, plus sweet potato fries.
9:51· Mathers On The Map1 vlogFljótt og Gott (BSÍ Bus Terminal)
Restaurant and drive-thru at the BSÍ bus terminal, known for serving svið, a traditional singed half sheep's head.
Þúfa
Grassy spiral mound artwork by Ólöf Nordal by the harbour, opened in 2013 and referencing Iceland's fishing heritage, with a small fish-drying shack on top.
7:21· Gail Schulman1 vlogBingó Drinkery
Cosy downtown bar serving cocktails, with a dartboard where locals and travellers mingle over games.
10:39· Gail Schulman1 vlogÁrbær Open Air Museum
Open-air museum opened in 1957 around an old farm. More than 20 relocated historic buildings, including turf houses and a church, recreate 19th–20th century life.
17:28· Gail Schulman1 vlogCityWalk Reykjavík Free Walking Tour
Tip-based walking tour of central Reykjavik covering Icelandic history and culture, with stops at landmarks like the statue of the first settler.
1:20· Claire's Footsteps1 vlogTjörnin
The main lake in central Reykjavik. Geothermal water is pumped into part of it, so it stays partly unfrozen in winter and geese live there year-round.
1:41· Claire's Footsteps1 vlogReykjavík City Hall (Ráðhús Reykjavíkur)
Lakeside city hall housing a large topographical map of Iceland that shows its mountains and terrain.
2:08· Claire's Footsteps1 vlogSculpture and Shore Walk
Free waterfront path along Reykjavik bay with sculptures and views of snow-capped mountains. It links the city centre to areas further out.
2:59· Claire's Footsteps1 vlogLaugardalslaug
One of Reykjavik's public geothermal swimming pools, popular with locals.
4:00· Claire's Footsteps1 vlogIngólfur Arnarson Statue (Arnarhóll)
Hilltop statue of Iceland's first settler on Arnarhóll, a stop on free walking tours of the city.
7:02· Claire's Footsteps1 vlogLava Show
Hour-long show where real lava at about 1,100°C is poured into a room while a volcanologist explains Iceland's volcanoes.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Peninsula west of Reykjavik offered as a day trip from the city.
Hlöllabátar
Local sandwich shop serving many kinds of massive, very filling sub sandwiches at budget-friendly prices.