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Reykjavík City Centre

Downtown Reykjavík is the beating heart of Iceland’s capital – a compact hub where culture, history, creativity and nightlife meet against a backdrop of colourful neighbourhoods and scenic views. Whether you're browsing local boutiques, exploring historic sites or sampling world-class cuisine, the city centre offers a rich experience catering to all ages and interests. By day, it’s a lively cultural district; by night, it transforms into a hotspot for music, cocktails and celebration. From museums and churches to street art and hidden cafés, Reykjavík’s centre is where the city’s soul comes to life.

Top attractions

Sun Voyager in Reykjavík

City Icons

Reykjavík’s city centre is filled with landmarks that offer a perfect blend of architecture, art and atmosphere, each telling its own story of Iceland’s identity. Towering above the city is Hallgrímskirkja, Iceland’s most recognisable building. Inspired by basalt columns and lava flows, the church offers sweeping views from its tower and serves as a compass point for navigating the city. A short walk downhill leads to 'Rainbow Street', which gives way to Laugavegur, downtown's main street. By the harbour, the shimmering Harpa Concert Hall draws visitors with its glass facade, designed to reflect Iceland’s light and landscape. Along the waterfront path stands The Sun Voyager, a striking steel sculpture shaped like a Viking ship. It faces the sea with the mountain Esja in the background, and has become one of the city’s most photographed spots.
 

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Culture & Curiosity

Culture lovers will find plenty to explore in downtown Reykjavík. Highlights include the National Museum of Iceland, tracing the nation’s story from settlement to present day; the Reykjavík Art Museum with its three branches including Hafnarhús, dedicated to contemporary art; and the charming Reykjavík City Museum, which incorporates exhibitions on daily life and archaeology. Don’t miss the Icelandic Phallological Museum, housing the world's largest collections of, er, penises, or The Settlement Exhibition, where you can walk through the ruins of a Viking longhouse. Together, these institutions offer a deep and often quirky dive into Iceland’s rich cultural heritage.
 

dining in Reykjavík

Tastes of the City

Reykjavík’s dining scene is as diverse and dynamic as the city itself, from iconic street food to fine-dining fare. No visit is complete without a stop at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, Reykjavík’s legendary hotdog stand. At the other end of the scale are Michelin-recognised restaurants where seasonal ingredients and Nordic techniques meet magically on the plate. Reykjavík’s food halls have become popular gathering spots, offering a variety of flavours in vibrant, no-bookings-needed settings. Coffee culture and artisan bakeries also thrive here, alongside cosy pubs, vegan cafés, and seafood-focused bistros. Come hungry!

shopping in Reykjavík

The Perfect Souvenir

Reykjavík’s city centre is a fabulous place to shop, with a creative mix of local design and international fashion. The main shopping streets are Laugavegur, Skólavörðustígur and Hverfisgata, and they're filled with independent boutiques, bookstores, design studios, and artisan gift shops. You’ll find everything from hand-knitted lopapeysur (Icelandic wool sweaters) to high-end homeware and minimalist Nordic fashion. Many stores focus on sustainable materials and Icelandic-made products, giving visitors the chance to bring home a piece of Iceland. Whether you're treasure-hunting or window-shopping, the downtown retail scene is lively, walkable, and full of surprises.
 

What to do in Reykjavík City Centre

Attractions, dining options and accommodations in Reykjavík City Centre

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Grái Kötturinn

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Alþingisgarðurinn parliament park

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Lóa Restaurant

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Vesturbæjarlaug pool

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Alþingi - Parliament House

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Höfði House

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Miðgarður by Center Hotels

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THE ROOF

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Haust Restaurant

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Reykjavík Art Museum - Kjarvalsstaðir

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Tres Locos

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Miðgarður Spa

Rauðará

Fosshotel Rauðará

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The Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum

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Jörgensen Kitchen & Bar

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Sand Hotel

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Hafnartorg Gallery

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Geiri Smart

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Hallargarðurinn public park

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Magic Ice - Ice Gallery & Bar

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Potturinn og pannan

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Sæta Svínið

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Tapas Bar

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Skuggi Hotel

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The pond and Hljómskálagarðurinn park

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Canopy by Hilton

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Mink Viking Experience

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Reykjavík Art Museum - Hafnarhús

Konsúlat wine room

Konsúlat Wine Room

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Hallgrímskirkja Church Tower

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The Volcano Express

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Center Hotels Skjaldbreið

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Sundhöll Reykjavíkur pool

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Fosshotel Reykjavík

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TIDES Café

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Hotel Reykjavík Centrum

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Ísafold Lounge & Bar

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OTO

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Jómfrúin

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Ísafold Spa

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Apótek Kitchen + Bar

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Center Hotels Plaza

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Fosshotel Baron

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Aðalstræti - The Settlement Exhibition

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Fröken Reykjavík

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Terroir Reykjavík Wine Bar

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Hotel Reykjavík Saga

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Reykjavík Museum of Photography

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Hotel Klettur

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Heimaleiga

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World in Words

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Parliament Spa

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National Gallery of Iceland

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Hallgrímskirkja church

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City Hall

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CityHub

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Center Hotels Arnarhvoll

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Center Hotels Klöpp

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Þingholt Apartments from Center Hotels

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SKÝ bar

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Radisson Blu 1919

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The Icelandic Phallological Museum

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Klambratún park

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The House of Collections

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Hjá Jóni

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Re Argentina Alfajores

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Apotek Hotel

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The Reykjavík EDITION Hotel

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Brút

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Reykjavík Konsulat Hotel

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Center Hotels Laugavegur

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TIDES Restaurant

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Sun Voyager

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Fjallkonan

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Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre

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Iceland Parliament Hotel

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Þingholt by Center Hotels

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Austurvöllur square and public park

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Fosshotel Lind

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The National Museum of Iceland

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Sushi Social

How to get to Reykjavík City Centre

Reykjavík

By Bus 

Numerous bus routes run through the city centre. Most routes operate every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes outside peak hours. Night buses are also available on weekends, with four routes running from the city centre to the suburbs.

By Electric Scooter

Electric scooters are available in Reykjavík City Centre.

By Car

In the city centre, there are around 5,900 parking spaces, including approximately 2,000 spaces in seven parking garages, which are open daily from 07:00 to 24:00. In addition, there are about 1,160 parking spaces in underground garages at Hafnartorg and Harpa.