Reykjavik itself takes about a day to see properly (it's the smallest capital in Europe by population) but almost nobody visits Iceland for the capital alone. It's the base camp for the Golden Circle, the glacial lagoons, and, in winter, some of the most reliable northern lights viewing in the world.
The City Itself
Hallgrímskirkja, the church that dominates the skyline with its basalt-column-inspired facade, has an elevator to the top for a 360-degree view over the city's colourful rooftops to the surrounding mountains and sea. The nearby Laugavegur street has the best concentration of shops, cafés, and bars.
The Sun Voyager sculpture on the harbourfront and the Harpa concert hall, with its geometric glass facade inspired by basalt columns, are both worth the walk along the water, especially at dusk when Harpa's panels light up.
Day Trips: The Golden Circle and Beyond
The Golden Circle (Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall) is doable in a single long day and covers the geological highlights: a rift valley where two tectonic plates visibly separate, an erupting geyser, and one of Iceland's most powerful waterfalls.
Further afield, the Blue Lagoon (or the less crowded Sky Lagoon, closer to the city) delivers the geothermal bathing experience Iceland is known for, and in winter, tour operators run northern lights excursions out of the city most clear nights between September and March.
Recommended Stay · Reykjavik · City Centre
Hotel Borg
An Art Deco landmark on Reykjavik's main square, in operation since 1930, the closest thing the city has to grand-hotel history, and a short walk to Laugavegur and the harbour.
