Europe
Iceland
Capital Region
Reykjavik
Things to Do in Reykjavik
Hallgrimskirkja

Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik

See all things to do

Hallgrimskirkja

See all things to do
See all things to do
Hallgrimskirkja
4.5
22,395
#1 of 129 things to do in Reykjavik
Churches & Cathedrals
Read more
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Write a review
About
Hallgrimskirkja is the largest church in the country, and towers over the centre of Reykjavik. Its 73-metre-high tower provides a wonderful 360° view over all Reykjavik, the mountains around and the ocean streaching west to Greenland and the Americas. Because of this, the tower is among the most visited tourist destinations in Reykjavik. Tower admission Adults: ISK 1000 Children: ISK 100 (ages 7-16) Tickets are sold in the church shop. Access to the tower is only by lift. At the top there are a few steps to the open-air viewing platform. Winter (October – April): 09:00 – 17:00. Tower closes 16:30. Summer (May – September): 09:00 – 21:00. Tower closes 20:30. The tower is closed on Sundays from 10:30 – 12:15 during mass at 11:00. Hallgrimskirkja is an active, working church and sometimes we may close the church without notice, especially due to weddings or funerals. Everyone is welcome to join services and concerts, but we ask visitors to stay the whole time to avoid disturbance.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best?
This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travelers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.
Learn more
Plan your visit
See all
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Miðborg
Best nearby
Restaurants
504 within 3 miles
Braud & Co
2,352
0.1 mi$ • Bakeries • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Old Iceland Restaurant
2,696
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • European • Scandinavian
Arabian Taste
171
0.3 mi$ • Middle Eastern • Arabic • Vegetarian Friendly
Joylato
276
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Cafe • International
Hi Noodle Reykjavik
230
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Japanese • Vegan Options
Cafe Gardurinn
179
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • International • Healthy
Svarta Kaffid
3,303
0.2 mi$ • Bar • Soups • Vegetarian Friendly
ROK Restaurant
947
350 ft$$ - $$$ • Seafood • European • Scandinavian
Sandholt Reykjavik
2,212
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • Cafe • European
Sjavargrillid Seafood Grill
3,289
0.3 mi$$$$ • Steakhouse • Seafood • European
See all
Attractions
114 within 6 miles
Ring Road
194
413 ftScenic Drives
Einar Jonsson Museum (Listasafn Einars Jonssonar)
410
307 ftHistoric Sites • Art Museums
Ásmundarsalur
1
450 ftArt Galleries
The Statue of Leif Eiriksson
789
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Iurie | Fine Art
28
0.2 miArt Galleries
Laugavegur
2,744
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
What's On
228
0.4 miVisitor Centers
Art Gallery 101
13
0.2 miArt Galleries
Trip
1
0.2 miVisitor Centers
Sun Voyager
8,796
0.4 miMonuments & Statues
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
22,395 reviews
Excellent
11,178
Very good
8,319
Average
2,565
Poor
267
Terrible
67
JimnHilary
Warrington, UK365 contributions
Modern concrete but beautiful inside and out
May 2022
Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran church, a very modern concrete structure, built 1945 to 1986. It is a prominent landmark in Reykjavik. It's well worth paying the small charge to go to the top of the 73m tower (lift provided) if the weather is at all decent, as you get a superb 360 degree vista over the whole of the city. Unfortunately, one of the main features, a beautiful stained glass window by the Icelandic artist, Leifur Breiðfjörð, looks grey and drab from the outside in the daylight, as it's meant to be illuminated from inside and viewed at night. So if you're there in the summer you probably won't get a proper appreciation of it. The access to view it from inside is closed to the public. However, we asked a delightful lady member of staff, and she took us up for a private viewing, and explained all about it. She was excited to tell us she'd been to Edinburgh and seen the stained glass window in St Giles by the same artist. So, to get the best of your visit, it pays to ask!
Written June 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sanka1 🇱🇰🇬🇧
Bicester, UK3,180 contributions
Must visit in Reykjavík
Jan 2022 • Couples
Visited this monumental church in Reykjavík yesterday and it was amazing. Although not comparable to churches in Rome, London etc in terms of architectural value, this has it's own personality which represents Iceland and local culture in its own right which I think is amazing! The views from the tower is a must see, it's worth buying the £7 ticket to go up to the tower.

I think its status as the main attraction in the city is well deserved and recommend anyone to visit if they're visiting Reykjavík.
Written January 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
GBJ-Cookies
South Shields, UK1,359 contributions
Stunning Views
Feb 2022
The tallest building in Iceland this stunning cathedral can be viewed from most places in Reykjavik.
The cathedral sits at the top of rainbow street which allows for some instagrammable photos. Once inside we were treated to a beautiful serenade by an organist playing on the fabulous pipe organ.
Admission to the Cathedral is free but a ride to the top of the bell tower will set you back 1000isk (£6). The bell strikes every 15 minutes and can be very alarming if your not expecting it.
The wind was howling whilst we were up there but it was well worth it for the stunning views of a snow topped Reykjavik.
Written February 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
marts03
Poughkeepsie, NY87 contributions
Beautiful Church Inside and Out
Mar 2022
Hallgrimskirkja is impressive anyway you look at it. The outside construction is amazing on all sides of the building - and it is worth walking around it instead of just staying at the front. The church opens at 10 am (unless there are special events) and the inside is also nice to walk around. If you're lucky, the organist will be practicing and you can have a listen. For 1200 Kroners (~$10 USD or so), you can take the elevator up to the top of the tower for 360 degree panoramic views of the city. Warning signs remind you the church bells go off every 15 minutes and they are indeed very loud if you are in the tower at the time. The tower is open from 10 - 4:30, excepting special events. Highly recommend
Written March 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Scott H
2 contributions
One of the must do’s.
Jan 2022 • Solo
Great to see the building inside and out.
Hearing the bells ring all over the city and up close at the top of the tower was pretty good.
Well worth paying for a ticket to climb the tower and be amazed by the spectacular and almost aerial views of Reykjavik and surrounding areas.
One thing to note is how windy and loud it can be up at the top of the tower when the weather is bad, but still worth it.
Written January 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JimRiesterer
Edina, MN4,583 contributions
Must see iconic landmark
Jun 2021 • Couples
You can’t miss this tall imposing landmark that dominates the city and will certainly find yourself taking photos of it as a way to remember your visit. While the inside isn’t anything to write home about-empty and austere-it’s definitely worth paying the small fee to go up into the bell tower. The fast elevator takes you up 8 stories for great views of the city-especially if you are lucky enough to catch a break in the un predictable weather. We were visiting in early June shortly after vaccinated travelers were once again able to visit Iceland and had the tower all to ourselves on a blustery Friday afternoon. The wind was something else up too so come prepared.
Written June 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Daniel Millward
Manchester, UK5 contributions
A nice introduction to Iceland
May 2022
We visited here on our family holiday to Iceland and were very pleased with the church overall. The look of the building is spectacular and can be seen from all over Reykjavik. The whole place is very clean and tidy and the organ pipes are especially impressive. The money you have to pay to get to the top is certainly worth it as you can get breathtaking views all over the city. A brilliant setup and would highly recommend.
Written June 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kati R
Chicago, IL12 contributions
Beautiful
Mar 2022
Wonderful visit. The organist was playing when we arrived, and he was amazing. Tickets are purchased in the gift shop, then you can take the elevator to the clock level. The very top is reached by stairs, but it was worth every step. The city views were breathtaking. Be aware that the bells toll often, and it gets very loud.
Written March 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
sarpuli
Espoo, Finland216 contributions
What a view
Jun 2022 • Couples
The exterior of the church was something we had never seen before and you can see its top from around the city. Inside you can light a candle (100kr) and buy elevator tickets to the top (1200kr). The view from the top (elevator + couple flights of stairs) was amazing. Even though you do not get a full panorama view (the ”windows” are pretty small) but still you see the city from many angles.
Written June 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Joao V
London, UK392 contributions
Emblematic point
Sep 2021 • Couples
Beautiful spot if you like modern architecture.
The church inside is very minimalist and you can pay to go to the top (not worth it in my opinion).
It is an emblematic point of the city and can be seen from the sea.
Facilities: lockers and shop
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 17,963
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Frequently Asked Questions about Hallgrimskirkja
Hallgrimskirkja is open:
  • Sun - Sun 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Mon - Sat 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Hallgrimskirkja tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 48 Hallgrimskirkja tours on Tripadvisor
Restaurants near Hallgrimskirkja: View all restaurants near Hallgrimskirkja on Tripadvisor
Attractions near Hallgrimskirkja: View all attractions near Hallgrimskirkja on Tripadvisor