THE 10 BEST Reykjavik Sights & Historical Landmarks
Reykjavik Landmarks
Category types
Types of Attractions
Sights & Landmarks
Awards
Travelers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travelers across the globe.
Traveler rating
Neighborhoods
Good for
69 places sorted by traveler favorites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Speciality Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Admission tickets from $41
Recommended Sightseeing Experiences (957)
Revenue impacts these recommendations, learn more.
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Miðborg
Historic Walking Areas • History Museums
Monuments & Statues • Art Museums
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Miðborg
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Geologic Formations
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas
Miðborg
Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Open now
Mountains • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Monuments & Statues • Scenic Walking Areas
Monuments & Statues
What travelers are saying
- Sandra MHenderson, NV405 contributionsWhat a beautiful building & the organ inside the church was amazing. Wish we could have heard a performance. I highly recommend visiting.Written September 16, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Bea HHartford, CT139 contributionsInteresting exhibits, gorgeous view from the observation deck. The ice cave was nice.
Good restaurant, friendly staffWritten August 30, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - lenusvyatPhiladelphia, PA75 contributionsBeautiful venue and place and performance. Came here to see African cirque performance - outstanding truly! Will def go again.Written September 9, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sandra MHenderson, NV405 contributionsWe walked to this from our hotel. It was a bit chilly but enjoyed the walk & the statue was very nice. I would recommend seeing it.Written September 16, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- RogerSpring Hill, TN11 contributionsThe Hotel Laugavegur was wonderful. The staff was great and the location was perfect for walking to the various sites and restaurants around Reykjavik. The complimentary breakfast was a great way to start the day. I highly recommend the Center Hotels Laugavegur for your trip to Iceland. The land of fire and ice.Written September 17, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BrakiWorldTravelerBelgrade, Serbia19,455 contributionsDriving the Iceland's Ring Road or Route Nr. 1 is the best adventure you can do on your own to fully admire this amazing island.
Like its name says likewise in many cities worldwide Ring Road runs all around, but instead around the city it goes all around the island.
Here, I will give future travelers some tips I gathered during my two months research for our trip, which perfectly matched with our experience on ground.
- The very first advice in order to do it is to rent a car,
- I strongly advise 'Blue Car Rental' or their subsidiary 'Zero Car'. They're a local car rental company and you've probably never heard about them like me. But, after I did from our hotel's email recommendation, I canceled my booking at a major car rental company and booked with them. I checked their online reviews and never have seen such ratings for a car rental (4,5 to 4,9). I totally agree and rated them likewise.
- When renting (with any company) choose 'Full protection' coverage (at Zero Car it is mandatory). Iceland is a very unique and specific country - volcano ash, gravels and driving on unpaved roads could damage your rental which leads to orbit charges in one of the world's most expensive countries if you don't purchase Full protection,
- We rented from 'Zero Car' for several reasons. Everything is online - full prepayment (don't worry, you can cancel any time if plans change). Full insurance included at a slightly lower price than at 'Blue Car' and best of all - NO wait time. You get emailed your key box code, go directly for the keys in a key locker and then straight to your car. We were in our car after 5 min, while at the 'Blue Car' counter was a 10+ people line.
- Plan AT LEAST six days for a Ring Road drive. While the 1.300 km (800 mi) length could be comfortably driven in two days, you'd be a fool doing that and seeing nothing. Plan your lodging approximately every 200-300 km in order to have enough time to explore the area of that day. Beware, some attractions (ice caves, glaciers walks,...) you CANNOT do on your own, but with a tour, so plan accordingly. Start your day early, before sunrise to get most of it, specially in autumn/winter.
- Obey speed limits - fines are high and there's absolutely no reason to drive fast. Likewise most of Europe in residential area is 30 km/h, through town is 50 km/h, but on open road (ONE lane only in both directions throughout entire island) is 90 km/h. I must emphasize I rarely reached that 90 km/h and let others bypass me, as the scenery all around is so spectacular you're missing much if you drive fast.
- Refuel often, don't fall below half a tank - in some areas gas stations are rare and beware you could be stuck somewhere due to snow or strong winds with your engine running for heating. Fuel is very expensive (around 2,20 Euros per liter) - 'Zero Car' gives you a token with car keys valid for a discount at 'Olis' gas stations to save some money,
- Decide beforehand if you'd like to drive further inland on F-roads (unpaved) in order to rent an appropriate car. In that case you must rent a 4x4 (heavy fines if you don't and drive there with a normal car) and extend your journey to 7-8 days. We didn't do that, but had a Kia sport wagon driving only the paved roads.
- Watch for wildlife on the road. Animals are mostly fenced just by the roadside and you can park and approach to pet them, they're very friendly and people used. However, we saw them crossing the road once and apart from car damage and trip ruin you could face a law suite from the animal owner. When parking along the road do that with caution parking with your entire vehicle aside the driving lane.
- Unusually, many car parks by nature attractions in the middle of nowhere ARE paying. There's a paying machine and you'll be fined if you don't pay parking no matter how silly it looks. Parking is also pretty expensive (mostly around 900 ISK, 7 Euros flat rate no matter you stay one hour or half a day). Luckily, all the natural attractions are free so this is the only expense.
- Restaurants are very expensive, so you might opt for self catering apartments to prepare your own food. 'Bonus' and 'Kronan' are two huge food store chains present in every bigger town to stock yourself. Beware, you cannot buy alcohol here (only 2% low alcohol beer). For real stuff you must find a liquor store ('Vinbudin" is widely present) and be prepared for skyrocket prices.
TIP: Buy alcohol when you land at Keflavik airport. There's a free shop at arrival (you pass through it). Still expensive, it is around 20% cheaper than elsewhere.
- Weather can change within minutes. Have layers of clothes to act accordingly - waterproof clothes are must, as well hiking boots, gloves,...
Please remember these are only my tips and advices to prepare you, not to scare you. Following them you'll have a terrific time in this amazing country. We had absolutely no problems and brought back lifetime memories.
Enjoy to the fullest the Land of Fire and Ice.Written November 12, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Richard WPenn Valley, CA862 contributionsThis is an open air museum which offers a glimpse of life in Iceland from years ago. Many of the buildings are authentic and have been moved to this location. Some are authentic to this location. The people of Iceland are descendants of the Vikings. They were used to hardships and using whatever was available to survive in this new land. Some of the very basic ways people lived were still in use into the mid-1900's.
I found this museum to be fascinating.Written August 29, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - JaniceGlasgow697 contributionsBeautiful location outside Reyjavik away from the city, would recommend taking the coastal path to get to the lighthouse. With the tide out you can cross to the lighthouse and walk around the island.Written March 25, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- John SHorsham, UK122 contributionsThis small museum was the home of Einer Jonsson and houses a large collection of his works, particularly his fascinating sculptures. There is also a sculpture garden.
Well worth a visit, it is located very close to Hallgrimskirkja church but I suspect often overlooked because the facade facing the church is rather forbidding. I went soon after it opened on a cold and rainy day and had the place to myself; but due to the poor weather I didn't get to see the sculpture garden.Written July 30, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - David APreston, UK524 contributionsThis is a fantastic nature reserve that you get to by ferry. We had a 2 day city card that included this trip. You do need to check ferry times as their website wasn’t overly accurate. The island has an interesting history and there are many places that will explain it. There is an art installation as well as the natural wildlife. Paths are marked out as good, ok and a little tricky. Definitely well worth a visit.Written August 13, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ričards EdijsLatvia430 contributionsThe museum itself and its surroundings were created and projected by the artist Ásmundar Sveinsson as a place where his legacy could be exhibited. In the park, his sculptures are exhibited and they can be viewed free of charge. Indoors, there is a changing exhibition, as well as many of the same sculptors yet on a much smaller scale so they could be viewed from a different perspective.Written October 19, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sandra MHenderson, NV405 contributionsNice statue & while we were there poor Leif got a visit from a pigeon on his head. It is right in front of Hallgrimskirja-- so visit there too!Written September 16, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TravelingMomGrandmaHouston, TX899 contributionsI wished we had more time at this location. It was interesting to see it all. From the brown mountains to the gases to the mud pools…so much to see.Written July 30, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AmberMontana7 contributionsWas a great day! Sunshine and great views
My only regret is that I didn’t realize there were evening tours to watch the tower light up during the first week of spring - which also coincides with John and Yokos anniversary and Yokos birthday…Written April 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - WandererHolbeach, UK396 contributionsUnable to go inside, but an interesting spot to see if on a walking tour, would not say that you have to head out of your eay to see it unless you have a particular interest in the cold war.Written November 15, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
