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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Reykjavík Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Iceland – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type F
Type F:
 Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Icelandic Króna (ISK) £1 ≈ ISK 163 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are highly common in Iceland, especially in cities. Most businesses accept credit and debit cards, including smaller establishments. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are popular.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not common in Iceland and not expected in restaurants. A service charge is usually included in the bill. Tipping taxi drivers or hotel staff is appreciated but not necessary. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is allowed, especially in designated areas during festivals or outdoor events. Alcohol is also available at licensed venues. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces and on public transport. Designated smoking areas are available outside of many restaurants and public buildings. |
| Icelandic National Day (June) |
Expect parades and celebrations throughout the country. Hotels and tourist spots can get busy. |
|---|---|
| Christmas (December) |
Christmas is widely celebrated, and it’s a great time to visit for festive markets, but accommodation can be more expensive. |
| Þorrablót Festival (January) |
A festival celebrating Icelandic cuisine, it’s a popular time to visit, though some businesses may have reduced hours. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Hreyfill, Reykjavik Taxi |
| Other: | Iceland's weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important to prepare for sudden changes in climate. Always check weather forecasts before venturing into nature. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Reykjavík, Iceland
Northern lights season September to April; near-constant daylight from late May to July
Winter storms November to March can close roads and cancel tours
Whale watching tours run year-round, with the best chances April to September
Don't miss
- 🌌 Watch the Northern Lights dance over Reykjavík’s night sky
- 💦 Relax in the Blue Lagoon’s steaming geothermal waters
- 🐋 Take a whale-watching tour from the city harbor
- ⛪ Visit Hallgrímskirkja Church and enjoy panoramic views
- 🖼️ Explore Icelandic art and history at the National Museum
- 🍲 Taste traditional Icelandic lamb soup at a local café
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Reykjavík?
Reykjavík is the perfect base to explore Iceland's natural wonders, from the Northern Lights to the Golden Circle. The city itself is full of charm, with colorful houses, interesting museums and a creative arts scene. Plus, where else can you soak in a geothermal pool with a view of the mountains? Just be prepared for the high prices and unpredictable weather.
🏯Places worth seeing
-
1
Perlan
This glass-domed museum offers panoramic views of Reykjavík and Mount Esja. Inside, interactive exhibits explore Iceland's geology and culture. It stands as a modern landmark atop a hill overlooking the city's vibrant streets and harbor. -
2
Hallgrímskirkja
This Icelandic capital's skyline is defined by Hallgrímskirkja's basalt spire, echoing New York's architecture. While tourists flock to the church tower for views, wander the surrounding streets instead to avoid crowds and soak in the authentic local rhythm. -
3
National Museum of Iceland
The National Museum of Iceland houses artifacts from prehistoric settlements to modern times, showcasing Viking heritage, medieval manuscripts and contemporary art in a building that reflects rich traditional Icelandic architecture. -
4
Harpa
This striking glass tower stands as Reykjavík's cultural heart, hosting world-class concerts and exhibitions. Its sleek design contrasts beautifully with the city's historic charm, offering a stunning backdrop for visitors seeking modern Icelandic artistry and performance. -
5
Sun Voyager
The Sun Voyager ferry offers scenic views of Reykjavík's coastline and harbor. Its sleek design provides a relaxing journey across the water, connecting visitors to the city's vibrant waterfront and cultural landmarks. -
6
Aurora Reykjavik Northern Lights Center
This Northern Lights Center offers guided tours to witness the aurora borealis over Iceland's dramatic landscapes. Visitors can book experiences ranging from short city walks to extended wilderness adventures under the starry sky, ensuring unforgettable moments of natural wonder in Reykjavik. -
7
Reykjavík 871±2
-
8
Reykjavik Art Museum
-
9
Einar Jónsson Museum
-
10
Reykjavík Old Harbour
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Reykjavík Arts Festival
-
Iceland Airwaves Music Festival
-
Culture Night
-
Reykjavík International Film Festival
-
Winter Lights Festival
-
Imagine Peace Tower Lighting
-
Seafarers' Day & Festival of the Sea
-
Gay Pride Parade
-
Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður
-
New Year's Eve Fireworks
Knowledge before you go
- Pack for rapid weather changes, even in summer; layers are essential.
- Food and alcohol are expensive, so consider duty-free purchases and self-catering apartments to manage your travel budget better.
- Book popular tours, Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon slots and Northern Lights excursions well ahead, especially during high season and holidays.
- Use Reykjavík as a base: rent a car for flexible Golden Circle, South Coast or Snæfellsnes day trips with fewer crowds.
How to travel to Reykjavík
Reykjavík is primarily accessed via Keflavík International Airport (KEF), about 50 km away. The Flybus and Airport Direct shuttles connect the airport with the city center. Ferries also link Reykjavík with some smaller nearby islands.
Access summary
- From Keflavík Airport (KEF): Flybus or similar shuttle, about 40–50 minutes.
- From Copenhagen: Direct flights to KEF, generally around 3–3.5 hours.
- From Boston: Transatlantic flights to KEF, typically about 5–5.5 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Reykjavík
Reykjavík offers a wide range of accommodation, from budget hostels to luxury hotels. It's also a great spot for unique stays, like boutique guesthouses and even campers for more adventurous travelers.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Reykjavík
The city is compact and walkable. Public buses (Strætó) cover the city and surrounding areas. Taxis are available but pricey. Renting a car is recommended for exploring outside the city.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Reykjavík are around 54% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot more on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to ISK) is 6% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Reykjavík is a very safe city with low crime rates. However, always take normal precautions, especially when exploring natural areas or during winter conditions.
Health & Medical
High-quality healthcare is available, but services can be expensive for non-EU visitors. It's recommended to have travel insurance covering health emergencies.
Accessibility
The city is generally accessible, with many attractions offering accommodations for those with limited mobility. However, natural terrain outside the city can be challenging.
Tap water
Tap water in Reykjavík is excellent and safe to drink. It comes from natural springs and is often considered among the best in the world.
Packing recommendations for Reykjavík
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🚰
Reusable water bottle
🕶️
Sunglasses
🎒
Small rucksack
🩱
Swimwear
for hot springs
👜
Anti-theft bag
🔋
Power bank
🧥
Fleece mid-layer
for variable weather
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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