Things to do in Reykjavik

Although a beautiful, cosmopolitan and vibrant city, many of Iceland's best tourist attractions are actually located outside Reykjavik. Luckily for visitors, Iceland is a small country and none of the tourist attractions mentioned here require a significant amount of travelling to get to.

As far as attractions in Reykjavik are concerned, travellers shouldn't miss the Botanical Gardens, which are full of interesting indigenous plants and trees; the Einar Jonsson Museum, which displays works by Iceland's greatest sculptor; Hallgrimskirkja, one of the weirdest, most grandiose churches on the planet; and, to satisfy any Viking curiosity, the National Museum, Saga Museum, and the Reykjavik City Museum.

Visitors will find the real tourist gems when they enter the remarkable hinterland and, luckily, the south of the country is home to most of Iceland's top tourist attractions. Travellers should be sure to check out the Blue Lagoon, a manmade geothermal spring and spa; Geysir, the world's original hot spring; the truly transcendent Gullfoss Falls; Thingvellir National Park, with its incredible hiking trails; and Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon full of eerie, luminous-blue ice bergs.

No matter what travellers decide to see and do in the 'Land of Fire and Ice', one thing is for sure: they mustn't forget to take a camera along, as Iceland is a country uniquely full of sights that beggar belief. Travellers should also consider arming themselves with the Reykjavik City Card, which gives discounts on tourist attractions and restaurants, and allows unlimited bus transport.

Hallgrimskirkja photo

Hallgrimskirkja

One of the tallest buildings in Iceland, this landmark church dominates the city from its highest point and is visible on a sunny day from up to 10 miles (16km) away. Named after t…

Botanical Gardens photo

Botanical Gardens

Although Iceland is better known for its stark and rocky landscapes, a walk in Reykjavik's gardens will convince travellers of the country's more lush and flowery offerings. The pr…

Einar Jónsson Museum photo

Einar Jónsson Museum

Einar Jonsson was Iceland's foremost sculptor, and designed and established the Einar Jonsson Museum himself. It contains over 300 of the pieces he did over his 60-year career, and…

Blue Lagoon photo

Blue Lagoon

Located about 30 miles (50km) southwest of Reykjavik, the manmade geothermal Blue Lagoon is a favourite and unique attraction. It's set in a lava field and is filled with mineral-r…

Gullfoss Falls photo

Gullfoss Falls

Iceland's famed Gullfoss (Golden) Falls are justly rated among the most beautiful in the world, and make for a popular excursion from Reykjavik. The falls, with their awesome doubl…

Geysir photo

Geysir

The weird landscape of the Haukadalur Valley in the southern lowlands of Iceland has been dominated for centuries by the Great Geysir. It's from here that all other such phenomena …

Thingvellir National Park photo

Thingvellir National Park

The national park of Thingvellir lies 30 miles (50km) east of Reykjavik and is not only Iceland's most important historic site, but also a place of natural and geological wonder. I…

Jökulsárlón photo

Jökulsárlón

Jokulsarlon (glacier lagoon) is the largest glacial lake in Iceland, and an enormously popular tourist attraction. The site shot to prominence after being featured in Hollywood mov…

Hidden People photo

Hidden People

One of the most interesting cultural drawcards of Iceland must surely be the Huldufolk ('Hidden People'). In Icelandic folklore, the Huldufolk are magical invisible beings who can …

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