• Your Guide To

There is no better way to discover the wonders of Reykjavik than exploring it by foot. A stroll along the city streets will reveal both its history as well as a flourishing modern culture.

Reykjavik "GRAND TOUR"
(5 - 6 hrs. / 4.3 km.)

Starting at Lækjartorg square, follow Lækjargata towards the pond and head for the City Hall where you can take a look at a giant relief map of Iceland. Continue from the City Hall to Dómkirkjan church and the Parliament House.

From there walk towards Aðalstræti, which was the first, and in fact, the only street in the early days of Reykjavik. This is the oldest part of the city and here you can find some of its oldest houses and trees. On the right side of the street is an old well which used to be one of the city's main water sources until the establishment of the Water Works in 1909. The tiny square opposite the Salvation Army Building used to be a cemetery and you can still see some old gravestones there.

Proceed to the Grófin area, past Kaffi Reykjavík and continue down to Reykjavik harbour where you will find an old steam locomotive which was used to transport building materials for the harbour when it was under construction. Walk on along the harbour, take a look at the fishermen landing their catch and follow the footpath by the seaside leading to "Sólfarið", a beautiful sculpture and an excellent viewpoint.

Continue to Höfði, the famous meeting place of Reagan and Gorbachov in 1986. Walk up Höfðatún until you reach Laugavegur street and follow it down to Hlemmur Bus Terminal.

Proceed up Rauðarárstígur until you find Kjarvalsstaðir museum where you can enjoy the classics of Icelandic art. Find your way from Kjarvalsstaðir museum down to Hallgrímskirkja church and go up the tower to get the best view of the city.

Continue down Skólavörðustígur and Bankastræti towards the Government house, which used to serve as a prison. The tour comes to an end at Arnarhóll under the statue of Ingólfur Arnarson, the first settler in Iceland.

Reykjavik "CLASSIC"
(2 - 3 hrs. / 2.4 km.)

Starting at Lækjartorg square, follow Austurstræti to the corner of Pósthússtræti. There you take a right turn and continue down to Reykjavík harbour where you can observe the fishermen working.

Continue west passing the Grófin area, a cluster of beautifully restored buildings, and through to Aðalstræti, the oldest street in Reykjavík.

At the square opposite the Salvation Army building, turn right and follow Túngata to find the Catholic Church at Landakot. Proceed on Hávallagata to Garðastræti and take a right turn to Kirkjustígur to enjoy the old cemetery, filled with beautiful sculptures and gravestones.

Leaving the cemetery, follow Suðurgata to Skothúsvegur and enjoy a little detour around the City Pond. Continue along Fríkirkjuvegur and make a stop the National Art Gallery which is well worth seeing.

Proceed towards the city center, to the City Hall and from there to the Althingi Parliament House and Dómkirkjan church.

Walk onwards to Lækjargata and continue in the direction of the Lækjartorg square. Pass the giant outdoor chessboard and Bernhöftstorfan, a set of renovated buildings which house gourmet restaurants. End the tour under the statue of Ingólfur Arnarson, the first settler in Iceland, on the top of Arnarhóll.

Reykjavik is more than a resort of art and culture, buzzing nightlife, restaurants and cafés. Within the city limits you can find diverse outdoor areas with different ecosystems where you can enjoy walking, jogging, hiking, rollerblading, swimming and watching the birdlife or the sunset in beautiful surroundings.

Ægisíða - Nauthólsvík
(1.5 - 2 hrs.)

Begin the walk from the Ásmundur Sveinsson statue called "Saviour". Follow the path past the old fish huts and various other reminders of the city's fishing heritage.

Continue past the domestic airport all the way to Nauthólsvík, a beautiful little beach with white sand where you can bathe in the heated seawater, or maybe, if you are adventurous, paddle out in a kayak into the sunset. Returning you can be warmed up by coffee or hot chocolate at the little café by the seashore.

Öskjuhlíð - Perlan
(1 - 1.5 hrs.)

Öskjuhlíð hill played an important role during the Second World War when the British Army used it as a military location. Today it is used as an outdoor resort. It offers excellent walking paths, benches, as well as an artificial geyser. Among the trees you can still find traces of the army "settlement"; such as shelters and trenches.

Afterwards, treat yourself to a nice cup of coffee at Perlan and take a look at the city from the view point at the top or go bowling at the bowling center on the other side of the hill.

More images from Reykjavík City Center, Out on the town, Downtown, Nauthólsvík Thermal Beach and University of Iceland

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