Reykjavík

871±2

The Settlement Exhibition

Run by the Reykjavík City Museum, this exhibition in central Reykjavík was built around the oldest archaeological ruins in Iceland. As the name indicates, these ruins date to around the year 870. This interactive exhibitions brings you the early history of the area that today forms central Reykjavík.

Daily 10:00-17:00·1000 kr, free for children under 18

Alþingi

On the southern edge of Austurvöllur is a small building of hewn stone, but don't let its size fool you. This is the building of the Icelandic parliament, known as Alþingi. The institution has in fact long since outgrown the building which was built in 1881 for a nation of a little over 60,000. Today the upper floors of most houses on the north and west sides of the park also house parliamentary offices. The Alþingi building today houses only the debating chamber of the unicameral institution and the party meeting rooms. When Alþingi is in session it is possible to go up to the viewing platforms and watch the debates, otherwise only groups affiliated with educational institutions are permitted to tour the inside of the building.

Austur-Indíafjelagið

East India Company

One of few Indian restaurants in Reykjavik. It serves very good food though and can be compared to the top tier Indian restaurants in the UK.

4,000-5,000 kr

Austurvöllur

A small park (or square, depending on definitions) in the heart of Reykjavík. It's many locals' favorite place to spend sunny days, either at one of the cafés lining the north of the square or simply having a picnic on the grass. The parliament and the national cathedral both stand by Austurvöllur.

Bæjarins beztu pylsur

The name of this popular hot dog stand literally means "Town's Best Hotdogs" and, based on the queues, it seems to deserve the name.

Open now · open 24 hours·Hot dog 820 kr, soda 420 kr

Café Haiti

A cafe serving coffee and light food. Note that this is not their original location, although you can see their sign still painted on the side of nearby building where they began. They roast their own coffee.

Caruso

A cozy Italian restaurant with good food. They sometimes have live guitar music, which together with the dimmed lighting makes for a very romantic setting.

Mon-Thu 11:30-22:00, Fri Sat 11:30-23:30, Sun 17:30-22:00·3,000-5,000 kr

City Hall

Ráðhúsið

One of the best examples of late 20th-century architecture in Iceland, built into Tjörnin (The Pond). On the ground floor, which is open to the public, there is a large relief map of the whole country as well as a café and an exhibition hall.

Den Danske Kro

Danska kráin, the Danish Pub

This place tries to imitate a Danish bodega, although it really feels much more Icelandic than Danish.

Dill

Part of a growing trend called “new Nordic food” (most famously promoted by Noma restaurant in Copenhagen), this small restaurant prides itself in using local ingredients, many of them sourced from a vegetable garden next to the building.

Dillon Rock Bar

Dillon has become quite the attraction for the Icelandic music industry, rockers, students, family folk and famed Hollywood actors over the past decade. During the summertime you can enjoy a cold one in the sun in Dillon´s Beergarden and catch outdoor festivals over the summer. Catch a live band, have a chat with the friendly staff or join the mixed up group on Saturday nights when the 60-year-old DJ Andrea rocks the joint and join the family of friends at this century old house of fun.

Mon-Thu 16:00-01:00, Fri Sat 14:00-03:00

Fish Company

Fiskifélagið

In the basement of a renovated old timber house standing in the original harbour of Reykjavík.

5,000-6,000 kr

Fjalakötturinn

Mostly focuses on fish and seafood, though there are a couple of meat alternatives to choose from. There are also different three and four course menus to choose from and the wine list is more extensive than you would expect on Iceland. The service can be slow, but the food is tasteful and the servings are beautiful - in other words, if you want a large serving of fast and cheap grub you'd better go elsewhere.

4000-6000 kr

Grótta

At the far western end of the peninsula on which Reykjavík sits there is a small island. This island, called Grótta, is connected to the mainland on low tides and open to the public most of the year (closed May 1-Jul 15). Just make sure you don't get stuck on the island when the tide comes in!

Hallgrímskirkja

This can't miss attraction towers over the city on top of a hill. In front is a statue of Leif Ericsson (Leifur Eiríksson in Icelandic), the Norse explorer who sailed to North America in the 10th century. The United States gave this statue to Iceland in 1930, in honor of the 1,000th anniversary of the Althingi, the Iceland parliament.

Mass: Sun 11:00; Church tower open daily 09:00-20:00·Admission to the tower: adults 1300 kr, students 1000 kr, children (7-14) 200 kr

Hamborgarabúllan

Small hamburger cafe next to the old harbour designed in the traditional American diner style. Very popular with locals and a reliable alternative to the absent international burger chains.

Harpa

Harpa is a new concert hall and conference centre at the heart of Reykjavík. It is the home of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and regularly host to other acts as well.

Open daily 10:00-00:00

Harpa

The new home of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and regularly host to other acts as well. Delayed by the economic collapse, this building was under construction for several years before finally opening in May 2011. This marked the end of a long wait for the symphony orchestra, who had been using a cinema as their main venue the last 50 years. Today the symphony plays a concert every Thursday evening from September through June (although often at other times as well), but the building is rarely empty at other times with Iceland's lively music scene having embraced this new location.

Hellisheiði Geothermal Plant

Hellisheiðavirkjun

Get a tour of the geothermal power plant that provides Reykjavik with heating and hot water.

Closed · opens 9 am tomorrow·2100 kr adult, free for children under 12

Hotel Holt

A staple of the city's up-scale dining landscape. Thick carpets, art over dark wood panels, French cuisine, an extensive wine cellar, the country's most expansive collection of single malts.

5,000-6,000 kr

Humarhúsið

Specialising in lobster (the name means Lobster House) and on the expensive end, but has exquisite food that the prices reflect.

5,000-6,000 kr

Icelandic Punk Museum

Pönksafn Íslands

A small museum devoted to the history of punk music in Iceland, located in a former underground public toilet facility. In the final room you can listen to Icelandic punk music through headphones, and there are guitars and leather jackets to try on and pose with.

Mon-Fri 10:00-22:00, Sat Sun 12:00-22:00

Imagine Peace Tower

Yoko Ono's memorial to John Lennon, projecting a "tower of light" into the air that can be seen from around Reykjavík. The tower is turned on October 9-December 8, December 21–28, December 31 and March 21–28.

Inside the Volcano

Descend into the magma chamber of the Thrihnukagigur volcano. Transport provided from the city for the 30 minute drive to the starting point, or you can drive yourself.

08:00-17:00, every hour·44 000 kr

Islenski Hesturinn

Operated by a small group of friends and family, Islenski Hesturinn offers excellent service and tours with hotel pickup. Riders of all skills are welcome and matched to horses of their ability and personality, and various tours are available through Icelandic lava fields.

Kaffibarinn

An old favorite, this club in a red two-story timber house has been around since the 1980s and remains hip as ever. It was for a period owned partly by Damon Albarn of Blur. Heavy drinking and heavy dancing.

Kaffihús Vesturbæjar

Very cosy cafe and bistro. Some tourist but most local clientele. Free Wifi

Mon-Fri 08:00-23:00; Sat Sun 09:00-23:00·300 kr mains.

Kaffiport

The small restaurant inside the flea market is one of the cheapest places to eat in the city. They have kjötsúpa (Icelandic lamb soup), pylsa (hot dogs), some desserts and drinks.

Sat Sun 11:00-17:00

Kaffismiðja Íslands

This cafe supposedly employs some of Iceland's best baristas, and does serve great coffee. Also offers a selection of French and Icelandic pastries. On the small side with just a few tables, but big windows let in lots of light. Friendly staff and student clientèle.

Mon-Fri 08:30-17:00; Sat 10:00-17:00

Klambratún

Klambratún is a park just east of the city centre on an area which remained farmland while the city was built up around it. The area was later converted into one of the largest public parks in the city and often hosts various events. One of the houses of the Reykjavík Art Museum, Kjarvalsstaðir, is inside the park.