Things to do with kids in Reykjavík

Things to do with kids in Reykjavík

1. See

   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

2. Drink

   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

3. See

   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

4. See

   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

5. Do

   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.

6. See

   National Gallery of Iceland

   Listasafn Íslands

   The National Gallery of Iceland is a national museum and the main emphasis of the collection is on 20th and 21st century Icelandic art, but international art is featured as well. The museum owns the most valuable collection of works by Icelandic artists in the country. The National Gallery of Iceland regularly holds exhibitions reflecting its collections as well as exhibitions by individual artists, Icelandic as well as foreign ones. The National Gallery's of Iceland buildings at Fríkirkjuvegur 7 houses four exhibition halls on three floors, a gift shop and a small café. The National Gallery is in three locations, ticket price includes admission to all three.

   Summer Daily 10:00-17:00 - Winter Open Daily 10:00-17:00 except closed Mondays·Price 2023: Adults: 2200kr; senior citizens and students 1.100 kr; Children under 18: free

7. See

   National Museum of Iceland

   Þjóðminjasafnið

   This museum, by the University of Iceland campus, takes the visitor through the history of a nation from settlement to today. Includes a café and a museum shop.

   General admission: 2500 kr, senior citizens and students: 1200 kr, children under 18: free

8. See

   Reykjavík Art Museum - Hafnarhús

   By the old harbour in Reykjavík, Hafnarhúsið hosts a rotating exhibitions of the work of Icelandic artist Erró and temporary exhibitions often showcase other local artists.

   Thu 10:00-20:00, Fri-Wed 10:00-17:00·Adults: 2200 kr, students: 1370 kr, children under 18: free. Price includes all three art museums, Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir and Ásmundarsafn.

9. See

   Reykjavík Art Museum - Kjarvalsstaðir

   It is safe to say that Jóhannes Kjarval (1885-1972) is the single biggest name in Icelandic painting. Kjarvalsstaðir hosts a collection of his work, as well as hosting other temporary exhibitions.

   Adults: 2200 kr, students: 1370 kr, children under 18: free. Price includes all three art museums, Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir and Ásmundarsafn

10. See

    Reykjavík City Museum

    Árbæjarsafn

    In the suburb of Árbær, and frequently called Árbæjarsafn (Árbær museum), this open air museum contains both the old farm of Árbær and many buildings from central Reykjavík that were moved there to make way for construction. The result is a village of old buildings where the staff take you through the story of a city. The staff are dressed in old Icelandic clothing styles and trained in various traditional techniques, for example in making dairy products or preparing wool.

    1 Jun-31 Aug: daily 10:00-17:00; during winter there are guided tours Mon Wed Fri at 13:00·2220 kr for adults, 1370 kr for students, free for children under 18

11. Do

    Reykjavík Domestic Animal Zoo

    Fjölskyldu- og húsdýragarðurinn

    This small zoo, in the middle of Reykjavík, is a place where city children can come and get in touch with some of the farming heritage of the country, with most species of domestic animals found in Iceland represented. They also have some non-domestic animals including reindeer and seals.

    Admission: Adults (12 years +): 450 kr, children (Under 4 years): free, children (4 - 12): 350 kr

12. Eat

    Shalimar

    A small family-owned Pakistani restaurant packed into a tiny building in the oldest part of town. Delicious food, and a very friendly staff.

    3,000-4,000 kr

13. Do

    Vesturport

    This experimental theatre group has toured the world and won many prizes for its daring productions which include Romeo and Juliet, and Woyczek. They have also made films including the acclaimed Children and Parents, in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

14. Do

    Whale watching

    With the exception of Húsavík in the north, Reykjavík is actually one of the very best places to go whale watching in Iceland. Whales frequently come into Faxaflói, the large bay which Reykjavík sits by and on a typical trip of around 3 hours you can almost be guaranteed to see at least some minke whales and possibly even a humpback. The companies offering whale watching mostly occupy a small area in the old harbour called Ægisgarður, close to the whaling ships. All sail out to the same bay but since conditions there change make sure you are on a good ship.

    Around 7000-9000 kr, often half price for children

15. Do

    Árbæjarlaug

    A brand new complex on the outskirts of the city, it has nice views over the city centre and is a nice place to watch the sunset. There is an indoor and outdoor pool, a waterslide, several hot-pots and a steam bath. This is a favourite with families and is perhaps the nicest of the city's pools. Buses run here from central Reykjavik.

    Mon-Fri 06:30 - 22:00, Sat Sun summer: 08:00 - 22:00, winter: 08:00 - 20:30·1255 kr

16. Do Not mapped

    National Day

    17. júní

    It may come as a surprise, but the National Day celebrations on 17 June every year are probably the smallest of the three festivals mentioned here. Nonetheless, it is a public holiday day of festivities in the city where people (especially families with children) celebrate the date Iceland was declared a republic in 1944. The date was selected because it is the birthday of the Icelandic independence hero Jón Sigurðsson.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Reykjavík (CC BY-SA 4.0).