Districts · Reykjavík
Reykjavík by district
A first visit fits inside a 2 km box: Hallgrímskirkja on the hill to the south-east, Laugavegur and Bankastræti running down from it, Austurvöllur and the old centre in the middle, and the Old Harbour and Harpa on the north-west shore. The Sun Voyager sits on the north shore path east of the centre. Anything further (Perlan, Laugardalur pools, Grandi, Höfði) is a bus or taxi ride.A first visit fits inside a 1.2 mi box: Hallgrímskirkja on the hill to the south-east, Laugavegur and Bankastræti running down from it, Austurvöllur and the old centre in the middle, and the Old Harbour and Harpa on the north-west shore. The Sun Voyager sits on the north shore path east of the centre. Anything further (Perlan, Laugardalur pools, Grandi, Höfði) is a bus or taxi ride.
About these names
- Downtown 101 and LaugavegurMiðborginsleepseeeatSuits: First visit, shops, cafés, nightlifeThe main shopping street and the densest choice of cafés, bars and restaurants; noisy on Friday and Saturday nights.1 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Hallgrímskirkja and SkólavörðustígurSkólavörðuholtseeeatSuits: The church tower, small shops, cafés, the oldest poolA short climb from Laugavegur; windy at the top, quiet in the side streets.2 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
- Old Harbour and HarpaGamla höfninsleepseeeatSuits: Whale-watching, the concert hall, harbour restaurantsQuieter at night than Laugavegur, but open to the wind; tour desks and boat kiosks line the piers.2 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Sólfar and HverfisgataSæbrautseeeatSuits: A shore walk and a coffee stopThe Sun Voyager on the shore path; Hverfisgata behind it has cafés and small galleries.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- Tjörnin and the old west sideTjörninseeSuits: A pond walk, the City Hall, the National GalleryA small city lake with birds; a flat, calm loop of about 30 minutes.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Vesturbær and the Grandi harbourVesturbærsleepeatSuits: Longer stays, a local pool, food hallsA residential quarter west of the centre with the Vesturbæjarlaug pool; Grandi has cafés and the whale museum.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Perlan and ÖskjuhlíðPerlanseeSuits: A dome with a view, a museum, forest pathsA bus or taxi ride south of the centre; the dome sits on hot-water tanks.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- LaugardalurseesleepSuits: The main swimming complex, the botanic garden and the family zooEast of the centre; the pool complex is the largest in the city.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Keflavík International Airport (KEF) (50–75 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Tjörnin and the old west side, Vesturbær and the Grandi harbour, Perlan and Öskjuhlíð, Laugardalur. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Downtown 101 and Laugavegur (Miðborgin): The main shopping street and the densest choice of cafés, bars and restaurants; noisy on Friday and Saturday nights. Suits: First visit, shops, cafés, nightlife. Price band $$$.
- Hallgrímskirkja and Skólavörðustígur (Skólavörðuholt): A short climb from Laugavegur; windy at the top, quiet in the side streets. Suits: The church tower, small shops, cafés, the oldest pool.
- Old Harbour and Harpa (Gamla höfnin): Quieter at night than Laugavegur, but open to the wind; tour desks and boat kiosks line the piers. Suits: Whale-watching, the concert hall, harbour restaurants. Price band $$$.
- Sólfar and Hverfisgata (Sæbraut): The Sun Voyager on the shore path; Hverfisgata behind it has cafés and small galleries. Suits: A shore walk and a coffee stop.
- Tjörnin and the old west side (Tjörnin): A small city lake with birds; a flat, calm loop of about 30 minutes. Suits: A pond walk, the City Hall, the National Gallery.
- Vesturbær and the Grandi harbour (Vesturbær): A residential quarter west of the centre with the Vesturbæjarlaug pool; Grandi has cafés and the whale museum. Suits: Longer stays, a local pool, food halls.
- Perlan and Öskjuhlíð (Perlan): A bus or taxi ride south of the centre; the dome sits on hot-water tanks. Suits: A dome with a view, a museum, forest paths.
- Laugardalur (Laugardalur): East of the centre; the pool complex is the largest in the city. Suits: The main swimming complex, the botanic garden and the family zoo.
- Sleep area Downtown 101: suits First visit, shops, cafés, nightlife, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Old Harbour: suits Whale-watching, the concert hall, harbour restaurants, price band $$$.
- Keflavík International Airport (KEF), 50–75 min by the usual route.