Gudny’s guidebook
Sightseeing and activities
The church is very centrally located and offers amazing views over Reykjavík.
Quite a long walk from our apartment (30 minutes) but worth it on a warm and sunny day. You can also take a bus there. Here you find Reykjavík's only beach, hot tub and more.
434 locals recommend
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach
Quite a long walk from our apartment (30 minutes) but worth it on a warm and sunny day. You can also take a bus there. Here you find Reykjavík's only beach, hot tub and more.
Höfði, the house where Gorbachev and Reagan met in 1986. One of Reykjavík's landmark houses.
37 locals recommend
Hofdi House
FélagstúnHöfði, the house where Gorbachev and Reagan met in 1986. One of Reykjavík's landmark houses.
Very centrally located and going to the top offers amazing views.
743 locals recommend
Hallgrimskirkja
Very centrally located and going to the top offers amazing views.
Þúfa
NorðurslóðNice place on the old harbour to take photos and enjoy the views.
Perlan
Nice views and exhibitions.
Great on a sunny or a rainy day. Here you will find the locals unwind after long days.
458 locals recommend
Vesturbæjarlaug
HofsvallagataGreat on a sunny or a rainy day. Here you will find the locals unwind after long days.
Sundhöllin
45a BarónsstígurSwimming pool in the city centre. The outdoor pool is new.
Great swimming pool in our neighbouring town, Seltjarnarnes.
92 locals recommend
Sundlaug Seltjarnarness
8 HrólfsskálavörGreat swimming pool in our neighbouring town, Seltjarnarnes.
A nice walk in the evenings from our apartment. Recommended in good weather.
Grotta Lighthouse is a small lighthouse at the north-westernmost point of Reykjavik, Iceland. Located on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, it’s a perfect place to enjoy the outdoors, go for a walk, or do some bird watching.
https://visitreykjavik.is/grotta-lighthouse
138 locals recommend
Grótta Island Lighthouse
A nice walk in the evenings from our apartment. Recommended in good weather.
Grotta Lighthouse is a small lighthouse at the north-westernmost point of Reykjavik, Iceland. Located on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, it’s a perfect place to enjoy the outdoors, go for a walk, or do some bird watching.
https://visitreykjavik.is/grotta-lighthouse
Favorite restaurants
One of the city's oldest cafés, with a view of the harbour. Fishermans' favorite.
59 locals recommend
Kaffivagninn
10 GrandagarðurOne of the city's oldest cafés, with a view of the harbour. Fishermans' favorite.
Recommended. Great for take-away, and sit in, when you're up for a burger.
169 locals recommend
Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar
Geirsgötu 1 GeirsgataRecommended. Great for take-away, and sit in, when you're up for a burger.
Forréttabarinn, wine and beer and tapas food just around the corner from our apartment. Great atmosphere, good drinks and food.
142 locals recommend
Forettabarinn
14 NýlendugataForréttabarinn, wine and beer and tapas food just around the corner from our apartment. Great atmosphere, good drinks and food.
Sægreifinn
Great seafood restaurant.
Kopar
3 Geirsgata
Great restaurant, serve fish and various meat dishes.
Matur og Drykkur
2 GrandagarðurGreat food. Authentic Icelandic food with a twist.
Ice cream, gelato and sorbet. Extremely popular by the locals, and for a reason. Fantastic
198 locals recommend
Valdís
GrandagarðurIce cream, gelato and sorbet. Extremely popular by the locals, and for a reason. Fantastic
Kaffihús Vesturbæjar
20 MelhagiReally nice spot. Coffee, soups and sandwiches
Ice cream, gelato and sorbet. Extremely popular by the locals, and for a reason. Fantastic
198 locals recommend
Valdís
GrandagarðurIce cream, gelato and sorbet. Extremely popular by the locals, and for a reason. Fantastic
Very popular with the locals. Their speciality is "bragðarefur", ice cream whipped with a mix of berries, fruit and candy of your choice as well as two different versions of vanilla ice cream, the old and new. We recommend the old :)
118 locals recommend
Ísbúð Vesturbæjar
HagamelurVery popular with the locals. Their speciality is "bragðarefur", ice cream whipped with a mix of berries, fruit and candy of your choice as well as two different versions of vanilla ice cream, the old and new. We recommend the old :)
Arts and culture
Reykjavik Maritime Museum
8 GrandagarðurReykjavik's Maritime Museum.
Reykjavik Museum of Photography
http://www.ljosmyndasafnreykjavikur.is/vefur/
22 locals recommend
Reykjavik Museum of Photography
15 TryggvagataReykjavik Museum of Photography
http://www.ljosmyndasafnreykjavikur.is/vefur/
10 minute walk from the apartment, very nice museum
350 locals recommend
Reykjavik Art Museum Hafnarhus
17 Tryggvagata10 minute walk from the apartment, very nice museum
Iceland national theatre. Shows are mostly in Icelandic. The house is designed by the State Architect of Iceland, Guðjón Samúelsson, who also designed Hallgrimskirkja church and man other city landmarks
32 locals recommend
National Theatre of Iceland
19 HverfisgataIceland national theatre. Shows are mostly in Icelandic. The house is designed by the State Architect of Iceland, Guðjón Samúelsson, who also designed Hallgrimskirkja church and man other city landmarks
Heritage and History in Iceland. A museum worth visiting if you are into history, culture and Iceland's history in general.
393 locals recommend
National Museum of Iceland
41 SuðurgataHeritage and History in Iceland. A museum worth visiting if you are into history, culture and Iceland's history in general.
Bíó Paradís (lit. “Cinema Paradise“) is a independent cinema & Café - screening the latest arthouse releases, special genre films, repertory cinema, documentaries, shorts & experimental films.
122 locals recommend
Bíó Paradís
54 HverfisgataBíó Paradís (lit. “Cinema Paradise“) is a independent cinema & Café - screening the latest arthouse releases, special genre films, repertory cinema, documentaries, shorts & experimental films.
The Culture House
15 Hverfisgatahttp://www.thjodmenning.is
Whales of Iceland
Whales of Iceland is the biggest whale exhibition in the world
Perlan
Great nature exhibitions and a planetarium.
Bakeries
Great bread, soups and pastries. We recommend the tuna salad.
14 locals recommend
BRIKK brauð & eldhús
Great bread, soups and pastries. We recommend the tuna salad.
DEIG workshop
14 TryggvagataGreat bread and pastries.
Brauð og Co
22 MelhagiEssentials
The local shop where you can everything from groceries to toys. Open 11:00-23:30 every day. Very good vibe and helpful staff.
46 locals recommend
Pétursbúð
15 RánargataThe local shop where you can everything from groceries to toys. Open 11:00-23:30 every day. Very good vibe and helpful staff.
The Bónus chain is a budget supermarket chain all over Iceland. This is your outlet in this part of town
512 locals recommend
Bónus
The Bónus chain is a budget supermarket chain all over Iceland. This is your outlet in this part of town
Krónan
50 ReykjavikurvegurSupermarket. Big and good selection.
Nettó
3 FiskislóðSupermarket, open 24/7.
Shopping
In the city (and all of Iceland) you have to buy alcoholic drinks for home consumption (wine, beer and spirits) in state run Wine stores ("Vinbúð" in Icelandic). This one is closest to our home.
189 locals recommend
Vínbúðin
10a AusturstrætiIn the city (and all of Iceland) you have to buy alcoholic drinks for home consumption (wine, beer and spirits) in state run Wine stores ("Vinbúð" in Icelandic). This one is closest to our home.
Reykjavik's only market is a place worth experiencing. Here you can buy new and old items, music, food and Icelandic delicacy like dry fish and liquorice. Open weekends, 11-17.
183 locals recommend
kolaportid
Reykjavik's only market is a place worth experiencing. Here you can buy new and old items, music, food and Icelandic delicacy like dry fish and liquorice. Open weekends, 11-17.
The right place to shop for an Icelandic sweater or yarn if you want to knit your own.
55 locals recommend
The Handknitting Association of Iceland
19 SkólavörðustígurThe right place to shop for an Icelandic sweater or yarn if you want to knit your own.
Icelandic design and some music as well. Their Farmers Market jeans come recommended.
31 locals recommend
Farmers & Friends / Farmers Market - flagship store & design studio
2 HólmaslóðIcelandic design and some music as well. Their Farmers Market jeans come recommended.