Capital Region of Iceland: things to do in Reykjavík
Iceland's Capital Region brings together seven municipalities, including the capital, Reykjavík.
Nearly two thirds of Iceland's people live in this region, whose area is about 1,050 square kilometres.
Things to do in Reykjavík
The old harbour lies close to Reykjavík's centre, while Laugavegur serves as the city's principal shopping street.
Laugavegur is a mix of shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
Hallgrímskirkja rises to a height of 74.5 metres.
Its name honours Hallgrímur Pétursson, the poet and clergyman who wrote the Passion Hymns.
Harpa combines a concert venue with a conference centre, and its coloured glass exterior takes inspiration from Icelandic basalt landscapes.
Henning Larsen Architects collaborated with artist Olafur Eliasson on its design.
The Sun Voyager sculpture, created by Jón Gunnar Árnason, stands beside Sæbraut in Reykjavík.
Perlan occupies the summit of Öskjuhlíð hill, having developed from a collection of hot water tanks.
The private Northern Lights dinner experience in Reykjavik lasts 5 hours and includes a private guide and driver, a buffet or gala dinner prepared by a private chef, and Icelandic craft beers or selected European wines.
Guide photography, edited photos after the tour and dietary provision for vegetarian, vegan, kosher and gluten free diets are included.
Guided tours
The Golden Circle guided day tour from Reykjavik runs for 8 hours, with minibus transport and an experienced guide speaking English included.
Included visits cover Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.
The private guided volcano hike at Meradalir, Reykjavik lasts 7 hours and includes a professional hiking guide, transport from Reykjavík to the trail area, and access to Geldingadalur Valley and the Meradalir site.
The Reykjanes day trip with professional photography takes 5 hours and 30 minutes, with vehicle transport, a professional guide and photographer, edited photographs and admission to the natural sites on the itinerary included.
Reykjavík in Iceland
By tradition, Iceland's permanent settlement began here around 874, when Ingólfur Arnarson arrived from Norway.
Reykjavík received its town charter in 1786.
Guðjón Samúelsson, the State Architect, received the Hallgrímskirkja design commission in 1937, and building work took place between 1945 and 1986.
Harpa held its inaugural concert on 4 May 2011, while Perlan opened its doors to the public on 21 June 1991.
The completed Sun Voyager was unveiled on the city's birthday, 18 August 1990.
When the Árbær outdoor museum was established in 1957, it stood just beyond Reykjavík's developed areas.
Geothermal energy heats almost all buildings in Reykjavík.
Capital Region of Iceland
Alongside Reykjavík, the municipalities are Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Garðabær, Mosfellsbær, Seltjarnarnes and Kjósarhreppur.
Kópavogur sits directly south of Reykjavík within the region.
Its town seal depicts Kópavogskirkja church above a seal pup.
Hafnarfjörður takes its name, meaning harbour fjord, from the natural harbour there.
Mosfellsbær lies in southwest Iceland, 12 kilometres east of Reykjavík.
Seltjarnarnes occupies a peninsula, with Reykjavík as its sole neighbouring municipality on the eastern side.
Airport connections
Reykjavík Airport lies within the city boundary, immediately south of the centre.
The journey from Keflavík International Airport to central Reykjavík is about 50 kilometres, mainly on Route 41.
Frequently asked questions
Which shopping street is in Reykjavík?
Laugavegur is the city's principal shopping street and also has bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
What is Harpa?
Harpa serves as a concert venue and conference centre in Reykjavík, with coloured glass inspired by Icelandic basalt landscapes.
How tall is Hallgrímskirkja?
Hallgrímskirkja reaches 74.5 metres in height.
How many municipalities form the Capital Region?
There are seven: Reykjavík, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Garðabær, Mosfellsbær, Seltjarnarnes and Kjósarhreppur.
How is Keflavík International Airport connected to central Reykjavík?
The journey from Keflavík International Airport to central Reykjavík is about 50 kilometres, mainly on Route 41.
