Capital Region of Iceland: planning your visit
Reykjavík makes a useful base for a trip built around city sights and a day out: the old harbour is near the centre, and Laugavegur brings shopping, restaurants and nightlife into the plan.
The wider region also includes Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Garðabær, Mosfellsbær, Seltjarnarnes and Kjósarhreppur, so a visit need not focus entirely on Reykjavík.
What is there to do in the Reykjavík capital region?
A city visit can focus on architecture and the harbour, with Laugavegur for a meal afterwards.
Hallgrímskirkja stands 74.5 metres high, while Harpa serves as both a concert venue and a conference centre.
Harpa's geometric glass façade draws on Iceland's basalt columns, giving an architecture visit a connection to the landscape.
The Sun Voyager adds sculpture to that plan: Jón Gunnar Árnason created it, and it stands beside Sæbraut.
Laugavegur suits a shopping and dining stop because its shops share the street with restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
For a different focus, Perlan stands on top of Öskjuhlíð hill, built over the city's hot water tanks.
Kópavogur, immediately south of Reykjavík, offers another regional stop; its town seal depicts Kópavogskirkja above a seal pup.
How many days should you spend in the capital region?
Three days would give you a city day, a full-day excursion and a day for Perlan and Kópavogur.
On the city day, put Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa and the old harbour on the plan, with Laugavegur for shopping or food.
Keeping the excursion on a separate day leaves the remaining day for the hilltop setting of Perlan and a visit south to Kópavogur.
The full-day Golden Circle guided tour from Reykjavík lasts 8 hours and includes minibus transport, an English-speaking guide and visits to Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.
An alternative is the Reykjanes day trip with professional photography, lasting 5 hours and 30 minutes, with vehicle transport, a professional guide and photographer, edited photographs and entry to the natural sites visited.
For a hiking alternative, the private guided volcano hike at Meradalir lasts 7 hours and includes transport from Reykjavík to the trail area, a professional guide and access to Geldingadalur Valley and Meradalir.
When should you visit for walking?
Summer suits a trip centred on walking between city visits, with typical Reykjavík temperatures around 10 to 15 °C.
That is a cool-weather walking plan rather than a hot-weather break, so a visit focused on the harbour and shopping street can be planned with those temperatures in mind.
In winter, temperatures below −15 °C are unusual, but that does not make winter a warm alternative.
How should you plan getting around?
Keep the airport journey separate from your plans for Reykjavík itself.
Keflavík International Airport is connected to central Reykjavík by a journey of 50 kilometres along Route 41.
Reykjavík Airport, meanwhile, is within the city, south of the centre.
Where should you stay?
The Laugavegur area is a useful base if shopping, restaurants and nightlife shape your visit.
Its mix of shops and places to eat supports that choice, while the old harbour provides a separate stop near the city centre.
Frequently asked questions
How many days should I spend in the capital region?
Three days allows a city day, a full-day excursion and a day for Perlan and Kópavogur.
When is a good time to visit for walking?
Summer suits walking, with Reykjavík temperatures typically around 10 to 15 °C.
How do I plan transport in the capital region?
Separate the airport journey from city visits: Keflavík International Airport is 50 kilometres from central Reykjavík along Route 41.
What day trips can I include?
The Golden Circle, Reykjanes and the Meradalir volcano hike are guided excursion options described above.
Where should I stay in Reykjavík?
The Laugavegur area suits a visit focused on shopping, restaurants and nightlife.
