Árbær Open Air Museum

Árbæjarsafn is the historical museum of the city of Reykjavík, which aims to give visitors an idea of Icelandic architecture (including the fascinating turf houses) and the lifestyle on the island in the past. If you're lucky, you can catch a free guided tour at 1 pm.

• Web:

  www.borgarsogusafn.is/arbaejarsafn

• Address:

  Kistuhyl, Reykjavík

• Phone:

  +354 411 6304

• Opening hours:

  June–August: daily 10am–5pm. September–May: daily 1pm–5pm. Closed 24–26 Dec and 31 Dec–1 Jan

• More info:

  Pro-tip: enjoy the seesaw!

DC3 Plane Wreck

The Super DC-3 aircraft crashed into Sólheimasandur back in 1973, thankfully leaving its seven crew members unharmed. Since then the empty husk of a plane has been left exposed to the elements, rusting away in constant humidity and cracking from constant freezes and thaws. The wreckage is a particularly beloved spot by local and visiting photographers thanks to its sparse and wild surrounding black sand landscape and its incredible visual contrast to the aircraft’s gnarled metal carcass. To visit the plane wreck, you can join organised hiking, horse riding or ATV riding tours, take a bus or get there by yourself. Remember, that driving over the sands is considered to be driving off-road and carries heavy fines. Lastly, the wreck is located pretty close to the village of Vík made famous after a popular Netflix series Katla.

Hallgrímskirkja — The Church of Hallgrímur

Hallgrímskirkja is an iconic part of Reykjavík's skyline and at 74.5 metres tall it is one of the tallest structures in the country. The gigantic church on the hill was a controversial project, but Icelanders have come to embrace their monumental tower in all its brutalist glory. The concrete mountain which took over 40 years to construct was inspired by the unusual columnar basalt formations along Iceland’s coast. You can admire the building inside and outside, go to the top of the tower to catch the view or attend an organ concert. The church is named after Hallgrímur Pétursson — a 17th-century minister and poet who wrote the “The Passion Hymns”. The book remains popular to this day.

• Web:

  www.hallgrimskirkja.is

• E-mail:

  kirkjuverdir@hallgrimskirkja.is

• Address:

  Hallgrímstorg 1, 101 Reykjavík

• Phone:

  +354 510 1000

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–5pm

• More info:

  The church is named after Hallgrímur Pétursson — a 17th-century minister and poet who penned the “The Passion Hymns”, which became wildly popular and to this day is read at Icelandic homes (and even broadcast on the radio) during Lent

Harpa

One of Reykjavík's most iconic landmarks and a must-visit while in Iceland is Harpa, the city's concert hall and conference centre as well as home to the Icelandic Opera and the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra. Located by the old harbour, near the centre of Reykjavík, this striking bit of contemporary architecture boasts a glass facade, which covers the entire building featuring honeycomb panels that change colours during the day as they reflect the sky and the ocean. At night, a light show makes the building look even more magical.

• Web:

  www.harpa.is/en

• E-mail:

  harpa@harpa.is

• Address:

  Austurbakki 2, Reykjavík

• Phone:

  +354 528 5050

• Opening hours:

  Daily noon–4pm

Horseback Riding

The Icelandic horses are sturdy and very strong, the direct descendants of the horses first brought to Iceland in the Viking Age. Horse riding tours are available in beautiful nature sites on the lava-laden outskirts of Reykjavík. The trips can be from one hour to a whole day or even longer.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lake

Jökulsárlón is a glacial lagoon, bordering Vatnajökull National Park in southeastern Iceland. Its still, azure waters are dotted with icebergs. In winter, the fish-filled lagoon hosts hundreds of seals. You can see them gracefully zooming between the ice, while skuas dominate the skies. The Glacier Lagoon flows through a short waterway into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving chunks of ice on a black sand beach. Boat tours will take you all the way from Reykjavík, along the southern coast and into the lagoon.

Advent Festival

A Christmas season with displays of enchanting Northern Lights, thirteen Santa Clauses (Yule Lads), Christmas markets, and culture-inspired events and activities, including concerts at Hallgrímskirkja.

• Web:

  www.guidetoiceland.is/history-culture/christmas-and-new-year-s-eve-in-iceland

Children’s Cultural Festival

One of the largest festivals held by the City of Reykjavík, with around 150 free events for children. The festival places emphasis on participation, focusing particularly on the child as an artist.

• Web:

  www.childrensculturefestival.is

• E-mail:

  barnamenningarhatid@reykjavik.is

• Phone:

  +354 411 6000

• More info:

  Takes place in early April

Design March

Iceland's most important annual design festival, covering all fields of design: architecture, graphic design, fashion, furniture and product design.

• Web:

  www.designmarch.is

• E-mail:

  info@honnunarmidstod.is

• Phone:

  +354 771 2200

Festival of the Sea

This is an event honouring the sea and fishery in Iceland, with a diverse programme of events from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon.

• Web:

  www.hatidhafsins.is/english

• E-mail:

  web@hatidhafsins.is

Hafnarfjörður Viking Festival

The oldest and largest event of its kind in Iceland. Hafnarfjörður has been a playground for Vikings demonstrating through the years most aspects of the Viking culture.

• Web:

  www.fjorukrain.is

• E-mail:

  booking@vikingvillage.is

• Phone:

  +354 565 1213

Iceland Airwaves

The festival is regarded as the biggest celebration of music in Iceland and boasts an unrivalled line-up of established and up-and-coming artists.

• Web:

  www.icelandairwaves.is

• E-mail:

  info@icelandairwaves.is

• Phone:

  +354 558 4400

• More info:

  Usually takes place in the first week of November

DC3 Plane Wreck

The Super DC-3 aircraft crashed into Sólheimasandur back in 1973, thankfully leaving its seven crew members unharmed. Since then the empty husk of a plane has been left exposed to the elements, rusting away in constant humidity and cracking from constant freezes and thaws. The wreckage is a particularly beloved spot by local and visiting photographers thanks to its sparse and wild surrounding black sand landscape and its incredible visual contrast to the aircraft’s gnarled metal carcass. To visit the plane wreck, you can join organised hiking, horse riding or ATV riding tours, take a bus or get there by yourself. Remember, that driving over the sands is considered to be driving off-road and carries heavy fines. Lastly, the wreck is located pretty close to the village of Vik made famous after a popular Netflix series Katla.

Hallgrímskirkja — The Church of Hallgrímur

Hallgrímskirkja is an iconic part of Reykjavík's skyline and at 74.5 metres tall it is one of the tallest structures in the country. The gigantic church on the hill was a controversial project, but Icelanders have come to embrace their monumental tower in all its brutalist glory. The concrete mountain which took over 40 years to construct was inspired by the unusual columnar basalt formations along Iceland’s coast. You can admire the building inside and outside, go to the top of the tower to catch the view or attend an organ concert. The church is named after Hallgrímur Pétursson — a 17th-century minister and poet who wrote the “The Passion Hymns”. The book remains popular to this day.

• Web:

  www.hallgrimskirkja.is/en

• E-mail:

  kirkjuverdir@hallgrimskirkja.is

• Address:

  Hallgrímstorg 1, 101 Reykjavík

• Phone:

  +354 510 1000

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–5pm

• More info:

  The church is named after Hallgrímur Pétursson — a 17th-century minister and poet who penned the “The Passion Hymns”, which became wildly popular and to this day is read at Icelandic homes (and even broadcast on the radio) during Lent

Harpa

One of Reykjavík's most iconic landmarks and a must-visit while in Iceland is Harpa, the city's concert hall and conference centre as well as home to the Icelandic Opera and the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra. Located by the old harbour, near the centre of Reykjavík, this striking bit of contemporary architecture boasts a glass facade, which covers the entire building featuring honeycomb panels that change colours during the day as they reflect the sky and the ocean. At night, a light show makes the building look even more magical.

• Web:

  www.harpa.is/en

• E-mail:

  harpa@harpa.is

• Address:

  Austurbakki 2, Reykjavík

• Phone:

  +354 528 5050

• Opening hours:

  Daily noon–4pm

Iceland Airwaves

The festival is regarded as the biggest celebration of music in Iceland and boasts an unrivalled line-up of established and up-and-coming artists.

• Web:

  www.icelandairwaves.is

• E-mail:

  info@icelandairwaves.is

• Phone:

  +354 558 4400

• More info:

  Usually takes place in the first week of November

Perlan — The Pearl

Perlan is an otherworldly creation with a viewing platform and a revolving restaurant on top of water storage tanks. Apart from the glass domed restaurant, the complex hosts an exhibition space, a planetarium and an observation deck.

• Web:

  www.perlan.is/en-gb

• Address:

  Perlan, Öskjuhlíð, Reykjavík

• Phone:

  +354 566 9000

Reynisfjara Black Beach

The onyx black sand of Reynisfjara is formed from volcanic activity in Iceland: when lava collides with the ocean, it rapidly cools and shatters into small fragments of basalt. With its enormous basalt stacks (features in Game of Thrones and once believed to be petrified trolls), roaring Atlantic waves and stunning vistas, Reynisfjara is widely considered to be the most beautiful example of Iceland’s black sand beaches. The sea stacks along the shore are home to thousands of nesting seabirds like puffins, fulmars and guillemots — a must-see for birdwatchers. A visit to Reynisfjara is included in most tours of southern Iceland. Driving here is a good option, too, since it's only about 180 km from Reykjavík.