Reykjavik Walking Tour: Get To Know Iceland’s Capital City
Spend a few hours in Iceland’s capital city with our Reykjavik walking tour!
Most of our time in Iceland was spent in rural areas, exploring the country’s natural beauty. However, we ended our trip in Reykjavik, which was the perfect way to end our visit. Reykjavik is small, yet packed with history, charm, and stunning scenery. If you only have a day – or even just a few hours – to explore, try our self-guided Reykjavik walking tour.
Our walking tour hits some of the Reykjavik’s most iconic landmarks. In total, we’ll cover about 4 kilometers (about 2.5 miles).
Overview
Our Reykjavik walking tour focuses on the downtown and waterfront areas of the city. This part of the city includes many “must see” landmarks. As a result, this walk is great to do if you only have on day in Reykjavik.
If you have a day or two more, getting out and exploring Iceland’s natural beauty is a must. Renting a car is easy, and you can get to popular spots along the Golden Circle within about an hour. Some of our favorites were snorkeling at Silfra fissure and hiking to Bruarfoss waterfall.
We’ve set this walking tour up to start at Hallgrímskirkja church and end along the waterfront. In total, the route covers about 4 kilometers (about 2.5 miles). The walk is easy and mostly flat, aside from a couple small hills.
Plan for 2-3 hours to complete the walk. If you make several stops along the way, it’ll likely be closer to 4 hours.
Key Things to Know
While our Reykjavik walking tour can be done at any time of day, we recommend starting it in the morning. This way, you can grab lunch at Seabaron toward the end of the walk.
If you’re doing this walk in the fall or winter months, be sure to check sunrise and sunset hours, given the limited daylight hours. Conversely, if you’re doing this in late spring or summer, you’ll have a lot of daylight hours to work with.
You don’t need to pack much for this walk – just your essentials. We do recommend having a camera (a smartphone works just fine) to capture the charm of Reykjavik.
Our Reykjavík Walking Tour
1. Hallgrímskirkja
Our walk begins at Hallgrímskirkja, arguably Reykjavik’s most recognizable landmark.
Hallgrímskirkja – Iceland’s largest church – was inspired by Iceland’s basalt lava formations. We’ve seen countless churches over the years in our travels, but this church certainly was unique!
Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran church and part of the Church of Iceland (Lutheranism is the dominant religion in Iceland).
If you’ve got time to spare, you can take an elevator to an observation tower at the top of the church. We didn’t have time to do this on our walk, but we’ve heard the tower offers beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area.
As you leave Hallgrímskirkja, take a moment to admire the Leif Erikson statue. A famous Norse explorer, we found Leif to be most popular with birds during our visit – his head makes for a great vantage point!
Leaving Hallgrímskirkja, head down Frakkastígur toward Laugavegur (Reykjavik’s shopping street).
Hungry or in need of an energy boost? Stop into Reykjavik Roasters and/or Brauð & Co. In our view, these spots serve Reykjavik’s best coffee and pastries.
2. Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur Rainbow Street
When you reach Laugavegur, turn left. It’s time to do some strolling!
If you’re looking to shop or eat, Laugavegur is the place to be. It’s Reykjavik’s main shopping and dining street. From souvenir shops to boutiques, specialized eateries to full-service restaurants, you’ll find it all here.
Take some time to wander Laugavegur – browse the shops and sights. About 400 meters down the street, we’ve marked Skólavörðustígur Rainbow Street, which is a popular (and colorful) street with more shops.
When you’re ready to continue, head to the intersection of Bankastræti and Lækjargata.
3. Tjörnin (The Pond)
At the intersection of Bankastræti and Lækjargata, turn left onto Lækjargata. We’re heading to Tjörnin (The Pond).
Walking along Lækjargata, you’ll eventually run into Tjörnin. Hop on the path that runs adjacent to the pond. We’re taking a lap around it!
Tjörnin is a serene lake in the center of Reykjavik. In the summer, it’s filled with wildlife (swans, ducks, and geese). In the winter, the pond freezes. If the weather is cold enough, people will skate on the pond (always use caution and follow local guidance when it comes to this sort of activity).
Since we visited Iceland in the summer, we enjoyed a pleasant stroll around Tjörnin, making for a great city break.
When you reach the other side of the pond, head toward Tjarnargata Street. As you exit, you’ll pass Reykjavik City Hall on your right.
We’re saying goodbye to the pond, and heading back to Reykjavik’s city streets.
4. Old Harbor & Lunch at Seabaron
All this walking makes us hungry. You too? Let’s grab some lunch!
From Tjarnargata, we’ll weave our way through city streets to reach Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. You’ll pass by Ingólfur Square (Ingólfstorg), a charming city square which houses an ice skating rink in the winter months.
Follow our downloadable map for street-by-street instructions, as there are a number of turns. If it’s easier, search “Seabaron” in your phone and map directions to there.
Ah, Seabaron. In researching our visit to Reykjavik, we saw multiple mentions of this seafood eatery and knew we needed to try it.
We can probably sum up our review of Seabaron by telling you that Zoey thinks it’s the best fish she’s ever eaten. And, honestly, she’s not wrong.
Seabaron serves up freshly caught seafood for hungry customers in a cozy, no-frills atmosphere. When we visited, we order a few fish skewers, and our favorite was the salmon. Don’t skip the dipping sauces – they add a fun element of flavor to each bite!
When you’ve had your fill at Seabaron, we’ll wrap up the tour with a walk along the waterfront.
5. Waterfront: Harpa Concert Hall & Sun Voyager
Leaving the Old Harbor, head east along the water. We’ve got just a couple more sights to see!
About a 10 minute walk from the Old Harbor, we’ll arrive at Harpa Concert Hall. This modern venue has become a Reykjavik landmark, with its dazzling glass that reflects the sky. Even if you’re not catching a show, it’s worth stepping inside to check out the architecture.
From the concert hall, continue walking along the water – about another 10 minutes – to reach the Sun Voyager. This steel structure was build to resemble a Viking ship – a nod to Iceland’s Viking roots.
The Sun Voyager represents discovery and adventure, which we love given our thirst for adventure travel.
This is where our tour ends. From here, you can grab a seat and enjoy views of the waterfront and surrounding area, or head back up to Laugavegur for some shopping.
Wrapping Up: Reykjavik Walking Tour
Reykjavik may be small, but it’s packed with history, charm, and stunning coastal views. Our Reykjavik walking tour is the perfect way to experience the city’s highlights in just a few hours, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems.
Whether you’re starting your Icelandic adventure or wrapping it up like we did, taking time to stroll through Reykjavik will leave you with lasting memories. And if you have extra time, don’t forget to venture beyond the city. Nature is never far away in Iceland.
Let us know if you take this walk, and happy exploring!