Things we love and recommend (in Reykjavík)
Sightseeing
We love the peaceful garden in the backyard with all its beautiful sculptures. The museum is nice as well (entrance fee is required), but visiting the garden only is for free.
140 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Einar Jónsson Museum
51 NjarðargataWe love the peaceful garden in the backyard with all its beautiful sculptures. The museum is nice as well (entrance fee is required), but visiting the garden only is for free.
Walking to Grótta's lighthouse takes 50 minutes from our home. Just follow the seaside (and gooogle maps) and you'll find it.
If you visit it you must have pizza or a drink in Ráðagerði; a family owned pizza place, a very local experience.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
GROTTA
Walking to Grótta's lighthouse takes 50 minutes from our home. Just follow the seaside (and gooogle maps) and you'll find it.
If you visit it you must have pizza or a drink in Ráðagerði; a family owned pizza place, a very local experience.
Reykjavík's cute botanical garden. If you visit the garden, you must visit Kaffi Flóra as well; for a cup of coffee, cake or something to eat , or beer or a glass of wine.
This visit could be combined with a trip to the swimming pool (Laugardalslaug).
165 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Grasagardur Botanical Garden
105 HverfisgataReykjavík's cute botanical garden. If you visit the garden, you must visit Kaffi Flóra as well; for a cup of coffee, cake or something to eat , or beer or a glass of wine.
This visit could be combined with a trip to the swimming pool (Laugardalslaug).
Visiting the top is nice, entrance fee for adults is we think 1400 ISK.
743 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hallgrimskirkja
Visiting the top is nice, entrance fee for adults is we think 1400 ISK.
Swimming pools and geothermal baths
Sky Lagoon is a geothermal spa in southwestern Iceland. It is located at Kársnes Harbour (Kópavogur), an industrial area approximately 7 kilometres south of downtown Reykjavík.
Beautiful scenery, highly recommended.
104 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sky Lagoon
44-48 VesturvörSky Lagoon is a geothermal spa in southwestern Iceland. It is located at Kársnes Harbour (Kópavogur), an industrial area approximately 7 kilometres south of downtown Reykjavík.
Beautiful scenery, highly recommended.
This swimming pool has a big waterslide.
Icelanders are crazy about their swimming pools. Visiting a swimmingppol is a must when in Iceland.
Get soaked in the hot tubs, test your limits in the cold tub, sweat in the sauna or simply swim. But most important; relax and enjoy.
You will need to bring a towel and swimsuits (and a shampoo if you want to). They have soap in the showers.
511 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Laugardalslaug
105 SundlaugavegurThis swimming pool has a big waterslide.
Icelanders are crazy about their swimming pools. Visiting a swimmingppol is a must when in Iceland.
Get soaked in the hot tubs, test your limits in the cold tub, sweat in the sauna or simply swim. But most important; relax and enjoy.
You will need to bring a towel and swimsuits (and a shampoo if you want to). They have soap in the showers.
This swimmingpool is in 30 min walking distance from our home.
Icelanders are crazy about their swimming pools. Visiting a swimmingppol is a must when in Iceland.
Get soaked in the hot tubs, test your limits in the cold tub, sweat in the sauna or simply swim. But most important; relax and enjoy.
You will need to bring a towel and swimsuits (and a shampoo if you want to). They have soap in the showers.
484 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sundhöllin
45a BarónsstígurThis swimmingpool is in 30 min walking distance from our home.
Icelanders are crazy about their swimming pools. Visiting a swimmingppol is a must when in Iceland.
Get soaked in the hot tubs, test your limits in the cold tub, sweat in the sauna or simply swim. But most important; relax and enjoy.
You will need to bring a towel and swimsuits (and a shampoo if you want to). They have soap in the showers.
Lovely outdoor swimming pool, with a water slide.
106 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sundlaugin í Kópavogi (Kópavogslaug)
17 BorgarholtsbrautLovely outdoor swimming pool, with a water slide.
Nice and colourful swimming pool with two good slides, hot tubs as well of course.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sundlaug Breiðholts
3 AusturbergNice and colourful swimming pool with two good slides, hot tubs as well of course.
Cozy swimmingpool; both indoor and outdoor pools, couple of hot tubs and a slide of course.
84 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Árbæjarlaug
Cozy swimmingpool; both indoor and outdoor pools, couple of hot tubs and a slide of course.
Food scene
Lovely place that opened earlier this year. Great pastry and bread during the day, and lovely Italian food and natural wines in the evening.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Baka Baka
Lovely place that opened earlier this year. Great pastry and bread during the day, and lovely Italian food and natural wines in the evening.
Food court in an old bus station! The first food court in Iceland, and the most successful one in our opinion. The Skál! is an award winning restaurant, the taco place is very good as well, Kröst is popular, and Flatey pizza!
366 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hlemmur Mathöll
107 LaugavegurFood court in an old bus station! The first food court in Iceland, and the most successful one in our opinion. The Skál! is an award winning restaurant, the taco place is very good as well, Kröst is popular, and Flatey pizza!
Ráðagerði Veitingahús is a cozy restaurant located by the charming Grótta lighthouse with a surrounding nature reserve.
A must stop if you visit the lighthouse! The food is excellent. They serve brunch as well in the weekends.
Reservation is recommended.
Raðagerði Veitingahús
Ráðagerði Veitingahús is a cozy restaurant located by the charming Grótta lighthouse with a surrounding nature reserve.
A must stop if you visit the lighthouse! The food is excellent. They serve brunch as well in the weekends.
Reservation is recommended.
Lovely restaurant / café. Highly recommended if you go to Laugardalslaug the swimming pool.
66 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Flóran Garden Bistro
GrasagarðinumLovely restaurant / café. Highly recommended if you go to Laugardalslaug the swimming pool.
Recently opened, already one of our favourite.
This is what the Michelin Guide wrote:
"Fun, lively and offering something fresh and exciting to the Reykjavik dining scene, OTO is one of the hottest tickets in town thanks to its bustling atmosphere and Italian-Japanese fusion cuisine. The uncommon pairing works a treat, with their shared ingredient-led approach resulting in dishes that showcase clever cross-cuisine combinations and deliver pure, natural flavours – like a take on scallops Florentine enhanced by the piquancy of ponzu and the warming spice of shichimi. If you can’t decide, go for their version of a kaiseki menu".
Reservation is recommended.
OTO
Recently opened, already one of our favourite.
This is what the Michelin Guide wrote:
"Fun, lively and offering something fresh and exciting to the Reykjavik dining scene, OTO is one of the hottest tickets in town thanks to its bustling atmosphere and Italian-Japanese fusion cuisine. The uncommon pairing works a treat, with their shared ingredient-led approach resulting in dishes that showcase clever cross-cuisine combinations and deliver pure, natural flavours – like a take on scallops Florentine enhanced by the piquancy of ponzu and the warming spice of shichimi. If you can’t decide, go for their version of a kaiseki menu".
Reservation is recommended.
Sumac Grill + Drinks is a restaurant at Laugavegur 28 in downtown Reykjavik, Iceland. Inspired by the nostalgic atmosphere of the city of Beirut, Lebanon. Always great!
A lively modern brasserie with on-trend concrete walls, burnished leather banquettes and a charcoal grill. Icelandic ingredients are given a Middle Eastern twist, with influences ranging from North African to Lebanese. Cooking is rustic and full of flavour; go for the meze sharing menus.
Reservation is recommended.
62 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sumac Grill + Drinks
28, 101 LaugavegurSumac Grill + Drinks is a restaurant at Laugavegur 28 in downtown Reykjavik, Iceland. Inspired by the nostalgic atmosphere of the city of Beirut, Lebanon. Always great!
A lively modern brasserie with on-trend concrete walls, burnished leather banquettes and a charcoal grill. Icelandic ingredients are given a Middle Eastern twist, with influences ranging from North African to Lebanese. Cooking is rustic and full of flavour; go for the meze sharing menus.
Reservation is recommended.
Vinstukan Tiu sopar is a cosy wine bar that offers a wide range of both natural and conventional wines. The menu consists of small gourmet dishes made from fresh ingredients along with more traditional charcuterie and local delights.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Vínstúkan Tíu sopar / Wine Bar
27 LaugavegurVinstukan Tiu sopar is a cosy wine bar that offers a wide range of both natural and conventional wines. The menu consists of small gourmet dishes made from fresh ingredients along with more traditional charcuterie and local delights.
We like to go there for the danish smørrebröd, beer and akeviit (scandinavian spirit).
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jómfrúin - Scandinavian Kitchen
4 LækjargataWe like to go there for the danish smørrebröd, beer and akeviit (scandinavian spirit).
La Poblana
We like this Mexican place, serving great tacos, flautas, birria tacos and more.
Skreið
Beautiful interior, great tapas, wines and cocktails.
We go there especially for their baguettes. Their pastry is lovely as well.
"Sandholt is a family bakery based on decades of tradition. The fourth generation of Sandholt’s master bakers, offers its customers interesting innovations from one of the oldest operating bakeries in the country".
146 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sandholt
36 LaugavegurWe go there especially for their baguettes. Their pastry is lovely as well.
"Sandholt is a family bakery based on decades of tradition. The fourth generation of Sandholt’s master bakers, offers its customers interesting innovations from one of the oldest operating bakeries in the country".
Activity
The Árbær Open Air Museum is Iceland ‘s largest of its kind and home to a fascinating collection of historical buildings, most of which were relocated from Reykjavík’s city centre. Each of the buildings has a story to tell.
168 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Árbær Open Air Museum
110 KistuhylurThe Árbær Open Air Museum is Iceland ‘s largest of its kind and home to a fascinating collection of historical buildings, most of which were relocated from Reykjavík’s city centre. Each of the buildings has a story to tell.
Bars and cafés
They have a nice rooftop bar, very nice when the sun is shining. They have very basic selection of beers and wine, reasonably priced.
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Reykjavik Loft HI Hostel
7 BankastrætiThey have a nice rooftop bar, very nice when the sun is shining. They have very basic selection of beers and wine, reasonably priced.
Mokka is one of the oldest cafés in Reykjavik opened in 1958. The café has doubled as an Art gallery from the very beginning.
We really like their waffles especially, with whipped cream and jam.
75 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mokka Kaffi
3A SkólavörðustígurMokka is one of the oldest cafés in Reykjavik opened in 1958. The café has doubled as an Art gallery from the very beginning.
We really like their waffles especially, with whipped cream and jam.
This bar serves great selection of locally brewed Kaldi.
262 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kaldi Bar
20a LaugavegurThis bar serves great selection of locally brewed Kaldi.
ÓX is an amazing Michelin starred experience.
Amma Don is a speakeasy cocktail bar ( - you can access Amma Don for cocktails without reservation at ÓX).
ÓX + Amma Don
ÓX is an amazing Michelin starred experience.
Amma Don is a speakeasy cocktail bar ( - you can access Amma Don for cocktails without reservation at ÓX).
Skuli Craft Bar serves over 130 sorts of quality craft beer in a cozy, relaxed atmosphere.
99 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Skúli Craft bar
9, 101 AðalstrætiSkuli Craft Bar serves over 130 sorts of quality craft beer in a cozy, relaxed atmosphere.
Kramber
Cozy wine bar, beautiful interior.
They've been roasting quality coffee since 2008.
245 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Reykjavik Roasters
1 KárastígurThey've been roasting quality coffee since 2008.
Classic hikes around Reykjavík
Enjoy this 6.1-km loop trail near Hafnarfjörður, Capital Region. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and mountain biking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Helgafell
Enjoy this 6.1-km loop trail near Hafnarfjörður, Capital Region. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and mountain biking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.
Try this 3.7-km loop trail near Mosfellsbær, Capital Region. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 32 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are April through October.
Úlfarsfell
Try this 3.7-km loop trail near Mosfellsbær, Capital Region. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 32 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are April through October.
Mt. Esja is 914 meters high, but most people hike up to the Stone (Steinn), 780 meters above sea level. Once up there, you will have the most beautiful view of Reykjavik and the surrounding area. We don‘t recommend going all the way up unless the weather is perfect and you are used to hiking. Also, beware during wintertime as the weather can get pretty bad quickly. Stopping by the Stone is also ideal for a bite to eat and to strike up a conversation with the locals, taking a breather before heading down again.
Esjan
Mt. Esja is 914 meters high, but most people hike up to the Stone (Steinn), 780 meters above sea level. Once up there, you will have the most beautiful view of Reykjavik and the surrounding area. We don‘t recommend going all the way up unless the weather is perfect and you are used to hiking. Also, beware during wintertime as the weather can get pretty bad quickly. Stopping by the Stone is also ideal for a bite to eat and to strike up a conversation with the locals, taking a breather before heading down again.