Top Things to Do in Reykjavík: Explore Iceland’s Capital with Ease

Reykjavik is Iceland’s largest and capital city, with a population of about 140,000 people. Sure, while you compare that to capital cities like London, with its population of nearly 9 million, or even Paris, with its population of around 2 million, you might ask yourself: Is there even anything to do in Reykjavik? However, when you’re wondering what to do in Reykjavik, rest assured that you have plenty of options.

Though compact, Reykjavik offers an abundance of culture, art, history, nightlife, dining and more. All the while, you’re only a very brief drive from some of Iceland’s most famous natural attractions.

Of course, getting around Reykjavik and exploring beyond the city borders is made much easier with a rental car, as it’ll allow you to avoid relying on tour guides and their strict schedules and limited availability. Additionally, since public transit is fairly limited once you leave Reykjavik, a car rental in Iceland is necessary if you want to adventure further afield on your own.

Ready to find out what to do in Reykjavik, from the locals’ perspectives, and how to go about getting your Iceland car rental for your trip? Here’s everything you need to know.

Explore Reykjavík’s Cultural and Historical Highlights

When deciding what to do in Reykjavik, first and foremost, make sure to explore Reykjavik’s cultural and historical sites with a visit to one or all of these famous landmarks.

Hallgrímskirkja Church

If you’ve done any advance research for your Iceland trip, you’ve likely come across photos of this notable site. The beautiful architecture of Hallgrímskirkja Church is unforgettable. This Evangelical-Lutheran church is the largest church in the entire country, as well as home to the largest organ in Iceland, but there’s no need to be spiritual to visit this landmark.

Many travellers visit the church simply to see the architecture and then to ride the elevator to the top of the church tower. The tower stands at 74.5 metres, or 244 feet high, and provides beautiful scenery of the surrounding landscape, including Reykjavik and the ocean and mountains.

If you have a car rental in Iceland, visiting this spot is exceptionally easy, as there’s convenient parking in the vicinity. 

Harpa Concert Hall

Harpa Concert Hall is likewise notable for its architecture. The nature-inspired façade towering over the water is nearly completely glass, giving it an almost otherworldly appearance, like much of Iceland’s landscapes!

While there are more than 1,400 events that occur at the concert hall each year, you can visit the hall without event tickets for free. More than 1.5 million guests stop by each year, and you can be one of those who just come in for a guided tour or dining.

Perlan

When you’re considering what to do in Reykjavik, if you’re never one to miss a great museum during your travels, then you’ll want to make tracks for Perlan. 

A nature museum and exploratorium, the interactive space sits on Reykjavik's highest hill and offers views of the city and sea. Exhibitions allow you to learn more about Iceland’s ice caves and glaciers, northern lights, volcanoes, wildlife and more. In other words, it’s an amazing first stop on any Iceland road trip itinerary, so you can get a good briefing on what to expect as you explore the country.

Additionally, parking at Perlan is free, so you can easily visit in your rental car — and on that note, be sure that you’re well-versed on all of Reykjavik’s parking rules before your arrival, if you plan on getting a car rental in Iceland.

Sun Voyager

This large steel sculpture near the waterfront mimics the curvatures of a Viking ship. In actuality, the artist intended it to be a dream boat, with the artist saying that it “symbolises the promise of new, undiscovered territory.” Stopping by for some quick photos will only take a few moments of your time, but it’ll be well worth it, as you admire the sunset, views of the water and views of the mountains beyond!

The National Museum of Iceland

Another great museum stop, the National Museum of Iceland is your go-to spot to learn all about Iceland’s history and culture, as you trace your way from the country’s ancient origins to modern day. See artefacts and artwork, book a guided tour or enjoy a self-guided audio tour, available in 10 languages and with an edition for kids.

The National Museum of Iceland is located right near the city centre, so you can easily get there while visiting other centrally located landmarks in your rental car.

Walk, Shop and Dine in the City Centre

But when considering what to do in Reykjavik, you can’t spend all your time at cultural landmarks and museums. Between the tours, make time for some souvenir shopping and tasty eats in the city’s centre.

Laugavegur Street

This street is like Reykjavik’s main street for shopping and nightlife. Locals and travellers mix here, as they all shop, dine and enjoy the various evening entertainment. No matter what you’re shopping for, what you’re hungry for or how you like to have fun, chances are you can find something that catches your fancy on Laugavegur Street.

When you arrive at Laugavegur Street, you’ll find plenty of easy parking around the city centre’s edges, so you can safely park your car and then explore on foot.

During the day, be sure to visit the souvenir shops, art galleries, bookstores and boutiques. Grab a quick photo on Rainbow Street, or Skolavordustigur, just steps away from Laugavegur. The street celebrates Reykjavik’s pride by showing off an array of painted colours.

At night, grab a bite to eat and then stop into one of the bars or pubs, where you’ll find various venues offering livelier music and dancing, as well as quieter, cosier spots, for something for everyone.

Try Traditional Icelandic Cuisine

You’re likely going to get hungry during your travels. Luckily, Reykjavik is chock-full of amazing restaurants serving different cuisines at a variety of price points.

There are a lot of must-try classic Icelandic dishes that you’ll want to taste-test during your visit, but consider starting with one of the famous hot dogs from the small chain of hot dog stands, Bæjarins Beztu. In operation since the 1930s, there are a few Bæjarins Beztu stands scattered across the city, but you can conveniently find one near Harpa Concert Hall. Don’t think that this is just any old hot dog, either. Bæjarins Beztu’s hot dogs have been named the best in Europe.

Other top foods to try during your visit include lamb soup; plokkfiskur, which is a fish and mashed potato gratin; or even the notorious fermented shark, which travellers love to try as a test of their mettle.

For the avid foodie travellers, a car rental in Iceland is crucial, as it’ll allow you to travel outside of Reykjavik to try some of the best restaurants elsewhere across the country, as well as to visit breweries, local farms and other venues.

Enjoy the City’s Nightlife Scene

Reykjavik is Iceland’s nightlife hub. If you’re a traveller who loves to dance or drink, Reykjavik is where you’re going to want to be and stay, as there’s little in the way of clubs or traditional nightlife once you leave the city.

Additionally, you’ll want to know just a few things about nightlife in Reykjavik.

Firstly, nightlife venues are busiest on the weekends. This is when everyone goes out, and weeknights tend to be a little calmer.

Secondly, if you want to dress up to go out, feel free to! Many locals do, but it’s also not a requirement if you‘d prefer a more casual vibe. Just check to see if your chosen venue has a dress code before heading out.

Lastly, budget appropriately for alcoholic beverages. They’ll likely be more expensive than they are in your home country, so if you’re on a budget, you may want to drink early, during early evening happy hours.

Again, the best place to find nightlife in Reykjavik will be on Laugavegur Street.

Relax Like a Local

But what if you’re looking for what to do in Reykjavik to relax? Don’t worry — there’s no need to go, go, go to all the top spots, rushing around. You can kick back and relax or go at a more casual pace with some of these top activities.

Visit a Geothermal Pool

You can find geothermal pools and hot springs all over Iceland, including in Reykjavik. These popular heated pools are both community gathering spaces and amazing spots to relax. Options in or near Reykjavik include Sundhollin, which is Reykjavik’s oldest public bath, and Laugardalslaug, which offers hot tubs and water slides, among other features.

If you have a car rental in Iceland, you can travel a bit further away, to other notable geothermal pools and hot springs, such as the famous Blue Lagoon, which is near Keflavik Airport. In fact, you may want to land at Keflavik, pick up your rental car, and then immediately go to the Blue Lagoon before heading on to your hotel. It’s a great way to refresh after a flight! Likewise, if you’re at the end of your trip, you might want to stop at the Blue Lagoon for a morning or afternoon, before returning your rental car, for one last relaxing experience before your flight leaves.

Reykjavík’s Street Art and Sculpture Walk

Take a simple stroll around Reykjavik and admire the street art and sculptures. Beyond the aforementioned Sun Voyager, you’ll find plenty of other public art, whether you’re staying in the city centre or getting out into the suburbs via your rental car.

Go on a Reykjavík Tour

Explore more of Reykjavik with the help of an expert, local guide!

Reykjavík Food Tour

Try a guided food tour, wherein you can sample the local delicacies, visit local restaurants and more, all while learning about food history and culture from our local guides. You’ll be able to try some of Iceland’s iconic dishes in some of the best spots to do so.

Whale Watching

Whale watching tours frequently leave from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. You can find tours running just about all year-long and the harbour is easy to reach from the city centre.

Walking Tours

Other walking tours are available that detail Reykjavik’s history, art and more, whether you just stay in the city centre or explore beyond.

Tip: Get a 5% discount on any tour bookings, as well as on other Reykjavik experiences, using promo code LAVATOURS. Book your tour now to save on top experiences in and around Reykjavík.

Day Trips from Reykjavík That are Easy with a Rental Car

As already mentioned, Reykjavik is a great home base or starting point for Iceland adventures that take you further afield. However, do note, if you’re still wondering, “Do I need a car in Reykjavik?”, if you decide to visit extra places like these, you will need that rental car.

Once you pick up your rental car, here are some of the places you can go.

The Golden Circle

Iceland’s Golden Circle is its most popular driving loop, within an easy drive of Reykjavik. The route takes you to three of Iceland’s most famous landmarks, including the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park. The loop can be traversed all within a day, so you can enjoy it even if your hotel is in Reykjavik.

While some tour buses do visit the Golden Circle, driving there on your own, in a rental car, allows you to go at your own pace, avoid the crowds, start and stop when you want and add in extra detours like visits to the Secret Lagoon or Friðheimar tomato farm.

Reykjanes Peninsula

Reykjanes Peninsula is located near Keflavik International Airport and, as such, is easy to visit on the first or last day of your trip. Here, you’ll find the previously discussed Blue Lagoon, as well as famous hot springs, like Gunnuhver Hot Springs; Brimketill lava rock pool; the Bridge Between Continents, which connects the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates; the ocean; lava fields; and more. With a rental car, you can see it all on your own schedule.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula 

A trip out to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is one of the best day trips from Reykjavik, and for good reason. You can explore a little bit of every part of Iceland here, including black sand beaches, glaciers, waterfalls and quaint villages.  

Why Rent a Car in Reykjavík?

So, do I need a car in Reykjavik? Yes, and here’s why.

More Flexibility, More Freedom

With a car rental in Iceland, no matter where you’re planning to go, Reykjavik or otherwise, you enjoy greater flexibility and more freedom to go where you want, when you want. You can adjust your itinerary on a whim. You can explore and find magical spots where you can stay as long as you want. You’re not beholden to the limited public transit in the city centre, nor are you stuck with the crowds on tour buses that only take you to the main spots and nowhere else.

You can truly explore Iceland your own way when you have a rental car.

Lava Car Rental Advantages

Renting your car for your Iceland trip with Lava Car Rental comes with a few advantages:

• All of the insurance you need to keep you and your wallet safe 
• Easy, 24/7, self-service pickup at Keflavik Airport 
• No young driver fees, which is an issue you’ll run into with other rental providers in Iceland, if you’re under the age of 25 
• No need to have a credit card on file, as we’ll take your debit card as long as you’ve purchased full protection insurance
• Support from our team of local Icelanders who can help make your trip amazing

Join our many happy customers and see why they’ve ranked us as a top Iceland car rental company on platforms like Google and Trustpilot.

Where to Pick Up Your Rental Car in Reykjavík

When you’re ready to pick up your rental car, you can do so right at Keflavik International Airport, and then head on to Reykjavik from there. This convenient option makes your trip all the easier, as you don’t need to take a bus into the city, and you can arrive at any time, day or night, and know that your car will be ready and waiting for you.

Make the Most of Reykjavík with a Rental Car

A trip to Reykjavik is amazing on its own, but a trip to Reykjavik with a rental car is even better, as you’ll be able to explore the entire city with ease, with no long walks and no worries about the weather. Then, when you’re ready to see what lies beyond the city, you’ll be able to get there fast, when and how you want. Lava Car Rental makes it possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get a car in Reykjavík?

Yes! While Reykjavik is walkable, with a rental car you can see more of the city and go beyond the city, without relying on limited public transit, tour providers and other hassles that can add stress to your trip. Instead, you’ll be able to go when and where you want, conveniently and safely.

Where can I park in Reykjavík?

Parking in Reykjavik is easy, as there are several public parking zones around the city centre, and metered street parking is available, with payments made through parking machines or the parka app. Lots and car parks are also available in the more popular areas like Laugavegur and Hallgrímskirkja.

Is it difficult to park in Reykjavík?

No. If you’re accustomed to any city parking, you should be able to easily park in Reykjavik. Additionally, there’s ample parking, so finding a spot won’t be difficult, especially if you don’t mind a relatively short walk every once in a while. Plus, many hotels and large attractions may offer parking for visitors specifically.

Start Planning Your Reykjavik Adventure Now

When visiting Iceland, Reykjavik should be on your list. Even if you’re planning a larger, longer road trip throughout Iceland, consider spending a few days in Reykjavik to check out the culture, cuisine, arts and history. You’ll be glad you did — and even gladder that you rented a vehicle in which to see it all.

Check out Lava Car Rental’s robust selection of rental cars and begin planning your trip today!