Hallgrímskirkja (Church of Hallgrímur), Reykjavik (must see)

The Church of Hallgrímur is one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of modern Icelandic identity. Designed in 1937, the church was conceived as a reflection of Iceland’s unique geography. Volcanic activity across the island produces lava flows that cool into grey, hexagonal basalt columns, and these dramatic, jagged formations directly inspired the building’s form. Construction began in 1945 and continued for more than four decades, with the church finally consecrated in 1986.

It is named after Hallgrímur Pétursson, a 17th-century figure best known for his devotional work Hymns of the Passion. As a Lutheran place of worship belonging to the Church of Iceland, its imposing height—over 74 meters—was also intended to rival the nearby Catholic cathedral.

The architecture immediately stands out. Its stepped concrete façade resembles cooled lava or a cluster of organ pipes rising upward, giving the church a sculptural, almost geological presence visible from across the city.

Inside, the atmosphere becomes more restrained, with a bright, minimalist interior that emphasizes space and light. The main focal point is the monumental pipe organ, rising about 15 meters tall and composed of 5,275 pipes. Located directly above the main entrance inside the nave, visitors should turn around as they enter the church to see this gargantuan instrument, which weighs over 25 tons. The organ features four manuals and 72 stops; the instrument's sheer power is meant to fill the massive, minimalist hall with sound. Its electronic action system allows the pipes to be operated remotely from the console, and the instrument is frequently used for concerts, especially during summer, when performances are held several times a week.

Visitors are often drawn to the tower, where a lift leads to an observation deck with wide views over the city’s colorful rooftops, the coastline, and surrounding mountains. To reach this highlight at the uppermost level of the 74.5-meter steeple—the highest viewpoint in the city center—take the elevator located in the lobby to the 8th floor, then ascend a final short staircase to the open-air viewing platform. From here, you get a 360-degree view of the colorful corrugated iron roofs of Reykjavík, the Faxaflói Bay, and Mount Esja; on a clear day, you can even spot glaciers.

Outside the entrance stands a statue of Leif Erikson, gifted by the United States in the 1930s to mark the 1,000th anniversary of the Icelandic Parliament, first convened in 930 AD. A small local detail adds character: the large clock on the tower is often inaccurate, as strong Icelandic winds can shift its hands.