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.

Sun Voyager is a sculpture crafted by the artist Jón Gunnar Árnason (1931-1989) and is situated alongside the Sæbraut road in Reykjavík. This artistic creation is often characterized as a representation of either a dreamboat or an homage to the sun. Jón Gunnar Árnason's intention behind this sculpture was to convey a sense of promise associated with uncharted territories, a dream symbolizing hope, progress, and freedom.

In 1986, the west district association of Reykjavík decided to sponsor a competition to commission a new outdoor sculpture in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the city. Jón Gunnar's Sun Voyager emerged as the winning design in the competition, leading to the creation of a scaled-up aluminum model, which was later presented to the city for enlargement. The full-sized Sun Voyager was officially unveiled on Sæbraut, coinciding with the birthday of Reykjavík on August 18, 1990.

The sculpture is crafted from high-quality stainless steel and is positioned upon a circle formed by granite slabs, encircled by a material known as "town-hall concrete." Its construction meticulously followed Jón Gunnar Árnason's detailed full-scale drawing of the Sun Voyager and was supervised by the artist Kristinn E. Hrafnsson, who served as Jón Gunnar's assistant.

Why You Should Visit:
Great subject for photographs as it provides a nice vantage point to look out into the waters and think of very deep things.

Located on the waterfront of Reykjavík, Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre stands as one of the city’s most distinctive modern landmarks and a symbol of Iceland’s cultural renewal in the early 21st century. The project was shaped by the 2008 financial crisis, which delayed construction, before being completed as a public initiative and officially opening in 2011.

As the first purpose-built concert hall in Reykjavík, Harpa became a central home for the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and houses the offices of the Icelandic Opera, while also hosting performances by groups such as the Reykjavík Big Band.

Beyond classical concerts and opera, Harpa hosts a wide range of events, from international conferences to themed shows such as How to Become Icelandic in 60 Minutes and Reykjavík Classics. The venue has also appeared in productions like Black Mirror and Sense8.

Architecturally, Harpa is defined by its impressive façade of geometric, honeycomb-like glass panels set over a steel framework. The central architectural highlight is the "Quasi-Brick" façade, located primarily on the south side of the building facing the sea. To find the best perspective, stand in the main atrium and look upward; you can see the twelve-sided glass modules. Inspired by Iceland’s basalt formations, the panels shift in colour and reflect changing light conditions, giving the building a dynamic appearance—especially after dark, when it becomes one of the city’s most visually impressive sights. This innovative design earned Harpa the European Union’s Mies van der Rohe Award in 2013, along with recognition as one of Northern Europe’s leading conference venues.

Inside, the building opens into a spacious atrium where light and structure interact throughout the day. The main concert hall, Eldborg, is located within the central core of the building. To find it, follow the main floor corridor from the lobby and ascend the grand staircases toward the "heart" of the structure. Eldborg is known for its warm red interior, designed to evoke a glowing volcanic crater, and its carefully engineered acoustics. Once you find yourself inside, look for the massive adjustable acoustic panels and the deep red walls that give the hall its distinctive "Fire Castle" atmosphere.

A final notable highlight is the Harbor View Walkways located on the upper levels of the sea-facing atrium. To reach this area, take the elevator or stairs to the fourth floor and walk toward the glass perimeter. From here, visitors are offered wide views over the city’s colorful rooftops and the North Atlantic.

Outside, in the water beside the building, stands The Musician, a 1970 sculpture depicting a cellist, relocated here from the orchestra’s former home. Visitors should note that as a functioning venue, certain halls may be closed for rehearsals, so checking the daily schedule at the information desk is advisable.

The Settlement Exhibition Reykjavík 871±2 is a showcase dedicated to the early history of Reykjavík, curated by the Reykjavik City Museum. This exhibition draws its content from the results of archaeological excavations conducted on the remains of one of the earliest houses in Iceland, along with discoveries from other dig sites within the city center.

The main focus of this exhibit revolves around the remnants of a hall from the Settlement Age, unearthed during excavations in 2001. This hall was inhabited from approximately 930 to 1000 AD. Adjacent to the hall, there are two pieces of turf that are remnants of a wall constructed prior to the year 871±2, hence the exhibition's name. This precise dating is made possible by analyzing the fallout of volcanic ash from a significant eruption in the Torfajökull area, which left its mark across the region. Researchers can accurately date this event by studying glacial ice in Greenland. Notably, this hall ranks among the oldest human-made structures discovered in Iceland. The exhibit also showcases artifacts from the Viking Age that were uncovered in central Reykjavík and on the island of Viðey.

The National Museum of Iceland was founded on February 24, 1863, and its first curator was Jón Árnason. This museum housed the Icelandic collection, which had previously been kept in Danish museums. The second curator, Sigurður Guðmundsson, pushed for the establishment of an antiquarian collection. Initially, the museum was known as the Antiquarian Collection, but in 1911, its name was changed to the National Museum of Iceland. It didn't have a permanent location until 1950 when it moved to Suðurgata. Prior to that, it was located in various attics in Reykjavík, including the Culture House attic, where it stayed for 40 years.

The museum's permanent exhibition focuses on Icelandic history and boasts approximately 2,000 artifacts. One standout piece in this exhibition is the Valþjófsstaður door, which features a famous carving depicting a version of the Lion-Knight legend. In this legend, a knight defeats a dragon, ultimately freeing a lion that becomes his loyal companion.

The National Museum of Iceland provides a comprehensive look at Iceland's history, spanning from ancient times to the present day, presented in an engaging and visually appealing manner. The museum's collection includes Viking weaponry, sailing vessels, clothing, religious artifacts, and even a recreated Icelandic house. For those interested in more recent history, there is a collection of modern items, including a copy of Bjork's very first album, recorded when she was just 11 years old. Visitors can also have some fun in the costume room, where they can try on clothing from different periods in Icelandic history.

Tip:
Free entry included with Reykjavik City Card; there are free lockers; set aside 1.5-2.5 hours here.
There are free guided tours at 11am each Saturday, and it is recommended that you join one of these tours to gain a better understanding.

Whales of Iceland Exhibition is a modern museum dedicated to the marine giants that inhabit the waters around Iceland. Opened in 2015 in the Grandi harbour district, the exhibition was created to bring together scientific knowledge, conservation awareness, and visual storytelling in a single indoor space.

The exhibition is best known for its 23 full-scale whale models, representing every whale species found in Icelandic waters. Suspended within a large, dimly lit hall, these life-size replicas include a 25-meter-long blue whale, alongside species such as the humpback whale, sperm whale, orca, and the critically endangered Atlantic right whale.

Unlike traditional displays, the models are designed to be touched, with soft, flexible surfaces that allow visitors to better understand the size and texture of these animals. Informational panels and interactive stands provide clear explanations of anatomy, behavior, migration patterns, and feeding habits, encouraging visitors of all ages to engage more deeply.

Beyond the visual impact, the exhibition incorporates sound and atmosphere to recreate an underwater environment. Gentle ambient lighting, paired with recorded whale calls, creates a calm setting, while the black-and-yellow floor reflects Iceland’s coastal landscape. Interactive elements explore communication, echolocation, and conservation challenges, while also addressing the history of whaling in Iceland.

Visitors can use virtual reality glasses to explore an underwater world, simulating a walk along the seafloor among whales while learning about different species. An audio guide, available in English, German, and Icelandic, and daily guided tours are included at no extra cost.