Austurvollur Square is the main public square in Reykjavik and is home to several important landmarks. Here you will find The Parliament House, Reykjavik Cathedral, the Hotel Borg, as well as several popular restaurants, cafes, and bars.

Hotel Borg was built by Jóhannes Jósefsson, who competed in the 1908 Olympics. He traveled in America and returned to Iceland in 1927 with a dream of building a luxury hotel. Iceland was preparing to host celebrations for its 1,000th parliamentary anniversary. The hotel opened in 1930 and has hosted many politicians, dignitaries, and celebrities. Built in Art Deco style, the hotel is elegant and attractive.

A statue of Jon Sigurosson stands in the middle of the square. Jon Sigurosson was a leader of Iceland's independence movement in the 19th century.

In the summer, the square is filled with locals and tourists who enjoy the outdoor cafes. In the winter, the square is home to a large Christmas tree.

"The Town's Best Hot Dogs" (Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur) is a small chain of hot dog stands in Reykjavík. This chain has been in continuous operation since 1937 when it was originally established on Austurstræti street, right at the heart of the city. It was founded by the grandfather of the current owner, Guðrún Kristmundsdóttir. In the 1960s, the stand relocated a couple of streets north to Tryggvagata, right across from the Harpa Concert Hall, where the main flagship stand still operates today.

In August 2004, the stand gained widespread attention when it was visited by the former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, during his trip to Iceland for a UNICEF conference. This high-profile visit significantly boosted the stand's popularity, leading to its inclusion in various tourist guidebooks about Iceland. Just two years later, in August 2006, the renowned British newspaper, The Guardian, declared Bæjarins Beztu as the best hot dog stand in Europe.

Today, this chain is a favorite among both tourists and local residents alike. There are three more locations within the city, collectively selling over a thousand hot dogs on a bustling day.

The hot dogs offered by Bæjarins Beztu are primarily lamb-based but also contain pork and beef. They are served in a bun and come with a variety of condiment options, including ketchup, sweet mustard, remoulade, crispy fried onions, and raw onions. Customers who wish to have all the available toppings often use the Icelandic phrase "eina með öllu," which translates to "one with everything" in English.

Are you looking for something specific? Perhaps an old-fashioned lamp, a modern vegetable knife, or maybe curious about tasting dried fish and fermented shark? How about acquiring a pack of unique Icelandic sweets or selecting a stylish outfit for your weekend plans? Kolaportið, Iceland's sole flea market, is your go-to destination for these and more. This indoor marketplace operates on weekends from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and sometimes on public holidays. Situated in a vintage industrial edifice near Reykjavik's harbour, it lies between the renowned Bæjarins Beztu hot dog stand and the Old Harbour.

Kolaportið offers a distinctive vibe, attracting a diverse crowd every weekend. Visitors can browse for books, antiques, and clothing, or explore the food court for groceries. It's a place where used items find grateful new owners at fair prices, and where you can sift through various goods to uncover unexpected finds. It's akin to a treasure hunt. Cash transactions are predominant, so it's advisable to have cash on hand, although there's an ATM near one of the entrances, and a cafeteria for when hunger strikes.

Remember, one person's discard may be your new treasure. So, make it a point to start early on weekends at Kolaportið. Here, you can fill your bags with second-hand clothing, artifacts, Icelandic specialties, music, toys, and much more. The market is welcoming, genuine, and humble, ensuring that visitors leave with something special in hand.

Prikid opened in 1951 and is one of Iceland's longest-running coffee houses and restaurants. The classic interior gives the restaurant a timeless feel. The brightly-colored exterior is warm and inviting.

In the morning, stop by for a coffee or a filling breakfast. In the afternoon, you might find local families grabbing a bite to eat. Prikid is a go-to place for satisfying bar food.

In the evenings and on weekends, the bar is lively and offers cheap beers, a nice relief in an expensive city. Prikid also offers two-for-one beers during happy hour.

The menu includes burgers and coffee but also has several vegan options. The five-dollar milkshake is a fan favorite, but inflation has made this item much more expensive than five dollars!

On the weekends, you'll find Prikid is the place to be. Live music performances, stand-up comedians, and DJs provide entertainment.

Laugavegur Street is Reykjavik's main shopping street. Visitors will find restaurants, bars, cafes, and boutique shops.

Laugavegur is one of the oldest streets in Reykjavík. The name can be translated as the Water Road. Here, women would bring their laundry to be washed in hot pools.

Laugavegur is just over a mile or two kilometers long. The shopping stretch starts at the city's busy bus center, Hlemmur, and continues to Bankastraeti.

There are two museums on Laugavegur. First, the Phallological Museum is the world's only museum dedicated to the male genitals, with specimens from the animal kingdom. The second museum is a small punk museum.

Most of the shops feature Icelandic designs and brands. Visitors will find high-end products, as well as shops with souvenirs such as books, fridge magnets, and stuffed animals.

Visitors can also find a variety of vintage shops and second-hand goods along Laugavegur.

Foodies will be delighted with the variety of options. Try traditional Icelandic menus or international cuisines. Visitors can also find vegan restaurants.

Several bars feature live music. Movie fans will love the Lebowski Bar, with food and "wheel of fortune" rounds.

Laugavegur is a diverse street with something for everyone.

Standing at 74 meters (244 feet) tall, the striking Church of Hallgrímur is Iceland's tallest church. Architect Guojon Samuelsson began drawing the church in 1937. Construction began in 1945 and was completed in 1986.

Iceland's unique geography inspired the design of the church. Volcanic action created lava flows which cooled into grey, hexagonal columns. The dramatic, cool, jagged columns inspired the design of the Church of Hallgrímur.

The church was named after 17th-century clergyman and poet Hallgrimur Petursson. Hallgrimur Petursson was best known for his work Hymns of the Passion.

This iconic building is visible from many parts of Reykjavík. The Church of Hallgrímur is a Lutheran, or Church of Iceland establishment. Its impressive height was in part to compete with Landakot's Church, the Catholic Cathedral.

During the summer, visitors can enjoy concerts which run four days a week. Don't miss the incredible pipe organ that stands 15 meters (49 feet) tall. The pipe organ has electronic action; the pipes are remote from the pedal console. The organ has 5,275 pipes and has been featured in several recording albums.

Outside the entrance, visitors will find a statue of Leif Eriksson, a famed explorer. The United States gave the statue to Iceland in the 1930s to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the Icelandic Parliament. The Icelandic Parliament was first convened in the year 930 AD.

The large clock on the tower is often wrong, as strong Icelandic wind gusts often blow the hands about.

Why You Should Visit:
The Church of Hallgrímur is a dramatic church that wonderfully emulates Iceland's landscape. You will see the church's tower from all over the city and find the church even more impressive up close. The interior is surprisingly austere with clean lines.

Tips:
Admission is free, but a small fee provides access to a lift to the top of the building, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Reykjavik and the surrounding mountains.

The Free Church in Reykjavik (Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík) is a separate Lutheran church from Iceland's main church, the Church of Iceland. It's located right in the heart of Iceland's capital city, next to the Tjörnin lake.

This church started in Reykjavik back in the fall of 1899. Initially, around 600 people joined, and this number quickly increased. The Free Church took inspiration from similar churches in Norway and ones set up by Icelanders who moved to North America. They wanted a church that felt more connected to everyday people. Also, Reykjavik was rapidly growing with new neighborhoods and more residents, but the Reykjavik Cathedral couldn't keep up with the needs of the expanding community, especially as more craftsmen and tradespeople settled in.

Not long after this new church group got started, they picked a spot for their church near the lake's eastern side. The church was officially opened on February 22, 1903. Just two years later, they had to make it bigger, following a design by an architect named Rögnvaldur Ólafsson. Then, in 1924, they expanded it again. They added a chancel made of concrete on the east side and made some other changes to the building. All of this was overseen by a master builder, Guðmundur H. Þorláksson.

Tjörnin (The Pond) is a small lake located in the heart of Reykjavík. It's a common sight for tourists, being next to Reykjavik City Hall and various museums. Historically, it formed from a lagoon that was once part of a reef where Harbour Street (Hafnarstræti) now is. This street runs along the southern edge of the lake and leads to nearby gardens.

In winter, The Pond freezes at times, becoming a popular spot for ice skating. It's relatively shallow, with an average depth of 0.57 meters (about 1.9 feet) and a maximum depth of 0.8 meters (around 2.4 feet). Paved paths run along both sides of the lake, ending at the Concert Hall Park (Hljómskálagarður), adorned with statues, to its south. These paths are often used by joggers and cyclists, and there are boards displaying daily bird counts on the lake.

The Pond is a haven for birdwatchers, attracting 40 to 50 types of water birds, like the Arctic tern, Eider, Gadwall, Greylag goose, different goose species, Mallard, various seagulls, and the scaup. It's also a great spot to see Whooper swans up close. The arrival of the Arctic tern is a sign of summer's beginning, drawing bird enthusiasts from across the North Atlantic. The lake is a popular place for parents to bring children to watch and feed birds, earning it the playful nickname "the biggest bread soup in the world."

A wooden bridge for pedestrians was built over The Pond in 1920. To better support vehicles, it was replaced with a concrete bridge in 1942, which remains in use today.

Reykjavik Cathedral is a neoclassical church designed by Andreas Kirkerup in the 18th century. The Cathedral is centrally located in Austurvollur, Reykjavik's main public square. Reykjavik Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Iceland and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland. It also serves as the parish church for the city center.

This site has been dedicated to churches since the 13th century. Work on the current church began in 1788, and the Reykjavik Cathedral was dedicated in 1796. It was the first building to be completed with the notion that Reykjavik would become the capital of Iceland.

Since 1845, each parliament session begins with mass at the Cathedral, and then members of parliament go together to the parliament house.

The church and Parliament are intertwined and are a central facet of life in Iceland.

The organ was built in Berlin in 1985 and has 31 voices and three manuals. Sculptor Albert Thorvaldsen designed the baptismal font. Leifur Breiofjoro, an Icelandic artist, designed the processional cross.

Reykjavik Cathedral is smaller and less imposing than the Church of Hallgrimur. However, it boasts a rich cultural history and has significant meaning in the daily lives of Iceland's Lutherans. The Christmas mass is broadcasted from Reykjavik Cathedral, and people all over the country tune in to listen to it. New Presidents are inaugurated at Reykjavík Cathedral.