Since 2013, Flytographer has captured millions of vacation photos all around the globe and know our customers have the best travel tips to share! Explore their favourite things to do in Reykjavik, best restaurants in Reykjavik, and general travel tips to get fresh inspiration and start planning your trip to Reykjavik.
We frequented Posthus food hall multiple times on our trip because there was something for everyone in our large family.
By day, Bókabúð Máls og Menningar is a cozy bookstore and cafe, where visitors can browse through shelves upon shelves of Icelandic and international literature while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea. But as the day fades and evening descends, the bookstore undergoes a delightful transformation. The shelves are pushed back, the cozy armchairs make way for a small stage, and the cafe transforms into a lively music bar. Patrons can then enjoy a selection of beers, wines, and spirits alongside live music performances by local Icelandic bands. The musical genres vary depending on the night, but you can expect to hear everything from classic rock and pop covers to traditional Icelandic folk music and even the occasional jazz or comedy night. The atmosphere is always fun and energetic, with a mix of locals and tourists enjoying the unique combination of books, music, and drinks.
When you think of Iceland, let’s face it the Blue Lagoon comes to mind. We loved it all, but the Blue Lagoon was the highlight of the trip.
For us with three kids who wanted to drive snowmobiles and ATVs while on the journey it was helpful to have four of the five of us traveling as a licensed driver. This way we could all experience the fun. For those families seeking adventure the best time to travel to Iceland is when your kiddos are older so you can all enjoy what Iceland has to offer.
We loved Old Icelandic Restaurant! The food was amazing and it was such a cute place. We recommend the mushroom soup to start!
Best hidden gem is Rúblan Bókakaffi. This bar is covered in wall to wall bookshelves and has such fun live music! Even on a Monday night it was packed with people listening the The Bookstore Band and we had such a fun time there.
Stay near Hallgrimskirkja church if you can. A lot of great restaurants and shops are on the streets surrounding that area and there is a really convenient bus stop there to be picked up for any day trips you have leaving the city!
Favorite restaurant, though pricey would have to be Apotek. The food was superb and they were very kind to bring out a free dessert with a large sparkler for our engagement + a note congradulating us.
Northern Lights, Rauðhólar, Borgarnes (where we stayed), in a small home/cottage on Vrbo (Vindhrimar was the name of the home).
Stop by Loo Koo Mas for a special dessert! They make little donut balls with a variety of toppings and some delicious ice cream! You can’t miss it with its bright pink signs and devil horns over the entrance!
If you’re in town for Christmas, be sure to go to the midnight service at Hallgrimskirkja Church. It’s in Icelandic, (and no, we don’t speak Icelandic) but between the local university’s choir and the organ, it’s a truly special experience. Music truly does transcend any language barriers.
Iceland is very kid friendly! We dove right in to the many tours around Iceland to ensure our son was able to experience everything in our short trip! From volcanoes, to ice caves, to geysers and waterfalls - there’s so many natural wonders for the whole family to experience. As fun as it was, it was a great way for our son to learn by seeing these types of locations first hand. Side note: while letting our son get a Viking horn might have been his favorite souvenir, it’s a very loud memory that will persist well beyond Iceland. Parents beware!
Sjavargrillio had amazing food - the appetizer lobster tacos were amazing as was all our food that night.
Rainbow street, church was amazing as well as the many unique boutiques- restaurants and bars
Park in small garage by rainbow street- easy to walk to many places from that point
Apotek! The food is delicious but the atmosphere is amazing.
The blue lagoon was so much fun but we were so surprised by how large and beautiful the waterfall was on the golden circle tour!
The end of November is when Christmas lights are put up and it really makes everything feel so romantic!
Babalu or Kaffitar! Babalu has such a unique vibe, and Kaffitar had a lovely little kid area
Reykjavik kitchen was great! Good food, good service.
Visited Reykjavik in August
Photo Shoot Location: Hallgrímskirkja
Bistro 101 Sessions Bar Great service and delicious food and drink!
Gulfoss, Kerid Crater, Skogafoss
Pack sleeping masks for the summer!
Rok was my favorite restaurant to visit, great tasty food, and amazing service staff.
Visiting all the waterfalls, espeicially seljalandsfoss!
Best to rent a car to get around everywhere and explore!
Chickpea & Loving Hut were both wonderful options for vegetarians.
If you get the chance to go to Þingvellir National Park I highly recommend spending several hours there before continuing on the rest of the Golden circle journey. If you're staying in Reykjavik make sure you stop by the Icelandic Punk Museum. It's a quick little stop celebrating the punk/music scene in iceland and is very fun if you're a music lover.
If you're a foodie, Hlemmur Mathöll is definitely a spot to head to. It's an AMAZING food hall full of so many different countertop restaurants, and you absolutely cannot go wrong with whatever choice you go with here.
Visited Reykjavik in July
Photo Shoot Location: Hallgrímskirkja
Skuli Craft Bar absolutely has to be a stop for anyone that's into microbrewies or craft beers. It's a great and trendy hole in the wall spot that serves up pints among the locals.
If you're a foodie, Hlemmur Mathöll is definitely a spot to head to. It's an AMAZING food hall, and you absolutely cannot go wrong with whatever choice you go with here.
When you're in Reykjavik, get ready to do plenty of walking! There's no better way to check out this city than by foot, and it's so easily accessible and pedestrian friendly to check out the bulk of the city. There's plenty of awesome art and graffiti to check out as you wander about too!
Be sure to stop by Omnom in Reyjavik Harbour and grab something sweet! Not only does Omnom make some great chocolate, but they recently got into making some really delicious ice cream concoctions. You probably wouldn't think about getting ice cream in a spot as cold as Iceland, but it's definitely a worthwhile stop. Afterwards, wandering the harbour is a great way to see Reykjavik.
Being the tallest thing around Hallgrimskirkja is a hard thing to miss, but definitely head over and check out this amazing building for its unique architecture. If you're looking for a bird's eye view of Reyjavik, be sure to pay the small fee to head up their tower.
ROK - Amazing foods, cool laid back vibe, lots of options for sharing, incorporates local culture and food
Apotek was absolutely phenomenal. The food was incredible, the atmosphere made you want to stay all night and the service was top-notch. I had one of the best meals of my life there and the dessert was next-level...best I ever had.
We loved just walking around the city, popping in and out of cafes and pubs. Ice cream from Eldur og Ís is a must-do. We went twice in one day! We used Reykjavik as our home base for our trip, so we weren't in the city a lot. Thankfully, though, we carved out a day-and-a-half to poke around and we are so happy we did. So, make sure you leave some time to explore this gorgeous city.
Research and select your dinner spots in advance and make reservations. Even though we visited shortly after Iceland opened up to vaccinated travelers, locals are still going out to enjoy the incredible restaurant scene and if there's someplace you REALLY want to try, make your reservation in advance...even if you have to take an early timeslot.
Visited Reykjavik in July
Photo Shoot Location: Reykjavik Harbour
Cafe Loki, it super authentic, delicious and affordable
Explore the city and get lost it’s easy to walk
Bring warm and comfortable shoes. Also be prepared to walk on the ice
The Dill Restaurant is amazing. The Kvosin Hotel is very welcoming and in the perfect spot in the city. The Blue Lagoon is worth it! Rent a car and explore!!
Dress in layers...windproof and waterproof coats and pants when traveling in the winter are a must! If you dress appropriately, you will be comfortable to enjoy your day's activities. Foot warmers on the horseback riding tours are helpful!
Visited Reykjavik in November
Photo Shoot Location: Hallgrímskirkja
Icelandic Streetfood, downtown not far from the presidential home, has wonderful, all you can eat soup (lamb, seafood or vegan) in homemade bread bowls. The owner also owns the bar two doors down, so free beer often accompanies each meal! It’s a fun and friendly place.
If you have the time, visit the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Stunning landscape and fewer people (off the beaten path)
We had wonderful meals at Flatey pizza and the Geysir Bistro while in Reykjavik. For any married couples, we would also recommend the "happy marriage" cake at the Restaurant Reykjavik that is said to bless a marriage (it was also delicious!).
Walk through Harpa Lobby, hot dogs at BBP, Braud & Co pretzel croissants, soak in the Blue Lagoon and Book Flytographer!
Must see the Golden Circle and forget about the costs ...just go with the flow.
Visited Reykjavik in December
Photo Shoot Location: Hallgrímskirkja
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