Austurvöllur, Reykjavik, Iceland

Visit duration: 30 min Editorial visit time estimate

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About Austurvöllur

Austurvöllur is a public square in central Reykjavík and a popular gathering place for the city's residents, especially in good weather, thanks to the many cafés on Vallarstræti and Pósthússtræti. Because it lies next to the Parliament of Iceland, it has long been a focal point of protests. Thousands gathered here in 1905 over the planned placement of radio towers across the country; a major riot broke out on 30 March 1949, when a resolution was adopted on Iceland's entry into NATO; and after the 2008 economic crisis the Raddir fólksins protests began here on 11 October 2008 and were held every Saturday until the government of Prime Minister Geir Haarde resigned.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

What's inside

The square contains a large statue of Jón Sigurðsson, a leader of Iceland's independence movement. For a long time its centre was occupied by a statue of Bertel Thorvaldsen, after whom Thorvaldsensstræti is named; together with Vallarstræti, Pósthússtræti and Kirkjustræti it is one of the four streets that frame the square. Around the perimeter stand the Parliament House (Alþingishúsið), Reykjavík Cathedral (Dómkirkjan), the city's oldest church, and Hotel Borg, as well as numerous cafés, restaurants and bars. In the early 18th century Austurvöllur was much larger, stretching from Aðalstræti in the west towards the creek in the east and south towards the pond Tjörnin.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source