Country guide
Iceland holds roughly 395,000 residents, about 35% of them in Reykjavik, which makes it the most sparsely populated country in Europe. It lies on the Mid-Atlant...
Photograph · Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0
Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor
Iceland holds roughly 395,000 residents, about 35% of them in Reykjavik, which makes it the most sparsely populated country in Europe. It lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, on the rift between two tectonic plates, and that fact is the itinerary: geysers, frequent volcanic eruptions, and an interior of volcanic plateau, sand and lava fields, mountains and glaciers that no one crosses casually. Almost everything a visitor reaches sits on the coastal lowlands, threaded by glacial rivers running to the sea. The Gulf Stream keeps the climate temperate at a latitude just south of the Arctic Circle, which in practice means chilly summers rather than mild winters.
Checked 2026-08-25
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
Photograph · Hedwig Storch · CC BY-SA 3.0
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
53 places match
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Öskjuhlíð is a wooded hill rising in central Reykjavík, Iceland's capital. The hill stands as one of the city's most distinctive landmarks, crowned by Perlan, a landmark glass-domed building constructed on top of hot water storage tanks.
Kolaportið is Reykjavík’s indoor flea market in the old harbour area, close to the city centre. The market occupies a converted industrial building, making it a useful stop when rain, wind, or cold weather makes outdoor sightseeing less comfortable.
Marshallhúsið
Marshall House, known locally as Marshallhúsið, is a cultural venue in Reykjavik's Grandi harbour district. The building has been repurposed to serve as a contemporary arts and creative space.
The Living Art Museum, or Nýlistasafnið, is a Reykjavík contemporary art museum dedicated to experimental and innovative artistic practices. It provides a setting for artists working across media and for visitors interested in ideas that sit beyond conventional museum categories.
Ljósmyndasafn Reykjavíkur
The Reykjavik Museum of Photography, locally known as Ljósmyndasafn Reykjavíkur, is a photography museum located in Iceland's capital city. It is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting photographic works with particular emphasis on Icelandic photography and photographers.
Landakotskirkja is the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Reykjavík and an active Catholic church in the western part of the city center. Completed in 1929, it was designed by Icelandic state architect Guðjón Samúelsson.
Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík is a Free Lutheran church beside Tjörnin, the pond at the heart of Reykjavík. Its green exterior and tall spire make it one of the city centre’s most recognisable waterside landmarks.
Kópavogskirkja is a modern parish church in Kópavogur, a separate municipality within the Greater Reykjavík capital area. Its curved concrete architecture gives it a distinctive silhouette and sets it apart from traditional church forms found elsewhere in Iceland.
Gerðarsafn is an art museum in Kópavogur, part of the Greater Reykjavík area, dedicated to the work of Gerður Helgadóttir, a pioneering Icelandic sculptor and stained-glass artist.
The Natural History Museum of Kopavogur, known locally as Náttúrufræðistofa Kópavogs, is a municipal natural history museum in Kópavogur, the municipality immediately beside Reykjavík.
Hafnarborg Centre of Culture and Fine Art is a cultural institution in Hafnarfjörður, part of the Greater Reykjavík capital area. The centre serves as a venue for visual arts exhibitions and cultural programming.
Hafnarfjordur Museum, locally known as Byggðasafn Hafnarfjarðar, is a cultural institution serving the Hafnarfjordur area adjacent to Reykjavik. The museum preserves and presents local heritage through its collections and exhibitions.
Rauðhólar is a cluster of distinctive red pseudocraters located on the southeastern outskirts of Reykjavík, Iceland.
Úlfarsfell is a mountain located on the eastern edge of Reykjavík, offering accessible hiking terrain with views across the capital area. The peak rises prominently above the suburban districts of Grafarvogur and Úlfarsárdalur.
Esja is a mountain range situated north-east of Reykjavik, visible from much of the capital area on clear days.
Eiði Coastal Path is an open shoreline walking area in the Reykjavík region. The route brings visitors close to North Atlantic water, broad skies, and the rugged coastal character associated with Iceland.
Akurey is a small island located in Kollafjörður fjord near Reykjavik, Iceland. Known locally as Akurey, this uninhabited island serves as an important seabird habitat, particularly for puffins during breeding season.
Listasafn Sigurjóns Ólafssonar
Sigurjon Olafsson Museum presents the work of Icelandic sculptor Sigurjon Olafsson in his former studio and residence. The setting connects the collection with the place where the artist lived and worked, giving the visit an intimate scale.
Arnarhóll is a municipal outdoor recreation area above Kvosin and Lækjargata in central Reykjavík. Reykjavík City describes the hill as an old farm site that is now an open area with walking paths and benches.
Gljúfrasteinn is the former home of Halldór Laxness, Iceland’s only Nobel Prize laureate in Literature, who received the award in 1955.
Víðistaðatún is an outdoor sculpture park and public green space in the Reykjavik area. Its appeal comes from encountering art in an open landscape rather than inside a museum.
Hellisgerði is a public park situated in the Hafnarfjörður area near Reykjavík, Iceland. The park is known for its association with local folklore, particularly beliefs surrounding elves and hidden folk in Icelandic tradition.
Seven to ten days supports Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and south coast; the full Ring Road deserves at least a week of driving and preferably longer. The Westfjords or highlands should be separate additions because weather and road class can transform journey times.
Iceland is in Schengen, but visa need still depends on nationality and travel circumstances. Use Iceland’s official government guidance to identify where to apply and which documents are required; verify the rule before routing through another Schengen state.
Keflavík Airport is outside Reykjavík and is connected by coach. Scheduled buses reach selected towns, but many natural sites require a tour or rental car; check road.is and weather information before departure, and use an appropriate vehicle only where F-road access permits.
Summer offers long daylight and broader road access, while winter provides dark skies but shorter days and more disruption risk. Shoulder-season plans need the same daily road checks: a forecast for Reykjavík cannot establish conditions on a pass or exposed coast.
Icelandic króna is the currency, and card payment is common even for small purchases. Keep an alternative payment method for unattended or remote services, verify fuel-station card requirements and read the ISK total before accepting conversion.
The emergency number is 112 and sockets are Type C and F at 230 V. Mains tap water is recorded as safe; at remote facilities follow posted notices, and download road and weather information before entering areas with weak mobile coverage.
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