Food Scene
Nice new restaurant in a newly renovated old style black tar house, next to Hallgrímskirkja church, downtown Reykjavík.
69 locals recommend
ROK
26a FrakkastígurNice new restaurant in a newly renovated old style black tar house, next to Hallgrímskirkja church, downtown Reykjavík.
Great menu in a cozy setting, downtown. Lunch is great, try the burgers!
103 locals recommend
Kol Restaurant
40 SkólavörðustígurGreat menu in a cozy setting, downtown. Lunch is great, try the burgers!
Neo modern Scandinavian cuisine, one of Reykjavik's finest. If you are a food enthusiast, you should go there, book in advance!
103 locals recommend
Dill Restaurant
Neo modern Scandinavian cuisine, one of Reykjavik's finest. If you are a food enthusiast, you should go there, book in advance!
Best brunch in town on weekends! Also good for a nice dining experience.
20 locals recommend
VOX Brasserie & Bar
Best brunch in town on weekends! Also good for a nice dining experience.
Original interiors and spirit since it opened in the 50's / 60's and was the main hangout for Iceland's art elite. Located opposite Ostabúðin gourmet shop / restaurant.
75 locals recommend
Mokka Kaffi
3A SkólavörðustígurOriginal interiors and spirit since it opened in the 50's / 60's and was the main hangout for Iceland's art elite. Located opposite Ostabúðin gourmet shop / restaurant.
High end ambitious restaurant, right in the middle of it all. Recommended.
138 locals recommend
Apotek Restaurant
16 AusturstrætiHigh end ambitious restaurant, right in the middle of it all. Recommended.
High end ambitious restaurant, right in the middle of it all. Recommended.
336 locals recommend
Grillmarkaðurinn
2a LækjargataHigh end ambitious restaurant, right in the middle of it all. Recommended.
High end ambitious restaurant, right in the middle of it all. Recommended. Try the tasting menu.
77 locals recommend
Fish Company
High end ambitious restaurant, right in the middle of it all. Recommended. Try the tasting menu.
Messinn
Great cozy place for Fish
Hosiló
12, 101 HverfisgataMAT BAR
26 HverfisgataBorg29 mathöll
29 BorgartúnHlemmur Mathöll
107 LaugavegurShopping
Open on weekends, Reykjavik's flea market "Kolaportið" has a great food market, for traditional Icelandic delicacies, such as wild salmon, dried fish, shark, meat and all kinds of food. Ask to get a taste! It's just across the street from Bæjarins Beztu famous hot dog stand.
183 locals recommend
Kolaportid
Open on weekends, Reykjavik's flea market "Kolaportið" has a great food market, for traditional Icelandic delicacies, such as wild salmon, dried fish, shark, meat and all kinds of food. Ask to get a taste! It's just across the street from Bæjarins Beztu famous hot dog stand.
Go here for the original Icelandic "lopapeysa" wool sweater, hand knitted from Icelandic sheep yearn by Icelandic knitters.
55 locals recommend
The Handknitting Association of Iceland
19 SkólavörðustígurGo here for the original Icelandic "lopapeysa" wool sweater, hand knitted from Icelandic sheep yearn by Icelandic knitters.
One of Reykjavíks two shopping malls, also has grocery stores Bónus (budget) and Hagkaup (Pricey). Open until 9 pm on Thursdays, 7 pm on Fridays, 6.30 pm Mon, Tue, Wed.
528 locals recommend
Kringlan
4-12 KringlanOne of Reykjavíks two shopping malls, also has grocery stores Bónus (budget) and Hagkaup (Pricey). Open until 9 pm on Thursdays, 7 pm on Fridays, 6.30 pm Mon, Tue, Wed.
Epal
SkeifanThe main stop for Icelandic and Scandinavian modern design.
Arts & Culture
Harpa won the Mies van der Rohe architectural award for a reason. Located at Reykjavik's harbour, this building houses the Symphony orchestra, Airwaves festival (November), Sónar festival (February), and all music flavours in between. They have a couple of Restaurants, Smurstöðin on ground floor and Kolabrautin on top floor. Also a secret spot named Björtuloft, if you want to rent a cool space for a private event (for 50-100 persons).
535 locals recommend
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
2 AusturbakkiHarpa won the Mies van der Rohe architectural award for a reason. Located at Reykjavik's harbour, this building houses the Symphony orchestra, Airwaves festival (November), Sónar festival (February), and all music flavours in between. They have a couple of Restaurants, Smurstöðin on ground floor and Kolabrautin on top floor. Also a secret spot named Björtuloft, if you want to rent a cool space for a private event (for 50-100 persons).
Beautiful sculptural garden and original house, built in the early 1900's. Einar Jónsson, sculptor, took a lot of inspiration for his work from the otherworldly Icelandic nature and mythology.
140 locals recommend
Einar Jónsson Museum
51 NjarðargataBeautiful sculptural garden and original house, built in the early 1900's. Einar Jónsson, sculptor, took a lot of inspiration for his work from the otherworldly Icelandic nature and mythology.
Built around Kjarval's work, it houses a permanent exhibition on the best from this Icelandic painter. A favorite place to visit, not only for the art, but also for the architectural style of the museum. Easy hiking distance from there to other parts of downtown Reykjavík, for instance Einar Jónsson's museum, next to Hallgrímskirkja church.
276 locals recommend
Reykjavík Art Museum Kjarvalsstaðir
24 FlókagataBuilt around Kjarval's work, it houses a permanent exhibition on the best from this Icelandic painter. A favorite place to visit, not only for the art, but also for the architectural style of the museum. Easy hiking distance from there to other parts of downtown Reykjavík, for instance Einar Jónsson's museum, next to Hallgrímskirkja church.
If you are interested in Icelandic history of turf houses and our modest past, you can get a glimpse of what it was like. Go for pancakes in Dillon's house. Nearby is Árbæjarlaug, a nice geothermal swimming pool and Elliðaárdalur, for hiking and biking.
168 locals recommend
Árbær Open Air Museum
110 KistuhylurIf you are interested in Icelandic history of turf houses and our modest past, you can get a glimpse of what it was like. Go for pancakes in Dillon's house. Nearby is Árbæjarlaug, a nice geothermal swimming pool and Elliðaárdalur, for hiking and biking.
Drinks & Nightlife
Young and good looking clientele. Age 20-30. Please note that what is in and out in the nightlife scene can change fast, so no guarantee here.
101 locals recommend
B5
Young and good looking clientele. Age 20-30. Please note that what is in and out in the nightlife scene can change fast, so no guarantee here.
Slippbarinn
2 MýrargataBest drinks in town. Hand crafted cocktails. Recommend this place.
Lots of young tourists hanging out, view towards Mount Esja, often live music and something going on.
176 locals recommend
Kex Hostel Reykjavik
28 SkúlagataLots of young tourists hanging out, view towards Mount Esja, often live music and something going on.
Great for beer, straight from the Kaldi microbrewery in North Iceland. A hangout popular with locals.
262 locals recommend
Kaldi Bar
20a LaugavegurGreat for beer, straight from the Kaldi microbrewery in North Iceland. A hangout popular with locals.
Sightseeing
Beautiful church. Go up the tower and see the sights. Sometimes they have live music.
743 locals recommend
Hallgrimskirkja
Beautiful church. Go up the tower and see the sights. Sometimes they have live music.
Nice place for evening view, especially sunsets in the summer. Nearby is a small hot tub, where you can warm your feet with a couple of friends and have a look at the ocean. Bring your picnic basket and dress well, can be windy and cold.
137 locals recommend
Grótta Island Lighthouse
Nice place for evening view, especially sunsets in the summer. Nearby is a small hot tub, where you can warm your feet with a couple of friends and have a look at the ocean. Bring your picnic basket and dress well, can be windy and cold.
Hike to the top of the hill for great view over Reykjavík. Popular viewing point on New Years eve, where the firework show is on full blast. This is a short and good walk from the villa.
Vesturbrún
VesturbrúnHike to the top of the hill for great view over Reykjavík. Popular viewing point on New Years eve, where the firework show is on full blast. This is a short and good walk from the villa.
Snæfellsnes
Drive around the peninsula and see the numerous sights
Entertainment & Activities
3-5 minute walk to our local movie theater, if you feel like seeing a movie.
32 locals recommend
Laugarásbíó
3-5 minute walk to our local movie theater, if you feel like seeing a movie.
They have an interesting selection of movies, no Hollywood blockbusters here.
122 locals recommend
Bíó Paradís
54 HverfisgataThey have an interesting selection of movies, no Hollywood blockbusters here.
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Iceland Travel
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Essentials
Hagkaup
15 FaxafenPricey, but open 24 hours with a good selection of food.
Not your everyday grocery store, but sells all kinds of crops, cereals, spices, with no packaging. Good for environmental consciousness and different shopping. Located in Glæsibær shopping center (same house as Saffran and 10-11), not Skeifan 3a, hit has moved.
Uppskeran
ÁlfheimarNot your everyday grocery store, but sells all kinds of crops, cereals, spices, with no packaging. Good for environmental consciousness and different shopping. Located in Glæsibær shopping center (same house as Saffran and 10-11), not Skeifan 3a, hit has moved.
This is the Bónus supermarket nearby. They also have three stores downtown Reykjavík, at Skipholt, Laugavegur and Hallveigarstígur. This one is next to Gray Line bus terminal in Holtagarðar. Also next to it is Jói Fel bakery and Vínbúðin liquor store across the street.
512 locals recommend
Bónus
This is the Bónus supermarket nearby. They also have three stores downtown Reykjavík, at Skipholt, Laugavegur and Hallveigarstígur. This one is next to Gray Line bus terminal in Holtagarðar. Also next to it is Jói Fel bakery and Vínbúðin liquor store across the street.