• Elliðaárdalur Valley
  A hidden nature reserve inside Reykjavík with waterfalls, rivers, and hiking trails perfect for a peaceful walk in nature.

• Öskjuhlíð Forest
  A forested hill around Perlan featuring WWII bunkers and quiet trails.

• Heiðmörk Nature Reserve
  Forested trails, lava fields, and red volcanic formations (Rauðhólar). Family-friendly and a favorite escape for locals.

• Rauðhólar (Red Hills)
  A stunning landscape of red and green pseudo-craters formed by lava flows—located just beyond Reykjavík's eastern suburbs.

• Grótta Lighthouse & Kvika Footbath
  Scenic for watching the Northern Lights or midnight sun. Don’t miss the tiny geothermal footbath nearby.

• Explore Reykjavík's Street Art
  The Grandi district and downtown boast vibrant murals by artists like Sara Riel and Guido van Helten.

• Þúfa (The Mound)
  A peaceful harbor-side art installation with great views of the city and sea.

• Mount Esja
  Located about 30 minutes from Reykjavík, Mount Esja stands at 914 meters and offers multiple trails with varying difficulty levels. The most popular route leads to the Þverfellshorn summit, providing panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscapes. ​

• Helgafell
  Situated near Hafnarfjörður, approximately 25 minutes from Reykjavík, Helgafell is a 338-meter-high mountain offering a relatively easy hike. The trail takes about two hours round trip and provides scenic views of the surrounding lava fields and mountains.

• Vífilsfell
  About 20 minutes southeast of Reykjavík, Vífilsfell is a 655-meter-high mountain offering a moderately challenging hike. The trail is approximately 6.4 kilometers round trip and provides expansive views, including the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the Vestmannaeyjar Islands on clear days. ​

• Móskarðshnúkar
  Located near Mount Esja, Móskarðshnúkar is known for its distinctive yellow and pink rhyolite peaks. The hike is about 6.9 kilometers round trip with an elevation gain of 650 meters, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. ​

• Reykjadalur
  Approximately 45 minutes from Reykjavík, Reykjadalur, meaning "Steam Valley," is famous for its geothermal activity, including hot springs and mud pools. The trail is about 6 kilometers round trip and leads to a naturally heated river where hikers can bathe.

• Glymur Waterfall
  Located in Hvalfjörður, about an hour's drive from Reykjavík, the Glymur Waterfall hike leads to one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls. The trail involves river crossings and steep sections, making it moderately challenging, but the views are highly rewarding.

• Búrfell (Heiðmörk)

  A 179-meter-high volcanic crater in Heiðmörk. The hike is about 6 km round-trip, leading to the crater with views of surrounding lava fields.

• Akrafjall

  Located near Akranes,  Akrafjall is a picturesque mountain offering some of the best views in West Iceland. The mountain was smoothed on the top by a glacier and surrounded by water during the Ice Age. It is relatively easy to ascend, with the hike taking between 2 and 5 hours, depending on your level of fitness.

Local Swimming Pools in Reykjavík:

• Vesturbæjarlaug: Cozy and loved by locals.

• Sundhöll Reykjavíkur: Historic, now with modern geothermal features.

• Laugardalslaug: The largest, with hot tubs, seawater pools, and steam baths.

Nearby Hot Springs & Spas:

• Kvika Footbath: Small, hidden geothermal soak by Grótta.

• Hvammsvík Hot Springs: Elegant nature-immersed pools with sea views.

• Sky Lagoon: Infinity pool with a 7-step Icelandic ritual, overlooking the ocean.

• Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach – A golden-sand beach with warm seawater swimming and hot tubs. A unique Reykjavík experience, especially in summer.Knitting and wool products:oes here

• Plokkfiskur – A comforting dish of mashed fish (usually cod or haddock) mixed with potatoes, onions, and a creamy white sauce.

• Hákarl (Fermented Shark) – A strong-smelling, ammonia-rich delicacy, often paired with a shot of Brennivín (Icelandic schnapps).

• Harðfiskur – Dried fish, usually cod or haddock, eaten as a snack with butter.

• Svið (Sheep’s Head) – A traditional dish where the sheep’s head is boiled and served whole.

• Hangikjöt – Smoked lamb, often served with potatoes, white sauce, and peas.

• Pylsa (Icelandic Hot Dog), served with crispy onions, raw onions, ketchup, sweet mustard, and remoulade.

• Skyr – A thick, protein-rich Icelandic yogurt.

• Rúgbrauð (Icelandic Rye Bread) – A dense, slightly sweet bread baked underground using geothermal heat. Often served with butter or smoked fish.

• Flatkaka – A thin, dark rye flatbread, often eaten with smoked lamb.

• Kleinur – Icelandic twisted doughnuts, deep-fried and lightly sweetened.

• Pönnukökur – Icelandic pancakes, similar to crêpes, usually served with jam and whipped cream.

• Laufabrauð – A crispy, decorative Christmas bread, fried and served in winter.

• Brennivín – Iceland’s signature schnapps, known as “Black Death.”

• Malt og Appelsín – A traditional Christmas soft drink mix of malt beer and orange soda.

• Handprjónasambandið (The Handknitting Association of Iceland) – The best place for authentic Icelandic lopapeysa (wool sweaters), locally hand-knit items, and high-quality Ístex Lopi yarn.

• Ullarselið (Wool Cellar) at Álafoss – Located in Mosfellsbær (15 min from Reykjavík), this historic wool store offers Icelandic yarn, handcrafted sweaters, and unique knitting kits.

• You can also find Icelandic wool products (quite often new- made buy locals) at thrift shops in Reykjavík:

• Fatamarkaðurinn - Located at Laugavegur 126, this thrift store near Hlemmur bus station offers a variety of second-hand clothing, including Iceland's signature wool sweaters at more affordable prices. 

• Red Cross thrift stores - There are two Red Cross shops on Laugavegur and those stores often stock used lopapeysa sweaters, providing budget-friendly options. 

• Kolaportið Flea market - Open on weekends near the Old Harbour, this flea market features various booths where you might find both new and vintage lopapeysa sweaters among other Icelandic goods. 

• Verzlanahöllin  - second-hand store in Reykjavík where you might find practical clothing, including lopapeysa sweaters, at reasonable prices. 

• Hringekjan is a sustainable fashion and circular economy store located at Þórunnartún 2, 105 Reykjavík, near Höfðatorg.

Harpa Concert Hall
World-class venue for classical, jazz, and contemporary performances. Check the schedule online.

Live Music Venues & Bars:

• Gaukurinn: LGBTQ+ friendly, alt rock, metal, inclusive vibes.

• Húrra: Eclectic music, cocktails, artsy scene.

• Kex Hostel: Cozy and social, often hosting live indie and folk.

• Dillon Whiskey Bar: Rock and whiskey—what more could you want?

• Hús Máls og Menningar

  Great place to enjoy live music with the Bookstore Band singalong.

• Röntgen: Trendy, intimate venue with electronic and DJ sets.

The Secret Cellar: Live acoustic + comedy in a cozy underground setting.

• Björk: Avant-garde, electronic

• Sigur Rós: Ambient post-rock

• Of Monsters and Men: Indie pop

• Ásgeir: Folky-electronic

• Kaleo: Blues-rock

• Emilíana Torrini: Indie-folk

• Hildur Guðnadóttir: Oscar-winning composer

• GusGus: House/techno

• Laufey: Classical-jazz crossover

• Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús – Pop art (notably Erró) & contemporary exhibitions.

• Ásmundarsafn Sculpture Museum – Modern sculptures in a serene garden, dedicated to Ásmundur Sveinsson.

• Einar Jónsson Museum & Garden – A hidden outdoor sculpture garden near Hallgrímskirkja.

• Árbær Open Air Museum – A village of relocated historic buildings. Great for understanding old Icelandic life.

• Perlan – Wonders of Iceland – Features a planetarium, ice cave, and interactive exhibits on volcanoes, glaciers, and auroras.

• The Icelandic Phallological Museum – An unusual but famous collection of over 200 mammal specimens.

• The National Museum of Iceland – A deep dive into Icelandic history from the Viking age to modern times.

• The Settlement Exhibition – Built around an actual 10th-century longhouse ruin, with multimedia on Reykjavík’s origins.

• Saga Museum – Life-sized wax figures bring Iceland’s sagas and history to life.

• The Reykjavík Maritime Museum – Focuses on Iceland's seafaring heritage, fishing industry, and coast guard history.

• The Icelandic Punk Museum – Located in a former public toilet, tells the story of Iceland's punk scene (with headphones & memorabilia).

• Whales of Iceland – Giant models of whales in an immersive audio-visual space in the Grandi harbor area.

• The Museum of Photography – Historic and contemporary photographic works of Iceland and beyond.

• Reykjavík Museum of Modern Art (Listasafn Reykjavíkur) – Works by Icelandic and international modern artists.

Classic Sagas:

• Njál’s Saga, Egil’s Saga, Laxdæla Saga

Halldór Laxness (Nobel Laureate):

• Independent People, World Light, The Fish Can Sing, Under the Glacier, Iceland’s Bell

Crime Fiction:

• Arnaldur Indriðason: Jar City, Silence of the Grave, etc.

• Yrsa Sigurðardóttir: I Remember You, The Undesired, etc.

• Ragnar Jónasson: Snowblind, The Darkness

Modern Fiction:

• Sjón: The Blue Fox, Moonstone, etc.

• Andri Snær Magnason: LoveStar, On Time and Water

• Jón Kalman Stefánsson: The Sorrow of Angels, The Fish Have No Feet

• Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir: Miss Iceland, The Greenhouse

Books Set in Iceland:

• The Sealwoman’s Gift by Sally Magnusson

• Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

• The Far Traveler by Nancy Marie Brown

• Saga Land by Richard Fidler & Kári Gíslason

Must-Watch Icelandic Films:

• Children of Nature (1991) – Oscar-nominated

• Angels of the Universe – Mental illness and society

• Rams – Brotherhood and rural life

• Woman at War – Eco-activism

• Lamb – Surreal horror

• Godland – Colonialism and nature

• Beautiful Beings – Teen life in Reykjavík

• Touch (2024) – Love, aging, Alzheimer’s

TV & Netflix:

• Katla – Sci-fi volcano mystery

• Against the Ice – Arctic survival

• Heartstone – LGBTQ+ teen drama

• Summerlight... and Then Comes the Night – Based on Jón Kalman’s novel

Foreign Films Shot in Iceland:

Interstellar, Star Wars, Batman Begins, Die Another Day, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Thor