Free Things to Do in Reykjavik

Hallgrimskirkja is a Lutheran church on Skolavorduhaed hill in central Reykjavik and is the city's most recognisable landmark. The Solfar Sun Voyager is a large steel sculpture on the Reykjavik waterfront, free to visit and accessible at any time. Harpa concert hall is free to enter, and visitors can enjoy its glass architecture, harbour views and design shops even without attending a show.

Landmark buildings you can enjoy without paying

At 74.5 metres tall, Hallgrimskirkja is the largest church in Iceland. Admission to the main church is free, but visiting the observation tower for views over Reykjavik requires a separate paid ticket. Its design was inspired by basalt columns like those at Svartifoss waterfall, and construction ran from 1945 to its completion in 1986. Harpa opened in 2011 and was designed with Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson and the firm Henning Larsen Architects.

Walks along the waterfront and out to Grotta lighthouse

A waterfront trail leads from downtown past Harpa and the Old Harbour, and the walk out to Grotta lighthouse takes about one hour. Grotta lighthouse sits at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula and can be reached on Reykjavik public bus route 11. The lighthouse is on a small tidal island reached by a causeway that floods at high tide. The island and shoreline are closed from May 1 to July 15 to protect nesting birds such as Arctic terns, though the lighthouse can still be viewed from the mainland shore. Grotta is one of the best spots in Reykjavik to watch the midnight sun. Reykjavik's daylight varies dramatically by season, from very long summer days near the midnight sun to only a few hours of daylight in midwinter. Use the Daylight Calculator to help plan your trip.

Parks, ponds, and open green spaces downtown

Tjornin is a calm city-centre pond with abundant birdlife, benches and wide paths. Reykjavik has free public parks and gardens, including the Reykjavik Botanic Garden, offering no-cost outdoor space in the city.

Free viewpoints and self-guided strolls through the city

Perlan sits about a 30 minute walk from Laugavegur in the city centre, and a free shuttle bus runs from Harpa concert hall to Perlan. Skolavordustigur is a central pedestrian street with a rainbow-painted path leading toward Hallgrimskirkja, painted to celebrate diversity and a popular free photo spot. Free guided walking tours of central Reykjavik run daily year-round at no charge, with donations welcome. Laugavegur is Reykjavik's main downtown shopping and strolling street, free to wander and lined with shops, cafes and street art.