Reykjavik's Old Harbour, Gamla hofnin, is the city's old working harbour in the central area, walkable from downtown. The Grandi district around it is a former fishing area that has become a hub for dining, culture, and boat tours. Grandi lies roughly 1.7 km from the city centre, with an easy walk along the waterfront.
Where the Old Harbour and Grandi are
The Old Harbour sits in central Reykjavik and remains the city's old working harbour. In practice, that places it within walking distance of downtown.
Grandi is the district around the harbour. It developed from a former fishing area into a part of the city focused on dining, culture, and boat tours. From the city centre, Grandi is roughly 1.7 km away along the waterfront.
Whale-watching and puffin boat tours from the harbour
Whale-watching tours in Reykjavik depart from the Old Harbour into Faxafloi Bay. In these waters, species recorded in Faxafloi Bay include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises.
Puffin-watching boat tours also leave from the Old Harbour in the summer season.
The Grandi district: restaurants, cafes, and Omnom chocolate
Along the harbourfront in Grandi, restaurants and cafes line the area near the old fishermen's houses. That matches the district's shift from a fishing area to a place centred on food and culture.
The Omnom chocolate factory is also in Grandi. It makes bean-to-bar chocolate and runs factory tours.
Museums by the harbour
The Reykjavik Maritime Museum sits by the harbour in a former fish-processing building.
Whales of Iceland is an exhibition space near the harbour that displays life-sized models of whales found in Icelandic waters.
The Marshall House is an art space in an upcycled fishmeal plant. It houses galleries and Olafur Eliasson's studio.
Harpa concert hall on the waterfront
Harpa concert hall stands on the Reykjavik waterfront near the Old Harbour. It opened in 2011 and has a glass facade designed with artist Olafur Eliasson and Henning Larsen Architects.
Visiting the Old Harbour and booking a tour
The Old Harbour and Grandi are in central Reykjavik, with Grandi roughly 1.7 km from the city centre along the waterfront. For boat departures and other Reykjavik options, compare tours here: Reykjavik tours.
Prepare for the conditions
If Reykjavik Old Harbour and Grandi: what's there is part of your plans, use the Iceland Packing List to prepare for Iceland's changeable weather and time outdoors.
