Pick & choose which suits you best.
In recent years Reykjavik is becoming more and more popular. Initially, it was a city break destination and a base from which to tour the Golden Circle, as we did back in 2007.
However, fast forward to 2023, and I now feel the adventurous side is coming out more in people, and often time is limited in Iceland’s colourful capital.
Reykjavik is now frequently used as a landing point before heading off on a full Ring Road adventure around the rugged country. Or like us it was the last destination of our 12-day discovery in 2018.
(You can pick-up any part of our Iceland Road Trip at the bottom of this post, along with a map of our route.)
For our accommodation in Reykjavik; we stayed at Skuggi Hotel by Keahotels.
![The pin image of our post - 'Outside the Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik, Iceland'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Outside-the-Hallgrimskirkja-Reykjavik-Iceland-Pin4.jpg)
The best things to do in Reykjavik
So, what can you fit in?![A colourful shop in iceland's capital, reykjavik, painted in the stripped colours of the rainbow.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Colours-of-the-rainbow-things-to-see-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
Where to stay in Reykjavik
In Reykjavik we chose to stay at the Skuggi Hotel by Keahotels, located in the city centre, just a short stroll to the main sites.
We had a few essential requirements from each of our overnight stays in Iceland, which were:
Breakfast included or available nearby.
Scooby snacks along the way can be expensive.
Parking is a requirement, as this is a road trip after all.
Nearby cafés/eateries, or onsite restaurant for the evening.
Preferably a close-by fuel station; they can be few and far between en route.
Discovering downtown Reykjavik
The heart of Iceland's capital![A look up Laugavegur to reykjavik's iconic church, Hallgrímskirkja](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Strolling-up-Laugavegur-places-to-see-in-reykjavik-iceland-tourism-V5.jpg)
![A traditional black building in reykjavik's covered in a beautiful piece of street art](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Street-art-in-reykjavik-what-to-see-in-reykjavik-explore-iceland-V5.jpg)
Icelandic Fact: Did you know?
A Reykjavik must see
They’ve made it easy![The statue of the Viking Leifur Eiríksson in front of the Hallgrímskirkja church in reykjavik in iceland](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Outside-the-Hallgrimskirkja-places-to-visit-in-reykjavik-iceland-tourism-V5.jpg)
![The plain white arched interior of iceland's most famous church, Hallgrímskirkja, in reykjavik](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Inside-the-Hallgrimskirkja-what-to-see-in-reykjavik-explore-iceland-V5.jpg)
![A view from the top of reykjavik's iconic Hallgrímskirkja church with a view off to the north of iceland's capital to the mountains beyond.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/The-view-over-Reykjavik-things-to-see-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
Places to visit in Reykjavik
Head to the harbour![The habour in reykjavik with a mixture of boats, including whale watching ships](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Whale-watching-ships-in-the-harbour-things-to-do-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
![A conceptualstainless steel sculpture of a Viking boat on the water's edge in Reykjavik, Iceland.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/The-Sun-Voyager-at-dusk-things-to-see-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
![The iconic, modern, glass and steel, Harpa Concert Hall in reykjavik, iceland](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/The-Harpa-concert-hall-Reykjavik-things-to-do-in-reykjavik-iceland-tourism-V5.jpg)
Sightseeing in Reykjavik
Into Town![A statue to Jón Sigurðsson in the Austurvöllur opposite iceland's parliament building](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Monument-in-Austurvollur-Reykjavik-Iceland-V5.jpg)
![The all white wooden town church in the centre of reykjavík, iceland](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Domkirkjan-i-Reykjavik-what-to-see-in-reykjavik-explore-iceland-V5.jpg)
![The 19th-century stone building that is home to iceland's parliament or Alþingishúsið in the centre of reykjavik](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Parliament-House-what-to-see-in-reykjavik-explore-iceland-V5.jpg)
If you're tempted to tour the Land of Fire and Ice and would love to discover the whole country, then take a look at this DK Eyewitness book. This Top 10 Pocket Travel Guide is invaluable, I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into searching for more.
You can now grab the revised copy.
Eating in Reykjavik
Got the munchies?![A whole-in-the wall- hotdog vendors cabin in central reykjavik, iceland](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Hotdogs-places-to-eat-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
![A queue of people at a hotdog vendors cabin in central reykjavik, iceland](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Queueing-for-a-hotdog-places-to-eat-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
Point to Note
A top Icelandic attraction just outside Reykjavik
The Blue Lagoon![The aqua coloured water of the original Blue Lagoon amongst dark volcanic rocks, caked in mineral deposits where the water comes into contact with them](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/The-original-Blue-Lagoon-a-tour-of-Iceland-Iceland-V5.jpg)
Blue Lagoon tip
Don’t be caught out, the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked online in advance during busy times. Otherwise, you may not get in or get the time you require. It’s become very popular.
The time slots early or later in the day have the cheaper deals.
The things to see in Reykjavik
Street Art![A black and white detailed image of a gorilla's head and shoulders with a red love heart above his head painted on a wall in a street in Rekyavik, Iceland](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Love-the-Gorilla-street-art-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
Love the Gorilla
![A disused building in Reykjavik, Iceland, that has been used as a canvas for two portraits of couples close embrace.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Lovers-street-art-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
![A beautiful black and white portrait of a woman on a disused building in Reykjavik, Iceland.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Beauty-street-art-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
![A mural of three guys possibly breakdancing on the side of a building in Reykjavik, Iceland.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Performing-street-art-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
![A piece of street art in downtown reykjavik featuring a pineapple slice.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pineapple-Slice-street-art-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
![Two bronze figures set in rectangular blocks from the tourso down in the centre of reykjavik, iceland](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Trapped-street-art-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
![A bronze statue of an office worker in trousers, holding a briefcase set in a rectangular stone block from the tourso up in the centre of reykjavik, iceland](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Head-wrapped-up-street-art-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
![Street art featuring a pink octupus in downtown reykjavik featuring a pineapple slice.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/The-Octupus-street-art-in-reykjavik-visit-iceland-V5.jpg)
Finding the right car for your Icelandic Road Trip
Discover Iceland’s enchanting Ring Road with its rugged landscape or the waterfalls and geysers around the Golden Circle for yourself.
If you want to explore Iceland's F-Roads, you must have a 4x4, but we'd recommend one anyway for the improved driving position, and if the weather turns, you have a touch of added protection.
We recommend Rental Cars as they search multiple well-known car hire brands and discovers the deals that suit you the best.
Where we stayed in Reykjavik
Our stopoverFor the one night, we were based in Reykjavik; we stayed at Skuggi Hotel by Keahotels. The hotel is modern, (you can’t currently find it on street view). It has underground parking, which was our main reason for choosing it and it was in a reasonably central location.
The buffet breakfast was probably one of the best on our trip, had a really wide range of food. I would stay here again.
Planning your trip to Iceland
So you're planning a trip to the Land of Fire and Ice? There is so much to see and do in Iceland that you'll wish you were staying longer. To ensure you make the most out of your visit, head over to the official website of Visit Iceland for a little help and guidance.
Have fun!
Our Iceland Road Trip
The routeUseful tips for driving in Iceland
If you are planning a road trip around Iceland particularly over the winter months you need to be very aware of the ever-changing road and weather conditions. During winter, parts of the Ring Road may be impassable, and you may not get to areas of the country you intended to.
Regularly check the conditions by using these useful websites and apps, believe me, they will come in handy.
- Icelandic Met Office
- The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration – Vegagerdin also has an app.
* This post may contain links to affiliated sites where we earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.
What amazing street art with the different subdued black and grey colours. Fab post Janis!
Thanks Annette, yes, there was so much street art it was difficult to narrow them down. I do particularly like the ones on the side of the warehouses.