Where to stay in Reykjavík — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Reykjavík is the world's northernmost capital — a small, candy-coloured city on Faxaflói bay that punches well above its size. The soaring Hallgrímskirkja church rises over rooftops, the faceted-glass Harpa Concert Hall shimmers on the waterfront, and the Sun Voyager sculpture catches the light along the shore. It's also the launchpad for the Golden Circle, northern-lights hunts and the Blue Lagoon — and downtown 101 is so compact you can walk the lot in 15 minutes. This guide helps you pick the right neighbourhood before you book.
Why stay in Reykjavík
Chase the aurora
From September to April the nights are dark enough for the northern lights. In-city spots include the Grótta reserve out on Seltjarnarnes and the shore by Sun Voyager — head out of town to escape light pollution for the clearest show.
The best day-trip base
Stay in town and tour out: the Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss), the South Coast, and the Blue Lagoon are all roughly an hour from the city by car or coach.
Walk the whole city
Downtown 101 (Miðborg) is tiny. Hallgrímskirkja, the Laugavegur shopping street, the Old Harbour and Lake Tjörnin are all 5–15 minutes apart on foot — no car needed if you stay central.
Art, design and nightlife
Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur brim with street art, Icelandic design shops, cafés and a nightlife scene that fires up after dark. Small city, serious creative energy.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Reykjavík
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Downtown 101 (Miðborg)The heart of the city — walk to the church, Harpa and Laugavegur. The natural first pick for first-time visitors.
Coming soonLaugavegurThe main shopping and nightlife strip: design shops, cafés and bars buzzing day and night. Best for night owls.
Coming soonOld HarbourMaritime atmosphere with seafood spots and whale-watching cruises, beside Harpa. Quiet but still walkable to the centre.
Coming soonVesturbær (West Side)An established residential west-side neighbourhood — quiet, local, with the well-loved Vesturbæjarlaug pool and a 10–15 min walk into town. Good for families.
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Reykjavík
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
Find the right Reykjavík hotel for you
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing one or two
Local dishes to try in Reykjavík
- 1🌭
Pylsur (Icelandic hot dog)
A lamb-pork-beef dog with a milder, richer flavour, topped with crispy and raw onion, sweet mustard and remoulade. The legendary stand is Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur near the harbour.
📍 Street food - 2🍲
Kjötsúpa (lamb soup)
Hearty lamb-and-root-vegetable soup with potatoes and herbs — the national comfort dish for cold days. On almost every menu; Café Loki is a local favourite.
📍 Comfort food - 3🐟
Plokkfiskur (fish stew)
A creamy mashed-fish stew with potatoes and cheese, served with dark rye bread. Traditional comfort food best eaten warm against the chill.
📍 Home cooking - 4🥛
Skyr
A thick, high-protein cultured dairy product like yoghurt, a staple of the Icelandic table for centuries. Eat it with berries or in desserts — tangy and fresh.
📍 Snack & dessert - 5🍞
Rúgbrauð (rye bread)
A sweet, dense dark rye traditionally baked by burying the pot near a hot spring — hence 'hot spring bread'. Great with butter and smoked salmon.
📍 Local bread - 6🦞
Humarsúpa (langoustine soup)
A rich, creamy soup made from Icelandic langoustine, a signature of the Old Harbour seafood spots. Served hot with bread — a city highlight.
📍 Seafood
- 1⛪
Hallgrímskirkja
The roughly 74-metre Lutheran church is the city's most recognisable building. Ride the lift up the tower for a panoramic sweep over Reykjavík's colourful rooftops.
📍 Landmark - 2🎼
Harpa Concert Hall
A waterfront concert hall and conference centre opened in 2011, wrapped in faceted glass that glows day and night. Wander the foyer for free.
📍 Architecture - 3⛵
Sun Voyager (Sólfar)
A steel sculpture of a Viking-style boat on the seafront by Jón Gunnar Árnason, symbolising freedom and discovery. A top photo and aurora-watching spot.
📍 Shoreline art - 4🌋
Perlan
A glass-domed landmark on a hill south of the centre, with interactive nature exhibits, a real-snow ice cave and a 360° viewing deck over the city.
📍 Museum - 5🦢
Lake Tjörnin
The downtown pond beside City Hall, full of swans, ducks and geese in summer and freezing over for skaters in winter. A lovely place to stroll.
📍 City nature - 6🚌
Golden Circle
The classic loop out of town: Þingvellir National Park and its rift valley, the Geysir hot-spring area and Gullfoss waterfall — easy as a day trip from Reykjavík.
📍 Day trip - 7♨️
Blue Lagoon
The famous milky-blue geothermal spa, about an hour from the city (on the way to the airport). Soak in warm mineral water amid the lava fields — book ahead.
📍 Geothermal spa - 8🐋
Whale watching
Cruises leave the Old Harbour to spot whales and dolphins in Faxaflói bay, with the best odds in summer. Some tours add a puffin-island stop.
📍 Sea activity
Things to do in Reykjavík
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Reykjavík — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Reykjavík hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.2LuxuryThe Reykjavik EDITION
#1 Luxury · Next to Harpa & Old Harbour
★ 9.1Upper-midKvosin Downtown Hotel
#7 boutique all-suite · heart of 101 Downtown
★ 9.1Upper-midBlack Pearl Luxury Apartments
#9 Apartment-hotel · full kitchen in every unit
โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในReykjavík
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
#2 Boutique luxury · Heart of 101 Downtown
Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
#3 historic boutique · centre of 101
ION City Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels
#4 Design boutique · on Laugavegur
Sand Hotel by Keahotels
#7 Location pick · right on Laugavegur
Exeter Hotel by Keahotels
#8 Harbour Boutique · restored salt warehouse
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
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🚆 Getting around Reykjavík
From Keflavík Airport (KEF)
The main airport is about 50 km from the city. Most travellers take the Flybus to the central BSÍ terminal in roughly 45 minutes, or Strætó public bus route 55 (fewer stops).
On foot in town
Downtown 101 is compact and very walkable — the main sights are just 5–15 minutes apart. You don't need a car if you're only exploring the city.
Strætó city buses
The yellow Strætó network covers the city and suburbs. Pay via the Klappið app, a Klapp card, or tap a contactless card — city buses don't take cash.
Rent a car for day trips
For the Golden Circle or South Coast on your own, a rental is easiest. Parking downtown is limited and paid, so many visitors rent only on out-of-town days.
Pay by card
Iceland is near-cashless — cards and contactless work almost everywhere. The currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK), and shops, buses and parking meters mostly take tap-to-pay.
Where to go next near Reykjavík
AkureyriA complete Akureyri travel guide — where to stay, the best things to do, what to eat, and how to get around Iceland's Capital of the North.
See this city's guide →
VíkA practical guide to Vík, Iceland — the southernmost Ring Road village and base for the Reynisfjara black sand beach, basalt sea stacks and glacier country, with real picks for where to stay, eat and how to get around.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Reykjavík
When's the best time to see the northern lights in Reykjavík?+
Roughly September to April, when nights are dark enough. In-city spots include the Grótta reserve and the shore by Sun Voyager, but you'll see them clearer away from city lights. From late May to early August the midnight sun keeps the sky too bright for the aurora.
How do I get from the airport to the city?+
Keflavík Airport (KEF) is about 50 km away. The popular option is the Flybus, which reaches downtown in around 45 minutes, or Strætó public bus route 55. Book a Flybus ticket matched to your flight in advance.
Do I need a car if I'm staying in Reykjavík?+
If you're only seeing the city, no — 101 is walkable end to end in about 15 minutes. For the Golden Circle, South Coast or Blue Lagoon on your own, rent a car just for those days or join a day tour.
Ready to book your Reykjavík stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking