Reykjavik Landmarks That You Must See- The Adventuring Millennial

Reykjavik isn’t a city like NYC or London. And it may not have a site like the Statue of Liberty or Big Ben. But this quiet and cute capital city is still filled with landmarks. They are just not as well-known.

But anyone who has visited Reykjavik has probably seen these sites. It is a small and walkable city, so it is very easy to make your way past all of these Reykjavik landmarks.

I visited Iceland as a 24-hour layover with Iceland Air. And I tried to squeeze in as much as I could into my day. So this only left me with a few hours in Reykjavik. But I felt like this was enough time to see the highlights.

If you are planning a trip to Iceland, don’t miss these major landmarks in the capital city.

Hallsgrimskirkja Church

Do you have an image of a classic European church in your mind? Well, throw that out the window.

Hallsgrimskirkja (try to say that 3 times in a row) is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. This Luthern church is 244 feet high and one of Iceland’s most well-known landmarks. It was named after the poet, Hallgrímur Pétursson. Don’t worry, I’d never heard of him either.

This church took over 40 years to build. Take some time to admire the impressive structure. And don’t forget to check out the Leif Erickson statue outside. When you are ready, head inside to the tower.

For 1000 ISK (about $9) you can enjoy the view from the church’s tower. Don’t skip this! This was my favorite thing I experienced in Rejykavik. The 360-degree view is incredible. How fun are the colorful rooftops in this city?

Brauð & Co.

If you are wondering if a bakery counts as a landmark, welcome to my blog. I am slightly obsessed with food. So a good bakery, coffee shop, restaurant or food cart absolutely counts as a landmark in my book.

Brauð & Co. is one of those places that is included on every Reykjavik food list and itinerary. This colorful bakery is THE place for a pastry in the city. Watch the bread being made in the open kitchen as you decide on your order. Don’t stress, anything you pick will be delicious.

The Sun Voyager

Unveiled in 1990, this unique sculpture honors Reykjavik’s 200th birthday. Jón Gunnar Árnason’s design won the city’s competition for a new outdoor art piece. Take some time to walk around this piece. What do you think it resembles? Many people guess that it represents a Viking ship (Iceland does have a rich Nordic history after all). But, the designer probably created this piece to resemble a dreamboat. It symbolizes light and hope.

After appreciating the sculpture, soak up the waterfront views. Continue along the path towards the massive opera house. It’s ok if you don’t recognize it at first, it looks nothing like a traditional opera house.

Harpa

Give yourself plenty of time to explore this building. This concert hall, restaurant and lecture space is free to enter. But before going inside, take in the unique exterior design. The glass panels represent Iceland’s basalt landscape.

When I walked inside, I was blown away by the design. This is a photographer’s playground. Have fun with the light, shapes, and textures inside the building.

If you are interested, check their schedule for upcoming concerts or lectures. But honestly, there is so much else to see in Iceland that you probably won’t want to spend your limited time at a show.

Street Art

Ok, there isn’t just one landmark in this category. I don’t think this is cheating though! Rejykavik’s streets are filled with interesting murals. These colorful pictures brighten up the otherwise gloomy city. Take some time to wander the streets and appreciate the art. Everywhere you turn it seems like you see another impressive piece of art (and this is a great free activity in this expensive city!)