ReykjavíkCapital
Iceland · Country profile
Reykjavik is the northernmost capital of the world, a small, colourful, fiercely modern city of the painted corrugated rooftops, the great concrete church of the Hallgrimskirkja, the steaming pools and the extraordinary light of the high latitude. The old town holds the parliament, the old pond and the wooden houses of the early settlement, while the new city spreads the design shops, the bars and the woolly thermal pools that define the Icelandic everyday. The city is the base of the golden circle and the whole island, and its museums of the sagas, the art and the natural history frame the land beyond. The mild Atlantic air keeps the temperature gentler than the name promises. Compact, clean, creative and endlessly photogenic, Reykjavik is the gateway of Iceland and one of the most singular capitals in the world.
About Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland. The city's documented population is around 140,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Icelandic Króna (ISK) and Icelandic is spoken; the dialling code is +354. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Keflavík International Airport.
The Painted Rooftops, the Hallgrimskirkja and the North Light
Reykjavik is a small, manageable capital that packs the whole of Iceland into its daily radius: the golden circle of the geysers and the falls, the blue lagoon and the southern glaciers all run as effortless day trips from the city. The city itself is a colourful, walkable centre of the painted houses, the Hallgrimskirkja and the thermal pools, with a design and a nightlife scene that belie its size. The light of the winter keeps the days short and the aurora possible, and the summer turns the nights into a long, pale twilight. It is safe, clean, pricey and deeply atmospheric, and the whole country’s famously volcanic and watery character surrounds it.
The Winter Lights, the Summer Twilight and the Prices of the Island
The seasons define the visit: the winter brings the northern lights, the ice caves and the short, dark days, and the summer brings the midnight sun, the mild weather and the full range of the tours. The prices are famously high, so the budget should allow for it, and the weather changes hour by hour, so the layers and the waterproofs are essential regardless of the season. The golden circle and the southern shore tours book up in the high season and run easily from the city. The currency is the króna and the cards are accepted everywhere, and the coins are rarely used at all. The blue lagoon and the other pools need the reservations ahead, and the geothermal is the soul of the Icelandic daily life.
The Pools, the Golden Circle and the Wool of the Country
The Hallgrimskirkja with its elevator to the tower gives the whole city at a glance, and the old harbour and the old town with the pond of the parliament hold the history. The great thermal baths of the city, the public pools of the neighbourhoods, are the everyday Icelandic ritual, and the famous blue lagoon is the grander version an hour from the centre. The golden circle, the great geyser, the Gullfoss falls and the national park of the Thingvellir, is the essential full day, and the southern coast reaches the glaciers and the black beaches. The wool of the country, the lopapeysa sweaters, the design shops and the galleries of the old quarter round out the visit. The city is small, and the whole remarkable country runs easily from it.
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- Country
- Iceland
- Population
- 140,000
- Coordinates
- 63.9850, -22.6056
- Capital
- Reykjavík
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Icelandic Króna (ISK)
- Languages
- Icelandic
- Calling code
- +354
- Country code
- IS
Entry requirements for Iceland
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Iceland for tourism.
Getting to Reykjavík
Airports we list for Reykjavík:
Frequently asked questions
Is Reykjavík the capital of Iceland?
Yes — Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland.
What currency do I need in Reykjavík?
The local currency is the Icelandic Króna (ISK). Languages spoken in Iceland include Icelandic.
What is the dialling code for Iceland?
The international dialling code for Iceland is +354.
Which airport should I fly into for Reykjavík?
Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is the airport we list for Reykjavík.
Do I need a visa to visit Iceland?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Iceland visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Reykjavík? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.