Reykjavik

Introduction

Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and, not without reason, has become more popular in recent years. Still more travellers find their way to one of the smallest capitals in Europe and although many combine a visit to the city with some sights inland, like the Golden Triangle (Gulfoss, Thingvellir and Geysir), other travellers choose to visit Reykjavik only as a weekend trip. It has numerous bars and restaurants, but especially the alcoholic drinks don't come cheap here, so be prepared! Apart from nightlife and shopping, the city has several cultural things to see as well, like the Hallgrimskirkja and the famous house where presidents Gorbatsjov of the Sovjetunion and Reagan of the USA met in 1986.
It's even a good place to visit in winter, as temperatures are surprisingly mild this time of year and you might enjoy the nordic lights (aurora borealis). In summer though, the sun shines 24 hours a day, and although still not warm, people enjoy being outside on the main shopping street or one of several squares in the centre of town.

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Neighbourhoods

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Sights and Activities

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Events and Festivals

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Weather

Temperatures in Reykjavik rarely drop below -12 °C in winter and rarely rise above 15 °C in summer. 20 °C is almost a heatwave and if it gets this warm, it is mostly just a matter of days (or hours!). You can have literally 4 seasons in one day.

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Getting There

By Plane

International
Keflavik International Airport, about 50 kilometres from the capital Reykjavik is where you will land when visiting Reykjavik or Iceland as a whole.
The national carrier is Icelandair which has flights to most major destinations in the western half of Europe and the eastern half of North America. Note that off season (wintertime) some destinations might not be served or have a reduced schedule at least.

In addition, IcelandExpress has budget flights to and from several European destinations.

Domestic
Air Iceland operates regular scheduled flights from Reykjavík to major domestic airports in all parts of the country, like Akureyri and Egilsstaðir. Landsflug also has flights to smaller airstrips around the country, for example several daily flights from Reykjavík to Vestmannaeyjar.

To/from the airport
Buses travel between the airport and Reykjavik on a regular basis, taking around 45 minutes. Expensive taxis are available as well and there are many options with rental car companies like Hertz and Avis.

By Train

There are no train services to and from Reykjavik.

By Car

By Bus

There is an extensive bus service to most parts of the country and seasonal to the highlands. The Flybus travels between the international airport in Keflavik and the capital Reykjavik. Note that bus services are limited from October to May. June to September is your best bet.
Check BSI for an overview on bus companies. Otherwise check the bus companies directly: Austurleid for South and East Iceand, SBK Travels for the Keflavik and Reykjanes area, Stjornubilar for the Westfjords and Trex for West and North Iceland.

By Boat

The Icelandic cargo ship Eimskip has two vessels, the Dettifoss and Goðafoss which travel the route Rotterdam-Hamburg-Göteborg-Århus-Fredrikstad-Tórshavn-Reykjavík. It takes 8 days in total and the return trip goes via eastern Iceland and Tórshavn only. The vessel can take a maximum of 3 passengers but only between mid-April and mid-October.

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Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

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Eat

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Drink

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Sleep

Budget

Property	Address	Type	Popularity
101 Guesthouse	Laugavegur 101 Snorrabraut 29	Guesthouse	91
4th Floor Hotel	Laugavegur 101	Hotel	99
AdaM	Skolavordustigur 42 P.O. Box 1143	Hotel	59
Alba Guesthouse	Eskihlid 3 Hlidar	Guesthouse	91
Alfholl-Guesthouse	Ranargata 8	Guesthouse	83
Baldursbra Guesthouse	laufasvegur 41	Guesthouse	95
Barugata 11	Barugata 11	Guesthouse	64
Blaklukka Guesthouse	Hvammsgerdi 12	Guesthouse	88
Bolholt Apartments	Bolholt 6	Guesthouse	87
Domus Guesthouse	Veghusastigur 7 101 Reykjavik	Guesthouse	80
Einholt Apartments	Einholt 2 Reykjavik	Guesthouse	81
Guesthouse BB 44	Borgarholtsbraut 44 Nýbýlavegur 16	Guesthouse	87
Guesthouse Egilsborg	Þverhoult 20 101	Guesthouse	83
Guesthouse Odinn	Odinsgata 9	Guesthouse	92
Guesthouse Pavi	Brautarholti 4	Guesthouse	57
Heidashome	Hverfisgata 102	Guesthouse	90
Hotel Floki	Flokagata 1	Hostel	74
Nokk23	Nokkvavogur 23	Apartment	100
Reykjavik Backpackers	Laugavegur 28	Hostel	87
Reykjavik City Hostel	Sundlaugavegur 34 IS-105 Reykjavík	Hostel	83
Reykjavik Downtown Hostel	Vesturgata 17	Hostel	94
The Capital-Inn	Sudurhlid 35d	Guesthouse	70
Thor Guesthouse	Skolavordustig 16	Guesthouse	90
Travel Inn	Soleyjargata 31	Guesthouse	67
Guesthouse Tunguvegur	Tunguvegur 23	Apartment	53
Guesthouse Galtafell	Laufásvegur 46	Guesthouse	97
Guesthouse Palshus	Einarsnesi 58	Guesthouse	90
Aurora Guesthouse	Freyjugata 24	Guesthouse	86
Kriunes Hotel	Vatnsenda 203 Kopavogur	Guesthouse	83
Guesthouse Von	Laugavegi 55	Guesthouse	88
Metropolitan Hotel	Ránargötu 4a	Hotel	80
FIT GuestHouse	A23 Guesthouse Auðbrekka 23 Kópavogur	Guesthouse	80
Abode	Skólavörðustígur 35	Apartment	91
Our House	Karastigur 12	Guesthouse	99
Grettisgata Apartments	Grettisgata 43 101 Reykjavik	Apartment	88
Blue House B&B	Valhusabraut 19 Seltjarnarnes	Guesthouse	87
Reykjavik residence Hotel	Hverfisgata 45	Hotel	100
Igdlo Guesthouse	Gunnarsbraut 46	Guesthouse	89
KEX Hostel	Skúlagata 28	Hostel	94
Bina Guesthouse	Bugdulaekur 1	Guesthouse	95
Abode Little	Odinsgata 17, 101 Groundfloor	Apartment	100
Loki 101 guesthouse	Lokastigur 24A	Guesthouse	100
Hotel Laxnes	Haholt 7	Hotel	-
AR Guesthouse	Braedraborgarstigur 3	Guesthouse	89
Reykjavik Peace Center	Vogasel 1 Reykjavik	Guesthouse	79
Heytjörn Cabins	Lyngholsvegur 23	Guesthouse	-
Flying Viking Guesthouse	Krókhálsi 5a	Guesthouse	80
Fjord Guesthouse	Hverafold 33	Guesthouse	58
Konrads B&B	Lindargata 23,	Guesthouse	85
Center 101	Ránargata 4	Apartment	-
Grettisborg aparmtents	Grettisgata 53b	Apartment	-
Grettir Guesthouse	Laugavegur 28a	Guesthouse	100