15 Top Free Things to Do in Reykjavik.

Iceland is known for its beauty but also for being one of the more expensive countries to visit in Europe. It’s an undeniable fact, however there are things that you can do to stay on budget during your visit and one of them is opting for free attractions and experiences as opposed to those with hefty admission fees.

Let me show you how you can see the best of Reykjavik without breaking the bank but also without sacrificing the quality of your visit and a chance to see the main sights of this northernmost capital city of Europe.

Here is my guide to top FREE things to do in Reykjavik – follow along and plan your day!

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GET STARTED – Walk the city!

The biggest advantage of Reykjavik is that it’s small and therefore WALKABLE, so you don’t have to spend any money on taxis or public transportation to get around.

But if you need help moving around town, the Strætó bus network is the best, wallet-friendly option. The tickets are inexpensive, and you can buy them with the Klappið app.

1. See the Hallgrímskirkja Church

Hallgrímskirkja church is the most famous landmark of Reykjavik, easily spotted from afar as it is the tallest building in the city!

The tall, concrete church has signature columns on both sides of the main entrance that look like organ pipes but were actually designed to resemble volcanic basalt columns – a famous feature of many natural attractions in Iceland, like Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach or Stuðlagil Canyon. 

It is free to visit the church and inside you can see one of its main attractions – a massive organ with 5275 pipes! So take your time and check it out, walk around the church and take a good look at its unique architecture. 

Don’t forget to look up and listen to the church bells – they play a short tune every 15 minutes.

CHEAP: Not quite free but very inexpensive – the elevator ride to the top of the bell tower is 1400 ISK per adult. Once there, you can walk around the tower and take in the amazing views of Reykjavik’s colorful rooftops and the surrounding area.

Once you step out of the church head straight ahead toward your next free Reykjavik attraction – Rainbow Street!

2. Stroll down Skólavörðustígur (Rainbow Street) 

It’s one of the main shopping streets of Reykjavik, with plenty of local stores, cafes and of course gift shops to explore. 

Even without purchasing anything, it’s fun to walk around, check out souvenirs, the famous Icelandic sweaters and woolen hats.

Take in the colorful houses, and street art, and don’t miss the famous rainbow that gave this street its name!

To find it, just follow the street leading directly away from the Hallgrímskirkja Church. The rainbow starts about halfway down the length of the street and that painted part of it is for pedestrians only.

Don’t skip the gift stores – you may have a chance to meet one of the famous Reykjavik cats!

3. Explore fun local cafés

As you explore Reykjavik, don’t hesitate to walk around the smaller side streets – you’ll find some hidden gems like the Cat Café (Kattakaffihúsið).

It’s a coffee shop where you can enjoy a cup of delicious brew in the company of very well-behaved adoptable cats! You don’t have to buy anything to go inside and meet the cats. It’s a one-of-a-kind place, definitely worth visiting.

As is another cafe on Rainbow Street – Café Babalú!

4. See the “Sun Voyager” Sculpture

Make your way to the Old Harbor to see the famous Sun Voyager steel sculpture. Next to Hallgrímskirkja, it’s one of the main attractions of the city of Reykjavik. Designed by artist Jón Gunnar Arnason, it resembles a Viking ship.

You can take a walk along the shoreline (called the Shore Walk) and on a clear day you’ll be able to see the Mount Esja in the background.

5. Visit the oldest bakery in Iceland

Not far from the Sun Voyager, across the street, near a gas station, in a very unassuming spot, you’ll find Iceland’s oldest bakery “Bernhöftsbakarí” full of delicious pastries.

You can just step inside and take a look. BUT – if you’re hungry, it’s a great place to grab a snack – the pastries are delicious!

6. Harpa Music Hall and Conference Center

On your way back to the city center you’ll find the Harpa Concert Hall. You can’t miss it – it’s a big square looking building with the glass panels taking on different colors depending on the time of the day and the weather.

There are guided tours available, but you can also just walk inside and explore on your own. All the public places are open to visitors. You can also take a look at their store, full of items crafted by local artists.

7. Try an Icelandic Hot Dog

This is not quite FREE but an absolute MUST DO and a relatively inexpensive experience – I’m talking about tasting the authentic Icelandic Hot dog – only at the Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand, located near Harpa, at Tryggvagata 1. It costs between 400-600 ISK ($4-6), depending on the toppings, and is absolutely worth the money.

If you can, order a “hot dog with everything”. You’ll get the traditional lamb/beef/pork sausage with ketchup, mustard, relish and fried onions. Delicious!

8. Browse the flea market (Kolaportið)

If you are in Reykjavik during the weekend, you can’t miss the flea market, called Kolaportið. It’s full of local arts and crafts, handmade jewelry, but also antiques and collectors’ items. Just browsing the stands is a lot of fun!

9. Visit Tjörnin Pond

It’s a lake in the heart of the city, next to Reykjavik City Hall and not far from the Icelandic Parliament Building. There are often free exhibits inside the city hall and a huge 3D printed map of Iceland on the ground floor.

All you have to do to get there is to cross the bridge over the lake. The lake is also called the Reykjavik Pond or just the Pond by the locals and is home to many species of native and visiting birds.

You can see ducks and swans (the primary residents of the lake) year-round. Take a stroll around the pond, enjoy the views of the surrounding area and take a break on one of many benches along the way. 

10. Take a Free Walking Tour of Reykjavik

Free walking tours are a great way to learn about not only Reykjavik but also the history, culture and traditions of Iceland in general. 

These tours are engaging, informative and led by a local guide. They last about 1.5 – 2 hours which pass by really fast, leaving you richer in knowledge and fun facts about Iceland you won’t quickly forget. 

Book your FREE TOUR here.

11. Visit a swimming pool 

Visiting a swimming pool in Reykjavik (and Iceland in general) is a great way to experience Icelandic favorite pastime. While in other countries people meet at bars, restaurants and coffee shops to catch up and gossip, Icelanders do it at their geothermal pools!

Filled with clean, hot soothing water they are a great alternative to the more expensive spas, like the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon. 

The most popular pool located in the city center is Sundhollin (the oldest one in the city), with Laugardalslaug, the largest pool in Iceland, a close second.

And while not free, the cost to swim at either of the pools is only 1300 ISK per adult, with significant discounts for youth and free swimming for children under 15.

Sundhöllin Reykjavík Pool is only a 5-minute walk away from Hallgrímskirkja, and Laugardalslaug is easily accessible by public transportation (Strætó bus #14 or #12)

Outside the city center:

There are many free attractions and places to explore outside of the immediate Reykjavik city center and while it’s most convenient to get to them by car, they are also accessible by public transportation.

12. See the the Grótta Lighthouse  

Grótta is still an operational lighthouse located at the tip of Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. Connected to the mainland by a causeway, it’s accessible on foot during low tide.

You have plenty of walking trails and bike paths around, but the biggest draw to this location for tourists is the Northern Lights viewing. Due to its location away from the light pollution of the city, Grótta Lighthouse area is a perfect place to see Aurora Borealis around Reykjavik.

13. Kvika Footbath

Kvika Footbath is a small, stone lined “pool”, about 1 meter wide in diameter, filled with hot geothermal water.  You’ll find it along the path to the Grotta Lighthouse, across the street from Radagerdi Restaurant. It’s a true hidden gem as it takes some effort to spot it but it’s worth the trouble.

Sit down on the stones, dip your feet in the hot water and enjoy the stunning views of the ocean.

14. Check out Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach

Nauthólsvík is an artificial geothermal golden beach located just outside downtown Reykjavik. You can swim in the ocean lagoon kept warm by the geothermal water pumped into the swimming area, enjoy the sun on the golden sand (an unusual activity for Icelandic beaches!), and relax in the small rectangular hot pool located in front of the main building. 

It has all necessary facilities – restrooms, changing rooms, hot tubs, a snack bar and lockers.

It’s a great spot to visit on a nice sunny day and is FREE during the summer months (mid-May till August). A fee of just under 1000 ISK is charged the rest of the year.

The beach is accessible by public transportation. You can board Strætó bus #8 and take a short walk from the bus stop to the beach. 

15. Hike on Mount Esja

Mt. Esja (also known as just Esjan) is only about a 30-minute drive from Reykjavik and offers a variety of hiking trails: from beginner strolls to 4-5 hour long more advanced treks. The trails are well marked, color-coded, and offer beautiful views of Reykjavik at every level of difficulty.

If you don’t have a rental car, you will need to take Strætó bus #15 from Hlemmur bus stop and change to bus #57 which will bring you to the Esjumelar stop, about a mile from the parking lot.

Reykjavik Card – worth considering!

To help you stay on budget and still be able to enjoy some of the paid attractions in Reykjavik, it may be worthwhile to purchase a Reykjavik City Card.

You can buy a 24-, 48- and 72-hour card that includes all public Strætó buses in the Reykjavik Capital Area (more information here), entry to Reykjavik swimming pools, and access to many historical and art museums in Reykjavik, like the National Gallery of Iceland, National Museum of Iceland, Árbær Open Air Museum, The Settlement Exhibition and more! Even the Reykjavik Zoo! 

Check Reykjavik Card details here.

If these activities are on your list, the Reykjavik Card offers great value for the price.

Check prices and options here.

It also gives you discounts on admission to the higher-priced attractions like the Lava Show, FlyOver Iceland, or Perlan.

READ MORE: 30 Best Things to Do in Reykjavik.

As you can see, it’s possible to visit Icelandic capital in a budget friendly way.

Additionally, to help decrease the cost of food, I recommend renting an Airbnb or an apartment with a kitchen or at least a kitchenette, that would allow you to prepare your own meals. Your wallet will thank you!

To find out more about other Reykjavik basics, like the best time to visit, how to get there from the airport and more, read this guide! 

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