Last Updated on: 19th September 2021, 05:47 pm
Editing photos from Iceland has given me a terrible case of wanderlust! Reykjavik is a small capital city, but it’s amazing! There’s so much to do here, and I love how the architecture adds to the city’s mysterious cool factor. Here are my favorite Reykjavik pictures to help you decide if you should plan a trip here.
Read: The Most Instagrammable Places in Reykjavik
My Favorite Travel Booking Sites for 2023
These are my favorite companies that I use on my own travels.
Protect Your Trip via Safety Wing
Find the best city tours, day tours, bus tours, & skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide and Viator.
Find the best deals on hotels & vacation rentals on Booking.com.
For English-speaking private airport transfers, book through Welcome Pickups.
For road trips and independent travel, rent a car through Discover Cars.
Find information and cruise reviews on Cruise Critic.
For packing and travel essentials order via Amazon.
Book an affordable family or romantic photography session on your trip through Flytographer (Use the code HISTORYFANGIRL for 10% off your first photoshoot).
For travel guidebooks to have with you during your trip, I always pick one or two from Rick Steves and Lonely Planet.
My Favorite Pictures of Reykjavik
In no particular order…
Pictures of Reykjavik’s Old Harbor and Surrounding Area
Walking around the bay and into the Old Harbor (especially if the light is good) is a photography enthusiast’s dream come true! There are so many interesting things to see here, and the gorgeous natural setting enhances the experience tremendously.
Photos of the Blue Lagoon
Getting pictures here isn’t exactly your top priority. Instead, your number one goal is to relax. Yet I couldn’t help but snap a few photos, and I’m so glad I did! Whenever I look at them, I can feel all the tension start to leave my body. It’s like bringing the spa with me wherever I go.
Pictures of Reykjavik’s Colorful & Delightful Houses
Even on a gloomy day (or maybe especially because of the dark skies) the colorful houses of Reykjavik always cheer me up! I know brightly colored houses are all the rage these days, but the ones in Iceland are some of my favorites.
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Photos of Reykjavik Landmarks
While Reykjavik’s sites are exactly known around the world, I love how they are both beautiful and unassuming at the same time.
Tjörnin Lake Photos
This small, natural lake in the middle of town is one of my favorite places to take photographs in Reykjavik (most likely because the ducks and geese are charming AF).
Pictures of Reykjavik Street Signs
Since I can’t read Icelandic (just pronounce the letters), I find the street signs in Iceland to be just fantastic.
Bonus Reykjavic Picture – A Rainbow at Keflavik Airport!
Can you believe that we actually got a rainbow as we went to check in to our flights? Not that rainbows in Iceland are uncommon, but still, what a great sendoff!
5 Things to Pack for Reykjavik
I have an entire Iceland packing list for those looking for what to bring to Iceland, but here are the five items you absolutely can’t leave home without!
- The Lonely Planet Iceland guidebook or the Rick Steves Iceland guidebook for your trip. It can be kind of a pain to find the major guidebooks once you land, or you’ll find them overpriced. I always like to pick mine up ahead of time.
- Tech-friendly gloves like these and warm wool socks to keep your fingers and toes toasty. Iceland gets cold! Even in summer, you want to have access to warm layers for particularly windy spots.
- A Camera since Iceland is super photogenic. I used a mix of my Nikon D810 and my Samsung8 smartphone.
- Sunscreen since you’ll be outside a lot more than back home.
- A Backup Charging Bank so you can keep your cell phone charged for long day trips without access to an electrical outlet.
Read: Definitive Iceland Packing List: What to Pack for Iceland for Women & Men
Where to Stay in Reykjavik
There are a lot of options for accommodations in Reykjavik, but it is definitely not a traditional budget destination! I’m including a recommendation for Reykjavik hotels and hostels for each of the following budget categories:
- Budget: A room in a hostel, usually $35-50 USD per night for a dorm bed.
- Mid-range: Around $75-100 USD per night
- Luxury: Around $150 per night or more
Budget: Iceland is no budget destination, but the hostel dorms at Reykjavik Downtown HI Hostel are affordable and in a great location. You can stay in the mixed dormitory or women can book a room in the female-only dorm. Includes free wifi and the option to add breakfast. Check the pricing, reviews, and availability here.
Mid-Range: For our trip to Reykjavik, we stayed at the self-catering Stay Apartments Einholt. We loved having a self-catering room since we actually cooked half of our dinners and all of our breakfasts in our apartment to save money on the trip overall. We also loved the location. It’s close to downtown within easy walking distance to the main sites. The price was right in our budget for two people, too. Check the pricing, reviews, and availability here.
Luxury: For a real luxury experience in Reykjavik, stay at the four-star Exeter Hotel by Keahotels which is located right near the city’s most important sites. Rooms are super modern and beautifully done, with a cozy take on industrial chic. You can come back and relax in the hotel’s sauna and enjoy the on-site restaurant. Check the pricing, reviews, and availability here.
Headed to Iceland? Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Never travel without a valid travel insurance policy, because accidents happen on the road. I pay for World Nomads, and I happily recommend them. It’s especially important to get travel insurance when you’ll be doing any outdoor activities or hanging out in traditional tourists spots (since tourists are easy targets, unfortunately).
I have been a paying customer of World Nomads for travel insurance for three years, and I happily recommend them. It’s especially important to get travel insurance when participating in outdoor activities or driving in foreign countries. Even in the cities, though, you’ll be happy when you’re able to replace your stuff if it’s lost or stolen.
More Iceland Travel Resources
Here are my resources to help you plan your trip. Start with my Iceland packing list so you know what to bring with you year-round.
Next, check out my guide to Icelandic souvenirs, which also includes more awesome Reykjavik shopping tips, plus my list of The Most Instagrammable Places in Reykjavik.
Do you like to listen to information to help you plan your trip? If so, check out my interview about Iceland’s Thingvellir plus the list of my favorite travel podcasts.
If you’re looking to get inspired before your trip, check out my post on beautiful quotes about Iceland.
Pin These Reykjavik Pictures for Your Trip to Iceland
