Reykjavík facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Reykjavík
Capital city and municipality
Clockwise from top left: view of old town and Hallgrímskirkja from Perlan; rooftops from Hallgrímskirkja; Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík; Reykjavík from Hallgrímskirkja; and panorama from Perlan
Flag Coat of arms
Etymology: Old Norse: "Smoky bay"
Nickname(s):  Land of fire and ice
Motto(s):  "Reykjavík loves"
Location of Reykjavík
Reykjavík Location in Iceland
Country	Iceland
Region	Capital Region
Constituency	Reykjavík Constituency North Reykjavík Constituency South
Market right	18 August 1786
Government
• Type	Council–manager
• Body	City Council
Area
• Capital city and municipality	273 km2 (105 sq mi)
• Metro	1,062 km2 (410 sq mi)
Population  (2023)
• Capital city and municipality	139,875
• Density	512.4/km2 (1,327.0/sq mi)
• Metro	247,590
Time zone	UTC+00:00 (Western European Time)
• Summer (DST)	(Not Observed)
Postal code(s)	101–155
Municipal number	0000
Council	Reykjavík City Council

Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland. It is located in the southwest of the country, on the southern shore of Faxaflói bay. With a latitude of 64°08′ N, Reykjavík is the world's northernmost capital city of an independent country.

About 140,000 people live in Reykjavík as of 2023. The wider Capital Region has a population of around 248,000.

People believe Reykjavík is where the first permanent settlement in Iceland was built. This happened around 874 AD by Ingólfr Arnarson. For a long time, there wasn't much of a city here. Reykjavík officially became a trading town in 1786. It grew steadily, becoming a major center for business, people, and government in Iceland.

Today, Reykjavík is the heart of Iceland's culture, economy, and government. It is also a very popular place for tourists to visit. The city is known for being one of the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities in the world.

A Look Back: Reykjavík's History

A painting of Ingólfr Arnarson, the first settler of Iceland.

Reykjavík looked like this in the 1860s.

Legend says that the first permanent Norse settlement in Iceland was started in Reykjavík around 870 AD. This story is told in the Book of Settlement. Ingólfr Arnarson chose the spot for his settlement in a special way. He threw his wooden "high seat pillars" overboard when he saw land. He promised to settle wherever the gods brought them ashore. His slaves searched for three years before finding the pillars in the bay where Reykjavík now stands.

What Does the Name Reykjavík Mean?

The name Reykjavík comes from Old Norse words. Reykr means 'smoke' and vík means 'bay'. The name was inspired by the steam rising from hot springs in the area. So, Reykjavík means Bay of Smoke. This name still makes sense in modern Icelandic and Norwegian.

The name first referred to the bay and Ingólfr Arnarson's farm. Later, the farm was called Vík á Seltjarnarnesi. The name Reykjavík was brought back when the city started to grow centuries later.

How Reykjavík Grew into a City

The area where downtown Reykjavík is now was farmland until the 1700s. In 1752, King Frederik V of Denmark gave the Reykjavík estate to a company called Innréttingarnar. Its leader was Skúli Magnússon.

In the 1750s, houses were built for the wool industry. This industry was Reykjavík's main employer for many years. Other businesses like fisheries, sulphur mining, farming, and shipbuilding also started.

In 1786, the Danish Crown ended its trading monopoly. It gave six communities, including Reykjavík, special trading rights. Reykjavík was the only one to keep these rights permanently. This is why 1786 is considered the year the city was founded.

At first, only Danish traders could do business in Iceland. After 1880, free trade opened up to all nationalities. This helped Icelandic merchants grow their businesses.

The Rise of Icelandic Independence

Reykjavík's main street in 1881.

Reykjavík in the 1920s.

In the 1800s, many Icelanders wanted their country to be independent. Reykjavík, as Iceland's only city, was very important to this idea. People who wanted independence knew that a strong Reykjavík was key.

In 1845, the Alþingi (Iceland's general assembly) was brought back in Reykjavík. It had been stopped earlier. At first, it only advised the king about Icelandic matters. But its location in Reykjavík made the city the capital of Iceland.

In 1874, Iceland got its own constitution. With it, Alþingi gained some power to make laws. In 1904, Iceland gained "Home Rule," meaning more power was moved to Iceland. The office of Minister for Iceland was set up in Reykjavík. On 1 December 1918, Iceland became a sovereign country, the Kingdom of Iceland, linked to the Crown of Denmark.

By the 1920s and 1930s, many fishing boats sailed from Reykjavík. Cod fishing was the main industry. However, the Great Depression caused high unemployment in Reykjavík. This led to difficult times for workers.

Reykjavík During World War II

On 10 May 1940, after Germany occupied Denmark and Norway, British warships arrived in Reykjavík. Within hours, the Allied forces had occupied Reykjavík. There was no fighting. Taxi and truck drivers even helped the soldiers.

The Icelandic government had refused British requests to occupy the country because of its neutrality. For the rest of World War II, British and later American soldiers stayed in camps in Reykjavík. At one point, there were as many foreign soldiers as local people in the city.

The occupation helped Reykjavík's economy. Unemployment disappeared, and new buildings were constructed. The British built Reykjavík Airport, which is still used today for domestic flights. The Americans built Keflavík Airport, about 50 km west of Reykjavík. This became Iceland's main international airport.

In 1944, the Republic of Iceland was founded. A president, elected by the people, replaced the king. The president's office was set up in Reykjavík.

Growth After the War

After World War II, Reykjavík grew even faster. Many people moved from the countryside to the city. This happened because new farming technology meant fewer workers were needed. Also, better living conditions led to a population boom.

Reykjavík quickly changed from a small village to a modern city. Cars became common, and new apartment buildings appeared in the growing suburbs.

In 1972, Reykjavík hosted the famous world chess championship between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky. In 1986, the Reykjavík Summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev showed Reykjavík's importance on the world stage.

Changes in banking and the computer revolution in the 1990s further changed Reykjavík. Now, the financial and technology industries are big employers in the city.

Reykjavík has also become home to famous musicians and artists. These include Björk, Múm, Sigur Rós, writer Sjón, and artist Ragnar Kjartansson.

Reykjavík's Geography and Natural Surroundings

Reykjavik at sunrise.

Reykjavík seen from above.

Esja, the mountain north of Reykjavík.

Reykjavík is located in the southwest of Iceland. The coastline around Reykjavík has many peninsulas, coves, narrow waterways, and islands.

During the Ice Age (up to 10,000 years ago), a large glacier covered parts of the city. Other areas were covered by sea water. In warmer times, hills like Öskjuhlíð were islands. The land has risen since the Ice Age, making the area look as it does today.

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have also shaped the capital area. For example, 4,500 years ago, lava from the Bláfjöll mountain range flowed into the sea at Elliðavogur bay.

The largest river in Reykjavík is the Elliðaá River. You cannot sail on it, but you can go salmon fishing there. Mount Esja, at 914 meters, is the highest mountain near Reykjavík.

Most of Reykjavík is on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula. However, its suburbs spread far to the south and east. Reykjavík is a spread-out city. Many parts of its urban area have widely spaced houses and lots of open space between neighborhoods.

Panorama of Reykjavík seen from Perlan with the mountains Akrafjall (middle) and Esja (right) in the background

Panorama of Reykjavík seen from Perlan at sunset in summer. Trees can grow in Reykjavík's mild climate.

Reykjavík's Climate

Reykjavík has a subpolar oceanic climate. This means it has cool summers and mild winters. This climate has been present since the early 1900s.

Because Reykjavík is so far north (64° N), the length of day and night changes a lot. From May 20 to July 24, it's almost always daylight. The sun never goes more than 5° below the horizon. From December 2 to January 10, daylight lasts less than five hours. The sun only rises 3° above the horizon. However, daylight quickly increases in January.

Even though it's so far north, winter temperatures rarely drop below -15°C. The city is close to the Arctic Circle. But the Atlantic Ocean and the North Atlantic Current (part of the Gulf Stream) keep winters mild.

The city's coastal location means it can be very windy. Gales are common in winter. Summers are cool, usually between 10°C and 15°C. Temperatures rarely go above 20°C. This is because of the cool ocean winds.

Reykjavík has milder winters than many places further south. For example, its winter temperatures are similar to New York City. Reykjavík gets rain on about 147 days each year. Dry periods are rare. The sunniest season is summer, especially May. The city gets about 1,300 hours of sunshine each year. This is similar to places like Ireland and Scotland.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Reykjavík was 25.7°C on 30 July 2008. The lowest was -24.5°C on 21 January 1918.

Reykjavík's Cityscape

• 

  Harpa Hall, Downtown Reykjavík

• 

  Colourful rooftops line Reykjavík

• 

  Central Reykjavík seen from Hallgrímskirkja

• 

  Menntaskólinn (Junior College) í Reykjavík or MR

• 

  Looking southeast from Hallgrímskirkja

• 

  Another view of Reykjavík from Hallgrímskirkja

• 

  Safnahúsið

• 

  View from Skólavörðustígur

• 

  Tjörnin (The Pond) in Central Reykjavík

• 

  Austurvöllur with Reykjavík Cathedral and Parliament House (Alþingishúsið) visible on the right

• 

  View from Perlan

• 

  Reykjavík Cathedral

• 

  King of Atlantis statue in Reykjavík

• 

  Reykjavík from Hallgrímskirkja

Panorama of the northern seashore of Reykjavík, as seen from Örfirisey

How Reykjavík is Governed

The Reykjavík City Council manages the city. People aged 18 and over who live in the city can vote for its members. The council has 23 members, elected for four-year terms.

The council chooses members for different boards. Each board handles a specific area of city management. The most important board is the City Board. It works with the City Mayor to make decisions.

The City Mayor is the top public official and leads city operations. Other officials manage city services under the mayor's direction. So, the city government has two main parts:

• The political power of the City Council and its boards.
• The public officials who carry out the plans, led by the City Mayor.

The City Mayor

The mayor is chosen by the city council. Usually, one of the council members becomes mayor. However, someone who is not on the council can also be chosen.

The position of mayor was created in 1907. The first mayor, Páll Einarsson, started on 7 May 1908. He served for six years. The current mayor is Einar Þorsteinsson [is].

Who Lives in Reykjavík?

A residential area in Reykjavík near the ocean.

Reykjavík is by far the largest city in Iceland. On 1 January 2020, the city of Reykjavík had 131,136 people. This was about 36% of Iceland's total population. The Capital Region, which includes Reykjavík and six nearby towns, had 233,034 people. This is about 64% of the country's population.

As of 2019, nearly 19% of the city's population were immigrants or children of immigrants. This number has grown a lot over the years. The most common foreign citizens are from Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Most foreign residents come from countries in the European Union and EFTA.

Children of foreign origin make up a significant group in Reykjavík's schools. In some places, they are as many as one-third of the students. Thousands of tourists and students also visit the city. Sometimes, they outnumber the local residents in the city center.

Residents by citizenship (1 January 1998 – 2018)

Citizenship	2018			2008			1998
	Number	% of total population	% of foreign citizens	Number	% of total population	% of foreign citizens	Number	% of total population	% of foreign citizens
Iceland	110,445	87.63%		109,111	91.82%		104,920	97.74%
Poland	5,526	4.38%	35.43%	3,146	2.65%	32.38%	95	0.09%	3.92%
Lithuania	1,733	1.37%	11.11%	811	0.68%	8.35%	8	0.01%	0.33%
Latvia	595	0.47%	3.82%	217	0.18%	2.23%	1	0.00%	0.04%
United Kingdom	487	0.39%	3.12%	222	0.19%	2.28%	153	0.14%	6.32%
Spain	482	0.38%	3.09%	87	0.07%	0.90%	41	0.04%	1.69%
Germany	481	0.38%	3.08%	450	0.38%	4.63%	148	0.14%	6.11%
United States	420	0.33%	2.69%	331	0.28%	3.41%	313	0.29%	12.93%
Romania	419	0.33%	2.69%	50	0.04%	0.51%	4	0.00%	0.17%
Philippines	409	0.32%	2.62%	453	0.38%	4.66%	110	0.10%	4.54%
Portugal	393	0.31%	2.52%	278	0.23%	2.86%	31	0.03%	1.28%
France	371	0.29%	2.38%	145	0.12%	1.49%	71	0.07%	2.93%
Denmark	354	0.28%	2.27%	419	0.35%	4.31%	358	0.33%	14.79%
Vietnam	243	0.19%	1.56%	207	0.17%	2.13%	43	0.04%	1.78%
Italy	242	0.19%	1.55%	80	0.07%	0.82%	17	0.02%	0.70%
Thailand	216	0.17%	1.38%	286	0.24%	2.94%	155	0.14%	6.40%
Czech Republic	176	0.14%	1.13%	72	0.06%	0.74%	8	0.01%	0.33%
Hungary	172	0.14%	1.10%	48	0.04%	0.49%	3	0.00%	0.12%
China	164	0.13%	1.05%	144	0.12%	1.48%	40	0.04%	1.65%
Sweden	156	0.12%	1.00%	201	0.17%	2.07%	117	0.11%	4.83%
Croatia	153	0.12%	0.98%	18	0.02%	0.19%	8	0.01%	0.33%
Slovakia	127	0.10%	0.81%	91	0.08%	0.94%	3	0.00%	0.12%
Norway	120	0.10%	0.77%	141	0.12%	1.45%	154	0.14%	6.36%
Bulgaria	115	0.09%	0.74%	57	0.05%	0.59%	17	0.02%	0.70%
Russia	110	0.09%	0.71%	109	0.09%	1.12%	32	0.03%	1.32%
Syria	109	0.09%	0.70%	7	0.01%	0.07%	3	0.00%	0.12%
Netherlands	100	0.08%	0.64%	75	0.06%	0.77%	28	0.03%	1.16%
Ukraine	81	0.06%	0.52%	89	0.07%	0.92%	9	0.01%	0.37%
Canada	80	0.06%	0.51%	63	0.05%	0.65%	35	0.03%	1.45%
India	73	0.06%	0.47%	86	0.07%	0.89%	10	0.01%	0.41%
Greece	60	0.05%	0.38%	4	0.00%	0.04%	3	0.00%	0.12%
Ireland	60	0.05%	0.38%	25	0.02%	0.26%	13	0.01%	0.54%
Finland	59	0.05%	0.38%	62	0.05%	0.64%	51	0.05%	2.11%
Iran	56	0.04%	0.36%	16	0.01%	0.16%	5	0.00%	0.21%
Morocco	53	0.04%	0.34%	54	0.05%	0.56%	22	0.02%	0.91%
Afghanistan	50	0.04%	0.32%	1	0.00%	0.01%	0	0.00%	0.00%
Austria	49	0.04%	0.31%	45	0.04%	0.46%	17	0.02%	0.70%
Switzerland	48	0.04%	0.31%	32	0.03%	0.33%	11	0.01%	0.45%
Japan	45	0.04%	0.29%	34	0.03%	0.35%	14	0.01%	0.58%
Serbia	43	0.03%	0.28%	69	0.06%	0.71%
Iraq	42	0.03%	0.27%	2	0.00%	0.02%	4	0.00%	0.17%
Mexico	40	0.03%	0.26%	15	0.01%	0.15%	12	0.01%	0.50%
Nigeria	40	0.03%	0.26%	25	0.02%	0.26%	3	0.00%	0.12%
Albania	39	0.03%	0.25%	15	0.01%	0.15%	1	0.00%	0.04%
Belgium	38	0.03%	0.24%	26	0.02%	0.27%	8	0.01%	0.33%
Australia	37	0.03%	0.24%	28	0.02%	0.29%	9	0.01%	0.37%
Brazil	37	0.03%	0.24%	26	0.02%	0.27%	8	0.01%	0.33%
Estonia	34	0.03%	0.22%	40	0.03%	0.41%	5	0.00%	0.21%
Colombia	32	0.03%	0.21%	72	0.06%	0.74%	10	0.01%	0.41%
Pakistan	30	0.02%	0.19%	6	0.01%	0.06%	4	0.00%	0.17%
Slovenia	25	0.02%	0.16%	6	0.01%	0.06%	3	0.00%	0.12%
Kosovo	24	0.02%	0.15%
Kenya	23	0.02%	0.15%	23	0.02%	0.24%	2	0.00%	0.08%
Ethiopia	22	0.02%	0.14%	35	0.03%	0.36%	1	0.00%	0.04%
Nepal	20	0.02%	0.13%	40	0.03%	0.41%	2	0.00%	0.08%
Yugoslavia							65	0.06%	2.68%
Other Asia	143	0.11%	0.92%	165	0.14%	1.70%	33	0.03%	1.36%
Other Africa	129	0.10%	0.73%	88	0.07%	0.91%	40	0.04%	1.65%
Other Americas	104	0.08%	0.67%	111	0.09%	1.14%	39	0.04%	1.61%
Other Europe	41	0.03%	0.26%	223	0.19%	2.29%	81	0.08%	3.35%
Stateless	38	0.03%	0.27%	58	0.05%	0.60%	2	0.00%	0.08%
Other Oceania	11	0.01%	0.07%	10	0.01%	0.10%	0	0.00%	0.00%
Other EU and EFTA	8	0.01%	0.08%	5	0.00%	0.05%	0	0.00%	0.00%
Total:  EU and EFTA	12,583	9.98%	80.68%	6,835	5.75%	70.35%	1,258	1.17%	51.96%
Total: Asia	1,580	1.25%	10.13%	1,407	1.18%	14.48%	421	0.39%	17.39%
Total: Nordic countries	689	0.55%	4.42%	823	0.69%	8.47%	680	0.63%	28.09%
Total: Northern America	500	0.40%	3.21%	394	0.33%	4.06%	348	0.32%	14.37%
Total: Europe outside of EU and EFTA	338	0.27%	2.17%	523	0.44%	5.38%	278	0.26%	11.48%
Total: Africa	296	0.23%	1.90%	237	0.20%	2.44%	73	0.07%	3.02%
Total: Latin America and the Caribbean	213	0.17%	1.37%	224	0.19%	2.31%	69	0.06%	2.85%
Total: Oceania	48	0.04%	0.33%	38	0.03%	0.39%	9	0.01%	0.37%
Total foreign citizens	15,596	12.37%	100%	9,716	8.18%	100%	2,421	2.26%	100%
Total population	126,041	100%		118,827	100%		107,341	100%

Historical population of Reykjavík.

Reykjavík's Districts

Map showing the districts of Reykjavík.

Reykjavík is divided into 10 main areas called districts:

• Vesturbær (District 1)
• Miðborg (District 2, the city center)
• Hlíðar (District 3)
• Laugardalur (District 4)
• Háaleiti og Bústaðir (District 5)
• Breiðholt (District 6)
• Árbær (District 7)
• Grafarvogur (District 8)
• Kjalarnes (District 9) (in the north)
• Grafarholt og Úlfarsárdalur (District 10)

There are also some rural areas that are not part of any district.

Reykjavík's Economy and Business

The Embassy of Denmark in Reykjavík.

Borgartún is Reykjavík's financial center. Many companies and investment banks are located there. Reykjavík was at the heart of Iceland's fast economic growth in the 2000s. This period was sometimes called "Iceland's Boom Years."

The economic boom led to a lot of new construction. Large projects like the Harpa concert hall and conference center were built. However, many projects stopped when the economic crash of 2008 happened.

Reykjavík is also home to 14 embassies from other countries. It has offices for Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and the European Union.

Getting Around Reykjavík

Roads and Cars

Iceland has one of the highest rates of car ownership in the world. There are about 522 cars for every 1,000 people. However, Reykjavík does not have severe traffic jams. Many multi-lane highways connect the busiest areas. Parking is usually easy to find.

Public transportation in Reykjavík is a bus system called Strætó bs. Route 1, also known as the Ring Road, goes around the city. It connects Reykjavík to the rest of Iceland.

Reykjavík's Old Harbour.

Airports and Seaports

Reykjavík Airport is located inside the city, just south of the center. It is used for flights within Iceland, private planes, and medical flights. Keflavík International Airport is about 40 km southwest of Reykjavík. This is Iceland's main airport for international flights.

There has been some discussion since 1962 about moving Reykjavík Airport. Its location takes up valuable space in the city center.

Reykjavík has two seaports. The old harbor near the city center is mainly used by fishermen and cruise ships. Sundahöfn in the east is the country's largest cargo port. It also serves larger cruise ships.

Two steam locomotives used to build the harbour Reykjavík Docks railway. They are now on display in Reykjavík.

Railways

Iceland does not have public railways because it has a small population. However, the old locomotives used to build the docks are on display. There have been ideas for a high-speed train between Reykjavík and Keflavík.

Heating with Geothermal Energy

A geothermal snow-melting system being installed on Skólavörðustígur street in Reykjavík.

Reykjavík and nearby areas use geothermal energy for heating. This energy comes from the Earth's heat, thanks to volcanic activity. This system heats homes and businesses.

In busy areas, especially downtown, sidewalks and streets have geothermal snow-melting systems. Many private driveways also use these systems to melt snow. Geothermal hot water also heats the city's many public swimming pools and hot tubs. About 90% of all buildings in Iceland are heated with natural hot water.

Reykjavík gets its hot water from two combined heat and power (CHP) geothermal power plants. These are Nesjavellir CHP plant and Hellisheiði CHP plant.

Reykjavík's Cultural Treasures

Safnahúsið, the Culture House.

Safnahúsið (the Culture House) opened in 1909. It has many important exhibits. It was first built to hold the National Library and National Archives. It also used to house the National Museum and Natural History Museum. In 2000, it was updated to show off Iceland's national heritage.

Many of Iceland's national treasures are on display here. These include the Poetic Edda and the Sagas in their original handwritten forms. There are also changing exhibits on different topics.

Reykjavík's Literary Legacy

Reykjavík is the capital and only major city in Iceland. This means it plays a huge role in the country's cultural life. The city is home to Iceland's main cultural places. It has a lively arts scene and is known as a creative city.

Most Icelandic writers live in Reykjavík. The city is also where most modern Icelandic stories are set. This has happened as the city has grown rapidly over the last 100 years.

Reykjavík is where famous Icelandic medieval literature comes from. This includes the Sagas of the Icelanders and the Poetic Edda. These are important works of world literature that are still read and translated today. This literary heritage is a key part of Iceland's identity. Storytelling is the most important part of its cultural history.

The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies in Reykjavík protects this heritage. It keeps old manuscripts, studies them, and publishes texts for everyone to read. It also helps foreign scholars and students. The Arnamagnæan Manuscript Collection was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2009. Reykjavík was named a UNESCO City of Literature in 2011. It then joined the UNESCO Creative Cities network.

Icelandic is one of the smallest languages in the world. Only about 330,000 people speak it, mostly in Iceland. The language has not changed much since the 800s. Modern Icelanders can still read the original medieval texts easily. Literature helps keep the language alive and growing. Both original Icelandic works and translated foreign works are important for this.

Award-Winning Authors from Reykjavík

Several writers from Reykjavík have won international awards. Halldór Laxness won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955. He was recognized for his "vivid epic power." You can visit his home, Gljúfrasteinn, in the capital area.

Many writers have won the Nordic Council's Literature Prize. These include Thor Vilhjálmsson, Einar Már Guðmundsson, and Sjón. Authors like Guðrún Helgadóttir, Kristín Steinsdóttir, and Ragnheiður Gestsdóttir have won The Nordic Children's Literature Prize. Crime writer Arnaldur Indriðason has won awards abroad, like The Golden Dagger Award.

Other awards won by Reykjavík writers include the Kairos Preis (Andri Snaer Magnason). Guðbergur Bergsson won the Swedish Academy's Nordic Literature Prize. Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir won the Prix de Page. More and more Icelandic writers are having their books translated and published around the world.

Life in Reykjavík

Nightlife and Music

Laugavegur is the main shopping street in downtown Reykjavík.

Drinks at bars can be expensive. People often have drinks at home before going out. Beer was not allowed in Iceland until 1 March 1989. Since then, it has become a popular drink for many Icelanders.

The Iceland Airwaves music festival happens every November. Concerts take place all over the city. The Harpa concert hall is one of the main venues. Other places that often have live music include Kex, Húrra, and Gaukurinn (for grunge, metal, and punk). Mengi is a center for contemporary music, avant-garde music, and experimental music. The the Icelandic Opera and the National Theatre of Iceland host classical music.

New Year's Eve Celebrations

New Year's Eve is a very special celebration in Reykjavík. Icelandic law allows anyone to buy and use fireworks between December 28 and January 6. Because of this, the city lights up with amazing fireworks displays every New Year's Eve.

Places to See in Reykjavík

Austurstræti street.

• Alþingishúsið – Iceland's parliament building.
• Austurvöllur – a park in central Reykjavík with restaurants and bars around it.
• Árbæjarsafn (Reykjavík Open Air Museum) – Reykjavík's city museum.
• CIA.IS – Center for Icelandic Art – provides information on Icelandic visual art.
• Hallgrímskirkja – the largest church in Iceland.
• Harpa Reykjavík – Reykjavík's Concert & Conference Center.
• Heiðmörk – the largest forest and nature reserve in the area.
• Höfði – the house where Gorbachev and Reagan met in 1986 for the Iceland Summit.
• Kringlan – the second-largest shopping mall in Iceland.
• Laugardalslaug – a large swimming pool.
• Laugavegur – the main shopping street.
• National and University Library of Iceland (Þjóðarbókhlaðan).
• National Museum of Iceland (Þjóðminjasafnið).
• Nauthólsvík – a beach heated by geothermal energy.
• Perlan – Reykjavík's natural history museum, inside a glass dome on top of water tanks.
• Reykjavík Town Hall – the city hall building.
• Rauðhólar – a group of red pseudo-craters.
• Reykjavík 871±2 – an exhibit of an old Viking-age longhouse from about 930 AD.
• Reykjavík Art Museum – the biggest visual art museum in Iceland.
• Reykjavík Botanic Garden.
• Reykjavík Maritime Museum – a museum about the sea, located by the old harbor.
• Safnahúsið, Culture House, National Centre for Cultural Heritage (Þjóðmenningarhúsið).
• Tjörnin – a small lake in central Reykjavík.
• University of Iceland.

Fun Activities in Reykjavík

The Reykjavik Golf Club was started in 1934. It is the oldest and largest golf club in Iceland. It has two 18-hole courses. One is at Grafarholt, opened in 1963. The other is at Korpa, opened in 1997.

Learning in Reykjavík

Secondary Schools

• Borgarholtsskóli (Borgó)
• Fjölbrautaskólinn í Breiðholti (FB)
• Fjölbrautaskólinn við Ármúla (FÁ)
• Kvennaskólinn í Reykjavík (Kvennó)
• Menntaskólinn Hraðbraut
• Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík (MR)
• Menntaskólinn við Hamrahlíð (MH)
• Menntaskólinn við Sund (MS)
• Tækniskólinn
• Verzlunarskóli Íslands (Verzló)

Universities

• Iceland Academy of the Arts
• Reykjavík University
• University of Iceland

International Schools

• International School of Iceland
• International Department at Landakotsskóli

Sports Teams in Reykjavík

Laugardalsvöllur stadium.

Football (Soccer) Teams

Top League (Úrvalsdeild)

• Fram (youth club in Grafarholt og Úlfarsárdalur)
• KR (youth club in Vesturbær)
• Leiknir (youth club in Breiðholt (Efra-Breiðholt))
• Valur (youth club in Hlíðar/Miðborg)
• Víkingur (youth club in Háaleiti og Bústaðir)

First Division (1. deild karla)

• Fjölnir (youth club in Grafarvogur)
• Fylkir (youth club in Árbær)
• Kórdrengir
• KV

Other Youth Clubs

These clubs offer youth teams where anyone can train. Each club is based in a certain area of Reykjavík.

• ÍR (youth club in Breiðholt (Neðra-Breiðholt/Seljahverfi))
• Þróttur (youth club in Laugardalur)

Other Sports

Sister Cities of Reykjavík

Reykjavík is connected with these cities around the world:

• Lviv, Ukraine (since 2023)
• Seattle, United States (since 1986)
• Vilnius, Lithuania (since 2006)
• Winnipeg, Canada (since 1971)
• Wrocław, Poland (since 2017)
• Kingston Upon Hull, England (since 2023)

In 2013, the mayor Jón Gnarr suggested ending the city's relationship with Moscow. This was because of new laws in Russia that affected LGBTQ+ people. Lviv in Ukraine became a sister city instead of Moscow in 2023.

Famous People from Reykjavík

See also

In Spanish: Reikiavik para niños