Discover Reykjavík

Reykjavík is the smallest capital in Europe — and that's exactly what makes its charm. The entire city center can be explored on foot, and around every corner awaits a surprise: a tiny café with the best coffee in the world, a shop for Icelandic knitwear, a street art mural on a corrugated iron facade, or a hot pot where locals spend their evenings.

The city was founded around 874 AD by the Norwegian Viking Ingólfur Arnarson, who named the bay "Smoky Bay" (Reykjavík) — because of the steaming hot springs. Today, it is the vibrant heart of Iceland: Two-thirds of all Icelanders live in the Greater Reykjavík area.

Plan 2–3 days for Reykjavík and its surroundings. The city deserves more than just a transit to the airport.

What many do not expect: Reykjavík has an astonishingly cosmopolitan atmosphere. The art scene is lively, the music scene has produced world stars like Björk, Sigur Rós, Of Monsters and Men, and Kaleo. In November, the Iceland Airwaves festival takes place — one of the best indie music festivals in the world, where concerts are played in every bar, church, and bookstore. And the design and fashion scene is internationally recognized despite the city's small size.