20 Top Things To Do in Reykjavik in Your 20s

There are many great art museums and galleries to be found in Reykjavik featuring contemporary artists from Iceland and abroad, as well as museums devoted to Icelandic art historical figures.

Reykjavik has great settlement exhibitions and museums devoted to the fascinating history of the island.

There are many great places from which to view the long display of sunset, including parks or by the ocean in Reykjavik. The midnight sunsets can be especially stunning.

Listed as one of Europe’s loveliest cemeteries, it includes the gravesites of many famous Icelandic poets and politicians.

Stop by a bookstore and pick up a classic Icelandic novel, such as one by Iceland’s only Nobel Peace Prize winner, Halldor Laxness.

Stop by one of many record stores downtown and let the helpful staff assist you in finding something unique.

Reykjavik’s many public geothermal swimming pools all have hot tubs of varying temperatures; a great way to relax during your visit.

The shoreline around Reykjavik’s coast is lined with a fantastic paved path with gorgeous views of mountains, distant glaciers on a clear day, and the North Atlantic Ocean.

Reykjavik is a vintage enthusiast’s dream, with many second-hand stores as well as boutique design stores.

Reykjavik has great bars for trying a span of local beer varieties. Try Microbar, Skúli Craft Bar, or Mikkeller & Friends.

Relax and stretch in one of the many yoga studios in Reykjavik, or try a Pop-Up Yoga class in the open air.

If you visit in October, the Reykjavik International Film Festival is a great opportunity to experience a variety of films. If you visit in March, Stockfish Film Festival displays a variety of collaborative film projects.

Reykjavik has a music festival for almost every month of the year. Try Iceland Airwaves in November, Secret Solstice in June, or Dark Music Days in February.

The Reykjavik Arts Festival happens each May, showcasing an exciting array of installations, performances, and exhibitions around the city. Cycle Music and Arts Festival is on every September, devoted to interdisciplinary music and art collaborations.

For a small capital, Reykjavik is brimming with delicious burger joints. Try Búllan or Kex.

Icelanders are notorious for dancing until the early morning – perhaps it is because of the variety of venues featuring late night DJs. Kaffibarinn, for example.

Bíó Paradís (Paradise Cinema) is the first art house cinema in Iceland and the only cinema that will show Icelandic documentaries and shorts. The repertoire consists mostly of independent films with occasional retrospectives of classic films.

Brennivin, or ‘black death,’ is a classic Icelandic schnapps made from anise. There is also Reykja Vodka or Himbrimi Gin.

Reykjavik has great ice creams shops with unique flavors like licorice and Danish pepper. You can also try organic, liquid nitrogen ice cream at Joylato.

Try striking up a conversation with a friendly local for more insight on this tiny nation’s capital.