Learn about the best free and cheap things to do in Reykjavik, including ideas for nights out. Vibrant streets and a booming culture, framed by magnificent landscapes, make the world’s northernmost capital a brilliant destination for budget-minded travelers. Read on to get the most bang for your krona in Reykjavik.
Everyone has heard about the costs of visiting Iceland. From accommodation to eating out, Iceland has a reputation for being an expensive destination.
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But if you know where to look, you can find cheap hotels in Reykjavik and affordable day trips from Reykjavik.
There are also plenty of free things to do in Reykjavik. Despite being a small city with under 130,000 people, Reykjavik has a youthful, artsy spirit, and Icelanders are experts at finding creative ways to have fun without spending much.
From hikes to free museums and other cool attractions, Reykjavik’s budget-friendly side often surprises first-time visitors. Some of the city’s best experiences are also some of its cheapest.
Here are 13 wallet-friendly things to do in Reykjavik on a budget. You can also check out this list of the top 10 things to do in Reykjavik.
13. Go Swimming in the Geothermal Pools
Thanks to Iceland’s abundance of geothermal energy, you can swim outdoors year-round at Reykjavik’s public pools for a modest fee. Swimming is central to local life, part exercise, part social ritual, and outdoor bathing dates back to the settlement era.
- See also: Best swimming pools in Iceland
Today, Reykjavik’s pools are true community hubs. Slip into a hot pot, try the steam room, and chat with locals after work or after a big night out.
12. Hike Mount Esja
The majestic Mount Esja, topping out at 2,998 feet (914 meters) at Habunga, is a volcanic mountain range of basalt and tuff that defines the skyline across Faxafloi Bay. The popular summits Thverfellshorn and Kerholakambur reward hikers with wide views over the Greater Reykjavik Area.
Waymarked trails make it easy to choose your effort. Note that access to the main trailhead by public transport has changed in recent seasons, the simplest options are to drive, take a taxi, or join a hiking tour. Always check conditions before you go, especially in winter.
11. Visit the Nautholsvik Beach
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Helgi Halldórsson
Nautholsvik Beach, just below Oskjuhlid Hill, is Reykjavik’s unique geothermal beach. Hot water warms a sheltered lagoon to refreshing temperatures in summer, while hot tubs and a steam bath keep things cozy year-round.
Facilities include changing rooms, showers, a shallow warm pool, and hot tubs by the shore. Seasonal opening hours apply, daily in summer with reduced hours in winter, and a small admission fee covers use of the service house. Check current times and prices before you go.
10. Experience Reykjavik’s Nightlife
People-watching on a Saturday night costs nothing and is endlessly entertaining as central Reykjavik fills with revelers. If you do go out, many bars have happy hours and no cover early in the evening, larger venues may add a cover late on busy weekends. Either way, the vibe is friendly and fun.
Photo from Guided 3 Hour Reykjavik Bar Tour with 3 Complimentary Beers & Pub Discounts Included
If you make friends, you might even find yourself at an after-party, an Icelandic tradition that can stretch well past sunrise in summer.
- Where to eat: The Best Restaurants in Reykjavik
9. Sightseeing in the Greater Reykjavik Area
The capital has its own otherworldly corners. The Raudholar (Red Hills) are 5,200-year-old remnants of a cluster of pseudo-craters on the edge of Heidmork Nature Reserve. They are a peaceful escape within easy reach of the city.
8. Chill Out at the Botanical Garden
Home to more than 3,000 plant species, the Reykjavik Botanical Garden sits in Laugardalur Park and is free to wander any time. Expect serene paths, a pond with birdlife, and, in summer, a charming cafe in the greenhouse.
From June through August, the garden typically offers a free 30-minute guided walk in English around midday on Fridays. Ask at the main entrance for that week’s details.
7. Go on a Walking Tour with a Local Guide
There is a wide selection of Reykjavik walking tours that explore history, architecture, mythology, food, and more (often great value for money).
Most tours set off from the Austurvollur Square in Reykjavik’s city center, flanked by cafes and shops, the Althingi (parliament), and Domkirkjan Church. The statue in the middle honors national hero Jón Sigurðsson, and the square was a focal point of the 2009 protests.
Tours often loop by Tjornin Pond. In cold spells, locals skate when the city declares the ice safe, if it is not posted safe, do not step onto it. Continue to Hljomskalagardur Park on the south shore to relax among trees and sculptures, including tributes to sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen and poet Jónas Hallgrímsson.
Strolling is rewarding even without a guide. Meander the older streets east and west of the pond, wander down Laugavegur Street, Austurstraeti, and Skolavordustigur for street life and summer buskers, or seek quiet on the Vatnsmyrin Wetlands paths, always staying on marked trails to protect wildlife.
Further west, walk the Aegissida Shoreline. Do not miss the Old Reykjavik Harbor and Grotta in Seltjarnarnes, with its lighthouse and rich birdlife. Grotta is also a fine in-city spot for the northern lights on clear, dark nights.
- Read more: The Best Bakeries in Reykjavik
6. Go Street Art Hunting
The street art scene in Reykjavik is huge, think colorful murals, witty stencils, and full-building works. Start on and around Laugavegur, Hverfisgata, and Skolavordustigur, then wander toward the Old Harbor and Grandi for more.
5. Visit Hallgrimskirkja Church
Hallgrimskirkja is Reykjavik’s most iconic landmark. Its 74.5-meter tower was inspired by Iceland’s basalt column formations, notice the visual echo of places like Svartifoss Waterfall. Entry to the church is free, there is a small fee to ride the lift to the tower for sweeping city views. Opening hours vary with services and events, so check the posted schedule when you arrive.
4. Visit the Harpa Concert Hall
The Harpa Concert Hall sits on the waterfront and opened in 2011. The building was designed by Henning Larsen Architects, with the shimmering glass facade by Icelandic-Danish artist Ólafur Elíasson. It is free to enter, and there are often exhibitions inside. Concert tickets are extra, and there are shops and a cafe if you want to linger by the harbor views.
3. Visit a Free Museum
The sculpture garden of the Einar Jónsson Art Museum, right beside Hallgrimskirkja, is perfect for a budget-friendly culture break or picnic among masterpieces of Icelandic art. The architecture of the museum itself, rising from a heavy pedestal like a sculptural citadel, is a fascinating blend of styles.
- See also: The Top 11 Museums in Reykjavik
The garden is free and open 24/7, 365 days a year.
2. Take in the Views of Reykjavik
Besides Hallgrimskirkja on Skolavorduholt, Perlan on Oskjuhlid Hill offers superb views from its outdoor deck. The glass dome crowns six hot-water tanks and houses exhibitions, a cafe, and an observation platform. Oskjuhlid’s wooded trails are lovely for an easy walk or bike ride, and you can still spot a few World War II relics tucked among the trees.
- See also: Top 10 Things to do in Reykjavik
1. Witness the Northern Lights or the Bright Summer Nights
Every night in Reykjavik has the potential for a free sky show. From late May to early August, nights are bright and colorful around the summer solstice, giving photographers a long, dreamy “golden hour.” Reykjavik sits south of the Arctic Circle, so the sun does set, but darkness is brief and twilight lingers.
The northern lights in Iceland are visible from roughly September through April when skies are dark and clear with enough solar activity. In the city, reduce light pollution for the best chance, favorites include Grotta Lighthouse on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula and Laugardalur Park.
Dress warmly, nights can be cold even in early autumn, and give yourself time to let your eyes adjust. Patience is part of the magic.
We hope our guide helps you find the best cheap things to do in Reykjavik and make the most of your trip to Iceland. Share your questions and experiences in the comments below!
