Outdoor Activities in Reykjavik

Outdoor activities in Reykjavik are a mix of adventure sports and some laid-back vibes amidst scenic beauty. Reykjavik comes with an ideal terrain and atmosphere to spend active holidays and make plenty of unforgettable memories. So, explore the wilderness of Reykjavik and spend some time in the lap of nature with these exciting outdoor activities Reykjavik has to offer. From the most adventurous experiences to the most popular ones, the following list combines it all to make sure you do not miss these unique experiences while planning a trip to Reykjavik.

From sunrise to sunset, let's discover the best spots for outdoor activities in Reykjavik:

  1. Gullfoss Waterfall

    Outdoors, Nature

    Gullfoss waterfall may not be one of the biggest waterfalls but is definitely splendid in its own way! Gullfoss has a dramatic 32 meter drop in the 70 meter deep narrow cannon - a natural wonder of the world. In the beginning of 20th century the owners had rented the waterfalls to scientists in order to use them to generate hydroelectricity, they however failed to do so and the falls were hand...Read more
  2. Sun Voyager Sculpture

    4.5 (5463 Votes)
    Sun Voyager Sculpture

    Outdoors, Walking Area

    Facing the splendid mount Esja is this landmark as designed and created by Jon Gunnar Arnason. This sleek structure resembles a Viking ship and was made in honour of the Viking voyages thereby was named ‘Solfar’ or Sun Voyager. It sits amidst the vast Atlantic ocean and has happily made to almost every other postcard from Iceland! The spot is ideal for a jog a stroll or to just sit ...Read more
  3. Volcano House

    4.1 (4667 Votes)
    Volcano House

    Educational Site

    The volcano house showcases two films on the powerful volcanic eruptions in Iceland. The film skilfully pictures the eruption on Heimaey on 23rd Janury 1973, the devastating eruption caused about 5000 of citizens to flee and be transported to Iceland another film documents the eruption in Eyafjallajokull. Along with what went during the eruption it also shows the geological history of Iceland a...Read more
  4. Bridge America - Europe

    4.3 (995 Votes)
    Bridge America - Europe

    Bridge

    It’s possible you will never find another attraction like this anywhere else in the world. Did you know that Iceland is located right on the mid-Atlantic ridge, the division line of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates? At this location you can stand on the exact point of fissure between the two plates. This is also the only place in the world where a continental ridge rises ab...Read more
  5. Grotta Lighthouse

    Light House

    When it comes to lighthouses, you’re almost guaranteed great photo opportunities, and this one delivers. It’s not just because it’s at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula with lovely views of the Faxafloi bay, even though that helps. The best time to come here is after dusk and before dawn, when the night sky is dancing with the lights of the aurora borealis. It can take a ...Read more
  6. Lake Tjornin

    Leisure, Lake

    North of Hljomskalagardur Park, surrounded by other three sides by the city, the lake at the center of Reykjavík is a lovely place for a stroll, jog or biking. It’s a tranquil and restful place, perfect at dawn and dusk, but also fine at other times in the day. Birdies especially will love it as over 40 avian species visit the lake over the course of the year. Feel free to feed the...Read more
  7. Videy Island

    4.5 (3394 Votes)
    Videy Island

    Island, Waterfront

    Is gorgeous island of Kollafjoraur Bay is a perfect retreat; it is a heaven for nature lovers and someone in search for some peace and quiet. The island is a home of 156 species of flora with about 1/3rd of Iceland’s entire vegetation. One can notice spectacular rock formations along the shore of this island which was a volcano some millions of years ago! A paradise for bird watching Viae...Read more
  8. Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach

    4.7 (3271 Votes)
    Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach

    Beach, Walking Area, Leisure

    The Nautholsvík beach was opened in 2000 and is a popular beach destination in Iceland. The place consists of a vast lagoon and 2 hot tubs; geothermal water from Reykjavik Energy is forced into these 2 tubs and the sea as well. A part of the bay is open and is allowed to mix with the warm water – who would not want to dip into that? The beach is conveniently structured with changin...Read more
  9. Imagine Peace Tower

    Tower

    During the day this merely looks like an elegant and large white wishing well. But on certain nights, the mechanism of fifteen searchlights and many prisms is switched on to send a column of light straight up into the sky, sometimes visibly rising 4 kilometers. Conceived by peace activist and the late John Lennon’s wife, Yoko Ono, the monument and work of art has the words "Imagine Peace"...Read more
  10. Black Sand Beach

    4.7 (49 Votes)
    Black Sand Beach

    Beach, Picnic Spot

    Surreally perfect columnar basalts meeting the gorgeous Black sand is quite a sight on its own and along with the view of the Atlantic Ocean, the Reynisfjara Beach offers an experience of a lifetime! The beach was listed in 1991 in the ‘Top 10 non-tropical beaches to visit on the planet’ by National Geography. Legends say that two trolls crashed a three master ship onto the land her...Read more
  11. Laugardalslaug

    4.6 (3814 Votes)
    Laugardalslaug

    Water Body, Leisure, Water Sport, Swimming Pool

    Laugardalslaug is the largest pool in Reykjavik with great facilities. This place is most definitely a bliss for water babies with a 50-meter pool, four hot pots, Jacuzzi, thermal steam bath and an 86-meter-long water slide- to relax your day out! Laugardalslaug has more in store for those who do not want to take a dip- A path around the pool for a jog or a walk, a spa and fitness centre to det...Read more
  12. Leidarendi Cave

    Cave, Geological Formation, Nature

    25 minutes outside of Reykjaviclies one of the coolest types of natural formations-the lava tube of an extinct volcano. The 900 metres long tube is near a volcanic crater south-east of Hafnarfjordur. The ancient flows of lava have left behind a tunnel of startling colors, strange rock formations, narrow and wide passageways, and a skeleton of a lamb. It is this lamb’s story that gave the ...Read more
  13. Arbaejarlaug

    4.6 (2624 Votes)
    Arbaejarlaug

    Water Body, Leisure

    Is a large modern pool, Icelandic way to unwind after all the visits to the museums and concerts! The pool has all the modern facilities comprise of a large outer pool, a couple of outdoor paddling pools and a children’s pool both indoor and outdoor. Along with that the pool houses a water slide, fountains for children along with three hot spots, steam bath and sauna! A visit to the pool ...Read more
  14. Heidmork

    Outdoors, Geological Formation, Hiking Trail, Bird Watching

    About ten kilometers south of Reykjavik is the city’s a municipal conservation area, a 3,200 hectares. Watch out for the Raudholar, a natural formation of red rock in the lava fields known pseudocraters. For geological formations, these are pretty young only 5200 years old. It’s a treasure of nature sixty species of wild birds, a hundred and fifty wild flower species, and twenty six...Read more
  15. Krysuvik

    4.6 (207 Votes)
    Krysuvik

    Island, Hot Spring

    Far to the south of Reykjavik, indeed, at one of the southernmost points on the island of Iceland, the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland, you’ll find the geothermal area Krysuvík. Set right on a fissure in the mid-Atlantic Ridge (which rises to the surface here), the landscape is peppered with solfataras, fumaroles, mud pots and hot springs. Also look out for maars, which are craters ...Read more