This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
The world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavík is a culturally vibrant city, home to around one third of Iceland’s population. Yet, it still feels close to the duelling forces of nature that define the country’s life and landscape: glaciers and snow-capped mountains above ground; and an infernal volcanism seething below the surface, heating geothermal pools and hot springs. Clues to this unique dynamic are everywhere in Reykjavík. It runs almost exclusively on geothermal power — the only capital city in the world to do so. The tap water, naturally filtered through mazes of volcanic rock, is preternaturally pure and good for the skin (you’ll soon get used to the slightly eggy, sulphurous smell). Galleries host displays of artwork hewn from glacier ice, while immersive exhibits take you deep into the belly of the Earth. Some of the country’s most spectacular bathing pools are found right here, too, ensuring your time in Reykjavík will be, quite literally, immersive.
Reykjavík’s Lava Show — the only live event of its kind in the world.
Birgir Ísleifur Gunnarsson
Go Gaga for Lava
Short of witnessing an actual eruption, the best way to get a feel for Iceland’s volcanism is at Reykjavík’s Lava Show — the only live event of its kind in the world. Trained technicians pour molten rock, superheated to 1,100C, into a cast-like structure. As soon as the lava enters the auditorium, you’ll feel your brow prickle with the heat. The real wonder comes, however, when it’s twirled on rods into strange, gloopy shapes, changing from fire orange to obsidian black.
Iceland was likely named by ninth-century Norseman Hrafna-Flóki Vilgerðarson, whose first view of the country was a fjord full of drift ice. In reality, only around 11% of the country’s surface is covered in ice, mostly glaciers — heat from its fiery volcanic activity makes it much warmer and greener than it would otherwise be.
Explore a Virtual Volcano
Opened in March 2025, the city’s newest major attraction is the Volcano Express, an immersive cinematic experience inside the space-age Harpa Concert Hall. Visitors are primed with a series of films showing footage of eruptions and explanations of plate tectonics. Then, the main event: a motion simulator taking them through underground lava tunnels and above the Reykjanes Peninsula for a bird’s-eye view over a volcanic eruption.
Bathe in the Skies
Bathing in geothermal pools is as ingrained to Icelanders as visiting a sauna is to the Finns. An alternative to the popular Blue Lagoon is Sky Lagoon, carved out of a cliffside that seems to hover above the sea. The beautifully warm bathing pools are hemmed in with bluestone boulders, perfect for perching with a beer in hand from the floating bar. Saunas are available, too.
The sauna at Sky Lagoon geothermal spa.
Sky Lagoon
Savour Smoked Delicacies
Since the days of the Vikings, smoking food has been Icelanders’ preferred method of preservation. The traditional way is slow, cold smoking by building a fire of alder, birch and juniper, then hanging strips of meat or fish above it. Visit Þúfa, an installation by Reykjavík Harbour recreating a smokehouse, then tuck into smoked lamb and Arctic char at Café Loki, opposite Hallgrímskirkja church.
Take a Bracing Dip
Nauthólsvík, a sandy beach on an artificial lagoon in the south of Reykjavík, draws swimmers year round. In the summer, hot water is pumped into the lagoon to make for balmy bathing conditions; in winter, the sea reverts to its natural temperature of just above freezing. Locals and adventurous visitors go for an icy plunge, then immediately warm up in the on site hot tubs and steam room — a type of contrast therapy that’s said to boost immune function.
Swimmers warm up in the Nauthólsvík open-air tubs after an icy dip in the sea.
Alamy
Get Your Skates On
Every winter, the large downtown square Ingólfstorg is overtaken by a giant ice skating rink; skates and helmets are available to rent on site. If you’re not so sure on your feet, the square and surrounding streets become a Christmas village, glittering with fairy lights. Wooden stalls sell Icelandic festive delicacies such as roasted almonds, jólakaka (cardamom and raisin cake) and jólaöl, a malty orange drink.
Perlan, the city’s science museum, recreates ice caves.
Perlan Ice Cave
Explore an Ice Cave
Wrap up warm and don sturdy shoes to explore the world’s first artificial ice cave, which lies within Perlan, Reykjavík’s premier science museum. It replicates the caves that form anew each winter from frozen meltwater inside Icelandic glaciers. It was made from 350 tonnes of snow from the country’s mountains and has an ambient temperature of -10C. An adjoining exhibit tells the story of Iceland’s glaciers, which are diminishing rapidly.
Have an Icy Tipple
Just off Reykjavík’s colourful Rainbow Street sits the Magic Ice bar and art gallery, where every surface, drinking vessel and artwork — even the air hockey table — is hewn from solid ice. Upon entry, you’re swaddled in a fluffy parka and given a pair of gloves, to keep warm as you clutch the bar’s signature drink, Arctic Crowberry: an icy cocktail of vodka, lemonade and blue curaçao.
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