10 best cheap things to do in

Reykjavik
Text by: Magns Bjrn lafsson

This is a list of some of the best cheap or free things you can
enjoy in and around the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik.

Drink water
The finest drink in Iceland is free of charge; the flawless taste of a
mountain brook can be streamed straight from the tap. Icelandic tap
water is indeed among the cleanest in the world.

You can ask for a glass of water anywhere you go in Reykjavik, and
should never have to pay for it in Iceland.

See this also for other things to do in Reykjavk. Or this for

top things to do in Iceland.

Go swimming in geothermal pools

Iceland has the highest ratio of swimming pools per human in the
world, and for the past century swimming has become a public
activity fundamental to Icelandic culture.

Thanks to the country's abundance of geothermal energy, you can,

for a modest price, swim outdoors all year round in any of
Reykjaviks swimming pools.

For more, see our list of the best swimming pools in Reykjavik.
(Photo by Yiwei Li, her Instagram: @stocktoon)

Hike Mount Esja

The majestic Esja mountain overlooks the capital and rises to 914
meters. It is in actual fact a volcanic mountain range made of both
basalt and tuff-stone and lends a distinctive feature to the whole
Reykjavik area and beyond. It has been claimed that it's impossible
to circle the mountain, that it never really ends, and comedian and
previous Reykjavik mayor Jon Gnarr once joked that when he tried
doing this, he ended up in Akureyri. At any rate, this mountain is
excellent for a hike and easily accessed by bus or bicycle. The
summits Thverfellshorn and Kerholakambur offer particularly great
views of the Greater Reykjavik area.

Hit the beach

Nautholsvik beach is one of the most popular resorts in Reykjavik
and located southwest of Oskjuhlid hill. It is one of the few beaches
in Iceland where sea temperatures allow for swimming without
protective gear. Mixed with warm water, the temperature usually
reaches between 18 - 20C.
The beach offers great opportunities for sunbathing, swimming,
volley ball and sea sports. It is open from May 15th till August 31st
and opening hours are from 10:00-20:00 on regular days. On
weekends it's open until 18:00 and 20:00 on sunny days. There is no
admission fee.

Party in Reykjavik
Partaking in Reykjaviks nightlife is definitely neither cheap nor
free, but standing idly by on a Saturday night, to witness men and
women of all ages flock by the thousands, in a schizophrenic pull, to
the quiet streets of central Reykjavik, suffering from an unslakable
thirst, will unquestionably provide one with an experience that is
both memorable and free of charge. You might also introduce
yourself to Icelanders and ask about after-parties, as the most party
hungry Icelanders are likely to have both before- and after-parties,
though chances of getting into the latter are stronger, as people may
at this hour be more open to people they are meeting for the first
time. For more on the nightlife, read aboutnightlife and mating in
Iceland.
Go sightseeing close by Reykjavik
While Modrudalur and the Myvatn area in North Iceland were some
of the sites the astronauts of Appolo 11 used to train for the moon
landing, one can easily imagine the Raudholar (Red Hills) as the
perfect scenery to reflect a future landing on Mars.

Readily accessible by bus, car or bicycle from central Reykjavik,

these 5200-year-old remnants of a cluster of pseudo-craters are part
of Reykjavik's nature reserveHeidmork and a popular refuge for
locals seeking temporary peace and stillness, just the right distance
away from the crowds and bustle of the city streets.
Go on a free walking tour
City Walk Reykjavik is one of those free walking tours (with
optional tips at the end) that you can find all over the world. What
makes this tour stand out from others are the raving reviews on
Tripadvisor towards the guide and the runner of the tour, Marteinn
Briem, a 25 year old local history graduate. The tour not only
includes the classic stops and stories but also the hidden treasures of
the city and some funny cultural facts of Iceland.

The tour starts at the Austurvollur public square, which is one of the
most popular gathering places in Reykjavik. Around it are cafs,
clubs, shops and hotels, as well as the house of parliament and the
small and charming Domkirkja church. At the center of the square is
a statue of national hero Jon Sigurdsson. This same square was also
central during the protests of 2009 in response to the economic
crash. Marteinn will be waiting for you at that square with a sign, so
he's easily found. A schedule can be found on the City Walk
website.

The tour finishes at the city pond, Tjrnin, where youll have a nice
view of the old houses of the west part of town and can greet the
many birds that frequent the pond. In winter it is popular to go ice
skating on the pond. Close by it are the City Council, the Reykjavik
Art Museum and Frikirkjan (The Free Church).
If you're not too tired after the tour, then you can continue strolling
to the south end of the pond where Hljomskalagardur garden is, an
ideal place to relax. Along with its vegetation, this beautiful garden
has a play area for children and a small music house where there are
sometimes concerts. The two statues you will see in the park are of
sculptor Bertel Thorvaldssen and poet Jonas Hallgrimsson.

Getting lost in the streets of Reykjavik can also be fun (it's possible,
even though it's small!). East and west of the pond are some of the
oldest houses in Reykjavik. Walking the main streets of Laugavegur,
Austurstrti and Skolavordustigur is also recommended, particularly
in summer, as interesting street performances are often held there.
The Vatnsmyrin wetland, by the university campus, is also very
pleasant, but be mindful not to disturb the wildlife there and keep to
the pathways. In the far west part of Reykjavik is the gissida
shore, and we also recommend visiting the old Reykjavik Harbour
and the Grotta island at Seltjarnarnes, with its rich birdlife and
charming old lighthouse. This site also happens to be one of the best
inside the Reykjavik area to catch the Northern Lights.

Visit a free museum

The sculpture garden of The Einar Jonsson Art Museum, right
beside Hallgrimskirkja church, is a perfect place to enjoy a picnic.
Whether you are alone or with friends, you are in good company, as
the sculptures are amongst the most fabulous examples of Icelandic
art history. The architecture of the house is interesting in its own
right, rising from a heavy pedestal as if it were itself a sculpture, and
may be said to look a bit like a fortress, though an exact style is
difficult to pinpoint as the house is indeed a meeting point of many
different styles and ideas.

There is no admission fee and the garden is open all hours, every day
of the year.

For more on Reykjavik's museums, see our list, The Top 6 Museums
in Reykjavik.
Enjoy Culture Night in Reykjavik
In late August, usually the first Saturday after the 18th, Reykjavik
celebratesMenningarntt (Culture Night), a yearly event which has
now become the largest festival in Iceland. Join the tens of
thousands who come together in Central Reykjavik, to celebrate life
through an unforgettable orgy of music, dance and art, climaxing in
a dazzling firework show, followed by a long night of drink and
delight.
For more on the Culture Night and other annual events inside and
outside of Reykjavik, check Einar's article Best Annual Events in
Iceland and Nanna's article The Top Ten Festivals in Iceland.

See a Panorama of Reykjavik

Rising at 75 meters from the top of Skolavorduhaed

hill, Hallgrimskirkja is the sixth tallest architectural structure in
Iceland and one of the Reykjaviks best known landmarks. Politiken,
one of Scandinavias most respected newspapers, put it in second
place in their list of the most interesting churches in the world. The
church is open to visitors all year round, and from its tower one can
enjoy an impressive view of the entire Greater Reykjavik Area.

Another of the best viewpoints of Reykjavik and one of its most

distinctive landmarks is Perlan, up on Oskjuhlid hill. This building is
a rotating glass dome built on four tanks that store the city's water
supply. Inside is an excellent restaurant (though certainly not cheap)
and a Saga museum that can be entered for a moderate price.
Entrance to the building itself is free, however, as well as going up
to the balcony for a nice panoramic view.

Oskjuhlid hill is further a popular resort, over 176.000 trees have

been planted there, and there are many good pathways for biking or
walking. The area was used by the US military during WWII, and
remnants of an old bunker can still be found. This lends the whole
area some atmosphere, but nowadays it is a peaceful one.

See also Katrins list of things to do in Reykjavik. Or read some of

the best things to do in Iceland. Find Golden circle tours or see the
best attractions by Route 1 in Iceland.