Reykjavik accommodations
Reykjavik accommodations offer excellent accommodations in a destination nicknamed “Land of Fire and Ice” and “The City of Sagas”. Known for its aurora borealis (Northern Lights) viewpoints, nightlife, music festivals, museums, Icelandic cuisine and puffins (seabirds), Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city. Found on Faxaflói Bay, Reykjavik means “smoke cove”, “smoky bay” or “bay of smoke” in Old Norse. For a true Icelandic experience, it’s best to venture out from the city and explore Iceland when possible. Route 1, also known as the Iceland Ring Road, encircles the entire country for 821 miles. Route 1 begins and ends in Reykjavik. Reykjavik main attractions include Hallgrimskirkja (modern cathedral), Perlan (natural history museum – park setting, futuristic revolving glass dome, fine dining restaurant, cocktail bar), Sun Voyager (seaside stainless-steel boat sculpture), Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre (glass honeycomb concert hall / conference center – national opera, symphony), FlyOver Iceland (flight simulator), Lava Show, National Museum of Iceland, Skólavörðustígur Rainbow Street (colorful shop-;lined street), Aurora Reykjavík – The Northern Lights Center (science museum), Árbær Open Air Museum (open air museum – relocated old houses, farm, historical / folklore displays), Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach (golden-sand beach – lagoon with warmed water, hot tubs, snack bar), Safari Quads ATV & Buggy Operator Iceland, Solhestar (horseback riding service), Viking Horses (horseback riding service), Íslenski Barinn – The Icelandic Bar (Icelandic restaurant), Seabaron (seafood restaurant), Old Iceland (Icelandic restaurant), Reykjavík Kitchen (Icelandic restaurant), Brauð & Co (bakery) and Sandholt (bakery). Surrounding Reykjavik, points of interest include Sky Lagoon (thermal baths), Old Akranes Lighthouse, Þórufoss (waterfall – Game of Thrones filming location), Cozy Campers (RV rental agency), Northern Light View Point – Seltjarnarnes (tourist attraction), Kvika Footbath – Seltjarnarnes (thermal bath), Brautarholt Golf Club and Ráðagerði Veitingahús (restaurant). Slightly farther from the city you may find Blue Lagoon (thermal baths / resort), Kerið Crater (scenic lake / 4000 BC volcanic crater – reachable on foot), Strokkur Geyser (geothermal geyser – erupts every 8-10 minutes), Secret Lagoon (geothermal pool / spouting geyser – bar, eating area, showers, est. 1891), Bridge Between Continents (walkway linking North American & Eurasian tectonic plates), CampEasy Iceland (mobile home rental agency), Brúarfoss (bright blue waterfalls – remote destination), Reykjanesfólkvangur (nature preserve – lava formations, crater lakes, bird cliffs, bubbling geothermic fields), Garður Old Lighthouse, Seltún Geothermal Area, Brimketill Lava Rock Pool (natural pool carved out of eroded lava shoreline – viewing platform, giant waves), Glymur Waterfall (cascading waterfall into a canyon – Iceland’s second-highest waterfall, reached via rugged trail), Hveradalir Geothermal Area (geothermal mud baths) and Thríhnúkagígur Volcano (extinct volcano – reachable via scenic hike, open-elevator descent into crater). Reykjavik’s main airport is Keflavík International Airport. Airport car rental agencies include Blue Car Rental, Geysir, Zero Car Iceland, AVIS, Enterprise, IceRentalCars and Reykjavik Rent a Car. The Viðey Ferry service connects the city’s Old Harbour / Skarfabakki pier to Viðey Island. When in Reykjavik, thermal clothing naturally comes in handy. Winter days can be dark for 20 hours straight. An upside to winter in Reykjavik, however, is that its the best time to see the Northern Lights. Reykjavík’s main Christmas market is Jólaborgin, or “Yule Town”, found at Ingólfstorg Square in city-center. Reykjavik’s currency is the Icelandic króna, cars travel on the right-hand side and the drinking age is 20 years old. Reykjavik top events include Iceland Airwaves Music Festival, Ascension Festival, Reykjavík Fashion Festival, The National Festival (Þjóðhátíð), LungA, Bræðslan, Reykjavík Food and Fun Festival, Reykjavik Winter Lights Festival, Secret Solstice Festival, Reykjavík Fringe Festival, Reykjavík Arts Festival, Viking Festival and Culture Night. Reykjavik accommodations are some of Northern Europe’s best. Before we get to Reykjavik accommodations, let’s take a look at some more background information on the area to help you along the way.
Legend has it that Ingólfr Arnarson (Bjǫrnolfsson), along with his wife Hallveig Fróðadóttir and his foster brother Hjǫrleifr Hróðmarsson, was Reykjavík’s first permanent settler circa 874 AD. As told in the Landnámabók, or The Book of Settlements. Arnarson hailed from western Norway’s Rivedal valley in Sunnfjord. The legend was disputed, however, by Icelandic medieval chronicler Ari Þorgilsson. Þorgilsson suggested that although Arnarson was the first Norse settler, Irish monks had actually arrived beforehand. According to Þorgilsson, the monks departed because they did not want to live amongst Norse pagans. Regardless, Arnarson is thought to have chosen the Reykjavik area by using the traditional Norse method of using high seat pillars (Öndvegissúlur), while favoring Iceland’s natural thermal baths. Arnarson’s settlement remained farmland until the 18th century. Following the dismissal of the Danish governor, Skúli Magnússon became the first Icelander to be appointed bailiff, or senior representative of the Danish crown, in 1749. With royal permission from King Frederick V of Denmark, Magnússon established the Innréttingar corporation in 1752 to promote industrial development in Iceland. Wool, fish and fur became the new industrial city of Reykjavik’s first products. Magnússon built Iceland’s first stone house, Viðeyjarstofa Manor House, on Viðey Island between 1753 and 1755. Iceland’s first prison, Stjórnarráðshús, opened in Reykjavik in 1764. Monopoly trade was abolished in Iceland circa 1786, and the Danish Crown granted Reykjavik a town charter that marked the official founding of the town as a trading center. In 1796, the Reykjavík Cathedral was consecrated. Prior to 1880, the year when a Danish trade monopoly over Iceland officially ended, Iceland’s trading rights were limited to Danish Crown subjects. After 1880, local industries helped to promote Icelandic merchant influence, and Reykjavik became the primary port for Icelandic commerce. World War II Allied powers, in particular British warships, occupied Reykjavik following Germany’s invasion of Denmark & Norway, April 9, 1940. Allied presence (British and later American) was actually beneficial during the Second World War. The British built Reykjavík Airport, while the Americans built Keflavík Airport. Establishing the country as a republic and a parliamentary democracy, the Constitution of Iceland was adopted on June 17, 1944. Reykjavik hosted the 1972 World Chess Championship between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky. In 1986, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met at the Reykjavík Summit, a catalyst to the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Iceland’s capital and largest city, Reykjavík is home to around 140,000 “Reykvíkingurs”. Over 60% of Iceland’s population lives in Reykjavik. One of the world’s cleanest and safest cities, Reykjavik is surrounded by a variety of natural landscapes to include fissures, lava fields, volcanoes, countryside, canyons, mountain ranges, nature preserves, forest trails, thermal baths, geothermal geysers, waterfalls and islands. Reykjavik’s tallest building is Hallgrímskirkja at 244 feet. Bars typically remain open until about 4:30 AM on the weekends and 1 AM on the weekdays. Home to a subpolar oceanic climate, Reykjavik experiences cool summers and relatively mild winters. July summer highs average just below 59 °F, while January winter highs average just below 38 °F. The record low is -12.1 °F whereas the record high is 78.3 °F. Reykjavik experiences nearly-permanent daylight from about mid-May to late-July, and nearly-permanent darkness from early-December through early-January. Local foods include hangikjöt (smoked lamb), skyr (cultured dairy product), kleinur (fried dough), laufabrauð (traditional Christmas bread), bollur (pastry) and of course fish / seafood,. Iceland’s signature distilled spirit is brennivín (“Black Death” – clear, unsweetened schnapps). Other popular alcoholic drinks are vodka and Icelandic beer (predominately lager). With some background information on the area, we’re ready for Reykjavik accommodations that will help make for a uniquely unforgettable experience.
Reykjavik Residence Hotel
Vatnsstígur 2
The Offices of the Cabinet of Iceland
Reykjavik Residence Hotel boasts flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, modern kitchens facilities, soundproofing, tea and coffee makers, communal laundry facilities and a 24-hour front deak. BrewDog Reykjavik (bar & grill), Reykjavík Meat (restaurant), Vínberið (chocolate shop), Austur-Indíafélagið (Indian restaurant), Bíó Paradís (movie theater), Memoria Collective (tattoo shop) and more are in the area.
This location is 0.2 miles from Solfar Sun Voyager, 0.3 miles from The Offices of the Cabinet of Iceland and Hallgrímskirkja Church, 0.4 miles from The Parliament House, 0.5 miles from Reykjavík City Hall and Laugavegur Shopping Street, 0.6 miles from Hljomskalagardurinn and Reykjavik Old Harbour, 2.4 miles from Imagine Peace Tower, 3.4 miles from Smáralind Shopping Center and 23.4 miles from Reykjavík Keflavík Airport.
Approximate cost per night (three-bedroom apartment): $715
Cost per person (six people): $119
Canopy by Hilton
Smidjustigur 4
Solfar Sun Voyager
Canopy by Hilton features a fitness center, a bar, minimalist Icelandic designs, coffee machines, tiled bathrooms, desks, seating areas, free WiFi, a buffet breakfast and a restaurant. Near here are Canopy Coffee Bar, Le Bistro (French restaurant), Kaffibarinn (bar), Joe & the Juice (juice shop), Mink Viking Portrait (portrait studio), PUNK Restaurant, Mat Bar (restaurant), Barber shop Genti (barber shop), The Irishman Pub (Irish pub), Wake Up Reykjavík (tour operator) and more.
From here The Offices of the Cabinet of Iceland and Solfar Sun Voyager are 0.2 miles, The Parliament House and Hallgrímskirkja Church are 0.3 miles, Reykjavík City Hall is 0.4 miles, Laugavegur Shopping Street and National Museum of Iceland are 0.6 miles, The Pearl is 1.2 miles, Laugardalslaug Swimming Pool and Kringlan Shopping Mall are 1.5 miles and Reykjavík Keflavík Airport is 23.3 miles.
Approximate cost per night (king suite): $439
Cost per person (three people): $146
Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel
Hafnarstraeti 17-19
The Parliament House Reykjavik
With a wellness spa, a fitness center, a restaurant, a lobby bar, balconies, seating areas, flat-screen TVs and a continental breakfast, Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel can be found close to Te & Kaffi (coffee shop), Lækjartorg (park), Caruso (Italian restaurant), Grillmarkaðurinn (Icelandic restaurant), Frederiksen Ale House (restaurant), Gaukurinn (bar) and more.
The Offices of the Cabinet of Iceland and The Parliament House Reykjavik are 0.1 miles, Reykjavík City Hall is 0.2 miles, Reykjavik Old Harbour is 0.3 miles, University of Iceland is 0.6 miles, Vesturbaejarlaug Swimming Pool and Laugavegur Shopping Street are 0.8 miles, The Pearl is 1.4 miles, Laugardalsholl Stadium is 1.9 miles, Imagine Peace Tower is 2.6 miles, Smáralind Shopping Center is 3.6 miles and Reykjavík Keflavík Airport is 23.2 miles from here.
Approximate cost per night (premier suite): $571
Sand Hotel by Keahotels
Laugavegur 34
Hallgrímskirkja Church
With a terrace, city views, a restaurant, flat-screen TVs, seating areas, kettles, bathrobes, hairdryers, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi, Sand Hotel is found close to Reykjavik Residence Hotel.
You may find Hallgrímskirkja Church and Solfar Sun Voyager 0.2 miles, The Offices of the Cabinet of Iceland 0.3 miles, The Parliament House 0.4 miles, Laugavegur Shopping Street, Reykjavík City Hall and Hljomskalagardurinn 0.5 miles, Reykjavik Art Museum: Kjarvalsstadir 0.6 miles, Reykjavik Old Harbour and National Museum of Iceland 0.7 miles, Smáralind Shopping Center 3.3 miles and Reykjavík Keflavík Airport 23.4 miles from this locale.
Approximate cost per night (king suite): $1,503
Icelandic Apartments
Urðarhvarf 4, Kópavogur, 203
Arbaejarlaug Swimming Pool
Icelandic Apartments provides free WiFi, seating areas, balconies and flat-screen TVs. Nearby are Skalli (restaurant), World Class (gym), Pure deli (health food restaurant) and 27 mathús & bar (restaurant).
From here Lake Ellidavatn is 0.7 miles, Arbaejarlaug Swimming Pool is 1.2 miles, Smáralind Shopping Center is 2.4 miles, Grafarvogslaug Swimming Pool is 3 miles, Kringlan Shopping Mall is 3.6 miles, Laugardalsholl Stadium is 3.8 miles, The Pearl and Laugardalslaug Swimming Pool are 4.1 miles, Keilir Golf Club and Hallgrímskirkja Church are 4.8 miles, Reykjavík City Hall is 5.4 miles and Reykjavík Keflavík Airport is 25.6 miles.
Approximate cost per night (deluxe studio): $231
Cost per person (three people): $77
Hotel Kriunes
Kriunesi Vatnsenda, Kópavogur, 203
Lake Ellidavatn
Overlooking Lake Ellidavatn, Hotel Kriunes has free parking, free WiFi, an in-house restaurant, flat-screen TVs, work desks, wardrobes, seating areas, tea-coffee making facilities, a sauna, a hot tub, a furnished terrace, a fireplace lounge, boat, kayak and bicycle rentals and daily breakfast. Elliðavatnsbær (tourist attraction) and Icelandic Apartments are within range.
You may find Lake Ellidavatn 0.3 miles, Arbaejarlaug Swimming Pool 1.6 miles, Smáralind Shopping Center 2.8 miles, Grafarvogslaug Swimming Pool 3.4 miles, Kringlan Shopping Mall 4.2 miles, Laugardalsholl Stadium 4.4 miles, The Pearl 4.7 miles, Laugardalslaug Swimming Pool 4.8 miles, Keilir Golf Club and Reykjavik Art Museum: Kjarvalsstadir 5 miles, University of Iceland 5.9 miles, Reykjavik Old Harbour 6.2 miles, Bláfjöll Ski Lift 16.7 miles and Reykjavík Keflavík Airport 25.8 miles from this hotel.
Approximate cost per night (family junior suite): $347
Cost per person (five people): $69
Alda Hotel Reykjavík
Laugavegur 66
Laugavegur Shopping Street
Featuring modern rooms, flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, hairdryers, private balconies, sea or city views, a gym, a sauna, bicycle rentals and a bar, Alda Hotel is near Brass Kitchen & Bar (restaurant), Barber (barber shop), Old Iceland (Icelandic restaurant), Ræktin (bar), Rakarastofa HERMAN Barbershop, Kaktus Espressobar (cafe), Reykjavík Chips (fast food restaurant), Rokk & Rómantík (clothing store) and more.
Hallgrímskirkja Church and Solfar Sun Voyager are 0.2 miles, Laugavegur Shopping Street is 0.3 miles, The Offices of the Cabinet of Iceland and Reykjavik Art Museum: Kjarvalsstadir are 0.5 miles, University of Iceland is 0.9 miles, Vesturbaejarlaug Swimming Pool and Kringlan Shopping Mall are 1.2 miles, Laugardalslaug Swimming Pool and Laugardalsholl Stadium are 1.3 miles and Reykjavík Keflavík Airport is 23.5 miles from this spot.
Approximate cost per night (king suite): $421
Svala Apartments
Laugavegur 71
Reykjavik Art Museum: Kjarvalsstadir
Svala Apartments provides sea views, free WiFi, free private parking, hardwood floors, fully-equipped kitchens, dining areas, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, seating areas, patios and a terrace. Nearby are Irezumi Ink Iceland (tattoo shop), Hokus Pokus (costume store), Fjallraven (outdoor clothing store), Old Iceland (Icelandic restaurant), Stefan B. Chocolatier, Monako (casino), Penninn (book store), Mai Thai Market and more.
From this property Hallgrimskirkja Church and The Sun Voyager are 0.2 miles, Laugavegur Shopping Street is 0.3 miles, Reykjavik Art Museum: Kjarvalsstadir and The Offices of the Cabinet of Iceland are 0.5 miles, The Parliament House is 0.6 miles, Reykjavík City Hall and Hljomskalagardurinn are 0.7 miles, Reykjavik Old Harbour and National Museum of Iceland are 0.8 miles, Laugardalslaug Swimming Pool is 1.2 miles, Smáralind Shopping Center is 3.2 miles and Keflavík Airport is 23.5 miles.
Approximate cost per night (penthouse apartment): $267
Cost per person (four people): $67
Old Charm Reykjavik Apartments
Vatnsstígur 10B
Reykjavík City Hall
Offering free WiFi, fully-equipped kitchens, free parking, flat-screen TVs, balconies and terraces, Old Charm Reykjavik Apartments is set close to Public House (gastropub), Scandinavian (restaurant), Vedur (bar), Kaldi Bar/Cafe, Cupcake Cafe, Smakkbarinn (restaurant), Reykjavik Record Shop, Mengi (art venue), Smekkleysa (record store), 12 Tonar (record store), Gjoska (clothing store), The Handknitting Association of Iceland, Fotografi (art gallery), Cafe Babalu, Krua Thai, Art Gallery 101, Bio Paradis (movie theater) and more.
Reykjavik The Sun Voyager is 0.2 miles, Hallgrímskirkja Church is 0.3 miles, Reykjavík City Hall is 0.5 miles, Hljomskalagardurinn is 0.6 miles, Vesturbaejarlaug Swimming Pool is 1.1 miles, The Pearl is 1.2 miles, Imagine Peace Tower is 2.3 miles, Mount Esja is 14 miles and Keflavík Airport is 23.4 miles from here.
Approximate cost per night (three bedroom): $540
Cost per person (seven people): $78
Kvosin Downtown Hotel
Kirkjutorg 4
Reykjavík Cathedral
Set behind Reykjavík Cathedral and dating back to 1900, Kvosin Downtown Hotel has modern rooms, free WiFi, Nespresso coffee machines, seating areas, flat-screen TVs, kitchenettes, dining areas, cooking hobs, a restaurant, a snack bar, a wine bar, a continental breakfast and cathedral, parliament and lake views. Klauster Bar, Bergsson (restaurant), Skolabru Restaurant, Gandhi Indian Restaurant, Icelandic Street Food, Messinn (seafood restaurant), The Secret Cellar (music & comedy club), Icelandic Craft Bar, Icelandic Deli, IDNO (cafe) and more are in the area.
This building is within feet of The Parliament House and Reykjavík Cathedral, 0.1 miles from Reykjavík City Hall and The Offices of the Cabinet of Iceland, 0.3 miles from Reykjavik Old Harbour, 0.4 miles from National Museum of Iceland and Hljomskalagardurinn, 3.7 miles from Elliðaár River, 21.1 miles from Bláfjöll Ski Lift and 23 miles from Keflavík Airport.
Approximate cost per night (executive suite): $814
Cost per person (six people): $136
Planet Apartments
Ægisgata 5, Vesturbær
Reykjavik Old Harbour
Planet Apartments has balconies, free WiFi, private parking, stylish and contemporary living areas, open-plans, city and mountain views, fully-equipped kitchens, allergy-free duvets, furnished balconies and dining areas. It’s near Steakhouse, Sægreifinn (restaurant), The Cinema (entertainment), Cafe haiti, Reykjavík Röst (coffee shop), Kopar (restaurant), Caruso Harbor (restaurant), Reykjavik by Boat (tour operator), The Harbor Restaurant, RIO Reykjavik (restaurant), DEIG Workshop (bakery), Forettaberinn (restaurant) and more.
Reykjavik Old Harbour is 0.1 miles, The Parliament House and Reykjavík City Hall are 0.3 miles, The Offices of the Cabinet of Iceland is 0.4 miles, Hljomskalagardurinn and University of Iceland are 0.7 miles, The Pearl is 1.7 miles, Laugardalslaug Swimming Pool is 2 miles, Kringlan Shopping Mall is 2.1 miles and Keflavík Airport is 23 miles from this property.
Approximate cost per night (penthouse apartment): $338
Cost per person (four people): $85
Luxury Penthouse Downtown
Klapparstígur 1a 0602, 101
National Museum of Iceland
Offering 2 bedrooms, a terrace, free WiFi, a washing machine, a flat-screen TV, a fully-equipped kitchen, a dining area and a balcony with city views, Luxury Penthouse Downtown is near Bernhoftsbakari (bakery), Port 9 (wine bar), Theater Row Apartments and more.
You’ll find Solfar Sun Voyager 0.1 miles, The Offices of the Cabinet of Iceland 0.3 miles, Hallgrímskirkja Church and The Parliament House 0.4 miles, Reykjavík City Hall and Laugavegur Shopping Street 0.5 miles, Reykjavik Old Harbour and Hljomskalagardurinn 0.6 miles, National Museum of Iceland 0.7 miles, University of Iceland 0.8 miles, Kringlan Shopping Mall 1.5 miles, Smáralind Shopping Center 3.5 miles and Reykjavík Keflavík Airport 23.4 miles from this penthouse.
Approximate cost per night: $532
Cost per person (six people): $88
So there they are, Reykjavik accommodations that will help make for an outstanding experience. We hope you have found this information valuable and most of all, that you enjoy your time in Iceland!