Reykjavík Architectural Photography: The Complete Guide

Reykjavík is one of Europe’s coolest cities, and even if you didn’t venture into Iceland’s stunning nature, I think that the capital is well worth visiting in its own right. If you’re a photographer, you’ll love Reykjavík even more—especially if you find architectural photography interesting. 

Iceland’s main city might be small, but its architecture is surprisingly varied. You’ll find numerous colorful houses in the city center, along with some of the Nordic region’s most iconic modern buildings. The city will look completely different depending on when you visit, whether that’s caked under a layer of snow in winter or with the endless daylight in the summer. 

I’ve been to Reykjavík 6 times, and it’s one of my favorite cities for photography. Having photographed almost every corner of the Icelandic capital, I have comprehensive knowledge of how to take stunning architectural photography in the city. Today, I’ll share all of that wisdom with you. 

In addition to discovering the best architecture to photograph in Reykjavík, I’ll also share my top tips for packing your camera bag—plus more. 

What Kinds of Architecture Will I Find in Reykjavík?

Reykjavík has a broad range of modern and older-style architecture. Some of its modern masterpieces include Hallgrímskirkja—arguably Iceland’s most famous building—and the innovative Harpa Concert Hall. You’ll find numerous cement buildings, too, many of which sprang up after the Great Fire in 1915. 

However, much of what makes Reykjavík charming is its older buildings. You’ll find plenty of Nordic-style houses throughout the city, along with countless churches in all kinds of styles. Turf roof houses aren’t as popular in Iceland as they are in the Faroe Islands, but you can still see an example of these at the Árbær Museum—which is just outside of Reykjavík’s city center. 

Though nowhere near what you’ll see in the likes of New York City, high-rise buildings have made their way to Reykjavík in recent years. You’ll find many of these along the waterfront and on the outskirts of town. The Höfðatorg Tower 1, which is one of the tallest buildings in Iceland, is one example. 

The Most Iconic Architecture in Reykjavík 

Now that you know a bit about what to expect when taking architectural photos in Reykjavík, I’ll share some of the city’s most iconic buildings. For each one, I’ll give you some photography tips to help you capture better images. 

Hallgrímskirkja

Hallgrímskirkja is the icon of Reykjavík. You can see the church from pretty much everywhere in the city, and since it’s right in the center of town, it’s a good symbol to follow if you ever get lost.

The church was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, who also came up with the ideas for several other buildings in Reykjavík. These include the beautiful Hotel Borg (pictured below), which is close to the Tjörnin lake, and the University of Iceland building. Sadly, Samúelsson died before Hallgrímskirkja was completed. 

I’ve photographed the outside of Hallgrímskirkja from almost every angle. One of my favorites is to get close to the church and point my camera upwards, showing the scale of this building.

You can also get some great shots of Hallgrímskirkja from Skólavörðustígur, also known as the rainbow street, and Njálsgata. Consider adding some of the rooftops from the nearby houses to further emphasize how big this church is. 

Of course, you can’t miss the best view of Reykjavík from the church tower. The 1,000 ISK entry fee is worth paying; you’ll get an amazing view over the city, its surrounding areas, and the North Atlantic Ocean. From here, you’ll see numerous landmarks, such as Harpa Concert Hall. 

The inside of Hallgrímskirkja also looks pretty cool, and if a service isn’t happening, it’s worth walking around the main hall. Unlike the church tower, you don’t need to pay to enter this part of the building. 

The Houses of Downtown Reykjavík 

Wandering around the downtown area’s streets is one of my favorite things to do in Reykjavík. You’ll find plenty of colorful homes here, with a variety of styles on show. The streets around Hallgrímskirkja are a good starting point, but be sure to venture out a bit further afield. 

On the other side of Tjörnin, you’ll find plenty of other cool homes in Reykjavík’s Old West Side. Compared to the buildings and streets around Hallgrímskirkja, you won’t have to deal with anywhere near as many crowds. Moreover, I think that the homes here look grander. 

When taking pictures of the homes, remember that people are still living in these and to respect their privacy.

Harpa Concert Hall

Harpa Concert Hall opened in 2011 and is, in my opinion, the Icelandic capital’s coolest modern building. It’s one of the best photo spots in Reykjavík, and while you need to pay to see shows here, you can walk around the building and its common areas for free. 

The building was designed to look like fish scales, and you can particularly see this on the roof when you wander inside. In the evenings, you can see the building lit up in various colors. Outside the concert hall, you’ll find various statues. 

Harpa is a great place for portrait photography, too. The view toward Mount Esja is one example, and you can also use the walkway to the concert hall to provide an easy composition opportunity. 

Reykjavík’s Churches

In addition to Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík has numerous other interesting churches. The Lutheran Free church, close to Tjörnin, is one of my favorites; I love its simple white and green design. It looks particularly eerie during the winter when it has just been snowing, but it’s stunning year-round.

On the other side of Tjörnin, you’ll find the Cathedral of Christ the King. This church isn’t as imposing as Hallgrímskirkja, but it looks particularly cool during the summer.

Another personal favorite is Háteigskirkja, which is outside the city center. Its four spires are beautiful; you can get a great view of it from the observation deck at Perlan, but it’s worth going close to the church as well. 

Closer to the city center, you’ll find Reykjavík Cathedral. It’s hard to believe that this is a cathedral, but the building itself is very cute. Besides photographing it up close, you can go to some of the nearby streets for a unique angle. 

Alþingishúsið

Alþingishúsið, known in English as the Parliament House, is close to one of Reykjavík’s main squares. While the building certainly lacks the grandeur of London’s Houses of Parliament and Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, it’s still a cool building. 

Alþingishúsið was completed in 1881, and it’s still home to the country’s parliament today. The interesting material used for this building originates from Iceland. The Parliament House is right next to Tjörnin and Reykjavík’s City Hall. 

Useful Camera Equipment for Architectural Photography in Reykjavík

While you can use virtually any camera and take great pictures in Reykjavík, it’s a good idea to prepare as much as possible—especially if you’re looking to capture better-than-average photos. Below, I’ll share some of my top tips for camera equipment that you should consider.  

1. Use a Lens That Can Help You Capture the Key Details 

Many of Reykjavík’s buildings have intriguing textures, such as metal, cement, and wood. Using a lens that helps you capture these key details will make your images stand out more. 

I recommend using a prime wide-angle lens, such as 27mm or 35mm. You can make a 50mm lens work for more close-up pictures, but it’ll be more challenging. So, if possible, use a smaller focal length. 

2. Weather-Sealed Camera Bodies and Lenses 

I’ve found out the hard way that Iceland’s weather is not very friendly to camera equipment. On a trip to the South Coast in April 2024, my camera got water damage; I have since taken extra steps to not destroy my camera in Iceland.

If you think that being in a city will protect you from the weather, it won’t; Reykjavík is no different in the sense that it gets a lot of rain, wind, and snow. The weather often changes at short notice, and winter temperatures can be particularly chilly. 

So, how do we tackle this issue? 

I don’t think canceling your flights to Reykjavík is the wisest idea. Instead, you should use weather-sealed camera bodies and lenses where possible.

While more expensive, the extra protection makes a huge difference. I have the Nikon Z6 II, for example, and I feel much more comfortable photographing in harsh conditions. It survived a nine-day trip to the Faroe Islands with no issues, and I think it’ll serve you well both in Reykjavík and elsewhere in Iceland. 

3. A Tripod Might be Useful in the Winter

I don’t normally use my tripod because frankly, it’s annoying to carry around. However, using a tripod for architectural photography in Reykjavík—and visiting Iceland in the off-season in general—might be a good idea. 

Winter in Reykjavík means dealing with little daylight; there are just four hours of it in December, and that’s if the sun actually comes out. A lot of the time, it’s hidden behind gray clouds. Moreover, it’s often quite windy—which can wreak havoc if your camera/lens doesn’t have good image stabilization. 

If you don’t bring a tripod and your camera doesn’t have image stabilization, you can try makeshift alternatives. I brought the camera closer to my body to limit the amount of shake, while also dressing up warm so that I wasn’t shivering as much. You can also use flat surfaces, such as walls and benches. 

Reykjavík Architectural Photography: Key Considerations

To ensure that you’re fully prepared for your Reykjavík adventure, it’s worth understanding some extra key considerations. 

Seasonal Differences 

Reykjavík is a completely different city in the summer than it is in the winter. In the summer, you’ll see plenty of flowers, more sunny days, and longer daylight hours. The lighting shines differently on the city’s buildings, too. 

In contrast, winter is often dark. It does snow in Reykjavík, but it doesn’t always stay for long. When it has snowed, the city looks even more stunning. If it’s snowed a lot, you can also use piles of snow to frame your images. 

Understand when you’re visiting Reykjavík and then determine the types of photos you expect to take. I would honestly recommend planning your trip around the types of pictures you want to take if photography is your main reason for visiting Iceland. 

Photograph From the Ground And Above 

Where possible, capture Reykjavík’s architecture from multiple angles. Visiting the top of Hallgrímskirkja is a must, and I also suggest enjoying the view of the city from Perlan. There’s an ice cream shop at the top if that will motivate you more 🙂. 

While you need to pay for access to the museum before you can access the observation deck, the museum itself is worth visiting anyway. 

If you want to be really adventurous, you can photograph Reykjavík’s architecture from a helicopter as part of a tour. 

Reykjavík has a number of hilly streets, too, which can provide a natural vantage point. You’ll find one example of this behind Tjörnin on the side opposite the Lutheran Free Church and Hallgrímskirkja.  

Dealing With the Crowds 

Reykjavík is where many visitors base themselves, and it’s also the biggest city in Iceland. As a result, its downtown areas can sometimes feel crowded—especially during the summer. You’ll likely have to deal with more people around Hallgrímskirkja in particular. 

You can deal with the crowds in three ways: 

• Wait for them to leave 
• Visit less touristy parts of the city 
• Include people in your pictures 

Reykjavík is a surprisingly good city for street photography, and I recommend combining both street and architectural shots where it makes sense. 

Everything You Need to Know About Architectural Photography in Reykjavík 

Reykjavík is a surprising architectural gem, and photographing its many beautiful buildings is one of the greatest joys of visiting. Whether you’re basing yourself in Reykjavík as part of a broader adventure or just passing through on a layover, don’t miss out on the Icelandic capital’s superb architectural photography opportunities. 

For such a small city, Reykjavík has a diverse range of architecture. So, whether you like capturing images of older buildings or you’re more into modern architecture, you’ll find something that interests you.