My 16 Favorite Photography Spots in Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavík is a quirky mixture of old houses and daring new designs. Its stunning mountainous backdrop is one of my favorite views on the planet, and there’s something for every kind of photographer here. 

I always love visiting Reykjavík as part of broader trips throughout Iceland, and the city is worth visiting in its own right for a weekend. Having been here 6 times, I’m pretty sure I’ve photographed the Icelandic capital more than anyone who doesn’t live there. 

Based on those experiences, I’ve compiled this full guide featuring my top photography spots in Reykjavík. 

1. Hallgrímskirkja’s Observation Deck

Hallgrímskirkja is the tallest building in Reykjavík’s downtown area, and I take the elevator to its observation deck almost every time I visit. You’ll find the best view of Reykjavík, and it’s stunning regardless of the season you visit. 

Winter, however, is particularly pleasant. Because Reykjavík is located 64º north, the lighting from November through February is particularly soft—even at midday. On a sunny day during this time period, an already scenic view becomes even more picturesque. 

Many people are drawn to the view of the church’s square and nearby street. This is certainly worth photographing; I like experimenting to see if I can point my camera more downward. By doing this, I get more of the square and statue into my picture. 

Depending on your lens, you can get a great shot of Harpa Concert Hall and the sea. For example, I captured the image below with the Fujifilm 16-80mm lens. 

However, you shouldn’t ignore the other viewpoints. From one side, you’ll get a fantastic view of the mountains. I also really like the distant view of the mountains below; this picture was taken in spring when they were still covered in snow. 

You can buy tickets for the observation deck at the church. Tickets cost 1,400 ISK (c. $10). From here, you’ll get the elevator to the top. Note that the church bell rings every 15 minutes, and it is *loud*. 

Address: Hallgrímstorg 1, 101 Reykjavík

2. Frakkastígur and Njálsgata

Frakkastígur and Njálsgata are two of the main streets in Downtown Reykjavík. At the junction between them, you can get an excellent view of Hallgrímskirkja with some of its nearby houses. 

This spot is particularly scenic at sunset, and I also recommend visiting in the winter if snow has recently fallen. As a nice bonus, you’re right next to Brauð & Co, which is, in my opinion, the best bakery in Reykjavík. 

3. Looking Toward Mount Esja From Sæbraut

One reason why I keep coming back to Reykjavík is for the stunning mountain view from the waterfront. It’s one of those sights that makes my soul sing every single time I see it. I especially love coming here in the winter when you have the nice bonus of cotton-candy skies on a clear day. 

Don’t get me wrong—it’s incredibly windy here most of the time. However, the view is very much worth braving the elements for. You’ll find the Sun Voyager statue along Sæbraut, too—but to be honest, I think this attraction is quite overrated. 

This area is great to visit at any time, and I think it should be one of the first places you check out while in Reykjavík. 

4. Hallgrímskirkja’s Interiors and Exteriors

Once you’ve visited the top of Hallgrímskirkja, don’t forget to check out its interiors. The church has a pretty cool roof; it reminds me a lot of Grundtvigs Kirke in Copenhagen. You’re free to walk around here whenever a service isn’t taking place. 

The square outside Hallgrímskirkja is worth checking out, too. Here, you’ll find a statue of Leifur Eríksson—who is considered the first European to visit North America. Getting this statue and the church is a pretty cool shot. 

I must warn that the square is quite busy most of the time. If possible, come early in the morning, ideally before the church opens. Alternatively, if you’re in Iceland during the summer, you can visit just after midnight (it won’t be fully dark). As you can see below, that’s what I did in 2019. 

5. Smiðjustígur (Looking Toward the Sea)

This view isn’t really somewhere that people normally stop at, and the street itself is largely full of bars and restaurants. However, while walking around in April 2024, I saw an opportunity to capture the sea and mountains between two buildings. 

To take this picture, you need a lens with a decent enough zoom. I used the 16-80mm lens by Fujifilm, for example. One of the restaurants here has a London Underground-style logo, which you may want to consider adding to your shot. 

6. Prikið Kaffihús

This café and bar is a nice place to have coffee in the day and drinks at night, but its exterior is particularly striking for photography. Prikið is located inside a dark red building, and I love the complementary colors in its logo. The café is also on a street corner, making it easier to get a good composition. 

I think that this café’s exterior is particularly cool for street-style photography. When I visited in January 2025, it also had candles burning outside; if you’re visiting around this time, you might want to consider including those in your photos. 

Address: Bankastræti 12, 101 Reykjavík

7. Reykjavík’s Old West Side

Most tourists don’t visit Reykjavík’s Old West Side. Instead, they spend the bulk of their time in the downtown area. This area is largely residential, but it’s pretty nice for photography if you want to get away from the (relative) hustle and bustle downtown.

In this part of town, you’ll also find a small cathedral—known as the Cathedral of Christ the King. Though not as spectacular as Hallgrímskirkja, it’s still quite pleasant. During the winter, you can get some wonderfully moody shots. Its surrounding streets are also nice. 

The Old West Side is on the opposite side of the Tjörnin lake. You’ll eventually end up in the Old Harbor area if you walk back toward the sea. 

8. Harpa Concert Hall

Visiting Harpa Concert Hall is one of the best things to do in Reykjavík, even if you don’t see a performance. This beautiful modern building opened in 2011 and is one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks. 

I love photographing the interior; its roof and windows were designed to look like fish scales. However, the outside is equally as picturesque. 

Sometimes, the building lights up in different colors at night. So, if you’re into night photography, you might want to bring your tripod and try to get some unique shots. 

Address: Austurbakki 2, 101 Reykjavík

9. The Shores of Tjörnin

Tjörnin very much lives up to its name of “the pond”. It’s lovely, though, and you can get some fantastic views of Downtown Reykjavík and the mountains. Any time of the year is ideal to visit, but during the winter, the water often freezes over. 

If you’re lucky enough to have the Northern Lights in Reykjavík, Tjörnin is a fantastic place to watch them. We were very fortunate to randomly see this phenomenon in January 2025; I almost forgot about the fact it was -13ºC while we were out 😄. 

You’ll find a lot of birdlife at Tjörnin, and you can also get a cool shot with Hallgrímskirkja in the background. 

10. The Lutheran Free Church

The Lutheran Free Church is right next to Tjörnin, and you can get some great pictures if you head up the street next to it. I think that its spire is particularly interesting, and it looks particularly cool around sunset. 

Trying to get the entire church into your picture can be quite difficult if you’re close to it, even though the building is small. A wide-angle lens will make things much easier, as will zooming out on your phone. 

The church is also visible from Tjörnin and the nearby park. 

Address: Fríkirkjuvegur 5, 101 Reykjavík

11. Skólavörðustígur

If you’ve done any research about photo spots in Reykjavík, you will have inevitably seen Skólavörðustígur—also known as the Rainbow Street. It’s right in the city center, close to the main shopping street. 

Skólavörðustígur is very popular, and I recommend visiting as early as possible in the morning. If not, you often have to wait quite a while to get the picture you’re looking for. Many people capture images looking toward Hallgrímskirkja, but I also recommend trying to get the buildings on the other side into your shot. I have, however, not yet mastered this 🥲. 

As you move further up the street, you’ll see the perfect shot of Hallgrímskirkja. Use the leading lines and buildings on either side to frame your photo. You can get a bit more creative by standing on the sidewalk instead of the road. 

12. Perlan

Perlan is the best museum in Reykjavík and worth visiting in and of itself. If photography is on your mind, be sure to visit the observation deck for an amazing view. You’ll see Reykjavík with its mountains in the background, along with a great of Hallgrímskirkja looking toward the Atlantic Ocean. 

From Perlan, you can also get a view of Reykjavík’s surrounding suburbs—such as Kópavogur. I must warn you that it can get very windy up here; make sure you’re prepared with a good jacket and some gloves. 

You can access the observation deck after buying an entry ticket for the museum. It’s quite pricey, so you might as well also allocate some time to learning about Iceland’s nature at Perlan. Once you’ve taken your pictures, you can reward yourself with some ice cream inside. 

Address: Varmahlíð 1, 105 Reykjavík

13. Suðurgata Looking Toward Tjörnin

This street is behind Tjörnin when you cross the bridge, and at first glance, there isn’t too much of interest. However, you can get a superb view of the lake, Hallgrímskirkja, and the Lutheran Free Church when peeking through the trees and houses. 

To get to this photography spot, you need to be on the street rather than the sidewalk. It’s a popular route for buses and cars, so be careful when crossing. It’s easier to take pictures here outside of summer as you won’t have tree leaves blocking the view. 

14. The Old Harbor

Reykjavík’s Old Harbor is the departure spot for many whale-watching tours, and I love the charm of this area. You can get a great view toward Harpa Concert Hall, and the nearby mountains look particularly cool when you add some docked boats into the picture. 

At the Old Harbor, you’ll also see a collection of cute green houses. Part of the water sometimes freezes during the winter, though I’ve only seen this once. 

Once you’ve finished taking pictures, I recommend getting some food at one of the many restaurants here. 

15. Reykjavík’s Street Art

Reykjavík has a very creative community, and you’ll find street art dotted throughout the city. The Mjúk building in the center of town is one of my favorite examples, and the “Heavy Stones Fear No Weather” mural on Nylendugata (just Ægisgata and close to the Old Harbor) is also cool. 

What I like about Reykjavík’s street art is that it feels like it’s saying something. I really dislike graffiti for graffiti’s sake; contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t automatically make a neighborhood “trendy”. Thankfully, the Icelandic capital’s art does not feel like this. 

This useful page on Guide to Iceland goes into more detail about Reykjavík’s street art. 

16. The Unknown Bureaucrat Statue

This statue is on the shores of Tjörnin and close to Reykjavík’s City Hall. Designed by Magnus Thomasson, it depicts a man wearing a suitcase with a rock on his head. 

Some people say that the statue is meant as a token of gratitude to the civil servants for helping to keep things running in the background. Personally, I interpreted it as someone feeling bogged down in a job they hated upon first sight.

Regardless of how you see it, this statue is quite cool and worth photographing. Try to include Tjörnin or the Lutheran Free Church in the background. If you’re lucky, you might even see the Northern Lights here. 

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