Reykjavík
Reykjavik · Reykjavík, Iceland
The Arctic capital of the Vikings' descendants, where a basalt-inspired church and elf legends coexist.
Know before you go
- Don't mock the elf legends — this is a serious folk tradition
- keep quiet in churches and similar places
- don't trample the moss, which takes decades to recover.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
Legend
High-seat pillars that let the gods choose the site
According to the 'Book of Settlements', Ingólfr Arnarson and his foster brother Hjörleifr sailed from Norway to Iceland. On sighting land he threw the pillars from either side of his high seat into the sea, vowing to settle wherever the gods let them wash ashore. Two slaves searched the coast for three years before finding the pillars in a small bay — the place that later became Reykjavík.
Source: Wikipedia: Ingólfr Arnarson
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
According to the Book of Settlements, Ingólfur Arnarson from Norway settled at Reykjavík in 874, beginning the settlement of Iceland. The city is a modern continuation of Iceland's saga culture. The concrete façade of Hallgrímskirkja imitates columnar basalt and has become a symbol of Icelandic national architecture; the corrugated-iron houses of the old town are painted bright colours, both to resist North Atlantic storms and to brighten the long winter nights.
Local customs
- Icelanders still talk seriously about the 'huldufólk' (hidden people, or elves), and roads have been rerouted around elf stones
- café culture thrives, with coffee consumption per head among the highest in the world
- public geothermal pools are social hubs, and you must shower thoroughly before getting in.
Religion & beliefs
- Most Icelanders belong to the Lutheran Church of Iceland, but the old Norse religion (Ásatrú) has been officially recognised since 1973 and holds public ceremonies at Þingvellir in summer
- at Christmas, legend tells of 13 'Yule Lads' who come down from the mountains one by one bringing gifts, as folk belief and Christian tradition intertwine.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Iceland: headlights on all year when driving
- Keep dipped headlights on all year, fit suitable tyres in winter and keep to the speed limit
- Drink-driving (Iceland's limit is stricter than the UK's)
Breaking traffic rules brings heavy fines.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Iceland travel advice
Iceland: keep away from waves, cliff edges and hot-spring vents
- Stay behind warning lines and tell your hotel your plans or register them with Safe Travel Iceland
- Going near waves, cliff edges and geothermal vents
These are the most common causes of accidents in Iceland.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Iceland travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't mock the elf legends — this is a serious folk tradition
- keep quiet in churches and similar places
- don't trample the moss, which takes decades to recover.
Locals appreciate DO
- Locals love outdoor hot pools and long hikes, and staying up all night in the midnight-sun season is common
- they are very proud of saga literature and the purity of their language, coining new words from Old Icelandic roots.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- There's a chance of the aurora from September to March, and midnight sun in summer
- Iceland is expensive, so book meals and accommodation ahead and check prices on official websites
- the centre is compact and the main sights are walkable.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Lamb soup
- Hot dog
- Fermented shark
Lamb soup (kjötsúpa), hot dogs (pylsur, lamb sausage with all the toppings — 'ein með öllu'), fermented shark (hákarl, with Brennivín — challenge level), geothermally baked rye bread with smoked trout, skyr
| Where to eat | Bæjarins Beztu hot-dog stand (since 1937), Grandi Mathöll food hall in the old harbour, Café Loki (by the cathedral) |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Whale meat and seabirds are controversial foods — decide for yourself; the tap water is excellent, and buying bottled water will raise eyebrows |
| Typical price per person | ISK 4,000–7,000 ≈ CNY 228–399 |
| Tips | Sit-down meals are expensive; hot dogs plus supermarket (Bónus) supplies are the money-saving combination; alcohol can only be bought at the state-run Vínbúðin. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
SeppVei · Public domain
Photos
Photos
Holger Uwe Schmitt · CC BY-SA 4.0
Szilas · Public domain
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Holger Uwe Schmitt · CC BY-SA 4.0
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