Why visit Reykjavik, Iceland's capital? It's close, less than six hours from New York City. It's mind-blowingly beautiful, surrounded by mountains and the sea. And while the climate is cool, the welcome is always warm.

Most tourists visit Reykjavik June through August when the weather is warmest and the days are long, but you'll enjoy better rates and fewer crowds in the fall through spring. Ready for an Icelandic adventure?

The Best Things to Do in Reykjavik

Reykjavik's not the kind of city where you flit from attraction to attraction, trying to check everything off your list. Instead, it's a place that's meant to be savored. Plan to spend a few days just wandering around, browsing shops, venturing down side streets and making new friends. That being said, there are a few places in Reykjavik you won't want to miss.

Number one is Hallgrímskirkja, a church built in the Expressionist style that has become a tourist attraction because of its soaring, 240-foot tower. Take an elevator to the top to get a memorable view of Reykjavik's colorful houses and the blue bay beyond.

If you appreciate art, make time to visit the Einar Jónsson Museum, which is dedicated to Iceland's best-known sculptor. His work is eerie and dramatic, drawing from Icelandic folklore. The sculpture garden behind the museum is free to enter.

Some of the best things to do in Reykjavik are actually outside the city. One must-do is the Golden Circle Tour, a 190-mile bus or car tour that takes you to visit the Gullfoss waterfall, geysers, and Thingvellir National Park. If you're feeling adventurous, you can take a tour of the lava tube caves of Leidarendi.

An hour's drive brings you to the famed Blue Lagoon. There, you can bathe in heated water brought to the surface by a nearby geothermal plant and enjoy in-water massages, saunas, and mud masks. Experienced travelers recommend visiting the lagoon immediately after your plane touches down early in the morning. You'll have the place to yourself, and you'll be immediately refreshed after your flight.

The Best Hotels in Reykjavik

An abundance of hotels in Reykjavik offers Nordic-style comfort at reasonable prices. Reykjavik Lights is a modern hotel on the edge of the city center that includes a sumptuous Icelandic breakfast. Ask for a room on an upper floor if you want mountain views. Hotel Holt is a family-owned hotel with the largest privately owned art collection in Iceland. Unremarkable from the outside, Hotel Holt is cozy and inviting on the inside, and offers lovely views of Lake Tjörnin.

For high-end luxury, consider Hotel Borg, a historic landmark in the heart of Reykjavik. Built in 1930 by a former circus strongman, Hotel Borg retains its Art Deco glamour. If you're traveling with family or a group of friends, the Black Pearl is popular for its spacious suites, which include kitchens, terraces and heated marble floors.

Where to Eat in Reykjavik

We'll be honest: Icelandic food is not to everyone's taste. Fish, lamb, and potatoes are mainstays, but you may also encounter boiled sheep's head, smoked puffin, dried haddock, and grilled minke whale.

Fortunately, Reykjavik restaurants serve plenty of dishes that are authentic but more to American tastes. Fiskfelagid Fish Company's menu includes delicacies like roasted spotted wolffish with celeriac & lemon crumble and slow-cooked lamb shoulder with caramelized onion puree.

If you need a respite from meat and fish, Glo is considered Reykjavik's best vegetarian and raw-food restaurant. For a restorative breakfast after a late night, head to Prikid, the city's oldest coffeehouse. It looks like the love child of an American diner and a traditional wooden Icelandic house, observes travel blog Travelettes — and if you're feeling a bit shaky, "go for the Hangover Killer breakfast - including a sandwich, a ‘Bruce Willis Shake’ (a milkshake with a shot of Jack Daniels) and a painkiller." ¹

Reykjavik is one of the safest cities in the world, but that doesn't mean travel accidents can't happen. Protect yourself from unexpected illnesses, injuries, or vacation mishaps with travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance. Travel happy!

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