Capital city in Capital Region, Iceland
Reykjavik
Compact, very safe capital with geothermal pools, great hikes and day trips on the Golden Circle and south coast. Easy for solo travelers, but among the priciest cities in Europe, with dark winters and fickle weather.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$4,930–6,570Comfortable, one person · kr600,000–800,000Details
- Value for money4/100Better value than 3% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–SepWarmest: Jul, 14°CDetails
- Air quality5 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2020) · Meets the WHO guidelineDetails
- Internet283 MbpsFixed broadband, Iceland medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableCold tap water is excellent.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$74–148Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundHoppVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessPractically cashless: cards and phones work for everything, including toilets and parking.Details
Where to stay in Reykjavik
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| 101 Miðborg (Downtown) | First-timers: walkable, bars, restaurants, tours pick up here |
| Vesturbær | Quiet residential stays near the Vesturbæjarlaug pool and the sea |
| Hlíðar | Calmer, cheaper rooms a 15–25 min walk from downtown |
| Laugardalur | Hostels, campsite, big thermal pool and park; short bus ride in |
Apps that work in Reykjavik
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hopp | Local taxi app with fixed price estimates |
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Wolt | Main delivery app across Reykjavík |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Messenger
- 112 Iceland: Emergency calls that share your location
- Klapp: Strætó bus tickets
- Taxis: No Uber or Bolt. Book through Hopp or call Hreyfill; street hailing is rare outside downtown rank stands at night.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Iceland.
- Practically cashless Practically cashless: cards and phones work for everything, including toilets and parking. Carry no krónur unless you want souvenirs.
- Currency: Krona (ISK). US$1 ≈ kr121.78 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs are easy to find in towns, but you'll rarely need cash. Decline dynamic currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected; service is included in prices.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere; contactless is the norm.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a face photo to the Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry.
- ETIAS pre-travel authorisation isn't required yet and has no confirmed start date; check the EU site before you fly.
- The remote-work long-term visa was repealed in May 2026; there is currently no visa route for digital nomads.
Emergency numbers
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Síminn and Nova prepaid SIMs and eSIMs sell online, at Keflavík Airport and in convenience stores; EU roaming rules apply. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Iceland
Going to Reykjavik solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.