UPDATED FEB 2020. There are a lot of words you could use to describe Iceland but “cheap” certainly isn’t one of them. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t visit though, because it’s an awesome country. During my recent visit, I invested in a couple of tours and wanted to keep to a budget for the other days I had to explore the city. Here’s my guide on cheap and free things to do in Reykjavik to help you plan your own budget-friendly visit.
A Detailed Guide On Cheap And Free Things To Do In Reykjavik
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General tips for cheap and free things to do in Reykjavik
1. Save money with the city card
Reykjavik offers a great City Card which gives you a lot of bargains when it comes to restaurants, museums, public transport, and public pools to name a few.
You can get one for 24, 48 or 72 hours ranging from $35 to $56USD. If you’re going to be seeing sights around the city these are well worth it.
I used one for 24 hours and did all my city sights with it. It was a great way to save money.
The full list of the discounts and free things to do in Reykjavik can be found here.
One of the awesome local pools in Reykjavik
2. Budget-friendly swimming at the local pools
The Blue Lagoon is expensive to enter and you’ll also need to account for transport to get there.
The local geothermal pools, on the other hand, are all around the city so you could walk to one easily and the entrance is only about $9USD. If you get the City Card, the entrance is free.
Sure, no cameras are allowed and they’re nowhere near as instagrammy, but it’s a fraction of the cost.
3. How to eat on a budget in Reykjavik
My hotel didn’t include breakfast, so I went to a convenience store nearby for a muesli bar and protein shake for breakfast.
Lunch was usually a meal at a local cafe or restaurant while I was out sightseeing.
Dinner was a convenience store hot dog, drink, and snack.
I stuck to this routine to save money so that I could invest more of my budget on tours.
4. Join a bus tour
A bus tour is a great way to see a lot of sights without having to burn all your cash on car rental, insurance, and fuel.
It’s also a nice way to relax and let someone else focus on driving, while you soak in all the beauty of the landscapes.
I did two bus tours with Bustravel Iceland and I think they are great value for money.
5. Use the bus or your legs as cheap and free transport
The city is pretty small and it’s easy to get around on foot. Unless you are doing a drive around the country, you don’t need to rent a car.
You can easily see a lot by walking or catching the bus around the city, then using a bus tour for day trips to see the Golden Circle sights.
Remember to download the city as an offline area to Google Maps on your phone and you’ll be set.
Finding cheap and free things to do in Reykjavik allowed me to save money to invest in tours like snorkeling in the Silfra
Free things to do in Reykjavik
1. Admire the Sun Voyager
On the edge of the water sits the Sun Voyager statue.
It’s easy to walk to and is a nice place to visit not only for the large, impressive steel monument but also for the scenic views of mountains against the water.
Best seen at sunset in my opinion.
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2. Walk along the water
While you’re there, after getting some pictures of the statue you can take a walk along the scenic path beside the water.
It’s a popular trail for joggers. Even though the weather was so cold while I was there, I saw a good amount of dedicated people doing their evening exercise.
With the view along the path, I can’t really blame them, to be honest.
3. Visit Hallgrimskirkja Church
Another spot that is easy to walk to is the Hallgrimskirkja Church.
They have tours if you want to pay to take the elevator to the top, otherwise, you can visit for free and see the ground level.
Don’t forget to check out the statue of Leifur Eiriksson who stands out the front of the church.
Hallgrimskirkja Church
4. Relax at Tjornin Pond
Whether you want to sit and reflect, have a picnic or check out all the birds, Tjornin is a pretty spot to visit.
When I was there I saw so many birds.
There was a huge group of ducks, swans, geese, and pigeons all vying for the attention of the humans on the edge and hoping some bread would be thrown their way.
5. Admire the street art
As you walk around Reykjavik you’ll quickly notice that impressive and interesting street art is a thing there.
Keep your eyes peeled as you walk around and be sure to check the sides of buildings – it’s like seeing a free walking art show!
Cheap things to do in Reykjavik
1. Visit a museum
The Saga Museum, Penis Museum, Art Museum, National Museum of Iceland and The Settlement Exhibition are just a few of the museums to see in Reykjavik.
Many entrance fees are discounted or free when you use the City Card.
2. Head to the beach
Yes, you read that correctly.
Even though it is cold you can soak in the geothermally heated water or hot tubs at Nautholsvik or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, jump into the non-heated section.
Entrance is free in summer but $5USD in winter.
Outside the Saga Museum
3. Join a Reykjavik walking tour
A good thing to do when you first arrive is to join a free walking tour to see a little more and learn a thing or two about the city. These are easy to find through your hotel or a quick Google when you arrive.
It’s technically a free tour but runs off donations so your fee is tip-based.
4. Take a tour of Harpa Concert Hall
For about $16USD you can get a 45 minute guided tour of the Harpa Concert Hall.
This building is such a pretty sight to look at from the outside and doing the tour allows you to flip the point of view and see it from a performer’s perspective.
Saegriffin – the famous Lobster Soup is amazing!
Where to stay in Reykjavik
I stayed at Alda Hotel and it was a great option in the heart of the city.
If you prefer somewhere else, I recommend searching on Booking.com and booking early as Reykjavik can get booked up quickly. For ideas, you can also check out this guide on where to stay in Reykjavik.
I use Booking.com to book my accommodation when I travel and I’ve always been able to find a good deal there.
Tjornin Pond
Other guides to help you plan a trip to Iceland:
Iceland Ring Road In 7 Days – Here’s Your Step By Step Itinerary
Solo Female Travel In Iceland Without A Car – How To Make The Most Of It
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