Hallgrímskirkja is one of Reykjavík’s most famous landmarks, and one of those places worth paying attention to whether it’s your first stop in Iceland or your last. The design is inspired by Iceland’s basalt columns, which you’ll see all around the country, so noticing the details here gives the building a lot more meaning once you start exploring beyond the city!

You can walk inside for free to see the beautiful interior, or pay a small fee to take the elevator up the tower for incredible views over Reykjavík and the coastline. Plan about 30–45 minutes total, depending on lines. It’s located right in the city center and easy to reach on foot or by bus, but it gets very busy midday, early morning or later in the evening is best for photos and fewer people (we went at 11pm and no one was there, but the inside will be closed at this time).

Services or concerts can occasionally limit access to parts of the building, so check opening times if you’re planning a timed visit. The tower has elevator access for most visitors, photography is allowed, and there are plenty of cafés, shops, and the main shopping street nearby if you want to combine stops.