Reykjavik

Reykjavik was my first introduction to Iceland and it keeps calling me back. Over three separate summer visits, I’ve found this quirky little capital full of geothermal luxury, unexpected museums, colorful street art, and good conversations. Each time I’ve been, I’ve peeled back another layer of what makes Reykjavik such a memorable port of call.

On my first visit in 2023, I went straight to Sky Lagoon, a manmade geothermal spa designed to look like it’s carved into the cliffs. The setup is stunning, with natural-looking rock formations and warm, mineral-rich waters that flow right to the ocean’s edge. I took part in the Sky Ritual, a seven-step process that includes hot steam, cold plunges, and even a salt scrub. It’s relaxing and invigorating in equal parts, especially after days at sea. If you’re not up for hiking out to Iceland’s natural springs, this is a solid and scenic alternative right in town.

After I finished at Sky Lagoon, I headed to the Lava Show for a completely different kind of heat. I opted for the VIP package, which got me better seats in the upper section of the theater and a behind-the-scenes look at how they safely recreate a lava flow indoors. The team explained how the magma is heated before it’s poured down the ramp into the main stage area, where it glows red-hot and crackles just feet away from the audience. As part of the VIP experience, I also got to take home a chunk of volcanic glass formed in a previous show—since the new stuff is still way too hot to handle. It’s a great way to learn about Iceland’s volcanic activity and walk away with a little piece of it.

The next year, I took a more exploratory route and hopped on the Reykjavik Hop-On Hop-Off bus. I stopped by a local mall just out of curiosity, and while it had the usual shops and food courts, I was saving my appetite for something a bit weirder. That’s when I made my way to The Icelandic Phallological Museum. I didn’t research it beforehand, so walking into a room full of, let’s just say, highly specialized biological samples was a surprise. But hey, I capped it off with waffles shaped like exactly what you’d expect. And yes, they came with bacon.

By my third visit in 2025, I decided to just walk the city on my own after catching a shuttle to Harpa Concert Hall. That building alone is a work of art, all glass angles and reflections by the harbor. From there, I wandered through the city streets and spotted a ton of creative murals and public art pieces. Reykjavik has this playful vibe when it comes to street art. Even mundane corners feel expressive. I ended up ducking into a barber shop for a beard trim and came out with a sharper look and some great local travel tips from my stylist.

Reykjavik blends cozy small-town charm with modern design and Icelandic humor. Whether you’re soaking in warm waters or stumbling upon oddball museums, it’s a city that knows how to surprise and soothe.