Reykjavík · Iceland
Hallgrímskirkja
Hallgrímskirkja is the largest church in Iceland and the building most people picture when they think of Reykjavík. The 74.5-metre tower was designed to echo the columnar basalt you see all over the country. Entry to the church is free; the tower has a lift and a viewing floor near the top.
I looked at the church from the outside and did not go up the tower, so I cannot tell you whether the view is worth 1,500 ISK. What I can say is that the building holds up close — the front is better in person than in photographs, and standing under it is free.
My rating
Scale 1–5. On Cost, 1 means free and 5 means pricey. On Crowd level, 1 means near-solitude and 5 means tour-bus central.
Three out of five, which is the highest score I gave anywhere in Reykjavík. The facade is genuinely good — the stepped concrete columns work — and the interior is plain in a way that suits it.
Located in central Reykjavík, Hallgrímskirkja is easily reached by foot, car, or public transport. The church has onsite parking and a lift to the observation deck, making it accessible to most visitors. The surrounding area features shops, cafés, and cultural points of interest.
The church is free to enter. The tower costs 1,500 ISK for adults, 1,000 ISK for students and seniors, and 200 ISK for children aged 7 to 16. Open 9:00 to 20:00 in summer and 10:00 to 17:00 in winter, with the tower closing half an hour earlier. Checked August 2026.
Hallgrímskirkja is very popular year-round, attracting crowds especially during summer tourist season and Northern Lights viewing.
Before you go
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