Reykjavík · Things to do

The concrete Lutheran church on the hill above Laugavegur, with a lift up the 73-metre tower for the clearest view of the coloured roofs and the bay. The church itself is free to enter and the tower is ticketed; organ recitals are worth timing a visit around.

Nature museum built on top of the city's hot-water tanks on Oskjuhlid hill, with a walk-through ice cave, a planetarium northern-lights film, a volcano exhibition and a 360-degree observation deck. Exhibitions open 09:00-21:00.

Sudurgata 41, open daily 10:00-17:00. Adults 3,300 ISK, students and seniors 1,600 ISK, under-18s free. The permanent Making of a Nation exhibition runs from the settlement to the present and is the single best explanation of the country you will get.

Geothermal seawater lagoon on the Karsnes peninsula in Kopavogur, a few minutes from the centre, with an infinity edge onto the Atlantic and the Skjol ritual, a fixed sequence of sauna, cold plunge and steam. Pricier and more adult than the city pools; book a time slot.

Reykjavik runs eight geothermal pools, of which Sundholl Reykjavikur downtown and Laugardalslaug in the valley are the two to try. Outdoor hot pots, open year-round in any weather, a fraction of the lagoon price, and the shower-without-a-swimsuit rule beforehand is enforced.