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Laugavegur
Walk Laugavegur to get your bearings in central Reykjavik, not because it will wow you. Browse with your eyes open, brace for tourist pricing here and there, and pair it with Hallgrimskirkja to get the most out of the trip.
First thing to clear up: this is Reykjavik's main downtown shopping and nightlife street, not the multi-day highland trail that shares the name. Walking it costs nothing, it sits right next to Hallgrimskirkja and the rainbow street, and its real value is letting you feel the centre of town. Treat it as a sight in its own right and you will probably be underwhelmed.
Worth it for
- First-time visitors who want the walkable centre of Reykjavik
- Anyone after cafes, shops, bars, street art, and an easy route to the rainbow street
You can skip if
- Your time in Iceland is only enough for the nature sights
- Souvenir-heavy streets, late-night noise, or pricey city-centre food and drinks put you off
What travelers flag about Laugavegur
We weighed recent Reykjavik traveler opinion on Laugavegur and the city center against the provider reviews. These are the themes that came up again and again.
- Reykjavik is expensive, lean on the free stuffReported by many
The honest heads-up: Reykjavik is one of Europe's priciest cities, so the free things carry the visit. Walking Laugavegur and the rainbow street, the Sun Voyager sculpture, the Harpa concert hall interior, and the Hallgrimskirkja church are all free. And always drink the tap water, it is among the best in the world, so never buy bottled.
- It's a base, not the main eventReported by several
Most people find the city itself is small and walkable in a day, and the real reason you came, the Golden Circle, the south coast, the northern lights, is out in the country on day trips. The shops here lean heavily into puffin-and-troll tourist tat, so browse the design and wool shops rather than the souvenir ones.
Sourced from recent traveler discussions, not provider reviews. We only flag what several visitors independently reported, and the bars show how widely each point came up.
No ticket needed for Laugavegur
Laugavegur is best treated as a free city wander: follow it for shops, cafes, murals, bars, and an easy walk toward the rainbow street and Hallgrimskirkja. Spend your money on a guided walk only if you want Reykjavik context, because the street itself needs no ticket.
Which ticket should you buy?
What it is
Laugavegur is one of Reykjavik's oldest shopping streets. The road was approved for construction in 1885, and the name means wash road, because it once led toward the hot springs and washing area in Laugardalur.
For visitors, the part that matters is the central stretch running through downtown. You will find clothes shops, design stores, cafes, bars and restaurants, plenty of souvenir places, the odd mural down a side street, and a constant trickle of other travellers doing exactly what you are. It is a street, so do not go looking for showtimes, entry tickets, or a dress code. There aren't any for Laugavegur itself.
Is it worth it
Yes, but with a few caveats. You will almost certainly walk it anyway, and it gives Reykjavik a spine you can actually follow on foot. The nicest way to do it is a slow amble from Hlemmur toward the older centre, then a turn up Skolavordustigur for the rainbow street and Hallgrimskirkja.
What you trade is authenticity. A lot of it is pitched squarely at visitors. Souvenirs are not cheap, food and drinks add up fast, and some shops are better for a browse than an actual purchase. If you came to Iceland for the landscapes, this is not where you find them. If you want the walkable heart of Reykjavik, though, start here.
Nightlife and the runtur
This is one of the main stretches for Reykjavik's weekend bar crawl, the runtur. Friday and Saturday after dark is when the street really comes alive, especially late, and that liveliness comes packaged with noise, queues, crowds, and drink prices that will make you wince.
No single dress code covers the street. Each bar and club sets its own, so dress neatly if you plan to head inside late, and check the venue first before you build a night around it. The street is public and casual. Icelandic weather is not, so wind, rain, and icy pavements will shape your evening more than how you look.
How it compares
Put it next to Hallgrimskirkja and Laugavegur loses on looks but wins on food, drinks, and people-watching. The church is the stronger landmark, particularly from outside, and it makes the better free photo stop.
Against Skolavordustigur and the rainbow street, Laugavegur is the longer, more practical option, while Skolavordustigur is the prettier short walk up to the church. And next to Grandi and the Old Harbour, Laugavegur wins on convenience when time is tight, but Grandi feels less souvenir-driven and is the better bet if you are mostly there to eat.
Laugavegur: FAQs
No. This page covers Laugavegur in central Reykjavik, the shopping and nightlife street. The famous Laugavegur hike is a different thing entirely: a multi-day highland route between Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork.
Yes. It is a public street, so walking it costs nothing. You only spend money if you shop, eat, drink, join a tour, or step into a venue that charges.
The street never closes. The shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs along it each keep their own hours, and those shift with the season and the day of the week, so check a specific place before you make a trip for it.
Not for the street itself. Late-night bars and clubs each have their own rules, so smart casual beats hiking gear if you plan to go out. During the day, warm layers and weatherproof shoes matter far more than how polished you look.
Parts of it, yes, mostly the souvenir shops and the central bars. It is still worth walking because it is the natural middle of town, but do not assume every shop or bar gives you good value.
Hallgrimskirkja, Skolavordustigur and the rainbow street, Hlemmur Matholl, Harpa, or the Old Harbour all work. Hallgrimskirkja plus Laugavegur is the cleanest first-time Reykjavik walk.
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Worth it, or skip it?
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