---
type: "Article"
title: "Reykjavik and its “Harpa”"
description: "Since the financial crisis, Iceland’s capital Reykjavik has got a vitreous “harp” – the conference and concert house “Harpa”, located in the harbour area. We got a glimpse of it and gave it a listen."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/iceland/reykjavik-harpa"
author: "Walter Schaerer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 6
tags: ["Architecture", "City Trip", "Iceland"]
entities:
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/zuerich"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/architecture"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/city-trip"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culinary-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/air-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/restaurant"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/design"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/luxury-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/shopping"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/winter-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2026-07-04T13:19:49+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2014-05-19T14:31:11+00:00 }
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:19:49+00:00
---

# Reykjavik and its “Harpa”

> Reykjavik, Iceland's small but characterful capital, is home to the striking Harpa concert and conference hall — a landmark glass building by the harbour that emerged from the 2008 financial crisis. The city also offers a walkable Old Town, local dining, and a handful of notable attractions.

## What to see
- **Harpa Concert and Conference Hall** — Iconic harbour-side glass building with colour-effect facade, 4 halls, seating up to 1,800, and adjustable acoustics with interpreters' booths for 9 languages.
- **Old Town of Reykjavik** — Compact historic centre that can be explored on foot in about one hour.
- **Laugavegur** — Main shopping and bar street running through the Old Town.
- **The Pearl (Perlan)** — Revolving restaurant inside a glass dome atop the city's warm water tanks, located a short distance outside the centre.

## What to do
- **Stroll Laugavegur** — Browse shops and bars along Reykjavik's main street; the Sólon Bar is a popular local gathering spot.
- **Dine at Lækjarbrekka** — Cozy restaurant near Laugavegur serving local dishes including puffin, lamb, and seafood.

## Good to know
Accommodation options mentioned include the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, 101 Hotel, CenterHotel Thingholt, and Centerhotel Arnarhvoll. Reykjavik has a domestic airport nearby that is especially important in winter when roads become impassable; the longest domestic flight is just over one hour.