Hallgrimskirkja Church

At the far end of the street, like a model waiting at the edge of the runway, stands Reykjavik’s iconic Hallgrimskirkja church. Let’s be honest—there’s no other religious building quite like this one in Iceland. Maybe even in the world, dare I say. First, let’s talk about its size. As you can see, it’s tall—about 74.5 meters high—making it the tallest building on the island since its official completion in 1986, after 41 years of construction. A lengthy project for sure, and unfortunately one that its architect, Guðjón Samúelsson, did not live through to see completed. A real loss when you think of all the inspiration he must have drawn on to create something as striking as this. The façade was clearly designed with Icelandic identity in mind. The vertical lines recall the basalt columns found all over the country’s volcanic areas, while the pale concrete evokes snow and glaciers—natural features in the “Land of Fire and Ice.” A unique masterpiece that’s bold, yet minimalist. The interior is of free access, and you’ll find it just as simple: no ornate decoration, just clean white walls and one impressive centerpiece—an enormous pipe organ with over 5,000 pipes, installed in the early 1990s. Named after religious poet Hallgrímur Pétursson, this church tends to divide opinion. You either love it or hate it. At its base, you’ll find a statue of Viking explorer Leif Erikson, believed to have reached North America from Greenland around the year 1000, centuries before Columbus. And if you want more, you can pay an elevator ride up to the top of the tower, where you’ll get a panoramic view of the city laid out below.