Why you should visit Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik.
Hallgrimskirkja doesn’t just sit on Reykjavik’s skyline — it commands it. Rising like a frozen hymn in stone, the church is equal parts monument, beacon, and masterpiece. From the base, its columns resemble a waterfall of basalt, cascading upwards until they vanish into spire and sky. Step inside, and the hush of the nave feels like stepping into Iceland’s soul itself — stark, serene, and utterly unforgettable.
But Hallgrimskirkja is more than an architectural wonder. It’s the city’s compass point. Climb to the tower, and Reykjavik unfolds beneath you like a living map — the harbor glittering, the mountains brooding, and the colorful roofs patchworked across the land. This is the view that roots you in Iceland and reminds you why you came.
What you didn’t know about Hallgrimskirkja.
Though it feels eternal, Hallgrimskirkja’s story is strikingly modern. Construction began in 1945 and wasn’t finished until 1986, a reflection of both ambition and devotion. Its design, by Guðjón Samúelsson, was inspired by the very geology of Iceland — the basalt lava flows that carve the island’s landscapes. This wasn’t just a church; it was a translation of nature into stone.
There’s also a quiet irony here. While it looks medieval, it is very much a child of the 20th century — built as Reykjavik blossomed into a modern capital. Inside, the massive organ, with over 5,000 pipes, regularly fills the air with music that rattles the bones and shakes the heart. For many visitors, that moment — the sound, the silence that follows — becomes their most lasting memory.
How to fold Hallgrimskirkja into your Reykjavik trip.
Hallgrimskirkja works best as your North Star — both literally and figuratively. Begin a day here, orienting yourself to the city before diving into its streets. Or use it as a twilight anchor, returning after dinner to watch its silhouette glow against Iceland’s midnight skies.
Pair the visit with a wander down Skólavörðustígur, the artsy street that spills from the church’s steps, lined with galleries, shops, and cozy cafés. Hallgrimskirkja isn’t just a checkmark — it’s the centerpiece around which a perfect Reykjavik day can orbit.
Hear it from the Foresyte community.
“Whole building feels like it’s growing out of the earth. You look up and it’s just stone climbing into the clouds. Best view in Reykjavik, no question.”
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