Hallgrimskirkja: Reykjavik's Most Recognisable Landmark

Hallgrimskirkja — the Church of Hallgrimur — is Iceland's largest church and the building most associated with the Reykjavik skyline. At 74.5 metres it is the tallest building in Iceland and visible from almost everywhere in the capital. Its design, by state architect Guðjón Samúelsson, is inspired by basalt lava columns — the same hexagonal formations found at Reynisfjara and Svartifoss — and the 70-year construction period from design (1937) to completion (1986) makes it both Iceland's most recent major landmark and one of its most enduring architectural statements. The building is free to enter, and the observation tower — accessed by lift — provides the most complete panoramic view of Reykjavik available from any single point.

The Architecture

The facade's cascade of stepped basalt-column-inspired concrete forms is entirely original — Samúelsson's design owes nothing to European Gothic or Romanesque tradition and everything to the Icelandic geological landscape. The central tower rises directly from the entrance hall, flanked by progressively shorter curved wings that suggest both the basalt column formation and the traditional Icelandic turf house profile. The approach from Skólavörðustígur — the long pedestrian street leading directly to the entrance — was designed to maximise the visual impact of the building as it rises at the end of the street.

The Leif Eriksson Statue

Standing in front of the church, Leif Eriksson (Leifur Eiríksson) faces west toward North America — the continent he reached approximately 500 years before Columbus. The statue, a gift from the United States in 1930 to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the Althing, was installed at Hallgrimskirkja in 1986 on the church's completion. The inscription reads "Leifur hinn heppni" — Leif the Lucky, the name given to him in the sagas. The posture is commanding: feet apart, eyes fixed on the western horizon, entirely confident.

The Interior

The church interior is deliberately minimal — white walls, pale concrete, plain windows. The massive organ at the back of the nave, installed in 1992, is the dominant visual element: 5,275 pipes arranged in a vast decorative front that fills the entire west wall. Organ concerts are held regularly and are worth attending for the acoustic quality of the space as much as the music. The wooden pew seating is simple and the natural light through the plain windows creates a calming atmosphere entirely different from the building's dramatic exterior.

Getting around Iceland is easiest by car. Compare rental options and find the best deals on Discover Cars — free cancellation available.

Browse and book tours and activities on GetYourGuide — glacier hikes, whale watching, northern lights tours, Golden Circle day trips and hundreds more. Instant confirmation, free cancellation on most bookings.

Planning a trip to Iceland? Make sure you travel with peace of mind — SafetyWing offers flexible Nomad Insurance from $56.28/4 weeks, covering medical emergencies, trip interruptions, and adventure activities. Perfect for Iceland's unpredictable weather and remote landscapes.