Best areas for students in Reykjavik

Miðborg (the centre)

This district forms the downtown area of the city, and it’s one of the liveliest both during the day and at night. This makes it one of the best student neighbourhoods in Reykjavik. Keep in mind that, being the central area of a tourist city, it’s normal that the cost of rent in Miðborg is higher than in surrounding neighbourhoods.

It’s home to part of the main campus of the University of Iceland, which is located near the Tjörnin pond.

Miðborg is one of the favorite areas for students to have a drink or go out at night. It has a wide variety of bars and clubs, especially on Laugavegur and Austurstræti streets. It’s also full of restaurants and cafes, although some may have high prices for tourists.

In Miðborg are some of the most interesting cultural visits of the city. Among them are:

• The iconic Hallgrimskirkja church
• The National Gallery of Iceland (Listasafn Íslands)
• The Harpa Concert Hall, with its incredible modern architecture
• The famous sculpture of the Sun Voyager (Sólfar)
• The Reykjavík Museum of Art, Hafnarhús

This district also offers a variety of outdoor venues where you can enjoy Reykjavik's natural beauty. For example, you can walk along the seafront taking a walk or exercising, enjoying the views and its sculptures. Also noteworthy is the beautiful Tjörnin pond and the trails that surround it, as well as the great Hljómskálagarðurinn park which is next to it and is home to animals such as ducks and swans.

Miðborg is the main area of the system of buses (Strætó), with several stops connecting to the entire city and suburbs. It’s also very walkable and bike-friendly, so you can get from one place to another easily.

Vesturbær

Vesturbær is another one of the best districts for students in Reykjavik. It’s next to the centre, extending to the west of it. It’s a neighbourhood with a more residential environment, but with good access to the leisure areas frequented by students.

In this district, there’s also part of the main campus of the University of Iceland, so it’s ideal for those who want to be close to their classes.

The range of restaurants and bars in Vesturbær is limited, so students often move to Miðborg to enjoy more variety and atmosphere.

The neighbourhood called “Old West Side” is part of this district. This area is known for its ancient architecture and grand houses that were once home to local fishermen and sailors.

Among the cultural sites that are worth visiting in Vesturbær are: the National Museum of Iceland, which delves into local history (Þjóðminjasafnið), the Reykjavik Maritime Museum (Sjóminjasafnið í Reykjavík) and the port of Grandi.

In this district there are a lot of natural corners to enjoy. You can take a walk around Ægissíða, a popular coastal promenade for walking or cycling along the sea, with views of the fjord and the peninsula of Seltjarnarnes; have a picnic in the Landakotstún park next to the Cathedral of Christ the King (Landakotskirkja); or bathe in Vesturbæjarlaug, geothermal pools popular with students and locals, with hot tubs and outdoor sauna.

The reality is that Vesturbær is less than half an hour walk from downtown Reykjavik, so many students move on foot or by bicycle. It’s also connected to the rest of the city through bus lines.

Hlíðar

This district is located east of downtown Reykjavik, with a combination of cultural and lively atmosphere, but more residential.

Hlíðar hosts the main campus of the University of Reykjavik, so it’s ideal for its students. It also has easy access to the faculties of the University of Iceland and to the Campus in Holt of the Icelandic Academy of Arts.

In this district is the famous Laugavegur street (also in Miðborg), known for its offer of bars, shops and restaurants. In fact, that’s the liveliest area of Hlíðar.

Among the essential cultural visits in this area is the Reykjavik Art Museum Kjarvalsstaðir, which features modern art exhibitions by Icelandic artists. Further south is the Perlan Natural History Museum, ideal for learning more about the incredible nature of this country.

For a walk or a picnic in a quiet space, the Klambratún Park is the ideal location. It’s in the middle of the district and has courts for several sports. In addition, south of Hlíðar are the hot springs of Strókur and the Öskjuhlíð Park.

Several lines of bus connect Hlíðar with the rest of Reykjavik, and you can also reach the downtown area on foot or by bicycle in no time.

FAQ about neighbourhoods in Reykjavik