101 Reykjavik is the city's compact historic core, built around Austurvöllur square and the Tjörnin pond and holding the postcode locals use as shorthand for downtown. Nearly everything a first-timer wants — Hallgrímskirkja, the harbour, the main museums and cafés — is within a short walk, which makes it the simplest base for a short trip.
101 Reykjavik (Old Town / City Centre) at a glance
- Distance to Hallgrímskirkja
- About 700 m as the crow flies, roughly 9 min on foot.
- From the city centre
- About 430 m as the crow flies.
- Nearest station
- No metro, train or tram stop within 1.5 km of the centre of the area — plan on buses, taxis or walking.
- Source
- Distances computed from OpenStreetMap coordinates (© OpenStreetMap contributors), checked 2026-09-18. Straight-line figures — walking routes are longer.
You're steps from Austurvöllur, the parliament and city hall, with the reflective Tjörnin pond just south and Hallgrímskirkja a gentle uphill walk east. The streets are low-rise and colourful, busy with café life by day and quietly lively in the evening; the main going-out streets sit just to the east, so you get atmosphere without being in the thick of it.
Getting around
Everything central is on foot — Hallgrímskirkja, the harbour and museums are all within about 10–15 minutes' walk. The Flybus and airport coaches connect the city with Keflavík (KEF) in roughly 45–50 minutes, with a central terminal a short transfer from the core.
Before you book this area
- Vibe
- Historic, walkable and central without being a nightlife hotspot.
- Green space
- Tjörnin pond and its surrounding paths give a calm, scenic heart to the district.
- Watch out for
- Streets are narrow and parking is limited and metered, so a car is more hassle than help here.
Frequently asked
Is 101 Reykjavik (Old Town / City Centre) a good area to stay in Reykjavik?
It's the city's compact historic core around Austurvöllur square and the Tjörnin pond, and it suits first-timers who want to walk everywhere since most sights, museums and cafés are within a short walk. It's historic and central without being a nightlife hotspot, so those set on being in the thick of the going-out streets may prefer the eastern edge.
How far is 101 Reykjavik (Old Town / City Centre) from Hallgrímskirkja?
Hallgrímskirkja is about 700 m away in a straight line, roughly a 9-minute walk on a gentle uphill east from the core.
How do I get around 101 Reykjavik, and is there a nearby station?
There's no metro, train or tram stop within 1.5 km of the area's centre, so you'll rely on buses, taxis or walking. Almost everything central is on foot, and the Flybus and airport coaches connect with Keflavík (KEF) in roughly 45–50 minutes from a central terminal.
Is 101 Reykjavik (Old Town / City Centre) central?
Yes, it holds the postcode locals use as shorthand for downtown and sits about 430 m from the city centre in a straight line, with the parliament, city hall and Tjörnin pond all close by.
Is 101 Reykjavik too noisy at night?
The pond-and-square side is fairly calm, but the closer you are to the eastern edge the more you'll hear evening crowds, so check exactly which street you're on.
Comparing areas? See the full Reykjavik area guide →
Other areas near 101 Reykjavik (Old Town / City Centre)
Sources
- OpenStreetMap — area location, distances and nearest station (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), checked 2026-09-18
- ReasonStay methodology — how areas are chosen and facts are verified
An independent guide to 101 Reykjavik (Old Town / City Centre), Reykjavik — honest orientation, no invented data.