Hlemmur and Rauðarárholt sit just east of the main strip, around the Hlemmur food hall and bus hub. The area blends everyday city life with quick access to downtown, making it a practical, value-minded base that stays close without being in the busiest part.
Hlemmur & Rauðarárholt at a glance
- Distance to Hallgrímskirkja
- About 630 m as the crow flies, roughly 8 min on foot.
- From the city centre
- About 1.5 km 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 at the eastern end of Laugavegur, where the shopping street meets Hlemmur, a lively food hall and transport interchange. The surrounding streets are more workaday and residential, so evenings are calmer than the central strip, yet the bars, restaurants and Hallgrímskirkja are all within a short walk.
Getting around
Hallgrímskirkja and the main strip are roughly a 5–10 minute walk, and Hlemmur is a key city bus hub. Airport coaches to Keflavík (KEF) run from nearby central stops, taking about 45–50 minutes.
Before you book this area
- Vibe
- Everyday, unpretentious city life with a well-known food hall at its centre.
- Convenience
- Hlemmur's bus hub makes onward travel and reaching other neighbourhoods easy.
- Budget
- Often a more practical, less touristy base while staying walkable to downtown.
Frequently asked
Is Hlemmur & Rauðarárholt a good area to stay in Reykjavik?
It's a practical, value-minded base at the eastern end of Laugavegur, blending everyday city life with quick access to downtown. It suits those who want to stay close to the action without being in the busiest part; if you want to be right in the central strip, look further west.
How far is Hlemmur & Rauðarárholt from Hallgrímskirkja?
Hallgrímskirkja is about 630 m away in a straight line, roughly an 8 minute walk.
How do you get around from Hlemmur & Rauðarárholt, and what's the nearest 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. Hlemmur itself is a key city bus hub, making onward travel and reaching other neighbourhoods easy, and airport coaches to Keflavík (KEF) run from nearby central stops, taking about 45–50 minutes.
Is Hlemmur & Rauðarárholt central?
It sits just east of the main strip, about 1.5 km from the city centre in a straight line. The shops, bars, restaurants and Hallgrímskirkja are all within a short walk.
Is Hlemmur & Rauðarárholt quiet at night?
The surrounding streets are more workaday and residential, so evenings are calmer than the central strip, while the bars and restaurants remain within a short walk.
Comparing areas? See the full Reykjavik area guide →
Other areas near Hlemmur & Rauðarárholt
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 Hlemmur & Rauðarárholt, Reykjavik — honest orientation, no invented data.