Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur are Reykjavik's main shopping and going-out streets, lined with restaurants, bars, cafés and design shops. Skólavörðustígur climbs directly toward Hallgrímskirkja, and the area is lively after dark, making it best for sociable travellers rather than light sleepers.
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur at a glance
- Distance to Hallgrímskirkja
- About 270 m as the crow flies, roughly 3 min on foot.
- From the city centre
- About 940 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.
Laugavegur runs as the city's central spine, while Skólavörðustígur branches off and leads uphill to the church, its painted rainbow street a well-known landmark. By day it's browsing and coffee; by night the bars fill and the streets stay busy, so you're at the centre of the action with everything at your doorstep.
Getting around
You can walk to Hallgrímskirkja in a few minutes and to the harbour or Tjörnin in around 10–15. Airport coaches to Keflavík (KEF) run from a nearby central terminal, taking roughly 45–50 minutes.
Before you book this area
- Nightlife
- This is Reykjavik's densest cluster of bars and late-night spots, especially at weekends.
- Shopping
- Design shops, Icelandic wool and local boutiques line both streets.
- Watch out for
- Weekend noise carries late, so ask for a room facing a courtyard or side street if you sleep lightly.
Frequently asked
Is Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur a good area to stay in Reykjavik?
It's Reykjavik's main shopping and going-out area, lined with restaurants, bars, cafés and design shops, so it suits sociable travellers who want nightlife, dining and shopping at their doorstep. It's lively after dark, so light sleepers should look elsewhere or ask for a room facing a courtyard or side street.
How far is Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur from Hallgrímskirkja?
Hallgrímskirkja is about 270 m away in a straight line, roughly 3 minutes on foot. Skólavörðustígur leads straight up to the church, an easy few-minute uphill walk.
How do you get around from Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur, and where's the nearest station?
There's no metro, train or tram stop within 1.5 km of the area, so you'll rely on buses, taxis or walking. Airport coaches to Keflavík (KEF) run from a nearby central terminal, taking roughly 45–50 minutes.
Is Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur central?
Yes — Laugavegur runs as the city's central spine, and the city centre is about 940 m away in a straight line. You can reach the harbour or Tjörnin in around 10–15 minutes on foot.
Will it be loud on weekend nights?
Likely yes on the main streets, which hold Reykjavik's densest cluster of bars and late-night spots and stay busy well into the night, especially at weekends. A room on a quieter side lane or facing a courtyard makes a big difference if you sleep lightly.
Comparing areas? See the full Reykjavik area guide →
Other areas near Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
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 Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur, Reykjavik — honest orientation, no invented data.