Vesturbær is a leafy residential neighbourhood just west of the centre, home to a much-loved geothermal swimming pool and the University of Iceland. It's calmer and more local than the tourist core while remaining walkable to downtown, suiting travellers who want everyday atmosphere over bustle.
Vesturbær (West Side) at a glance
- Distance to Hallgrímskirkja
- About 1.4 km as the crow flies, roughly 18 min on foot.
- From the city centre
- About 520 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.
Quiet streets of homes, small shops and neighbourhood cafés stretch west from the centre toward the coast, with the university campus and the popular Vesturbæjarlaug pool as anchors. Evenings are peaceful and residential, and the seaside path nearby is good for a walk, yet the downtown streets are a short stroll away.
Getting around
The city centre and Austurvöllur are around a 10–15 minute walk east, with Hallgrímskirkja a little further. City buses and airport coaches connect from central stops, and Keflavík (KEF) is roughly 45–50 minutes away by coach.
Before you book this area
- Vibe
- Calm, residential and local, favoured by families and university crowd.
- Green space
- Coastal walking paths and the neighbourhood's geothermal pool are highlights.
- Budget
- Often feels more relaxed and everyday than the tourist-heavy core.
Frequently asked
Is Vesturbær a good area to stay in Reykjavik?
Vesturbær is a leafy, residential neighbourhood just west of the centre that suits travellers wanting an everyday, local atmosphere over bustle. It's calmer and more local than the tourist core, so those set on being in the middle of the action might prefer downtown.
How far is Vesturbær from Hallgrímskirkja?
Hallgrímskirkja is about 1.4 km away in a straight line, roughly 18 minutes on foot.
How do you get around Vesturbær, and is there a nearby station?
There's no metro, train or tram stop within 1.5 km of the area, so you'll rely on city buses, taxis or walking. Airport coaches connect from central stops, with Keflavík (KEF) roughly 45–50 minutes away by coach.
Is Vesturbær central?
It's very close to the centre — about 520 m in a straight line, or around a 10–15 minute walk east to Austurvöllur and the downtown streets.
Is Vesturbær quiet at night?
Yes — evenings here are peaceful and residential, with quiet streets of homes, small shops and neighbourhood cafés. It's favoured by families and the university crowd rather than nightlife seekers.
Comparing areas? See the full Reykjavik area guide →
Other areas near Vesturbær (West Side)
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 Vesturbær (West Side), Reykjavik — honest orientation, no invented data.