Reykjavik is located in a seismic zone, which influences the city's architecture; tall buildings are rare and constructed with special care. The Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church, the fourth tallest building in Iceland, stands as the city's centerpiece, located in the historic part of the city. This area is home to several other significant landmarks. Along the shore of Lake Tjornin, the city hall is encircled by the neat and beautiful houses of wealthy citizens.
Important government buildings include the Bessastadiru, the residence of the Icelandic presidents, the country's parliament building, and the Hövdi House, now a guest house for distinguished visitors. Hövdi House gained fame as the meeting place of Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan during the "Icelandic Summit."
A must-visit for tourists is the city's boiler house "Pearl," located on Oskulid hill. It features a transparent dome and is surrounded by tanks filled with hot water. Reykjavik uses thermal water for heating, ensuring the air remains clean and clear.
Another attraction is the Harpa Concert Hall, a vast glazed structure that houses four different sized concert halls. Additionally, 30 km from the city, the Blue Lagoon Spa Resort is a popular destination, known for its natural outdoor thermal spring, maintaining an average water temperature of 39 °C.
