🇮🇸 Reykjavik,
Iceland
#791
Nomad Score
6.2
Coords
64.1459810, -21.9422367
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ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Reykjavik, Capital Region, Iceland |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 135,000 (Greater Reykjavik area: 233,000) |
| 💻 Internet Speed | High-speed fiber optics widely available; Average 100-500 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Icelandic Króna (ISK). 1 USD ≈ 138 ISK, 1 EUR ≈ 150 ISK |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable; among the purest in the world. Cold water is spring water, hot water is geothermal (sulfur scent) |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Síminn, Nova, and Vodafone. Nova offers 10GB for approx. 2,490 ISK |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Arion Banki, Íslandsbanki, and Landsbankinn. Revolut is widely used for currency exchange |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, Bungalo.com, and local Facebook groups like 'Leiga' for long-term stays |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Extremely high; cards and mobile payments (Apple/Google Pay) are used everywhere, even for public toilets |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb (approx. 25,000 ISK/night) and specialized agencies like Blue House B&B |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Kex Hostel (Skúlagata 28) - Dorms from 6,000 ISK; Loft HI Hostel (Bankastræti 7) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Miðborg (District 101) - Close to Hallgrímskirkja and Laugavegur shopping street |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Vesturbær (District 107) - Quieter residential vibe near the university and Grandi Harbor |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Reykjavik Coworking Unit (Laugavegur 116) - approx. 35,000 ISK/month; Ocean Cluster House (Grandi) |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Reykjavik Roasters (Brautarholt 2) or Kaffitar (Bankastræti 8) - Laptop friendly with fast Wi-Fi |
| 💼 Networking Events | Innovation Center Iceland and events hosted by Startup Iceland |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Iceland Facebook Group; 'Language and Beer' meetups at Loft Hostel |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Hreyfill (+354 588 5522) or BSR. Note: Uber and Bolt do not operate in Iceland |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Hopp (electric scooters) - widely used via app; approx. 100 ISK unlock + 40 ISK/min |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach - heated lagoon with golden sand and hot tubs |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Icelandair (domestic routes from Reykjavik Airport (RKV)) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Icelandair and PLAY (operating from Keflavik International (KEF)) |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Route 1 (The Ring Road) accessible via the Reykjanesbraut highway |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | BSÍ Bus Terminal (No trains exist in Iceland) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Strætó app - Single fare 570 ISK; 20-ride pass 10,500 ISK |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Strætó regional buses or domestic flights from RKV to Akureyri/Egilsstaðir |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Landspítali University Hospital (Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavik) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Sólir Yoga & Spiritual Plant (Fiskislóð 53); Reykjavik Yoga |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | World Class (Laugardalur branch is the largest); Rebook Fitness |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Udarnik (Vitastígur 11) - Drop-off service; many hostels offer self-service |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Aha.is - The primary delivery service for food and groceries in Reykjavik |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Plokkfiskur (Fish stew) at Messinn; Icelandic Lamb at Matarkjallarinn |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Mama Reykjavik (Laugavegur 2); Chickpea (Hverfisgata 26) |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Brauð & Co (Frakkastígur 16) for cinnamon rolls; Gaeta Gelato |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Bónus or Krónan supermarkets (Look for the yellow pig or lemon logos) |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Elko.is (Electronics); Heimkaup.is (General department store) |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Heimkaup.is offers same-day delivery for groceries |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Laugavegur and Hverfisgata streets; Lebowski Bar, Gaukurinn |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Bryggjan Brugghús (Grandagarður 8); RVK Brewing Co. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar (Laugavegur 27); Mikki Refur |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (Tryggvagata 1) for world-famous hot dogs |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Ramen Momo (First ramen station in Iceland); Dragon Dim Sum |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Hallgrímskirkja Church; Harpa Concert Hall |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Perlan (Wonders of Iceland); National Museum of Iceland |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Höfði House (Site of 1986 Reagan-Gorbachev summit) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Hallgrímskirkja; Landakotskirkja (Catholic Cathedral) |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Iceland Airwaves (Music festival, Nov); Reykjavik Pride (August) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Grandi Harbour District (Art galleries and food halls) |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | National Theatre of Iceland (Hverfisgata 19); Reykjavik City Theatre |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Kolaportið Flea Market (Weekends only, Tryggvagata 19) |
| 🎼 Music Scene | 12 Tónar (Record shop and bar); Mengi (Experimental music venue) |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals on Laugavegur and the Old Harbour area |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Salt Eldhús (Thorunnartun 2) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | i8 Gallery (Tryggvagata 16); Reykjavik Art Museum Hafnarhús |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Alþingi (Parliament House, Austurvöllur) |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Sagas of Icelanders (Historical manuscripts held at Árni Magnússon Institute) |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Viðey Island (5 min ferry); Heiðmörk Nature Reserve |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Þingvellir National Park (45 min drive) - UNESCO World Heritage site |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Ægisíða coastal path (Vesturbær); Elliðaárdalur Valley |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Perlan Observation Deck (360-degree city views) |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Seltjarnarnes Peninsula (Grotta Lighthouse area) |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated public bonfires during Áramót (New Year's Eve) and Þrettándinn |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Pósturinn (Iceland Post); DHL Express (Gunnarsbraut 11) |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Macland (Laugavegur 17) for Apple products; Tölvutækni |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Laugardalshöll Sports Center |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The Tin Can Factory (Skipholt 19) - Icelandic courses with cultural immersion |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Borgarbókasafnið (Reykjavik City Library, Tryggvagata 15) |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Tjarnarbíó (Culture and community hub) |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Arena Gaming (Kópavogur suburb) - high-end PCs and VR |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | N/A (Gambling is illegal in Iceland, only limited slot machine halls exist like Gullnáman) |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 1,000,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 40,000,000 ISK / $290,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 850,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 34,000,000 ISK / $246,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 950,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 57,000,000 ISK / $412,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 800,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 48,000,000 ISK / $347,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 900,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 72,000,000 ISK / $520,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 750,000 ISK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 60,000,000 ISK / $434,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% for limited liability companies |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 22% standard rate |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive national and municipal income tax for residents |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 46.25% (on income exceeding 1,114,640 ISK per month) |
| 🧾 VAT | 24% standard rate; 11% reduced rate for groceries/books |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Icelandic residents are taxed on profits in CFCs in low-tax jurisdictions |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, varies by municipality, typically 0.18% to 0.63% of the real estate valuation |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp duty: 0.8% for individuals, 1.6% for legal entities |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Remote Work Visa allows stays up to 180 days; holders are not considered tax residents if staying <183 days |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING REYKJAVIK