Place · Reykjavík

Austurvöllur

Pause between parliament, cathedral and the Jón Sigurðsson statue in Reykjavík’s oldest public park.

Plan a real visit

Your visit at a glance

Time on site: 20–30 min on site · editorial estimate; travel extra
Start: Central Jón Sigurðsson statue in Austurvöllur.
Look for: Alþingi and Dómkirkjan on the southern edge.
Cost: Public park free; meals and indoor visits separate.
Time: 20–30 minutes for a circuit and pause; editorial allowance.

Austurvöllur is a small space with a large civic role. Parliament and the cathedral stand at its southern edge, while the statue of Jón Sigurðsson gives the green centre a focal point.

The square grew from the Reykjavík farm’s fields into the city’s oldest public park. Today its appeal is both architectural and everyday: a bench, a gathering, a summer lawn or the illuminated Oslo Christmas tree.

Austurvöllur square in Reykjavík — APK · source · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized for web; responsive display may crop the frame.

A useful time allowance: 20–30 minutes for a relaxed pause — our editorial estimate.
Season and conditions: Any season when local weather and walking conditions suit your visit.
Getting there: Walk from Tjörnin or the city centre.

Make the next choice

Plan your next step

Start with the option that matches how you will visit Austurvöllur. The alternative is useful only if it fills another gap in your plan.

The experience

Add a museum to the square walk

The outdoor stop is free. If you want a museum day, compare admission for your chosen central museums and check whether a city card fits.

Only for museums you intend to visit; the free outdoor stop needs no ticket or card.

Add a museum to the square walk

A place to stay

Choose a central Reykjavík base

Choose a walkable base around your city visits so you can return without renting a car.

Use the regional guidance for your actual activity meeting point and next day. Check the exact room, arrival and cancellation terms.

Choose a central Reykjavík base

Bring your choices together in Saved →

Look from the statue to the buildings

Begin by the central Jón Sigurðsson statue and turn towards Alþingi and Dómkirkjan. A slow circuit of the square’s edges lets you take in Hotel Borg and the other historic façades without needing to enter a building.

The cathedral was consecrated in 1796 and the parliament building dates from 1881. These exterior views make a compact introduction to the city’s civic history; entering parliament or attending an event needs separate arrangements.

Let the square set the pace

Our 20–30 minute suggestion covers looking around and sitting for a while. It fits naturally between Tjörnin and the harbour, and is easy to shorten if weather makes a bench unappealing.

The park hosts celebrations, concerts and protests. Leave room for a gathering and enjoy the public space as it is being used; an event may change the atmosphere or the route across it.

Keep the pause free

You can use the public square without buying a meal. Nearby restaurant terraces are an optional extension with their own prices and opening hours. For a low-cost city walk, combine the façades here with Tjörnin and the waterfront.

Start at the square itself rather than hunting for a dedicated attraction car park. If driving into the centre, use a lawful city parking space or garage and follow its tariff; this guide’s map points to the park, not a verified parking bay.

Sources & editorial review · 2026-09-30

Time allowances and suggested combinations are our editorial recommendations. Check the provider for current access, opening times and conditions.