Hallgrimskirkja
Hallgrimskirkja
4.5
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
12:15 PM - 8:00 PM
About
Hallgrimskirkja is the largest church in the country, and towers over the centre of Reykjavik. Its 73-metre-high tower provides a wonderful 360° view over all Reykjavik, the mountains around and the ocean streaching west to Greenland and the Americas. Because of this, the tower is among the most visited tourist destinations in Reykjavik. Tower admission Adults: ISK 1000 Children: ISK 100 (ages 7-16) Tickets are sold in the church shop. Access to the tower is only by lift. At the top there are a few steps to the open-air viewing platform. Winter (October – April): 09:00 – 17:00. Tower closes 16:30. Summer (May – September): 09:00 – 21:00. Tower closes 20:30. The tower is closed on Sundays from 10:30 – 12:15 during mass at 11:00. Hallgrimskirkja is an active, working church and sometimes we may close the church without notice, especially due to weddings or funerals. Everyone is welcome to join services and concerts, but we ask visitors to stay the whole time to avoid disturbance.
Duration: < 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Plan your visit
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Miðborg
Miðborg, Reykjavik's city center, is a testament to the country's rich history and thriving contemporary culture. The neighborhood is home to the striking Hallgrímskirkja church, a symbol of Iceland's resilience and unique architectural style. It offers a tapestry of dining experiences, from traditional Icelandic cuisine at restaurants like Grillmarkaðurinn to the modern, innovative dishes at Dill Restaurant. The Reykjavík Art Museum and National Museum of Iceland exhibit the country's artistic and historical narratives. With a well-connected network of buses and bike rentals available, navigating Miðborg is a breeze. The neighborhood comes alive in the evening when the streets fill with music from live shows at Harpa Concert Hall and spontaneous performances by local artists.
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
512 within 5 kms
Attractions
138 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.4
23,161 reviews
Excellent
11,618
Very good
8,558
Average
2,640
Poor
274
Terrible
70
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
serenaactis
San Giusto Canavese, Italy1,748 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
Hallgrimskirkja can be considered iconic building, one of the few that develops in height in the city and therefore clearly visible. The exterior resembles some basalt rocks present on the island (both waterfalls and cliffs).
It is a Lutheran church, quite bare inside. It's worth it just to see the organ and to climb to the top of the 75-meter bell tower to admire Reykjavik from above (weather permitting).
It is a Lutheran church, quite bare inside. It's worth it just to see the organ and to climb to the top of the 75-meter bell tower to admire Reykjavik from above (weather permitting).
Automatically translated
Written 15 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClaireWithLove
Germantown, MD2,451 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
A soaring, magnificient tribute to God. Check the church's website calendar before you come to avoid having to wait to enter. Once a church service starts, the interior doors are shut and you are not allowed to enter. Mondays at noon and Wednesdays at 10 am, and other times there are services, concerts and activities, so time your visit appropriately. You could still purchase tickets and go up to the tower, but you will not be able to see the inside of the church until the service is over.
You can enter the church for free but to go up to the tower it is ISK 1400 ($10.29) for adults and ISK 200 ($1.50) for children, ISK 1000 ($7.35) for Senior citizens, disabled and students. We did not go up the tower.
The church is tall and open with its soaring arches. I particularly liked the status of Jesus in the back; it had a good energy coming from it. Near it, was a prayer tree where you could fill out a card and hang it.
The church was not as ornate such as with colored stained glass windows as I have seen in France or Germany, but it was very light-filled with the tall windows.
You can enter the church for free but to go up to the tower it is ISK 1400 ($10.29) for adults and ISK 200 ($1.50) for children, ISK 1000 ($7.35) for Senior citizens, disabled and students. We did not go up the tower.
The church is tall and open with its soaring arches. I particularly liked the status of Jesus in the back; it had a good energy coming from it. Near it, was a prayer tree where you could fill out a card and hang it.
The church was not as ornate such as with colored stained glass windows as I have seen in France or Germany, but it was very light-filled with the tall windows.
Written 20 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles Gardner
Vermont32 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
To ride the elevator to the top and see the views costs about $10 USD per adult. It gives you great views of the surrounding area.
It has one of the Europe’s largest pipe organs inside the main cathedral. Outside it has a statue of Leif Erikson.
Overall, stopping here takes probably around 30 minutes. A decent amount of the time was spent waiting to ride the elevator up, then waiting to ride it back down.
It has one of the Europe’s largest pipe organs inside the main cathedral. Outside it has a statue of Leif Erikson.
Overall, stopping here takes probably around 30 minutes. A decent amount of the time was spent waiting to ride the elevator up, then waiting to ride it back down.
Written 16 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan P
Ave Maria, FL482 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Our hotel was just down the street. We entered not long after it opened so there was no line. The building is very impressive on the outside but the inside is very plain with a minimalist vibe. It’s not like other churches that are very ornate. You buy a ticket that allows you access to the elevator that takes you up to the eight floor then you have two flights of stairs to the top. From the top you have the best views of the city. We stayed long enough to hear the bells ringing which chime every 15 minutes.
Written 29 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WeeTravellingScots
Perth, UK117 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Such a beautiful landmark to visit during your wander around. For a small fee (1400kr per adult) you can take the lift to the eighth floor, then walk up the remaining three flights of stairs to the open windows you can see from the inside to get a fantastic 360 view of the city. The bells are sounded every fifteen minutes so beware! Down on the ground floor you can walk around the inside of the church as long as there’s no service on at the time of your visit. The roof and organs are amazing! You can light a candle of remembrance for a loved one for 100kr then sit in the pews for a quiet moment. A great place to visit.
Written 9 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erica D
Salt Lake City, UT344 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Visible from almost anywhere in the city, the unique architecture of this church is the main draw. Inside, it is plain like many Lutheran churches. It is free to enjoy the interior, with a small fee to go up to the tower. Really only worth it on a clear day, which we were lucky to have, the tower gives impressive views of the town. Note that there are still steps to climb after the elevator ride, if anyone in your party has mobility issues.
Written 3 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul J
Bristol, UK28 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Entrance to this building is free but it is worth paying the admission fee, (about £10 per person) to go to the top of the tower for 360 Degree views of Reykjavik. No stairs but a lift. On a good day you can see for miles and the snow topped mountains make an impressive backdrop. Be mindful of the bells... they are LOUD.
Written 17 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GRZ
Chicago, IL13,131 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Despite not following any faith or religion I do appreciate visiting churches in various parts of the world, especially unique ones like this as quite often they are the best remnants of the old world...
It's definitely THE LANDMARK of Reykjavik - something that stands out, both due to its size and also to its style - it's also a great area for a picnic, or lunch from the surrounding cafes and bakeries - plenty of benches in the area
Inside the building is pretty impressive too - you can take a paid tour to the tower (we didn't) but the main floor is free as long as there is no mass in process - the huge instruments were very impressive!!!
It's definitely THE LANDMARK of Reykjavik - something that stands out, both due to its size and also to its style - it's also a great area for a picnic, or lunch from the surrounding cafes and bakeries - plenty of benches in the area
Inside the building is pretty impressive too - you can take a paid tour to the tower (we didn't) but the main floor is free as long as there is no mass in process - the huge instruments were very impressive!!!
Written 31 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gordon L
15 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Reading up about it on the web doesn’t prepare you for the vastness of the Church, with the Altar at one end and the magnificent organ at the other. Well worth sitting for a while to appreciate it all. A trip up the tower worth the view of the city below recommended especially just before sunset !
Written 11 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joshua T
225 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
Well worth a visit. The main part of the church is beautiful inside, very modern and different from old churches. We paid to go up the bell tower which was around £8 per person and had spectacular views of the city from all sides. The bells ring every 15 minutes. The very top of the tower is not wheelchair accessible, which meant that a disabled lady had to wait at the bottom of some stairs for her companions to see the view without her, which was a shame.
Written 2 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I may have a couple of days to spare for sightseeing in the city in December. Is photography permitted in the Cathedral?
Written 30 June 2021
I took quite a few pictures - it's so unique!!
Written 1 July 2021
Yes, in the gift shop and it’s heated at the top so not too cold.
Written 10 February 2020
We were just there 1000 for adults kids at least 7amd 13 were free
Written 3 July 2019
Is there a place to find a list of events? I saw someone mention a children's chorus singing one day.
Written 14 January 2019
If the above doesn't help just try their website hallgrimskirkja.is
Opt for the English (unless you read Icelandic) and go to the information tab where you'll find events.
Written 14 January 2019
It was free to park at the church, but I don't know if that would apply for overnight parking.
Written 12 June 2018
Are there specific times that individuals practice on the organ in Hallgrimskirkja, or do you have to be lucky to time it? I would love to hear the organ in action.
Written 16 May 2018
I didn’t see any schedule posted. We were there Saturday around noon and he was going strong.
Written 23 May 2018
Is parking available outside?
Written 29 January 2018
As per previous reviews, very limited parking. Better to park elsewhere and walk up.
Written 16 February 2018
When you purchase a ticket is it just for one visit or could we go up twice in one day
Written 26 October 2017
No one took our tickets either. It was the honor system. If it was me, I would just ask them when I bought the ticket and go with what they said. I bet they would say it was fine.
Written 26 October 2017
How late does this church open until ? In the summer time, the sun does not set until midnight, I wonder if we have time to visit this church late evening. Thanks!
Written 24 June 2017
It is only open until 9pm. We got there right when it opened-less tourists.
Written 24 June 2017
…
Showing results 1-10 of 32
Related Stories
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing