101 Reykjavík Downtown

Overview

101 Reykjavík (the city's central postal code) is one of the world's smallest and most walkable capitals. The downtown area is a compact grid of corrugated-iron houses painted in bold colours, dotted with street art, independent shops, and cosy cafés.

Highlights

• Colourful Houses: Instagram-ready streets like Skólavörðustígur and the Rainbow Street (Skólavörðustígur painted in pride colours since 2018).
• Street Art: Murals by Icelandic and international artists adorn walls, fences, and alleyways throughout the area.
• Café Culture: Dozens of independent coffee shops serve specialty coffee—Reykjavík regularly ranks among the world's top coffee cities per capita.

History

The 101 district grew from a small trading post around Aðalstræti in the 18th century into Iceland's capital as the country modernised. The characteristic tin-clad wooden houses were adopted because of timber scarcity and the need for weather protection.

Visitor Tips

• Duration: 1.5–2 hours on foot.
• Walking Route: Start at Harpa, walk up through Austurstræti, Bankastræti, and Laugavegur, then up Skólavörðustígur to Hallgrímskirkja.
• Nightlife: Explore the same streets after midnight on weekends for the legendary rúntur bar crawl.