Best Coastal Stays in Reykjavík, Iceland
Reykjavík sits on a bay, with Mount Esja across the water and the harbour a short walk from the centre, so a sea view is a real thing to look for here. The stays I list offer it in different ways: a penthouse suite on the 20th floor of a glass tower, apartments with balconies facing the sea and the mountains, and a harbour-view flat in the city centre. Not every place on this list looks at the water, and I point out which ones rely on the area instead. Below I explain how to choose between them, using only what each listing says.
Reykjavík is a small harbour capital where the sea is never far and Mount Esja closes the view across the bay. The old harbour, the waterfront walk and the low light make the coast part of daily life. Coastal stays here are about balconies, upper floors and short walks to the shore, in a city that is easy to cross on foot.
Where to stay
Choose the window you wake up to
A coastal stay in Reykjavík mostly means a view or a short walk to the shore, since the capital is a harbour town on a bay. The sea and the mountains across it are the draw, and the light changes with every season. Sea views here come from balconies and upper floors rather than a beach in front of the door, so the choice is about which window you want to wake up to.
Tower Suites Reykjavík is the headline stay. Its penthouse suites sit on the 20th floor of a modern glass tower in central Reykjavík, with floor-to-ceiling windows, panoramic city or sea views, a complimentary minibar and a Nespresso machine. It is rated 9.5 across 346 reviews. The view depends on the suite, since the listing says city or sea, so it is worth asking which one you are getting. I would choose it for a special occasion when the window matters more than a garden or a big kitchen, and when you want to be in the centre.
Blue Viking Apartments Reykjavik offers spacious two-bedroom apartments with a fully equipped kitchen, a living room, a terrace and a balcony with sea and mountain views, and scores 9.3 from 325 reviews. Lundur Apartments combine a terrace, a kitchenette, balconies, parquet floors and sea views, with a washing machine and a work desk, rated 8.9 across 655 reviews. Both suit travellers who want to cook, spread out and look at the water from the balcony in the evening, rather than eat out for every meal during a longer stay. Both list free WiFi too, which helps if you work from the road.
For couples, Modern Downtown Apartment - Harbour View is a one-bedroom flat in the city centre with a balcony and sea views, a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine and free WiFi, rated 9.4 from 112 reviews. Aurora Lights Retreat has sea and mountain views from a balcony, a living room, parquet floors and a kitchen, scoring 9.7 across 44 reviews. These two are the quieter options on the list, and I would book them for a few nights when you plan to walk to the harbour and eat at home.
The label is looser on a few listings. Iceland SJF Apartments 401 and 301 describe two-bedroom apartments with a terrace and garden views rather than the sea, so I would not book them for a water view. The ICELAND SJF Villa in Kópavogur offers a hot tub, an outdoor sauna and mountain and city views over Reykjavík, rated 9.9 across 51 reviews. It is a good choice for a group that wants a private soak with a wide view, though it looks at the mountains and the city, not the shoreline.
A traveler's takeI would choose Tower Suites Reykjavík for a special stay with a 20th-floor view, Blue Viking Apartments for a family or friends who want a kitchen and a balcony facing the sea and the mountains, and the Modern Downtown Apartment for a couple who want the harbour on foot. My rule is to read each listing's view before booking, because only some of these stays look at the sea and a few look at gardens or mountains instead.
CoastalNaustavör 30
Spacious apartment with a garden and terrace, close to Reykjavík's attractions
Why guests love itNaustavör 30 is a one-bedroom apartment in Reykjavík with a living room, a terrace and a garden. The kitchen is fully equipped, there is a washing machine and WiFi is free. The listing puts it 3.9 km from The Pearl and 6 km from Hallgrímskirkja, with shops and art museums within reach. Guests rate it a perfect 10 from a single review. Our editorial verdict: a quiet self-catered base for a couple or a small family with a car.
CoastalICELAND SJF Villa, Hot tub & Outdoor Sauna Amazing Mountains and City View Over Reykjavík
Elegant villa with hot tub, outdoor sauna, and striking city and mountain views
Why guests love itICELAND SJF Villa is a three-bedroom villa in Kópavogur with a hot tub, a sauna and an outdoor sauna, which is the reason to book it. The private garden, terrace and balcony look across the mountains and the city towards Reykjavík, and two bathrooms plus a large living room suit a family or two couples. I would choose it for privacy and spa time, and its 9.9 rating from 51 reviews supports that.
CoastalAurora Lights Retreat
Spacious apartment with sea and mountain views, ideal for aurora watching
Why guests love itAurora Lights Retreat is a spacious one-bedroom apartment in Reykjavík with a living room, parquet floors and a balcony with sea and mountain views. It has a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine, streaming services and free WiFi. The listing places it near the Sun Voyager sculpture and Hallgrímskirkja church. Guests rate it 9.7 across 44 reviews. Streaming services help on slow evenings.
CoastalIceland SJF Apartments - 401
Spacious apartment with garden and terrace, ideal for families and couples
Why guests love itI recommend Iceland SJF Apartments - 401 to families and couples who want a spacious two-bedroom apartment in Reykjavík. It has a living room, a fully equipped kitchenette, air-conditioning and free WiFi, plus a terrace and a garden, and it is conveniently located near city attractions. Two bedrooms mean children or friends can have their own space. Guests rate it 9.5 across more than 190 reviews, a top score for a city apartment.
CoastalIceland SJF Apartments - 301
Spacious apartment with balcony and modern amenities in Reykjavík
Why guests love itIceland SJF Apartments - 301 is a spacious two-bedroom apartment in Reykjavík with a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine, a dishwasher and a microwave. It also has air-conditioning, free WiFi and streaming services, plus a balcony with garden views and a terrace. The listing places it near major attractions and the domestic airport. Guests rate it 9.5 across 118 reviews.
CoastalTower Suites Reykjavík
Penthouse suites with panoramic views and thoughtful amenities in central Reykjavik
Why guests love itTower Suites is a four-star stay on the 20th floor of a glass tower in central Reykjavík. Each penthouse suite has floor-to-ceiling windows, panoramic city or sea views, a private bathroom, a complimentary minibar, a Nespresso machine, a telescope and an iPad. Free WiFi is included, and restaurants and coffee shops sit on the ground floor. A 9.5 rating across 346 reviews is outstanding. I would choose it for a family or couple who want the view to be the point.
CoastalModern Downtown Apartment - Harbour View
Spacious downtown apartment with sea views and a fully equipped kitchen
Why guests love itI would pick the Modern Downtown Apartment for a short central stay in Reykjavík with a bit of space. It is a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre with a balcony and sea views, near the Old Harbour. The fully equipped kitchen and the washing machine let you cook and do laundry mid-trip, and free Wi-Fi is included. Guests rate it 9.4 across 112 reviews. With one bedroom, I would choose it for a couple, or a small family that is happy to share.
CoastalBlue Viking Apartments Reykjavik
Spacious apartments with sea views and a prime city location
Why guests love itBlue Viking Apartments are spacious two-bedroom flats with a fully equipped kitchen, a living room, a terrace and a balcony with sea and mountain views. Free WiFi is included, and the Old Harbour and other city attractions are close. Two bedrooms make it workable for a family or two couples sharing. A 9.3 rating across 325 reviews is strong. I would choose it for a family that wants room to spread out and a kitchen near the harbour.
CoastalLundur Apartments
Sea-view apartments with balconies, perfect for coastal adventures
Why guests love itLundur Apartments suit families who want space and a view. Each apartment has a kitchenette, a balcony and sea views, plus parquet floors, a work desk and a washing machine, with a laundry service on top. A terrace and free WiFi round it out. Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach is 2.5 km away, a short trip for children who like the water. With a rating of 8.9 across 655 reviews, I would choose it for a family on a longer Reykjavík stay.
Local tips
- 1Read each listing's view before booking: Tower Suites offers city or sea views depending on the suite.
- 2Blue Viking Apartments and Lundur Apartments both list balconies with sea views, and both have kitchens for longer stays.
- 3Iceland SJF Apartments 401 and 301 list garden views, so skip them if a sea view is the reason you are here.
- 4The Modern Downtown Apartment - Harbour View sits in the city centre, so you can walk to the harbour without a car.
- 5The ICELAND SJF Villa in Kópavogur has a hot tub and outdoor sauna, with mountain and city views over Reykjavík.
- 6Pack warm layers for balcony time, since sea breezes over the bay stay cool in every season.