Canonical URL: https://www.iceland.org/cities

Content updated: 2026-09-10

This is the Markdown representation of the page. Interactive tools and forms are available on the [HTML page](<https://www.iceland.org/cities>). Source-check and review dates retain the meanings stated in the article.

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# Iceland Cities and Towns by Region

From the capital Reykjavik to remote fishing villages in the Westfjords, browse towns, rural places and wider municipalities.

Updated September 10, 2026 · [Published by Iceland.org](<https://www.iceland.org/about-us>) · [Writing & review](<https://www.iceland.org/editorial-policy#credits>)

Population

394,324 · Jan 1, 2026

96 destination links

## Quick Answer

Reykjavík is Iceland's capital and largest city, while Akureyri is the largest urban center outside the Capital Region. Most other places commonly called Icelandic cities are small towns or villages. This guide lists them across all eight regions, with links to individual destination guides.

Iceland's population is concentrated in the Capital Region, with Reykjavik and its suburbs home to well over half of residents. See the latest [Iceland population figures](<https://www.iceland.org/population>) for official totals. Beyond the capital, you'll find fishing villages, saga sites, and remote communities where life still centers on the sea and the land.

Sources and page update

Updated: 2026-09-10

The directory mixes towns, municipalities and rural places. These regional groups support travel planning; they are not a population ranking.

For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.

Official sources to check

- [Statistics Iceland](<https://statice.is/>)
- [Road status (road.is)](<https://www.road.is/>)
- [SafeTravel alerts](<https://safetravel.is/>)
- [Visit Iceland](<https://www.visiticeland.com/>)
- [Icelandic Meteorological Office](<https://en.vedur.is/>)

Capital Region

Reykjavik and neighbors

Plan by the actual venue and neighborhood

Regions

8 regions

Each with its own towns and attractions

Remote towns

Check services

Fuel, food and check-in need separate checks

## Choose the kind of stop before choosing the town

**A place to sleep:** compare the exact property against the next morning’s activity. A room listed under a municipality may be far from its main town. [Borgarbyggd](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/borgarbyggd>) includes inland stops beyond Borgarnes; [Blaskogabyggd](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/blaskogabyggd>) includes three separate Golden Circle village centers.

**A museum stop:** check the day before building the drive around it. For example, Snorrastofa in Reykholt lists weekday visitor hours in September–April, while Safnahus in Borgarnes lists a short Saturday opening. The [Borgarbyggd guide](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/borgarbyggd>) compares these options and links to their operators.

**A remote base:** settle both arrival and departure. [Gjogur](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/gjogur>) has published winter flights, but the air connection does not arrange ground transport, meals or accommodation. A route on a map is only one part of the booking.

### Read population figures with their boundaries

[Statistics Iceland’s January 1, 2026 release](<https://www.statice.is/publications/news-archive/inhabitants/population-1-january-2026/>) records 394,324 residents nationally and 139,804 in Reykjavik municipality. These are dated counts, not a live headcount. Its [separate tables for municipalities and urban nuclei](<https://www.statice.is/statistics/population/inhabitants/municipalities-and-urban-nuclei/>) help explain why a rural municipality total should not be compared with a small village’s population.

## Cities and Towns by Region

### Hofudborgarsvaedid (Capital Region)

Greater Reykjavik Area

Iceland's urban center with over 60% of the population. Museums, nightlife, and services.

[Reykjavik

Capital city](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/reykjavik>)[Kopavogur

Capital-area town](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/kopavogur>)[Hafnarfjordur

Harbor town](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hafnarfjordur>)[Gardabaer

Residential suburb](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/gardabaer>)[Mosfellsbaer

Gateway to highlands](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/mosfellsbaer>)[Seltjarnarnes

Coastal peninsula](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/seltjarnarnes>)[Alftanes

Presidential residence](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/alftanes>)

### Sudurnes (Southern Peninsula)

Reykjanes Peninsula

Gateway to Iceland via Keflavik Airport. Geothermal fields and the Blue Lagoon.

[Reykjanesbaer (Keflavik)

Airport town](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/keflavik>)[Njardvik

Check current museum availability](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/njardvik>)[Grindavik

Check current access before traveling](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/grindavik>)[Sandgerdi

Coastal fishing town](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/sandgerdi>)[Gardur

Lighthouse village](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/gardur>)[Vogar

Small fishing community](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/vogar>)

### Vesturland (West Iceland)

West Region

Saga country with Borgarfjordur valley, Langjokull glacier, and Snaefellsnes peninsula.

[Akranes

Industrial town](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/akranes>)[Borgarnes

Saga center](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/borgarnes>)[Reykholt

Historic site, Snorri Sturluson](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/reykholt>)[Hvanneyri

Agricultural university](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hvanneyri>)[Stykkisholmur

Snaefellsnes hub](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/stykkisholmur>)[Grundarfjordur

Kirkjufell mountain](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/grundarfjordur>)[Olafsvik

Fishing port](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/olafsvik>)[Hellissandur

Near Snaefellsjokull](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hellissandur>)[Arnarstapi

Coastal cliffs, Snaefellsnes](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/arnarstapi>)[Hellnar

Historic fishing hamlet](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hellnar>)[Rif

Bird watching village](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/rif>)[Budardalur

Dalir region](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/budardalur>)[Husafell

Glacier & cave gateway](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/husafell>)[Borgarbyggd

Saga country municipality](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/borgarbyggd>)

### Vestfirdir (Westfjords)

Westfjords Region

Remote peninsula with steep fjords, bird cliffs, and the Arctic Fox Center.

[Isafjordur

Regional capital](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/isafjordur>)[Bolungarvik

Fishing village](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/bolungarvik>)[Hnifsdalur

Adjacent to Isafjordur](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hnifsdalur>)[Flateyri

Avalanche history](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/flateyri>)[Sudureyri

Fishing community](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/sudureyri>)[Sudavik

Arctic Fox Center](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/sudavik>)[Thingeyri

Sandafell and working-harbor history](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/thingeyri>)[Patreksfjordur

Near Latrabjarg](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/patreksfjordur>)[Talknafjordur

Hot springs](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/talknafjordur>)[Bildudalur

Sea monster museum](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/bildudalur>)[Holmavik

Witchcraft museum](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/holmavik>)[Drangsnes

Hot pots by the sea](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/drangsnes>)[Reykholar

Seaweed harvesting](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/reykholars>)[Hrafnseyri

Birthplace of Jon Sigurdsson](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hrafnseyri>)[Gjogur

Remote Strandir coast hamlet](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/gjogur>)

### Nordurland Vestra (Northwest Iceland)

Northwest Region

Horse country, herring history, and remote Arctic coastline. Skagafjordur valley.

[Saudarkrokur

Regional center](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/saudarkrokur>)[Blonduos

Textile museum](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/blonduos>)[Hofsos

Infinity pool](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hofsos>)[Hvammstangi

Seal watching](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hvammstangi>)[Skagastrond

Windsurfing](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/skagastrond>)[Varmahlid

Horse breeding center](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/varmahlid>)[Holar

Historic bishop's seat](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/holar>)

### Nordurland Eystra (Northeast Iceland)

Northeast Region

Akureyri, whale watching from Husavik, and the Diamond Circle route.

[Olafsfjordur

Skiing destination](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/olafsfjordur>)[Siglufjordur

Herring Era museum](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/siglufjordur>)[Dalsmynni

Rural Fnjoskadalur valley](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/dalsmynni>)[Akureyri

Capital of the North](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/akureyri>)[Husavik

Whale watching capital](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/husavik>)[Dalvik

Fishing and skiing](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/dalvik>)[Arskogssandur

Beer Spa destination](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/arskogssandur>)[Hauganes

Whale watching village](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hauganes>)[Hjalteyri

Art center, scuba diving](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hjalteyri>)[Grenivik

Quiet fishing village](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/grenivik>)[Laugar

Geothermal area](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/laugar>)[Thorshofn

Langanes gateway](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/thorshofn>)[Raufarhofn

Arctic Henge](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/raufarhofn>)[Kopasker

Remote northeast](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/kopasker>)[Reykjahlid

Myvatn gateway village](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/reykjahlid>)

### Austurland (East Iceland)

Eastfjords Region

Steep-sided fjords, reindeer, and the ferry terminal at Seydisfjordur.

[Egilsstadir

Regional hub](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/egilsstadir>)[Seydisfjordur

Ferry terminal, Rainbow Street](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/seydisfjordur>)[Neskaupstadur

Easternmost town](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/neskaupstadur>)[Reydarfjordur

Eastfjords port and museum stop](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/reydarfjordur>)[Eskifjordur

Maritime museum](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/eskifjordur>)[Faskrudsfjordur

French heritage](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/faskrudsfjordur>)[Vopnafjordur

Bustarfell turf museum](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/vopnafjordur>)[Stodvarfjordur

Petra's Stone Collection](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/stodvarfjordur>)[Djupivogur

Eggs of Merry Bay](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/djupivogur>)[Breiddalsvík

Quiet fishing village](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/breiddalsvik>)[Bakkafjordur

Small fishing village](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/bakkafjordur>)[Borgarfjordur Eystri

Puffin colony](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/borgarfjordur-eystri>)[Mjoifjordur

Remote 10-house hamlet](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/mjoifjordur>)[Skriduklaustur

Historic monastery & cultural center](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/skriduklaustur>)[Fljotsdalsherad

Former municipality, now within Mulathing](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/fljotsdalsherad>)

### Sudurland (South Iceland)

South Region

Golden Circle, waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches. Most visited region.

[Skalafell

Glacier farm settlement](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/skalafell>)[Selfoss

South Iceland hub](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/selfoss>)[Hveragerdi

Greenhouse town](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hveragerdi>)[Fludir

Secret Lagoon hot spring](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/fludir>)[Thorlakshofn

Alternate Herjolfur departure port](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/thorlakshofn>)[Eyrarbakki

Historic fishing village](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/eyrarbakki>)[Stokkseyri

Ghost museum](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/stokkseyri>)[Hella

Horse farms](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hella>)[Hvolsvollur

Saga center, Eyjafjallajokull](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hvolsvollur>)[Vik i Myrdal

Black sand beaches](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/vik>)[Kirkjubaejarklaustur

Historic monastery](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/kirkjubaejarklaustur>)[Hofn

Glacier-region service town](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/hofn>)[Vestmannaeyjar

Westman Islands](<https://www.iceland.org/islands/vestmannaeyjar>)[Laugarvatn

Golden Circle spa village](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/laugarvatn>)[Solheimar

Eco-village community](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/solheimar>)[Laugaras

Geothermal village](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/laugaras>)[Blaskogabyggd

Golden Circle municipality](<https://www.iceland.org/cities/blaskogabyggd>)

Planning help

## Iceland Cities and Towns FAQs

Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.

**What is the largest city in Iceland?**

Reykjavik is the capital and largest city. Statistics Iceland recorded 139,804 residents in Reykjavik municipality on January 1, 2026; the wider capital area is a different geographic unit.

**Why do lists disagree on the second-largest city?**

A list may compare municipalities, continuous urban areas or individual towns. Check the geographic unit and reference date before treating a ranking as comparable.

**How many people live in Iceland?**

Statistics Iceland recorded 394,324 residents on January 1, 2026. The population guide links to later releases and explains the reference dates.

**Does this directory include only towns?**

No. It also includes municipalities such as Borgarbyggd and Blaskogabyggd, historical sites and rural localities. Open the individual guide to see what kind of destination you are choosing.

**Do all listed places have shops and fuel?**

No. A map name or accommodation listing does not guarantee groceries, fuel or a restaurant. Check those services separately, especially for rural stays and late arrivals.

**How should I choose an overnight stop?**

Start with your next morning’s booking or first attraction. Compare the actual drive, dinner and check-in arrangements, then check whether the route is suitable for the travel date.

**Can I visit every place in a region in one day?**

A regional heading is a browsing aid, not a one-day itinerary. Fjords, mountain roads and seasonal transport can make nearby-looking places separate travel days.

For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our [Iceland statistics](<https://www.iceland.org/statistics>).