Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
Stand outside Harpa at dusk and watch the south façade change colour — 714 uniquely sized glass panels, each one part of a twelve-sided geometric system first developed by Icelandic geometer Einar Thorsteinn in the 1980s, catching the last of the northern light before the LEDs take over. The effect is less decorative than structural: the building is doing something, not just standing there.
Inside, Reykjavík's first purpose-built concert hall holds four venues ranging from the 1,800-seat Eldborg down to the intimate 195-seat Kaldalon. The public spaces are free to enter, which means the foyer — all angles, reflections and harbour views — is as much a daytime destination as an evening one.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who come back tend to time it twice: once in daylight to walk the foyer and watch the façade from different angles, and again for an evening concert when the LED grid is running. The guided tours are led by working musicians, which changes the quality of what you hear — ask about the acoustics in Eldborg specifically.
The story behind Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
The idea of a dedicated concert hall for Reykjavík surfaced as far back as 1881, but serious momentum only gathered in 1999 when the city mayor and government formally announced the project. An agreement between the Icelandic state, the City of Reykjavík, and the Portus holding company was signed on 9 March 2006, and construction started on 12 January 2007.
Then the 2008 financial crisis hit Iceland with particular force, and work stopped in October of that year. The decision to resume — made by Minister of Education Katrín Jakobsdóttir and Mayor Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir — kept the project alive. The building opened on 13 May 2011, its name chosen from 4,156 public proposals. Henning Larsen Architects and Batteríið Architects designed the structure; the façade concept came from a collaboration with Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson.
Good to know
Harpa sits on the waterfront at Austurbakki 2, about 15 minutes on foot from the city centre; the coastal path makes it a natural extension of a walk from the Old Harbour. Entry to public areas is free. Guided tours run at 11:00 and 13:00 (more frequently in summer) and cost around US$35. Book concert tickets well in advance.
Where is Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre?
More tickets & tours for Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
Book directly at the provider
What travellers say about Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
Harpa appears to be one of Reykjavík’s most striking modern buildings. The glass design looks beautiful and changes with the light, making it something we enjoyed seeing every time we passed by. We did not go inside, but it is a lovely landmark to admire while walking or jogging along the waterfront. It adds a lot of character to the area and is hard to miss.
We popped into the Harpa Concert hall in Reykjavik because of all of the reviews and We were not disappointed. The architecture is amazing and makes for stunning photos. The space itself has many halls and spaces for everything with restaurants and bars, offices, and spaces to sit and look out of the windows. A must visit while touring the city. The volcano express show is on bottom level and lasts about 15 minutes.
Harpa Concert Hall is a must-see in Reykjavík even if you’re not catching a show. Right on the waterfront near the Sun Voyager and Old Harbour, it’s an easy stop while exploring downtown. The architecture is absolutely stunning. Designed with a honeycomb-like geometric pattern inspired by Iceland’s basalt columns, the exterior is made up of hundreds of glass panels that shift and shimmer depending on the light. On a sunny day, the building reflects the blue of the sky and water, almost blending into its surroundings. When it’s cloudy, the glass turns silvery and moody, echoing Iceland’s dramatic weather. Walk around it from different angles and it feels like a completely different building each time - sometimes sharp and angular, sometimes soft and luminous. At sunset, the glass catches warm golden tones, and at night it often glows from within, illuminated in subtle colors that make it feel almost like a sculpture on the harbor. Inside, the space is just as striking. The soaring glass walls flood the lobby with natural light, and the geometric ceiling creates beautiful patterns overhead. There are a few design shops, a café with water views, and paid restrooms (clean and convenient). Quick and free to visit, totally worth it, and one of the coolest buildings in Iceland.
Such a beautiful building arguably one of the best in the town. It’s great for taking pictures of too. Best time to go is at dusk as the sun reflects onto it making a breathtaking photo! Apparently there’s some event that takes place every 20 minutes, would be worth having a look at it. If you walk the whole way past it you get to this little cute harbour area too with lots of shops going down it. Oh and sometimes u see steam coming off the water..
Iceland's Crystal Palace is sensational. A magnificent glass, multipurpose concert hall surrounded by Reykjavik harbour and with snow peaked mountains as backdrop. The vistas inside are as spectacular as those outside, especially the kaleidoscopic ceiling and the best shop we've ever seen in a performing arts centre. A shame Vikingur Olafson wasn't playing the piano at the time we visited but that would have been too much!
More of Reykjavik
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Reykjavik →More attractions in Reykjavik
All of Reykjavik →
Background adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · ratings & place photos via Google · other photos with per-image credit. Ticket links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.