Lækjartorg Square

At the square, Lækjargata runs south toward Tjörnin, Austurstræti leads west toward Ingólfstorg, and Bankastræti rises toward the shopping streets. Across Lækjargata stands the low, white Government House, with Arnarhóll nearby.

A short pause lets you connect these streets with the history of the former stream and the public buildings around them. You can include the square in an old-town walk without setting aside a separate sightseeing session.

Government House stands across Lækjargata from the square. Originally built as a prison in the eighteenth century, it later became a government building. It is a different place from the dark-stone Parliament House beside Dómkirkjan at Austurvöllur, shown in the photograph below.

The contrast between the open square, older buildings and the newer street fronts is part of this corner of Reykjavík. Lækjargata still carries traffic, while Austurstræti gives pedestrians a continuous connection west toward Ingólfstorg.

Parliament House stands beside Austurvöllur, a separate square west of Lækjartorg.

Lækjargata connects Lækjartorg with the streets around Tjörnin.

For an indoor break, check the Icelandic Punk Museum, Aðalstræti and the Settlement Exhibition, or Harpa. Perlan is a separate trip beyond this compact downtown walk, rather than an immediate shelter beside the square.

Traffic streets border the pedestrian routes around Lækjartorg.

• West: follow Austurstræti toward Ingólfstorg, with Austurvöllur, Parliament House, Dómkirkjan and the Settlement Exhibition nearby.
• South: follow Lækjargata toward Tjörnin and the city-center buildings around the pond.
• East and uphill: take Bankastræti toward the shopping streets, then Skólavörðustígur for the rainbow-painted street and Hallgrímskirkja.
• For the waterfront, continue toward Arnarhóll, Harpa and Reykjavík Harbour; use the marked road crossings.

The rainbow-painted street in the photograph below is Skólavörðustígur, not Lækjartorg itself. It can be a continuation of your walk toward Hallgrímskirkja. The Sun Voyager is another option once you reach the waterfront.

Nearby pedestrian streets offer places to pause during a downtown walk.

Skólavörðustígur’s rainbow street is reached by continuing uphill from the Lækjartorg area.

Reykjavík City confirmed the continuous pedestrian connection from Lækjartorg to Ingólfstorg along Austurstræti in 2025. That does not mean every surrounding road is car-free: the city’s passenger-transport guidance specifically permits driving on Lækjargata. Follow current signs and the designated stop in your pickup instructions; the square’s map pin does not verify parking.

Temporary works and events can change crossings or meeting points. Check the city’s current works map if access is important, and ask about the exact approach if you need step-free travel. Visit Reykjavík identifies Lækjartorg with the seasonal Christmas Cat display, but that is not a year-round feature or confirmation of a particular year’s installation dates.