Harpa is Iceland's landmark concert hall and conference centre, standing on the edge of Reykjavík's old harbour and open since 2011. Its signature is a honeycomb glass façade designed by artist Olafur Eliasson with Henning Larsen Architects, inspired by Iceland's basalt columns; it won the European Union's Mies van der Rohe architecture prize in 2013. Construction stalled during the 2008 financial crash before the state completed it, making Harpa a symbol of the country's recovery. Home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera (resident from 2026), it is worth visiting for the architecture alone even without a concert ticket.
The glass façade by Olafur Eliasson — a honeycomb structure echoing basalt columns, animated by 714 LED lights that shift constantly (most striking on a dark winter evening)
Eldborg, the red-hued main hall celebrated worldwide for its acoustics — the backstage areas are accessible only on a guided tour
The soaring glass geometry seen looking up from the lobby stairs and ceiling, with floor-to-ceiling views over the harbour toward Mount Esja
A year-round programme built around the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Icelandic Opera, plus jazz, rock and international conferences
The ground-floor design shop and the restaurants (Hnoss on level 1, La Primavera on level 4) — spaces you can enjoy without a ticket
Good to know
RulesEntering the building and exploring the lobby are free, but the backstage guided tour (about 45–60 minutes) and concerts require paid tickets. Scheduled tours usually start at 11:00 and 13:00 in summer, run in English, and are published a month ahead — confirm dates and prices on harpa.is and book in advance.
MannersPhotography and flash are not allowed during performances, and phones should be silenced. Photographing the glass façade in the lobby is fine, but tripods may be restricted.
SafetyThe waterfront location is windy, and outdoor steps and pavements can be very icy in winter. Wear waterproof, non-slip shoes and a windproof jacket.
SeasonIn winter (Nov–Mar) it goes dark by mid-afternoon, which is ideal for seeing the façade lit up; in summer the midnight sun keeps nights bright. On a clear winter night you may even glimpse the northern lights from the dark shoreline by Harpa, so check the sky.
CautionBuy tickets only via the official site (harpa.is) or the on-site box office. The harbour and city centre are relatively safe, but avoid unofficial street, phone or resale tickets, which carry a fraud risk.
RulesThe underground car park is open 24/7 but paid, and free parking is scarce in central Reykjavík — check the parking fee before you arrive.
Practical info
Harpa is at Austurbakka 2 beside Reykjavík's old harbour, a 10–15 minute walk from the city centre. Reykjavík has no metro or tram, so reach it on foot, by Strætó city bus, or via the 24-hour underground car park. The building and lobby are free to enter, roughly 10:00–18:00 (extended to 20:00 on weekends and event days), but tour and concert times and prices should be checked for the latest details on harpa.is.
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