December 12, 2024

Reykjavik Street Art: 15 Colorful Murals to Discover

Often called Greykjavik by locals, Reykjavik has a lot of cloudy, grey days. On top of that, the world’s northern-most capital city only sees daylight for three hours a day in the winter. This can lead to a drab or dreary feeling in a city filled with concrete. Or does it?

On the sides of buildings and walls throughout the capital city, colorful street art murals brighten up even the longest winter nights.

Street art is thriving in Reykjavík like never before. The breadth and complexity of the Reykjavik street art murals was something I noticed immediately on my first visit to the city all the way back in 2016. I honestly hadn't expected it! Since then, I have visited Reykjavik 7 times and the street art scene has only continued to blossom! New works constantly appear. The city itself is an ever-changing tapestry.

Hunting for street art is one of my passions when I travel to new cities, because I find it is an dynamic way to get a feeling for a city. What are the current topics people are interested in? What are the political sentiments? What styles are resonating with locals? All of these questions can be answered through the colorful patchwork of street art! In this Reykjavik street art guide, I am sharing 15 of my favorite street art murals, including titles, locations and artist information when known.

15 Colorful Street Art Murals to Discover in Reykjavik

Overview & History

Reykjavik’s street art scene has grown from informal graffiti into a celebrated urban gallery that reflects Iceland's culture and creativity. In the 1990s, graffiti was largely unsanctioned, appearing spontaneously on walls and public spaces. However, in recent years, local and international artists have transformed the cityscape through large-scale murals and innovative collaborations.

The turning point came with initiatives like the 2015 Wall Poetry project, which paired street artists and musicians during the Iceland Airwaves Festival to create murals inspired by music. These works, along with others found around the Old Harbour and downtown, have revitalized previously neglected areas and solidified Reykjavik as a hub for vibrant, culturally significant street art.

Today, Reykjavik's street art celebrates themes ranging from Icelandic folklore to contemporary social issues. This evolution from illicit graffiti to curated art has not only beautified Reykjavik but also attracted visitors eager to explore its colorful streets and learn about the stories they tell. Public art tours and "street art hunts" have further popularized the scene, offering a glimpse into the intersection of Iceland’s modern artistry and traditional storytelling.

As with all street art murals, the only thing permanent in terms of Reykjavík's street art is its very presence. Some murals may have graffiti on them or may be gone entirely. I have structured this Reykjavik street art guide where I first share the photo of the mural, and then the title, location, and artist information below it in bullet points. To find all the street art in Reykjavik, I would recommend using this street art map, which was created by Adam Flint Taylor and Natka Klimowicz, two local Reykjavik artists. It is regularly updated and the map features over 160 pieces in central Reykjavik!