Street Art in Iceland

Iceland might be famous for its waterfalls, volcanoes and dramatic landscapes, but one of the biggest surprises of our trip was the street art culture.

From all the murals in Reykjavík to a remote fishing village covered in art, Iceland’s colour is not just supplied by nature.

I didn’t arrive expecting street art in Iceland to be a standout, but it absolutely became a memorable part of our road trip.

We found huge art pieces in unexpected places, rainbows running through quiet towns, and murals that told stories of folklore, resilience and everyday life.

This isn’t a complete guide – Iceland’s street art changes often and new pieces appear all the time – but that’s part of the street art movement.

Instead, think of this as a guide to help you explore, wander and discover for yourself.

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Reykjavík Street Art

Reykjavík is where we first noticed Iceland’s street art scene. The city seems to have decided that blank walls shouldn’t exist when you can splash them with colour instead.

You’ll find murals in all sorts of places: along Laugavegur and the surrounding side streets; scattered around the old harbour; on garages, staircases and the sides of apartment blocks; and in little residential streets you might miss if you didn’t look twice.

There was an older street art map floating around online (you can see it here), but I found it only mildly useful – many pieces had been painted over or replaced.

But that just meant we had to explore more ourselves.

After realising the map was not as up-to-date as I would have liked, we just started to wander through Reykjavík.

Turn left down this alleyway, right down the next. Zigzag through neighbourhoods. Following the glimpse of colour in the distance.

Some pieces are huge and dramatic, others are tiny details tucked into corners.

A few showcase the Icelandic folklore and mythology, while others simply bring a bright splash of cheer to the city’s sometimes-grey weather.

Tip: Reykjavík is compact, so give yourself an hour or two to stroll without a plan. Coffee in hand, camera ready – just see where the streets take you.

The Murals of Hellissandur

This tiny fishing village on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula proudly calls itself “the Street Art Capital of Iceland”, and it’s easy to see why. You don’t need to look for murals here – they are everywhere.

On houses and sheds, on old fishing huts, on crumbling walls and across entire sides of buildings. It feels like the whole town has embraced the idea that art belongs out in the open for everyone to enjoy.

The murals range from playful and colourful to deep and moody, with strong nods to Icelandic folklore, nature and local life.

Because the village is so small, you can wander every street in less than an hour, but you’ll want to take your time.

This was one of my favourite surprises of the entire trip.

Tip: If the weather is bad, you can see almost all the street art from your car as you drive around.

Iceland’s Rainbow Streets

As we drove the Ring Road, another theme emerged – rainbow-painted streets.

These bright paths appear all over Iceland and instantly lift the mood, especially when the weather is doing its usual Icelandic thing.

The most famous rainbow street is Skólavörðustígur in Reykjavík, leading straight up to Hallgrímskirkja. It’s vibrant, joyful and makes a great photo spot, especially early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

But Reykjavík isn’t the only place with a rainbow. You’ll also find rainbow streets in towns like Akureyri, Ólafsvík, Seyðisfjörður and several smaller communities.

Many were originally painted for Pride celebrations, but locals loved them so much they’ve become permanent features.

They’re such a fun contrast to Iceland’s often stark surroundings.

Why Street Art Fits So Naturally in Iceland

What I noticed most is how well street art seems to fit in with with Iceland’s personality. This is a country that embraces creativity, storytelling and individuality.

You see it in the music, the quirky museums, the festivals and the locals’ dry sense of humour. So of course it spills onto the walls too.

Many of the murals highlight nature and wildlife, folklore and mythology, climate change, the relationship between people and the landscape and community stories.

Because so much of Iceland’s modern art scene is outdoors, it also changes constantly. Murals fade, get repainted or disappear altogether – and new ones appear in their place.

When looking for one mural we came across an artist painting a completely new one. Next time we visit, that one might be gone too.

No two trips will ever be the same.

Tips for Finding Street Art in Iceland

To get the most out of your street art wanderings, don’t rely on old maps – pieces change faster than guides can keep up.

If the weather allows, walk, don’t drive, especially in Reykjavík and Hellissandur. Other towns also are work exploring too. We spotted a couple of nice murals in our short time in Akureyri too.

Check laneways and the backs of buildings; some of the best murals hide in quiet spots. Be careful though, we almost got ourselves locked in an rear courtyard after spotting some great art!

Look for garages and fences too – Icelanders often decorate their own property. We saw more than one back shed painted.

Go on cloudy days if you can; colours pop beautifully without harsh shadows.

And above all, be respectful, especially when art is painted on private homes.

What I Didn’t Expect

I love to search for street art when I travel. It gives me a way to explore a city on foot while giving my meanderings a purpose. I didn’t realise there would be so much street art to find here.

It wasn’t just murals either – there were other fun pieces of art to find, like the monster trash bins in Akureyri.

The art gave us another reason to wander through small towns. And it offered glimpses into how Icelanders see themselves and the world around them.

It also reminded me that some of the best travel experiences happen when you’re not trying to tick off a list – you’re just paying attention.

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So if you’re planning a trip to Iceland, make a little time for the street art in your itinerary.

Wander the backstreets of Reykjavík, spot murals between the houses in Hellissandur and pause on a bright rainbow street in a tiny town – it’s a great way to connect with the country’s creative side.

You never know what you’ll find – and that’s exactly the point.