Austurvöllur Reykjavík: What to See in the City’s Central Square

Austurvöllur is a public square in Reykjavík, Iceland, and one of the city’s most important gathering places. Its green is surrounded by cafés, the Parliament House, and the everyday activity of central Reykjavík, while its proximity to Iceland’s parliament has made it a focal point for protests. The square is also the first stop on Reykjavík: In the Footsteps of the Vikings, a self-guided route that connects Austurvöllur with Icelandic stories and landmarks.

What is Austurvöllur in Reykjavík?

Austurvöllur is a public square where Reykjavík’s citizens gather, particularly when the weather is good. Cafés on Vallarstræti and Pósthússtræti give the edges of the square a lively feel, making the green a place for sitting, meeting, and spending time outdoors rather than simply passing through.

Its character comes from the combination of open green space and central civic surroundings. Austurvöllur remains recognisably public: locals use it, people gather around it, and the cafés help keep activity moving through the square. That makes it a useful place to begin understanding Reykjavík beyond its individual buildings.

Why is Austurvöllur important to Reykjavík?

Austurvöllur matters because it stands beside Alþingishúsið, the Parliament House of Iceland. The building was constructed in 1881, and the square’s closeness to parliament has made it a focal point for protests. Events in the square can therefore place public opinion directly beside the country’s political institution.

The square also carries a longer political association in the material for the Reykjavík Vikings route. It connects Austurvöllur with Viking-era debates and law-making, framing the setting as one where public discussion and national identity have continued to overlap across very different periods. That association is part of the square’s story, alongside its modern role as a civic meeting place.

What should you look for at Austurvöllur?

Start with the statue of Jón Sigurðsson, the defining monument on the green. The tour material describes Jón Sigurðsson as the man who led Iceland to independence in 1944, so the statue gives Austurvöllur a clear connection to Icelandic national history.

Then look at the contrast around it. Alþingishúsið stands beside the green, while the square may be occupied by locals, street musicians, chess games, or people enjoying the sun when it appears. The cafés on Vallarstræti and Pósthússtræti add another layer of activity. Together, these details make Austurvöllur a meeting point between national politics and ordinary Reykjavík life.

The route’s photo challenge invites you to capture that contrast between the square’s Viking associations and modern Reykjavík. It is a reason to examine the setting closely without reducing it to a single monument or historical reference.

How can you experience Austurvöllur?

Stand in the square long enough to take in Alþingishúsið, Jón Sigurðsson’s statue, the surrounding cafés, and the changing activity on the green. Austurvöllur is most revealing when you notice these elements together: a public space used for everyday gatherings, a protest setting beside parliament, and a place linked with Icelandic debates and law-making.

For a structured way to explore those connections, follow Reykjavík: In the Footsteps of the Vikings, which visits Austurvöllur as its first stop. You can use the square itself as a starting point for noticing how Reykjavík’s modern public life sits alongside its older stories.