World by City

Nature

Elliðavatn

Open in Maps
Elliðavatn

Elliðavatn

Elliðavatn is a lake located on the outskirts of Reykjavík. Travelers visit this area for walking trails and access to calm natural scenery within reach of the city. It serves as a quiet space for outdoor activity and observing local flora and fauna.

Getting There

The lake is accessible from Reykjavík city centre via car or local bus. The journey typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic and the specific starting point within the urban area.

Duration of Visit

Depending on the length of the walk chosen, visitors generally spend between 1 and 3 hours at the site. This allows enough time to traverse the perimeter or explore the connected paths.

When to Visit

The area is accessible year-round, though the experience varies by season. Summer offers the most daylight for walking, while winter provides a snowy landscape. It is generally less crowded than the primary tourist sites in the city centre, though it is frequented by locals during weekends.

Nearby Attractions

The lake can be combined with other nearby points of interest to create a full day itinerary:

  • Rauðhólar (2.2km): Red volcanic craters.
  • Elliðaár (3.5km): The river system connected to the lake.
  • Árbæjarsafn (3.9km): An open-air museum.
  • Smáratorg Tower (5km): A prominent architectural landmark.

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

GetYourGuide GetYourGuide 클룩 Klook Tiqets Tiqets KKday KKday WeGoTrip WeGoTrip

This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near Elliðavatn

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

Map and place data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Elliðavatn Nearby stays

Check prices and availability on the booking sites.

Pick your dates — we'll search Reykjavík hotels for you

Choose dates and guests, and the buttons below will open search results with your criteria. Prices differ between sites, so compare before you book.

View on Compare sites 부킹닷컴 View on Booking.com 호텔스닷컴 View on Hotels.com

Hotel membership

Staying at Accor hotels often? ALL Accor+ Explorer

A paid annual membership. It includes two free nights a year across Asia-Pacific, 30% off dining and 15% off drinks, and 15% off stays at more than 4,500 hotels worldwide.

Explore the membership

Good to visit alongside

Rauðhólar

Nature

Rauðhólar

A cluster of pseudocraters remaining in the Elliðaárhraun lava field on the southeastern outskirts of Reykjavík. Located right by the ring road, it's a great spot to view this unique volcanic landscape up close.

2.2 km away
Elliðaár

Nature

Elliðaár

Elliðaár is a river that rises on a volcanic plateau near Reykjavík and flows into a lake. It runs through a nature reserve, making its banks a pleasant place for a walk.

3.5 km away
Árbæjarsafn

Museums & galleries

Árbæjarsafn

An open-air museum that shows life in old Reykjavík. Historic houses and streets have been relocated here, offering a glimpse of how people once lived and worked.

3.9 km away
Smáratorg Tower

Views & landmarks

Smáratorg Tower

An office building in Kópavogur that, as of 2023, is Iceland's tallest building. It's a landmark worth visiting as a symbol of the Icelandic skyline.

5.0 km away
Kópavogskirkja

Temples & religious sites

Kópavogskirkja

Kópavogskirkja is a church perched on Kársnes hill in Kópavogur. It offers a captivating view over Reykjavík and the surrounding Kópavogur area.

6.9 km away
Reykjavík Mosque

Temples & religious sites

Reykjavík Mosque

A mosque in Reykjavík's Ármúli district, opened by the Muslim Association of Iceland in 2002. It's an intriguing stop for travelers curious about unconventional religious architecture.

6.9 km away