Before and after the show
Around the Lava Show: Grandi harbour
What else sits near the Reykjavík venue: the Grandi district, its neighbours, where to eat, and how to fit an afternoon around the show.
Reserve your Lava Show seat ↗The district beside the Old Harbour
The Reykjavík venue stands in the Grandi harbour district, beside the Old Harbour. Visit Reykjavík describes former fish factories that now stand next to cafés, small museums and attractions, and calls Grandi one of the city's more interesting areas. The setting has a history: Wikipedia notes that in the 1920s and 1930s most of Iceland's growing trawler fleet sailed from Reykjavík, with cod as the main industry. Today the harbour is also a place to visit, and most of the attractions in the district are indoors.
Three attractions in walking distance
Visit Reykjavík lists three attractions in Grandi that sit within walking distance of one another: the Lava Show, FlyOver Iceland and Whales of Iceland. FlyOver Iceland is a simulated flight over Icelandic landscapes. Whales of Iceland is an indoor exhibition of life-size whale models. They are separate attractions with their own tickets, and neither is part of the Lava Show booking. The venue sells a combined ticket for all three, with start times set for the Lava Show and FlyOver Iceland.
Fitting them into an afternoon
The venue's own planning example puts the Lava Show first, FlyOver Iceland after it and Whales of Iceland last, because the exhibition has no fixed start time. The whole round takes a few hours including walking between buildings, so a half day is enough. Treat that order as a suggestion and check the start times for your date. Allow a margin between attractions, as the venue asks you to arrive early, and leave time to eat in the district.
Eating nearby
The Lava Show itself serves no meals, and nothing may be eaten or drunk in the showroom. The venue says restaurants and a food hall are within walking distance, and the district is known for cafés and small shops. Menus and opening hours change from season to season, so look at what is open on the day. Eating before the show leaves you comfortable in a warm room, and eating after lets you talk it over.
Culture and walking in Grandi
Beyond the three main attractions, the venue's blog lists a few other stops: the Marshall House, built in 1948 as a fish meal factory and converted into an art and culture centre in 2017; the Saga Museum, a short walk from the venue; and the Reykjavík Maritime Museum in the Old Harbour. It also names Þúfan, a grassy hill built by an artist, with views over the harbour. The blog is run by the venue and promotes its own attractions, so check opening hours with each place.
Walking back along the harbour
If the weather is dry, walking back to the centre takes about 20 minutes along the harbour. The route passes the Old Harbour, where tour boats and fishing boats are moored. Cold or wind are good reasons to take a bus instead, and e-scooters are generally available through the Hopp and Bolt apps. The free shuttle, when it is running, makes the trip easier, but it runs in the daytime only. Allow extra time if you have a flight to catch.
Who this isn't for
If you only have an hour in Reykjavík, the show alone is enough and a three-attraction afternoon is too much. If you are staying on the South Coast, Grandi is a long way to go, and the Vík venue is closer. If you need step-free access details, email the venue first. And if you are travelling without a car in the evening, remember the shuttle does not run then.
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