Getting to the Lava Show in Reykjavík

The address and the district

The Reykjavík venue is at Fiskislóð 73, 101 Reykjavík, in the Grandi harbour district beside the Old Harbour. Grandi was a fishing harbour, and Visit Reykjavík describes former fish factories that now sit next to cafés, small museums and attractions. Expect harbour buildings and boats rather than old-town lanes. Two other attractions stand close by, both sold separately,. Remember this page books the Reykjavík venue, not the Vík one, which is on the South Coast and has its own ticket and its own address.

The free Grandi Shuttle

A free shuttle has linked the city centre with Grandi, stopping at central points such as City Hall, Snorrabraut and Harpa, some hotels, and the three attractions in the district. It runs in the daytime, not into the evening, so a late starting time falls outside it. It also runs on a seasonal schedule and pauses outside it, so check on the venue's news page that a shuttle is operating on your date before you rely on it. Fall back to a bus, a taxi or your feet if it is not.

Read next: Around the Lava Show: Grandi harbour

Buses and taxis

City buses stop near the venue, and there is a Hop-On Hop-Off stop close by too. Strætó buses take contactless cards and phone payments, and cash is not accepted, so have a card ready. The simplest instruction for a taxi is to ask for Lava Show at Fiskislóð 73. Taxis can be phoned or booked through local ride apps. If you are staying in the centre and the shuttle is not running, a bus or a short taxi ride is the usual fallback. Check the bus times for the day you travel.

Walking and e-scooters

Walking from the city centre takes about 20 minutes, and a little longer from Harpa. The route follows the harbour, so dress for the weather. E-scooters are generally available through the Hopp and Bolt apps, and they shorten the trip considerably. Whatever you choose, build in a few spare minutes: the venue asks you to arrive early, and the show starts at the time on your confirmation. If you are carrying luggage or travelling with small children, a taxi or a bus is easier than the walk.

Driving and parking

If you have a car, the venue has free parking on site, so there is nothing to book in advance. Parking suits a family with young children, or anyone who would rather not walk along the harbour in the wind. The Vík venue, on the South Coast, also has free parking, and its own ticket. Free parking on site also means there is no meter to watch, so you can stay for the whole show without checking the clock. Whichever you choose, put the venue's address into your navigation app before you leave: Fiskislóð 73 for Reykjavík, in the Grandi district.

Arriving early and where you sit

The venue asks you to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. Seating is first come, first served, except for the Premium balcony seats, which come with the ticket. Arriving earlier gives you a better choice of seat in the Classic area, where the front rows are closest to the lava and the hottest. Have your mobile ticket ready on your phone, as the ticket is digital and nothing needs printing. Babies and infants sit in the third row near an exit.

What to wear and what to leave

Wear light, comfortable clothes, since the venue warns that the heat from the lava can be significant. The show is fully indoors, so rain, wind and cold change nothing once you are inside, though you will still walk or wait outside, so bring a jacket you can take off. Protective glasses are provided. Food and drink are not allowed in the showroom, and there is no food on site, so eat before or afterwards in the district.

Food and drink around the venue

There is no restaurant at the Reykjavík venue itself. The venue points to restaurants and a food hall within walking distance in the Grandi district, and the district also has cafés and small shops. Menus and opening hours change, so check on the day rather than planning your evening around one place. Eating before the show leaves you comfortable in a warm room, and eating afterwards gives you a place to talk it over. The gift shop at the venue sells souvenirs rather than meals, so do not count on buying a snack there. If you are travelling with children, a snack before you arrive helps.

Fitting the show around a flight

Count on roughly an hour for the show, add the 15 to 20 minutes the venue asks for at the start, and then add your travel time. Keflavík Airport lies about 50 km west-southwest of the city, according to Wikipedia. If you are flying out the same day, work backwards from your departure and leave a generous margin, as the booking is for a fixed starting time. Cancelling is free until 24 hours before, which gives you room if your flight times move. The show suits a long layover better than a tight connection, because the start time is fixed.

Contacting the venue

If you have an access question, a seating query or a delay on the day, the venue lists one phone number and one email address for both locations on its location page. Use email for questions you want answered in writing, such as step-free access or a stroller, and the phone if you are running late and need to be sure of your slot. Say which venue you mean, Reykjavík or Vík, because the contact details are shared between the two. Keep your confirmation to hand, as it carries your booking and starting time.

Who this isn't for

If you rely on a wheelchair or need step-free access, email the venue before you book and ask about the route from the door to your seat. If you are based on the South Coast, the Vík venue is the practical choice, and it is a separate ticket. If you want a late evening show, check whether your date offers one in the booking calendar, because the free shuttle will not run then. And if you are travelling with a child under five, read the age guidance first.