Iceland Travel Guide logo Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND My trip Talk to a local

Rainbow Street (Skólavörðustígur) in Reykjavík

ReykjavíkStreetFree entryOpen all year
Written by locals at Iceland Travel Guide · Checked by Heiða · Updated October 2026
Rainbow Street (Skólavörðustígur) in Reykjavík painted in rainbow colours, with Hallgrímskirkja church at the top of the street
RAINBOW STREET IN SHORT

Rainbow Street is the everyday name for Skólavörðustígur, the rainbow-painted street that runs uphill from Laugavegur to Hallgrímskirkja church in central Reykjavík. It is free to walk, open at any time, and easy to combine with the shops, cafés and galleries along the way. Most people spend 30–60 minutes here.

ON THIS PAGE
Quick factsHistoryGetting thereSee and doPhoto spotsBest time to visitSafety tipsFacilitiesMapNearbyWhere to stayFAQ

About Rainbow Street

Skólavörðustígur is a short, sloping street in the old centre of Reykjavík. It starts where Laugavegur, the main shopping street, meets Bankastræti, and climbs to Skólavörðuholt hill, where Hallgrímskirkja church stands. The road surface is painted in rainbow stripes, so from the bottom you look up a band of colour that ends at the church tower. That view is the one everyone photographs.

The rainbow was first painted in 2015 for Reykjavík Pride, which is held every August. It proved so popular that the city kept it, and in 2023 the city council confirmed it would stay and that the stripes are now laid in a more durable material. It has become a symbol of the city’s open, welcoming side. The rainbow covers the lower part of the street, between Laugavegur and Bergstaðastræti, which is a pedestrian street.

Away from the photo spot, this is one of the nicest streets in Reykjavík to wander. It is lined with small design shops, wool and outdoor-clothing stores, galleries, jewellers, cafés and restaurants, mostly in small, brightly painted houses. It is a good place to look for gifts made in Iceland and to warm up with a coffee between the sights.

Quick facts

Official nameSkólavörðustígur
WhereCentral Reykjavík, from Laugavegur up to Hallgrímskirkja
AddressSkólavörðustígur, 101 Reykjavík
TrafficThe rainbow section (Laugavegur to Bergstaðastræti) is a pedestrian street; the upper part towards the church is open to cars
Walking timeAbout 10 minutes end to end; 5–10 minutes on foot from most central hotels
Rainbow paintedFirst in 2015 for Reykjavík Pride; kept permanently, decision confirmed in 2023
RegionReykjavík, Capital Region
EntryFree
Opening hoursA public street, open at all times (shops keep their own hours)
ParkingPaid parking on nearby streets and car parks; check the signs for zone and tariff
Time needed30–60 minutes including some shopping

From a Pride street to a permanent rainbow

The street takes its name from a “varða”, a cairn, that once marked the top of the hill above Reykjavík. Skólavörðuholt means “school cairn hill”, and Skólavörðustígur was the path up to it. Today the hill is best known for Hallgrímskirkja, one of the tallest buildings in Iceland.

The rainbow started as a temporary decoration for Reykjavík Pride in 2015. The city later agreed to keep it, and the stripes were re-laid in durable material as part of the street’s redesign. Pride itself is one of the biggest events of the Reykjavík summer, and the street is usually especially busy in the days around it.

How to get to Rainbow Street

On footThe easiest way. From most hotels in central Reykjavík it is a 5–10 minute walk, and it is a short stroll from Harpa or the old harbour. Walk to the point where Bankastræti becomes Laugavegur, turn uphill onto Skólavörðustígur and keep going towards the church tower.
By carParking in the centre is paid and can be tight. There are car parks and street spaces around Hallgrímskirkja and the streets off Laugavegur. It is usually easier to park once and walk.
By public transportCity buses run through central Reykjavík and stop near Hallgrímskirkja and along Laugavegur. Check routes and times on the Strætó website or app.
On a guided tourMost Reykjavík city walks pass along or end near Skólavörðustígur and Hallgrímskirkja, so it is an easy stop to add to a city tour.

What to see and do on Skólavörðustígur

The rainbow is the photo stop, but the street is worth walking from end to end.

Design shops and boutiquesSmall shops sell Icelandic design, wool, clothing, jewellery, art and crafts. It is one of the better streets in the city for gifts made in Iceland.
Cafés and bakeriesThere are several cafés and bakeries along the street, good for a coffee and a pastry when the wind picks up.
Street art and muralsLook down the side streets and at the gable ends of the houses. Murals and painted walls add more colour to the neighbourhood.
Hallgrímskirkja at the topThe street ends at the church. You can take the lift up the tower for a view over the coloured roofs of the old town. The Einar Jónsson sculpture garden, behind the museum next to the church, is a quiet place to sit.

Best photo spots on Rainbow Street

Looking up to the churchThe classic picture. Stand at the lower end of the rainbow and shoot uphill, so the stripes lead the eye to the tower of Hallgrímskirkja.
Looking back downWalk up towards the church and turn round. The rainbow runs down towards the centre, with the bay and the mountains beyond the rooftops on a clear day.
After fresh snowIn winter the colours stand out most when the pavements are white. The rainbow itself is sometimes covered until the street is cleared.

Early morning and evening give softer light and fewer people. Laugavegur and the side streets nearby have more cafés, shops and street art if you want to keep walking.

Best time to visit Rainbow Street

Summer (June–August)Long, bright days and the busiest time on the street. Reykjavík Pride takes place in August, and the whole area is lively. Come early or in the evening for fewer people in your photos.
Winter (November–March)Short days, but the shops and cafés are lit and cosy, and the street is calmer. The road can be icy, so wear shoes with good grip on the slope.

Safety and practical tips

  • For the classic photo, stand near the bottom of the street and shoot uphill towards Hallgrímskirkja. Early morning is quietest.
  • The rainbow section is a pedestrian street, so you can take your time. Delivery vehicles may still use it at set hours, and the upper part of the street towards the church has normal traffic.
  • The street slopes uphill and can be icy in winter. Wear good shoes.
  • Weather changes quickly in Reykjavík. Carry a light waterproof layer even on a bright day.
  • Shop opening hours vary and many are shorter on Sundays, so check if you plan to buy something.
  • Combine it with Hallgrímskirkja, where you can take a lift up the tower for a view over the city.
  • During Reykjavík Pride in August this is one of the most festive places in the city, and one of the most crowded.

Facilities and accessibility

The street has plenty of cafés, bakeries and restaurants. Public toilets and more services are a short walk away on Laugavegur and around Hallgrímskirkja. The street is sloped but paved, so it is generally manageable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, with some steps at shop doors.

On the map

Open in Google Maps →

Nearby places worth a stop

HallgrímskirkjaHallgrímskirkjaThe church at the top of the street, with a tower you can go up
LaugavegurReykjavík’s main shopping street, at the bottom of the hill
Einar Jónsson sculpture gardenFree garden of bronze sculptures beside Hallgrímskirkja
HarpaHarpaConcert hall on the harbour, a short walk downhillSun VoyagerSun VoyagerSteel boat sculpture on the seafrontTjörnin pondTjörnin pondCity pond with ducks and swans, in the centreReykjavíkReykjavíkMore to see and do in the capital

Where to stay near Rainbow Street

Skólavörðustígur is in the middle of central Reykjavík, so any hotel or guesthouse in the 101 postcode area is within walking distance. Staying here means you can do most of the sights on foot, and you are close to restaurants, bars and the departure points for most day tours.

Rainbow Street FAQ

Where is Rainbow Street in Reykjavík?

Its real name is Skólavörðustígur. It runs from the top of Laugavegur uphill to Hallgrímskirkja church in central Reykjavík.

Is Rainbow Street free to visit?

Yes. It is a public street and there is no entry fee. Parking nearby is paid.

When was the street painted rainbow colours?

It was first painted in 2015 for Reykjavík Pride. The city decided to keep it, and in 2023 confirmed it would stay in a more durable material.

How long do I need?

The walk itself takes about 10 minutes, but most people spend 30–60 minutes with photos, shops and a café stop.

When is the best time for photos?

Early morning or evening, when there are fewer people. Stand near the bottom and photograph uphill towards the church.

Is Rainbow Street pedestrian only?

The rainbow-painted lower part, between Laugavegur and Bergstaðastræti, is a pedestrian street. The upper part towards Hallgrímskirkja is open to cars. If you drive, use paid parking on the surrounding streets and walk.

What is near Rainbow Street?

Hallgrímskirkja is at the top of the street, with the Einar Jónsson sculpture garden beside it. Laugavegur, the main shopping street, is at the bottom, and Harpa and the old harbour are a short walk further.

Are there shops and restaurants on Rainbow Street?

Yes. The street is lined with small design shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants, and it is one of the best places in Reykjavík to look for gifts.

See Rainbow Street with a local

Tours and trips that include Rainbow Street, booked directly with a local travel agency in Iceland.

Reykjavik Christmas Walking TourDAY TOURReykjavik Christmas Walking TourFrom 8,990 ISK per person
More places in Reykjavík