Reykjavik Map Poster: the world's northernmost capital, drawn by the sea
Why Reykjavik works so well as a map poster
Reykjavik sits on a peninsula reaching into Faxaflói bay, so the sea draws the map before the streets do: coastline wraps the frame on three sides, with the Old Harbour notching the north edge and the Seltjarnarnes spit trailing off to the west. In the middle, the small dark rectangle of Tjörnin pond anchors the old town.
The streets of the 101 district fan out from the hilltop church of Hallgrímskirkja, with Laugavegur threading through them as the city's long main street. It is a compact, low, wonderfully legible map — a capital you can take in at a single glance, framed by open water.
Best palettes for Reykjavik
- Monochrome Blue — the signature pick: one cool blue, like the northern light over Faxaflói.
- Midnight Blue — deep navy for the long winter nights under the aurora.
- Warm Beige — a soft, hygge-like warmth that offsets all that ocean.
Where to centre the map and which radius to use
Centre on Hallgrímskirkja with a 3 km radius: the whole peninsula fits, from the Old Harbour and Tjörnin to the Seltjarnarnes shoreline, with the sea framing the streets on three sides of the poster.
Ready-made Reykjavik posters
We have already rendered 5 Reykjavik designs at 300 DPI (Monochrome Blue, Blueprint, Midnight Blue, Noir, Warm Beige). Download the files for 9.99 € and print them anywhere, or order a premium matte print (A4 to 60×90 cm) with shipping included.
See all Reykjavik designs Order it printed
Design your own Reykjavik poster
Pick any of the 17 palettes, set the exact centre and radius described above, choose the size and the label text (Reykjavik, or a neighbourhood name), and we render it for you from live map data after checkout. From 14 €, usually ready in 5–15 minutes.
Which size to print
City maps with lots of fine streets reward size: 30×40 cm is the sweet spot for a desk or hallway, 50×70 cm and 60×90 cm turn the map into a statement piece where individual streets remain legible from across the room. Stick to matte paper so the dark palettes do not reflect. Read the printing and framing guide.