Working Remotely in Reykjavík: Neighbourhoods and Coworking

Reykjavík is compact — the 101 postcode covers most of what nomads need within a 20-minute walk. Infrastructure is excellent, the community is English-speaking, and geothermal pools provide a daily ritual that no other city offers.

Neighbourhoods for Remote Workers

101 (Central Reykjavík)

The best location for cafés, restaurants, coworking spaces, and the social scene. Laugavegur is the main street; Skólavörðustígur branches toward Hallgrímskirkja. Walkable to everything in the compact core. Accommodation is more expensive here but transport costs are zero.

Grandi Harbour District

The redeveloped harbour area west of the city centre. A growing food and café scene, less tourist-heavy than the 101 centre, and slightly more space in the coworking-suitable cafés. Good for focused work sessions.

Hlemmur Area

Around the old bus terminal/food hall. Central but slightly more residential character. Good supermarket access (Bonus and Krónan nearby).

Coworking Options

Innovation House Iceland — Ármúli 23 The main dedicated coworking space. Open to day visitors and monthly members. High-speed internet, private offices, meeting rooms, and an active startup community. Day pass approximately ISK 4,500; monthly hot desk from approximately ISK 35,000.

Mjólkurbúðin — Hverfisgata 22 Smaller, more café-like coworking. Good for focused single-person work rather than meetings. Day rate approximately ISK 3,500.

Kex Hostel Common Area — Skúlagata The hostel’s large communal space functions as an informal coworking area. Not dedicated coworking but the tables and Wi-Fi work adequately. Coffee bought from the bar.

Best Cafés for Working

Kaffihús Vesturbæjar — Melhagi 20 (slightly west of centre) Reykjavík’s most productive café-working spot. Large space, reliable Wi-Fi, locals-heavy (not tourist-focused), good coffee and food. Less likely to move you on. Open from morning.

Stofan Café — Vesturgata 3 Living-room atmosphere, comfortable chairs, good for working 2–3 hours. Can get full on weekend mornings.

Café Rosenberg — Klapparstígur 25–27 Good for a quieter session. Music venue by night, café by day.

Skúmaskot Café — Old Harbour area Quieter than the main 101 cafés. Good for morning focused work.

Internet

Apartment Wi-Fi: Most short-term rentals in Reykjavík have 100–1000 Mbps fibre connections. Verify speed with the host before booking for video calls.

Café Wi-Fi: Variable — usually 10–50 Mbps, sufficient for most tasks but not large uploads.

Mobile data: Buy a Síminn or Nova tourist SIM (ISK 3,000–4,000 for 5–10GB) for backup connectivity. 4G throughout Reykjavík.

Daily Routine

A typical productive day in Reykjavík:

• Brauð & Co for breakfast (ISK 600–800)
• Morning work session at coworking or café
• Swim at a public pool during lunch break (ISK 1,000, 30 minutes) — the hot pots and sauna cycle is genuinely refreshing
• Afternoon work session
• Evening: Laugavegur food/drink, or a walk to Hallgrímskirkja, or the Old Harbour

The public pool culture is the lifestyle differentiator. For ISK 30,000/month (Reykjavík pool pass), access to 17 geothermally heated outdoor pools is a daily option that exists nowhere else.