Which European country's capital city is the furthest north?

Iceland is the European country whose capital city, Reykjavík, lies furthest north. Reykjavík is situated at approximately 64.15° north latitude, making it the northernmost national capital of a sovereign European state.

The city lies on Iceland’s southwest coast beside Faxaflói Bay. Although Reykjavík is far north, the surrounding ocean and the North Atlantic Current give it a milder climate than its latitude might suggest. The city is Iceland’s political, cultural, and economic centre, and most of the country’s population lives in or around the capital region.

A common mix-up is choosing Helsinki, Oslo, or Stockholm because they are prominent Nordic capitals. Helsinki is at about 60.2° north, Oslo at about 59.9°, and Stockholm at about 59.3°, all notably south of Reykjavík. Nuuk, Greenland, lies farther north than Reykjavík, but Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark rather than a sovereign European country.

Reykjavík’s name is usually translated as “Smoky Bay,” referring to steam rising from nearby geothermal areas. Iceland’s capital is also famous for its proximity to volcanic landscapes, glaciers, lava fields, and geothermal pools.