Destinos
keyboard_arrow_rightIslandia
keyboard_arrow_rightIslandia
keyboard_arrow_rightReikiavik
Map data ©2018 Google
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airplanemode_activeFlights to Reikiavik (KEF)
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filter_dramaUnderstand
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History
When it started to develop as a town in the 18th century, Reykjavík had already been inhabited for almost a thousand years. Legend has it that the first permanent settler in Iceland was a Norwegian named Ingólfur Arnarson. He is said to have thrown his seat pillars into the sea en route to Iceland, and decided to settle wherever the pillars were found. The pillars washed up in Reykjavík, and so that was where he set up his farm.
Although the story of Ingólfur Arnarson is not widely believed to be true by modern historians, it's clear that Reykjavík was one of the very first settlements in Iceland. Archaeological remains confirm that people were living there around the year 871, and for the first few centuries of Icelandic settlement Reykjavík was a large manor farm. Its fortunes steadily waned as other centres of power increased in importance. By the 18th century, the farm of Reykjavík was owned by the king of Denmark (under whose domain Iceland fell at the time). In 1752, the estate was donated to a firm, Innréttingarnar, led by Icelandic politician Skúli Magnússon. Innréttingarnar were meant to become an important industrial exporter and a source of development in Iceland, and their main base was in what is now the heart of Reykjavík. Although the company didn't achieve all its high ideals, it did lay the foundations of Reykjavík as it is today. In 1786, Reykjavík got a trading charter and it soon started to grow in importance.
The year 1801 is when Reykjavík went from being the largest town in the country, to its capital. That year a new supreme court, Landsyfirréttur, was set up in the city after the abolition of Alþingi (which no longer had any legislative functions). The same year the office of the Bishop of Iceland was founded in Reykjavík, merging the bishoprics of Hólar and Skálholt. In 1845, Alþingi was re-founded as an advisory council to the king on the affairs of Iceland, located in Reykjavík and in 1874 it regained legislative powers. As the sovereignty of the country grew, so too did Reykjavík, which by the beginning of the 20th century had been transformed from a small trading and fishing village to a fully fledged capital.
The Second World War was a boom era in Reykjavík. The city wasn't directly affected by the many horrors of the war, but the occupation of Iceland by first the UK and later the US provided increased employment opportunities and inflows of cash that enabled the rapid expansion and modernisation of the Icelandic fishing fleet. Reykjavík was a leader in this development and it grew very rapidly in the years following the war. New suburbs were built and the city started to reach across municipal limits, subsuming various surrounding communities. The city continued expanding until the financial collapse of 2008.
Due to the its young age, and in particular its rapid expansion in the late 20th century, Reykjavík is very different from the other Nordic capitals. It lacks their grand buildings and the picturesque old quarters. Instead it has come to resemble cities on Canada's east coast with their sprawling suburbs and big motorways, as was recommended by the urban planners of the post-World War 2 era. Nevertheless Reykjavík has a charm of its own, quite unique, shaped by the dualistic nature of this place which still doesn't seem to have made up its mind on whether it's a small town or a big city. -
Climate
The weather in Reykjavík is notoriously unpredictable. One minute the sun may be shining on a nice summers day, the next it may change into a windy, rainy autumn. Temperatures in Reykjavík are quite bland: They don't go very high in the summer, nor do they go much below zero during winter. It follows that the differences between seasons are relatively small compared to what people experience on either side of the Atlantic.
January is the coldest month and usually has some snow, while there is frequently no snow on the ground during Christmas in December. Summer is without a doubt the favorite season of most Reykjavík inhabitants. Many of them seem to imagine their city is slightly warmer than it really is and it takes little to get them to start wearing shorts and t-shirts, or to go sunbathing in parks. Don't think too much about how silly it may seem, just join them in enjoying the season!
Wind is the main problem with the Reykjavík weather. The city is quite open to the seas, and the winds can be strong and chilling to the bone. Windy spots generally feel significantly colder than those with more shelter. -
Literature
The Fish Can Sing (Halldór Laxness, 1957). A story of a young boy growing up on a farm on the outskirts of Reykjavík in the early 20th century, during a period of rapid change in Iceland. Like many of the stories by Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness, The Fish Can Sing (Brekkukotsannáll, "The Annal of Brekkukot", in Icelandic) is partly based on real people and places, although names have been changed.
*101 Reykjavik (Hallgrímur Helgason, 1996). The quintessential book about downtown Reykjavík, capturing its spirit in a way no other book has. The main character never leaves postcode 101 if he doesn't need to, and spends his time either in bars and clubs or at home doing nothing. He has since become seen by many (who don't live in central Reykjavík themselves) as the model for the "101-type".
*Jar City (Arnaldur Indriðason, 2000). A crime novel about the detective Erlendur, with the Reykjavík criminal police department. Portrays the grittier sides of the city, although perhaps slightly exaggerated for the sake of writing a good story. The book has also been translated as Tainted Blood, but the original Icelandic title (Mýrin, "the swamp") refers to the Norðurmýri neighbourhood, by the city centre. Arnaldur has written 10 further books about the detective, most of them happening in or around Reykjavík.
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filter_dramaGet in
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By plane
Two airports serve the Reykjavík area, one for international flights and another for domestic flights. They are 50 km away from each other.
Keflavík International Airport (Icelandic: Keflavíkurflugvöllur, IATA: KEF, ICAO: BIKF) [http://www.kefairport.is/english/]
International Airport is Iceland's main international airport, and is located 50 km southwest of Reykjavík, in the town of [wiki=cc174f945a0688118e1e21a90ba2d622]Keflavík[/wiki]. Some of the international airlines flying to Keflavík include:
:*[url=http://www.icelandair.net]Icelandair[/url] - offers non-stop flights to/from [wiki=d97e023dce2bb237a0d44f46d8ee9438]New York City[/wiki], [wiki=cb725823157e6b10da8fa376c2e1b013]Boston[/wiki], [wiki=25d43c379dc973b097d7d3ee052d7d2a]Edmonton[/wiki], [wiki=04d28aa7f993bd50749133f0128b5ca6]Halifax[/wiki], [wiki=948ce72be6c871b84f6d0dab24f209ed]Toronto[/wiki], [wiki=c39584729495496984371f0ec2f38974]Minneapolis[/wiki]/[wiki=cab98f16acacdea50dbd91a389d0624d]St. Paul[/wiki], [wiki=d4d2ea493b6a2460e9b9f00712e0a234]Orlando[/wiki] (Sanford), [wiki=4c54c163f43d0ac8512df032b3b07bff]Seattle[/wiki], [wiki=3eb8670d999ac077dd0e2c345cb7c905]Amsterdam[/wiki], [wiki=ee1611b61f5688e70c12b40684dbb395]Berlin[/wiki], [wiki=068a0b5b2858dc3f1ac7b47464bc4b0a]Brussels[/wiki], [wiki=2da3c827ccabc4855cb9921b4f1addfa]Copenhagen[/wiki], [wiki=4312d5c8cdda027420c474e2221abc34]Frankfurt[/wiki], [wiki=d586293d554981ed611ab7b01316d2d5]Glasgow[/wiki], [wiki=8449280a23f8c4fcfb13469f6dc19592]Helsinki[/wiki], [wiki=59ead8d1e124ccfb79f3ace06f43e703]London[/wiki], [wiki=f4830432874f86d2e2a1a5f2dbebbc80]Oslo[/wiki], [wiki=6314044c3803213e9fd3f3ecf8c90d65]Madrid[/wiki], [wiki=317532540adceb07d5e2ec62d5eacac2]Manchester[/wiki], Milan, Munich, [wiki=e20d37a5d7fcc4c35be6fc18a8e71bfa]Paris[/wiki], [wiki=fcfff492e00727b63cf5dff9f59bc2a4]Stockholm[/wiki], [wiki=d36096a10b82aadd44de1efb13058c0b]Bergen[/wiki], and Gothenburg. Please note that some destinations are seasonal. Icelandair offers free layovers for up to seven nights if flying between [wiki=912d59cdf1d3f551fae21f6f0062258f]Europe[/wiki] and [wiki=5ffec2d87ab548202f8b549af380913a]North America[/wiki] with Icelandair.
:*[url=http://wow.is/]WOW air[/url] - operates flights to/from: [wiki=cb725823157e6b10da8fa376c2e1b013]Boston[/wiki], [wiki=f92ca0b9177f41b3bd99f6f96dd292a4]Washington D.C.[/wiki], [wiki=ee1611b61f5688e70c12b40684dbb395]Berlin[/wiki]-Schönefeld, [wiki=2da3c827ccabc4855cb9921b4f1addfa]Copenhagen[/wiki], [wiki=59ead8d1e124ccfb79f3ace06f43e703]London[/wiki]-Gatwick year round, as well as summer flights to: [wiki=7041ef854e9569a8be34b9fa14005ac1]Alicante[/wiki], [wiki=3eb8670d999ac077dd0e2c345cb7c905]Amsterdam[/wiki], [wiki=5f22adea9df0d30bf784d08b57acc88e]Düsseldorf[/wiki], [wiki=debecab907ccabee0bc672b9fa1cab8a]Lyon[/wiki], [wiki=437d461430ecc08e2d51abbcf5ce9b3c]Milan[/wiki]-Malpensa, [wiki=e20d37a5d7fcc4c35be6fc18a8e71bfa]Paris[/wiki]-Charles de Gaulle, [wiki=ea6515eca27ae68c06c82e8cc2a6d318]Salzburg[/wiki], [wiki=a330ac6c48198545d4d2f9ff2cb0fc05]Stuttgart[/wiki], [wiki=674756b151c1a964546ad103f310fc5b]Vilnius[/wiki], [wiki=ab014f5797b79c42d078976b9d1a413c]Warsaw[/wiki]-Chopin, [wiki=50fefb5efb085fd11b1a4fd2b6dda0aa]Dublin[/wiki] and [wiki=2b29c5739ec4158573c66d2124e2c7e9]Zurich[/wiki].
:*[url=http://www.SAS.is]SAS[/url] - offers flights to/from [wiki=f4830432874f86d2e2a1a5f2dbebbc80]Oslo[/wiki].
:*[url=http://www.easyjet.com/]EasyJet[/url] - offers flights to/from [wiki=aea93afdf4bee7f4b52526ee5f040cea]Basel[/wiki], [wiki=623145997cee6352dace475eaf530fff]Belfast[/wiki], [wiki=ee9528184f21142f7b0fa9993048d9d0]Bristol[/wiki], [wiki=3f6765c843a517aa042ae011230aa976]Geneva[/wiki], [wiki=03cf54d8ce19777b12732b8c50b3b66f]Edinburgh[/wiki], [wiki=59ead8d1e124ccfb79f3ace06f43e703]London[/wiki] and [wiki=317532540adceb07d5e2ec62d5eacac2]Manchester[/wiki].
:*[url=http://www.germanwings.com]German Wings[/url] and [url=http://www.airberlin.com]Air Berlin[/url] - operates flights from various German cities during the summer.
:*[url=http://www.delta.com]Delta Air Lines[/url] - operates flights to/from [wiki=d97e023dce2bb237a0d44f46d8ee9438]New York City[/wiki] and Minneapolis/St. Paul beginning May 2016.
:*[url=http://www.wizzair.com]Wizz Air[/url] - operates flights to/from [wiki=7a9f085064e36deeba902697a7a035c1]Gdansk[/wiki].
To travel between the airport and Reykjavik city center:
* Flybus [url=http://www.flybus.is/flybus]]offers regular service to either the BSI bus terminal, just south of the city center (45 minutes, 1,950 ISK one-way or 3,500 ISK round trip) or directly to Reykjavik hotels with advance notice to the driver (2,500 ISK one-way or 4,500 ISK round-trip). Buses leave the airport as early as 3:30 AM. Tickets can be bought either at the airport or online.
* Gray Line Airport Express [url=http://www.airportexpress.is/[/url]]offers regular service (45 minutes, 2,400 ISK one-way or 4,400 ISK round trip) directly to Reykjavik hotels with advance notice to the driver. Tickets can be bought either at the airport or online.
* Bus nr. 55 [url=http://www.bus.is/[/url]]is the public city bus that operates between the airport and the city (45 minutes, 1,600 ISK one-way). Tickets can be bought on the bus. Check the time schedule as this bus line is mostly used by people who work at the airport and convenient for their working time. In the afternoon it goes every hour.
* Taxis cost 14,000 ISK for 1-4 passengers and 19,000 ISK for 5-8 passengers.
Reykjavík Airport (Icelandic: Reykjavíkurflugvöllur, IATA: RKV, ICAO: BIRK)
:*[url=http://www.airiceland.is]Air Iceland[/url[/url] - operates domestic flights to [wiki=3c94a71687c4a8ee681da7f48ae1d3ac]Akureyri[/wiki], [wiki=251c59cf59a2b2ff2076b44b8853c620]Egilstaðir[/wiki] and [wiki=944e2ecff4232d7f0ee8162bffa718af]Ísafjörður[/wiki], international flights to the [wiki=76b88e7899abb3bfdd4b55b8c52726b0]Faroe Islands[/wiki] and several airports in [wiki=583eda79d32f7c1cb0840862787a73ca]Greenland[/wiki]. Leaves from a terminal on the west side of the airport.
:*[url=http://www.eagleair.is]Eagle Air[/url] - operates domestic flights to [wiki=bb1577bf8ea6e0be49ffa3445c8470bb]Bíldudalur[/wiki], [wiki=2903563528a8bc412dc677f99339a2b2]Gjögur[/wiki], [wiki=6b692c520ff7dfc83a0418a7cf1b99af]Sauðárkrókur[/wiki], [wiki=686e8214d053b222c418141e6c1b95b7]Höfn[/wiki] and [wiki=3ba9fb8b7cd5e696467585b59340914e]Vestmannaeyjar[/wiki]. Leaves from a terminal on the east side of the airport. -
By bus
Sterna [url=http://www.sterna.is]]and Reykjavík Excursions [url=http://www.re.is[/url]]operate regular bus service from [[West Iceland[/url]], [wiki=96acc0874fe0809ecbcf3dae25703eb8]South Iceland[/wiki] and [wiki=3c94a71687c4a8ee681da7f48ae1d3ac]Akureyri[/wiki]. If you find yourself in other parts of the country, it will be difficult to find a direct bus route to Reykjavík. The best option, if relying on buses, is to first get into the aforementioned regions and catch a bus to Reykjavík from there. This will probably require an overnight stay.
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By car
Three main roads serve as entry points into Reykjavík:
* Reykjanesbraut (Road 40), enters the city from the west linking it to [wiki=4f7ce3c9876eca736016d9ef08b74565]Southwest Iceland[/wiki] and Keflavík International Airport;
* The Ring Road (Road 1), enters the city from both east and north.
If you're driving into town from [wiki=263d7b2cf53802c9ed127b718c0bf9fd]South Iceland[/wiki] or [wiki=283c89a93673365898ba863f7d403916]West Iceland[/wiki], beware of some quite heavy traffic jams on Sundays when people are going back home after a weekend away. This mainly applies during the summer, and becomes even worse on Mondays after three-day weekends, not to mention if the weather has been good. -
By boat
Several cruise liners stop in Reykjavík each summer, mostly arriving in Sundahöfn which is 3 kilometers east from the city centre. Cruise Iceland is a website run by several companies that service cruise liners in the country and has a list of companies that sail to Iceland: [http://www.cruiseiceland.com/cruise-lines/cruise-lines/cruise-lines.html].
Reykjavík itself is not served by any ferries, but if you have an abundance of time it is possible to take the Smyril Line (a cruise company based out of the Faroe Islands) from [wiki=6acd3030e35f17392b056b6ac9d14108]Hirtshals[/wiki] or [wiki=0642cd44faf49d86135760616afca900]Esbjerg[/wiki] to [wiki=e1baf5ae2bdfa9cce756037e5c8e9aa0]Seyðisfjörður[/wiki] (a small town on the east of Iceland), via [wiki=446c52356108716d68f1f79a5327a096]Tórshavn[/wiki]. This service is on the expensive side, and puts you on the other side of the country. However, it offers the possibility of bringing a car, which can be one of the best ways to travel around Iceland. If you take the ferry and drive from Seyðisfjörður to Reykjavík, you should plan to spend the night somewhere along the way.
Of course, if you have a boat capable of crossing the Atlantic it is possible to sail to Reykjavík. Check with the port authority, the United Ports of Faxaflói [http://faxafloahafnir.is/faxafloahafnir/en/], to find out about harbour options.
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filter_dramaGet around
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On foot
Walking in Reykjavík is highly recommended, as many attractions are within walking distance from the hotel area. The city is very beautiful, and the sidewalk and pathway system is first-rate. Reykjavík drivers are in general very friendly, and will sometimes stop for you even when there is no crossing facility.
Unknown to many tourists a very long and scenic pathway for walking and cycling circles almost the whole city. A good starting point is anywhere where the city touches the sea. The path leads by an outdoor swimming pool, a sandy beach, a golf course, and a salmon river. -
By bus
Reykjavík has a public bus system that is clean and reliable, called Strætó [url=http://www.straeto.is/english].]Single rides cost 400 kr. for some very odd reason, the driver cannot give any change. If you need to switch buses to get to your final destination, ask the driver for a transfer ticket (skiptimiði), which is valid for the next 75 minutes on any bus.
If you're staying outside the city centre it may be best best to get a Reykjavík Welcome Card, which allows unlimited access to the buses, along with free access to several museums, some discounts and free internet at the hostel. The 'Welcome' cards are available at the Tourist Information Center by Ingólfstorg, and also at some hotels. A one-day card costs 2900 kr., two days costs 3600 kr., and three days costs 4200 kr (March 2013). Other possibilities include buying 11 tickets for 3,000 kr., a 1-day pass at 800 kr. or a 3-day pass at 2,000 kr. If you're staying for longer you can buy a long-term pass: A green pass lasts a month and costs 9,300 kr., a red pass is for three months and costs 21,000 and a blue pass lasts 9 months and costs 49,900.
Hlemmur and Lækjartorg are the main bus interchanges in central Reykjavík, with buses that can take you to any part of the city. The Strætó system has buses going all the way east to [[Selfoss[/url]] and north to [wiki=48da01e80cd23cea23fc6b7bfa066866]Akranes[/wiki], the former leaving from Mjódd and the latter from Háholt. Both of these stations can be reached from Hlemmur.
Note that while most areas of Reykjavík and the neighboring towns are accessible by bus, the last buses leave around 11pm and the city has no night buses. -
By car
Driving in Reykjavík is the preferred method for most residents there. As a tourist though, you should be able to manage without a car if you're only staying in the city. Driving is recommended though for travel outside of Reykjavík and its suburbs. Note that many streets in central Reykjavík are one-way only and some of them are closed to cars in good weather.
Compared to most other modern European cities, Reykjavík actually manages to have a reasonable number of parking spaces, especially for a city that boasts the most cars per capita in the world. If you're in the centre and can't find a place to park, there are big parking lots by the harbour and in front of Kolaportið (the flea market). Parking spaces in the city centre generally have parking meters charging between 80 and 150 kr. per hour. The city recently introduced a new type of meters and you can now pay by card if you don't have coins on you. The fine for not paying is 2,400 kr. -
By taxi
The main taxi companies in Reykjavík are City Taxi (+354 422 2222), Hreyfill-Bæjarleiðir (+354 588 5522) and BSR (+354 561 0000). All taxis are metered and most are very clean and comfortable, but be warned that travelling by taxi is one of the most expensive ways of getting around Reykjavík. There is a start fee of 600-700 kr. and a fee of 200-400 kr. per kilometer. Taking a taxi is, however, the best way to get home after a night on the town. Paying by card is not a problem, nor is splitting the bill. You can either order a taxi by phone or find one at a taxi rank, of which there are several in the city. In central Reykjavík there is one rank by Lækjargata and another by Hallgrímskirkja.
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By bicycle
It is easy to get around Reykjavík by bicycle, if you can deal with sometimes strong headwinds and a few hills. There are not many dedicated bicycle paths and so most cycling is done on the street or on the sidewalk (both are legal). When cycling on the street you must obey the same traffic rules as cars. When cycling on the sidewalk it's important to be considerate of people who are walking there, they have the right of way.
Where there are specially marked paths for cyclists these are frequently shared with pedestrians, with a painted white line indicating the division between the two forms of transport. In these cases the narrower section is the bicycle path. Dedicated bicycle paths are a new phenomenon in Reykjavík but their number is increasing every year. These mostly link the city centre with the suburbs.
Bicycles can be rented at the following locations:
*Bikecompany offers guided bike tours around Reykjavik in varied degree of difficulty.They also operate one of the largest bike rentals in Reykjavik at various locations. Flexible opening hours and they even have tandem bikes for rentals.
*
*Scooters allow you to explore Reykjavik on your own terms or just roll around downtown.
*Bicycle rental - electric bikes, city bikes, mountain bikes, children's bikes, trailers, connecting bikes, tandems. Scheduled and private bike tours available all year. Open around Christmas and New Year - see website. Day tours, i.e. Golden circle and more. Private tours of all sorts available. Bicycle delivery to hotels and guesthouses available upon request - fee may apply.
*
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filter_dramaSeeReykjavík's old town is small and easy to walk around. The houses have some very distinct features, most notably their brightly colored corrugated metal siding. Plan to spend at least a couple hours just wandering around, taking in the city. And for further feasts of the eyes, there are several museums and art galleries in the city, most of them within easy reach of the downtown area.
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Parks and open areas
A small lake in the centre of the city where young and old often gather to feed the ducks. The Icelandic name, Tjörnin, literally means "The Pond". Tjörnin is mostly surrounded by a park called Hljómskálagarðurinn (Music Pavillion Park) which gets very popular in good weather. The southern end of Tjörnin links it to the Vatnsmýri swamp, a small bird reserve with paths open to the public except during egg hatching season. Built into Tjörnin on the northern side is Reykjavík City Hall.
* The sculpture garden behind the Einar Jónsson Art Museum was opened in 1984. It offers the visitor to admire 26 bronze casts of the Icelandic sculptor Einar Jónssons work.
* A small park (or square, depending on definitions) in the heart of Reykjavík. It's many locals favorite place to spend sunny days, either at one of the cafés lining the north of the square or simply having a picnic on the grass. The parliament and the national cathedral both stand by Austurvöllur.
* Klambratún is a park just east of the city centre on an area which remained farmland while the city was built up around it. The area was later converted into one of the largest public parks in the city and often hosts various events. One of the houses of the Reykjavík Art Museum, Kjarvalsstaðir, is inside the park.
* The Reykjavík Botanical Gardens are not large, but they're nice for a short stroll and a good place to see some of the plants that grow in Iceland.
* Viðey is a large island in Kollafjörður, the fjord to the north of Reykjavík. It used to be inhabited, and in the early 20th century it had a small fishing village. Nobody lives there anymore apart from the birds, but it's a popular way to get away from the city without actually leaving it. During the summer, a café is operated in one of the houses on the island. The building was built for Skúli Magnússon, an 18th century politician often called "the founder of Reykjavík" and designed by the same man as the royal palace in Copenhagen - although it is not quite of the same scale. Among its more modern architecture, Viðey is home to the Imagine Peace Tower by Yoko Ono (see below). To get to Viðey you can take a ferry (hourly) from Sundahöfn, some distance from central Reykjavík (on bus route 5), or from the old harbour in the summer (once daily). The schedule and prices can be found here [http://videy.com/en/].
* At the far western end of the peninsula on which Reykjavík sits there is a small island. This island, called Grótta, is connected to the mainland on low tides and open to the public most of the year. Just make sure you don't get stuck on the island when the tide comes in!
The island is actually located in the municipality of Seltjarnarnes
*The name means "garden on a hill." Overlooking Tjörnin pond, it is one of the largest and oldest cemeteries in Iceland. It offers a rare opportunity to experience an old birch and rowan forest in Iceland. The maze of graves nestles in with moss, lichens, and more than 100 other species of trees and plants. Art historian Björn Th. Björnsson has described it as "the largest and oldest museum in Reykjavik", a place where "a living exhibition and history opens itself to anyone who can read the hand of the sculptor and discern from symbols and types of font the thoughts and deeds of the dead." Many renowned 19th and 20th century Icelanders are buried here. The grave of Jón Sigurðsson, the most important leader of Iceland's independence movement, is found here. Its lack of ostentation speaks volumes about Iceland's egalitarian ideals.
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A forested hill that is situated east of Reykjavík airport. It contains the building Perlan, where there are panoramic views over the city. There are many paths in the forest some of which lead to nearby Fossvogur cemetary. During the Second World War the United States Army occupation force built various bunkers on the hill. Remnants of them can be found close to the Bowling alley Keiluhöllin.
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Along the southwestern coast of Reykjavík there is a path along the sea that leads from the neighbourhood of Vesturbær and further along the southern coast to the Nauthólsvík beach and Öskjuhlíð. The path continues to Fossvogur Valley.
*
Along the boundaries of Reykjavík and Kópavogur there is a long, narrow, green area and a path for pedestrians and cyclists; Fossvogsdalur( Fossvogur valley)
* Elliðaárdalur is a valley where the adjacent rivers Elliðaár run through. As with Öskjuhlíð a forest has been grown there and hiking paths created. There is an old hydroelectric powerstation there and a museum that focuses on the history of electrification and heating in Reykjavík. The folk museum of Árbæjarsafn is on an edge of the valley. The suburbs of Árbær and Breiðholt encircle the valley. -
Buildings
Reykjavík has a very eclectic building style, which is mainly the result of bad (or no) planning. Many of the oldest houses still standing are wooden buildings covered in brightly coloured corrugated iron. Don't be surprised to see that the next buildings down the street are an ultra-modernistic functionalist cube followed by early 20th century neoclassical concrete. Some of the most interesting buildings you'll see in Reykjavík are those you find wandering about. Some deserve a special mention, however.
* On the southern edge of Austurvöllur is a small building of hewn stone, but don't let its size fool you. This is the building of the Icelandic parliament, known as Alþingi. The institution has in fact long since outgrown the building which was built in 1881 for a nation of a little over 60,000. Today the upper floors of most houses on the north and west sides of the park also house parliamentary offices. The Alþingi building today houses only the debating chamber of the unicameral institution and the party meeting rooms. When Alþingi is in session it is possible to go up to the viewing platforms and follow the debates, otherwise it is necessary to be part of a group to see the building from the inside.
* One of the best examples of late 20th century architecture in Iceland, built into Tjörnin (The Pond). On the ground floor, which is open to the public, there is a large relief map of the whole country as well as a café and an exhibition hall.
* The church beside the parliament is Reykjavík cathedral, the head Lutheran church of the country. Similarly deceptive in size, it has been beautifully renovated both inside and out to reflect its original 18th century architecture.
* This can't miss attraction towers over the city on top of a hill. In front is a statue of Leif Ericsson (Leifur Eiríksson in Icelandic), the Norse explorer who sailed to North America in the 10th century. The United States gave this statue to Iceland in 1930, in honor of the 1,000th anniversary of the Althingi, the Iceland parliament.
* 10km far from the center of the city (northwest), you can find a church with a very interesting architecture (Horður Björnsson & Horður Harðarson; 1989). If you like architecture and or churches, it worth the visit.
*Yoko Ono's memorial to John Lennon, projecting a "tower of light" into the air that can be seen from around Reykjavík. The tower is turned on October 9th-December 8th, December 21st-28th, December 31st and March 21st-28th.
* An iconic building on top of a wooded hill called Öskjuhlíð, to the southeast of the city centre. Perlan is built on top of five hot water storage tanks and offers fantastic views of the entire city both from a viewing platform open to the public and a rotating restaurant at the top. If the restaurant is too expensive for you (it is for most), there is also a small cafeteria on the same floor as the viewing platform. -
Museums
There are several museums of art and of history found around the city.
*the national art gallery with a large collection of works by Icelandic 19th and 20th century artists, as well as some works by foreign artists including Picasso, Munch and others.
*By the old harbour in Reykjavík, Hafnarhúsið hosts a rotating exhibitions of the work of Icelandic artist Erró and temporary exhibitions often showcase other local artists.
*It is safe to say that Jóhannes Kjarval (1885-1972) is the single biggest name in Icelandic painting. Kjarvalsstaðir hosts a collection of his work, as well as hosting other temporary exhibitions.
*The Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum is dedicated to the works of sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893-1982). Opened in 1983, the collection is housed in a unique building designed and constructed mostly by the artist himself from 1942-1959.
*A very small museum with a nice library and reading room where you can find some older (but good) books about photography and current and past issues of photography magazines. It also has a huge collection of Icelandic photographs.
*This museum, located right by the University of Iceland campus, takes the visitor through the history of a nation from settlement to today. Includes a café and a museum shop.
*In the suburb of Árbær, and frequently called Árbæjarsafn (Árbær museum), this open air museum contains both the old farm of Árbær and many buildings from central Reykjavík that were moved there to make way for construction. The result is a village of old buildings where the staff take you through the story of a city. The staff are dressed in old Icelandic clothing styles and trained in various traditional techniques, for example in making dairy products or preparing wool.
*Run by the Reykjavík City Museum, this exhibition in central Reykjavík was built around the oldest archaeological ruins in Iceland. As the name indicates, these ruins date to around the year 870. This interactive exhibitions brings you the early history of the area that today forms central Reykjavík.
*This grand building, previously housing the national library, is today home two world class exhibitions. On the ground floor is one of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts in the world, including many of the oldest copies of the Icelandic Sagas. The top floor has an impressive exhibition on the Volcanic island of Surtsey, backing the Iceland's campaign to get it recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is fully interactive and a great introduction to the geological hot spot that is Iceland.
*Volcano House offers a free museum with library, rock and photos exhibitions, Wi-Fi, a café and gift shop, tourist information, and a booking service. It shows two documentary movies every hour that cover two of the most powerful eruptions to rock Iceland in the last 40 years: the 1973 eruption on the Westman Islands, and the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in South Iceland.
*This small museum will explain the cultural significance of the Aurora Borealis in different cultures, detail the scientific mechanism for the Aurora, and allow you to see various simulations, videos, and slideshows of the Aurora borealis.
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filter_dramaDoThere is a lot to do in Reykjavík, despite being a small city. There is a vibrant music scene with concerts most evenings in the centre of the city. For theatre enthusiasts the city boasts two main theatres staging around 10 plays a year each, both domestic and foreign, as well as a number of smaller theatre groups specialising in different kinds of modern theatre.
There are a number of opportunities to experience at least a bit of Icelandic nature without leaving the city itself, and outdoors activities in the immediate vicinity of the city are easy to find. And no visit to Reykjavík would be complete without going to at least one of the geothermal pools.
For more information about tours and attractions, it may be a good idea to pay a visit to the Tourist Information Centre [http://visitreykjavik.is/] located in a beautifully renovated old building by Ingólfstorg.-
Music and theatre
Reykjavík has a remarkably active cultural scene for a city of its size. There are a number of art galleries, theaters and concert venues. Some of these are listed below, but many of the places mentioned in the “drink” section below also frequently host concerts. There are no dedicated literary locations listed here, but for book readings it may be best to visit book stores and libraries and ask the staff what's coming up.
*A cultural centre located in Vatnsmýri, just south of the city centre. Art exhibitions, concerts, poetry readings and other cultural events frequently take place here.
*The new home of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and regularly host to other acts as well. Delayed by the economic collapse, this building was under construction for several years before finally opening in May 2011. This marked the end of a long wait for the symphony orchestra, who had been using a cinema as their main venue the last 50 years. Today the symphony plays a concert every Thursday evening from September through June (although often at other times as well), but the building is rarely empty at other times with Iceland's lively music scene having embraced this new location.
*A theatre in the centre of Reykjavík, in many ways the focal point of Icelandic theatre. The repertoire is a mix of Icelandic and international plays, both new and old.
*Like the national theatre, the city theatre puts on a mix of new Icelandic plays and highlights of international theatre.
*This experimental theatre group has toured the world and won many prizes for its daring productions which include Romeo and Juliet, Woyczek and others. They have also made films including the acclaimed Children and Parents, in 2006 and 2007 respectively. -
Festivals
At least three times a year, Reykjavík comes out to celebrate.
*This is the biggest date in the cultural calendar of Reykjavík. What started out in 1996 as only an evening celebration today starts already in the morning with the Reykjavík Marathon. The day progresses with ever more cultural activities, most of them free, in central Reykjavík and culminates in several huge concerts and a fireworks show by the harbour. Attendance is usually around 100,000 or half of the population of the city.
*Icelanders are proud of their LGBT community, and every August they show it with one of the biggest annual festivals in Reykjavík. Typically a parade will wind its way through the city with floats of varying degrees of outrageousness. It then ends at Arnarhóll with a large outdoors concert. Gay bars and bars that normally don't self-identify as gay alike tend to be very full this evening. In the preceding days there are various events celebrating LGBT culture.
*It may come as a surprise, but the National Day celebrations on June 17th every year are probably the smallest of the three festivals mentioned here. Nonetheless, it is a public holiday day of festivities in the city where people (especially families with children) celebrate the date Iceland was declared a republic in 1944. The date itself was selected because it is the birthday of the Icelandic independence hero Jón Sigurðsson.
The city also annually hosts a music festival and an international film festival, both take place over several days in the city centre.
*A music festival held in pubs, bars and clubs in downtown Reykjavík. It literally takes over the city for a few days in October. Airwaves prides itself of frequently having artists on the line-up that are just about to make it and become world famous, before you've ever heard of them. They usually have a wide selection of both Icelandic and international acts, but keep the "big names" to a minimum. Book early, in 2011 the tickets sold up 5 weeks in advance.
*Several days of excellent cinema. Screenings of most Icelandic productions of the last year, short and feature length as well as documentaries, and the best of what's happening around the world. The main prize, the Golden Puffin, is awarded in a category called "New Visions" which is limited to directors' first or second films.
The city also annually hosts an arts festival that takes place over several days in the city centre.
*This festival is said to be one of Northern Europe’s oldest and most esteemed arts festivals. Celebrated each year in May. -
Get in touch with nature
If you want to experience some of Iceland's nature but don't have time to leave the capital for too long, don't worry, you have several options to get a good feel for nature and the countryside without actually leaving the city.
*With the exception of [wiki=ee12b0eace060bf2f230556c5c447a05]Húsavík[/wiki] in the north, Reykjavík is actually one of the very best places to go whale watching in Iceland. Whales frequently come into Faxaflói, the large bay which Reykjavík sits by and on a typical trip of around 3 hours you can almost be guaranteed to see at least some minke whales and possibly even a humpback. The companies offering whale watching mostly occupy a small area in the old harbour called Ægisgarður, close to the whaling ships. All sail out to the same bay but since conditions there change make sure you are on a good ship.
*One of the most popular tourist activities in Iceland due to the special nature of the Icelandic Horse. Although by definition more of a rural activity, there are several companies offering riding tours on the outskirts of Reykjavík, this can be a good option for those not planning on travelling far from the city.
*The immediate vicinity of Reykjavík offers some good hiking opportunities. By far the most popular among these is Esjan, the mountain that dominates the view to the north from much of the capital and is accessible by bus nr. 57 (routes change, so ask beforehand). It's a relatively easy hike although there is a steep patch early on and at the tops there are some cliffs to climb. You can estimate 4-5 hours to get to the top and back again, although experienced walkers will be quicker. To get there, you need to take bus 57. Sometimes it leaves from the long-distance bus station in Reykjavik (BSÍ), other times from a station called Mjódd (accessible by bus 3, 11, 12, etc from downtown) or you can take it from Mósfellsbær (station is called Háholt - you get to Mósfellsbær on bus 15 from Reykjavik). Ask the driver where to get off for climbing Esja. To get back from Esja to Reykjavik, try asking for a ride at the parking lot, or take the bus back. 57 does not pass very often so make sure you take note of the timetable.
Another popular place to experience nature is Heiðmörk [http://www.heidmork.is/], a green belt to the southeast of the capital. Heiðmörk mostly flat and there are many paths criss-crossing the area, but getting there may be difficult without a car.
*This small zoo, in the middle of Reykjavík, is a place where city children can come and get in touch with some of the farming heritage of the country, with most species of domestic animals found in Iceland represented. They also have some non-domestic animals including reindeer and seals.
*Reykjavik and surrounding area is great for seeing the northern lights. The lights show up in the winter time and are most likely to be seen in Sept-Oct and Feb-March. After 8pm to maybe 2-3am in the morning is the time period they most likely show up but it all depends on things like clouds, how dark, if there is solar storm hitting earth etc. -
Geothermal Swimming Pools
Outdoor geothermal swimming pools are an important part of Icelandic culture and a visit to them is a great way to relax with Icelanders. In fact it is not stretching the truth too far to suggest that because drinking is so expensive the hot-pots at these pools serve the same role that pubs and bars do in the rest of Europe.
* The city's largest pool with extensive facilities, situated in Laugardalur Valley east of the city centre. It has two large pools for swimming, several hot-pots, a seawater bath, a steam bath, and water slide. It is a well-used large complex that is starting to show its age a little but it is still the best option in the city. Currently undergoing quite a lot of renovation work, but the pool remains open.
* A brand new complex on the outskirts of the city, it has nice views over the city centre and is a nice place to watch the sunset. There is an indoor and outdoor pool, a waterslide, several hot-pots and a steam bath. This is a favourite with families and is perhaps the nicest of the city's pools. Buses run here from central Reykjavik.
* The city's oldest and only indoor pool (with outdoor hot-pots), located in the city centre. Has a more municipal feel than the other pools, but has a very central location.
* The city's oldest outdoor pool. Located in a residential area but within a walking distance of the city center.
* Here you can swim in the Atlantic, because they pipe hot water into the ocean. A beach of golden sand has been created and a “pool” has been enclosed nearby, where the water temperature is about 20ºC. There are several hot-pots. Refreshments and various services are available at the beach.
Swimming in the Atlantic ocean is also possible during winter, and some would say more fun. The ocean is -2 up to 3 ºC, which makes for an interesting experience. The hot tub, steam bath and other facilities are operated during winter.
It is possible to rent swimsuits and towels at all the pools. As Icelandic pools have very minimal amounts of chemicals in them it is very important to shower thoroughly naked beforehand, and pay attention to the notices and posters that highlight hygiene issues.
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filter_dramaLearnBeing the main population centre of the country, Reykjavík is also the location of most of Iceland's education institutions. Close to the city centre is the University of Iceland [url=http://www.hi.is/en],]which offers courses in Icelandic as a second language. Most degree programmes are in Icelandic, but there are some specialised postgraduate degrees available relating to sustainable development and to medieval manuscripts taught in English.
Reykjavík University [url=http://en.ru.is[/url],]originally founded as a business school under the auspices of the Icelandic Chamber of Commerce, has evolved into an institution offering a wide range of degrees in the fields of business, law, computer science and engineering, with a higher number of English-language programmes than the University of Iceland.
At pre-higher education levels, Menntaskólinn við Hamrahlíð (Hamrahlíð College) offers an IB programme in English [url=http://www.mh.is/ib[/url].]Several smaller schools offer Icelandic language courses for foreigners, including Mímir [url=http://mimir.is/index.php?lang=en[/url]]and IceSchool [http://www.icetrans.is[/url]. -
filter_dramaWorkThere's not much in way of employment opportunities in Reykjavík at the moment. Since the economic collapse of 2008, unemployment has risen to around 8% and unless you have special skills you're likely to be at a disadvantage as a foreigner in a job hunt. Additionally, it's extremely difficult for non-EEA citizens to get a visa unless they already have a job. If you are an EEA citizen, however, you can head over to Eures [url=http://www.eures.is/english],]a database of jobs advertised in the entire EEA. In Iceland it's run by the Directorate of Labour (Vinnumálastofnun) [url=http://english.vinnumalastofnun.is[/url]]who may also be able to offer you further advice. If you're from one of the other [[Nordic countries[/url]] and are aged between 18 and 28, you may be able to take use of the Nordjobb summer job program [http://www.nordjobb.net], funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
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filter_dramaBuyLaugavegur is the main shopping street of Reykjavík and has many funky boutiques, with both Icelandic and international designs. Skólavörðustígur, running from Laugavegur up to Hallgrimskirkja, has a range of souvenir and craft shops where you can find a perfect gift for the family. Record shops and bookstores are also located on these streets, where you can find Icelandic music and literature as well as a wide range of foreign music and books in English.
Reykjavík has one flea market, Kolaportið, located in a warehouse by the harbour and open 11am-5pm Saturdays and Sundays. In addition to stalls selling clothes, antique furniture, old books, and other typical fleamarket wares, there is a food section where you can buy many Icelandic specialities as well as cheap and fresh fish and potatoes.
If you yearn for international chains such as Zara and Debenhams, then head to one of 2 malls in the capital area; Kringlan in Reykjavík and the newer Smáralind in neighboring [wiki=7c0c910f24dc6244e1ec66b064ce3df6]Kópavogur[/wiki]. But keep in mind that everything in Iceland probably costs more than it does back home. Items can be as much as 3-4 times the price in neighboring countries, mainly because of taxes (24.5% sales tax on products, 7% on books), import duties and so on, though there are exceptions to this rule.
Sales tax is always included in the sticker price. All foreign visitors are entitled to claim back the tax if they spend 4,000 krona or more in one shop in one day. Iceland is not a member of the European Union, so visitors from all European countries are entitled to sales tax refunding. Icelanders living abroad are also entitled to sales tax refunding.
ATMs are found throughout the city, and they should accept any foreign cards. Currency exchange is mainly done at banks, there are very few special currency exchange shops. Icelanders themselves make very little use of cash, paying for even the smallest of things with their cards. Foreign cards will generally be accepted in stores and restaurants, although there may be problems with American Express in some places. A chip-and-PIN system is being introduced, so make sure you remember your PIN.
Please note that tipping isn't required in Iceland; it's not expected for any service, not for restaurants or for hotels, or any other place. Some cafes and restaurants have tipping jars, but paying extra remains entirely optional.
Sticking to your travel budget while in Reykjavík requires planning. [http://trip-to-iceland.com/travel-budget-reykjavik/] -
filter_dramaEat
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Budget
Food in Iceland can be expensive. In order not to break the bank, you'll need to be smart when eating. On the budget side, you're mostly looking at international-type fast food options common to what you'd find in Europe and America.
10-11 is a chain of convenience stores (open 24/7) with plenty of ready-to-eat items such as sandwiches, wraps, and surprisingly enough, tacos. 10-11 is always open but also more expensive than supermarkets, that's why you see most Icelanders shop for food at Bónus (open 10-18), a low-cost supermarket chain. Even better, you can find a fish shop which will sell you some ridiculously fresh and absolutely delicious fish, at a very reasonable price, and cook it yourself with some potatoes and vegetables. It'll be really nice. The fish shop could be in Kolaportið, a downtown market which only opens on weekends, or alternatively you could look up one of the many fish shops (fiskbúð) all around town.
Try one of the Hot-Dog places that are found everywhere. This German import has become thoroughly Iceland-ized. A dog should set you back 380 kr. Ask for "Eina með öllu", a hot dog with everything on it. Deeeeelicious.
Fast food - Apart from the usual suspects such as KFC and Subway (McDonald's was recently rebranded Metró by the local franchise holder, but the menu remains the same) and the hot dog stands mentioned above, Reykjavík has a number of home grown fast food restaurants. In the city centre many are open 24/7 in weekends, serving the partying crowd. Names include Nonnabiti and Hlöllabátar (subs and sandwiches), Kebabhúsið and Ali Baba (kebabs), Serrano (burritos) and The Deli is a gourmet trattoria, featuring regional Mediterranean cuisine as well as peciality pizzas and daily hot specials.
You should be able to fill your stomach at each of these for 1000 kr. or less.
Thai restaurants - Thais form, along with Poles, the largest immigrant community in Reykjavík and as a result there are a lot of good and cheap Thai restaurants around the capital, often run by Thai families. You will usually get large portions without paying much more than 1000-1500 kr.. Options in central Reykjavík include Krua Thai (Tryggvagata 14), Núðluhúsið (Laugavegur 59, 2nd floor), Thai Grill (Hagamelur 67) and Thai matstofan, (Suðurlandsbraut 52)
There are tons of cafes everywhere in the city that are relatively inexpensive and a great place to sit, relax, and warm up. You can also check your e-mails if you bring your computer, as there is free Wi-Fi in most of them. Kaffitar and Te & Kaffi are comparatively large chains and serve great barrista style coffee, that might however be on the expensive side.
* The name of this popular hot dog stand literally means "Town's Best" and, based on the queues, it seems to deserve the name. Get one (or more!) with everything: fresh onions, fried onions, ketchup, remoulade and mustard. Hot dogs and drinks are all they do [http://bbp.is/] *
*Large restaurant in the bus depot near the downtown airport. Large selection of prepared foods to grab for your bus ride and a large menu of hot food selections to eat in the restaurant. Reasonable prices and a fun place to hang out with working class Icelanders for those wanting a non-tourist experience. For the more daring, Svið is on the menu daily.
*A bit away from the city centre, this place is very like an office cafeteria. It prides itself on selling authentic Icelandic home cooking. The sparse menu varies between days. Due to its location surrounded by offices, it caters more to a lunch than dinner and closes at 8pm weekdays, 2pm Saturdays and is not open Sundays. It also seems to stop serving main meals some hours before closing.
*In addition to its famous restaurant, Perlan also has a café offering food. You can eat with (almost) the same view and a much cheaper price.
*An extremely authentic seafood place, serves a wonderful lobster soup and offers grilled cod, whale, shrimps, salmon, etc.
*This little chinese restaurant near Laugardalslaug parc and the Artic Comfort Hotel is a sweet quiet little spot with great food and friendly service. The prices are quite low so it fits in well with your budget needs.
*Icelandic foods served in a nice large room with a view of the church. Noted for rye bread and their one of a kind rye bread ice cream. -
Mid-range
There are many fantastic fish restaurants in Reykjavik. The more expensive ones are down by the harbour or in the centre, if you're not so rich try heading towards the old town. Though generally not listed here, most bars serve some food, often better than what you would expect from the look of the place but generally with relatively uninspired menus: Expect to see a few burgers, a pasta dish or two, some salads and maybe a burrito.
Plan on at least 2,000 ISK for any meal not in a budget/fast-food restaurant. Seriously.
* One of few Indian restaurants in Reykjavik. It serves very good food though and can be compared to the top tier Indian restaurants in London.
* A friendly vegetarian restaurant in the city centre, has a vegan option and attempts to use as much organic produce as possible.
* A cozy Italian restaurant with good food. They sometimes have live guitar music, which together with the dimmed lighting makes for a very romantic setting.
* An organic bistro with a friendly atmosphere that makes a slightly healthier version of this famous fast food, so don´t expect to find any mayonnaise or Coca-Cola there. Their dishes are all home made from the freshest ingredients, by some said to be the best fish and chips in the world. The restaurant is semi self-service and child friendly, but can become very busy during summer.
* A good central restaurant, aimed a little more toward the tourist crowd it does however deliver decent food. The lamb is good.
* A small family-owned Pakistani restaurant packed into a tiny building in the oldest part of town. Delicious food, and a very friendly wait staff.
* A decent fast food restaurant during the day and a happening nightclub after hours. The age limit of 22 on Friday and Saturday nights is somewhat of a buzzkill even for those of legal drinking age here. The Lobster pasta is the restaurant's signature dish and well worth tasting.
* A nice seafood restaurant. Serves big meals for a moderate price. Their lunch plokkfiskur special is legendary. They serve whalemeat, both raw (as sashimi) and cooked, to those willing to try. This is a convenient price; whale is less expensive in other port towns. They serve a strange (and delicious) traditional cake, skyrterta, made from the Icelandic skyr, this cake alone is worth the visit. -
Splurge
If you're willing to spend the money, you'll have no problem finding world class dining in Reykjavík. In addition to some great fish restaurants, most of the world's popular cuisine is represented in Reykjavík's up-scale dining in one form or another.
* It's not exactly an Icelandic tradition, but Argentína is a great place to go for quality beef steaks.
* Part of a growing trend called “new Nordic food” (most famously promoted by Noma restaurant in Copenhagen), this small restaurant prides itself in using local ingredients, many of them sourced from a vegetable garden next to the building.
* One of the most recent additions to the flora of fish restaurants, in the basement of a recently renovated old timber house literally standing in the original harbour of Reykjavík.
* A classic French restaurant that has been open for service for over forty years.
* A staple of the city's up-scale dining landscape. Thick carpets, art over dark wood panels, french cuisine, an extensive wine cellar, the country's most expansive collection of single malts.
* Specialising in lobster (the name means Lobster House) and on the expensive end, but has exquisite food that the prices reflect.
* On the top of Öskjuhlíð, overlooking the city, sits Perlan with its rotating restaurant. It's an expensive place to dine but of course it's pretty unique and gives you a second-to-none view over Reykjavik so it's understandable how they can push the prices up. If you dine at the Perlan be sure to have the lamb, absolutely fantastic.
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filter_dramaDrinkReykjavík is considered to have some of the best nightlife in all of Europe and it can be almost guaranteed that you haven't really "partied" until you've done it here. This fact is proven by the amount of celebrities who come specifically for it.
Drinking is very expensive - expect to pay between 600 and 1200 ISK for a draft pint at a bar. Bottled beers and mixed drinks are more expensive, sometimes outlandishly so. Despite the cost, going out in Reykjavik is a fun experience. Since alcohol is expensive at Reykjavík bars and clubs, Icelanders usually buy their alcohol at the government owned liquor stores (Vínbúðin, called Ríkið by locals) and stay at home drinking until about midnight (or later), then they will wander to the bars. Do not expect bars and clubs to become crowded during weekends until about 01:00 (at least). Cover charges are very rare in Reykjavík, unless there is live music or some other sort of event going on. Note that although the legal age for entering clubs is 18, the legal drinking age is 20 and many places set higher entry age limits themselves.
Bars are open to 01:00 (some to 02:00) on weeknights, but most will stay open until 05:00 on Friday and Saturday. The clubs and bars themselves are mostly found in a very small area around Laugarvegur in the city centre, it's easy to just walk around and follow the crowds. You're sure to find somewhere to go, but if you're not sure, groups of drunken Icelanders will usually be eager to help a tourist out! During weekends, live music is easy to find in some of Reykjavík's bars. During the day, be sure to pick up a the free English-language magazine The Reykjavík Grapevine [http://grapevine.is/] for information on live music events for that evening. It is easy to find in shops, restaurants and bars around the city.-
Bars
The distinction between bars and clubs is not very clear in Iceland, with most clubs being more like bars until a little before midnight. However, the following venues can be said to be purely bars - places to go and drink with your friends, rather than to dance or listen to music.
* A sports bar, named for a famous Icelandic footballer and later sports commentator.
* An Irish pub, with several dark ales and booths where groups can sit and talk in relative privacy.
* This place tries to imitate a Danish bodega, although it really feels much more Icelandic than Danish.
* Very popular English-style pub in the heart of the city, with a wide range of beers and a wheel of fortune. Beware troubadours in the weekends, though (they're very bad)!
* A small, cozy and extremely popular bar. The decorations seem to be taken from the living rooms of Icelandic grandmothers and include a number of cross stitched pictures. Uniquely for Reykjavík bars they have their own beer called Bríó, brewed for them by a microbrewery within the larger Egils brewery. -
Clubs
Reykjavík has a large number of clubs and when one closes, another is usually very quick to take its place. There would be no point in trying to list them all, the following are only a small taste. Most of them are quite small - don't expect the big dance halls of many European capitals - but that's part of the fun, the intimate spirit of the Reykjavík nightlife.
* A rock bar, often featuring live music during weekdays, and good DJs in the weekends.
* Caters mainly to a slightly up-market crowd.
* Dillon has become quite the attraction for the Icelandic music industry, rockers, students, family folk and famed Hollywood actors over the past decade. During the summertime you can enjoy a cold one in the sun in Dillon´s Beergarden and catch outdoor festivals over the summer. Catch a live band, have a chat with the friendly staff or join the mixed up group on Saturday nights when the 60 year old DJ Andrea rocks the joint and join the family of friends at this century old house of fun.
* This small watering hole pumps up the volume during the weekends and turns into a very nice (if slightly shabby-looking) place to drink and dance.
*
* An old favorite, this club in a red two-story timber house has been around since the 1980s and remains hip as ever. It was for a period owned partly by Damon Albarn of Blur. Heavy drinking and heavy dancing.
* A friendly gay bar/club on the second and third stories of an old wooden house.
* In a basement on Laugavegur. DJs here play the most popular pop of all eras from the 1960s onwards, songs people can sing along with while they dance.
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filter_dramaSleep
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Budget
Be warned that there is very little in the way of affordable lodging in Iceland, particularly if you are travelling with a family. The cheapest option in Reykjavík, by far, is to stay at the city's only campsite. If that's not for you, there are several hostels with affordable dorms located in and around the city centre. Fortunately for the traveller on a budget, this seems to be the fastest growing type of accommodation in Reykjavík. Most of these hostels also offer single or double bedrooms, and a few small guesthouses have rooms at similar prices.
* Price 2,700 (dorm-bed in summer, bed-linen and blanket included). The Capital Inn is near the Fossvog churchyard about 35 minutes walk from the center of Reykjavik. It is close to Nautholsvik geo-thermal beach and the Perlan park area. 24-Hour front desk. Bike rental available. All rooms have free wifi internet. Parking is free outside the inn
* Literally in the heart of Reykjavík, a few meters from Austurvöllur and the parliament building.
* A friendly little guesthouse in a residential part of the city centre.
* Great guesthouse located in one of the most iconic places in Reykjavik, right across the square from Hallgrimskirkja. Very clean, very comfortable, with friendly service, and internet. They also include breakfast in the morning, with fresh bread baked on the premises. A little on the expensive side--11600 kr for a single room. Another great feature is their airport/tour bus service.
* A hostel that was recently opened in a former biscuit factory down by the sea. Very cozy and looks distinctly unlike a hostel, which is not surprising given that a set designer created the appearance. Has a bar and restaurant which serve non-residents as well. Staff are very helpful.
* Open 15 May - 15 September. The cheapest place to stay in Reykjavík, and an approximately 30 min walk from the city centre, or a short bus journey. The campsite is big and offers decent washing and cooking facilities and people often leave their leftover camping stove fuel for others after leaving Iceland. (Fuel is really expensive in Iceland!) On cold and rainy days, Iceland's biggest pool is situated right next door. Clothes can also be washed at the neighbouring youth hostel.
* A new hostel right on the main shopping street, run by travelers and adventurers.
* A hostel in an old apartment building right next to the city centre, by the harbour.
* Just outside the city centre. In addition to accommodations, they also offer car rental services.
*Star Guesthouse is a friendly guesthouse located in a central part of Reykjavik. It is close to Hlemmur, the main transport station and Laugavegur, the main shopping street.
All rooms have free wifi internet. Parking is free outside the guesthouse -
Mid-range
Located one minute walk of the city centre close to the main shopping street Laugavegur. Rooms on the upper floors have great view of the Hallgrimskirkja. There is a restaurant at the hotel called Confusion. It offers aperitivos for reasonable price. Tours are bookable at the reception.
* Just outside the city centre, 10-15 minutes walking, but well located with regards to the bus system.
* Located on the eastern edge of the city centre close to the main shopping street Laugavegur. Rooms on the upper floors on the northern side have great views across the sea. There is a 24/7 supermarket right behind the hotel. There is a restaurant, bar and tour desk. There are many types of rooms and price ranges.
* A 15 minute walk away from the city centre in a office neighbourhood.
* By Laugavegur, the main shopping street.
* In a side street close to Laugavegur. Very close to a number of bars and clubs, but surprisingly quiet apart from one bar across the street which often has live jazz or folk music on weekends. Part of the CenterHotels chain like Hotel Plaza below.
* A rather basic hotel, but at a good price given its location just across the street from Hallgrímskirkja. Rooms have satellite TV which includes one English-language channel. The hotel also has a bike rental.
* In a side street a few meters off Skólavörðustígur. Comfortable rooms which include free wi-fi and satellite TV, but breakfast is not included in the price.
* Literally in the centre of Reykjavík, by the oldest street in the city (Aðalstræti) and the Ingólfstorg square. Close to the heart of the nightlife, and so noise is to be expected (at least in rooms facing the square). Free wi-fi. Part of the CenterHotels chain like Hotel Klöpp above. -
Splurge
Just as there are surprisingly few cheap accommodation options in Reykjavík, there are surprisingly many expensive ones.
*Named after the postcode for central Reykjavík.
*New hotel in an old iconic building built in 1919 which previously housed the head offices of the shipping company, Eimskip. Eimskip's pre-World War 2 logo was a blue swastika, and this used to adorn the front of the building. When it was converted into a hotel a sign was put over the swastika, but as it's a listed building the swastika could not be removed and is still there, behind the sign.
*By the same square as the parliament and the cathedral. Built in the 1930s but newly renovated, Hótel Borg is a Reykjavík landmark in its own right famed amongst other things for its World War II history.
*By a quiet street in the centre of town. When it opened in 1965 the hotel restaurant was one of the first fine dining locations in Reykjavík.
*Premises include a spa (NordicaSpa) and a restaurant called VOX. The hotel is located outside the city centre, but the area is well served by busses.
*A large hotel just outside the old town (a 10 minute walk from the city hall), by the University of Iceland campus. The building (rather than the hotel occupying most of it) is called the "Farmer's Palace" (Bændahöllin), referring to the fact that it was originally erected by the powerful farmer's association and still houses their offices.
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filter_dramaContactReykjavík has good mobile phone coverage (including 3G) and various providers, the largest being Síminn [url=http://www.siminn.co.uk]]and Vodafone [url=http://www.vodafone.is/en[/url].]Most foreign SIM cards should work without problems, but it may be best to check with your mobile phone provider at home before leaving. Payphones are almost nonexistant in Reykjavík.
Wi-fi is free at most cafés in Reykjavík and even at many bars. If there's a password required just ask the staff. Partly because of this, internet cafés have almost ceased to exist, but one such still in operation is GroundZero [http://www.gzero.is[/url], Frakkastígur 8. Be aware that the clientèle is mostly gamers. 1 hour costs 600 kr.
Though Icelandic is the official language, English is spoken quite fluently by almost everyone you will meet and you should have no problems when it comes to communication. -
filter_dramaStay safeIceland holds the European record for number of people with chlamydia (STD), use a condom!
Iceland is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Just be sure to avoid the fights that break out amongst the most intoxicated partiers in bars and most often on the street on weekends. However most people are incredibly friendly and police are also friendly and very helpful.
Recently, however, petty thefts in Reykjavík have occasionally occurred. Rape occurs twice as often as in other Nordic countries, Still, even with these issues, Reykjavík is much safer than most other western cities, and certainly safer than the larger capitals of other countries.
Homeless people generally hang in the area around the Hlemmur bus station or on Austurvöllur park. They used to not bother anyone but have started doing so because people started giving them money; violence has occurred. -
filter_dramaCopeEven though Reykjavík doesn´t have a large population, traffic during rush hour (16:00-18:30) can be a nightmare. This is due to the exploding car population, along with a narrow street system. If you are planning on going somewhere by car or bus, try to do it after around 16:00-18:30 as this is when most of motorists arrive home from work. The same goes for the mornings (07:45-09:00).
Keep in mind that during the summer, the sun does not fully set, resulting in "dusk" between the hours of roughly Midnight and 3:00 AM. While a novelty at first, the lack of night can quickly disrupt your sleeping habits and result in general fatigue. If visiting in the summer, be sure to bring a sleeping mask, even if the window shades largely keep the light out.
If you can bear to be asked by almost every Icelander you meet "How do you like Iceland?" you're all set for the trip.-
Press
Reykjavík has one English language magazine, The Reykjavík Grapevine [http://www.grapevine.is], published bi-weekly in the summer and monthly in the winter. Although it started out as a publication mainly aimed at tourists (with events listings etc.) it has become respected in Iceland for at times very good research journalism and coverage of current events. Available for free at various locations around the city.
Some foreign newspapers are available at newsagents, but for same-day papers you can go to the Eymundsson bookstore at Austurstræti 18 and have them printed. -
Religion
Lutheran churches are easily found throughout Reykjavík and most of them hold mass at 11am every Sunday. There is a Catholic cathedral in central Reykjavík by Túngata, usually called Landakot church but formally known as the Cathedral of Christ the King. A Catholic mass is held there every day in Icelandic, as well as a mass in English 6pm on Sundays and in Polish 1:15pm the second and fourth Sunday of each month. The Russian Orthodox congregation has a house at Sólvallagata 10, holding mass 6pm on Saturdays and 10:30am Sundays. There is no mosque in Reykjavík, but the Association of Muslims in Iceland holds Friday prayers at Ármúli 3, 3rd floor.
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filter_dramaGet out[wiki=4a7c62998268c4d4e579c358b35a2afa]Þingvellir National Park[/wiki] is located about an hour and a quarter's drive to the east of Reykjavík, here you can see the canyon caused by the Eurasian and north American plates moving apart. It is also home to the original Alþingi (Parliament) and several other cultural treasures. These factors have seen it added to the [wiki=3d51617f232f1b2232edda05111e74b0]UNESCO World Heritage List[/wiki].
* [wiki=96acc0874fe0809ecbcf3dae25703eb8#See]Gullfoss[/wiki] A spectacular waterfall (which translates as Golden Falls) and one of the nearest big waterfalls to Reykjavík
* [wiki=96acc0874fe0809ecbcf3dae25703eb8#See]Geysir[/wiki] Geothermal hot spot
The first three are normally all included on the Golden Circle tour, a one-day circuit which can be done by coach trip or hire car.
* [wiki=90bb39f860f6da64f5b1e169defbfba5]Hafnarfjörður[/wiki] is a town just outside Reykjavík
* [wiki=2c16c368e15066e577cbc5ba5462e100]Blue Lagoon[/wiki] (Bláa Lonið in Icelandic) is a famous geothermal spa south-west of Reykjavík, not far from the main airport at Keflavík.
By booking a trans-Atlantic ticket on Icelandair with a free "stop-over" of up to a week in Reykjavík, you can follow a visit to Iceland with a visit to [wiki=59ead8d1e124ccfb79f3ace06f43e703]London[/wiki], [wiki=e20d37a5d7fcc4c35be6fc18a8e71bfa]Paris[/wiki], [wiki=d586293d554981ed611ab7b01316d2d5]Glasgow[/wiki], [wiki=f4830432874f86d2e2a1a5f2dbebbc80]Oslo[/wiki], [wiki=fcfff492e00727b63cf5dff9f59bc2a4]Stockholm[/wiki], [wiki=2da3c827ccabc4855cb9921b4f1addfa]Copenhagen[/wiki], [wiki=3eb8670d999ac077dd0e2c345cb7c905]Amsterdam[/wiki], [wiki=4312d5c8cdda027420c474e2221abc34]Frankfurt[/wiki], or another city in Europe, or to [wiki=9a8995d0e0d1775d0891f404e43911d7]Washington, D.C.[/wiki], [wiki=cb725823157e6b10da8fa376c2e1b013]Boston[/wiki], [wiki=67100af8b08e073c3ba7f4de2707584b]Denver[/wiki], [wiki=d4d2ea493b6a2460e9b9f00712e0a234]Orlando[/wiki], [wiki=d97e023dce2bb237a0d44f46d8ee9438]New York[/wiki], [wiki=c39584729495496984371f0ec2f38974]Minneapolis[/wiki], [wiki=f4334fdfa1c728eae375fe781e2e2d9d]San Francisco[/wiki], [wiki=4c54c163f43d0ac8512df032b3b07bff]Seattle[/wiki], or another U.S. city. Icelandair also offers direct flights from KEF (Reykjavik) to Toronto, Edmonton and Halifax, Canada.
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[wiki=fb3ae3c9f72988d2ad529faa78bd1ff5]World66:europe/iceland/reykjavik[/wiki]
Points of Interestkeyboard_arrow_rightIslandia