Reykjavík Highlights

Reykjavík Highlights

Viewpoints

Everybody loves a good view and Reykjavík has some amazing vistas of mountains and fjords as well as multi-coloured rooftops. Perlan at Öskuhlíð is a great place to see Esja, the beautiful mountain and surrounding fjords.

Another high point is the Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral at the top of Skólavörðurstigur, from which a whole panorama opens up. A fee is charged to go up the bell tower.

Museum Walks

This small city has a good reputation of being safe, despite the hectic nightlife that might go on until all hours of the morning. Most attractions are within walking distance and if not, there are various shuttles and buses to main attractions.

The Hop-On-Hop-Off bus is a good way to tour the city and can be booked through TripGuide Iceland. Most museums are located downtown and accept the Reykjavik City Card as well as some art galleries. The Harpa Concert Hall is a magnificent edifice on the waterfront which hosts various cultural events and concerts. Guided tours through the building reveal architectural genius.

Late Night Walks

Most walking paths are well-lit and neighbourhoods are calm, so going for a midnight stroll to see the midnight sun or northern lights is taken for granted by the locals. Two major walking paths are along the seashore of the city. One is from Harpa Concert Reykjavík must surely be the smallest capital in the northern hemisphere and as such bears this status with pride. Most tourists don‘t feel like they are in the country’s biggest city, as distances between attractions are not huge, traffic is not overwhelming and downtown Reykjavík is laid-back and interesting. The main shopping streets are geared primarily towards tourists and their needs. Reykjavík, however, has the trappings of any major centre which soon becomes apparent when dining out or spending a night on the town. Quality is the keyword when visiting the capital of Iceland. The highlights of Reykjavík might not always be obvious, but they are plentiful, depending on what you seek from the city.

The Pearl (Perlan) 1963, a great volcanic eruption below sea level, close to the Westman Islands, forms a new island named Surtsey.

Hall along the seaboard with a view of boat activity from the harbour and Viðey Island. The other is from the Grandi area to Grótta lighthouse. Cycling in the dark is also a favourite pasttime for some.

Swimming, Whale Watching and Horse Riding

Reykjavík has its own sandy beach with a giant hot tub at Nauthólsvik which is a favourite of local ocean swimmers. There are also 7 public swimming pools each with their own setup and character. Getting in touch with nature doesn‘t take much in Reykjavík where shuttles will take you to horse riding activities in the suburbs and beyond. Whale watching from the central harbour is a great activity while in Reykjavík. We recommend booking your activities in advance through TripGuide Iceland. (www.tripguide.is) Besides all of the above, the actual highlight of Reykjavík is that it is so close to amazing landscape and wide open spaces from where the real Iceland beckons.

A glaive. Photo by Olga

There is no better way to discover the wonders of Reykjavík than exploring it on foot. A stroll along the city streets will reveal both its history as well as a flourishing modern culture.

Reykjavík On Foot or Bike Reykjavík “CLASSIC” (2 - 3 hrs. / 2.4 km.)

Starting at Lækjartorg square, follow Austurstræti to the corner of Pósthússtræti. There you take a right turn and continue down to Reykjavík old harbour where you can observe the fishermen working. Continue west passing the Grófin area, a cluster of beautifully restored buildings, and through to Aðalstræti, the oldest street in Reykjavík. At the square opposite The Settlement Exhibition, turn right and follow Túngata to find the Catholic Church at Landakot. Proceed on Hávallagata to Garðastræti and take a right turn to Kirkjustígur to enjoy the old cemetery, filled with beautiful sculptures and gravestones. Leaving the cemetery, follow Suðurgata to Skothúsvegur and enjoy a little detour around the City Pond. Continue along Fríkirkjuvegur and make a stop at the National Art Gallery which is well worth seeing. Proceed towards the city centre, to the City Hall where you find the main Tourist Information Office and from there to Alþingi Parliament House and Dómkirkjan church.

Walk onwards to Lækjargata and continue in the direction of the Lækjartorg square. Pass the giant outdoor chess board, the statue Vatsnberinn and Bernhöfts torfan, a set of renovated buildings which house gourmet restaurants. Proceed to the statue of Ingólfur Arnarson, the first settler in Iceland, on the top of Arnarhóll. End the tour at Harpa concert hall.

Reykjavík “GRAND TOUR” (5 - 6 hrs. / 4.3 km.)

Starting at Lækjartorg square, follow Lækjargata towards the pond and head for City Hall, Tourist Information Centre, where you can take a look at a giant relief map of Iceland. Continue from the City Hall to Dómkirkjan church and the Parliament House. From there walk towards Aðalstræti, which was the first, and in fact the only street in the early days of Reykjavík. This is the oldest part of the city and here you can find some of its oldest houses and trees. On the right side of the street is an old well which used to be one of the city’s main water sources until the establishment of the Water Works in 1909. The tiny square opposite The Settlement Exhibition used to be a cemetery and you can still see some old gravestones there. Proceed to the Grófin area, past Restaurant Reykjavík and continue down to Reykjavík harbour where you will find an old steam locomotive which was used to transport building materials for the harbour when it was under construction. Walk on along the harbour, take a look at the fishermen landing their catch and follow the footpath by the seaside leading to “Sólfarið”, a beautiful sculpture and an excellent viewpoint. Continue to Höfði, the famous meeting place of Reagan and Gorbachev in 1986. Walk up Höfðatún until you reach Laugavegur street and follow it down to Hlemmur Bus Terminal. Proceed up Rauðarárstígur until you find Kjarvalsstaðir museum where you can enjoy the classics of Icelandic art. Find your way from Kjarvalsstaðir museum to Hallgrímskirkja church and go up the tower to get the best view of the city. Continue down Skólavörðustígur and Bankastræti towards the Government house, which used to serve as a prison. The tour comes to an end at Arnarhóll under the statue of Ingólfur Arnarson, the first settler in Iceland. Höfði in Borgartún Reykjavík On Foot or Bike 1971 The first Icelandic manuscripts are brought back to Iceland from Denmark, after being kept there since the 18th century.

Ægisíða – Nauthólsvík (1.5 - 2 hrs.)

Start your walk at Landakotskirkja and walk from there along Hofsvallagata down to the coast at Ægisíða. Follow the path past the old fish huts and various other reminders of the city’s fishing heritage. Continue past the domestic airport all the way to Nauthólsvík, a beautiful little beach with white sand where you can bathe in the heated seawater, or maybe, if you are adventurous, paddle out in a kayak into the sunset.

Öskjuhlíð – Perlan (1 - 1,5 hrs.)

Öskjuhlíð hill played an important rôle during the Second World War when the British Army used it as a military location. Today it is still important but now as an outdoor resort for anyone who likes a good walk in pleasant surroundings. It offers excellent paths, benches, an artificial geyser and amongst the trees you can still find some traces of the army “settlement”, shelters and trenches. After having enjoyed the surroundingsfor a while you can treat yourself to a nice cup of coffee at Perlan and take a look at the city from the viewing point at the top.

Entertainment in Greater Reykjavík

The Greater Reykjavík Area has plenty of entertainment on offer and everyone should be able to find something of interest. Many visitors come to Iceland to experience the fantastic nature and popular winter activities are skiing at Bláfjöll Ski Resort, Ice-Skating or hunting for northern lights. For colder days there are plenty of indoor activities such as visiting one of Reykjavik’s cinemas, the Bowling Palace in Egilshöll Grafarvogur, or burning off some excess energy at the Climbing Centre. During the summer, longer daylight hours allow for outdoor enjoyment well into the late evening. Other outdoor entertainment includes ATV Quad biking, Go-Kart racing, caving on the outskirts of Reykjavik or horse riding. The summer is filled with festivals and cultural venues, so everyone should find something fun to do during their Reykjavík stay.

The Old Harbour Area

The charming Old Harbour was transformed into a dynamic neighborhood when a group of energetic individuals renovated old fishermen’s huts to revamp this historic area. Just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre, the Old Harbour Area is now a hub of delicious seafood restaurants, whale and bird watching tours, stylish design boutiques, arts and crafts, souvenir and coffee shops as well as a cinema. Enjoy the view of the ocean from one of the waterfront restaurants, the boats, the bustle of a genuine working harbour and the smell of the sea. Old Harbour Souvenirs is a treasure trove of Icelandic crafts and souvenirs. Among the good restaurants in the area is the 101 Harbour, Slippbarinn at Icelandair Hotel Marina, The Steakhouse and two Icelandic fish and chips restaurants across the street. The Seabaron is popular for its lobster soup and Kopar, focuses on Icelandic ingredients. A few meters away is Mar Restaurant. Iceland’s original burger joint, Hamborgarabúllan, is a favourite place for locals to grab a quick bite. Raw on the inside, this popular place is housed in the iconic rounded building on a street called Burgerjoint at the start of the whale watching pier.

Grandi District

Walking further along the Old Harbour area, past the Icelandair Marina hotel and the ship yard and along the waterfront to the Maritime Museum (read about the museum in the culture chapter), you will have reached the Grandi District. This area is a wonderful example of how tourism is taking over the fishing industry. A host of art galleries and designers‘ workshops are located in disused fishermen‘s baiting sheds or store rooms. Fish processing plants still exist in the area and Grandi is still the hub for fishermen and their catch.

Grandagarður consists of a long row of baiting sheds that have been revitalized by artists and designers, bringing art and food to the area. Food speciality stores such as Búrið, the cheese specialist or Valdís, the ice-cream connoisseur have their place next to Krinolín a design store where animal and fish skin, as well as wool and other natural materials, are used to create high fashion items. If you can´t get to see the northern lights on your tour, don‘t despair, Aurora Reykjavik at the roundabout on Grandagarður is the perfect substitute to see this celestial spectacle.

Moving onto the next street, Fiskislóð, Whales of Iceland has an informative display of life-size whales. Cheaper grocery stores Bónus, Nettó and Krónan are also located on this street. The Grandi District is definitely a place to take your time, relax and shop. Or just sit in the sun at one of the coffee shops and watch the activity in the harbour.

Kopavogur

Six good reasons to enjoy Kópavogur

Salurinn Concert Hall

Tel: 441 7500

www.salurinn.is

Kópavogur Art Museum

Gerdarsafn

Tel: 441 7600

www.gerdarsafn.is

Natural History Museum

Tel: 441 7200

www.natkop.is

Public Library

Tel : 441 6800

www.bokasafnkopavogs.is

Aquatic Centre

Tel: 570 0470

3 km from Reykjavík Centre

Kopavogur Church

Tel: 554 1898

What to do in Gardabaer

Museum of Design and Applied Art. Kraum design shop is situated in the museum.

Tel : 512 1525.

Hofsstadir Archeology Site. Historic park. Remains of a Viking-Age-longhouse.

Krokur at Gardaholt. A small gabled farmhouse built in 1923.

Gardabaer Thermal Pool. Friendly outdoor pool, steambath.

Alftanes Thermal Pool. The country's only wave pool, a 10 m. high, 80 m. long waterslide.

SKAPARINN AUGLÝSINGASTOFA

Kópavogslaug

Borgarholtsbraut 17

50 m outdoor pool

Salalaug

Versölum 3

25 m outdoor pool

Indoor & Outdoor Pools,

Hot Tubs, Jacuzzi, Steambaths, Waterslides and Childrens Pool

Bus No. 1 runs to Kópavogur from Reykjavík.