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Jan
10
Reykjavik Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Iceland
A trip to Reykjavik
Reykjavik is full of natural wonders, including glaciers, waterfalls and hot springs. This is a great place to get away from it all while still enjoying the trappings of modern life. The summer days here are long with very little night-time, while the winters are the opposite, with very light daylight. This makes visiting Reykjavik in the summer wonderful, when you can spend long hours exploring the wilderness, riding Icelandic ponies or just enjoying the quaint downtown area. The island’s main airport is Keflavik International Airport, where all international flights arrive.
Flights to Reykjavik
Keflavik International Airport is the international hub for the island. It is located about 30 miles outside the city centre. Serviced primarily by its own airline, Icelandair, and numerous European airlines, Reykjavik is a great stopover when flying to Europe from North America and vice versa. The city is only two to four hours from Europe and five to six hours from the east coast of the US by air. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Reykjavik try Thomas Cook.
Reykjavik is a compact city and is easy to explore on foot or by using the city’s public buses. For the journey to or from the airport, there are either buses or taxis to choose from. It is also possible to drive yourself in Iceland. There is very little traffic and hiring a car is a good way to explore the countryside beyond the capital city.
Reykjavik
Sightseeing in Reykjavik
The famous Blue Lagoon is a must visit. This geothermal spa is just outside Reykjavik and a favourite destination for locals. The waters here are rich in minerals and allegedly benefit those with skin conditions. It is a great way to relax and enjoy the views of the lava fields.
Reykjavik has some stunning architecture and the impressive Hallgrimskirkja church is just one of such structures. Rising out of the plains, the church is breathtaking and ranks as the largest in Iceland. Iceland is famous for having hosted the Reykjavik Summit between Gorbachev and Reagan, and it is possible to visit the house where the summit took place - Hofoi.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Many consider Iceland to be a party capital and Reykjavik attracts many party-goers from nearby Scandinavian countries. There are many trendy bars and clubs, most of which only open late at night. Liquor is heavily taxed in Iceland and thus expensive at bars and restaurants.
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Reykjavik including international restaurants, but Icelandic cuisine is also worth a try. Much of the cooking is centred on seafood, but there is excellent lamb to be had on the island as well.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Although many things are expensive in Iceland, as things that aren’t produced here are imported, there are a few items worth shopping for. Icelandic sweaters are a good buy; the local wool is thick and warm. Mixing traditional designs with a modern twist, these woolly souvenirs are well worth the price. There are two large shopping centres in Reykjavik, Smaralind and Kringlan. Both offer a variety of shops, including those selling local handicrafts and art.
Many equestrian enthusiasts travel to Iceland to ride the famous Icelandic pony, which is a so-called five-gaiter. This means that the horse use five different gaits, as opposed to the usual four. Smaller in stature, the Icelandic pony is a dream to ride and riding is a great way to explore the natural beauty of the island.
Daytrips
Reykjavik is surrounded by places of interest to visit, many of them being accessible by boat. Between May and September, whale watching boat trips are popular among tourists. Rare Icelandic birds and harbour porpoises can be spotted as well as beautiful white-beaked dolphins.
Easily reached by a short boat journey, Videy Island features the country’s oldest stone building, dating back to the 1800s. A selection of hiking paths offer fabulous views and provide shelter for many species of breeding birds.
The quaint suburban town of Hafnarfjorour makes for an interesting day away from the city. Known as the ‘town of lava’, Hafnarfjorour sits on top of the prehistoric Burfell lava formation, and an excellent Viking restaurant is located in the old natural harbour.
Must-see attractions
The two most important landmarks in Reykjavik are the Blue Lagoon and the stunning Hallgrimur’s Church, but an array of other attractions remains to entice the traveller. The Pearl Observatory is perhaps Iceland’s most iconic landmark, and its geothermically heated revolving restaurant offers superb views over the city.
The Reykjavik Light Nights are a collection of sagas that focus on the age of the Vikings in English language. The performances are a must-see for anyone with the mildest interest in Icelandic history. For an even more thrilling performance, the Volcano Show is a 2-hour, 30-minute film that presents footage of real volcanic eruptions filmed by a pair of daring film makers.
The city’s northernmost waterfront offers arresting views of Mt Esja, and the vast steel Viking ship sculpture here doesn’t let visitors forget where they are. Come here to watch the locals jogging and rollerblading, and to soak up the atmosphere of the ocean.
Best time to go
Although not as cold as its name may suggest, Iceland experiences extreme weather conditions and most visitors prefer to come in the summer months when the days are long and sunny.
The winter temperatures are comparable to those in New York City and Reykjavik experiences a lot of wind, with gales being common in the winter months. With around 213 rainy days per year, residents get used to carrying umbrellas and being indoors a lot of the time.
Rainy day suggestions
With Reykjavik’s reputation of being one of Europe’s wettest cities, it is always a good idea to plan some indoor attractions, regardless of what time of year you visit. Luckily, the city boasts some excellent museums, such as the National Museum which commemorates the culture, tradition and folklore of Iceland with a vast collection of artefacts. The Arbaer Open Air Folk Museum commemorates historical local life while the beautiful Einar Jonsson Museum houses some of the important sculptor’s best works.
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