Before seeing Iceland’s volcanoes, discover the culture of the world’s most northerly capital, a city of geothermal pools, colourful houses and museums.
While Reykjavík is a gateway to Iceland’s legendary countryside, the city is also proof that Iceland is not only a land of glaciers and volcanoes. This small capital city has a proud and ancient history, some of Europe’s most colourful streets and a rich local culture that has produced many world-famous artists. Go ahead and book tours of Iceland’s fiery inland, but don’t forget to reserve a few days to explore Reykjavík’s many attractions as well.
Start out by riding an elevator up into the city’s highest building, the austere bell tower of Hallgrimskirkja. Look out over the city and the harbour beyond it. On a sunny day, head out to Reykjavík Harbour to board a whale-watching ship. On a cold day, warm up in one of the city’s seven geothermal springs, which include Laugardalslaug and Arbaejarlaug.
Learn Reykjavík’s long history in its many museums. See one of Iceland’s earliest ruins at the Reykjavík City Museum, where you will find the remains of a 9th-century Viking longhouse. Brush up on more modern Icelandic history at the National Museum of Iceland or the Saga Museum, which exhibits wax figures in a water tank beneath the ultramodern Perlan.
Sample an Icelandic specialty like putrefied shark at a local restaurant. Not all the food is so unusual: try a staple of contemporary Reykjavik fast food, the Icelandic hotdog. Afterward, visit a music venue to hear a band from the city that has produced rock stars like Björk and Sigur Rós.
As with any Arctic destination, one of Reykjavík’s greatest attractions is its night sky. Between the months of October and March, the aurora borealis (northern lights) paints the sky with incredible colours. Grótta Lighthouse, Hlfómskálagarður and Öskjuhlíð Hill are some of the city’s best aurora borealis vantage points.
To maximise your time in Reykjavík, visit in mid-June, when the sun is up for 21 hours every day. This will let you fit in a full day of natural exploration and still have enough time to discover the city’s cultural and historical attractions when you get back.
