The world’s northernmost capital is waiting for you. The name Reykjavik means “smoky bay” and originates from the country’s numerous hot springs. The city is worth visiting both in winter as well as in summer, and those are actually the only two seasons in Iceland. In winter, you’ll get four hours of daylight and the northern lights, while in summer, you can experience the midnight sun. And don’t forget, if you don’t like the weather, simply wait five more minutes. Read these travel tips and prepare to discover the capital city of the land of fire and ice, Iceland.
Reykjavik is located in southwestern Iceland. The international airport is fifty kilometres outside the city in Keflavik, which means the capital is easily accessible. It’s best to take the special Flybus from the airport to the main bus terminal, BSI, in the city. One of the most famous landmarks, Hallgrímskirkja can be seen from almost any part of Reykjavik. It’s known for its characteristic architecture that is reminiscent of basalt columns. You can also climb up the tower and get a bird’s-eye view of the city. It’s pretty easy exploring the city starting from the church. Go down the rainbow street and visit the main shopping street, Laugavegur. An interesting thing to do for travellers is to go explore the streets between the church and the city lake, Tjörnin – these districts are full of charming and colourful houses and street art. The lake is home to numerous ducks and swans, but you shouldn’t feed them bread. In winter, the lake freezes over and turns into a popular ice rink. On its southern shore is the Nordic House, designed by the famous Finnish architect, Alvar Aalto. The pond by the house is surrounded by a beautiful park. The parliament is located on Austurvöllur, famous for being Iceland’s main square for holding protests. It’s quite pleasant to get some sunshine here in the summer. You should definitely stop by the market during the weekend and buy the famous Icelandic sweater, known as lopapeysa. You can also see all of the above by taking a guided tour which also includes a traditional Icelandic lunch. Another interesting city walk will take you down the path filled with interesting stories about elves and trolls.
Buying a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour Reykjavik City Card will give you the chance to see many of the city’s attractions, museums and galleries for free. And that’s not all. The card also gives you access to free public transport and bathing in the public baths. You also get a free ride to Viðey Island, which offers lots of opportunities for exploring. As far as museums go, the National Museum of Iceland is worth visiting and will give you an insight into Iceland’s history and culture. If you’re a fan of the Vikings, you should definitely visit the Settlement Exhibition where you’ll learn all about how the city was settled. Another major attraction is the Árbær open air museum. If you want some insight into the incredible Icelandic environment with all its volcanoes and glaciers, then Perlan would be the right choice. Fly over Iceland will fly you all over Iceland. On screen, of course. And if you want to experience the northern lights in the middle of summer, you can do so at the Aurora Reykjavík Northern Lights Center.
Iceland is one of the best locations if you want to watch the northern lights. All you need is a clear night sky. It’s best to use an organised transfer and travel outside the city. Good spots for watching the northern lights can also be found within the city, though. One of the best is the Grotta lighthouse, a nesting place for numerous bird species and an oasis of peace. Use the many trails that go left and right from of the lighthouse and visit the dunes and black beaches. Grotta is also the location for observing the midnight sun.
The Icelanders can’t imagine life without their pools. Each pool boasts a number of large jacuzzis set at various temperatures and represents a place where people socialise and relax. You can easily meet locals there. The pools are cheap and there are eighteen of them located in the metro area. In the city centre, there’s Sundhöll, and not far from there, in a beautiful district with colourful wooden houses, is Vesturbæjarlaug. The Icelanders love ice cream and hot dogs. Treat yourself to some while taking a walk in the city.
The city is full of parks where you can spend many hours exploring in the company of trees. For a country whose forests cover only five per cent of the land, there are quite a lot of trees in the city as well as green areas. There’s Alþingisgarðurinn park in the city centre, right next to the parliament. It’s full of flowers and offers a chance to start a conversation with representatives of the parliament. Locals usually go for a walk or jogging down the numerous trails along the Elliðaá river. This is where you’ll find waterfalls, which freeze over during winter, but are covered in a blanket of fragrant flowers in the summer. Fossvogurinn on the Öskjuhlíð Hill is a special park with numerous World War II monuments. This is where you’ll find the Nautholsvík beach where you can relax in a geothermal pool or freshen up by jumping into the water. Not far outside the city is Heiðmork, which offers plenty of opportunities for travellers to relax and explore the area. There are wonderful trails leading through the forest that will take you past various plant species, small lakes and horse farms. The area is especially magical in December when the Christmas market opens right next to the frozen lake, where you can also go ice skating. The area is home to the Rauðhólar, meaning red hills. Far away from the tourist hotspots is where Mt. Esja rises. A popular destination for trips, where you can wander in true Icelandic nature.
Reykjavik boasts two great HI hostels and both of them pride on the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. This label focuses on three areas – water, electricity and waste, which means making sure the numbers never get too high. Both hostels also have a great recycling system and take great care in conserving electricity and water. A major part of their efforts is informing guests and the locals about sustainable tourism. Reykjavik City Hostel is located in Iceland’s largest park, Laugardalur, which is also home to a pool, a botanical garden and a zoo. The hostel has its very own café with a children’s play area. Loft is located in the main shopping street in the city centre and is popular far and wide due to its terrace, which offers a beautiful view of the city.
The Blue Lagoon pools, one of Iceland’s major attractions, are the perfect place to relax and you simply must visit them. It’s located in the heart of a landscape that was formed by lava and is now covered in moss. The Golden Circle attractions are a must for travellers. Visit the famous geyser, the Gullfoss waterfall, the king among the Icelandic waterfalls, and the world’s first parliament in Þingvellir, and then also stop at the Kerið crater. A special experience is exploring the country’s southern coast. You can go on a tour with an experienced guide and visit the numerous waterfalls and the black Reynisfjara beach. To top it all off, you can also hike up the Sólheimajökull glacier. North of Reykjavik is where you’ll find the Snæfellsnes Peninsula which, in the small area it covers, offers almost all types of Icelandic landscape. Here, you can find mountains, glaciers, black beaches, cliffs and, of course, charming little villages. Reykjavik offers lots of opportunities for watching animals in their natural environment and you only have to drive a few hours out of the capital. One of the most majestic of these animals are undoubtedly whales and dolphins. The cutest of them all, though, are puffins – pay them a visit and learn more about them on a guided boat tour. Icelandic horses are world-famous for their calmness. Why not go horseback riding on the many lava fields and see the landscape from another perspective.
Enjoy while exploring Reykjavik and don’t forget to send postcards with MyPostcard. All HI members get 25% off. New users can send their first postcard for free with the HIGlobetrotter promo code through the Globetrotter profile. You can read more about it here.
Wherever you go, your trip can be safe, with simple and customisable international travel insurance for solo travellers and families. Get travel insurance through World Nomads and get a policy with 24-hour assistance and transport for medical emergencies, as well as cover for more than 220 sports and leisure activities on snow, water, air and land. The insurance policy may include, among other things, coverage for experiential activities, such as au pairs – part-time or voluntary work with children, working in a bar, fruit picking, office work, teaching and some other work abroad. Protect yourself or your family with World Nomads travel insurance.
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