Visit Reykjavik
Like surprises? From its vibrant and striking architecture to its natural wonders and warm beaches, Reykjavik is full of surprises. Check out the things to see and do in this delightful city.
City Center
Have a walk around the charming city center that is within walking distance to hotel accommodations. Check out the colorful roof tops and interesting sites like the Lutheran church, the Hallgrímskirkja. You will be amazed by the strikingly unusual height and architecture of this church. Plus, you can take an elevator to the observation tower to glimpse stunning views of the city and mountains.
Another great site is the Perlan, or the Pearl. Built on a hilltop over several storage tanks of hot water, the Perlan is a popular attraction with a viewing deck and telescopes where you can see amazing panoramic views of the area. Additionally, you can enjoy dinner in the revolving restaurant and shop for unique items in the gift shops.
Golden Circle Route
Whatever you do in Reykjavik, don’t miss out on the amazing Golden Circle Route. You can enjoy this scenic route by jeep, bus or rental car. You will see sites that simply wow you such as the oldest known geyser, a volcanic crater and the massive, roaring and breathtaking waterfalls of Gullfoss.
Museums
If you enjoy museums, Reykjavik offers you a whole host of pleasures. Learn about the history of Iceland through wonderful collections of artifacts at the National Museum of Iceland. See an excavated 1,100 year old Icelandic house and heritage exhibits at the Reykjavik City Museum. The Volcano House features volcanic exhibits and a cafe serving delicious local cuisine. Step back into time in the recreated 18th century village at the Open-Air Folk Museum and see authentic houses, churches, workshops and more.
Geothermal Swimming Pools and Beach
An absolute must do in Reykjavik is a visit to one of the geothermal swimming pools. Not only do these swimming pools offer hot tubs, water slides and children’s pools for entertainment and leisure activities, but these pools are the perfect way to have a drink and socialize with the locals.
If you love beaches, you might be pleasantly surprised to know that Reykjavik offers a wonderful thermal beach, called Nautholsvík. Here, you can swim in warm waters that are piped into the Atlantic Ocean, or relax on lovely golden sand.
Arts and Culture
A wide range of arts and culture awaits you in Reykjavik. In addition to several art galleries, you can catch a live performance at the National Theater of Iceland, an orchestra concert at the Nordic House, or a rock concert at the Nasa. You can also attend various annual festivals like Culture Night in August, the film festival in September and the music festival in October.
Shopping
Shop for crafts and souvenirs in the city center, or international stores at the Kringlan mall. Find a bargain among the stalls at the Kolaportið flea market.
When to Go
Among Reykjavik’s many surprises, yet another is its mild winters, which rarely drop much below zero degrees. However, winters here consist of longer hours of darkness. Summers are the best time to visit though you should expect the temperatures to be cooler than most other summer travel destinations.
Excited to travel to Reykjavik now? Check out the many online deals available and begin planning your next vacation to this city of surprises.
