Reykjavik is a harsh "smoky bay" where the Norse Viking Arnarson arrived in time immemorial to build a home on its shores. Iceland's capital is special. It blends so harmoniously with the magnificent northern landscape that it seems as if the soaring spire of the Hallgrimskirkja church is the summit of a blazing volcano, and the northern lights are about to light up on the glass walls of Harpa.
Reykjavik has a unique aura. Its charm captures the traveler from the very first minutes. There are no old buildings here, but there is a grandiose Perlan and modern museums. A tourist will not see traditional cathedrals and cobblestone squares in the capital of Iceland, but will fully enjoy a walk along the embankment, from where a stunning view of the ocean opens up.
The best hotels and hotels at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles / day
What to see and where to go in Reykjavik?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Concert hall "Harpa"
The concert hall is located in the city harbor. Its grand opening took place in 2011. This irregularly shaped modern building with a glass-clad façade was designed by the Danish architect H. Larsen and the designer O. Eliasson. There are four concert venues with excellent acoustics in "Kharp". The National Symphony Orchestra performs here and the Icelandic Opera presents performances.
Sculpture "Sun Voyager"
Steel statue, which was created according to the sketches of the sculptor J. G. Arnason. Contrary to popular belief, the bizarre metal figure does not depict a Viking ship, but symbolizes the desire for knowledge of the unknown and new discoveries. The best time to admire the sculpture is at sunset, when the sun ball descends over the horizon and illuminates the steel frame with faded rays.
Laugavegur street
The alley is located in the center of Reykjavik. Translated from Icelandic, its name means "road to the hot spring." It is literally littered with shops with seductive, colorful display windows. Laugavegur Street is the city's main shopping artery. During the daytime you can go shopping or just take a walk, and at night visit one of the many bars and enjoy the fun atmosphere.
Reykjavik Town Hall
A modern building from 1992 located in the center of the Icelandic capital on the shores of Lake Tjörnin. It seems as if the walls of the building are rising straight out of the water. Here is the headquarters of the city administration, as well as halls for conferences, exhibitions, concerts and performances. The attention of tourists is attracted by the 3D map of Iceland, which is located inside.
House of Khovdi
Early 20th century construction in the sparsely populated northern part of Reykjavik. The house was erected in 1909 for the French consul in the Art Nouveau architectural style. For some time the Icelandic poet and journalist E. Benedichtsson lived there. In 1986, a summit was held in Khovdi, in which R. Reagan and M. Gorbachev took part. The house is closed to the public, so tourists can only view it from the outside.
Perlan
The building is located at the top of the Oskulid hill. In fact, this is a boiler room, into which water comes from thermal springs. On the ground floor there is an exhibition gallery where concerts, fairs and vernissages are held. The fourth floor is occupied by an observation deck with telescopes and several shops, and the fifth is a restaurant with a rotating dome, which is illuminated by bright lights at night.
Hallgrimskirkja church
A grandiose Lutheran temple, which is considered one of the most picturesque attractions in Reykjavik. It was built from 1945 to 1986. The work was delayed due to funding difficulties and the protest of the townspeople against the appearance of the church. Despite all the obstacles, the building turned out to be simply magnificent. It looks like a flame frozen in ice and a mountain peak directed into the sky.
Reykjavik Cathedral
The main city temple looks quite modest against the background of the outstanding Hallgrimskirkja church. It was built at the end of the 18th century in the Danish colonial style, which is distinguished by its simplicity, laconic form and lack of lush decor. The cathedral looks more like a parish church than a metropolitan church. There is a green lawn near the building, where, in good weather, the townspeople take a rest.
National Museum of Iceland
Acquaintance with the collection of the museum is an immersion in the mysterious world of Iceland: in the harsh times of Viking raids, pagan rituals and the dark era of the Early Middle Ages. Here you can look at the Thor figurine, which is more than 1000 years old, and the first Bible in Icelandic, as well as see national costumes, weapons and jewelry. The museum has a modern scientific library.
Reykjavik Museum of Art
The exposition is located in three buildings, which are located in different parts of Reykjavik. The first building houses a collection of paintings, the second - sculptures, and the third - contemporary art. There are many works of Icelandic masters in the museum. Among them there are paintings by artists J. Sveinson and G. Goodmudson, as well as the sculptor A. Sveinson. The halls of the gallery are often used for theatrical performances and concerts.
Open Air Museum "Arbaeyarsafn"
The exposition is located in the open air. It is a reconstruction of Iceland's past. Visitors can see the traditional houses of the inhabitants of the island, learn about the traditions and everyday affairs of the people. The complex was opened in 1957 on the site of an abandoned farm. Some of the buildings were restored (they were included in the collection), the other part was transported from the center of Reykjavik. In addition to residential buildings, there is a church, a smithy, workshops, warehouses.
Vikin Maritime Museum
The museum collection is entirely dedicated to navigation. The most ambitious exhibit is the ship "Odin", which for a long time was engaged in the rescue of wrecked ships. The tug "Magni" (the first ship built in Iceland) will also attract the attention of visitors. The museum regularly hosts temporary vernissages dedicated to the maritime theme. There is also a permanent exhibition.
Einar Jounsson Museum
An exhibition of works by the famous Icelandic sculptor E. Jounsson, who, thanks to his remarkable talent, has achieved recognition not only in his homeland, but throughout the world. The museum was founded in 1923 in a building designed by the master himself. The main exhibition area is located in the garden, where several dozen statues stand among trees and flowers. The Hallgrimskirkja Church is nearby.
Phallological Museum
The collection of this unusual museum consists of preserved animal phalluses. In 2011, a human organ also appeared here. The smallest exhibit must be viewed through a magnifying glass, the largest weighs 70 kg and reaches 170 cm in length. The exhibition was organized by S. Hyartarson, who has been collecting phalluses since 1974. In 1997, he decided to make them public.
Exhibition "Reykjavik 871 ± 2"
A small interactive exhibition dedicated to the history of Reykjavik. There are few real exhibits, mostly visitors are invited to watch films and videos about the peculiarities of the construction of urban dwellings and the way of life of the first settlers of the island. The entire theme of the museum revolves around the excavations of the courtyard, the approximate age of which is 871 years. Hence the name of the exhibition.
Aurora reykjavik
The Northern Lights Center, where you can learn everything about this amazing natural phenomenon and see it on large screens. The complex is divided into four sections.In the first, visitors are told about the history of the origin of the northern lights, in the second they are shown it in all its glory, in the third one can hear stories and legends collected from all over the world, in the fourth there is an exhibition of photographs of the aurora.
Museum "Whales of Iceland"
The museum opened in 2014. It is located in the old harbor within walking distance of the center of Reykjavik. The collection consists of 23 life-size whale models. The exhibits were created with amazing precision. Even scars on animal skins can be seen at close range. With the help of virtual reality rides, visitors can go swimming with dolphins and whales.
"Column of Peace"
Memorial on Videy Island, created in memory of John Lennon in 2007. The design was developed by the widow of the musician Yoko Ono. The column is a granite pedestal with the inscription “Imagine peace” in 24 languages. Beams of light erupt from the base, reaching an incredible height of 4 km in clear weather. These jets of light are created using powerful spotlights.
Lake Tiernin
The reservoir is located in the heart of Reykjavik. The main city attractions are concentrated around it, which are reflected on the mirror surface of the water. Geese, ducks and swans nest on the lake. In winter, the reservoir freezes, but so that the birds do not die, it is thawed using thermal springs (not all, only a small part). Tiernin is considered one of the cleanest lakes in the world.
Nautholsvik beach
Geothermal beach in the suburban area of Reykjavik. Despite the fact that even in July-August, the water temperature in the Atlantic Ocean does not rise above 15 ° C, in the coastal zone near Nautholsvik it is kept at 38-42 ° C. The secret lies in the thermal springs that heat the sea water. The comfortable swimming area is an open-air pool located on the shore of the bay.
