45 Places to Visit in Reykjavik

45 Places to Visit in REYKJAVIK

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REYKJAVIK is the Capital City of Iceland, a Nordic Island European Country. Reykjavik means ''COVE OF SMOKES''. It got its name because of the steam rising from hot spring areas. Reykjavik is the 6th Cleanest City in the World as per 2016 Rating Service. Inhabitants here came from almost all parts of the world. There are immigrants living here from 131 different countries around the world. It is a Cosmopolitan and Modern City. There are Museums, Shops, Restaurants, Art Galleries, Beaches, Shops, Thermal Pools, Cultural Attractions, Nature Beauties, Night Life, Fort, Ancient Buildings, Monuments, Hiking, Trekking, Glaciers, Whale Watching, Fishing, Climbing, Sailing, Horse Riding and Religious Places. The Nature friendly environment attracts millions of tourists every year. Since this Icelandic City is located near to the North Pole, it gets around four hours of sunlight in the winter and around 21 hours of sunlight in the summer. According to Ingolfur Arnarson, Reykjavik is the First Permanent Settlement Location in Iceland, way back to 874 AD. Reykjavik celebrates all Important Events in the History of their struggle during Independence. The Largest River Ellioaa, is the Best Fishing River in Iceland. 

How to Reach Reykjavik?

Reykjavik Airport or Reykjavikurflugvollur, a Domestic Airport and the Keflavik International Airport are located at the distance of around 2 kilometers and 50 kilometers away from the Main City. Air Iceland Connect, Atlantic Airways, Eagle Air and Myflug Airlines operates daily flights to this place. 

45 Picnic Locations in Reykjavik: 

Must see 45 Places in Reykjavik are Golden Circle, Harpa, Hallgrimskirkja, Perlan, The Sun Voyager, Icelandic Phallological Museum, National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavik Buildings, National Gallery of Iceland, Arbaejarsafn Open Air Museum, Reykjavik Art Museum, Vikin Maritime Museum, The Einar Jonsson Museum, Whales of Iceland, Safnahusio, Fjolskyldu og Husdyra grourinn, Asmundur Sveinsson Sculpture, The Icelandic Punk Museum, Iceland Design Centre, The Living Art Museum, Gljufrasteinn, Tjornin Lake, Asmundarsalur, Sigurjon Olafsson Museum, Raohus Reykjavikur, Hofoi, Austurvollur, Vioey, Nautholsvik, Heiomork, Landakotskirkja, Imagine Peace Tower, Reykjavik Cathedral, Vesturbaejarlaug, Alpingishusio, Sundholling, Volcano House, Laugardalslaug, Ingolfur Square, Frikirkjan i Reykjavik, Laugar Spa, Akurey, Reykjavik Botanical Garden, Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach and Alafoss. 

HALLGRIMSKIRKJA is a Lutheran Parish Church named after the Poet Hallgrimur Petursson, who was also the author of Passion Hymns. Hallgrimskirkja is the Largest Church in Iceland. The 224 feet tall Hallgrimskirkja is also one of the Tallest Buildings in Iceland. It took almost 40 years to build this Church, and finally the work got completed in the year 1986. The architect of Hallgrimskirkja is Gudjon Samuelsson. The Interior is around 18,000 square feet. Attraction of this place is the presence of a 15 meter Tall Pipe Organ having Electronic Action and this organ weighs around 25 tons. The Large Pipe Organ is driven by a Pedal, 102 Ranks, 72 Stops and 5275 Popes. Church is open from 9 am to 5 pm during winter season and from 9 am to 9 pm during summer season. 

HARPA, located at Austurbakki 2, is a Concert Hall and also a Conference Hall. This unique landmark was designed by Henning Larsen Architects. The total floor area of Harpa is around 300,000 square feet. There are four halls inside the building, with seating capacity of 1,800, 450, 750 & 195 respectively. It is the Home for Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Icelandic Opera. 

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE is one of the must see location for the tourists. Golden Circle Tours covers many famous landmarks like Gullfoss Waterfalls, Geysir, Strokkur Geysers and Pingvellir National Park. It covers about 300 kilometers from Reykjavik to Southern Uplands of Iceland. 

PERLAN means The Pearl, is an iconic landmark in the Capital City. The 84.3 feet high structure was designed by Ingimundur. Perlan is a must visit Museum and it is One of the Wonders of Iceland. The First Exhibition in Perlan is The Glaciers & Ice Cave Exhibition. This is built inside in one of the six hot water tanks. Visitors get to know about the History and Future of Glaciers. Also, there is an exhibition about  Land, Coast and Ocean. One can know about the wonders of the ocean, feel the force of the earthquake along with feature about various pearls. There is an Observation Desk which offers an amazing 360 degree view of the entire city and its surrounding areas. Perlan Museum is open on all days from 9 in the morning till 7 in the evening. 

SOLFAR also known as SUN VOYAGER is located on the Seashore. A beautiful Steel Sculpture with dimensions 29.5 feet x 22.9 feet  x 59 feet, on the Waterfont resembles like a Viking Long Ship. There is no match for the beautiful view of the bay, that one get to see in this stunning location. Jon Gunnar Arnason was the Artist who designed the Sculpture. From the distance, it would look like a ship is floating on the air. 

ICELANDIC PHALLOLOGICAL MUSEUM, also known as HIO ISLENZKA REOASAFN, is located at Laugavegur 116. There are around 282 specimens from over 93 different species of animals. What you can see inside are the 55 Specimens of Whales, 36 Specimens of Seals and 118 Specimens of Land Mammals. Phallological Wonder Collections can be seen on all days from 10 am to 6 pm. 

GEYSER GEOTHERMAL AREA and STROKKUR are the beautiful locations that can be visited during Golden Circle Tour. This place is famous for its Bubbling Mud Pits and Hot Spring Water that is bursting out of the Ground. Geysers are found near to mind blowing volcanic areas where the spring water bursts through 200 degree from beep surface of volcanic earth. In Strokku, steam water pops up up to 40 meters in the air every few minutes. Because of its high temperature, it is nicknamed as The Cauldron. 

CRATER KERIO, also known as KERITH or KERID, is one of the beautiful attractions. It is believed that The Crater was formed almost 6,500 years back. Black Reddish Rock Walls covers The Crater. These rock walls slopes down to the water gradually. The Crater is Oval in Shape,  270 meters long, 170 meters wide and 55 meters deep. At the bottom, water can be seen up to 14 meters. What you can see is the Rise and Fall of water through out the day at the centre of the Crater. There is an aquamarine water table in the center. It is advised to visit this place during the day time. 

REYKJAVIK CITY HALL is located on the Lake Tjornin Shore. The Highlight of the City Hall is the presence of 3D Model of Iceland. This was inaugurated in the year 1992. Several Cultural Exhibitions and Activities takes place regularly in this city hall. Information Desk and Internet Access are available on the ground floor where as Municipal Offices and Major's Offices are situated on the 1st floor of the building. City Hall is one of the Must See Landmarks in the capital city. 

THE THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK is one of the UNESCO Sites and its well known for its Historic and Cultural Significance. Rifts or Cracks in the land can be seen inside the Park that are caused due to continental drift in the Eurasian Plates. One of the famous Rifts is referred as Salfra. Salfra Rift is a very narrow and long opening in the Earth filled by Natural Spring. Local people used to throw coins in another rift called Coin Fissure Crack. There is a belief that if you throw coins, it would bring you Good Luck. Activities inside Thingvellir National Park includes House Riding, Angling, Diving, Camping and Hiking. Opening hours varies regularly based on the climatic conditions. Hence, it is advised to check the exact opening hours prior to visit. 

SILFA, a must visit locations, is a Deep Water filled between the Subterranean Continental Plates and it is one of the World Class Site for Divers. Visitors to this location can experience Diving or Snorkeling and it gives immense feeling to dive between the two continents. Silfa was formed naturally in the year 1789 when a crack opened the ground surface by breaking the under water spring filled with water. Hence, Silfra water is so pure, Cold, Potable and Translucent. 

SKOGAFOSS is a Cataract Type Waterfall located on the Skoga River. Skogafoss falls from a distance of 200 feet. The 25 meters wide waterfalls sprays water in all directions. The environment is very calm and it is an ideal place to spend vacation peacefully with family. 

ARBAEJARSAFN ARBAER or ARBAER is an Open Air Historic Museum located at Kistuhyl 4. Buildings found inside the Arbaejarsafn are Laugavegur - the Ticket Office, Professor's House - the Museum Office, Landakot or IR House built in the year 1897, Laufasvegur - the Residence of Museum Custodians, Suourgata 7 displaying three exhibition, Laekjargata the Store Room, Likn an Administrative Office, Stable, Efstibaer - Displays about Workers life, Dillion's House a Coffee Shop, Pingholtsstraeti the House's Original Residents, Blacksmith's House, Habaer & Nylendaa Half the Stone Houses, Miohus a home for landless labors, Reykholar the Assistant Custodian Home, Gold Drill to drill Hot Water, Nissen Hut, Ivarssel, Slaughter House - exhibition about ancient building techniques, Granary where temporary exhibitions takes place, Arbaer Farm a museum house, Smithy a replica of Smithy, Church, Vestry a Room for a Priest and Boy Scout Hut. 

WHALE WATCHING is one of the main attractions that one should never miss to visit. Whale Watching Entertainment Escursions are offered from the Old Harbor. Best time to watch whale is from May to August. Single trip is for around 2 to 3.5 hours depending on the whale sightings, climate and conditions. Even the places varies like Southern Part of Faxafloi, Hafnarfjorour, Keflavik, Grindavik or Sandgeroi where every the whales are found. The guide will shout on the loud speaker when he spots a whale and it helps the visitors to see on the right direction at the right time. Guide explains everything about whales. Facilities like Restrooms, Cafe, Wi Fi and Souvenir Store is available on board. 

NORTHERN LIGHTS is an Natural Attraction situated little away from the city. Northern Lights is also referred as Aurora Borealis is known for its bright colorful lights in the sky during night times. The lights are formed naturally near the North Pole, when the electronically charged particles from the Sun collides with Earth's Upper Atmosphere. Colors like Green, Pink, Purple, White and Blue Lights are formed in the sky. Its not sure whether you would be able to see the light during your first trip, even in the second it is not guaranteed since it depends on the nature. It is advised to stay in the darkest place. One require more patience and persistence to see the lights. Best time to see the lights are between the month of September to April. Its better to visit after 9 pm. Normally, the lights are seen either close to the Artic Ocean or in the Northern Hemisphere. 

SAFNAHUSIO or THE CULTURE HOUSE is located at Hverfisgata 15. It is an Exhibition Centre. Collections here are displayed by six different cultural institutions of the country. Theme of the collection represents ancient cultural history of Iceland. One can know about about the Visual Expressions of Icelanders, Environment, Arts, Culture, backgrounds and lifestyles of ancient citizens. The Culture House was constructed in the year 1908. Safnahusio is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. 

LANGJOKULL is well known for its Ice Glacier, also Langjokull is Iceland's Second Largest Ice Cap. The Highest Point of Langjokull Ice Cap is situated at an altitude of 4,760 feet. There are several glaciers found here and the important ones are Norour, Suourjokull, Vestri, Eystri, Hagefellsjokull, Hagafell and Pristapajokull. Other attractions in Langjokull are Hraunfossar Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park and Deildartunguhver Hot Spring. It is always better to travel with a person who is familiar with glaciers. Interesting activities includes Snowmobile and Hiking. 

Surprising 18 Facts about Reykjavik: 

Reykjavik is referred as The Puffin Capital as it a home to Puffin Breeding. More than 4 million pairs of puffins are found in Iceland. Beers were banned here between 1915 and 1989. From 1924 to 1984, Dogs were banned in this city and during 1960's people were living in the Turf Houses. This city is also referred as World's Northernmost Capital City. You cannot find a Starbucks or McDonald's in this city. Immigrants from 131 nationalities are living peacefully in this Multicultural City. Oldest Parliament in the World is the Iceland Parliament which was formed in the year 930. Hot Dogs is one of the Most Popular Foods. Kalaportio is the Country's Biggest Flea Market. Blue Lagoon the Most Popular Attractions is Man Made. It is Country's Hub for Annual Events. There are No Mosquitoes in Reykjavik as well in whole country. 

To Preserve Icelandic Language, there is a law that is strictly followed in the entire country on names. One must keep the names that are approved by the Naming Committee, for their kids. If some wants to keep the names that is not in the list, then they may have to send it for Naming Committee's approval. In case if they reject, then parents are forced to find another name for their kid. Police here Never Carry Guns. Popularly known as The Land of Fire and Ice filled with all sorts of surprises. There are More than 125 Volcanic Mountains. There are No Forest in Reykjavik. Iceland is one of the Eco Friendly Countries in the World. 

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