If your time is restricted in Iceland, my suggestion could be that you simply discover past Reykjavik and see the unbelievable pure panorama that the nation has to supply. The chances are although that, sooner or later or different, you’ll find your self within the capital. If your time there’s restricted additionally, like ours was, then listed here are among the key issues a first-time customer will need to see.
Sun Voyager
The Sun Voyager has been a well-recognized function of Reykjavik’s waterfront since 1990 and is claimed to be a logo of Icelandic desires of hope, progress and freedom. This sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason is a distinguished landmark that displays the spirit of town. Many guests consider it to be a Viking long-ship – nonetheless, this was not the unique intention and it’s the truth is a dream boat and ode to the solar, representing a promise of undiscovered territory. A delicate stroll alongside the waterfront at sundown, while admiring the view of the bay and Mount Esja past, is the proper approach to take it in.
Hallgrímskirkja Church
The spectacular Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavik is one in all Iceland’s most well-known constructions. Built between 1945 and 1986, this Lutheran (Church of Iceland) church was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson and its tower resembles the basalt pillar formations attribute of some elements of the nation. In addition to the tower, there’s a conventional nave plus a cylindrical sanctuary on the different finish of the church which is claimed to resemble a Viking warfare helmet. For a small charge, guests can go up the tower – one of many tallest constructions in Iceland at nearly 75 metres excessive – through a elevate and entry an remark deck with views over town.
Harpa Concert Hall
The Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik is a gorgeous and trendy live performance corridor and convention centre, designed by the Danish agency Henning Larsen Architects in co-operation with Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson. Its metal framework clad with geometric-shaped glass panels makes it one of many metropolis’s most placing landmarks, in addition to a centre of cultural and social life, and a vacationer attraction in its personal proper. It was to be a part of a redevelopment of the Austurhöfn space, full with a 400-room lodge, luxurious residences, retail items, eating places and a parking lot; nonetheless, this needed to be scaled again when the 2008 Icelandic monetary disaster took maintain. Iceland’s authorities funded the rest of the live performance corridor’s building and right this moment it homes the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the workplaces of The Icelandic Opera.
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Sky Lagoon
Just to the south of downtown Reykjavik, Sky Lagoon is a geothermal spa that opened in 2021. It boats a 70-metre infinity-edged geothermal pool with a swim-up bar and beautiful views of the North Atlantic, in addition to being identified for its distinctive seven-step ritual expertise. Away from town centre, this luxury thermal spa is your gateway to feeling calm, rejuvenated and stress-free in a magical artifical lagoon.
A Reykjavik swimming pool
A swimming pool is a well-liked means for locals to spend time enjoyable in Iceland, however can (and may!) be skilled by vacationers too. There are at the least seven public baths to select from in Reykjavik; we visited Sundhöllin, the oldest swimming pool within the metropolis which has the identical designer as Hallgrímskirkja Church (Guðjón Samúelsson). Sundhöllin was renovated in 2017 and is right this moment dwelling to each an indoor and out of doors pool, a lap pool, a kids’s pool, three sizzling tubs, a chilly tub and two saunas. Give visiting a standard Icelandic swimming expertise a attempt, however do watch out to stick to the washing guidelines and etiquette.
Reykjavik’s swimming swimming pools supply a enjoyable approach to calm down on holidays. Visit one in all these swimming pools and expertise a refreshing swim, or make the most of the pool’s services.
FlyOver Iceland
FlyOver Iceland is an immersive expertise the place you may soar over the huge landscapes of Iceland. This dramatic ‘flight’ over among the the nation’s most spectacular landscapes allows you to witness unbelievable panoramas. Explore Iceland with a digital actuality tour, with an incredible chook’s eye view of Iceland’s pure wonders. This simulation must be skilled to be believed!
Don’t really feel you’ve sufficient time to see all these items? We had solely two nights in Reykjavik and managed to go to all of the above, along with occurring a whale watching tour from Reykjavik’s outdated harbour and our Dining with Icelanders expertise. How, you ask? We used the Hopp electrical scooters that you simply’ll discover scattered across the metropolis. Not solely are they tremendous enjoyable and straightforward to make use of, however they’re a good way to effectively get round Reykjavik! (Admittedly, we used the automotive for Sky Lagoon since that’s additional out…)
Planning a visit to Iceland your self? You can watch a video from our journey to Iceland right here:
Disclosure: Our journey to Iceland was sponsored by Helly Hansen.