In case your time is proscribed in Iceland, my advice 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, in some unspecified time in the future or different, you will see that your self within the capital. In case your time there’s restricted additionally, like ours was, then listed below are a few of the key issues a first-time customer will need to see.
Solar Voyager
The Solar Voyager has been a well-known characteristic of Reykjavik’s waterfront since 1990 and is alleged to be a logo of Icelandic goals of hope, progress and freedom. This sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason is a outstanding landmark that displays the spirit of the town. Many guests consider it to be a Viking long-ship – nonetheless, this was not the unique intention and it’s in reality a dream boat and ode to the solar, representing a promise of undiscovered territory. A mild stroll alongside the waterfront at sundown, while admiring the view of the bay and Mount Esja past, is the right solution to take it in.
Hallgrímskirkja Church
The spectacular Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavik is one in every of Iceland’s most well-known buildings. Constructed 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 components of the nation. Along with the tower, there’s a conventional nave plus a cylindrical sanctuary on the different finish of the church which is alleged to resemble a Viking warfare helmet. For a small price, guests can go up the tower – one of many tallest buildings in Iceland at virtually 75 metres excessive – by way of a raise and entry an remark deck with views over the town.
Harpa Live performance Corridor
The Harpa Live performance Corridor in Reykjavik is a fantastic and fashionable 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 resort, luxurious flats, retail items, eating places and a carpark; 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 development and right this moment it homes the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the workplaces of The Icelandic Opera.
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Sky Lagoon
Simply 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 gorgeous views of the North Atlantic, in addition to being recognized for its distinctive seven-step ritual expertise. Away from the 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 manner for locals to spend time enjoyable in Iceland, however can (and will!) be skilled by vacationers too. There are at the very 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 house to each an indoor and outside pool, a lap pool, a youngsters’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 solution to calm down on holidays. Go to one in every of these swimming pools and expertise a refreshing swim, or reap the benefits of the pool’s amenities.
FlyOver Iceland
FlyOver Iceland is an immersive expertise the place you’ll be able to soar over the huge landscapes of Iceland. This dramatic ‘flight’ over a few of the the nation’s most spectacular landscapes enables you to witness unbelievable panoramas. Discover Iceland with a digital actuality tour, with an incredible fowl’s eye view of Iceland’s pure wonders. This simulation needs to be skilled to be believed!
Don’t really feel you have got sufficient time to see all this stuff? 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 Eating 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 simple to make use of, however they’re an effective 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’ll be able to watch a video from our journey to Iceland right here:
Disclosure: TOur journey to Iceland was additionally sponsored by Helly Hansen.
