Reykjavik

1. Sun Voyager

The Sun Voyager is a sculpture made by Jón Gunnar Árnason and is located on the walking promenade along the seaside. This unusual Viking ship is a popular photo location and attracts countless tourists. Although its shape resembles a Viking boat it is the embodiment of a boat from dreams and an ode to the sun. In addition to the sculpture itself, guests can also admire the indescribably beautiful views of the Esja mountain rising on the other side of the bay. Colourful, particularly in the summer and tasteful snow-capped with polar snow cap in winter.

2. Perlan (Pearl)

This unique place in Reykjavik, known as the Pearl, certainly attracts attention when you are either approaching or are in the city. On top of Öskjuhlíð hill this huge dome-like construction of six old geothermal water reservoirs (capacity 4 million liters each) is like a shimmering jewel box. Perlan is the posthumous implementation of a monumental building as envisioned by the famous Icelandic artist Johannes Kjarval. He imagined a building covered with mirrors that would reflect the light of the aurora and illuminate the entire area with floodlights located under the eaves of the roof. Since June 21st 1991 it is accessible by the public and houses currently the Museum of Icelandic wonder of Nature and a restaurant. The Pearl is now the seat of the Museum of Icelandic Wonders of Nature where a life size manmade ice-cave can be visited.

3. Hallgrimskirkja Church

Reykjavík’s largest attraction, Hallgrímskirkja has been ranked first on the list of the most recognizable buildings in Iceland ever since it was build. The impressive building at the end of Skólavörðustígur street has recently also been considered one of the strangest in the world. On daily basis it serves as a church but also numerous concerts and exhibitions are frequently held there. It is an excellent reference point for all who have lost their way. Although access to the belfry by elevator is not free of charge, the view from the tower is definitely worth it.
The church is equipped with a large pipe organ which was designed and built by German organ builder Johannes Klais from Bonn. The impressive organ weighing an extraordinary 25 tons is built out of 5275 pipes and designed to reproduce powerful notes that are capable of filling the vast and sacred space from dulceta to dramatic sounds. The church hosts many concerts with the participation of famous Icelandic musicians.
In front of the church the beautiful statue of Leifur Eiríksson (around 970 – about 1020) commemorates the first European who discovered America. Records suggest that Leifur landed on the coast of the new world in 1000 A.D., 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The sculpture was designed by Alexandra Stirling Calder and is a gift from the United States as a rememberance of the Al powstinga uprising in 1930. It also commemorates the 1000th anniversary of the establishment of Iceland’s first parliament in Þingvellir in 930 AD.

4. Harpa

Harpa is the new concert and congress center which was completed in 2011. Although it is a young addition to the Reykjavík skyline it is very distinctive due to its unusual, glass façade which often is illuminated with fascinating projections due to the possibility of programming the illumination method. Since the completion of Harpa Reykjavik has the possibility of organizing larger musical events, concerts, festivals and other important events. It has become one of the most important cultural institutions of Reykjavík.
Harpa is also stop no. 1 of a daily Hop on – Hop off-bus which tours around the whole city, stopping at all places worth visiting.

5. Old Harbor

A vibrant and colorful place any season of the year. The old harbor has quickly become one of the most popular parts of the Icelandic capital. It is ideal to stroll around with amazing views of Mount Esja on the other side of the bay and embark for a whale watching or Puffin-tour. Also several museums and restaurants are located here to nurture brain and body. For instance the Maritime museum can be found here and the best fast-sea-food, e.g. Lobster soup, can be bought at the Sea baron-restaurant.

6. Oskjuhlid – a forest in Reykjavik

Öskjuhlíð is the beautiful, forest area around Reykjaviks iconic Perlan (the Pearl). Only a short walk (or bus ride from the city center) you can dwell into the forest and quickly escape the city noise. Visitors can choose to either relax or exercise while riding their bike or walk/run along one of the many paths winding charmingly through the thick forest of fragrant pines and lit birches. In addition to the many species of birds this place is also inhabited by a growing population of rabbits. Often you can see them humming on the edge of the forest. The whole area truly has a fairytale charm.

7. Hofdi House

Villa Höfði was built in 1909 and is one of the most beautiful and historically important buildings in the Reykjavík region. This is the place where in 1986 the summit of Presidents Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev took place. An event of great historical importance where the end of the Cold War was initiated. Höfði was originally the home of the French Consul in Iceland and still carries many traces of this original purpose.

8. Lake in the center of Reykjavik – Tjornin

Regardless of whether it has the form of a mirror-like ice in winter, or whether it adopts multi-coloured summer robes, the Tjörnin pond looks charming at any time of the year and is one of the most photographed attractions of Reykjavík. The pond is located in between the futuristic city hall and colourful old houses. It is inhabited by countless ducks, swans and geese which can reside there whole year due to the geothermal heated water. Apart from also being photogenic, Tjörnin is also a popular place for family walks in Reykjavik, occasionally feeding the birds with bread they brought with them.

9. City Hall

The modernist building opened in 1992 is located on the northern shore of the Tjörnin pond is City Hall and the workplace of the mayor and other authorities of Reykjavík. Its monumental shape contrasts with the pond and the traditional houses around it. The ducks and swans complete the picture to make the whole a very pleasant composition. On the ground floor of the city hall you can find the official tourist information office. There is also an exhibition hall where often exciting installations are exhibited. In the main entrance hall you can admire a huge relief map of Iceland. The map is extremely useful for all guests planning a trip around the island.

10. Videy Island

The beautiful island of Viðey is located in Kollfjörður just off the coast of Reykjavík. In addition to a well-developed network of trails, ancient ruins and rich historical traditions to discover it also offers guests the opportunity to enjoy the impressive artworks by Yoko Ono (Imagine Peace Tower) and Richard Serra (the Milestones Stones project). Lovers of good architecture will be interested in the fact that the church located on Viðey is one of the oldest in the country and the House Viðey is the first building in Iceland built out of stone. The ferry to the island is available every day during summer and every weekend during winter.

11. Mount Esja

The mountain chain known as Esja (914 m) is a dramatic backdrop for the city of Reykjavik and often appears in photos, postcards and tourist guides. Thanks to the network of great trails, it gives the opportunity to all hikers to take up the challenge of participating in the mountain marathon. There are several different difficulty levels leading to the top of the mountain. They are divided into shorter sections and well marked. The plates placed next to the route determine the level of difficulty of a given route by means of the number of painted mountain boots – from 1 (easy route) to 3 (demanding route).

Reykjavík is the center of Icelandic cultural life. It is in Reykjavik that you can find most of Iceland’s national treasures. Reykjavik is called the UNESCO City of Literature and boasts a rich literary tradition that has been going on since the Middle Ages. The capital of Iceland is extremely proud of its poets and prose writers. Tourists can visit museums and galleries throughout the year where many exhibitions are devoted to historical texts constituting national treasures. In the capital there are also many smaller, eclectic galleries with contemporary artworks of local artists ..
Icelanders love to go to the cinema, which is confirmed by the number of cinemas in the city. In addition to the bigger cinemas of the Sambio-chain, which display the latest blockbusters, Reykjavik also has several smaller independent cinemas such as Bio Paradis. Here you can enjoy real works of film art. Some places only display specialized documentary films about Iceland’s history and geology. In Icelandic cinemas the custom of the halftime-break is still cultivated which makes it possible to supplement stocks of popcorn and ice cream.