Reykjavík

Reykjavík, Iceland

Visitors to Reykjavík are thrilled by the pure energy at the heart of Iceland’s capital city: be it from the boiling thermal springs, the natural green energy, or the lively cultural scene and fun-filled nightlife.
The world’s northernmost capital, it's framed by the majestic Mount Esja, which keeps a watchful eye on the city, and the blue waters of Faxaflói Bay. On a sunny day, the mystical Snæfellsjökull glacier appears crystal-like on the western horizon, while mountainous moonscapes spread to the southeast.

Population:

Reykjavík: around 131,000
Greater Reykjavík: around 233,000

Currency:

1 Icelandic Króna (ISK) = 100 Aurar

Emergency Numbers:

Single Emergency Number: 112

Opening Hours:

The opening hours of most businesses are from 9 am until 5 pm. Some companies and institutions change their work hours to 8 am to 4 pm in the summer months.

Shopping hours are generally from 10 am until 6 pm weekdays (Monday to Friday). On Saturdays, most shops are open from 10 am until 4 pm, while some are closed on Saturdays in summer. Most shops are closed on Sundays, but both shopping centres are open daily.

The following days are public holidays in Iceland. Most shops and businesses are closed on these days, but on many public holidays some food stores remain open.
• New Year’s Day: 1 January
• Maundy Thursday: the Thursday before Easter
• Good Friday: the Friday before Easter
• Easter Sunday
• Easter Monday
• May Day: 1 May
• Ascension Day: the Thursday 40 days after Easter
• Whit Sunday: the seventh Sunday after Easter
• Whit Monday: the day after Whit Sunday
• National Day: 17 June
• Summer Bank Holiday: the first Monday in August
• Christmas Eve: public holiday from noon
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day: the day after Christmas
• New Year’s Eve: public holiday from noon.

Newspapers:

The Reykjavík Grapevine (www.grapevine.is)
Morgunbladid (www.mbl.is)
Dagbladid Visi (www.visir.is)

The City

The city of Reykjavík has a fascinating history that stretches back over a thousand years. The site was first inhabited in the eighth century by a band of hardy Norsemen. Since then Vikings, monks, sailors, musicians, fishermen, politicians, writers, artists and all manner of folk have played their part in shaping the rich history and culture that makes Iceland’s capital such a vibrant and fascinating place.

Visitors leave Reykjavík with a renewed sense of vigour that can be attributed to Iceland’s pristine air and unique energy, evident all around the city — from the geothermal vents steaming in the midnight sunshine to the great open spaces that adorn the area with a stunning natural landscape. Many year-round activities and events can fill the diary of any interested traveller.

Reykjavík is also home to the world’s oldest parliament — the Alþingi, which was founded in 930 AD. However, today the city is the epitome of a modern European capital with a world-class infrastructure, excellent transport links to Europe and North America, and 200,000 welcoming Icelanders helping you enjoy your stay.

Reykjavík is renowned for an array of features: a big art scene, sight-seeing and nightlife; annual film and music festivals; and numerous shops, museums and restaurants. There’s no other city like the world’s most Northerly capital, situated at a relatively short distance from the Arctic Circle.

Iceland is a pretty isolated place, and that makes Reykjavík a fairly expensive place to hang out. The economist once put it as high as 14th place for its high cost of living. Though if you're coming from New York, Paris, Hong Kong or Tel Aviv — the pain of sticker shock won't bother you.

Visitors from all round the globe also enjoy whale and wildlife watching, relaxing in one of the many thermal spas and pools (such as the famous Blue Lagoon), viewing spectacular sights such as the Imagine Peace Tower (a spectacular tribute to John Lennon) or the Hallgrímskirkja, and touring the amazing countryside — all with the beautiful snow-covered Mount Esja in the background.

Reykjavík is home to some superb hotels, guest houses and other cozy kinds of accommodation for visitors. Information on tours, trips and things to do during your stay can be easily found in this brochure or at the Reykjavík Tourist Information Centre.

However long your stay here, you won’t be short of things to do in Reykjavík.

Top 11

Reykjavík’s compact city centre is a friendly and colourful network of small streets with historic buildings, a wide selection of boutiques, designer shops, and cafés and restaurants that serve attractive dishes made of the freshest ingredients. Find the perfect souvenir, enjoy a gourmet meal or lose track of time in a modern gallery. Check out our Top 11 things to do in Reykjavík.

If you have more time on your hands we encourage you to go beyond the trendy “101” postcode of the Reykjavík city centre and view some of the intriguing sites that the Reykjavík Capital Area offers, including Viking and elf territories, museums displaying both nature’s wonders and cultural icons, some excellent new thermal pool facilities and top bird watching sites.

Do & See

Glaciers, geysers, hot springs, and volcanoes are the exotic attractions that have drawn tourists to Iceland for a long time. Reykjavík itself has recently become one of the world’s greatest weekend destinations and hosts visitors from across the world. Reykjavik also offers splendid architecture, fantastic shopping, and a raft of cultural delights with Iceland’s amazing natural wonders just around the corner.

There's lots to do and see in and around Reykjavík, and here's a list to get you started:

Dining

Foodies will find plenty to keep them happy when wining and dining in the nation’s capital. Reykjavík has an astounding variety of restaurants, offering both traditional and international cuisine.

Icelandic cuisine is characterised by an imaginative use of pure Icelandic ingredients such as fresh fish and seafood, organic lamb and wild game.

Be sure not to miss the Icelandic hot dog. The highly acclaimed “city’s best” can be found at the “Bæjarins Beztu” hot dog stand on Tryggvagata near Reykjavík Harbour.

The answer to "where to eat in Reykjavik" is right here: