Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland and the northernmost capital of any sovereign state in the world.
Despite a small population (approximately 120,000, with just over 200,000 in the Greater Reykjavík area), it is a vibrant city that draws an ever increasing number of visitors every year. It is the financial, cultural and political centre of Iceland, and has a reputation of being one of the cleanest and safest cities in the world.
Geography
The city of Reykjavík is located in southwest Iceland by Faxaflói Bay. Throughout the ages, the landscape has been shaped by glaciers, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and the area is geothermal; after all, its name translates to ‘Smoky Bay’.
Much of the current city area was subglacial during the Ice Age, with the glacier reaching as far as the Álftanes peninsula, while other areas lay under the sea. After the end of the Ice Age, the land rose as the glaciers drifted away, and it began to take on its present form.
The coastline of Reykjavík is set with peninsulas, coves, straits and islands, most notably the island of Viðey, and seabirds and whales frequent the shores. The mountain ring as seen from the shore is particularly beautiful.
Mount Esjan is the highest mountain in the vicinity of Reykjavík and the most distinctive feature of the coastline. This majestic summit is also highly popular amongst hikers and climbers. Other notable mountains that can be seen from the seaside are Akrafjall and Skarðsheiði.
On clear days, one may even see as far to the legendary Snæfellsjökull glacier, at the end of the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
The largest river to run through the city is Elliðaá in Elliðaárdalur valley, which is also one of Iceland’s best rivers for salmon fishing.
Transportation
There are no trains or trams in Iceland, but most people travel by car. The city also operates a bus system. There are two major harbours in town, the old harbour in the centre and Sundahöfn in the east.
The domestic Reykjavík Airport is located at Vatnsmýrin, not far from the city centre and close to the hill Öskjuhlíð and the restaurant, vantage point and exhibition centre Perlan. The international Keflavík Airport at Miðnesheiði heath then lies around 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the city.
Cars, jeeps and bicycles can be readily rented in the city and many organized tours are also being offered. It is, however, quite easy to walk between the major sites.
What to See & Do in Reykjavik
The local arts scene is strong in Iceland, with annual events and festivals, many of artists from which have hit the international stage.
Major events taking place in Reykjavík include Iceland Airwaves, Reykjavík Pride, RIFF (The Reykjavík International Film Festival), The Reykjavík Literature Festival, Culture Night, the Reykjavík Arts Festival, Food & Fun, the Reykjavík Fashion Festival and the Sónar music festival.
Amongst the famous people from Reykjavík are musicians like Björk Guðmundsdóttir and Sigur Rós, and writers Halldór Laxness (born on the main street, Laugavegur) and Arnaldur Indriðason.
Those eager to soak up the local culture should visit the city’s many museums, exhibitions and galleries, and check out live music at the cafés, bars, and concert venues dotted around. You could look at the programmes of what’s on at the Harpa music hall or the theatres, or else plan a few hours at the lighthouse at Grótta, the shopping street of Laugavegur, or the old harbour and the flea market.
You could even book a bird- and whale watching tour or a visit to Viðey island. There are a lot of things to do and the possibilities are endless.
Make sure to visit the public square of Austurvöllur, one of the city’s most popular gathering places, where you’ll also find the national parliament, the Alþingi, as well as the state church, a statue of independence hero Jón Sigurðsson, cafés, bars and restaurants.
Austurvöllur was central in the protests following the banking collapse of 2008, along with Lækjargata, home to the House of Government. You are also not likely to miss the great church of Hallgrímskirkja that towers over the city from the hill of Skólavörðuholt, from which you’ll get a great view of the city.
Try a walk by the city pond, Tjörnin, to greet the many birds that frequent the area and to visit the city hall, stationed by its banks. A beautiful park lies by the pond, ideal for a nice walk, and sometimes concerts get held there.
Further off is the campus of the University of Iceland, the Nordic house and the Vatnsmýrin wetland, a particularly pleasant place, but be mindful to not disturb the wildlife there by keeping to the pathways.
For a nice swim on a warm day, we particularly recommend Nauthólsvík beach, which is heated with geothermal water. Those who love a dip should also visit the Laugardalur valley, home to one of the city’s best swimming pools, which sits a short walk away from Ásmundarsafn gallery, a beautiful botanical garden and a domestic zoo.
A walk by the Ægissíða beach, with its old fishing sheds, in the west part of Reykjavík also holds a particular charm. From there, you can see all the way to president’s house at Bessastaðir, which is also a historical site in its own right, having been the educational centre of Iceland for centuries.
Another place that offers one of the city’s best views is Perlan, up on Öskjuhlíð hill. The hill itself is a popular place to spend a few hours, with over 176,000 trees and great opportunities for walking and cycling. Perlan also has and observation deck with great views, a café and an exhibition centre.
Furthermore, the city is a short drive from many of Iceland’s major attractions, most famously the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon. In close vicinity you’ll also find the Heiðmörk preservation area, a favourite local site of the people of Reykjavík, as well as the Blue Mountains, one of Iceland’s best skiing venues.
Finally, we’d like to stress that these are only some suggestions of the many things you might check out in Reykjavík. Whatever you choose to do, we hope you’ll be able to make the most of your visit and we wish you a pleasant stay in our capital.
Lundey, otherwise known as ‘Puffin Island’, is a small, uninhabited island off the coast of Reykjavík, known for its incredible bird-watching opportunities.
Lundey is 400 metres (1312 feet), and 150 metres (492 feet) wide, and raises to a height of 14 metres (46 feet) above sea level.
Bird-watching at Lundey
Lundey is known for its wealth of birdlife. Nesting amongst its rocks are fulmars, arctic terns, guillemots, and of course, puffins.
Puffins, like many of Iceland’s seabirds, are migratory, meaning they are only here from May to September. Even so, Iceland is the nesting ground for the majority of the world’s North Atlantic species, and Lundey is a favourite spot for many.
On puffin watching tours, which leave from Reykjavík Harbour, visitors will get to see the birds nesting, flying and fishing. Binoculars are provided so that guests can have a close-up view.
As these tours are conducted in Faxaflói Bay, there is always a chance to see whales and dolphins near Lundey on these tours.
Combined whale and puffin watching also leave from Reykjavík. It should be noted, however, that Lundey is not always visited on these tours, if conditions are better at the island of Akurey, another puffin nesting ground.
Akurey is an island in Kollafjörður Bay in west Iceland. It is best known for its puffin watching opportunities in summer.
Location of Akurey
Kollafjörður bay borders Reykjavík, and is part of the greater Faxaflói bay. Akurey is one of several islands here, the most popular being Viðey, which is home to the Imagine Peace Tower and the Milestones artwork.
It can be seen from land in clear weather; the best place to see it is from the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula, a few kilometres from the centre of the capital, at the lighthouse of Grótta.
History of Akurey
Akurey is first mentioned in Icelandic writings that date back to 1379, but as Reykjavík was the first part of the country to be permanently settled, it would have been known about for about four centuries before that.
The island was bought in 1969 by the city itself, and became part of the municipality of Reykjavík in 1978. It is not inhabited, but increasingly popular due to its puffin watching opportunities.
Wildlife at Akurey
Sixty percent of the world’s Atlantic puffins nest in Iceland from May to September, and many do so surprisingly close to Reykjavík. Akurey and the isle of Lundey are particularly of note for their density of the birds.
Puffin watching tours departing from Reykjavík harbour go to one of these, depending on conditions. Such tours normally include binoculars to allow you to get close up views of the birds bobbing on the water, circling overhead, or nestling on the rocks with their partners.
Late in the season, you may even see the pufflings. Of course, on these trips, you are also likely to see other seabirds such as guillemots and fulmar.
It takes just a few minutes for a boat to reach such prime puffin watching spots as Akurey. If you wanted to see them but were only travelling by car, you would have to drive over two hours to reach Dyrhólaey, on the South Coast.
At Akurey, lucky visitors may also see a range of creatures in the surrounding waters, such as seals, porpoises, dolphins, and, on rare occasions, whales. In summer, certain whale watching trips incorporate a trip to Akurey as well.
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