| Keflavík | ||
 | ||
| State | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Inhabitants | 14.000 (2012 estimate), 8.169 (2009 census) | |
| Prefix tel | 354 | |
| Time zone | UTC | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Keflavík is a city ofSouthwestern Iceland.
To know
In Iceland, the city is known for its thriving music scene of the 1960s and 1970s, so much so that it has earned the nickname "bítlabærinn", or "The City of the Beatles".
Geographical notes
The local geography is dominated by fields sprinkled with basalt rubble, interspersed with mosses and some particularly resistant plants. On a clear day, it can be seen Snæfellsjökull across the bay, located about 115 km away.
When to go
Average temperatures range from -2 ° C to 13 ° C. The seasons correspond to ours, so the coldest months are December / January, while the hottest ones are July / August. The greatest rainfall occurs from October to December.
Background
Founded in the 16th century, Keflavík developed thanks to the thriving fishing and fish processing industry. Later its expansion continued thanks to tourism, as well as the construction of Keflavik International Airport in 1940 by the United States. The airport was also home to a major NATO military base that was officially closed on 30 September 2006.
During the Second World War and the Cold War, the base played an important role in monitoring marine and submarine traffic, from the sea to Norway to the Greenland Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the importance of the Keflavík military base has diminished, as the risk of passing nuclear-armed submarines has been reduced.
How to orient yourself
Keflavík: full screen map.There is no continuity between Keflavík and Njarðvík and they both fall within the municipality of Reykjanesbær. Little Hafnir is also part of the same municipality but is located about 10 km away from the other two.
How to get
By plane
- Keflavík International Airport (IATA: KEF) (Keflavíkurflugvöllur). Thanks to this airport, Keflavík represents the main air access point for those arriving in Iceland from abroad, Keflavík airport only serves international flights (with the exception of those for Akureyri in connection with those of Icelandair). It is the main hub of the Icelandic airlines Icelandair and Iceland Express. It is only 5 km from the city center which, thanks to the clear indications, is also easily accessible.
Domestic flights, on the other hand, are managed from the airport of Reykjavík which is about 50 km away by bus.
The airlines operating here and the reachable destinations are:
Air Berlin (Berlin-Brandeburg, Berlin-Tegel, Düsseldorf, Monk)
Air Iceland (Akureyri, Nuuk)
Austrian Airlines (Vienna)
Easyjet (London)
Edelweiss Air (Zurich)
Futura International Airways (Gran Canaria, rum raisin, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife)- Germanwings (Colony/Bonn)
- Iceland Express (Alicante, Barcelona, Berlin-Schönefeld, Billund, Bologna, Copenhagen, Eindhoven, Franfurt-Hahn, Gothenburg-Landvetter, London-Stansted, Luxembourg, Oslo, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Stockholm, Warsaw)
- Icelandair (Amsterdam, Barcelona [seasonal], Bergen, Berlin-Schönefeld, Boston, Copenhagen, Frankfurt am Main, Glasgow, Gothenburg-Landvetter, Halifax, Helsinki, London Heathrow, Madrid, Manchester, Milan-Malpensa, Minneapolis/ Saint Paul, Moscow-Vnukovo, New York-JFK, Orlando-Sanford, Oslo, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Stockholm, Toronto)
JetX Airlines (Montreal) [seasonal]- Lufthansa (Hamburg)
- Swiss International Air Lines (Zurich)
Scandinavian Airlines System (Stockholm, Oslo)- Norwegian Air Shuttle (Oslo)
By car
The route between the airport and the city of Reykjavík, which is 50 km away, can only be traveled by road. A new fast expressway (dual carriageway) was opened in 2008.
By bus
The buses have a timetable linked to the flight schedule. They go to and from the bus terminal of Reykjavík, taking about 45 minutes. To reach the domestic airport you need to make a change at the bus terminal.
How to get around
The city is small and easily explored on foot.
What see
- Whale watching (Whale watching tour). These tours generally last around 3 hours and allow you to see dolphins, killer whales, minke whales and humpback whales. There is also a light show at the end of August. Numerous trails lead out of the city, including a stone path along the water that winds for several kilometers to the lighthouse. Along the way you will be accompanied by sea birds.
Events and parties
What to do
Shopping
How to have fun
Where to eat
Average prices
- Rain, Hafnargata 19 (Town center), ☎ 354 421 4601.
11:00-01:00. On the sea with a beautiful view of the ocean. They serve good food and wine.
11:00-01:00. On the sea with a beautiful view of the ocean. They serve good food and wine.Where stay
Moderate prices
- Guesthouse 1x6, Vesturbraut 3 (in the old cultural part of Keflavík), ☎ 354-777-6166, fax: 354 4216162, @[email protected].
15.000kr. Charming guest house.
15.000kr. Charming guest house.Average prices
- Flughotel (Adjacent to Hotel Keflavík).
High prices
- Keflavík hotels. 12,480 kr (winter) and 16,640 kr (summer) with online booking. It has a gym, wifi connection, a bar / restaurant and a free transfer to the airport. The hotel will pay for the taxi on your behalf on departure, but not on arrival (the cost is about 1,800kr). The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Better prices can be obtained by booking online.
