 View of the city from Hallgrímskirkja | ||
| Reykjavík | ||
| region | Höfuðborgarsvæðið | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 128.793 (2019) | |
| height | 8 m | |
| Tourist info web | http://reykjavik.is/ | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city Iceland.
background
In the year 874 Ingólfur Arnarson went ashore on the island of Ingólfshöfði. Before that, however, he threw the pillars of his high seat into the sea to settle where they were washed ashore. However, it took a few years for his slaves to find the pillars in a hot spring-lined bay on the west coast, Ingólfur settled here and called the place Reykjavík, Smoke Bay. However, excavations have now shown that Vikings were here a few years earlier Until the 18th century there were only a few farms in Reykjavík. From 1749 the first industrial companies for wool processing were established by Skúli Magnússon. Then fisheries and shipyards came along. In 1786 the town and commercial rights were granted. In the course of the independence movement from Denmark, Reykjavík emerged as a political and cultural center. The economy flourished and at the beginning of the 20th century there were more than 5000 inhabitants. This made Reykjavík the largest city in Iceland. And with over 115,000 inhabitants it still is today.
getting there
By plane
- Keflavík International Airport (Icelandic: Keflavíkurflugvöllur, IATA: KEF, ICAO: BIKF), Tel. 354 425 0600, Fax 354 425 0610. Keflavík International Airport is Iceland's international airport. Attention, the international airport is in Keflavík, just under an hour from Reykjavik. There is a regular bus service.
- 1 Reykjavík Airport (Reykjavikurflugvollur, IATA: RKV).
On the outskirts of the city center. Domestic flights with fan guns to all areas of Iceland start from here. Even after Greenland or Faroe Islands regularly go flights.
- Icelandair offers weekly specials and packages.
By train
There are no trains, trams or subways in Reykjavik.
By bus
- Flybus connects Keflavik Airport with Reykjavik. The cost is currently 2,000 ISK.
- 2 Bus station, Vatnsmyrarvegur 10, 101 Reykjavik.
In the street
There are parking spaces with parking meters and the underground car park at the Harpa concert hall 3 Kalkofnsvegur, 150 ISK the first hour, 100 ISK each additional hour. Those who want to park for free continue driving. At various supermarkets there are 4 free parking, but you have to walk about 1 km to the city center.
By boat
There are no ferry connections to Reykjavik. A ferry connection to the east coast of Iceland offers the Smyrilline on, she goes from Hirtshals (Denmark) about Torshavn (Faroe Islands) to Seydisfjordur (Distance to Reykjavik about 680km).
However, Reykjavik is a popular cruise ship destination. You lay on 5 Cruise terminal opposite the island of Viðey, the city center is around 5 km.
mobility
The Tourist Card gives you the opportunity to use local public transport for 1-3 days. It includes admission to the outdoor pools and numerous museums. Obtainable at the tourist information, at the information desk of the town hall or in hotels. There is also a museum bus from Lækjartorg bus stop in the summer afternoons.
Tourist Attractions
Overall, Reykjavik doesn't really have a lot of interesting buildings or sights. Architecturally, Reykjavik is a bit boring. Tip: Various walks are offered from the tourist information office. As they are not particularly long, they are easy to manage even without any physical condition. A general tour (about 90-120 minutes) starts every day at 1 p.m., it is officially free of charge, but a tip of perhaps 1,000 crowns is expected. Other themed walks cost around ISK 2,000.
Churches
- 1 Lutheran Cathedral (Dómkirkjan í Reykjavík).It was built following the decision of 1784 to move the bishopric from Skaholt to Reykjavík. Rebuilt and expanded several times, it only got its current appearance in the middle of the 20th century.
- 2 Hallgrímskirkja.Tower height 73 m, a landmark of the city that can be seen from afar. The church was built on a hill in 1937-1986. The architect Guðjón Samúelsson took natural basalt formations as a model to design the facade. The nave has 1200 seats and is also used for concerts (the large organ was built by Klais-Orgelbau, Bonn). Changing exhibitions are shown in the anteroom of the church. The tower is accessible (elevator) and offers a beautiful view. You may have to wait briefly at the 6-person elevator. The tower ticket cost € 5 in September 2015 (also payable in cash in euros).
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- 3 Landakotskirkja (Basilíka Krists konungs), Hávallagata 16.Reykjavík Catholic Church. It was consecrated in 1929. In 1989 Pope John Paul II preached here, on the first papal visit in Iceland's history.
Buildings
- The 4 Höfði house is on the northern coastal road (Sæbraut). It was here that Michael Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan signed the disarmament treaties in 1986. It is one of the Norwegian import houses that were manufactured entirely in Norway towards the end of the 19th century and then shipped to Iceland. The Art Nouveau house was built in 1909 and is now located in the middle of an industrial area.
- The 5 National Library arose because of Denmark's concessions of autonomy. This created a need for cultural and administrative buildings. Under the term Kulturhaus (Þjóðmenningarhús) you can find various permanent exhibitions here, as well as space for temporary exhibitions.
- 6 Perlan. The "pearl", located near the domestic airport, was built in 1991 on the 61 m high hill Öskjuhlíð. It consists of six hot water tanks with a capacity of 4 million liters each. The water heated by geothermal energy comes from boreholes at up to 85 ° C and supplies the city with thermal energy. The tanks are covered by a glass dome. Outside the dome, an observation deck offers a great view of the city and with good visibility you can see as far as the highland glaciers. An artificial geyser, a restaurant and a souvenir shop as well as a small saga museum are integrated. A staircase leads to the viewing platform up to the 4th floor, with the help of an elevator it is also barrier-free.
- 7 Alþingishús. The current government building was previously built as a prison and is one of the oldest stone buildings in Reykjavík. After the renovation in 1815, it was used by the administration of the Danish colonial rulers. The large gable was added in 1866 and in 1904 it became the seat of the Icelandic government. Today the Prime Minister's Office can be found here.
- 8 Harpa. The opera and concert hall Harpa opened in 2011. It is located on the old port and is considered a new landmark in the city.
Monuments
- Statue of the America explorer Leif Eriksson in front of Hallgrímskirkja
Museums
- 9 Medical Museum Nesstofa, on the Seltjarnes peninsula.
- 10 Árbær Open Air Museum. It is located in the district of the same name and can be reached by bus. It mostly consists of old houses from Reykavík. Sometimes you also meet old craftsmen doing their job.
- 12 Þjóðminjasafn Íslands (National Museum). Works of art and collectibles of Icelandic culture as well as jewelry, weapons, church art and everyday objects.Price: Free on Wednesdays.
- 13 Phallological Museum, Laugavegur 116, 101 Reykjavik. The Icelandic Phallological Museum is believed to be the only museum of its kind in the world that has collected the phalluses of all mammals in a country.
- 14 Marine Museum, Grandagarður 8, 101 Reykjavík. Tel.: 354 411 6300. Open: Daily 10: 00-17: 00.Price: Adults 1,600 ISK.
Streets and squares
Parks
- Laugardalur is about 3 km outside the city center. Here you can find with the 15 Húsdýragarðurinn, a mixture of a zoo and a farm, an amusement park and hot springs that provide Reykjavík with energy. Likewise, here is one 16 Botanical Garden and a sculpture park. Furthermore, concerts and cultural events take place here in summer. The campsite, youth hostel and outdoor swimming pool as well as numerous sports facilities are also located here.
various
- 6 Old Port It is close to the pedestrian zone. There is also the only steam locomotive in Iceland, it was used to transport the excavated port.
- Sculpture path on the Sæbraut road (north coast). The footpath to the city center, heading west, has been converted into a sculpture path. About every 100 m there is a sculpture with an explanation. The most famous sculpture is probably the stylized Viking ship 17 Solvar Sun Voyager
- 18 Tjornin, Lake in the city center, known for its numerous species of birds.
activities
- The island 19 Viðey is across from Reykjavík Harbor and can be reached by boat. The island is now uninhabited and of volcanic origin. An Augustinian monastery stood here from 1225 to 1539. In 1755 the Viðeyarstofa manor was built. It is the first stone house in Iceland. The city of Reykjavík has been using the manor house as a restaurant and for conferences since 1988. In the 19th century it was the only open sea port in Iceland. The island is easily accessible by footpaths and offers above all interesting lava and rock formations as well as many different species of birds. Viðey is also the location of the "Imagine Peace Tower", a light installation that was inaugurated on October 9, 2007 by Yoko Ono, widow of John Lennon.
- 1 Blue Lagoon
(Bláa lónið). Bláa Lónið is used as an outdoor thermal pool. It is about 40 km from Reykjavik, you turn off when you are traveling between the capital and Keflavik Airport. It can therefore be very useful to combine your visit with your arrival or departure. There are large compartments for luggage to rent. The entrance fee is 35 euros, with bus providers that charge in kroner, depending on the exchange rate, you can save a few euros if necessary. The Blue Lagoon is not a conventional swimming pool, but a natural pool and only suitable for relaxing. In the bluish-milky cloudy broth, minerals are dissolved that are said to have a positive effect on the skin and also in diseases such as neurodermatitis. The visibility in the "water" is zero centimeters, which is important because it is not a regular pool, but a hole in the landscape - with completely uneven ground. Water depth between 20 cm and 1.50 m. You have to feel your way slowly in order not to hit something. On the bottom you can find bare rock, black volcanic sand, a greasy white slime and the hair of other bathers. In several places there is a silicate cream for generous application on the skin. It is free as well as the sauna and steam bath. Blue Lagoon care products are available on site and in several other outlets in Reykjavik. They are popular souvenirs, but you can also order them online. - 2 Whale watching tours, Reykjavík's Old Harbor, AEgisgardur 5, 101 Reykjavík. Tel.: 354 519 5000. The tours are carried out depending on the weather. Journey takes 3 hours. You will see if you see a whale. One should dress warmly.Open: several times a day.Price: Adults ISK 9,900, 7-15 years ISK 7450, smaller children are free.
shop
The most famous shopping street in the city is the 1 Laugavegur, (not to be confused with the hiking trail of the same name). There are lots of little shops to browse around here.
Typical shopping malls with worldwide chains and corresponding prices are
- 3 Smaralind, Hagasmára 1, 201 Kópavogur. Tel.: 354 528 8000. located in the neighboring town of Kópavogur.
As in other northern European countries, the opening times are very limited. Shops usually open at 9 or 10 a.m. and close between 5 and 6 p.m. Only supermarkets are open longer, some around the clock.
kitchen
Reykjavík offers a wide culinary range of snacks, bistros and restaurants. Although the offer makes it clear that the Icelanders' penchant for fast food is firmly anchored in the capital, more and more restaurants are also offering traditional and international cuisine at a high level. From the best sausage stand in the world to the noble restaurant temple with a view over the city, there is something for every palate.
Cheap
- 1 Bæjarins beztu pylsur, Tryggvagata / Pósthússtræti (at the flea market). Tel.: 354 894 4515. Quite a few hot dog fans claim that they really get the "best sausage in town", if not the best in the world, in the small booth in the middle of the city center. The cult hot dog is available for very little money. Ex-US President Bill Clinton and Metallica singer James Hetfield were among the most prominent customers. Other branches are e.g. at the Smáralind shopping mall.
- 2 Hamborgarafabrikkan, Höfðatorg Tower. 105 Rvk. Tel.: 345 575-7575. Large selection of hamburgers and desserts, restaurant ambience, no snack flair.
medium
- 3 geyser, Aðalstræti 2. Tel.: 354 517 4300, Email: [email protected]. A nice restaurant with a cozy atmosphere has settled on the first floor of the Icelandic Tourist Office. The "Geysir" offers traditional dishes as well as hamburgers and pasta. One of the specialties is the Walburger. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays.Open: daily from 11.30 am.
- 4 Reykjavík restaurant, Vesturgata 2, 101 Reykjavík. Tel.: 354 552 3030. At lunchtime you can hardly eat better and cheaper if you choose the buffet.Open: Daily 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m., Sun only lunchtime.Price: lunch buffet for 2250 ISK, evening fish buffet for 6950 ISK, beer 0.5 l for 1200 ISK.
Upscale
- 5 Argentína, Barónsstígur 11. Tel.: 354 551 9555, Email: [email protected]. Open: Sun-Thu 6 p.m.-midnight, Fri / Sat 5.30 p.m.-1 a.m.
nightlife
Even if you wouldn't expect it in a city with just under 120,000 inhabitants, Reykjavik's nightlife has a lot to offer.
A "Chef Superburger" at "Viktors" is a good way to start the evening. After that you don't have to worry about a good foundation anymore. However, since it is quite expensive to drink alcohol in bars all evening, it is also quite common among Icelanders to make a detour home again to drink a decent night out. This could also be the reason why the bars aren't too busy before midnight. From 1 a.m. you have to be prepared to stand in line. For example, the "Kaffibarinn" is very popular.
The nocturnal scene appears particularly bizarre when you are in Reykjavik in the summer months and life is raging on the streets in the glaring sunlight at 2 a.m.
- Coffee bar, Bergstaðarstræti 1. Tel.: 354 551 1588.
- Harlem Bar, Tryggvagötu 22.
- Bar 11, Hverfisgötu 18. Popular rock bar.
- Dolly, Hafnarstræti 4. Tel.: 354 772 3253.
Please note that bars in Reykjavík like to change locations or even close - often without prior notice. A constantly updated overview can be found in the free English-language newspaper "The Reykjavík Grapevine".
accommodation
Cheap
medium
Upscale
Learn
- University of Iceland, Sudurgata 1. Tel.: 354 525 4000, Fax: 354 552 1331, Email: [email protected].
- Iceland University of Education, Address.
Work
security
health
Hospitals
Practical advice
It's not a big problem in Reykjavik (like all of Iceland). Almost all Icelanders speak good to very good English.
Tourist office
- Reykjavik Tourist Office, Adalstraeti 2. Tel.: 354 590 1550, Fax: 354 590 1551, Email: [email protected].
Representations
- Consulate General Reykjavik of the Swiss Confederation, Laugavegi 13, IS-101 Reykjavik. Tel.: 354 551 71 72, Fax: 354 551 71 79, Email: [email protected]. subordinate to the Stockholm embassy, to which all correspondence is to be sent.
- Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Reykjavik, Laufásvegur 31, IS-101 Reykjavik. Tel.: 354 530 11 00, Fax: 354 530 11 01, Email: [email protected]. Open: Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Honorary Consulate General of the Republic of Austria, Orrahólar 5, IS-111 Reykjavik. Tel.: 354 557 54 64, Email: [email protected]. Responsible for the consular district of Iceland, subordinate to the Copenhagen embassy.Open: Mon - Thu: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
trips
- Golden Circle (Parliament site Þingvellir, Haukadalur with geyser, Gullfoss, Skaholt, Hveragerði)
- Thingvellir National Park
- Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands)
- peninsula Reykjanes with different thermal areas and the Bláa Lónið (Blue Lagoon) a well-known thermal open-air pool
- Hveragerdi is known as the "greenhouse city". the place with around 2000 inhabitants is located on ring road 1 around 45 km southeast of Reykjavik
literature
Web links
- http://www.rvk.is - Reykjavík official website
- Visit Reykjavik, Reykjavik Tourism Information Site
- Visit Iceland, Iceland Tourism Information Site
- The Official Gateway to Island
