Top 10 Reykjavik Attractions
1. Hallgrimskirkja
One of the most emblematic buildings in Reykjavik, visible from almost every corner of the city. In retaliation for this, the bell tower of the church also allows you to see any corner of the city. To do this, you need to climb the very top of the stairs or take the elevator by paying 700 ISK. The kids go practically for free. From here you have a fantastic view, as the church is located near the city center. But be careful, every 15 minutes a bell will ring above you.
This is the tallest church and the sixth tallest building in Iceland. It is named after the Icelandic poet Halgrimur Pé tursson, author of the Hymns of Passion. The architect-designer who created it wanted to convey the look of basalt lava spreading over the Icelandic landscapes.
This is a very popular restaurant all over the world, which just trolled all the pages of the main review articles of famous world magazines with titles in the spirit of "10 places after dinner where you can breathe even without the obligatory trip to Paris. " Opened to the public in 1991, this peculiar restaurant of very extravagant architecture rises 25 meters above the ground and is located on four hot spring water tanks. On the last fourth floor, the restaurant is rounded off by a huge spherical dome, from where you can get the best panoramic view of Reykjavik, the sunset or the northern lights. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to visit there due to tough time management, but located far from the very center of Reykjavik, I’m not sure that the view will be better there than from the bell tower of the previous church.
You can get to the top floor either completely free for viewing, or by booking a table in a chic restaurant. The restaurant slowly rotates 360 degrees, so it is not at all necessary to be distracted from the interlocutor and constantly turn your head. You just need to wait until your table is again opposite the place you are interested in.
The lake, located in the center of the old town, offers the public one of the best views of Reykjavik, admiring which can be combined with feeding the birds that await guests here even in winter. Geothermal waters in the defrosted part of the lake maintain a comfortable temperature for the birds swimming here.
It is here, sitting on one of the benches on the observation deck, that it is recommended to meet the sunset. Well, someone dares to go skating, though I would first consult with the locals. And then oh, these thermal springs
4. Austurvollur
Meeting point for visitors and locals, which is conveniently located at the crossroads of all roads in the old city. The area, surrounded by cafes and restaurants, is a rather public place for evening gatherings both in a restaurant and just on the grass in the summer. Being located practically in front of the parliament building, the square is also used by various demonstrators as a gathering place and the formation of political protests.
Despite the fact that the Icelanders consider their parliament the oldest in the world (thousand years for sure), the building for parliamentarians was completed only in 1881. Before that, the peasants had to work right in the garden.
By the way, the very first woman president in Iceland was Vigdiz Finnbogadotir (to say it worse than Ingibora Dapkunaite) only in 1980. But progress didn't stop there. Already in 2009, not just a woman became prime minister, but a woman with an active lesbian position. Her name is Johana, but I'm afraid to make a mistake in spelling the surname.
In the center of the square stands a statue of John Sigurosson, who led the Icelanders to their long-awaited independence. To squabble with the Danish government, this poor fellow crossed the Sevar-Atlantic 29 times. Given the storm conditions there, I do not envy him.
This is where the free walking tour of Reykjavik starts. Reservations must be made the day before the event on citywalk. is.
5. Harpa Concert Hall
28.000 square meters of designer glass and metal building stands on the very edge of Reykjavik's bay. This is the largest concert hall in Iceland, designed for concerts, cultural events, conferences with a full range of equipment for international events, as well as an oasis of chic restaurants. Kharpa is open to all visitors and you can visit it for a show, souvenir shopping, a concert or a wonderful evening dinner in one of the legendary restaurants. The building was designed and built by a Danish firm in collaboration with Icelandic artist Olafur (Oli) Eliasson. The opening took place in 2011.
Despite the love and admiration with which all visiting persons honor him, locals, in most cases, do not like him. The cost of its construction was simply prohibitive and not always such amounts can fit in the head of an ordinary Icelander. They joke that even if they hold a concert there every day, then maybe only in 10 years at least some kind of “rollback” will begin.
6. The Old Harbor
In fact, this is the very first bay of Reykjavik. The most popular area in the bay is the eastern pir. It is home to a constellation of shops, galleries, car and bike rentals, and tours. Masses of schooners, owned by companies providing unforgettable whale watching tours, are moored here. Fresh sea air has a good appetite, which is ready to satisfy a string of various cafes and restaurants. The Cinema Cinema is also located here, showing daily unique documentaries about the incomparable Icelandic nature in English and German.
Thecinema. is
7. The Sun Voyager
A luxurious and bright sculpture of a Viking ship is located on the ocean near Kharpa. This exquisite architectural sculpture will be your reward for a walk along the promenade along the ocean as you retreat from the center of Reykjavik towards the outskirts. Sculptor John Gunnar Arnason similarly chose to capture his admiration for the Vikings and the sun. It also serves as a historical monument symbolizing how the first pioneers arrived in Iceland. The dream of a photographer of any caliber would be to capture this sculpture at sunset. The spectrum of light emitted at this moment by it is simply magical.
8. City Hall
An impressive design idea brought this building to the delight of residents right on the northern shore of Lake Tjornin. The building is filled not only with offices, but also with various exhibition halls, cafes and is entangled in an ominous Internet web. And the Ondin cafe, separated from the lake itself by huge shop windows, literally forces you to admire the birds, the water surface, nature and city landscapes. Somewhere in the depths there is a 3-dimensional map of Iceland - a favorite feature for visiting onlookers.
9. Videy Island
An interesting small island easily accessible by ferry from Reykjaví k. Why go there? Well, it's up to everyone to decide. The main percentage of the public who does not change pink T-shirts with the inscription Just do it and a can of cola in hand (almost the same that Nike Barzov owned in his popular hit), go to “check out” the oldest church, the oldest stone house, take a walk in silence or ride on a horse, but mostly to stare at the spotlight, which beats with neon light in the thickness of the clouds, from the ex-wife of Yoko Ono.
Actually, this super spotlight is made for all the fans, peace, love, peace again and John Lennon. But for some reason, everyone is going to look at the miracle. A spotlight illuminates the sky at every anniversary of the Beatles' lead singer's birthday in October. Also, the super-beam illuminates the sky during the week on New Year's Eve and on the eve of the vernal equinox.
A huge beam of light is collected from several beams. 9 of them hit right through the vertical, and 6 additional ones, passing along the corridors of the platform and reflecting from the mirrors, consolidate the success of the first 9. The strength of the beam and its intensity depend on the fluctuations of air particles, that is, on the weather and atmospheric conditions.
For the first time, a spotlight directed its light towards the heavens on October 7.2006. This day John Lennon would have turned 67.
What is Iceland so memorable for his wife Yoko Ono and why the beam was installed here. According to local beliefs, famous people admire Iceland and the Icelanders, because they do not pay any attention to them in return. Artists and celebrities eat hot dogs, swim in pools and order schnapps in pubs without fear of being noticed and hugged by some overweight fan.
A boat goes to the island. In winter, he makes only three flights on weekends, when in the summer he snoops back and forth tirelessly 8 times a day.
10. Family Park and Zoo
This is not quite the standard zoo we used to go to. Lions, alligators and giraffes were not registered here. There are no hippos here, unfortunately. But Icelanders have concentrated on animals from farms and local wildlife. Foxes, chickens, sheep, ponies, rabbits, seals and even reindeer.
The zoo will be of interest mainly to children. 19 species of animals and more than 150 individuals. During the day, the “feed the animal” program takes place, which especially pleases the young audience.
The zoo has been open since 1990, and in 2004 the Aquarium was opened. More than 20 species of fish, as well as their relatives from the underwater world, such as crabs and shellfish, warm up in the tanks.
The Science World is located on the territory of the zoo - tents with experimental and educational programs. Here you can figure out what's what in this world full of laws and formulas, measure the volume of your cry or find out, finally, your total weight in the gravity of other planets.
And, of course, there are kayae. Although no one minds if you bring pies with you.
Entry costs 700/600 CZK with a discount of 100 CZK in the middle of the week.
In conclusion, I can add that the list is most likely not complete. My short acquaintance with Iceland does not allow me to make serifs on my hand and demand to be treated with the prefix “Dear Expert”. I'm sure on the Internet you will find something else, although, as for me, even with my list of work you will have a few days.
And besides, don't forget the right hand rule - "the more time you spend in a foreign country, the more you remain unexplored".
Based on materials from my site samtyr. ru
