OUR Guide to Reykjavík
Reykjavík is Iceland´s capital and populates around 215.000 people in the capital region. In Reykjavík you will find the heart of Iceland´s cultural scene. Famous for its nightlife the city has taken vast changes in the last few years with the fast growing tourism affecting the city center. There are over 100 bars in the city center, with most of them based on Laugavegur (the main shopping street). Usually many bars are Bistro restaurants during the day and turn into a local pub when Happy Hour kicks in. Icelanders love Happy Hours as the normal price of alcohol is quite high.
Looking for a more cultural experience? Not a problem. Be sure to visit Reykjavík´s most popular museums and monuments such as Harpa Concert Hall, Hallgrímkirkja, Höfði, National Museum of Iceland, The Living Art Museum, Reykjavík Art Museum and
Perlan to name a few well known places. During a warm summer day, Nauthólsvík ( a geothermal heated beach) is not to be missed. Take a dive into the cool ocean and afterwards head straight to the hot tub based right on the beach, this does wonders to your complexion.
Bars
Cold nights in Reykjavík won´t stop Icelanders from hitting their favourite bar/lounge during the coldest and darkest winter days. For the last few years there has been a vast explosion of new bars popping up on almost every corner in the City Center. All you need to do is to walk down Laugavegur and you will find most of the nice ones. Also of lately local breweries have been on the rise with local beers being really popular among locals. For example "Kaldi" beer has earned a good reputation for it´s rich taste, and rightly so it´s a really good beer. Here are a few recommendations of local bars.
Restaurants
Reykjavík has great variety of local restaurants and quality food. Many of them are highly rewarded with top chefs that will make your experience worth while with their delicious cuisine. Reykjavík can be a relatively expensive place indeed, but there are a few places that won´t fully empty our bank account. Here are a few ones we recommend, some of them are expensive and some of them are mid-priced.
Cinemas
Going to the Cinema to watch a movie is perhaps not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about what to do during a vacation. In Reykjavik you may want to reconsider. Perhaps you are unlucky with the weather and there is almost nothing else you can do. Or if you live in a country which constantly dubs movies you may be able to watch your favourite stars and hear their real voices. If you prefer art-house movies you should check out Bíó Paradis on Hverfisgata, which is also the only cinema where you can buy beer.
Swimming Pools
Icelanders love their swimming pools. Whether it´s -10° Celsius or +20° Celsius the pools will always be filled with locals shaking off their sweat after a hard days work. At every swimming pool you will find your hot tub, steam bath, main pool and some activities for the kids. The pools are heated with geothermal energy, a natural heated water that power every Icelandic home as well. The Spa culture dates back to the times of the Vikings where they would take a dip into their hot spring pools whenever they were in the mood for a good gossip. Some of them were complete Spa enthusiasts, namely the famous Snorri Sturluson. Not surprisingly one of the oldest Spa´s in Iceland is named after the man, "Snorralaug".