If you’re asking is Rekjavik worth visiting, then just imagine landing in a place on Earth that makes you feel like you’ve flown to another planet. Do you think that’s a place worth visiting? If the answer is yes then you need to give Rekjavik a visit. You don’t have to be told you’ve landed somewhere far far away from home, somehow as soon as you step foot in Rekjavik something seems different. Whatever that is, it is both calming and electric.
Maybe it’s sheerly because of the city’s northerly location or maybe it’s because of something in those entrancing natural night lights. Reykjavik is Iceland’s capital and where most of the Icelandic population lives. From the pretty colorful houses in the daylight hours to the awesome colors that hurtle across the sky during the long dark days, this city is just something out of a storybook.
What Should I Do in Reykjavik?
Head to Thingellir National Park to get yourself situated. This is where North America and Asia drifted apart and you can see the cracks and divides in the landscape. The park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and makes for a grand landscape perfect for snapping shots of you in the far-off north. The city is home to many gorgeous waterfalls with the Dettifoss and Gullfoss being the most popular. The sun and rainbows will make you happy and if you are traveling with children take some paper and crayons along so they can recreate the vision for themselves.
For Reykjavik nightlife head to the Laugavegur area. Locals tend to get out to the clubs late, so don’t be the early bird and wait at least until midnight. Once you get there you will be going until morning. That’s how they do it in Reykjavik so get one with the atmosphere.
The Northern Lights
To experience the Northern Lights is to experience magic. The natural dance show will leave you mystified and delighted. One of the great things about Reykjavik is that you don’t need to hike up to a special place to see the colorful explosion, you can sit in a cafe and take it all in. Really, a visit to Reykjavik is an out-of-this-world experience.
Thermal Spas and the Geyser
Enjoy some relaxation at one of the city’s geothermal spas. The temperatures may be minus outside but once you sink yourself into the hot baths you will forget all about it. The natural sites are also located on some of the most wickedly delicious dark plains in the world.
Visit the Strokkur Geyser to see water shooting up and back down out of the water. It is a beautiful sight and worthy of an afternoon stop-and-stare.
One of the most surreal outdoor experiences happens at the outdoor hot pots. Visit the Laugardaslaug pools for something out of the ordinary as you sit out in the snow in freezing temperatures and feel quite content in your bathing suit. The hot pools at Laugardaslaug will have you warmed right up and it is also a great place to chat with locals in the hot pots nearby. This is something you have to try regardless of whether the days are short as you could end up enjoying it even more under the Icelandic dark sky.
Midnight Sun
Take part in the Reykjavik Runtur. What does that mean you say? This is the weekend bar crawl when the midnight sun comes out. Get into the spirit and meet local crawlers who will take you from one bar to another until the early hours of the morning.
Church
The Hallgrimskirja (Hallgrim Church) is a magnificent sight. Visit the church and take the elevator (yes this church has an elevator) to the top and get a gorgeous view of colorful Reykjavik.
What to Eat
There are a lot of dishes in Iceland that you won’t find anywhere else in the world so give them a try in Reykjavik. You can enjoy some whale and follow it up with a rotten shark. Of course, if that’s too exotic the tender lamb on many menus is always a delight. Also don’t forget to try the bread, which is baked using natural heat from the earth, moist, chewy, and delicious. Go fishing on the Ellioaa River. If you enjoy the oily deliciousness of salmon you are in for a treat as this river is reputed to have some of the best salmon fishing in the world.
What’s the Weather in Reykjavik Like?
Reykjavik is a cool city in the temperature sense of the word. The summer temperatures tend to hover in the high teens and this is also when it is the driest. The winter numbers dip all the way down past 0 and at times into the minus teens and this is also when the rainy days occur. Sunny days call for celebration as the city receives limited sunlight. However, if you book your light during the spring months you will get your fair share of sun.
Peak Season
The city is the sunniest in the spring months and that brings in visitors as well as the high flight ticket prices.
Off Season
The winter months are frigidly cold and dark which means a slowdown in tourism. This also means you can score some flight ticket deals and it also means you can enjoy some of the nighttime festivities the city puts on to light up the season.
How to Get to Reykjavik
Your portal into Reykjavik will open up at Keflavik Airport which is located close to 45 minutes outside of the city. There is an airport in Reykjavik, but it is geared toward a mostly domestic crowd. From Kevlavik you can take one of the airport bus services into the city center. Remember to book ahead if you intend to use the same service back to the hotel from your airport. In addition, you can also use the taxi services located outside of the airport terminal.
Getting Around
Reykjavik is a city where you want to have some wheels as the public transport service is limited to buses and that service itself is limited. Taxi service is also an option