At present in our armchair travels, we are visiting countries in Northern Europe. We now have arrived in Iceland which is a Nordic island nation with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and lava fields.
We will be making one stop here which is in the capital, Reykjavik and the country’s largest city.
Hallgrimskirkja Church is the most prominent landmark in Reykjavik and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. It is a very impressive national monument, built as a tribute to Icelandic poet Hallgimur Petursson. Inside the church is an impressive 25-ton organ. It took over 40 years to build the church and it has become a symbol of the city. For fantastic views of the city you can take the elevator up almost 75 meters to the steeple.
Since Iceland is surrounded by the ocean a very popular thing to do is whale watching. There are excursions you can take that will bring you up close to humpback and minke whales and you might even see some dolphins. There are tour companies that run regular trips out of the Old Harbor.
Take some time to walk around the downtown area where you’ll find boutiques that sell unique items like Icelandic wool clothing and volcanic rock pottery. There are great places to dine.
Take a walk to the waterfront walkway to see the fine art and architecture of the city.
You’ll enjoy the sunset standing by the Solfar sculpture near the waterfront.
Harpa Concert Hall is a wonderful landmark. It has an eye-catching honeycomb exterior and it is interesting at nighttime when the windows change in a rainbow of colors. There are two restaurants that serve authentic Icelandic food and a small gift shop selling unique gifts from local artists.
It is relaxing to got to the public thermal pools. There are 17 pools all around the city that are filled with the natural geothermal water of Iceland. They provide a natural therapy for the mind and soul. For the ultimate thermal pool experience take a day trip to the Blue Lagoon.
The Settlement Exhibition Museum is a great way to learn about the culture of Iceland. There are guided tours available but you can also explore on your own. You can learn about the first Viking settlements in Reykjavik through preserved archaeological artifacts, There are digital interactive displays so you can experience primitive Icelandic life.
Majestic Mount Esja is a great day trip to take to enjoy hiking with paths going up the mountain that have marked signs of the level of difficulty. You can hike to the top at 914 meters and sign the guestbook.
It is possible to turn around at the common stopping point by a rock called Steinn.
The Perlan Museum of Icelandic Natural Wonders has new state-of-the-art exhibits that focus on the country’s natural wonders from cliffs and volcanoes to sea life. One of the highlights is a replica of an ice cave that you can explore at a chilly 14 degrees F.
The Perlan Planetarium will let you experience the Northern Lights even if you don’t get to see them in nature. At the observation deck, you can get a 360-degree panoramic view of Reykjavik.
The Old Harbor area is a great place to get a sense of Icelandic culture. This area has some of the best views of the bay and Mount Esja. It is also the departure point for whale watching and puffin excursions.
There are many vibrantly colored buildings in the Old Harbor district and fishing sheds have been turned into stores, cafes, and restaurants.
The Arbaer Open Air Museum is a small village with over 20 historical Icelandic homes to explore. Look inside of them to see authentic Icelandic life.
Take a trip to Videy Island and enjoy an awesome view of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and the mainland. The island was one of the first areas that were settled in Iceland. It is a favorite spot for photographers, artists, and nature lovers, There are trails to walk or bike.
A highlight is the Imagine Peace Tower artwork by Yoko Ono.
Bruarfoss waterfall in Reykjavik showcases natural blue water and the full waterfall is a series of cascades from converging springs. It is a popular waterfall to photograph. There are trails to walk but might be slippery.
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