With a population of 200 000, Reykjavik is recognized for its nike requin pure energy, thriving culture, sparkling nightlife and creative atmosphere. It’s clean and safe streets shine with eye popping color whether it’s the grassy piazzas, historic buildings, or azure blue ocean peeking through the vibrantly hued houses. Air and noise tn requin pollution are at a bare minimum, making it easy to enjoy this truly distinctive tourist destination.
Icelanders enjoy their culture in a variety of ways and invite you to join along. Art enthusiasts should visit the stunning photographs and artwork inspired by the country’s incredible nature at the National Gallery and the Museum of Photography. The northernmost opera house in the world, a new concert hall opening on the harbor in 2010 and a special Culture Night held every August are just a few cultural morsels on offer. Broadwaystyle musicals bring out the best-of-the-best talent with very reasonable ticket prices. Many of Reykjavik’s live music venues are in small intimate settings where Iceland’s hot music scene can be experienced up close and personal.
One of the most visible structures in Reykjavik is the Hallgrimskirkja church where a trip to the top rewards with spectacular views including a glacier on a clear day. Perlan is where beauty meets function as a glass dome sits atop the city’s hot water reservoirs. Inside is a revolving restaurant for elegant dinners and a café open for lunch if you just want to grab an ice cream and enjoy the 360° views. Iceland’s Parliament is located off the grassy Austurvollur square, which is just a stone’s throw from Reykjavik harbor. These sites and many others are easily accessed on foot, or by city bus tours which run 2 hours every day.
Kids love Reykjavik and are welcome everywhere. Start by feeding the swans on Tjornin Pond downtown and then head to the tranquil Laugar Valley where they can visit the Reykjavik Zoo and Family Park to spot seals and arctic foxes. Finish the day at one of the city’s many outdoor swimming pools.
Just outside the city limits of Reykjavik lies the friendly town of Kopavogur with its new concert hall, art museum, shopping mall and sports arena. A little farther down the road, the colorful town of Hafnarfjordur is nestled in a lava field and offers both traditional and offbeat experiences with Viking feasts, elf-spotting tours, whale watching and horseback riding.
There is simply no more important ingredient than location. Therein lies the strength and uniqueness of Icelandic cuisine. Sheep roam the open countryside all summer long, feeding on wild berries and moss. This free-range flavor comes through in succulent Icelandic lamb, praised by chefs all over the world. Fish doesn’t get any fresher than it does from the icy cold waters of Iceland, especially local favorites like halibut and monkfish. Chefs throughout Iceland use organic vegetables and herbs which are grown in the countryside in geothermally heated greenhouses. Iceland’s dairy products are becoming famous for their wholesome flavor, especially the yogurt-like skyr, now a big seller in Whole Foods stores in the US.