Travel to Reykjavik

Travel to Reykjavik

Iceland's beauty and it's natural features make it a popular destination. In particular,it isthe glaciers and active volcanoes, geysers and hot springs, the midnight sun and the expansive lava deserts that are the greatest draw. There are geothermal baths and spas to relax in, while historic sites and wonderful museums and art galleries are spread throughout the capital city.

Transportation to Reykjavik

There are few airlines that fly to Icelands capital, Reykjavk, with direct service from cities such as Copenhagen, London and New York. From May to early September, ferries sail from Trshavn in the Faroe Islands to Seyisfjrur in the west of Iceland. Theres also service from Hanstholm, Denmark; Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands; and from Bergen, Norway.

What to see

The Old Town, in the heart of Reykjavik, is an area of grassy parks and lakes, where youll also find markets and museums. If youre interested in learning more about Icelandic and Norse culture, a visit to the National Museum is worthwhile. The museum features displays of folk and religious relics dating from the early days of Icelands settlement.

The Magnsson Institute, situated behind the museum, houses a well-known collection of works, returned to Iceland from Denmark Theseinclude the Landnmabk and Njls Saga. Reykjaviks most impressive structure is an imposing church, known as the Hallgrmskirkja, which resembles a mountain of lava. All the citys attractions are easily accessible on foot. Whenever you want to take a break from walking and sightseeing, there are health spas and open-air swimming pools located throughout the city, which will help you to relax.

Daytrips

Interesting daytrips are as close as Reykjaviks suburbs, which include Hafnarfjorur, at one time an independent fishing village and now the location of several golf courses and a Viking-themed restaurant. Also in close proximity to the capital are ample opportunities for short hikes. Just southeast of Reykjavik, youll find world-class skiing at Blfjll, and within reasonable driving distance, the slopes at Akureyri and Hlarfjall are on-hand.

If youre looking for a half-day of activity, youll find the Blue Lagoon worth a visit. Its a spa in the middle of a lava field, set in a lunar-like landscape. The mineral-rich, geothermal waters reputedly have health benefits, particularly for skin ailments. This is one of Icelands most popular attractions, and its restaurant was recently rated as one of the top 50 in the world. Massage is available and beauty products from its spa (including the mud) are on sale.

The Blue Lagoon is located about 30 miles southwest of Reykjavik, on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The number 5 bus leaves from the Central Bus Station three times a day, with a journey time of 40 minutes. It is open year-round, with opening hours varying by the season. For more information, you can visit: www.bluelagoon.is.

For a full days activity, you can do a tour called the Golden Circle. The attractions comprising this circle include the waterfall at Gullfoss, the famous Geysir geothermal area and the Kerid crater. Gullfoss (golden falls) is considered to be the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland, featuring two tiers of falls located in a gigantic gorge carved by the glacial River Hvt. The spouting Geysir has begun erupting again after many years of being dormant, and the nearby Strokker also sends up a spout of water every five minutes or so. This site also features hot springs, with steaming vents and warm streams, and the waters of the springs are beautifully coloured by mineral deposits.

It is possible to visit all of these destinations by public bus, but as no single bus services the whole circle and buses do not run frequently, it isnt feasible to visit all of these attractions in one day. Joining or arranging a tour, or using private transport, is advised.

Activities and leisure

Leisure activities in Iceland covera rangeof the healthy spa activitiesin the daytime to the late-night entertainment options of Reykjaviks pubs and nightclubs. The nightlife scene here often lasts well into the morning, and there is an assortment of stylish clubs to suit most tastes.

A local pub crawl, known as an Iceland runtur, is a popular way to spend the evening, and involves visiting a number of the citys more hip bars, clubs with live music and discos. During the day, either before or after your night out, you might want to visit one of the many geothermal-heated swimming pools, located throughout the city.

Safety issues

As with many tourist destinations, you are advised to be on the alert for pickpockets, particularly around the busy bar and club areas at night, as you can be more susceptible in unfamiliar surroundings. Also, if you decide to go trekking in wilderness areas, Icelands extreme weather conditions can be dangerous. It is a very good idea to take out travel insurance to cover any unexpected occurrences while on holiday.