What to see in Reykjavik

It was built in 1885 by decision of the city council and is, therefore, one of the oldest commercial areas.

Its name translates as "the path of water" because it is in this area where the women washed their clothes.

Museums, hotels, bars and famous nightclubs in the city are concentrated in this area, making it a very popular place for tourists who want to know the city's leisure offer.

It has experienced economic setbacks in recent years, due to the popularity of other commercial areas.

It was built between 1958 and 1968 under a design by Einar Sveinsson. During its history it has been enlarged twice.

The facilities include an indoor Olympic-size pool, a 400-square-meter pool, a 50-meter long outdoor pool, 8 hot pots at different temperatures, and a 17-square-meter steam room.

In the recreational center where it is located there is also a botanical garden, a sports park, a family park, a zoo, a sculpture museum and a large gymnasium, among others.

They are the second most visited thermal baths in Iceland.

It is defined as the “Reykjavik Cathedral”, due to its size and appearance, but it is not a cathedral but a church.

It is named after the Icelandic poet Hallgrimur Pétursson, known throughout the country for his hymns

Its construction ended in 1986 after 38 years of duration, and it was restored between 2008 and 2009.

It is the tallest building in the country at 74.5m tall and its design is said to be inspired by the basaltic lava flows of the Icelandic landscape.

It was built in 1787, but throughout its history it has undergone several reconstructions and remodeling due to structural deficiencies.

It has been the scene of different important historical events in the country, since here the establishment of the Kingdom of Iceland was celebrated in 1874 and the national anthem was also sung for the first time.

This simple temple with a stark interior has a font donated by Thorvaldsen to Iceland and is part of three copies. The other two are in the Church of Brahetrolleborg and the Church of the Holy Spirit in Copenhagen, both in Denmark.

This small lake is located in the heart of the historic center of Reykjavik, and is essential for the birds of the region.

For this reason, when it freezes in winter, the authorities defrost a part by heating it with thermal waters to guarantee the survival of the swans, ducks and geese that live in the area.

In winter, when it freezes, locals use it for surface activities such as ice skating.

Perlan was built on six water tanks that store a total of 24 thousand liters of hot water from the city.

On the premises there is an observation deck, a restaurant and a cafeteria.

In 2017 the Icelandic Glacier Exhibition was inaugurated containing a 100m long ice tunnel where visitors enjoy a glimpse into the past, present and future of Iceland's glaciers.

Other exhibitions are "The Wonders of Iceland", which show the underwater world of the country or "Water in Icelandic nature", which analyzes how water defines the country.

It was inaugurated in 1863 as a Museum of Antiquities, but changed its name in 1911.

Before reaching its current location, it passed various buildings, such as the Cathedral, the former state prison.

The museum's collection houses about 100,000 objects, of which 2,000 objects and 1,000 photos are on permanent display.

The museum exhibits various utensils and tools from the first Viking settlements, such as the Statuette of Thor of Eyrarland.

It is the work of Jón Gunnar Árnason, made to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the city.

It represents a boat of dreams, an ode to the sun, and refers to a new territory to discover, a dream of hope, progress and freedom.

This famous sculpture is in an ideal location to admire Mount Esjan, which is why it is a popular spot in the city.

In 1909 Einar Jónsson offered his works as a gift to the Icelandic people on the condition that a museum be made to house them, but the English Parliament did not accept it until 1914.

The author decided that the museum would be located on top of a mountain on the outskirts of the city, being the first building to be built on the hill.

Since it was he who drew up the building's construction plan, this is said to be his largest sculpture.

In this market you will find all kinds of objects, from second-hand books to Icelandic food, including clothes, shoes or DVDs.

One of the star objects of the market is the “lopapeysa”, the traditional Icelandic wool sweater with a distinctive pattern, since here you can find it for much more affordable prices than in other stores and sold by its own artisans.

This second-hand market is an icon of the city as it unites tradition with uniqueness, and has become, over time, a symbol of life in Reykjavik.

The project to build this wonderful building began in 2007 but was halted for a time due to the 2008-2009 crisis, and was resumed when the government took over its financing.

It was officially opened in August 2011 although concerts were already being held since May of the same year.

The façade is made up of numerous glass hexagons that allow a play of reflections on the outside due to the effects of the sun, and favor a bright and clear interior.

It has four main rooms representing the four elements and is the home of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and also the Icelandic Opera.

He received the Mies van der Rohe Prize for Contemporary Architecture in 2013.

It houses and exhibits the largest collection of his sculptures, both inside and outside the building.

It offers a very enriching experience for children, as it has exhibits that allow them to play and learn at the same time.

The building is inspired by vernacular Mediterranean architecture, and is the work and design of the sculptor, offering a unique experience as it is considered an independent work of art from the artist. It was his home for many years.

This museum is one of the components of the Reykjavik Museum of Art, which is distributed in three unique buildings in the city, thus forming the largest network of art museums in Iceland.

It is a volcanic mountain range with several peaks, among which Þverfellshorn stands out, because its 780m high allows you to enjoy beautiful views of all of Reykjavilk.

The image of this volcano has influenced the real estate value of the city, since it is a great attraction for both nature lovers and experts in research or climbing.

The highest summit is at 914m, and offers various walking trails and outdoor recreation areas.

It is a living museum that allows a journey through time to discover the way of life in ancient times.

It is the representation of an old village with restored houses, exhibitions and demonstrations, set with costumed guides, herding animals and traditional crafts.

This unique open-air museum was founded in 1957.

This exhibition is based on the archaeological excavation of the ruins of one of the first houses in Iceland and other finds from different excavations in the center of the city.

It is one of the oldest human structures found so far in the country.

The facilities also display objects from the Viking age found in the city center and on the island of Viðey.

According to written sources, Iceland's first settler made his home in the same place where this ancient dwelling was excavated, which adds even greater importance to the find.

This exhibition also has a practical area for children where they will find antique table sets and replicas of toys from the Viking Age.

It was declared a National Park in 1928 due to its historical importance and its tectonic and volcanic characteristics.

It lies north of Iceland's largest lake, Þingvallavatn, and is part of The Golden Circle, the country's most famous tourist route.

It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004.

The valley is one of the most important historical places in Iceland, because it was here that AlÞingi, one of the oldest parliamentary institutions in the world, was founded in 930.

This institution met annually to resolve, dispute and punish criminals. Between 999 and 1000 they proclaimed Christianity as Iceland's official religion.

It erupts every 4-8 minutes on average, and reaches 15 to 20 meters in height, although it has managed to reach 40 meters.

It became known in 1789 after an earthquake unblocked the geyser conduit but another earthquake closed it again in the 20th century. However, in 1963, the local inhabitants managed to clear the conduit and unblock the geyser again with due advice from the Geysir Committee.

It is part of the Haukadalur geothermal area, where there are mud pools, fumaroles, algae deposits, and other geysers.

Near Strokkur is the Great Geysir, the oldest known and one of the most impressive examples of this phenomenon. Unfortunately, it has stopped expelling water due to the stones that tourists threw inside.

It obtained its current political form after World War II and was created as a municipality in 1947.

It has one of the highest population densities in Iceland, and its leisure options include the public swimming complex with whirlpools.

It is also famous for the Kvika geothermal pool, which attracts many tourists to dip their feet in the water.

On its peninsula there is a nature trail that leads to the island of Grótta, known for its lighthouse and the diverse birdlife that inhabits the area, but even better known for being an area with little light pollution, perfect to enjoy the northern lights during its epoch.