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Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and the northernmost capital of a sovereign state in the world.

Despite a small population (120.000 and more than 200.000 in the Greater Reykjavik area), it is a vibrant city that draws an ever increasing number of visitors. It is the financial, cultural and governmental center of Iceland. It also has a reputation of being one of the cleanest and safest cities in the world.

Geography

The city of Reykjavik is located in southwest Iceland by the creek of the same name. Throughout the ages, the landscape has been shaped by glaciers, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and the area is geothermal.  Much of the current city area area was subglacial during the Ice Age, with the glacier reaching as far as the Alftanes peninsula, while other areas lay under the sea.  After the end of the ice age the land rose as the glaciers drifted away, and it began to take on its present form.

The coastline of Reykjavik is set with peninsulas, coves, straights and islands, most notably the island of Videy, and seabirds and whales frequent the shores. The mountain ring as seen from the shore is particularly beautiful. Mount Esja is the highest mountain in the vicinity of Reykjavik and lends its distinct feature to the whole area. This majestic mountain is also highly popular for climbing. Other notable mountains that can be seen from the seaside are Akrafjall and Skardsheidi and on clear days one may even see as far to the legendary Snaefellsjokull glacier, at the end of the Snafellsnes peninsula.

The largest river to run through the city is Ellidaa in Ellidaardalur valley, which is also one of Iceland‘s best rivers for salmon fishing.

Transportion

There are no trains or trams in Iceland, but most people travel by car. The city also operates a bus system. There are two major harbours in town, the old harbour in the center and Sundahofn in the east. The domestic Reykjavik Airport is located at Vatnsmyrin, not far from the city center and close to Oskjuhlid and Perlan. The international  Keflavik Airport at Midnesheidi heath then lies around 50 km from the city. Cars, jeeps and bicycles can be readily rented in the city and many organized tours are also being offered.

What to See & Do in Reykjavik

The local arts scene is strong in Iceland, with both annual events and single ones, many of whom have hit the international stage. For the annual ones please check our articles Best Annual Events in Iceland and the Top Ten Festivals in Iceland. Major events taking place in Reykjavik include the Iceland Airwaves, Gay Pride, RIFF (The Reykjavik International Film Festival), The Reykjavik Literature Festival, Cultural Night, the Reykjavik Arts Festival, Food & Fun, the Reykjavik Fashion Festival and the Sónar music festival.

Among famous people from Reykjavik are artists Bjork Gudmundsdottir, Sigur Ros, writers Halldor Laxness (born in Laugarvegur) and Arnaldur Indridason and mayor Jon Gnarr. For more well-known and fairly-well known Icelanders, check our article on the subject.

You might also want to check our article on some of the many things to see and do in Reykjavik, such as visiting the city‘s many museums, exhibitions and galleries, checking out live music, visiting the Harpa music hall or the theaters, visiting the lighthouse at Grotta, the main shopping street of Laugavegur, visiting the old harbour and the flea market, going on a bird- and whalewatching tour or visiting Videy island. We also have a top ten list of things to do.

Make sure to visit the publis square of Austurvollur, one of the city‘s most popular gathering places, where you‘ll also find the national parliament, Althingi, the state church a statue of independence hero Jon Sigurdson, as well as cafés, bars and restaurants. Austurvollur was central in the 2008 protests, along with Laekjargata, home to the House of Government. You are also not likely to miss the great church of Hallgrimskirkja that towers over the city from the hill of Skolavorduholt, wherefrom you‘ll get a great view of the city.

 Try a walk by the city pond, greet the many birds that frequent the area and visit the city hall, stationed by its banks. The Hljomaskalagardur is a beautiful park that lies by the pond, it ideal for a nice walk and sometimes concerts get held there. Further off is the campus of the university of Iceland, the Nordic house and the Vatnsmyri wetland, a particularly pleasant place, but be mindful of not disturbing the wildlife there and keep to the pathways.

 For a nice swim on a warm day, we particularly recommend Nautholsvik beach.

Visit the Laugardalur valley, home to one of the city‘s best swimming pools, as well as the Asmundarsafn gallery, a beautiful botanical garden and a domestic zoo. A walk by the Aegissida beach, with it‘s old fishing sheds, in the west part of Reykjavik also holds a particular charm. The aforementioned Elllidaardalur valley is also a popular resort.  

Another place that offers one of the city‘s best (and free) views is Perlan, up in Oskjuhlid hill. The hill itself is a popular resort, with over 176.000 trees and great opportunities for walking and cycling.

Travel to Alftanes to see the president‘s house at Bessastadir, which is also a historical site in it‘s own right, having been the educational center of Iceland for centuries. Nearby is a beautiful lava field, Galgahraun, well worth a visit, though there is currently an environmental struggle going on as to it‘s future state.

The city is furthermore a short drive from many of Iceland‘s major attractions, most famously the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon. In close vicinity you‘ll also find the Heidmork preservation area, a favorite passtime resort of the people of Reykjavik, as well as the Blue Mountains, one of Iceland‘s most beloved skiing venues.

Check our Best of Reykjavik guide further for tips on the best cheap things to do in Reykjavik, some of the best restaurants in the city, happy hours, the top ten value places to eat and our two articles on the famous Reykjavik nightlife; Nightlife in Reykjavik and Nightlife and mating.

Finally, we‘d like to stress that these are only some suggestions of the many things you might check out in Reykjavik. Whatever you choose to do, we hope you‘ll be able to make the most of your visit and we wish you a pleasant stay in our capital.

Wikimedia, Creative Commons, photo by Reykholt

The Blue Mountains, otherwise known as Bláfjöll, are a beautiful mountain range in the south-west of Iceland. They hold some of the most popular skiing slopes in Iceland, and well as the potential for other activities such as caving and hiking.

The Blue Mountains are located around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Reykjavík, by the lava plateau of Hellisheiði.

Geology of the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains partially cover the Mid Atlantic Rift, which runs through Iceland. The very regular earthquakes and sporadic eruptions, therefore, are explained the high level of geological and geothermal activity that this rift creates.

Most of the mountains are now dormant, not having erupted since the last Ice Age, but not all.

Due to their formation, the Blue Mountains are composed of tuff rock.

Activities in the Blue Mountains

As mentioned, the Blue Mountains has some of the most popular slopes in Iceland. Being so accessible from Reykjavík, just a twenty five minute drive away, the region draws those who love to ski and snowboard from the beginning of February to the end of April.

Due to these opening dates, winter sports have become somewhat of an Easter tradition for many of those living in the capital.

The resort here is the largest in Iceland, and boasts 16 ski lifts, and 15 kilometres (nine miles) of slopes. Equipment can be rented on site, and there are regular lessons taught for newcomers. Regardless of if you are a novice or expert, there are slopes for all abilities.

Cross country skiing is also very popular in the area, but should only be done by those experienced, or with a trained guide. Some snowmobilers also make the most of the opportunities the mountain provides.

Other areas for skiing in Iceland include Akureyri and Skaftafell Nature Reserve.

A popular activity that can be enjoyed in the Blue Mountains throughout the year, however, is lava caving. Due to the the volcanism of the area, the plateaus around the mountains are composed of many layers of lava rock.

When this lava first cooled, it did so from the outside in, leaving running magma beneath it. If this magma had a place to flow out to, it would form a lava cave.

Leiðarendi is a beautiful tunnel, formed in a kind of ring that allows visitors to fully explore it. Trips to Iceland’s lava caves provide wonderful opportunities to learn about the nation’s geology, history of bandits, and folklore, particularly the tolls.

This lava tube also demonstrates the volcanism of the Blue Mountains. It was, in fact, created by two seperate eruptions, one two thousand years ago and one a thousand years ago. The lava tunnels formed in each collapsed together at what is now the entrance of the cave.

Much of the area around this cave and much of the Blue Mountains is covered in a delicate moss, that creeps over the lava. When visiting any area with this unique flora, such as hiking trails through the mountains, be careful not to step on it as it is remarkably delicate

Kópavogur is a municipality in the Capital Region of Iceland. It is the largest town of those surrounding Reykjavík City, as well as being the second most populated municipality in the country at over 32.000 residents. 

The name of the town translates to 'Seal Pup Bay' and refers to the seals that reside in the ocean by the shoreline of the town's oldest part.  The town's Sigil is green and white and displays the Church of Kópavogur, the town's most notable landmark, and a seal pup. 

Establishment & History

The town's oldest signs of inhabitation are located by Kópavogslækur brook at the bottom of the bay, estimated at being from the 9th century. By lake Elliðavatn there is a large area of ancient ruins which provides for constant fascination for archaeologists. Although the area has long since been inhabited, the name of Kópavogur is first found in written documents in the year 1523. Today, the ever-expanding town includes the separate districts of Kársnes, Digranes, Smárinn, Fífuhvammur and Vatnsendi. 

Kópavogur was the location for the signing of the documents that established the Icelandic nation under the monarch reign of Denmark in 1662, in an event often called Kópavogsfundurinn or the Kópavogur Assembly. Years later, during the time of Iceland's fight for Independence, the assembly was referred to as an example of Denmark's infringement towards the people of Iceland. 

Environment & Nature 

In the centre of the town lies Kópavogsdalur Valley and through it runs the brook Kópavogslækur, a pretty sight today, but in earlier years used for the disposal of sewage. Between the valley and lake Elliðavatn, the area greatly consists of hills and miniature headlands, such as Leirdalur, Hnoðraholt and Rjúpnahæð. Lake Elliðavatn itself contains all the freshwater fish to be found in Iceland; including trout, brown trout, arctic char, salmon and tiddlers. Kópavogsleira is a residency for 30 local species of birds, as well as 10 migrating bird species. 

Culture & Facilities

Kópavogur hosts one of Reykjavík's two larger shopping malls, Smáralind, built in 2010. Close by is Smáratorg; a popular shopping area, and Smáraturn; the tallest building in Iceland. In the area of Borgarholt, there are various cultural establishments, including a music school, a library, a natural museum and a concert hall. Close to Kópavogur Church, there is the geothermal swimming pool Kópavogslaug. The town includes another swimming pool, four public parks, several cultural museums and numerous sports teams, including Breiðablik and HK. The town paper is called Kópavogspósturinn and has a weekly publication. 

Credit: Wikimedia, Creative Commons. Photo by Axel Kristinsson. 

Elliðavatn is a lake within the greater capital area of Reykjavík in South Iceland. 

Geography and History

The lake was originally two different lakes called Vatnsendavatn and Vatnsvatn. The former belonged to the town of Kópavogur, and the latter to Reykjavík, meaning Elliðavatn rests on the borders of the two. Elliðavatn has a length of about 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) and a depth of approximately 1-2 metres (3-7 feet). 

The lake is fed by the rivers Bugðá and Suðurá, but the lake’s primary outflow is the river Elliðaá. The rivers and lake are popular angling spots for catching Arctic char, salmon and brown trout.

Reaching into the lake is a spit by the name of Þingnes. According to the Icelandic Book of Settlement, Þorsteinn Ingólfsson, who was the son of Iceland’s first permanent settler Ingólfur Arnarson, called a congress there before the 930 AD formation of Alþingi in Þingvellir.