| Page Views: 76 Last Visit to Reykjavík: November, 2008 | Reykjavik - Iceland by pure1942 - last update: Nov 6, 2008 |
The World's Most Northerly Capital | Reykjavik and 'Smoky Bay' |
With a population of just over 200,000 people, Reykjavik is one of the smallest and least populated of all capital cities in the world. However, Iceland has an overall population of just around 300,000 so Reykjavik and the greater Reykjavik area accounts for just over 2 thirds of the entire Icelandic population.
A relatively new city, Reykjavik hasn't much in the way of outstanding architecture or beauty but it is an interesting and vibrant city with enough to keep any visitor occupied for at least one full day.
What Reykjavik lacks in great urban beauty and architecture, it certainly makes up for with it's scenic surrounding location and its own unique social life and culture. |
|  | The city centre is where most of the action is especially along Laugavegur and Austurstraeti, the latter leading to a nice squre surrounded by various restaurants and bars as well as home to the main Reykjavik Tourist Information Office. Around this area is one of the best areas in the city centre to see the colourful, traditional Icelandic city housing with thei wooden ribbing or galvanised metal protection (indictaion of the harsh winters which these buildings endure!!!)
The city centre night life is world famous and even the traditional high prices of Reykjavik shouldn't stop you enjoying at least one night out in the city which boasts many lively bars, restaurants, cafes and clubs. |
| Fríkirkjan Church, Tjornin Lake + Hallgrímskirkjan |
| | The best of Reykjaviks architecture centres around the various churches dotted around the city centre. The most famous of these is the towering Hallgrimskirkja which is one of the strangest looking churches I have ever seen. Love it or hate it it is one of the city's 'must dos'. Other more traditional churches include Hateigskirja and the Frikirkjan.
The harbour is where Reykjavik grew up and is still a vital soource of employment and income for the population of Reykjavik. Fishing has traditionally been the lifeline of thte Icelandic people and nothing has changed with fish remaining the main export of the country (along with alluminium!!!) The harbour is also where the Whale watching tours are located.
Reykjavik has a number of interesting museums the best of which include The National Museum, Culture House Museum, Settlement Museum and the Saga Museum at the Perlan. It also has various art galleries and an uninspiring Natural History Museum.
People say there is not much to see or do in Reykjavik but the nation's capital is not without its charms and interests not to mention its great night life and social scene. Worth the trip if even for a few hours. |
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 Comments for pure1942 about Reykjavík | | | | |
yumyum Sat May 9, 2009 22:12 UTC
I shall visit Reykjavik in July and have some day trips. So thanks for the introduction! |
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