Plan Your Travel To Reykjavik
Places To Visit In Reykjavik
Puffin Express Cruise
If you love bird-watching and adventure, taking a Puffin Express Cruise to the rocky islands of Lundey and Akurey near Reykjavik should definitely be on your itinerary. Just a short 15-minute boat ride from Reykjavik's Old Harbour, the islands have small hills and slopes and are famous for their colourful puffin birds.
About 30,000 puffins nest on the islands off the coast and an hour-long tour gives you a closer look at the native Icelandic birds. The tour guide appointed by your operator will share more information about Puffins and other bird species commonly seen during the watching tours. Some of the other birds you might spot include Northern Fulmars, Gulls, Arctic Terns, and Black Guillemots. Binoculars are usually provided on board but make sure you do not forget your camera! Along with the guides, an audio guide in five languages -- English, German, French, Spanish and simplified Chinese -- is also available for visitors. There are multiple departure times available throughout the day so you can choose the one that fits you best. From May to August each year, the Puffins make their nests on the island. Boats circle the islands a few times before the engines are turned off so that you can enjoy the bird life.
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Reykjanes Peninsula
The Reykjanes Peninsula running along the Mid-Atlantic Rift in the southwest corner of Iceland is full of amazing and breathtaking landscapes. The land in the region with different formations emerging from the moss-covered lava fields makes it a truly unique destination.
The region is said to be very active volcanically and tourists are advised to be cautious during the trip. There are multiple tours available to explore this unique place where you can go hiking in the lava fields, visit volcanic craters, see hot springs and bubbling mud pools and even explore the underground areas. A private tour of the Reykjanes Peninsula will ideally include a visit to the town of Grindavik, which is a typical fishing village in Iceland and Grindavik, renowned for the Icelandic Salted Cod Museum (Saltfisksetrid). Do not miss the fissure where the Eurasian and American tectonic plates are moving apart due to underground pressure. If you are interested in birdwatching, you can discover the native bird life at Reykjanesviti, which is the country's oldest lighthouse.
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Reykjavik 871 Settlement Exhibition
The Settlement Exhibition in Reykjavik is located at Borgarnes. It is an exhibition to discover the earliest settlement in Iceland. The exhibition utilizes physical and virtual art to help tourists witness the country's history—a perfect place for history buffs.
The displays use interactive screens with actual artifacts to create a fun environment. The full name of the exhibition is The Settlement Exhibition Reykjavík 871. The remains of the first settlement date back to 871 AD or two years before or after, hence the name. This is a museum built upon ruins of an old Vikings settlement and should be visited by history buffs who want to understand early Icelandic life and settlements. It houses the oldest man-made structure in Reykjavik which is a boundary wall.Inside the exhibition, you can witness the remnants of the hall found during excavations in 2001. It is perhaps the oldest building recorded in Iceland made by people. Its origin date came from a volcanic eruption which helped confirm the accurate figures of its building time. Aside from just the ruins, you can discover artifacts from further periods in the city. It is a historically rich and informative exhibition perfect for visitors of all age groups.
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Icelandic Horse Riding
Icelandic Horse Riding is a unique and memorable experience that takes you on a breathtaking journey through the landscapes and untouched nature of Iceland. These horses have a distinct breed with unique gaits. Several tours for exploring lava caves or beaches on horse-back are available online.
You can explore the mountains, rivers and valleys, perched on a horse, admiring the beauty of Iceland's natural environment. Even if you're new to horse riding, Icelandic horse riding is said to accommodate riders of all skill levels, so you need not worry about your level of expertise. Tour operators provide a range of carefully tailored packages for different proficiency levels, from which you can select a ride that best suits your abilities. Two-day tours are ideal for beginners or those who haven't been riding for long. Intermediate tours last 4 to 6 days and advanced tours are 6 to 8 days long. You can choose riding tours in the Reykjavik area as they are suitable for all levels, from beginners to experienced riders. Some operators also offer private tours starting from one-hour rides up to multiple days for an individual, a family, or a larger group of friends.
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Whale Watching
Whale watching is an experience you should not miss out on, especially if you are visiting Reykjavik during April and September. With up to 24 different species of whales swimming around the island and tour operators offering boat tours all over the country, you have plenty of options.
The whale watching tours from Reykjavik depart from the Old Harbour near Geirsgata Street. The most commonly spotted whales on these tours are the playful humpback whales and Minke whales. If you take a tour during the summer months, you might also spot puffins and other birds. One of the great things about joining a whale watching tour from Reykjavík is that it only takes three hours. During the tour, you will enjoy views of Reykjavík's shoreline, its colourful houses, the beautiful Harpa concert hall and the nearby island of Vioey. Guides will provide you with all the information and insights you will need to know about Iceland’s maritime wildlife. While you can go on whale watching tours from Reykjavik at any time of the year, it is only during the winter months that you can witness the bright Northern Lights along the shoreline.
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Arbaer Open Air Museum
Preserving the historical farms of Iceland, the Arbaer Open Air Museum sits in Arbaer, a historical town hardly a drive away from the capital city. The museum is in a vast, town-like space, including many houses and farmhouses. The motive was to capture the early settlements in Reykjavik.
While exploring the museum, you can admire the 20th-century buildings with numerous activities and exhibitions. The farms and town square are preserved and look just like the previous century. Plus, many great activities are preset for visitors, especially during summer. For example, kids can marvel over domestic animals or participate in craft activities. The open-air museum perfectly captures the day-to-day life and environment of the people of the 20th century residing in Iceland. Everyone with a ticket can join a guided tour at takes palce at 1:00 PM daily, for free.
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Aurora Reykjavik
Aurora Reykjavik is a museum and exhibition, located in Grandagarður. Tourists best know it for its collection of displays and art about The Northern Lights. The tourists can get an up-close view of multiple displays capturing the breathtaking beauty of this natural phenomenon.
The displays range from photographs and videos to interactive screens and short films. You can get lost in the remarkable displays even in the city, far from the actual auroras. Tourists and locals deem it one of the best exhibitions, and it has received praise from experts too. The museum also offers guided tours to visitors to witness the northern lights, glaciers, lagoon, etc.
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Einar Jonsson Museum
A museum dedicated to the first sculptor in Iceland, the Einar Jonsson Museum is small but picturesque. It is in the city centre and has a main museum compound with a sculpture garden. Art enthusiasts love visiting the museum to witness the work of the first sculptor in Iceland.
He lived and travelled to many countries to learn and practice an art form not too prevalent in his own country. His work is even more remarkable since Iceland wasn't enthusiastic about sculpture at the time. After years of practice, he requested the government help him with a studio and accommodation. He offered all his work till that time to the country. Though he made the request earlier, the museum came to be in 1923. The museum you see now was first placed atop a hill away from the city. Now, it is in the midst of the city, boasting its varying sculptures. He worked with plaster to create fluid artworks that varied in style and expression. Visitors can also enjoy the sculpture garden attached to the back of the museum.
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FlyOver Iceland
FlyOver Iceland is one of the newer yet exhilarating attractions in Reykjavik. It features a massive wraparound screen paired with suspended seats to give the visitors a simulation of flying. The screen periodically switches between varying landscapes and showcases the natural beauty of Iceland.
It is perhaps the most exciting and tourist-favourite virtual attraction. Though the highlight is an 8.5-minute Ultimate Flying ride, the experience includes a few exhibits. Before the flying ride, visitors can witness the historical events presented through a projection. The projection is paired with audio guidance to explain the scene visitors witness. They can enjoy the scenes of early inhabitants, Vikings, and how life unfolded to what it is now in Iceland. Finally, the visitors get to fly over the natural landscapes of Iceland. The experience is not only visual and auditory but includes many effects like mist, scents, motion, etc. These special effects make the ride life-like and resemble an authentic flying experience. Since an actual flight is expensive and limited, many visitors appreciate this virtual experience.
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Geothermal Area Krysuvik
Krysuvik is considered one of the most-visitor-friendly geothermal areas in Iceland. The location includes vast geothermal fields, lakes, hot springs, mud, and steam vents. The visitors especially enjoy visiting the area due to the defined walkways made for them. Visitor are suggested not to touch water.
The Krysuvik area has a colour scheme ranging from sandy tones to deeper browns and black, littered with multi-coloured landscapes. It has volcanic deposits, and the heat from the earth leads to hot water and mud areas. Though Krysuvik is a tourist area, it is meant only for seeing. So visitors cannot touch the water since the temperatures linger around the 100°C mark. The constructors placed the trail so that visitors explore the area- but still stay away from dangers. Before the pathway is a parking space for the people and a guide on experiencing Krysuvik, visitors can enjoy looking at the bubbling hot springs or go further to view the coast. Visitors can also capture the beauty of lakes like the Grænavatn Lake, shining with an emerald green colour.
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