Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
EXCURSIONS FROM REYKJAVÍK
The capital makes a good base for excursions
around Reykjavík
, including to three of
Iceland's most popular attractions: the site of the old parliament,
Alþingi
,
at Þingvellir
(see p.99), the waterspouts and waterfalls of
Geysir
and
Gullfoss
(see p.106), and
Skálholt
(see p.104) cathedral - all within simple reach by public transport or, more expensively, on
day-long guided tours from the city. Also worthwhile is the
Reykjanes peninsula
(see p.93),
a bleak lavafi eld that's as good an introduction as any to the stark scenery you'll fi nd further
into Iceland, and home to the mineral-rich waters of the
Blue Lagoon
(see p.93) - the most
visited attraction in the country. If you're only in the city for a short break, or fl ying on to
either the US or Europe, Reykjavík is also the place to fi x up adventure activities such as
snowmobile tours
or
jeep safaris
on nearby glaciers or
whitewater rafting
on the Hvitá
river in the north (see p.41).
of dormitory overspill for the capital, the town of
Hafnarfj örður
is large enough to be
independent of Reykjavík and has a couple of museums and a busy harbour, though it's
perhaps best known for its
Viking feasts
. Alternatively, the fl at and treeless island of
Viðey
, barely ten minutes off shore from Reykjavík, is the place to come for magnifi cent
views of the city and of the surrounding mountains - there are also some enjoyable
walking trails here, which lead around the island in a couple of hours.
Brief history
As recounted in the ancient manuscripts
Íslendingabók
and
Landnámábók
, Reykjavík's
origins date back to the country's fi rst settler,
Ingólfur Arnarson
, who arrived in
874 AD, brought here by his high seat pillars - emblems of tribal chieftainship, tossed
overboard from his boat - and settling, in pagan tradition, wherever they washed up.
Akranes
N
Akurey
Viðey
Lundey
Mosfellsbær
Seltjarnarnes
Ulfarsfell
Reykjavík
City Airport
REYKJAVÍK
Hafravatn
Nauthólsvík
Geothermal Beach
Kópavogur
Bessastaðir
Álftanes
HIGHLIGHTS
Swimming in Nauthólsvík
geothermal lagoon
Garðabær
Elliðavatn
Hafnarjörður
Heiðmörk
Víilsfell
GREATER
REYKJAVÍK
Þríhnjúkahellir
0
5
kilometres
