Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
South of the Centre
National Museum
MUSEUM
adult/child Ikr1500/free, audioguide Ikr300; 10am-5pm May-mid-Sep, 11am-5pm Tue-Sun mid-
Sep-Apr; 1, 3, 6, 12 or 14)
This superb museum displays artefacts from Settlement to the modern age. Exhibits give
an excellent overview of Iceland's history and culture, and the audioguide adds loads of
detail. The strongest section describes the Settlement Era - including how the chieftains
ruled and the introduction of Christianity - and features swords, drinking horns, silver
hoards and a powerful little bronze figure of Thor. The priceless 13th-century
Valþjófsstaðir church door
is carved with the story of a knight, his faithful lion and a
passel of dragons.
Upstairs, collections span from 1600 to today and give a clear sense of how Iceland
struggled under foreign rule and finally gained independence. Simple, homely objects util-
ise every scrap; check out the gaming pieces made from cod ear bones, and the wooden
doll that doubled as a kitchen utensil.
Free English tours run at 11am on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from mid-May
to September.
Perlan
NOTABLE BUILDING
The mirrored dome of Perlan covers huge geothermal-water tanks on Öskjuhlíð hill, about
2km from the city centre. The wrap-around viewing deck offers a tremendous 360-degree
panorama of Reykjavík and the mountains. There's a cafe (often busy with tour groups), so
in a downpour you can admire the same views over coffee. The top of the dome contains
the high-end Perlan dinner restaurant.
Two
artificial geysers
keep small children enthralled. Numerous
walking and cycling
trails
criss-cross the hillside; one path leads down to
Nauthólsvík beach
.
