Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland. Visiting Reykjavik can become a part of a trip, whether at the start or the end of your epic Icelandic journey. Iceland primarily attracts travellers in search of breathtaking landscapes. And whether it’s summer or winter, there is always something for everyone. Volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, mountains, glaciers, beaches of all colours; everything you need for a pleasant stay. Your time in Iceland may come down to just one step on your way to places further west. Icelandair, in particular, offers stopovers on the way to America. Do not hesitate to stop for two or three days, as it can be an opportunity to discover the capital and its region.
First of all, the Reykjavik church is a must-see. This church is often seen as the central part that represents the city of Reykjavik. Its name is the Hallgrímskirkja, and what makes it unique is its rocket-shaped architecture, with its steeple of relatively impressive height for a church, standing at 70 meters tall. Its columns on the sides, the size of which decrease the closer you get to the ground. And which therefore gives it this singular aspect. The architect has used the basalt columns behind the Svartifoss waterfall in southern Iceland as a model for these columns. Reykjavik is located by the seaside, and fishing activity obliges its northern part to shelter a port. But beyond the boats that can be seen there, this area has some notable points of interest: The sculpture of the “traveller of the sun”. This sculpture, called “sólfar” in Icelandic, is a steel representation of a Viking ship. On your trip you can alo marvel at the mound of the Þúfa (or thufa), this mound measures ten meters in height, and you can reach its summit by taking a spiral-shaped path. There is a small hut on this summit that is used to dry fish—another work of art, but one that also offers a different perspective on Reykjavik.
Reykjavik city centre is rather pretty with its colourful facades, small shops and restaurants. But also the “small town” atmosphere persists despite the increase in tourism. The main street to discover when visiting Reykjavik is Laugavegur Street. It generally crosses the city from west to east, parallel to the old port. The smallest European capital, Reykjavík seems almost provincial to the inhabitants of the continent’s big cities. However, this small agglomeration is very active and has today become one of the flagship cities to visit in Europe! There is a lot of attention for the “bay of smoke” (the literal translation of Reykjavík in English!). This is undoubtedly thanks to its heritage, its intense cultural life, its many museums, its rather extraordinary natural setting, but also and above all its unique Nordic atmosphere and the opportunity to meet Icelanders in their everyday life. I cannot wait to visit this sublime city, and the fascinating country that is Iceland.