After a whirlwind trip to Iceland last year, I definitely caught the travel bug and am already planning my next trip. Beautiful in its own way - Iceland was truly reminiscent of another world with its uninhabited landscape of jagged lava rock, fields of brightly coloured green moss, hot springs, towering waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanoes.
But it also is home to a vibrant chic capital called Reykjavik.
For being such a small city, Reykjavik offers quite a lot of architecture, activities and to be honest strange things. It’s artsy, it’s sophisticated, but also traditional and old and pretty much everything is within walking distance.
You'll instantly fall in love with this city along the shoreline - get ready to have your camera glued to your hand as every corner is filled with hidden gems.
But it also is home to a vibrant chic capital called Reykjavik.
For being such a small city, Reykjavik offers quite a lot of architecture, activities and to be honest strange things. It’s artsy, it’s sophisticated, but also traditional and old and pretty much everything is within walking distance.
You'll instantly fall in love with this city along the shoreline - get ready to have your camera glued to your hand as every corner is filled with hidden gems.
When You Arrive
So, you’ve arrived on an early flight to Keflavik Airport. How do you get to Reykjavik? Well, it's as simple as booking your airport transportation through Flybus in advance. It was easy enough to book our tickets online, indicate your arrival date and voila! Buses depart Keflavik Airport 35-40 minutes after every flight arrival so stretch your legs a bit, enjoy the pleasures of a beverage, browse the restaurants and get a glance at what Iceland has to offer.Enjoy a Morning Coffee
Need a kick of caffeine? Well Reykjavik has a thriving coffee scene that doesn't involve a Starbucks. Sorry to burst your bubble but this city delights itself in the simple pleasures of coffee and unwinding. A favourite by locals, Reykjavik Roasters is a coffee shop that should be visited if you have an appreciation for high-quality coffee and a sweet tooth!Admire Hallgrimskirkja
You won’t miss this one. Hallgrimskirkja is the tallest church in Iceland and perhaps the most iconic part of the Reykjavik skyline. The style of the building is supposed to resemble the lava flows of the Icelandic landscape.At the top of every tourists list is this stunning church - not only is the building quite the spectacular sight, it also offers great views from the top of the building overlooking the whole city for an added cost, while the church itself is free to enter.
Shop for Wool
Love the warmth of wool and fond of knitting? Well you're in luck as the country is home to Icelandic sheep and less than thirty minutes outside of Reykjavik, you will find Alafos Wool Factory where buying wool is far cheaper than purchasing an iconic Lopi sweater found at most tourist shops and duty-free at the airport.Discover the Street Art
Known for it's creative and artistic culture - street art around the city of Reykjavik is evidence of just that and unlike other cities, openly embraced. Large murals cover the sides of buildings and walls at city parks. The endless display of colourful art is easily consumed by locals and tourists. As you stroll through the streets, admire the character of the city especially on Laugavegur, as presented through its unique artwork.
Visit the Harbourfront
A scenic stroll along the waterfront is must. With the serene mountain views of Esjan in the distant across the water, the iconic Sun Voyager sculpture or the old shipping harbour - you will be in for a treat. With a mix of modern and old - you'll be surprised with edible delights, unique architecture and cute boutiques.
Visit the Harpa Concert Hall
Definitely check out Harpa, the modern glass and metal concert hall on the waterfront. You can’t miss it - its futuristic framework is quite beautiful. A place to be admired from not only the outside, Harpa allows visitors to wander around inside and marvel at its splendid design.
Capture the Iconic Sun Voyager
Known to Icelanders as Sólfar, this ship sculpture is a tribute to the sun and represents the promise of undiscovered territory and freedom. Located only a few blocks away from the downtown core, this makes for a great evening stroll along the waterfront.
Stunning Architecture
Reykjavik's architecture is consumed by modern flare with touch of traditional influences. The city is known for its unexpected yet charming buildings with incredible personality that takes inspiration from the rich and dramatic landscapes.Where To Eat
Reykjavik is a beautiful city with amazing things to do, and exploring it can be pretty tiring. So what better way to relax and recharge than grabbing a bite to eat. While dining out can be quite expensive, diving into the unique food scene is a must.
From quaint vegan spots such as Kaffi VÃnyl to restaurants mastering the perfect bowl of fresh fish soup at Reykjavik Fish or staying the night and enjoying bone marrow at Kex hostel, Reykjavik's cuisine is like no other.
Relax at Blue Lagoon
No trip to Iceland is complete without a visit to the Blue Lagoon before heading out of town. This is your chance to relax and unwind in the soothing, blue waters at Iceland's most popular dream oasis. If this isn't on your bucket list, then my friend it should be!To make your trip worthwhile, pre-book your tickets for their opening time slot of 8AM and avoid the crowds. Don't forget to bring your own flip flops and microfibre towel - these two items will come in quite handy if you'll be staying at a hostel in Reykjavik.
Stay tuned as I share more posts about my adventures in Iceland!
-xoxo
-xoxo
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