Reykjavik - attractions

The capital of the amazing country of Iceland strikes tourists with its sights and landscapes. It can cloud the consciousness of inexperienced travelers. Not for nothing Reykjavik literally means a smoking bay. The city is the most northern capital in the world. Tourists really like Iceland, Reykjavik, whose sights are created under the influence of nature or famous people.

What to see in Reykjavik?

In Reykjavik there is a great variety of natural, architectural and cultural attractions. The most famous of them are the following.

1. Having registered at the hotel, tourists are looking to see one of the most touching monuments. The "Imagine the World" tower was created by Yoko Ono, the widow of the legendary John Lennon. It is a design from which, on certain days, powerful rays of light are directed into the sky. Thus, they create an ephemeral tower. Light comes from six lanterns working on geothermal energy. The length of each ray is 4 km. By brightness they can not find rivals in all of Iceland. Around the perimeter of the monument is inscribed the inscription: "Imagine the world" in 24 languages. You can see this miracle by visiting the city from 9 October to 8 December, from 21 to 28 December, on New Year's Eve, on 18 February, from 21 to 28 March. The floodlights turn on after an hour after sunset and work until midnight. Only on New Year's Eve, the birthdays of John Lennon and Yoko Ono lanterns are switched on all night. The monument is located on the island of Videi, to which ferries will help. To cross the 400-meter strait, a few minutes will suffice. Ferries leave from the wharf Viðey Ferry Terminal (Skarfabakki) 3 times a day. October 9, the birthday of John Lennon ferry trip free.
2. Concert Hall and the congress center of Harp . Recently opened the concert hall immediately became a decoration of the city. In 2013 he was awarded a prestigious architectural award. An amazing building looks like it's on a spaceship, or on a precious stone. Its facade consists of a multitude of glass blocks-crystals that poured into the sun. Harpa is not only an amazing embodiment of architectural thought in reality, but also a symbol of hope for the Icelanders. Indeed, the beginning of its construction coincided with the economic crisis of 2008. It seemed that decades would pass before the project was completed. But state intervention helped to bring the work to completion. What gave strength to the inhabitants of the country to overcome difficulties. Today Harp's concert hall is the second tallest building in Iceland. It hosts many international conferences, exhibitions, famous music groups. A cozy cafe, which cooks exclusively eco-friendly dishes, is visited by thousands of tourists. The location of the building is Austurbakki 2, 101. You can get to it on foot from the harbor, or by bus to the stop Reward.
3. The Cultural Center Perlan . Reykjavik can give odds to extravagance in other cities. Not only was Bjork, the singer with a brilliant voice and unusual ideas, born, but the city boiler room was also turned into a cultural center. Above the building, once accumulating the energy of thermal springs, a glass dome was erected. The first floor is reserved for a winter garden, galleries, concert stages. Tourists can enjoy performances of groups, visit fairs, performances. And also to admire the geyser hitting from the ground. He was specially brought to the hall. The fourth floor is occupied by an observation tower with periscopes, and the fifth is assigned to a revolving restaurant. Two hours - the time of full turnover of the institution, enough to have lunch and at the same time enjoy the views of the capital. There is a concert hall on the hill Oskylid. As the building is not in the center to get better by bus until the stop of Perlan Bus Stop.
4. Landakotskirkya . In addition to natural landscapes, when visiting Reykjavik you should see the cathedral cathedral of Christ the Temple or Landakotskirkja. A stately, majestic building immediately attracts attention. The neo-Gothic style of construction brings to mind the antiquity of the structure. Therefore, it can not be immediately believed that the cathedral was built in the second quarter of the 20th century. When inspecting the building it is worth paying attention not to the flat top of the tower, but also to the tile, which is laid out the floor. The cathedral is in the western part of the city. The full address is Old West Side, 101.
5. Reykjavik City Hall . To support the stormy discussions or at least understand the reason for the indignation of local residents, you should visit the Reykjavik town hall. Located on the shore of the picturesque Lake Tierra, it immediately catches your eye. In indignation of the townspeople has resulted style and a material from which the building is erected. Among the cozy wooden houses suddenly there was a construction of concrete and glass. If the residents are surprised by the originality of the builders, then for the tourists the building is attractive for many reasons. First, free wi-fi. Secondly, the cafe Radhuskaffi, where you can enjoy a cup of aromatic coffee and admire the views of the lake. Thirdly, an interactive 3D map of Iceland, on which all volcanoes and geysers of the country are marked. Visiting the town hall, it is worth taking a picture with the monument to the Unknown bureaucrat. It is located right behind the building and personifies a man who was pressed on top by a pile of papers and worries in the form of a boulder.
6. Hadlgrimskirka . Like the Catholic Cathedral, Lutheran Church Hadlgrimskirka does not fit into the generally accepted framework. It is similar to the scenery for the film about space flights. Created by the brilliant architect Goodyoung Samuelson in 1986, it is the largest church in the country. Despite the fact that the church resembles a spaceship ready for take-off, church services are held every Sunday. Direct attention to yourself attracts a majestic organ. The church is located in the center of the city and is visible from almost anywhere in the city.
7. The city's embankment is also subject to compulsory attendance. Here you can admire the solar monument , which is the skeleton of a boat of ancient Vikings. The second monument is the house of Hevdi , in which an agreement was signed to end the cold war between the USSR and the United States.
8. From the city port, ferries depart for Videy Island . On it is the oldest church in the country with an untouched interior. Folklore museum in the open air is a real pearl of Iceland. In it travelers will become acquainted with the traditions, the way of life of the Icelanders. Different buildings in the museum are dedicated to certain topics. There are also exhibitions of tools and toys. The museum conducts excursions and shows, in which tourists are involved. You can not go past a souvenir shop, a cafe with pure Icelandic dishes. Children and adults will enjoy a lot, riding in a cart drawn by horses.

You can see the beauty of the city from the volcano Esya , which is located near the capital. The place is very popular, so you can reach it by public transport. The climb will take about 90 minutes and ends near a stone called Steinn. You can immortalize your name in Iceland if you sign in the guest book at the end of the tourist route.

Iceland's sights do not end there. Outside the capital, tourists are waited by majestic volcanoes, lagoons with warm water. Everyone will be able to find an occupation for themselves: be it fishing, horseback riding. Before the trip it is worth exploring Reykjavik, attractions. Photos of interesting places are always presented in various sources.

How to get to Reykjavik?

The only transport that will make it possible to get to Reykjavik is a plane. Unfortunately, there is no direct flight from Moscow or Kiev, so you will have to fly with transplants. In summer, once a week, the national carrier IcelandAir operates the St. Petersburg-Reykjavik flight. Or you can reach any major European city. Of these, airlines such as British Airways, Easy Jet regularly fly to the capital of Iceland.

Reykjavik Airport is located far enough from the city itself. You can get to the center by taxi, for which you have to pay a fare of up to 100 euros, or on a regular Flybus bus, which departs directly from the right exit of the airport. It can take you to the bus station, to most large and medium-sized hotels. The fare is 15 euros to the bus station and 20 euros to the hotel.

Upon arrival at the bus station, those passengers for whom this is the last stop, go, and tourists who need to get to the hotel, are transferred to small buses. They bring travelers to the place of their temporary stay.