- Address: 105, Sundlaugavegur 30, Reykjavík, Iceland;
- Official page: reykjavik.is;
- Phone: +354 411 5100;
- Operating time: Mon. - Fri. from 6:30 to 22:00, Sat, Sun. from 8:00 to 22:00.
The valley of Leygardalur is a territory not far from Reykjavik , where there are a lot of entertaining and sports facilities. Here is the largest in all Reykjavik thermal pool, and the botanical garden, and the zoo, and the sports and exhibition center Laugardasholl, and the treadmills. Every visitor, no matter what age he is, will certainly find something interesting for himself, he will have a good time.
History of creation
The idea of creating a sports and reaction zone for the people of Reykjavik was born in 1871, by the artist Sigurdur Gudmundsson. He believed that the valley of Leygardalur is an ideal place for cultivating ornamental flowers and trees. At that time the valley was used as the main laundry of the capital - as there were no running water in the houses, it was used to wash linens in hot springs. In 1886, they even began to build a road from Reykjavik to the sources, so that it would be easier for women to walk. This period is devoted to an exhibition of drawings and articles in the open air. In addition, while walking through the territory, you can see the statue of the "Washerwoman", and near the northern entrance to the valley, there are the remains of the brickwork of the shell in which the laundry was washed. The only shell that remains and works in our time is surrounded by a fence so people do not fall into hot water.
The idea of the artist was embodied only in 1943. Since then, the valley of Lehardalur is a favorite holiday destination for Icelanders and visiting tourists.
What is in the territory?
In the valley is the largest outdoor pool with thermal water in Iceland - Laugardalslaug. It can swim all year round at any time from 6:30 to 22:00 on weekdays, and from 8:00 to 22:00 on weekends. In addition, the building has a 10-lane pool with a length of 50 meters, and a children's pool with a depth of about 1 meter and a children's slide. Here you can visit: mud baths, massage parlor, solarium. Visiting the geothermal pool costs about 10 USD. By phone +3544115100 it is possible to specify, whether the building is closed for maintenance on the day interesting you.
In the Leygardalur Valley you can visit the Grasagardurinn Botanical Garden, open from 10:00 to 22:00 in the summer and from 10:00 to 15:00 in the winter. The entrance is free. The main task of the botanical garden is the conservation of plants for scientific research, and also for acquaintance with them of anyone who wishes. The best time to visit is from May to October. Initially, the garden had 175 species of Icelandic plants, now there are more than 5000, growing on 2.5 hectares. For more information, please call +3544118650. From May to September in the territory of the Botanical Garden there is a popular café "Flora", in which the tables are located directly in the greenhouse with exotic plants.
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On the territory of the Leigardalur Valley there is also the Family Center and the Zoo, which are open all year round. The zoo contains Icelandic animals, both wild and domestic. Here you can see foxes, deer, seals, sheep, horses. If you came with a child, then in the summer you can go for a ride and play slot machines, and in winter the Family Center turns into an outdoor playground.
Fans of ice skating can be advised to visit the skating rink in the valley of Lehardalur. Before its construction, the Icelanders used the old pond in the center of the city for this winter sport, but the municipal authorities, in cooperation with the Reykjavik Sports Federation, built a specialized ice rink, where you can practice year-round without fear of falling under the ice in the water. Here you can rent skates. The necessary information can be obtained by calling +3545889705.
The Laugardasholl sports and exhibition center is also located in the valley. This is a multifunctional building, built in 1965, in which such important events as world championships in 1995 handball, 1972 in chess (where American Bobby Fisher defeated Russian player Boris Spassky) took place. There were also numerous exhibitions, pop and rock concerts. If you want to find out the event poster, you should call +3545538990.
Walking through the valley, you will see a lot of racetracks, the main stadium of the country, football fields, and the only camp in Reykjavik.
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How to find?
The Laugardalur Valley is located east of the center of Reykjavik, between the streets Suðurlandsbraut, Reykjavegur, Sundlaugavegur, Laugarásvegur and Álfheimar. You will get there if you go to the bus stops Holtavegur, Brúnavegur, Laugardalslaug, Laugardalshöll, Fjölskyldu og Húsdýragarðurinn, Glæsibær, Nokkvavogur.