What's On in Reykjavik - December 2021 by MD Reykjavik

December 2021

in Reykjavík

Reykjavík’s leading guide to information, events, museums and galleries since 1982

Looking for more? The What’s On Iceland tourist information and booking centres are located in downtown Reykjavík. Visit us at the start of your journey or contact us throughout it. www.whatson.is

FROM THE EDITOR

What’s On Reykjavík City Map

4-51 42-43

Events 53-67 Art & Culture

68-72

Pubs & Nightlife

74-75

Wining & Dining

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But there are plenty of attractions within the city as well! Make it your mission to taste every seasonal delicacy offered in shops or restaurants, and take in the creative and artistic spirit of musicians filling every venue in the city with holiday cheer. Don’t be surprised if you see some bearded characters skulking around the city entertaining children. Characteristically, Iceland doesn’t make do with a single Father Christmas – nothing less than 13 troll-descended Yule Lads will do! It’s easy to get lost in all the excitement of the upcoming festivities but celebrating a festival of lights in December is about much more than the Christian holiday. The Icelandic word jól actually predates Christianity in Iceland! It’s the darkest time of the year (Reykjavík only gets about four hours of daylight on the day of the winter solstice) but from now on, it’s going to get a little brighter every day and that is something worth celebrating.

What’s On Information Centre, Laugavegur 5.

WHAT’S ON — VOLUME 39 — ISSUE 6

Map of Reykjavík: Friðrik Bjarnason

Published by: MD Reykjavík ehf. Laugavegur 5, 101 Reykjavik. Tel.: 551-3600

Editor: Gréta Sigríður Einarsdóttir, greta@whatson.is

Content writers: The What’s On Team

Publisher: Kjartan Þorbjörnsson

Ad sales: Sigurþór Marteinn, sm@whatson.is

Distribution: info@baeklingadreifing.is Tel.: 662-6122

Printing: Kroonpress Ltd.

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For visitors, Iceland can be a winter wonderland. Getting out of the city means seeing icy landscapes, frozen waterfalls in icy cages, and frosty mountains, all made a little more magical under the twinkle of the northern lights.

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

Practical Information

The days and weeks leading up to Christmas are some of the most enjoyable of the year. It’s not just the jampacked calendar of Christmas events, or the dazzling lights lighting up the winter darkness. It’s not just the delicious, delicious food, or the hot chocolate, or the mulled wine. It’s that communal feeling of excitement and joy that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

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CONTENT LIST

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WHAT‘S ON IN REYKJAVÍK is published monthly, covering events and happenings in and around Reykjavík. Opinions expressed in WHAT‘S ON IN ReykjavÍk are those of the individual authors. While every effort has been made to ensure the information presented is accurate, prices, times, dates and other information may be subject to change.

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THE WHAT’S ON CHECKLIST For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

December is a great month to visit Iceland. Even though it’s dark outside, it’s warm and cosy inside, and it’s Christmas! Plus, there are plenty of cool events going on. Here are some ideas on how to spend this December in Iceland.

Spot the Icelandic Yule Lads around town!

Buy Icelandic books, the perfect Christmas gift.

Go to the Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður! Try an Icelandic Christmas beer. Eat fermented skate on Þorláksmessa, December 23 – it’s an experience.

Warm up at a New Year’s Eve Bonfire! Attend an Icelandic Christmas Concert. Go for a walk downtown and enjoy all the Christmas decorations.

While you’re checking things off the list, we encourage you to take photos, and tag them with #whatsonrvk, of course!

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So you’re in Iceland, enjoying life, seeing the sights and taking in everything our magnificent country has to offer. Why not share it with the world? Tag your photos using #whatsonrvk and your photo might be featured in our magazine next month! On www.whatson.is, you can watch out for every issue published.

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Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice and this year, it has shown its fiery side! On March 19, a volcanic eruption began on the Reykjanes peninsula, and it spewed lava for more than six months, creating a brandnew lava field. Here’s what you need to know about Iceland’s youngest lava field.

THE VOLCANO CHANGED INTO A LAVA GEYSER

After weeks of a steadily flowing eruption, the eruption pattern changed to periods of inactivity followed by magnificent lava fountains. These fountains reached hundreds of metres in height, with the highest one measured at 460m [0.3mi]. Just like a geyser, these outbursts took place at regular intervals. THE PLACE HAS A HISTORY

IT’S (RELATIVELY) SAFE TO VISIT THE NEW LAVA FIELD

There’s also a chance the area is the ancient burial site of Ísólfur frá Ísólfsstöðum, an early Norse settler. When Ísólfur was dying, he asked to be buried in the valley where his wethers (castrated rams) roamed, which was Geldingadalir (which translates to Whetherdales). However, an archaeological survey of Geldingadalur after the eruption started found no evidence of this theory. If he is indeed buried there, it seems his remains will stay there forever.

Seeing how the volcano has changed the landscape in the past year is truly an amazing experience and the new lava field is a sight to behold. Don’t step on the fresh lava though, the surface might be cool to the touch but underneath the surface, there’s still molten lava. It can take months and even years to fully cool down.

On May 3, 1943, B-24 aircraft Hot Stuff had a scheduled refuelling stop in Iceland and crashed into the side of Fagradalsfjall mountain. Lieutenant general Frank Maxwell Andrews was killed and so were 14 others on board. Only George Eisel, the rear gunner, survived.

IT’S A SMALL ERUPTION BUT BIG NEWS

This had been the first known eruption on Reykjanes peninsula in almost 800 years. The Fagradalsfjall volcanic system had been dormant for 6,000 years. Scientists believe the eruption could be the start of a new period of volcanic activity on the peninsula which could last for decades or longer.

Visiting Iceland’s youngest lava field is a must! Hike to the volcanic crater or take a ride in a helicopter, contact info@whatson.is for more information or stop by the Laugavegur 5 information office.

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

THE LAVA FIELD IS A STONE’S THROW FROM REYKJAVÍK AND THE KEFLAVÍK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The volcanic crater and lava field are located on the Reykjanes peninsula, around 40km [25mi] from Reykjavík. It’s also less than a 30-minutes’ drive from the Keflavík International Airport.

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The Reykjanes Peninsula Eruption

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SKYR

ICELAND’S SECRET TO HEALTHY LIVING

Legend has it that the Vikings introduced Skyr to Iceland when they settled in the country some 1.100 years ago. Travel back in time to any farm and Skyr would be on the table – essential nourishment for young and old. Generations past may not have been able to measure the nutritional content in the way we can now, but the life-expectancy of the average Icelander was proof enough that something good was going on. Icelanders have ever since loved the smooth texture of this incredibly healthy

dairy product and today it plays a big role in the modern lifestyle diet. Skyr is high in protein and a virtually fat-free dairy delight. Thick and creamy in consistency, it is also rich in calcium and other nutrients. Skyr can be found at almost every home and workplace. Enjoyed at breakfast, lunchtime, pretty much anytime, it has also become a healthy “fast-food” for active people on the go. Delicious in smoothies or energy-boosting drinks, it even features on the dessert menus of many top restaurants, which are bringing a contemporary twist to this established favourite.

ÍSEY SKYR – PLAIN

Skyr was originally only available as plain and was made at every farm in Iceland. Nowadays, there is a huge variety of flavours available but many still prefer the plain one, especially served with sugar and/or cream.

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

KEA SKYR WITH VANILLA

Kea skyr comes from the northern part of Iceland and this is one of the most popular flavours available. The taste is full and creamy with zero fat. It’s mild and creamy flavour also makes it popular as a base for desserts. ÍSEY SKYR WITH BLUBERRIES

Ísey skyr is a remarkable dairy product unique to Iceland. High in protein and naturally fat free, Ísey skyr is delicious, rich in flavour with a thick and creamy texture. Ísey is a beautiful Icelandic female name, meaning ice (ís) and island (ey), in honour of the women who passed on Iceland‘s secret to healthy living from generation to generation. ÍSEY SKYR WITH DARK CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA

Skyr producers have been experimenting with new flavours in Ísey skyr while still keeping it as nutritious as possible. One of the more recent additions is Ísey skyr with dark chocolate and vanilla flavour. ÍCELANDIC PROVISIONS SKYR

If you find yourself in the US, craving skyr, don’t panic! This is the only skyr available in the US that’s made with traditional Icelandic skyr cultures, passed down through generations of Icelanders. Rich in protein but low in sugar, with flavors that have a Nordic twist, such as Strawberry with Lingonberry. Icelandic provisions skyr is only available in the US and is a sister brand of Ísey Skyr. #icelandicprovisions

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ICELAND’S SECRET TO HEALTHY LIVING

HIGH PROTEIN – FAT FREE

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GLJÚFRASTEINN

THE L AXNESS MUSEUM Gljúfrasteinn was the home of writer Halldór Laxness (the winner of The Nobel Prize in Literature 1955) and his family for more than half a century. The house is now a museum, where the author’s home is preserved just as it was when he lived and worked there. The museum is open on Tuesdays to Fridays from 10:00–16:00. Audio guides of the house are available in Icelandic, English, German, Swedish, and Danish, as well as an illustrated guide in French. Gljúfrasteinn-Laxness museum is located in the valley of Mosfellsdalur on the way to Þingvellir National Park, only a 20-minute drive from Reykjavík.

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

For more information, go to www.gljufrasteinn.is.

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WHAT TO DO IN ICELAND IF YOU ONLY HAVE ONE DAY If you only have one day in Iceland, the first advice I will give you is to change your flight and stay for at least a week more. If that’s not an option, my next suggestion would be to use the time you have to the fullest, since Iceland is a unique destination. It’s no coincidence that The Golden Circle is the most popular day tour from Reykjavík. There are three stops on the way that just happen to be three of the most captivating destinations in Iceland, and as an added bonus, the tour doesn’t take up more than half of your day. The stops are Þingvellir, the national park where the Icelandic Parliament congregated since Viking times, Gullfoss, the awe-inspiring waterfall which lends its name to the Golden Circle, and Geysir, an erupting hot spring, guaranteed to wow visitors.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE A FRESH VOLCANO

No country does volcanoes like Iceland, there’s a reason it’s called the Land of Ice and Fire. On the Reykjanes peninsula, a volcano started erupting in March 2021. At the time of writing, the eruption is dormant but there’s still heat in the fresh lava. Visiting the eruption site is relatively safe and you can reach the area by hiking or by helicopter. People in good shape need about 1.5 hours to hike from the parking lot to the volcano and 1.5 hours to hike back. Contact info@ whatson.is for more information or visit safetravel. is for the latest safety updates.

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

IF YOU JUST WANT TO SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS

WHAT’S ON For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

IF YOU WANT TO SEE A GLACIER

Since you’re visiting ICE-land, you might want to check out some icy tours and it doesn’t get any icier than hiking on a glacier. Glacier hikes are relatively easy and professional gear is provided so the tour should be accessible for most people. You get to walk on a glacier, with guides who know everything there is to know about glaciers and Iceland in general, what more could you ask for? IF YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR A LITTLE LUXURY

What’s better than having a spa day? Krauma is a natural geothermal spa in West Iceland, next to Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. The water of the natural hot spring is mixed with cool glacial water for perfect temperatures. It has five hot tubs and one cold bath, a relaxation room and two steam baths. If you’re in South Iceland, then head to the Secret Lagoon. It’s situated in a geothermal area with plenty of hot water streaming naturally from the ground and steam rising into the air around you. The beautiful location really lets you feel at one with the Icelandic nature. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AN ADRENALINE RUSH

Looking for a thrill? Then go on a buggy ride. A buggy is a fast, sturdy and stable ATV, perfect for everybody who loves the outdoors. When going

on a buggy tour, you better be ready to get dirty, with water splashing up on the side of the tires and dust being blown around your head. Driving a buggy through rough Icelandic terrain, with mud pools, dusty roads and sometimes snow, offers an exciting adventure! IF YOU READ MOBY DICK AND LIKED IT

Marine life abounds in the ocean around Iceland. Of all the creatures that live in these waters, the most spectacular ones have to be the whales. If you’re interested in seeing these immense creatures for yourself, take a whale watching cruise. Even the smallest Icelandic whale you could spot is still the size of a full-grown man, and the largest can reach up to 30 metres in length! If you have a few hours to spare before or after the cruise (or if you get seasick and a cruise is out of the question), check out the Whales of Iceland exhibition for some extra information on these gentle giants.

Stop by the What’s On information centre, or send us an email, info@whatson.is, and ask the staff to help you plan an unforgettable vacation.

Find more articles like this at www.whatson.is

WHAT’S ON For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

Christmas in Iceland

A Feast of Light and Peace Christmas in Iceland is the biggest celebration of the year. Perhaps this has something to do with the dark days of winter and the fact that Christmas coincides with the winter solstice. Whatever the reason, Christmas in Iceland is much more than just one day of celebration, there are 13 of them, and that’s not even counting Christmas Eve! OVER THE TOP CELEBRATIONS

IIceland is a very Christmas-oriented nation. It’s no wonder really, the winter months are dark, cold and damp, so celebrating with pretty lights and lots of staying inside and eating is a nobrainer. In the good old days, when people lived in dark and cramped turf houses half-buried in the ground, lived off the land and just tried their best not to freeze to death or get lost in a blizzard during the winter months, the winter solstice was a cause for celebration. It made perfect sense to turn on the best candles they had, have the best meal possible, and put on their best clothes

during the darkest days of winter, because it meant that there were brighter days ahead. The same mentality still applies, we celebrate with all our hearts the fact that we’ve reached the darkest point of winter and that from now on, each day will be just a little bit longer than the last, until, finally, summer comes again.

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The Festival of Overeating

MANDARIN ORANGES

A few weeks before Christmas, cases of these juicy and sweet mini oranges arrive in stores. Although mandarins are sold all year round, the fresh harvest coming into stores in November and December has the best-tasting fruit. GINGERBREAD COOKIES

As if Christmas can be celebrated without pepper cakes (piparkökur)? We, uh, mean gingerbread cookies! Pepper cakes is just a literal translation of their Icelandic name, even though they usually contain little to no pepper. Other popular Christmas cookies include buttery vanilla wreaths, light and crunchy cocoa cookies called loftkökur (air cakes), and “mom’s cookies,” ginger cookies sandwiched together with buttercream. LEAF BREAD

Laufabrauð or leaf bread, are thin flour cakes, carved into patterns and deep-fried. Today, you can get them from the store, but many people still like to get together with family or friends and make them the old-fashioned way.

SMOKED LAMB

The traditional Icelandic Christmas dish at the start of the last century was hangikjöt. Directly translating to hanging meat, hangikjöt is smoked lamb and most people serve it on Christmas Day. Boiled and served with potatoes, white sauce similar to béchamel, and red cabbage from a jar. Canned peas are also popular (for some reason) MALT & APPELSÍN

There’s a special drink almost every Icelandic household serves at Christmas. It’s a nonalcoholic mixture of two soft drinks, Malt and Appelsín, produced by Iceland’s oldest soda factory, Ölgerðin. Appelsín is an Icelandic orange soda and Malt is, as the name suggests, a maltbased, non-alcoholic beer, dark brown and very sweet.

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

Food is a significant part of Christmas celebrations all over the world and Iceland is no exception. Every country has its own tradition and while trends and fashions can influence what families eat each year, there are some foodstuffs that just have to be a part of the experience or Christmas is ruined!

WHAT’S ON For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

PREPARATIONS

For most Icelanders, the time spent preparing for Christmas is no less important or magical than the actual event. During the last four weeks before Christmas, the Advent, people spend their time attending Christmas concerts, going Christmas shopping (a lengthy process that involves a lot of meeting relatives and acquaintances on the street), baking cookies and laufabrauð, and making sure their homes are decorated with brighter lights than their neighbours’. One tradition can certainly be said to be all Icelandic, eating fermented skate on December 23. Visitors to Iceland are often bewildered on this day by the foul odour surrounding the beautiful Christmas decorations in Reykjavík. This day is very important to many Icelanders and must not be underestimated as it is a vital part of the holidays. FAMILY PARTIES

Getting together with family is what this is all about. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the Second Day of Christmas are usually packed with family events; think playing cards with your grandma in her best dress while sipping hot chocolate after stuffing yourself with smoked lamb, white sauce, and green beans. That doesn’t mean Icelanders don’t use the holidays to go out as well. The bars are open longer than usual on the Second Day of Christmas, and the weekend between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is usually packed with concerts and parties. Last but not least is of course New Year’s Eve itself, when

Icelanders go all out. Expect fireworks, glitter, parties, and even more fireworks. CELEBRATED ON DECEMBER 24...

Christmas Day in Iceland is a cosy affair, mostly spent wearing pyjamas all day and reading. Books are very important during Christmas in Iceland, and probably the most common Christmas gift in the country. Most people read until the family party (mentioned above) starts. That’s because in Iceland, Christmas starts at Christmas Eve. At precisely 18:00, families all around the country either sit down to a Christmas feast, followed by opening presents and vowing never to eat again, or sit down in church followed by the aforementioned activities. ... AT PRECISELY 18:00

Why 18:00 you might ask? The answer most Icelandic people will give is that it’s when the church clock starts chiming and the mass begins on the radio. Maybe people believe that’s the time Jesus was born, or “because my mom says so,” but it actually is a bit more complicated than that. Following a tradition inherited from Judaism, the Christian liturgical day starts at sunset, not at midnight. Since the invention of the clock, they settled the exact time at 18:00. This means technically, 18:00 on Christmas Eve marks the beginning of Christmas Day. For Christmas tours and events, contact info@ whatson.is or visit the information centre at Laugavegur 5

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The Icelandic Yule lads For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

In most countries, one measly Santa Claus is considered quite enough. Icelanders, however, apparently favour quantity over quality and have an unruly group of 13 Yule Lads of troll ancestry roaming the mountains

town. The last 13 days before Christmas, children leave a single shoe in the windowsill in their room before going to bed and wake up to a little trinket from one of the lads. If they’ve been good, that is. Otherwise, they just get a potato. So, the next time you wake up to a bearded and rough looking gentleman going through your shoes, just go back to sleep, he’s probably bringing you a present.

NAUGHTY OR NICE?

The first record of our Yule Lads dates back to the 17th century, although the tales have changed a lot since then. The 13 troll sons of giantess Grýla and Leppalúði, Grýla’s third husband, were originally scary figures. According to the stories, they live with their parents somewhere in the mountains outside of town, along with the Christmas Cat. Sounds cosy, right? Well, it isn’t. The Christmas Cat eats children who don’t get new clothes for Christmas, while Grýla prefers to snack on naughty kids. The Yule Lads have a less infanticidal reputation, limiting themselves to pranks and petty thievery. They’ve mellowed a lot through the years, and hardly steal anything really valuable these days. AND WHAT ABOUT THE PRESENTS?

The Yule Lads arrive from the mountains one by one, just in time for Christmas. The first one arrives the night before December 12 and the last on the night before December 24. At some point in history, they picked up the habit of giving small children gifts as soon as they arrived in

STEKKJASTAUR SHEEP-COTE CLOD / DEC. 12

Due to his affinity for sheep milk, Stekkjastaur spends most of his time among humans, breaking into the sheep pens and trying to suckle the ewes. Despite his disability – he has two peg legs, which makes crawling into the sheep pens challenging – he is amazingly resilient in his efforts.

Another fan of dairy products, Giljagaur is a bit more patient, a bit more cunning in his attempts at pilfering milk. He doesn’t go straight to the cow’s udders, rather, he waits until the farmworkers are distracted before swooping in and slurping the froth from the fresh milk. STÚFUR STUB / DEC. 14

Stúfur is named for his height – or lack thereof. For some reason, he considers burnt bits of food that get stuck to the pan a special delicacy, going so far as to raid kitchens for dirty pans to get his hands on the good stuff. ÞVÖRUSLEIKIR SPOON LICKER / DEC. 15

Þvörusleikir is extremely tall and skinny, which may explain his passion for wooden spoons (he’s trying to bulk up). Patiently waiting for the work to be finished in the kitchen, Þvörusleikir, quick as a flash, grabs the dirty spoons and licks them clean. POTTASKEFILL POT LICKER / DEC. 16

ASKASLEIKIR BOWL LICKER / DEC. 17

In the old days, Icelanders ate their food from lidded wooden bowls called askar. Askasleikir would creep in, hide, and snatch the askar whenever they were put aside, licking their insides clean. Since most people have upgraded to plates, he probably has, too, while keeping his name for old times’ sake.

Waking up is never pleasant. Being roused by a loud, unpleasant noise, like a door slamming – even less so. For some reason, Hurðaskellir thinks this is hilarious and goes through town slamming doors for his amusement. SKYRGÁMUR SKYR GOBBLER / DEC 19TH

For the uninitiated, skyr (pron. skeer) is a dairy product, halfway between cheese and yoghurt. It’s fat-free, high in protein, and delicious. This might explain Skyrgámur’s size (he’s said to be the size of a bull) and his habit of eating other people’s skyr. BJÚGNAKRÆKIR SAUSAGE SWIPER / DEC 20TH

While many of the Yule Lads like stealing food, they’re usually picky about what they take. Bjúga is a salty, smoked Icelandic sausage and a favourite of Bjúgnakrækir. He loves them so much that he doesn’t mind crawling through soot and smoke to get them. GLUGGAGÆGIR WINDOW PEEPER / DEC 21

Again, the name says it all. However, it’s important to note that his intentions – although not entirely honourable – are mostly food-related. He only peeps into windows to find food to steal.

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

Like Stúfur, this Yule Lad also likes to lick remains from the inside of the pots. His crimes are simple but crafty; he knocks on the door, and when residents rush to see who it is, he sneaks into the kitchen and cleans out the pots.

HURÐASKELLIR DOOR SLAMMER / DEC. 18

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GILJAGAUR GULLY GAWK / DEC. 13

WHAT’S ON For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

GÁTTAÞEFUR DOOR SNIFFER / DEC 22

Gáttaþefur was, from birth, blessed with a huge nose, heightened olfactory senses, and a preternatural immunity to colds. He is, like so many other Icelanders, partial to laufabrauð (leaf bread) and uses his abnormally large nose to sniff it out. KETKRÓKUR MEAT HOOK / DEC 23

Some of the Yule Lads are more industrious and cleverer than others. Ketkrókur, for example, wields a long stick with a hook at the end, perfect for sticking down chimneys to steal meat such as hangikjöt (smoked lamb), which is his favourite. KERTASNÍKIR CANDLE BEGGAR / DEC 24

One of the few Yule Lads not constantly occupied with food, Kertasníkir enjoys stealing candles, preferably from children. This seems especially mean given that in the olden days every child usually got a nice candle for Christmas and not much else.

Find more info on the Icelandic Yule Lads on christmasiniceland.is

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WHAT’S ON For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

Christmas is great; some people even say it’s the best. But when Christmas Eve has come and gone, and you’ve been to all the family parties, eaten all the cookies and opened all the presents, what’s there to look forward to? New Year’s Eve, that’s what. If you are a kid (or a grown-up with a moderate to severe interest in lighting fires), this evening can be just as fun as Christmas, but on a completely different level. A FAMILY AFFAIR – AT FIRST

New Year’s Eve in Iceland is a very special event, and it’s the party night of the year. This might not be completely clear in the early evening, because many Icelanders start the night with a family dinner (turkey has become popular), followed by watching the annual comedy revue on television. Around midnight, an amazing fireworks show starts off. COME ON, BABY, LIGHT MY FIRE

There is a reason for our burning desire to set things on fire, as there is an old superstition that says you have to burn away the old year to wake up on New Year’s Day with a clean slate. Just in case the fireworks aren’t enough, we also have New Year’s Eve bonfires. Since the bonfires promise to burn away the sins of the year gone by, you can imagine how popular they are. Most

towns have one, of varying sizes, and Reykjavík even has 10 in separate neighbourhoods. The bonfires are usually lit at around 20:30. That’s after dinner, but before the annual comedy revue starts. ÁRAMÓTASKAUPIÐ – THE ANNUAL COMEDY REVUE

Áramótaskaupið is a 50-minute comedy special satirising the year’s most prominent events, and it’s been on since 1966, which incidentally is the year RÚV (the Icelandic national broadcasting service) started broadcasting. Just how big of a deal is it? Well, in 2002, 95% of the population was watching. The other 5% were probably doctors and nurses on call tending to burns, their patients, and maybe a bartender or two. New Year’s Day conversations in Iceland are limited

WHAT’S ON

to discussions about what people thought of Skaupið, as it is affectionately known. Every year, Áramótaskaupið is shown in Icelandic on RÚV, and at the same time on RÚV 2 with English subtitles. Both channels are accessible on RÚV’s website. THE PARTY

It might surprise you, but it’s not until after midnight that the actual party gets started. After the fireworks have been lit and hot chocolate has been had with older family members, that’s when people put on their glitter hats, get their confetti bombs ready and head out, drink in one hand,

and a lit sparkler in the other. House parties are popular, and downtown Reykjavík quickly starts filling up with eager partygoers. ELVES AND HIDDEN PEOPLE

There’s a fair bit of folklore dedicated to the beginning of a new year. According to tales, this is the night that the elves and hidden people move to a new house, cows speak, and seals leave their seal skin and walk on land as men. While few people have a strong belief in stories of elves and trolls anymore, many people still make sure to leave at least one light on for the whole night, for the hidden people.

MULTIMEDIA EXHIBITION

TOUR BOOKING Grandagarður 2 | 101 Reykjavík Tel: +354 780 4500

MOVIE THEATER

GIFT SHOP AND GALLERY

open daily 09:00 - 21:00

www.aurorareykjavik.is

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

WHERE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON DISPLAY

WHAT’S ON For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is 30

Icelandic Christmas Beers

JÓLAKALDI

Kaldi’s Christmas beer has been on the market since 2008. It’s a classic Christmas beer, or as close to it as you can get, as there is no real consensus on what constitutes a Christmas beer. JólaKaldi is a bit darker than most lager beers and has a bit higher ABV, along with a malty, spicy and orange-infused flavour, marking it as a seasonal favourite.

For most of the 20th century, beer was banned in Iceland. Since 1989, we’ve been doing our best to catch up and seasonal beers are becoming an increasingly popular part of the holiday season.There are no rules on what constitutes a Christmas beer but these festive drinks tend to be a bit darker and stronger than your everyday lagers. The Christmas beers are only available for a limited time. They appear in bars and on Vínbúðin shelves on November 4 and disappear again when Christmas decorations go down or when the batch sells out - whichever comes first.

ÖLVISHOLT JÓLA JORA

ÖLVISHOLT JÓLABJÓR

ÖLVERK GRÝLA JÓLABJÓR

Ölvisholt is a microbrewery located at an old dairy farm in Selfoss, South Iceland. Ölvisholt jólabjór is a 7.2% smoked bock beer with a sweet, strong taste and medium bitterness with a good balance between smoke, hops, and malt. It has tones of roasted malt, burnt sugar, smoke, and dried fruit. It is a German-style bock, characterised by smoked malt. Ingredients include malted barley, hops, and cloves. LITTLA BRUGGHÚSIÐ JÓLA HVAÐ?

Litla Brugghúsið is a microbrewery located on the northern tip of the Reykjanes peninsula, run by three beer-enthusiasts. Their Christmas beer is a 5% golden and cloudy, sweet and slightly bitter beer. It has tones of gingerbread, toasted corn, cloves, and orange. It’s a fruity spice beer that is best enjoyed after dinner, with a chocolatey dessert.

Ölvisholt Jóla Jora is a 9.2% spiced imperial stout. It’s a dark, thick beer with a sweet and spicy flavour. Inspiration for this beer comes from the brew master’s grandmother’s lagkaka, an Icelandic layered spice cake with buttercream – the beer is brewed with the same spices and same feelings in mind. It’s a perfect dessert beer for sharing among friends and family. Ingredients include malted barley, hops, vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice. Grýla is a 5.2% red beer by Ölverk brewery and pizza restaurant in Hveragerði, South Iceland. Hveragerði has a number of hot springs and this beer is brewed with geothermal heat. It’s a medium bitter beer with tones of dried fruit and cinnamon. The beer is named after giantess Grýla, who is the mother of Iceland’s 13 Yule Lads. During Christmastime, she comes down from the mountains to hunt disobedient children. Cheers!

EINSTÖK CHRISTMAS ALE

Einstök’s effort to bottle the taste of Christmas has paid off in a seasonal ale, perfect to drink in a snug, warm room while it’s snowing outside. This amber 6.7% doppelbock combines a full caramel taste with a subtle chocolate and whisky aftertaste. It pairs well with any Christmas dinner, chocolate desserts included.

Open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 pm to 6 pm More info at jolathorpid.is

WHAT’S ON For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is 32

THE

NORTHERN LIGHTS ARE BACK

The days grow shorter and colder as winter gets settled in but for visitors to Iceland, that’s good news! You need darkness so you can see the northern lights properly. Seeing the lights is a magical experience and we recommend seeking them out while you’re in Iceland. However, there are a few things

every northern lights hunter should keep in mind. The northern lights aren’t a reliable attraction and seeing them can be a matter of being in the right spot at the right time. It’s not all down to luck, however, as there are a few things you can do to maximise your chances of seeing the ethereal lights.

Different ways to see the northern lights: Going by coach:

Cheap and effective. A northern lights tour by bus or minibus is a good way to see the lights if you’re not too concerned about being surrounded a lot of people and simply travelling by bus. Perhaps not the best time if you don’t see anything – but it’s the cheapest option to see the lights, and it gets the job done.

Going by boat:

A great experience regardless of lights. Going by boat and seeing the city from the sea at night, is in itself a great experience. The boat ride is a very good choice for those who want to ensure they get something out of their tour even if no lights are found.

1 GET OUT OF TOWN

WHAT’S ON

To p 8 tip s fo r th e no rth er n lig ht s The city lights block the northern lights!

2 MAKE SURE IT’S DARK

Daylight and northern lights don’t go hand in hand!

3 MAKE SURE THE SKY IS CLEAR

The northern lights appear way above the clouds!

4 GIVE IT TIME AND BE PATIENT!

The northern lights don’t come out by order – be patient and you might get lucky!

5 SIGHTINGS CAN NEVER BE GUARANTEED

So we’d recommend a tour that includes some great activity as well as northern lights hunt – so you won’t feel disappointed!

It can get seriously cold, especially when the sky is clear and you’re waiting for a long time.

7 KNOW YOUR CAMERA!

Taking photos with a flash won’t work. Ever. A tripod and long exposure are your friends!

8 ENJOY IT!

Lie down on the ground. Look up. Enjoy!

Book your northern lights tour now online or at the What’s On tourist information centre, at Laugavegur 5.

Going by super-jeep:

Exclusive and thrilling. Going on a hunt for the lights with a specially modified superjeep is a thrilling experience that’s fun and exciting. Sights can of course never be guaranteed, but the off-road action of a superjeep makes for a great adventure, the lights are just an added bonus.

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

6 WEAR SOMETHING WARM

WHAT’S ON

NORTHERN LIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHY

DOs AND DON'Ts

DO have a relatively good camera with you that allows for easy and quick change of settings. DON’T rule out taking a photo on your phone’s camera. DO have your ISO set to at least 800 and your aperture as low as it goes. DON’T forget your tripod. However little you think you move while waiting for your camera to take your picture, believe me, you always move and it’s enough to make your photos blurry.

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DO keep your shutter speed anywhere between 5 to 30 seconds, although the optimal would be between 5 and 20 seconds (30 seconds is only for very faint lights, basically).

DON’T go by boat – if you’re intent on getting photos, at least. The movement of the boat makes taking good photos nearly impossible. DO consider using continuous shooting, so that while shooting the lights, you don’t have to keep staring at them through your camera. DON’T focus solely on your photographs and forget to be in the moment. You don’t see the northern lights every day! If you need any more information, check out www.whatson.is or stop by the What’s On information office at Laugavegur 5.

The northern lights forecast can be found on en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/aurora/, but it is a little hard to decipher if you’ve never seen it before. Our handy-dandy guide should make things a little bit easier.

WHAT’S ON

How to Read the Northern Lights Forecast

THE COLOURS WHITE means NO CLOUDS, while DARK GREEN means VERY CLOUDY. The different shades of green then mean more, or less, cloudy.

GOING ON A TOUR? There are many tours taking you far from the bright city lights for a better chance of seeing the aurora. These tours will be cancelled if there is no chance of seeing the lights. All major operators can be

trusted to do this, first of all, because there is a high standard of professionalism in Iceland, but more importantly, because they lose money if they take you out needlessly – most of them promise to take you out again for free if you don’t see anything.

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

THE NUMBERS The numbers are a combination of how likely it is for the lights to be active and how active they will be. Don’t be discouraged if the number is low, it’s actually very rare for the number to be higher than five. Also, take the scale with a grain of salt; a low number doesn’t mean that they won’t come out or won’t be impressive, and a high number isn’t a guarantee that they will be glorious all through the night.

K l a p p a r s t í g 2 8 –3 0

101 Reykjavík

kokteilbarinn.is

WHAT’S ON

The Icelandic Christmas Calendar Þorláksmessa is the day of Iceland’s patron saint, St Þorlákur. It’s the last day before Christmas is celebrated, so for most people this is the height of Christmas preparation. It’s the biggest shopping day of the year and many people spend the day getting the last few Christmas gifts. A peculiar Þorláksmessa custom is eating fermented skate. The sinus-clearing aroma and funky flavour of the skate is an acquired taste, but the idea is that it will make the Christmas feast the next day taste even sweeter. AÐFANGADAGSKVÖLD (CHRISTMAS EVE) DECEMBER 24

Christmas Eve is the most important night of Christmas celebration. Christmas officially begins at 18:00 sharp. By that time most of the nation is washed and dressed in their best clothes (ideally new clothes, to fend off the Christmas Cat) and ready to sit down to Christmas dinner. This is a very intimate and festive evening that Icelanders normally spend only with their nearest and dearest. After dinner, people relocate to the Christmas tree to open presents.

JÓLADAGUR (CHRISTMAS DAY) DECEMBER 25

As the main feast is already over by the time Christmas Day rolls around, most people spend the day lazing around, reading the newest books they got for Christmas, or visiting the graves of loved ones. It’s also a day for Christmas parties, however, when people get together with their extended families, eat hangikjöt (smoked lamb) and laufabrauð, and celebrate Christmas together. ANNAR Í JÓLUM (SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS) DECEMBER 26

Iceland has a public holiday the day after Christmas Day, which is simply called the Second Day of Christmas. It’s pretty much the same as Christmas Day, but this time the Christmas party is with the other side of the family. Also, on the Second Day of Christmas, many people figure they’ve spent quite enough time with their families and duck out of the Christmas party early to go partying.

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

ÞORLÁKSMESSA (ST. THORLAKUR’S DAY) DECEMBER 23

WHAT’S ON GAMLÁRSKVÖLD (NEW YEAR’S EVE) DECEMBER 31

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

New Year’s Eve is a major event on the Icelandic social calendar. The fun begins around 18:00 when most people have a big festive dinner, after which they head out to a bonfire, or brenna, to mingle and socialise. At 22:30, it is time for the eagerly awaited Áramótaskaup (New Year’s Jest) – a 50-minute comedy special on TV. More than 90% of the Icelandic nation watches the Áramótaskaup so the streets are virtually deserted while it is on.

The New Year’s madness starts to build as soon as when the final credits roll, and at midnight all hell breaks loose. In Iceland fireworks are sold unrestricted to the public between Christmas and New Year’s, and this small nation of 375,000

people manages to fire off over 500 tons of fireworks on New Year’s Eve. ÞRETTÁNDINN (TWELFT NIGHT) JANUARY 6

If you didn’t quench your thirst for arson and explosions on New Year’s Eve, don’t worry, just wait till Þrettándinn (Twelfth Night). There’s a lot of superstition regarding Þrettándinn. The last Yule Lad heads back to the mountains, the elves and the hidden people move houses (keep your lights on the whole night so they don’t settle in one of your dark corners), cows speak, and seals shed their skin to walk on land as men. There’s usually a bonfire where people can finish off the last of their fireworks and the kids get a visit from the elf king and queen.

kolrestaurant.is // 517 74 74

WHAT’S ON

R E YK JAV Í K

SIGHTS TO SEE Reykjavík sightseeing has something for everyone! The city is filled with things to do, places to go, and stuff to see, but some things are just a little bit more important than others. Check out the map in the centre of the magazine to find the exact location of these Reykjavík sights. 1 | HALLGRÍMSKIRKJA Hallgrímskirkja church is one of Reykjavík’s most iconic buildings and is visible from almost anywhere in the city. It’s the largest church and the sixth tallest architectural structure in Iceland. The church tower offers a fantastic view of the city. It’s named after the Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Petursson, author of the Passion Hymns. The architect, Guðjón Samúelsson, designed it to resemble the basalt lava flows of Iceland’s landscape. Construction started in 1945 and was finished in 1984.

Check out our centerfold map for the locations of these sights

2 | PERLAN Standing at 25m, Perlan is one of Reykjavík’s most striking

buildings. Built on top of the city’s hot water tanks, Perlan is known for its unique architecture. Inside Perlan, you can visit Wonders of Iceland, an exhibition spread over multiple levels. A visit to a real ice cave, planetarium shows, exhibitions on Iceland’s history, glaciers, volcanoes, and water, and a spectacular 360° viewing platform are all included in a ticket. On the top floor, a restaurant and coffeehouse for guests in need of refreshment. Surrounding Perlan is the Öskjuhlíð area, one of the many green spaces in Reykjavík, perfect for a walk on a sunny day.

3 | TJÖRNIN Tjörnin (The Pond) is the heart of the city centre and offers some of the most amazing views in Reykjavík. There is no better place in the city to enjoy a beautiful sunset and you can watch or feed a huge variety of birdlife that calls the lake home, while you’re at it. When the lake freezes over in winter, geothermal water is pumped in to defrost an area for the birds and feeding them is a popular family pastime all year round. Those who can handle the cold take to the lake on ice skates.

4 | AUSTURVÖLLUR When the sun is shining, Austurvöllur is the place to be. Surrounded by cafés and restaurants, this public square is a popular spot for locals to dine outside, soak up some sunshine or recline on the grass with picnics. In fact, whatever the season, Austurvöllur is the place to be. It’s used for celebrations on holidays and in December, the city’s biggest Christmas tree is located there. Due to its proximity to The House of Parliament, Austurvöllur is also a popular gathering spot for political protesters. At the centre of it all stands a statue of Jón Sigurðsson, the renowned figure who is credited with leading Iceland to independence.

for decades - and still is, although now for completely different reasons. Transformed into a food hall a couple years back, it’s difficult to imagine Hlemmur square without it. The food hall attracts a fun crowd and the place is booming! With Neapolitan pizza, LA-style tacos, gourmet burgers, gelatos, and specialties from the Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Skál, there’s something for everybody!

WHAT’S ON

5 | HLEMMUR Former bus centre Hlemmur was a city centre fixture

6 | HARPA The whole 28,000m2 of Harpa stand at the edge of Reykjavík Harbour. It houses Iceland’s biggest concert hall, suitable for a broad range of concerts and cultural events, a conference centre with meeting facilities and in-house catering, as well as a couple of fine restaurants. Harpa also hosts promotions, plays, and public events. Harpa was designed by a Danish firm in cooperation with Ólafur Elíasson, an Icelandic artist, and opened to the public in 2011.

7 | THE OLD HARBOUR It’s the first lasting harbour in Reykjavík, although it’s no longer the city’s busiest one. The most-visited area is the eastern pier where you’ll find a community of shops, galleries, electric bike and scooter rentals, and guided tour operators. You will also find numerous whale watching companies willing to take you out to sea on unforgettable excursions. The area is filled with excellent restaurants (pizza, seafood, burgers, etc.) and cafés. The atmosphere at the old harbour is friendly, the air is fresh and salty and there are plenty of interesting activities to check out.

8 | THE SUN VOYAGER A beautiful sculpture of a Viking ship located by

9 | HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT Founded in 950 AD, Iceland’s Parliament, Alþingi, is the oldest extant parliament in the world! For centuries, the Parliament gathered in the open air (on the aptly named Þingvellir, Parliament Fields) but in recent years, they’ve met in Reykjavík. The House of Parliament is a modest classical building of hewn Icelandic dolerite, and it gives Austurvöllur square a dignified look. The Parliament garden behind the building is small but lovely in the summertime.

10 | LAUGARDALSLAUG Every country has traditions when it comes to leisure. Icelanders’ favourite pastime is going swimming. Laugardalslaug is the city’s largest pool with extensive facilities, located in Laugardalur valley. Its facilities include a 50m outdoor pool, an outdoor children’s pool and a paddling pool, two waterslides, numerous hot tubs, a steam bath, gym, and a mini golf course. There really is no better place to be on a sunny day, or a cold one for that matter. Right outside you will find a hot dog stand where you can buy traditional Icelandic hot dogs.

Check out our centerfold map for the locations of these sights

the ocean on a small peninsula by Sæbraut, close to downtown Reykjavík. The sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason symbolises the Viking past of the Icelanders and is an ode to the sun. It serves as reminder of our history and heritage when the first Viking settlers came sailing to Iceland. The Sun Voyager looks its best when the sun is setting, at whatever time that may be. The unforgettable view of the sculpture with a backdrop of the ocean and Mt. Esja is every photographer’s dream.

6 lag

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4 6 3

1 2

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Check out the article Reykjavik Sights to See on pages 40-41 for more information about the places numbered here.

REYKJAVÍK CIT Y MAP i

What’s On Tourist Information and Booking Centre Locations Main areas

Sights

Tour Pick Ups

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10 13

WHAT’S ON

Museums in Downtown Reykjavík Reykjavík’s history reaches more than a thousand years into the past, and the city has a rich cultural heritage. What better way to learn more about Icelandic culture than visiting the museums scattered throughout the city centre? 1 THE REYKJAVÍK MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY

The Museum of Photography’s main objective is to present both historical and contemporary photography in an artistic, social, and cultural context, as well as to nurture public and scholarly interest in photography. The collection’s themes are range from family photographs to photos from portrait studios, industrial and advertising photography, press photography, landscape photography, and more. 2 THE REYKJAVÍK ART MUSEUM

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The Reykjavík Art Museum has three locations: Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, and Ásmundarsafn. Hafnarhús serves as the museum’s institute of contemporary art, where new developments in art are explored through rotating exhibitions. An exhibition of paintings by well-known pop artist Erró is a permanent feature. Kjarvalsstaðir is devoted to one of Iceland’s most influential painters, Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval, and Ásmundarsafn is the former home and workshop of sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson.

3 THE SETTLEMENT EXHIBITION

In 2001, archaeological remains of a settlementera hall were excavated, which was inhabited from 930-1000. North of the hall, two pieces of a turf wall were found, which were built before 871. These findings are the oldest relics of human habitation found in Reykjavík. An innovative interactive exhibition gives an impression of what life was like in those times. Objects from the age of settlement found in central Reykjavík and on Viðey island are also on display. 4 THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ICELAND

The nation’s most precious treasures are kept and displayed at the National Museum of Iceland. The museum was established in 1863, and it gives an insight into Iceland’s cultural heritage from the time of the settlement up to modern times. There’s a permanent exhibition of Icelandic history and culture from the settlement era on, as well as temporary exhibitions highlighting specific eras or aspects of Iceland’s cultural heritage.

collection includes over 2,200 works donated by artists, representatives, and collectors. Is it located in The Marshall House, which also houses gallery Kling & Bang, the studio of Ólafur Elíasson, and Italian restaurant La Primavera.

WHAT’S ON

5 THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ICELAND

Established in 1884, the National Gallery boasts an art collection that mainly comprises 19th- and 20th-century artworks. The Gallery possesses many of the keystones of Icelandic art history, as well as a growing collection of works from other countries. There is also a considerable emphasis placed on contextualising Icelandic art internationally. The Gallery hosts exhibitions from both contemporary and historic artists and an exhibition showcasing Iceland’s art history is currently on display in the Culture House on Hverfisgata.

6 THE MARITIME MUSEUM

Located inside a former fish-freezing plant, the Maritime Museum currently showcases two exhibitions. The permanent Fish & Folk – 150 years of Fisheries spotlights the historical importance of fishing for the Icelandic nation, and Melckmeyt 1659, an exhibition about an underwater archaeological survey conducted near Flatey Island. Guided tours of former Coast Guard vessel Óðinn are available, the ship that played an important role in Icelands 20th century struggle with the UK known as the Cod Wars.

7 NÝLÓ - LIVING ART MUSEUM

The Living Art Museum, or Nýló, is an artist-run museum and exhibition space with the aim of preserving and exhibiting contemporary art. Founded in 1978 by artists, the museum presents a strong exhibition programme and is a venue for various events. The Living Art Museum’s

5 5

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Each December, Reykjavík is transformed into a magical Christmas city. There are fun Christmas events involving everything from culture to food, horseback riding to sailing, and singing to shopping all over the city, but some places are even more festive than others. Check out all the festive areas in the city and partake in our holiday joy. Ice-skating at Ingólfstorg Square

Where: Ingólfstorg – Central Reykjavík When: Open every day in December from 12:00-22:00 Admission: Free if you bring your own ice skates

HAFNARFJÖRÐUR CHRISTMAS VILLAGE Where: Ingólfstorg – Central Reykjavík When: Open every day in December from 12:00-22:00 Admission: Free if you bring your own ice skates

The whole town centre of Hafnarfjörður becomes one big Christmas Village during the Advent season. Hafnarfjörður residents and local companies will participate in making this year’s Christmas Village the biggest one yet. Thorsplan plaza is transformed into a Christmas market selling everything from Icelandic design and crafts to snacks and hot drinks, there will be plenty of concerts and events, and people will be able to take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. A new addition this year is an ice-skating rink. Fun for all ages guaranteed.

CHRISTMAS MARKET AT ELLIÐAVATN Where: Elliðavatn, 25 min. drive from downtown Reykjavík When: Every weekend during Advent from 12:00-17:00 Admission: Free

The annual Crafts & Design Christmas market and the Christmas tree sale in Heiðmörk woods, located on the outskirts of Reykjavík, will be open every weekend until Christmas, from 12:00 to 17:00. The Christmas trees are beautiful and Icelandic-grown but even if you’re not there to get a tree, there’s plenty of activities. You can take a stroll around the arts and crafts market and the kids can watch the campfire and meet the Icelandic Yule Lads. If it gets cold, you can always head to the café for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

CHRISTMAS MARKET AT HJARTATORG SQUARE Where: Hjartatorg square – Central Reykjavík When: Weekends 13:00-22:00, weekdays 16:00-22:00 Admission: Free

The Christmas market at Hjartagarður square is a classic Christmas market following the European tradition. Handicrafts, delicacies, knick-knacks, and hot chocolate are sold by a diverse selection of retailers. The goods will be sold from small wooden houses and Christmas decorations and lights everywhere will ensure the Christmas spirit is all around. And who knows, maybe Santa Claus, Grýla, and Leppalúði will also stop by! MORE CHRISTMASSY THINGS TO DO DOWNTOWN

Downtown Reykjavík is brimming with Christmas spirit. You can look at the city’s beautiful Christmas tree at Austurvöllur square.

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

Nova has yet again joined forces with the city of Reykjavík to open an ice-skating rink on Ingólfstorg square. 100,000 light bulbs will light up the beautiful square. In addition to the Ingólfstorg ice-skating rink, a Christmas market will be also located at Ingólfstorg square surrounding the ice rink and down to Austurstræti street, where both refreshments and merchandise will be for sale. Helmets and skates can be rented on-site

WHAT’S ON

Reykjavík Christmas City

WHAT’S ON For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

The downtown area has an outdoor swimming pool worth checking out. For a relaxing moment, head to Sundhöllin swimming pool and simmer in a hot tub. You might even spot some northern lights if you’re lucky.

Harpa Concert Hall is not only beautiful to look at, with its honeycomb façade designed by Ólafur Elíasson, but its Christmas programme has something for everyone. Some of Iceland’s most popular musicians put on their Christmas concerts, often inviting special guests. For dinner, we recommend trying a Christmas buffet at one of Reykjavík’s many fabulous restaurants. These buffets are laden with Christmas feasts.

YOU CAN ALSO LEAVE TOWN

If Christmas in the city isn’t up your alley, just get out of town. Taking a tour out to see some of Iceland’s stunning landscapes in their winter costume is highly recommended. Snowmobile tours have gotten increasingly popular in the last couple of years, while the northern lights tours are always a solid option (you just can’t leave Iceland without seeing them).

Pop into the What’s On visitor centre on Laugavegur for more information about tours.

A world class exhibition on volcanoes and earthquakes surrounded by active volcanoes The Lava Centre is situated at Hvolsvöllur on the South Coast of Iceland, surrounded by active volcanoes. It truly acts as the gateway to Iceland’s most active volcanic area. The Lava Centre just received two Red Dot Awards, which cement its position as a world class exhibition.

LAVA Centre is the best place to learn about the new Fagradalsfjall eruption, with new exhibits explaining the eruption and new film footage in the volcano cinema.

MORE INFO AND TICKETS AT

Open every day

www.lavacentre.is

9:00 - 16:00

Iceland Volcano & Earthquake Centre Austurvegur 14, Hvolsvöllur · South Iceland

WHAT’S ON

N E W I N TO W N AUTO

TIKI TAKA

Nachos, tacos, quesadillas, and cocktails are on the menu of mezcal and taco bar Tiki Taka, located on Hverfisgata. It’s a familyrun business emphasising authentic food, friendly service, and a cosy atmosphere. You recognise the restaurant by the large mask on their front window of Blue Demon, a Mexican wrestler who is considered a legend of freestyle wrestling. Stop by for the best tequila and mezcal cocktails. They are open every day from 16:00 until 23:00.

an unforgettable experience. You could already enjoy the best of Iceland in FlyOver Iceland’s first movie. In their second movie The Real Wild West, you can experience Lake Tahoe, Zion National Park, the Las Vegas Strip, and the Grand Canyon without leaving Reykjavík! MÁL OG MENNING

For over half a century, Mál og Menning was a popular bookstore and landmark in the centre of Reykjavík, but last year, it went bankrupt. In the summer, it was reopened as a venue for music, literature, and art. And now, the Mál and Menning bookstore will return and take over the bottom two floors of the building at Laugavegur 18. Over six thousand titles from all publishers will be available at the bookstore, just in time for the Christmas Book Flood, the annual publication of new books occurring during the months before Christmas in Iceland.

FLYOVER ICELAND – THE REAL WILD WEST

Imagine hanging suspended, with dangling feet, before a huge wraparound screen showing breathtaking sceneries. State-of-the-art technology and special effects including wind, mist, and scents combined with the ride’s motion create Mál og menning

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

Located at Lækjargata 2A in downtown Reykjavík, AUTO is the newest addition to Reykjavík’s vibrant nightlife. AUTO offers a nightclub experience unheard of before in Iceland by offering excellent service, the best dance music, and delicious drinks. They also offer bottle service for a firstclass experience, with bottle tables for 8-10 people. You don’t have to wait in line to get your drinks and you have the best spot in the club. Visit AUTO for an unforgettable time and to dance the night away.

Tiki Taka

Ta sty Lo c a l C u i s i n e by the old harbour

Hot

el M arin

ICELANDIC RESTAURANT & BAR Table Reservations: +354 517 1800 - forrettabarinn.is - Nýlendugata 14, 101 Reykjavik

DECEMBER 5

EVENTS

TH E RE YK JAV I K CHAM BER O RCH E STR A’S CH RISTMA S C O N CERT The Reykjavik Chamber Orchestra celebrates the holiday season by playing a few Bach favourites. Two Brandenburg Concertos and the famous E Major Violin Concerto will be performed, with concertmaster Una Sveinbjarnardóttir as soloist. The Brandenburg Concertos are widely regarded as some of the best orchestral compositions of the Baroque era. Concertos 1 and 4 are presented in a unique interpretation of the Reykjavik Chamber Orchestra.

CI RCU L EI GH T ALL THROUGH DECEMBER

Eivør

SI G G A BEI N TEI NS A N NUA L CH RISTMA S C O N CERT S Sigga Beinteins will perform Christmas songs and classical ballads in both Icelandic and English. Being one of Iceland’s most beloved pop singers, you might know her from Eurovision Song Contest, in which she participated three times. During her concert, she will invite some of the best guest singers and musicians with her on stage. She will sing pop, rock, classical songs, and ballads, and her shows are known for a theatrical stage design and visual effects. Christmas spirit guaranteed!.

SPE CIA L STO RY H O U R – FAM I LY FE STI VA L DECEMBER 5 The whole family is welcome during Special Story Hour. Icelandic musician Inga Birna Friðjónsdóttir, will sing and invites guests to sing traditional Christmas songs in Swedish, Icelandic, and English with her. Drawing exercises from illustrator and writer Rán Flygenring will also be available for those who want to get creative. The event takes place at the Nordic House.

EI VØ R CH RISTMA S C O N CERT DECEMBER 5 Faroese singer-songwriter Eivør, known for her distinct and powerful voice, is performing a Christmas concert in the Eldborg hall of Harpa Concert Hall. Pursuing music since she was just 15, she sings pop, jazz, rock, and folktronica songs in English, Faroese, and Icelandic. Her Christmas show is an intimate concert during which she will perform a mix of her own songs and her favourite Christmas songs. Eivør will bring in some friends and sing some of their favourite songs with them.

COVID-19 disclaimer The government of Iceland, The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, and The Directorate of Health are constantly monitoring the COVID-19 status in Iceland and are implementing regulations and restrictions in response to its development. Travellers and concertgoers should visit www.covid.is for the most up-to-date information.

For more on Icelandic Christmas, go to www.christmasiniceland.is

DECEMBER 3-4

Circuleight features designs and real-time interactive visuals inspired by eight elements: lava, basalt, glacier, water, flora, algae, microorganism, and volcanic gas. Throughout the installation, audiences are fully immersed into this world through original music by Icelandic composer, singer and songwriter Högni Egilsson. Högni’s music combined with the interactive technology enables audiences to experience this installation in an unforgettable way.

EVENTS MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS

SIGURJÓN Ó L A F S S O N M U S EU M A Story Unfolds

A variety of sculptures by Sigurjón Ólafsson, from his student years at the Royal Academy of the Arts in Copenhagen, till the year he died, 1982. Also to be seen are the sketches for some of his key works that have been enlarged and installed in public areas, e.g. Footballers (LSÓ 247) erected in Akranes, Mask (LSÓ 011) at the Reykjavík City Theater and the Viking (LSÓ 162) which Sigurjón also carved in dolerite and stands in the front of the National Gallery of Iceland.

R E Y K JAV I K A R T M U S EU M Á S M U N DA R S A FN Carl Boutard and Ásmundur Sveinsson: Budding Earth

In nature there are endless examples of remarkable design, where things take form through the interplay of rule, repetition and deviation. Artist Carl Boutard focuses on these elements in his and Ásmundur Sveinsson‘s exhibition. Carl’s sculptural practice has been shaped by his devotion to the environment, both natural and man-made. Often situated or created in public space, his work reflects on the relationship between human beings, nature and culture. Carl describes himself as a “traditional sculptor” referring to his emphasis on material and form, and the function of the works to change depending on the point of view from which they are viewed. The works may appear abstract, but are often drawn from natural forms that can be found in the tiny plant kingdom or in the vast universe. Much of Carl Boutard’s art practice has a counterpart in the lifework of Ásmundur Sveinsson. It is exciting to see

A Story Unfolds

the work of these sculptors from different times juxtaposed together. Visitors gain new perspective on the heritage of the well-known and cared for artist through a contemporary lens – within the beautiful environment of Ásmundarsafn and the surrounding garden. Carl presents new sculptures together with selected works by Ásmundur from his extensive career. He brings forward works by Ásmundur that reflect his interest in man’s relationship with nature. Ásmundur often personified nature in human form or semi-abstract figures and he also brought different natural phenomena into abstract form. The exhibition draws its title from a wooden sculpture, Budding Earth from 1945, showing a mother nurturing a child, but the forms also reflect trees or vegetation reaching form the ground to the sky.

Budding Earth

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Until 30.01.22

AU R O R A R E Y K JAV Í K Catch the Aurora Borealis All Year Round

There is perhaps nothing more magical than witnessing the beauty of a Northern Lights display. However, those unpredictable, ever dancing lights don’t always show up on cue – and fade away during the summer months. So, it is with great joy that we welcome Aurora Reykjavík – The Northern Lights Center, where the Northern Lights are always on display.

monkeys.is

Klapparstíg 28–30

Hjartagarðinum

EVENTS

Aurora Reykjavík’s pull and ace up its sleeve is its fantastic 4k time-lapse film of the Aurora Borealis.

Capturing the Northern Lights with your own camera can be challenging, but, at Aurora Reykjavík, you get taught by the experts: bring your camera and try the right settings at the Northern Lights Photo Simulator. Aurora Reykjavík

In the exhibition you will find an entertaining selfie booth – have fun looking all fabulous under the Northern Lights!

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS

Aurora Reykjavík’s latest addition are virtual reality goggles featuring the world’s first 360°movie of aurora displays entirely shot in Iceland. If you can’t catch the Northern Lights yourself, this utterly realistic experience is definitely the next best option to witness the beauty of this truly amazing phenomenon.

For more information, see www.aurorareykjavik.is.

ÁSGRÍMUR JÓNSSON COLLECTION KORRIRÓ OG DILLIDÓ PICTURES OF FOLKLORE AND FAIRY TALES BY ÁSGRÍMUR JÓNSSON

The exhibition Korriró og Dillidó offers an ideal opportunity for the entire family to experience the unique supernatural world of elves in their finery, and terrifying trolls, as depicted with passionate sincerity by Ásgrímur Jónsson. The emphasis

Ásgrímur Jónsson

is on the visitor’s own imagination – offering the opportunity to enjoy this aspect of the cultural heritage, which can throw light upon the fears, dreams and desires of former generations – and their relationship with awe-inspiring Icelandic nature.

N AT I O N A L G A L L E R Y OF ICEL AND Muggur - Gumundur Thorsteinsson Until 13.02.22

The exhibition seeks to explore every aspect of Muggur’s artistic

creation, which spans many fields: landscape; bucolic and genre themes from Iceland; memories of his travels to faraway places, such as rural Norway and the New York City social scene; fantasy worlds where graceful princes and princesses live in beautiful palaces; the dark and terrifying world of trolls; and the merciful world of faith where Christ cures the sick. Muggur’s illustrations of folktales often underline their comical elements – and he is regarded as the first humourist in Icelandic art. He expressed his ideas in diverse media and methods: he drew in pencil, pastel and pen, painted

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Step into magic! The visual world of Icelandic folklore and fairy tales created by Ásgrímur Jónsson in his art is a truly enchanted realm. Elves, trolls and ghosts were given a clear form in Ásgrímur’s art. He first exhibited such pieces in Iceland in 1905. Ásgrímur’s works on folklore themes were well received; in the press, reviewers expressed delight that the folktale heritage was being addressed, for the first time, by an Icelandic artist.

Hello Universe Until 09.01.22

Until 09.01.22

Steina’s gigantic video installation Of the North (2001) is an arresting and captivating work that touches all who see it. It is created from Steina’s archive of video

R E Y K JAV I K A R T M U S EU M K JA R VA L S S TA Ð I R Opus-oups Guðný Rósa Ingimarsdóttir Until 16.01.22

A retrospective of the works of artist Guðný Rósa Ingimarsdóttir. The works on display cover Ingimarsdóttir’s career of more than two decades and the exhibition is a part of Reykjavík Art Museum’s exhibition series with an aim to examine and present the career of important working artists. This exhibition is the fourth in a series of exhibitions at Kjarvalsstaðir which presents the career of a working artist who has already, through fully formed author characteristics, made their mark on the history of Icelandic art.

The exhibition includes many pieces from the 1960s and 70s, when rapid advances in space technology took humans beyond the bounds of the Earth’s atmosphere for the first time.

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS

The far-distant spaces of the boundless universe have had a hold on the human mind from primeval times, and over the centuries artists have grappled with notions about space, and expressed and mediated them in diverse ways. The exhibition Hello Universe explores the fantastical world of outer space through the lens of works of art in the collection of the National Gallery of Iceland.

Of the North

EVENTS

watercolours and oils, made collages with paper, embroidered, sewed, and carved in wood.

In connection with the exhibition, Reykjavík Art Museum publishes a grand catalogue with photos from the exhibition as well as photos of Ingimarsdóttir’s works and texts about the artist and her subjects.

Space and art share the common qualities of being interesting and mutable: they are in constant

Hello Universe

Jóhannes S. Kjarval

Kjarval and the Contemporary Until 16.01.22

The exhibition contains selected works by painter Jóhannes S. Kjarval (1885-1972), a pioneer of Icelandic art. Kjarval opened people’s eyes to their environment in such a dramatic way that he is considered one of the most beloved artists of art history in Iceland. In this exhibition works by Kjarval are paired with those by contemporary artists, and in doing so, merge ideas from different times.

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Muggur

motion, and new discoveries are always being made when one looks at art. Tumi, the protagonist of artist Ásgerður Búadóttir’s book The Red Hat and the Raven, will guide the youngest visitors around the exhibition in an accessible way, to explore the scientific perspective and learn something new!

recordings, mostly of Icelandic nature – either the surface of the earth, or microscopic views: microbes, as well as crashing waves and melting ice, landslips and an array of natural phenomena relating to geological formation and destruction of our planet. The work also reaches out into space, with spherical objects rotating around an imaginary axis in a hypnotic rhythm, with all the concomitant sounds. The beat and energy evoke imagery that may lead the observer’s thoughts in many directions – whether to magnificent beauty, or more down-to-earth musing on the vulnerability of nature and the impermanence of the earth.

EVENTS

T H E N AT I O N A L M U S EU M O F ICEL AND

technology, and a drawing of her is included in the exhibition.

The Making of a Nation Heritage and History in Iceland

The Portrait Collection

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS

The National Museum of Iceland’s permanent exhibition, Making of a Nation – Heritage and History in Iceland, is intended to provide insight into the history of the Icelandic nation from the settlement to the present day. The aim is to cast light on the Icelanders’ past by placing the cultural heritage preserved by the National Museum in a historical context, guided by the question: what makes a nation? The exhibition includes about 2,000 objects, dating from the Settlement Age to the present, as well as about 1,000 photographs from the 20th century. The exhibition is conceived as a journey through time: it begins with the ship in which medieval settlers crossed the ocean to their new home, it ends in a modern airport, the Icelanders’ gateway to the world..

Saga of Hofstaðir, Unearthing the Past in North Iceland

UNTIL 02.01.22

The Portrait Collection is a part of the Photographic Collection of the National Museum. It contains different types of portraits, including paintings, photographs, needlework, and sculptures. The Portrait collection has a large and diverse range, from snapshots to invaluable pieces of art. The one common denominator is that they all depict people. In the exhibition, the portraits have been categorised into 34 themes. For instance, you can view the oldest known portrait in Iceland, photographs of the contestants of the first Icelandic beauty pageant and pictures of various groups, both old and new. The Portrait Collection was established in 1908 with the main objective of collecting images of all Icelanders. It holds 60.000 works spanning 400 years. The collection, which is still active and continuing to grow, primarily consists of donations from individuals

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UNTIL 31.12.22

At Hofstaðir in the district of Lake Mývatn, north Iceland, extensive archaeological excavations have been carried out over the past three decades. The site includes remains from the Viking Age to the 20th century. A huge Viking-Age structure was excavated: a hall or longhouse where people gathered on social occasions, with other smaller buildings around it. The hall is one of the largest structures ever excavated in Iceland. In addition, a churchyard was excavated at Hofstaðir, which is one of the oldest churchyards unearthed in Iceland. Whole families were laid to rest in the cemetery, and their bones yield evidence about their lives. The face of one of the women buried at Hofstaðir has been reconstructed using DNA

Á R B Æ R O PE N A I R M U S EU M Árbær was an established farm well into the 20th century, and the museum opened there in 1957. Árbær is now an open air museum with more than 20 buildings which form a town square, a village and a farm. Most of the buildings have been relocated from central Reykjavik. Árbær Open Air Museum tries to give a sense of the architecture and way of life and lifestyles of the past in Reykjavík and during summer visitors can see domestic animals. There are many exhibitions and events held at the Museum which highlight specific periods in Reykjavik’s history. These include craft days,

Making of a Nation vintage car displays, Christmas exhibitions and much more. There is something for everyone at Árbær Open Air Museum.

EINAR JÓNSSON M U S EU M This is a museum in the heart of Reykjavík that houses the work of Iceland’s first sculptor Einar Jónsson. The museum contains close to 300 artworks spanning a 60-year career: carvings from the artist’s youth, sculpture, paintings and drawings. A beautiful tree-clad garden adorned with 26 bronze casts of the artist’s works is located behind the museum. The task of the museum is to collect, preserve and display the work of Einar as well as to conduct research on his life and art.

EVENTS

M U S EU M O F D E S I G N A N D A PPL I E D A R T Kristín Þorkelsdóttir UNTIL 30.12.21

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS

Few designers in Iceland have created as many works that are present in Icelanders’ daily life as Kristín Þorkelsdóttir. They can be seen in the most mundane of places—in refrigerators, inside bags or at the dinner table—or in locations as inaccessible as the Central Bank’s vaults. Kristín is the designer behind the packaging of many popular foods, as well as the series of banknotes currently in use in Iceland, which she created together with the designer Stephen Fairbairn. Kristín has also designed countless advertisements, books, and nationally known logos, many of which have been in use for over five decades. Behind each of Kristín’s nationally known works are a myriad of sketches, experiments and reflections, which have not been shown publicly until now. This exhibition therefore presents both familiar and previously unseen works, which together gradually turned a young artist into one of the pioneers of Icelandic graphic design.

Einar Jónsson Museum

UNTIL 30.12.21

Sunna has a long-standing fascination for garments and their making and a penchant for (but not limited to) the following: all things odd and off-kilter, luxury and the richest of materials, time-consuming techniques, unconventional and resourcefully self-made fashions and objects.

THE SET TLEMENT E XHIBITION The Settlement Exhibition

An open excavation where Viking ruins meet multimedia technology. Just below ground in

Settlemen Exhibition

downtown Reykjavík, this open excavation uncovers the city’s Viking Age history. Discovered during building work in 2001, these archaeological remains turned out to be the earliest evidence of human settlement in the city, with some dating to before AD 872. Careful excavation revealed a 10thcentury hall or longhouse, which is now preserved in its original

location as the focal point of the exhibition. Interactive technology immerses you in the world of the Reykjavík farm at the time of the first settlers, including information on how Viking Age buildings were constructed and what life was like in the hall. The Settlement Exhibition is part of Reykjavík City Museum.

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Sunna Örlygsdóttir

BEST STEAKS IN REYKJAVÍK... ...WE AGREE WWW.STEIK.IS

EVENTS

R E Y K JAV I K M U S EU M O F PH OTO G R A PH Y The Return of the King UNTIL 12.12.21

Leaving Art UNTIL 30.01.22

Abandoned farmsteads in the Icelandic countryside have long captured the eye of Guðmundur Óli Pálmason and inspired his art making. In his works the viewer meets obscure fragments from the past, which he captures with

The Return of the King - Sigurður Unnar Birgisson old photography method he has specialised in. An important part of the work Leaving Art can be catagorised as a performance, which Pálmason started executing over a year ago. He leaves some of his works in rural area, for anyone to find and own. Usually in the places where the photo was taken or somewhere connected to it. Although Pálmason is born and raised in Reykjavík he has never felt at home in a city environment. Thus, he poses the big question if there is a connection between the abandonment of vast parts of the countryside to live in city and towns and our severed connection as humans to nature and spirituality. By abandoning the works – leaving art – he seeks to answer this question to which the exhibition’s title refers to.

R E Y K JAV I K A R T M U S EU M H A FN A R H Ú S Erró the Traveller UNTIL 27.03.22

The journey characterizes both Erró’s life and career. He studied art in Reykjavik, Oslo, Ravenna, Florence, and eventually settled in Paris in 1958, after spending several months in Israel. Many successive journeys followed, including some remarkable trips to New York, Moscow and Havana. A world tour, 1971-1972, led him to cross Asia. From the 1970s, he has lived and worked between Paris, Bangkok and Formentera in Spain. Erró’s travels play an important role in the creation of his works. Wherever he goes, he collects hundreds of images. He brings them together in collages which, enlarged, lead to paintings. The idea of travel, of displacement,

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Hjálmar R. Bárðarson (1918-2009). The juxtaposition of these two subjects may seem unusual. What could elderly men have in common with flowers? At first glance, all they seem to share is the use of a conventional, realistic approach in both cases – and also a harmony of form between them. But the exhibition poses deeper questions, delving beneath the surface to view the broader context. The photos of the men were all taken at the Passamyndir photographic studio, when they had to renew their driving licences at age 70. Hence Sigurður Unnar has taken a huge number of such photos in his work, and this has given him the opportunity to see and define them as a specific subject, which he has chosen to approach as an art form. The men are all at a turning point: they are at the end of their working life, becoming pensioners. In order to attain a deeper insight into their lives and what they did with their time, Sigurður Unnar also met with them outside the studio. The outcome of that work is a text-work and short film which provide a more profound insight into a whole career.

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS

The exhibition The Return of the King by photographer/ artist Sigurður Unnar Birgisson comprises enlargements of passport-sized photographs of men aged about seventy, alongside photographs of flowers of Icelandic nature by renowned Icelandic photographer

EVENTS MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS

appears in many works through the use of motifs such as planes, rockets, trains, birds, horses, or even superheroes. It manifests itself in a specific way in the series about “Mao’s world tour”, “space travels” and “North African women”.

Abracadabra UNTIL 20.03.22

In this diverse exhibition, new works by contemporary artists are presented especially with children and young people in mind. The works are all in the collection of the Reykjavík Art Museum. Presentation, mediation and education aims to open up the world of art as it appears today for younger audiences. Along with the exhibition, there is a rich program as well as digital dissemination. “Abracadabra” is a word deriving from ancient languages that means: What I say becomes a reality. This is a magic word that describes how artists’ ideas become works of art.”

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Erró

Experience the amazing Langjökull glacier from the inside A rare, once in a lifetime opportunity

vík ja k y e R d n a r te n e c úsafell H m o fr s e r tu r a p e d Daily

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Fish • Lamb • Whale • Icelandic cuisine with a twist Icelandic music and nightlife Mix with the locals . .and all the Icelandic beers in one awsome place!

INGÓLFSSTRÆTI 1A

1 0 1 R E Y K J AV Í K

www.islenskibarinn.is postur@islenskibarinn.is sími: 517 6767

EVENTS

THE ICEL ANDIC P U N K M U S EU M

Punk Museum

C U LT U R E H O U S E National Treasures

The National Gallery of Iceland’s collection contains over eleven thousand works. In the exhibition Treasures of a Nation, a selection of works from the collection displays the evolution of art in Iceland from the early nineteenth century to our times.

Culture House

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Welcome to Jómfrúin, the home of Danish smørrebrød in Reykjavik. It all began in 1888 with Oscars Davidsen’s highly praised smørrebrød restaurant in Copenhagen. An unbroken tradition of quality and Danish culinary culture for the past 100 years. Enjoy! Open every day 11:00 - 22:00 | Lækjargata 4 | 101 Reykjavík | jomfruin.is

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS

The Icelandic Punk Museum is located at Bankastræti 0, an underground location that served as public toilets from 1930 to 2006. The museum honours the music and the spirit that has shaped musicians and bands to this day; people who dared to be different. Objects, photographs, videos, posters, etc. from roughly 1978 to 1992 are on display with texts in Icelandic and English, and the main music from the period is available to guests.

ART & CULTURE

ÁRBÆR OPEN AIR MUSEUM

THE SETTLEMENT EXHIBITION

REYKJAVIK MARITIME MUSEUM

REYKJAVÍK CITY MUSEUM Reykjavík’s only open air museum, where you can stroll through the past and experience the way we lived Fun, fascinating and full of surprises, this living museum takes you on a journey through time. Guided tours at 13:00 all year round.

REYKJAVÍK CITY MUSEUM An open excavation where Viking ruins meet digital technology Just below ground in downtown Reykjavík, this open excavation uncovers the city’s Viking Age history. Guided tours on weekdays in February at 11:00.

REYKJAVÍK CITY MUSEUM A harbour museum exploring Iceland’s dramatic relationship with the sea. The survival of a nation depended on generations of brave fishermen heading into the unknown. Exhibitions and artefacts bring our ocean history to life. Guided tours of Óðinn Coast Guard Vessel: 10-17.

Kistuhylur, Reykjavík 411-6304 | reykjavikcitymuseum.is Hours: Daily 13-17

EINAR JÓNSSON MUSEUM

HAFNARBORG FREE ENTRY Hafnarborg has a collection of Icelandic art and regular exhibitions presenting leading Icelandic and international artists. Collection exhibitions are a regular part of the program. Around exhibitions are workshops and guided tours.

Hallgrímstorg 3, Reykjavík 551-3797 | www.lej.is Hours: Tue-Sun 12-17

Strandgata 34, Hafnarfjörður 585-5790 | www.hafnarborg.is Hours: 12-17, closed on Tuesdays

VIÐEY ISLAND

WHALES OF ICELAND

REYKJAVÍK CITY MUSEUM An island, where art, history and nature lie just beyond the city shore The combination of stunning views, historical ruins and contemporary art pieces make Viðey island something special. Just a short boat-ride takes you to another world. Ferry Schedule: Weekends only.

An exhibition in Reykjavík consisting of 23 life-size whale models - fun to touch and explore. Learn more about whales with in-depth multimedia and interactive information displays, videos and audio guide in several languages mixed with soothing whale sounds and underwater ambient lighting.

REYKJAVIK MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Viðey Reykjavik 411-6356. www.reykjavikcitymuseum.is

Fiskislóð 23-25 , Reykjavík 571-0077 | www.whalesoficeland.is Hours: Daily 10-17

FREE ENTRY Looking for a place to hang out, browse the internet, get access to Wi-Fi or meet the Reykjavik locals? Then Reykjavik City Library is the perfect place to visit. Have a seat and dip into the latest magazine or relax while checking out their great selection of books. Tryggvagata 15, Reykjavík 411-6100 | borgarbokasafn.is Hours: Mon-Thu: 10-16, Fri 11-16

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Grandagarður 8, Reykjavík | 411-6340 www.reykjavikcitymuseum.is

A museum with indoor and outdoor exhibitions dedicated to the work of Einar Jónsson, Iceland’s first modern sculptor (1874-1954). The museum was built in the early 1900’s when Einar Jónsson offered all of his works as a gift to the Icelandic nation.

REYKJAVIK CITY LIBRARY

Aðalstræti 16, Reykjavík | 411-6370 www.reykjavikcitymuseum.is Hours: Daily 10-17

REYKJAVÍK CITY MUSEUM Reflecting the contemporary, while archiving the past – this is Reykjavík’s home of photography. Reykjavík’s main photography museum offers an ongoing programme of contemporary and historical exhibitions, and an onscreen archive of thousands of images from the past. Tryggvagata 15, Reykjavík | 411-6390 reykjavikcitymuseum.is | Hours: MonThu 10-18, Fri 11-18, Sat & Sun 13-17

Over 100 tours & activities on re.is BSÍ Bus Terminal - City Centre •101 Reykjavík

NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR A sight not to be missed!

6.499 ISK

Book on re.is

if you don’t see any lights you can join our Northern Lights tour again for free!

Airport Transfers The Flybus operates in connection with all arriving & departing flights at Keflavík International Airport.

All flights Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík City and/or vice versa

45 min

Free WiFi

3.499 ISK

For our flexible Flybus schedule, please visit www.flybus.is

Prices & availability are subject to change without notice.

Over 100 tours & activities on re.is BSÍ Bus Terminal - City Centre •101 Reykjavík

BONFIRE TOUR Celebrate New Year’s Eve with us

8.499 ISK

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

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Reykjavík Christmas Walk

18.999 ISK

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Golden Circle & Reykjavík Christmas Walk

24.999 ISK

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Magic & Mystery at New Year

15.999 ISK

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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ICELAND

SIGURJÓN ÓLAFSSON MUSEUM

Iceland's leading art museum, established in 1884. Its collection consists mainly of 19th, 20th and 21st century art. The National Gallery possesses a coherent array of Icelandic works and a fine collection of international art. Together they constitute around 11.000 items.

Offers a state-of-the-art exhibitions on the cultural history of Iceland. The permanent exhibition, Making of a Nation - Heritage and History of Iceland, gives a comprehensive picture of Iceland’s cultural history through the ages to the present day.

A museum that Icelandic sculptor Sigurjón Ólafsson’s wife founded as a tribute to his life and work in 1984. She had his studio in Laugarnes converted to an exhibition space to house his collection of works, including sculptures, sketches, drawings and biographical material.

Fríkirkjuvegur 7, Reykjavík 515-9600 | www.listasafn.is Hours: Tue-Sun: 10-17

Suðurgata 41, Reykjavík 530-2200 | www.nationalmuseum.is Hours: Tue-Sun: 10-17

Laugarnestangi 70 553-2906 | www.lso.is Hours: Tue-Sun 13-17

THE ICELANDIC PHALLOLOGICAL MUSEUM

AURORA REYKJAVIK

One of the pioneers of Icelandic art and the first Icelander to take up painting professionally. Having died in 1958, he bequeathed all his works, as well as his studio home to the Icelandic nation.

Probably the most unique museum you’ll visit on your trip, the Icelandic Phallological Museum is a one of a kind. Here you’ll find a collection of more than two hundred penises and penile part belonging to almost all land and sea mammals that can be found in Iceland.

The Northern Lights Center, Aurora Reykjavik, allows you to experience the Northern Lights in a completely different way, both if you saw them, but as well if they escaped you while in Iceland. The centre features information, education and of course stunning visuals of the elusive lights that’ll get your heart racing.

Hafnartorg, Reykjavík 561-6663 | www.phallus.is Hours: Daily 10-19

Grandagarður 2, Reykjavík 780-4500 | www.aurorareykjavik.is Hours: Daily 11-19

PERLAN

NUMISMATIC MUSEUM

This peculiar building, built on top of six water tanks on a hill overlooking the city, houses two exhibitions, The Wonders of Iceland and Water in Icelandic Nature. In addition, Perlan has a recently-opened planetarium, a café and gelateria, and an observation deck with a 360°view of the city and its surrounding nature.

A collection of Icelandic notes and coins housed in the main building of the Central Bank of Iceland. The collection comprises almost twenty thousand coins, as well as almost five thousand types of notes. As well as domestic notes, the collection also contains foreign notes from ages past, as well as more recent currencies from Iceland’s trade partners.

MUSEUM OF DESIGN AND APPLIER ART Its objective is to collect, study and present Icelandic design and crafts from 1900 to the present day. This young museum, the only one of its kind in Iceland, holds regular exhibitions of Icelandic and international design during the year. Exhibitions from the museum‘s own collection are regularly held.

Varmahlíð 1, Reykjavík 566-9000 | www.perlan.is Hours: 9-22

Kalkofnsvegur 1, Reykjavík. 5699962. www.sedlabanki.is Hours: Mon-Fri, 13:00-16:00.

Garðatorg 1, Garðabær 512-1525 | www.honnunarsafn.is Hours: Tue-Sun 12-17

Find more recommendations on www.whatson.is

ÁSGRÍMUR JÓNSSON COLLECTION

Bergstaðastræti 74, Reykjavík 515-9625 www.listasafn.is Hours: Tue-Sun 10-17

ART & CULTURE

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ICELAND

ART & CULTURE

KJARVALSSTAÐIR

ÁSMUNDARSAFN

HAFNARHÚS

Mainly devoted to paintings and sculpture by well established Icelandic and international artists. Kjarvalsstaðir offers a permanent exhibition of key works by one of Iceland’s most beloved landscape painters, Jóhannes S. Kjarval, as well as changing exhibitions that explore various thematic and historical aspects of Icelandic art.

Opened in 1983, the collection is housed in a unique building designed and constructed mostly by the artist himself from 1942-1950. The original building served Sveinsson as studio and home; behind it he built a crescent-shaped structure as a workand exhibition space.

The old harbour warehouse, Hafnarhús, offers a progressive exhibition program with local and international contemporary artists. The work of current notables, art canons and newcomers are presented in six galleries. Hafnarhús is also home to the works of Erró (b. 1932), a significant player in the international pop art scene.

Sigtún, Reykjavík 411-6430 | www.artmuseum.is Hours: Daily 10-17

Tryggvagata 17, Reykjavík 411-6400 | www.artmuseum.is Hours: Daily 10-17, Thu 10-22

AÐALSTRÆTI 10

THE LIVING ART MUSEUM

Aðalstræti 10 is the oldest house in Reykjavík centre, built in 1762. The house is closed at the moment because of renovations. A new exhibition about the history of Reykjavík is underway and is expected to open in June 2022. The new exhibit will be joined with The Settlement Exhibition in Aðalstræti 16 with a tunnel.

An active exhibition space that has organized many exciting exhibitions throughout the years. They put an emphasis on introducing young Icelandic artists, as well as showcasing work by better-known Icelandic and foreign modern and contemporary artists.

Flókagata 24, Reykjavík 411-6420 | www.artmuseum.is Hours: Daily 10-17

GLJÚFRASTEINN LAXNESS MUSEUM Halldór Laxness is arguably the most famous Icelandic writer of all time, and the only Icelander to have won a Nobel Prize, which he received for literature in 1955. Gljúfrasteinn was his home until his death, and today it is a museum dedicated to his life and work.

Aðalstræti 10, 101 Reykjavík 411 6300 | www.borgarsogusafn.is

The Marshall House Grandagarður 20, Reykjavík 551-4350 | www.nylo.is Hours: Wed-Sun: 12-18

GERÐARSAFN

THE CULTURE HOUSE

THE NORDIC HOUSE

A progressive modern art museum in Kópavogur, dedicated to sculptor Gerður Helgadóttir; the only museum in Iceland dedicated to a woman. Its collection consists of more than 1400 works by Gerður, as well as the works of the most celebrated Icelandic artists of the 20th and 21st century.

The Culture House was built in 1906 and for most of the 20th century served as the country’s National Library. The stately building currently houses the National Gallery’s exhibition Treasures of a Nation, displaying works from the Gallery’s extensive collection depicting Iceland’s art history from the early 19th century to our times.

Iceland maintains strong ties to other Nordic countries, and the center of this cooperation is the Nordic House, designed by acclaimed Finnish architect Alvar Aalto in 1968. The Nordic House is the venue if you want to enjoy the best of Icelandic culture as well as experiencing rich culture of the Nordic countries.

Hverfisgata 15, Reykjavík 530-2210 | www.culturehouse.is Hours: Daily 10-17

Sturlugata 5, Reykjavík 551-7030 | www.nordice.is Hours: Tue-Sun: 10-17

Find more recommendations on www.whatson.is

Gljúfrasteinn, Mosfellsbær 586-8066 | www.gljufrasteinn.is Hours: Tue-Fri 10-17

Hamraborg 4, Kópavogur 441-7600 | www.gerdarsafn.is Hours: Tue-Sun 10-17

BOOK YOUR

TOUR HERE

Laxnes Horse Farm is a family run business and the oldest tour operator in Iceland. Founded in 1968, the farm offers horseback riding tours all year round for travelers interested in the gentle Icelandic horse.

+354 566 6179

info@laxnes.is

www.laxnes.is

PUBS & NIGHTLIFE

VÍNSTÚKAN 10 SOPAR

LEBOWSKI BAR

MICROBAR

10 Sopar is the city centre’s newest wine bar focusing mostly on serving natural wines. If you start to get peckish after a few glasses of their delicious wines, they also serve snacks and small plates. The cosy bar is perfect for having a few glasses of wines with friends or a date.

If you are visiting Iceland for the first time then you must stop by the Lebowski Bar. Open every day from 11AM, happy hour from 4-7PM, food served until 10PM, Quiz every Thursday (free entry), live sport events on 5 HD screens and Reykjavik nightlife every Friday & Saturday.

Laugavegur 27, Reykjavík 888 2380

Laugavegur 20a, Reykjavík 552-2300 www.lebowski.is

Beer enthusiasts look no further! In a cellar underneath Restaurant Reykjavík, just off Ingólfstorg square, you will find Micro Bar. This ambitious bar serves only beer from microbreweries! Carrying an impressive 140 different kinds of beers from all over the world, this is definitely the go-to place for beer fans.

EINSTÖK

PORT 9

VEÐUR

There’s nothing like an Einstök beer after a long day of exploring Reykjavík and now there’s a whole bar dedicated to this popular brew! Einstök literally means unique and after a few sips of their refreshing craft ale, brewed with fresh water from Northern Iceland, we’re sure you’ll agree. The recently opened Laugavegur bar makes it even easier to enjoy their variety of ales, ranging from citrusy fresh white to the darkest of porters.

Port 9 wine bar is a hidden gem just off the main shopping street. Serving selected wines and a unique blend of appetizers made with the freshest seasonal ingredients, Port 9 is one of the best spots in the city to stop by for a glass of quality wine in a relaxed atmosphere.

This cozy little bar is named after the Icelandic word for weather, Icelanders’ conversation topic of choice in most situations. Offering a selection of wine, beer, and cocktails, Veður is a great spot for hanging out with friends, and the large windows make it ideal for people-watching over a drink.

Veghúsastígur 9, Reykjavík 897-8212 www.port9.is

Klapparstígur 33, Reykjavík www.vedurbarinn.is

LOFT HOSTEL

KIKI - QUEER BAR

RÖNTGEN

This hostel café/bar is bright and spacious; the perfect place to start the night. The hall hosts events most nights and on summer afternoons, the balcony is the best place in town for a beer in the sun. Last but not least, Loft has the best foosball table of all the bars in the city centre.

Kiki is the only queer bar in town these days but it is also the best one! If you’re worried you won’t find the place, don’t be. The rainbow coloured street entrance, stream of people in a dancing mood, and the far off sound of dance-heavy beats should lead you where you want to go!

In the early 20th century, Hverfisgata 12 was home to the country’s first X-ray clinic. Today, the building houses one of the city’s newest bars but the name pays homage to the building’s long history. Expect cocktails, natural wines, and the city’s artsiest crowd having a night out.

Bankastræti 7, Reykjavík 553-8140

Laugavegur 22 www.kiki.is

Hverfisgata 12, Reykjavík www.rontgenbar.is

Vesturgata 2, Reykjavík

Find more recommendations on www.whatson.is

Laugavegur 10, Reykjavík

KALDI BAR

AMERICAN BAR

A new addition to the thriving pub & bar culture in Reykjavík. Happy hour every day from 12PM to 7PM! Guests can enjoy a game of darts, listen to live music Thursday to Sunday evenings, spin the wheel of fortune and you can even book a private karaoke room! Sláinte.

One of the coolest bars in Reykjavik these days is Kaldi Bar. In close cooperation with north-Icelandic micro-brewery of the same name, Kaldi offers you a selection of craft-brewed beers on tap. Great happy hour and great fun, Kaldi is a place not-to-bemissed!

American Bar is named appropriately since it’s an American Bar in Reykjavík, of the kind you’re probably familiar with from other countries: there are dudes, chicks and random university students partying to the latest MTV tunes. They specialize in American culture and entertainment.

Klapparstígur 27, Reykjavík 581-2020 www..irishman.is

Laugavegur 20b, Reykjavík 581-2200

Austurstræti 8, Reykjavík 571-9999

PETERSEN SVÍTAN

MIAMI

DEN DANSKE KRO

Built in 1926 as an apartment, the Petersen Suite is one of Reykjavík’s hidden gems. Take the elevator up to the third floor above the historic Gamla Bíó concert hall to reveal an elegant bar with one of Reykjavík’s best views. On sunny days, you need to get there early, the sunny patio fills up quickly!

The 80s style cocktail bar Miami is colourfully decorated on Hverfisgata. Downstairs, you’ll find a ping pong stadium where punters can take on challengers. Miami comes alive at night when the colours pop out, such as the neon-lit bar. There are G&T and Cuba Libre on tap and try to find the Möet switch for all your champagne needs.

This homey pub with a Danish theme is popular among locals. Happy hour every day from 4-7pm and live music with talented Icelandic musicians every night. Beer bingo every month and other fun events! Located in the heart of the city centre.

Ingólfsstræti 2a 3rd floor, Reykjavík 563-4000 | www.ktf.is

Hverfisgata 33, Reykjavík 699-1250

PUBS & NIGHTLIFE

THE IRISHMAN PUB

Ingólfsstræti 3, Reykjavík 552-0070 www.danski.is

CLUB SÓLON

THE ENGLISH PUB

Best known as Damon Albarn’s hangout place back in the days, this most famous bar in Iceland is a popular destination for the artsy crowd. During the week it‘s more of a café, but on the weekend the volume rises and KB becomes one of the hottest bars in Reykjavik.

Every Friday and Saturday night the newly established Club Sólon is booming with music, dancing, cocktails and drinks on two floors until 4AM in the morning. Start your evening on the cozy 1st floor lounge area with 2-for-1 cocktails and then dance the night away with the local crowd.

A popular pub in city centre. The English Pub offers happy hour every day from 4-7pm, live music every night, wheel of fortune and all major sport events are shown on 6 HD screens. Special events: Open Mic Tuesday, Guinness Thursday and Whisky Sunday.

Bergstaðastræti 1, Reykjavík 551-1588 www.kaffibarinn.is

Bankastræti 7a, Reykjavík 562-3232

Austurstræti 12, Reykjavík 578-0400 facebook.com/enskibarinn

Find more recommendations on www.whatson.is

KAFFIBARINN

Riding with Eldhestar

Would you like to experience something different? HORSES & HOT SPRINGS Experience a variety of scenery and excellent riding trails. Tour 3C

SOFT RIVER BANKS This is a tour for the experienced rider! Who would not like to ride in an extraordinary environment? Tour 3B

ICELANDIC DIVERSITY Get in touch with Icelandic nature on horseback and taste the treasures of the nearby sea. Tour 2G

GREAT VARIETY OF HORSE RIDING TOURS JUST OUTSIDE REYKJAVIK Get further information at www.eldhestar.is

Eldhestar, Vellir, 816 Ölfus, Iceland Email: info@eldhestar.is Tel: +354 480 4800

NAUTHÓLL

GRANDI MATHÖLL

A restaurant opposite the old harbour that offers traditional steak dishes along with some exciting and fairly unorthodox choices. The pride and joy of The Steakhouse is the Mibrasa charcoal oven, a rare oven that is designed to cook the perfect steak by mixing modern technology with ancient tradition.

Looking out over the Nauthólsvík beach, this charming Scandinavianinspired bistro is the perfect oasis from the stress of the everyday. Whether you’re there for a light lunch, a glass of wine on a sunny afternoon, a cup of hot coffee on a cold one, or a lovely dinner with a loved one, Nauthóll is the place to go.

Grandi Mathöll is a must visit for foodies. Situated in the hip Grandi area, the European style food hall has everything from fresh salmon ceviche to Vietnamese spring rolls and Korean tacos. Right next door is one of Iceland’s busiest harbours, and visitors can see a feed of live ship arrivals.

Tryggvagata 4-6, Reykjavík 561-1111 | www.steik.is

Nauthólsvegi 106, 101 Reykjavík 599-6660 | www.nautholl.is

JOE & THE JUICE

THE ICELANDIC BAR

THE LAUNDROMAT CAFE

Joe & The Juice is an on-trend coffee shop / juice bar. The concept answers today’s busy people’s needs for a quick pick-me-up in the form of great espresso drinks, freshly pressed juices, and variety of sandwiches prepared on the spot.

The Icelandic Bar is very aptly named: it is an Icelandic bar. But more than that, it is a bar that aims to preserve the essence of being Icelandic by combining the historical and cultural heritage of this ancient land with the very hip and cutting edge culture of modern times.

Situated right downtown in Austurstræti, Laundromat houses laundry facilities and a family-friendly environment. A spacious recreational room downstairs will keep your children busy while you’re chomping on the bistro menu. Whether it’s brunch, board games or beer you’re looking for, Laundromat should have you covered.

Smáralind, Kringlan, World Class Laugum, Keflavík Airport www.joeandthejuice.is

Ingólfsstræti 1a, Reykjavík 517-6767 www.islenskibarinn.is

Grandagarður 16, Reykjavík 577-6200 | www.grandimatholl.is

Austurstræti 9, Reykjavík

DUCK & ROSE

SPÁNSKI BARINN

Italian restaurant Hornið is a Reykjavík restaurant institution at this point, having opened in 1979. Situated in downtown Reykjavík, it was the first Italian restaurant in town and is as strong as ever. Expect fresh pizza, made right in front of the guests in the open kitchen. The cozy place is also a decent spot for people watching, with its large windows.

This trendy restaurant overlooking Austurvöllur square serves light and delicious food, inspired by French and Italian cuisine. The duck dishes are highly recommended but whatever you do, don’t forget to order one of their expertly mixed cocktails!

Situated just off Laugavegur, the Spanish style bodega Spánski barinn offers fresh tapas and a quality wine selection. In a dim and cosy basement, guests can enjoy a quality happy hour chock full of wines from Tempranillo to Rioja, as well as a house red on tap.

Austurstræti 14 101 Reykjavík 551 1020 | duckandrose.is

Ingólfsstræti 8, Reykjavík 832-8881

Find more recommendations on www.whatson.is

HORNIÐ

Hafnarstræti 15, Reykjavík 551-3340 www.hornid.is

WINING & DINING

THE STEAK HOUSE

WINING & DINING

FORRÉTTABARINN

FORSETINN

JÓMFRÚIN

Tasty tapas with an Icelandic twist. With a new spin on traditional Icelandic cuisine and an extensive selection of local beer, Forréttabarinn – “The Starters Bar” – is worth seeking out when you need a bite to eat or a place to start your night out in Reykjavík. Whatever you choose from the refreshingly creative menu, you’re in for a treat!

Feeling presidential? Why not sit down for a powerful beverage (hot or cold) or even a light meal fit for a president in the cosy retro atmosphere on the city’s main street. Forsetinn (Icelandic for President) is a versatile spot - café, bistro, and bar - perfect for people watching at any time of the day.

An open-sandwich restaurant in the Danish tradition offering authentic Danish smørrebrød along with a selection of hot dishes. The restaurant is located in the heart of the city centre and seats 80 guests. It is a popular lunch venue, especially with people from the business sector.

Laugavegur 51, Reykjavík 860 9640 www.forsetinncafe.is

Lækjargata 4, Reykjavík 551-0100 www.jomfruin.is

KRYDD RESTAURANT

SÓLON BISTRO & BAR

YUZU

KRYDD is an à la carte restaurant that offers a dinner and lunch menu, along with appetizers and a state of the art cocktailbar. On sundays, it offers a brunch buffet between 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

Sólon offers seafood, lamb, salmon, salads, hamburgers and juicy steaks, as well as a delicious fish of the day. Sólon resides in a beautiful old building on the main shopping street with high & wide windows, perfect for people watching! Local beer, wine, coffee, cocktails, and Black Death are served at Sólon Bistro & Bar.

The east-Asian citrus fruit was a stranger to Icelandic palates until a few years ago and now there’s a whole burger place dedicated to its aromatic sourness. This upscale burger joint will keep your belly full and your taste buds delighted with an array of burgers, cocktails and even a signature brew. Vegan options available!

Bankastræti 7a, Reykjavík 562-3232 | www.solon.is

Hverfisgata 44, Reykjavík

HLEMMUR MATHÖLL

REYKJAVÍK MEAT STEAKHOUSE

BÆJARINS BEZTU

Hlemmur Mathöll is a European style food hall featuring global delicacies alongside tasty Icelandic dishes. A former bus station, Hlemmur is now the new home for gourmands and fast food lovers alike in Reykjavík. Hlemmur brims with life on both weekends and weekdays alike, so head on down to see what the fuzz is about.

As the name suggests, Reykjavík Meat is the city’s newest new steakhouse. The food is cooked over coals giving it a delicious flavour, and crowning their menu is the award-winning sashi marbled beef. They also offer seafood, lamb and vegetarian and vegan dishes, as well as delicious cocktails!

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur literally means The Town’s Best Hot Dogs. A must try while visiting, it is the perfect on-the-go food. We dare you to time the hot dog artists at Bæjarins Beztu after you order ‘ein með öllu’ (one with everything). They are incredibly quick to make a concoction of raw onions, fried onions, ketchup, remoulade, Icelandic mustard and the dog itself.

Nýlendugata 14, Reykjavík 517-1800 | www.forrettabarinn.is

Find more recommendations on www.whatson.is

Hafnarborg, Strandgötu 34, Hafnarfjörður www.kryddveitingahus.is Open: M-T 11-23, F-S, 11-01, S 11-23

Laugavegur, Reykjavík 787-6200 | www.hlemmurmatholl.is

Frakkastígur 8, Reykjavík 557-7665 | www.rvkmeat.is

Tryggvagata 1, 101 Reykjavík 511-1566 | www.bbp.is

BASTARD

PUBLIC HOUSE

One of Iceland’s most treasured restaurants has made a comeback. The Italian delicacies of La Primavera are here to stay. Situated in the Marshall building, a former fishing warehouse, the building is also home to an art gallery, an art studio and the Living Art Museum.

This Irish-bar looking restaurant is one of the city’s best places to sit down for a quick lunch and end up whiling away a whole afternoon in the cozy booth while the game is on, or on the sunny patio. The weekend bottomless brunch is particularly popular so make sure to get a reservation!

Grandagarður 20, Reykjavík 519-7766 www.laprimavera.is

Vegamótastígur 4, Reykjavík 558-0800 www.bastardbrewandfood.is

This Laugavegur gastropub is a great place to treat yourself to a a dinner and some drinks with friends, old and new. With a delicious menu of asian-fusion inspired small plates to share and an even more delicious menu of cocktails, Public House is a recipe for a fun evening. If you want a fun morning or a fun afternoon instead, check out their Bottomless brunch!

KOPAR

GRILLHÚSIÐ

BREWDOG

Kopar is a restaurant by the old harbour in Reykjavik which has an emphasis on adventure and experience in a brasserie setting. Their menu is composed of various locally sourced ingredients from sea and land, and aims to give you a taste of Iceland in a single evening.

A fun restaurant, with the look and feel of an American Diner. Reasonably priced, offering delicious food and a very good service, you‘ll definitely get great value for your money here. They put a special emphasis on using only high quality ingredients, making for a terrific meal.

Hop lovers, rejoice! UK’s Craft Beer Phenomenon just opened a bar and restaurant in downtown Reykjavik, located at the corner of Hverfisgata and Frakkastigur. Featuring 20 taps including BrewDog’s headliners, seasonals and one off brews as well as great local Icelandic craft beers. Highly impressive food menu and a very cosy atmosphere.

Geirsgata 3, Reykjavík 567-2700 www.koparrestaurant.is

Tryggvagata 20, Reykjavík 527-5000 www.grillhusid.is

Laugavegur 24, 101 Reykjavík www.publichouse.is

Frakkastígur 8, Reykjavík www.brewdog.com

FISH COMPANY

BRAUÐ & CO

Monkeys is an exciting restaurant offering Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese recipes and traditions with Peruvian ingredients. Exciting flavours of miso, ginger, soy, wasabi, and rice vinegar are mixed with quinoa, bell peppers, Andean potatoes, and corn, in a beautiful setting that creates just the right atmosphere. A great addition to the Reykjavík culinary scene!

Quality, fusion and fun are the Fish Company’s main characteristics. The interior is stylish and the quirky tableware fits in wonderfully. The menu is a world of adventures from starters to deserts. It’s designed to take you on a seafood journey and not only a journey of the Icelandic culinary waters but a trip around the world.

Head out to Brauð & Co. to get your hands on the scrumptious sourdough bread and tasty cinnamon buns. The early bird gets the worm, so don't be late! Keep in mind that the queue can get quite long, but it's well worth it.

Klapparstígur 30, 101 Reykjavík 519-5350 | www. monkeys.is

Opens early, closes at 18:00. Frakkastígur 16, Reykjavík Fákafen 11, Reykjavík www.braudogco.is

Find more recommendations on www.whatson.is

MONKEYS

Vesturgata 2a, Reykjavík 552-5300 | www.fiskfelagid.is

WINING & DINING

LA PRIMAVERA

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

IF YOU NEED MORE INFO, CONTACT INFO@WHATSON.IS

HOW TO ... TAKE THE BUS

Find more information on www.whatson.is

Strætó is the Icelandic bus company, and their yellow buses are easy to spot around the city. In November 2021, Strætó introduced the KLAPP payment system in their buses. You have three ways to pay. With a top up KLAPP card, with the KLAPP app, and with KLAPP ten, a bus pass with ten tickets. You can buy KLAPP cards and KLAPP ten at selected gas stations, convenience stores, museums, and swimming pools. For more information, go to https:// www.klappid.is/en/sales

GET TO THE AIRPORT

Iceland’s international airport is located in Keflavík, about 50km from Reykjavík. If you rent a car or take a cab, it will take about 45 minutes to get to Reykjavík. A cheaper but just as reliable option is taking a bus to and from the airport. They connect to flights and will drop you off or pick you up at bus stops close to your accommodation in Reykjavík. GET MONEY

Iceland has its own currency, the Icelandic króna (ISK). It’s best to get króna at any bank (open monday to friday, 9-4), including the one at the Keflavík International Airport (open 24/7). You can either exchange money or go to an ATM to get cash. Credit card and debit card payments are widely accepted in Iceland.

PARK IN THE CITY CENTRE

There are different parking zones which charge different rates. Look for a parking sign (the familiar big P) indicating zones 1-4 and parking garages. Look for the nearest black terminal to pay, with cash or card, and type in your car’s number plate, no ticket necessary! MAKE CALLS

Getting an Icelandic SIM card is easy, you can get them at the airport, phone companies, and of course the What’s On tourist information centre at Laugavegur 5. GO SWIMMING

There are 18 swimming pools in the capital area and if you have the time, you should try them all. Swimming is great, but don’t miss relaxing in the hot tubs – this is where the community gathers and socialises. If you haven’t packed a bathing suit, you can rent one at the pool.

Visit What’s On at Laugavegur 5 or contact us at info@whatson.is.

TEL: +354 571 1100 - Skólavörðustígur 14, 101 Reykjavík - www.sjavargrillid.is

Meet some of Iceland’s finest designers Epal Skeifan 6 / Epal Design Kringlan / Epal Icelandic Design Laugavegi 70

www.epal.is

THE ORIGINAL

NORTHERN LIGHTS BY BOAT

TR Y

FROM REYKJAVIK

New

Special Tours Iceland multilingual app

WE GO THE EXTRA MILE BOOK NOW

+354-560-8800

GOLD-CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL UMHVERFISFLOKKUN

specialtours.is

CERTIFIED TRAVEL SERVICE VIÐURKENND FERÐAÞJÓNUSTA

info@specialtours.is

Revive your senses MINUTES FROM THE CITY CENTRE

skylagoon.com

What's On in Reykjavik - December 2021

Articles inside

Wining & Dining

Pubs & Nightlife

Events

Practical Information

Art & Culture