GOOD TO KNOW

KÓPAVOGUR

Kópavogur is Iceland’s second largest municipality. Just a stone’s throw from the centre of Reykjavík, the town boasts a number of remarkable sights and buildings including a modern dome-shaped church, a recital hall, a modern art museum and a natural history museum. Kópavogur is the perfect destination if you’re in the mood to get in touch with nature, and we recommend taking some time to experience the coastal ecosystem and birdlife. After a long day of exploring, visiting one of the capital area’s best swimming pools is the perfect way to relax.

CULTURE

On Kópavogur’s Culture Hill stands a collection of institutions dedicated to art and culture, conveniently located in a cluster of buildings at Hamraborg 4-6.

The Kópavogur Art Museum, Gerðarsafn, is a progressive museum focusing mostly on modern and contemporary art. The museum offers temporary exhibitions with works by Icelandic and international contemporary artists as well as displaying works from the museum’s collection. The exhibitions are generally inspired by the museum’s status as the only Icelandic museum built in honour of a female artist, Gerður Helgadóttir (19281975). Gerður (1928-1975) was a pioneer of three-dimensional abstract art and glass art in Iceland, and the museum collection holds over 1400 works by Gerður.

GERÐARSAFN ART MUSEUM Hamraborg 4, Kópavogur Tel: +354 570 0440 Open: Every day 10-17 www.gerdarsafn.is Next door to the art museum is the Kópavogur Public Library. The library has an extensive selection of books and magazines, in English as well as Icelandic.

Salurinn Concert Hall was the first concert hall in Iceland to be specifically designed with regard to acoustics. It hosts all kinds of concerts, see www.salurinn.is for more information.

The Natural History Museum hosts exhibitions on geology and Icelandic wildlife, including the arctic fox, and numerous species of fish and birds. It also has an interesting exhibition of Japanese-style “marimo” lake balls.

Science fans will also want to check out the Borgarholt coastal preserve just a short walk away.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Hamraborg 6A, Kópavogur Tel: +354 570 0430 Open: Mon-Thu 9-18, Fri-Sat 11-17 www.natkop.is

HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE

THE SKY LAGOON The Sky Lagoon is a brand new geothermal spa in Kópavogur. Opened in 2021, this man-made lagoon sits in Kársnes Harbour, just minutes away from the Kópavogur city centre. There are several different packages to choose from, including a seven-step ritual that takes you through a sauna, steam room, cold fog, and geothermal baths for a guaranteed relaxing experience. While you are there, get a refreshing drink at the bar and a snack at the Sky Cafe. The Sky Lagoon’s eco-friendly architecture, commitment to sustainability, and holistic take on the spa experience make it a must-see stop.

Vesturvör 44-48, Kópavogur Tel: +354 527 6800 Open: Jun 17-Aug 14 daily 8-23 | Aug 15Sep 30 daily 11-23 | Oct-Jun 16 Mon-Thurs 12-22, Fri 12-23, Sat 11-23, Sun 11-22 skylagoon.com

KÓPAVOGUR SWIMMING POOL The Kópavogur swimming pool is well worth a visit. It’s a great place for young families, with an outdoor swimming pool, a smaller indoor pool, a toddler pool, several hot tubs and a sauna. There is also a Nautilus gym on the grounds.

Borgarholtsbraut 17 +354 570 0470 | sund.kopavogur.is Open: May–Sep | Mon-Fri 6.30-22, Sat-Sun 8-20 Oct–Apr | Mon-Fri 6.30-22, Sat-Sun 8-18 Another great place to make a splash is the Versalir thermal pool and gym. As one of the newest facilities in the capital area, it’s well worth a visit. If you’d rather work up a sweat, you could visit the Nautilus gym on-site.

VERSALIR THERMAL POOL AND GYM Versölum 3, Kópavogur +354 570 0480 | sund.kopavogur.is Open: May–Sep | Mon-Fri 6.30-22, Sat-Sun 8-20 Oct–Apr | Mon-Fri 6.30-22, Sat-Sun 8-18

In addition to the great facilities Kópavogur has to offer, the town is also rich in green areas, walking paths and bicycle paths. Whether you feel like having a day out in nature, taking in some art and culture, going swimming, shopping, or hitting the gym, Kópavogur is the perfect destination.

The Hamraborg area is serviced by buses no 1, 2, and 4. Check out www.bus.is or get the mobile Strætó Klapp app for more information.

For more information, check out www.kopavogur.is/en

Seltjarnarnes is a small suburb situated on the tip of the small peninsula Reykjavík is also located on, with remarkable views of the North Atlantic.

Since much of the municipality is located within a beautiful nature reserve, many locals make use of its excellent recreational areas and the extensive walking and cycling paths encircling the entire peninsula. Its unobstructed views of the setting sun and the impressive Snæfellsjökull glacier, make it a romantic destination and magnet for travellers and photographers alike. During winter, the areas around the coastline are perfect for viewing the magnificent northern lights!

The best-known landmark in the area is the old lighthouse on Grótta, with stunning sea views and a wealth of birdlife. Note that during the nesting season (May 1-July 1), Grótta is closed.

A permanent art installation, Kvika by Ólöf Nordal, made of dolomite stone with a round foot bath carved into the centre, is located on the northern side of the peninsula next to the shark-curing shed. People visiting are thoroughly encouraged to bring a towel and

GARÐABÆR

Garðabær is a lively town with diverse landscapes, stretching from the beautiful Heiðmörk Nature Reserve to the pleasant Álftanes peninsula. Pleasant hiking trails abound on the town’s outskirts.

The town has a rich historical background, which can be explored in detail at the Hofsstaðir Archaeological Park, where remains of a large farm from the age of settlement are on display. The site dates to the end of the 9th century when Vikings first settled this arctic island. While visiting, you can learn more via their touch screen display. Admission is free, and it’s open 24 hours a day.

Iceland has a long history of art and design. Some of the creative results have been preserved in the Museum of Design & Applied Art at Garðatorg – the town centre. The museum’s objective is to collect, study, and present Icelandic design and crafts dating from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. make good use of it by taking a relaxing foot bath out in the open sea air!

In case you’d like to warm up more than just your toes, the town’s thermal pool comes highly recommended and features a lap pool, several hot tubs, a waterslide, a steam bath, and toddler pool; all supplied uniquely with geothermal seawater.

Serviced by bus no 11. seltjarnarnes.is

Situated on a low-lying peninsula just south of the city centre, Álftanes is a small community of about 2,500 people. One of its major attractions is the swimming pool, featuring the largest waterslide in the country and Iceland’s only wave pool. If you’re a fan of the outdoors, Álftanes is also a hikers’ paradise with trails spanning 9km around the unique shoreline. Those who are fascinated by the feathery residents of Reykjavík will also be pleased to discover that the shoreline is filled with clear ponds bustling with birds.

Although Reykjavík is a relatively small place, it may take some time to figure out how to navigate the city. Most of downtown can be covered by foot, but when you leave the centre, things get a little trickier.

WEATHER & ROADS Be sure to check the weather forecast regularly while in Iceland, especially if you’re driving out of the city, hiking, cycling, sailing, or otherwise exposing yourself to the elements. The weather in Iceland is famous for changing at a moment’s notice, so plan accordingly.

WEATHER FORECAST The conditions of the Icelandic roads may not reflect the weather forecast. Before leaving the city, make sure to check for road closures, construction, and general road conditions. +354 902 0600 | www.vedur.is/en +354 522 1000 | www.road.is

For general safety tips when travelling through Iceland, rent a Personal Location Beacon (PLB), further weather and road conditions, and even receive weather warnings on your phone, go to www.safetravel.is

PHONE HOME Dialling: When dialling internationally, dial 00 for a line out of the country, select the appropriate country code, and then the number.

Cell phones: Cell phones work almost all over Iceland, and you can get an Icelandic prepaid (frelsi) SIM card. There are four major service providers in the country: Nova (www.nova. is), Síminn (www. siminn.is), Hringdu (www. hringdu.is) and Vodafone (www.vodafone. is). You can top up your phone through an app or online.

Internet access & hot spots: The What’s On tourist office at Laugavegur 5 offers Internet access and printing service. If you have your own device, you can use Wi-Fi at almost any café or bar downtown for free (if you’re a customer). Many hotels and guesthouses also offer free Wi-Fi. Directory information: Dial 1818 or 1819 for a 24/7 information service about names, addresses, and phone numbers, be connected to international numbers or make collect calls.

USEFUL NUMBERS The emergency number in Iceland is 112. Use it in emergencies to reach medical help, the fire department, and the police. Doctors on duty: 1770 Dentists on duty: +354 575 0505 Police – non-emergency: Hverfisgata 113, +354 444 1000

OPENING HOURS

Public institutions: Mon-Fri 10 to 15 or 16. General office hours: Mon- Fri 9-17.

GROCERY STORES Most grocery stores in the capital area are open from 9 or 10 in the morning until 20 or 21 at night; however, many stores in the countryside and smaller towns have shorter hours and close as early as 17 or 18. Convenience store opening hours vary, but many centrally located ones are open 24/7.

Banks: Most banks are open Mon-Fri from 9-16.

Shops: Opening hours vary, but are generally Mon-Thurs 10-18, Fri 10-19 and Sat 10-16. Malls usually have extended hours on Thursdays.

Phonebook & online maps: The Icelandic phone book lists people by their first names and offers an interactive searchable map (www.ja.is).

TRANSPORTATION

DOMESTIC AIR TERMINAL Air Iceland Connect maintains a domestic network based in Reykjavík with destinations around the island and flights to the Faroe Islands and Greenland (some of these flights depart from Keflavík Airport). Popular destinations include Akureyri and Ísafjörður, the biggest towns in the north of Iceland and the Westfords, respectively. Alternatively, this is also where you would go to take a sightseeing flight or a helicopter tour.

Reykjavík Domestic Airport +354 570 3000 | airicelandconnect.is

FROM & TO THE KEFLAVÍK AIRPORT The airport bus service is the most straightforward option for transfers between the airport and Reykjavík, taking you from the airport to the downtown BSÍ bus terminal, or, for an additional fee, straight to your hotel. You can also grab a taxi that takes you from door to door, especially if you’re in a larger group. Driving time through the mossy lava fields of Reykjanes peninsula to the capital is about 50 minutes. There are no trains in Iceland.

Flybus (flugrútan) +354 580 5400 | www.flybus.is TAXIS IN REYKJAVÍK You can get a taxi by calling a taxi company or by going to a taxi stand. During the day, taxis are stationed by many major hotels and popular attractions. At night, after the buses stop running, taxis are stationed downtown, taking people home after a night out. Taxis in Iceland accept both cash and cards. Please note: rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft do not operate in Iceland.

Hreyfill-Bæjarleiðir +354 588 5522

Bifreiðastöð Reykjavíkur +354 561 0000

DAY TOUR PICK-UP/DROP-OFF POINTS To keep Reykjavík’s centre safe and clean, big tour buses are not allowed to drive just anywhere. Therefore, if you’ve booked a day tour or airport transfer, your bus will leave from a designated pick-up point. These bright pink and blue bus stops are located in the downtown area and easily accessible. You should find one near your accommodation in the city centre.

CITY BUS (STRÆTÓ) The city bus is the most common form of public transportation in Reykjavík, and the instantly recognisable yellow buses should be able to take you anywhere you need to go, both within and outside the city limits. Bus maps are available at bus stations and tourist information centres. Most bus stops also include a route map. You can go to www. bus.is or download the Strætó Klapp mobile app and get precise directions about which buses to take as well as a live map showing the exact location of every bus in the city.

Operating hours: Daily from 6:30/7:00 until midnight, except on Sundays and most holidays, when it runs from 9:30/10 until midnight. There is no bus service on Good Friday, Easter, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

The night bus: The night bus system consists of six routes that operate hourly after midnight on the weekend. The buses will take passengers out of the city centre and into all the major neighbourhoods in Reykjavík, but they won’t take on passengers on their way back into the centre. The night bus runs until 4.30. to change buses, remember to ask for a transfer ticket or “skiptimiði.” The City Card provides free use of the bus system and is available for 24, 48, or 72 hours. Night buses cost the same amount if using the Strætó Klapp payment app. If paying in cash, it costs ISK 1.000.

Going out of town: Going out of town: The city buses also run to some of the larger towns in the countryside. For destinations, routes, and schedules, consult www.bus. is (buses in the countryside do not yet use the Klapp app). Prices and frequency of departure vary, depending on your destination. Tickets can be bought on the bus, and buses leaving the city accept cash, credit cards, and bus tickets. They also have Wi-Fi and electric sockets. Bus rides out of the city are dependent on the weather so be sure to consult the forecast, especially if you’re travelling in winter.

Hop On Hop Off: An alternative to the city bus system is the Hop On Hop Off city bus. This bright red double-decker bus is hard to miss and makes stops at some of the most popular Reykjavík sites. Hop On Hop Off is mostly known for its City Sight-Seeing tours, but the bus also makes trips around the Golden Circle. For prices and timetables, visit www.re.is/hop-on-hop-off.