AUGUST 2016
IN REYKJAVIK
REYKJAVIK’S LEADING GUIDE TO INFORMATION, EVENTS, MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES.
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WHAT’S ON
CONTENTS AUGUST 2016
ON THE COVER WELCOME TO ICELAND
EXPERIENCE 6-31
WHAT’S ON
32-41
REYKJAVÍK CITY MAP 42-43
MUSEUM WALK
44-45
EVENT CALENDAR
46-61
ART & CULTURE
62-67
NIGHTLIFE 68-69
SHOPPING & STYLE
70-73
FOOD & DRINK
74-79
PRACTICAL INFO
80-83
You’ve picked a great time to visit, August is a beautiful month to spend in Iceland. Not only is the weather great and nature at its peak, there’s also plenty going on as well in the city. The month starts off with a kick with the Merchant’s Weekend, the most popular weekend for camping festivals in Iceland. Get your Icelandic woollen sweater ready, pack plenty of Icelandic beer and head out to one of the many outdoor festivals in Iceland! After the Merchant’s Weekend it’s time for some colourful celebrations in Reykjavík; it's the Reykjavík pride! The week-long festival culminates in one of the biggest celebrations of the year, the Pride Parade, when most of Reykjavík gathers in the city centre to celebrate everyone’s right to live and love. Just when city officials are done sweeping up the confetti from the Pride Parade, it’s time for the Reykjavík Culture Night. Reykjavík is a lively city with a unique culture and this is the best occasion to figure out what that culture is all about! Head down to the old harbour, stop by the city hall or take a stroll down Laugavegur. Everywhere you go, expect music, art, and fireworks! Have fun in Iceland this August. The good news is, it’s almost impossible not to!
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WHAT‘S ON IN REYKJAVIK is published monthly, covering events and happenings in and around Reykjavik. Opinions expressed in WHAT‘S ON IN REYKJAVIK 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.
GLACIER WALKS & OUTDOOR ADVENTURES MAKE SURE IT’S MOUNTAIN GUIDES
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THE WHAT’S ON
You can find checklists from past months at whatson.is/writings/
AUGUST CHECKLIST
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There are loads of things to do for entertainment in Reykjavik this month! Here are a few “must-do’s” you can try out. As always, we encourage you to tag your photos using #WhatsOnRvk, as proof that you did all those things you’re boasting of!
Get out of the city and see some nature! Go camping before the weather gets too cold. Get a lopapeysa (a woollen sweater) before you go camping, they’re a must! Dress in the colours of the rainbow for the Reykjavík Pride! See some art, hear some music and watch the fireworks at Reykjavík Culture Night! Go to a new and hip restaurant down at the Old harbour After dinner, get some dessert at Valdís ice cream parlour or 17 sortir cake shop. CHECK OUT OLDER CHECKLISTS AT WHATSON.IS/CHECKLIST
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EXPERIENCE
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Reykjavik 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.
1 | HALLGRÍMSKIRKJA Hallgrímskirkja church is one of Reykjavík’s most iconic buildings and is visible from almost anywhere in the city. It’s is the largest church and the sixth tallest architectural structure in Iceland. The church tower offers a fantastic view of the city for the small price of 900ISK for adults or 100ISK for children. 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.
EXPERIENCE
THE REYKJAVIK SIGHT EXPERIENCE
2 | PERLAN Standing at 25 metres, Perlan is one of Reykjavík’s most striking buildings. Up on the fourth level, there is a 360 degree viewing platform where you can get the city's best panoramic views. During the day, the Perlan café is a nice place to get coffee or ice cream. If you come in the evening, the Perlan restaurant has some of the finest cuisine in the city. The restaurant also rotates slowly so you get to see the whole city without even having to turn your head.
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 and the air is hot, Austurvöllur is the place to be. Surrounded by cafés and restaurants on Vallarstræti and Pósthússtræti, this public square is a wildly popular spot for locals to dine outside, soak up some sunshine or recline in the grass with picnics. In fact, whatever the season, Austurvöllur is the place to be. It’s used for celebrations on holidays, the city’s biggest Christmas tree is located there and due to its close proximity to the Parliament building, Austurvöllur has also a popular gathering place for political protests. At the center of it all stands a statue of Jón Sigurðsson, the renowned figure who led Iceland to independence.
5 | KOLAPORTIÐ Whether you want to sample dried fish and fermented shark, purchase a bag of Icelandic candy or browse through thrifted clothing, Kolaportið, an indoor flea market, open on the weekends between 11am-5pm, is your best bet. The atmosphere is unique and the old industrial building is usually filled with people hunting for books or antiques, grocery shopping at the food court, selling their old garments, buying music and DVD’s or digging through piles of stuff in search of hidden treasures. We recommend bringing cash, or visiting the ATM at one of the entrances, as the majority of stalls don’t accept cards.
Check out our map on p. 42 for the locations of these sights.
3 | TJÖRNIN
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EXPERIENCE
6 | HARPA The whole 28.000 square meters of Harpa stand at the edge of the Reykjavik 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. It‘s open to everyone, always, and you should definitely visit Harpa, whether it‘s to take in a show, buy souvenirs, go to a concert or have a lovely dinner in one of the fabulous restaurants. Harpa was designed by a Danish firm in co-operation with Ólafur Elíasson, an Icelandic artist, and opened to the public in 2011.
7 | THE OLD HARBOR It’s the first lasting harbour in Reykjavik, 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 (sushi and other seafood, tapas, burgers, etc.) and cafés. The atmosphere at the old harbour is friendly, the air is fresh and salty and there’s plenty of interesting activities to check out.
8 | THE SUN VOYAGER A beautiful sculpture of a Viking ship located by the ocean on a small peninsula by Sæbraut, close to the Reykjavík centre. 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.
Find more articles like this at whatson.is/writings/
Sólfarið 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 mount Esjan is every photographer’s dream.
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9 | CITY HALL The Reykjavík City Hall is an impressive, modern building, opened in 1992, that sits right on the northern shore of lake Tjörnin. Not only does it house the offices of the mayor and other city officials, it‘s also open to visitors and offers stunning views of the water, bird life, nature and city surrounds. Inside the City Hall, you‘ll find a room-sized relief map of Iceland that took four men several years to make. There are also exhibition halls that regularly host a steady stream of new and exciting art exhibitions, book fairs, arts and crafts fairs and other events.
10 | LAUGARDALSLAUG Every country has traditions when it comes to leisure. Iceland’s big thing is swimming pools. Laugardalslaug is the city’s largest pool with extensive facilities, located in Laugardalur Valley. Its facilities include a 50m outdoor pool, outdoor children’s pool and paddling pool, two waterslides, numerous hot tubs, steam bath, gym and 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.
Find these places on the centerfold map.
SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH THE LOCALS: PRICELESS Enjoy your stay in Iceland, where you are as welcome as your MasterCard®
WELCOME! Icelandic and international cooking, where cooking is the name of the game!
Experts' choice + Best rated Trip Expert Certificate of Excellence Trip advisor 2015, 2013 & 2012 Top 10 world’s revolving restaurants English CNTV 12 places to see before you die Modern Times World’s top revolving restaurants Travel+Leisure 5 best: Tables at the top Independent Online Pure Magic!! Mellosusan, Trip Advisor Definitely worth it! Amos F, Trip Advisor If you want to feel like royalty for a night, hit Perlan Sharlene Chiu
The Pearl Restaurant · Tel. (+354) 562 0200 · www.perlan.is · perlan@perlan.is
EXPERIENCE 8 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PUFFIN 1
THEY MATE FOR LIFE
Puffins uphold the bird version of conservative family values, they mate for life, raise their single puffling over the course of the summer and return every year to their same nesthole. THEY’RE EASY PREY FOR PREDATORS ON LAND, WHICH IS WHY THEY USUALLY NEST ON ISLANDS. Predators like foxes, weasels, cats and dogs don’t reach them on the islands around Iceland or out at sea during the wintertime. Actually, the puffins’ most threatening natural predator is homo sapiens. Puffin is still hunted for food and eaten, fresh or smoked. If you're curious to try it, many restaurants in Reykjavík serve puffin.
THEY’RE GREAT SWIMMERS, BUT CLUMSY FLYERS
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THEY SPEND MOST OF THEIR LIFE AT SEA.
You know how penguins look like they’re flying when they swim but their attempt at walking can best be described as a waddle? It’s like that with the puffins as well, they look like they’re ready to fall out of the sky at any moment, flying with jerking motions and crash-landing.
The puffins are pelagic birds which means that they spend more than half the year far out at sea. They are well suited to life on the sea and mostly eat fish. They only return to their holes to breed from April to August.
Find more articles like this at whatson.is/writings/
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EXPERIENCE
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Puffins are seabirds and tend to live where trees don’t. They dig holes instead, up to a metre deep. They sometimes even use old rabbit holes if there are any rabbits in the area.
You can find checklists from past months at whatson.is/writings/
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THEY DON’T MAKE NESTS, THEY DIG HOLES
THEIR BEAKS ARE IMPRESSIVE
The multic-coloured beaks that the puffins sport for the mating seasons have, in some parts of the world, earned them the nickname of sea parrot or even sea clown. In Iceland they have a more dignified moniker, they’re called provosts because their pompous manner reminds people of senior church officials.
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THEY’RE STILL NOT AS IMPRESSIVE AS THE TUFTED PUFFIN
The puffin, or more accurately the Atlantic puffin, has a cousin known as the tufted puffin. It’s beak hasn’t got the same range of colours, but it more than makes up for it with yellow tufts of feathers, streaming back from its head like luscious blond locks.
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THEY’RE NOT OUR NATIONAL BIRD.
That honour belongs to the infinitely more graceful, if less likable, gyrfalcon. For a while the falcon was even represented in the national crest. The national order of Iceland is also named for the falcon.
Pre-booking is required. Book online at bluelagoon.com
PRE-BOOKING IS REQUIRED Book online at bluelagoon.com
EXPERIENCE 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. IF ICELANDIC GEOLOGY INTERESTS YOU
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 aweinspiring waterfall which lends its name to the Golden Circle, and Geysir, an erupting hot spring, guaranteed to wow visitors.
Nobody does volcanoes like Iceland, there’s a reason it’s called the land of Ice and Fire. The Reykjavík Erupts! volcano hike takes you to a geothermally active area where the effects of the extreme heat underground are clearly visible on the surface. The colours of the earth are akin to a rainbow and there are bubbling cauldrons of mud everywhere. Lava Tube Caving tour, on the other hand, allows you to visit a cave that was formed during a volcanic eruption. The rock formations alone make this tour worth the trip.
Find more articles like this at whatson.is/writings/
IF YOU JUST WANT TO SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS
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EXPERIENCE
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 the professional gear is provided so it should be accessible for most people. You get to walk on a glacier, along with guides that know everything there is to know about glaciers and Iceland in general. IF YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR A LITTLE LUXURY Even if you’re only in Iceland for a short time, that doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time on a bus. If a day of luxurious pampering is more appealing, look no further than the Blue Lagoon. The turquoise blue waters make for a divinely soothing and relaxing experience. It doesn’t hurt that you can book all sorts of massages and treatments and get drinks straight to the lagoon. The Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon is also first class.
Find more articles like this at whatson.is
IF YOU PREFER CITY STREETS TO HIKING TRAILS
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You don’t have to leave the city to experience Iceland. Not only does Reykjavík offer a variety of great museums, restaurants, cafés, and shops, it also has spectacular views of the mountains surrounding the city, right from the city centre. If you’re staying in the city and want to get the most out of your time, invest in the City Card. It gives you access to all the city’s museums for free, as well as access to the thermal pools of Reykjavík, the Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo in Laugardalur, and allows you to use the Icelandic Bus (Strætó) within the Capital Region. 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. Whether you are going on tours or staying within city limits, you can be sure of one thing: you won’t have seen enough of what Iceland has to offer. The next time you’re in Iceland (and we’re pretty sure you’ll be back) stop by the What’s On office, or send us an email, and ask the staff to help you plan an unforgettable vacation.
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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 „fastfood“ 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.
EXPERIENCE
THE WHAT’S ON SKYR EXPERIENCE
MS 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.
KEA SKYR WITH VANILLA
MS SKYR.IS WITH BAKED APPLES Skyr producers have been experimenting with new flavours in skyr while still keeping it as nutritious as possible. One of the more recent additions is the baked apple flavour.
MS SKYR.IS WITH BLUEBERRIES This is a long-time favourite of the Skyr.is varieties. Blueberries are among the few summer fruits that grow in Iceland so eating Skyr with fresh blueberries has a long tradition in Iceland. The taste is very rich and full of blueberries.
For more information on skyr, visit skyr.is
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.
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EXPERIENCE
THE ICELANDIC
Although beer and ale have been brewed in Iceland for a long time, beer production was limited during the 20th century, as beer was illegal in Iceland until 1989! Icelanders have more than made up for lost time and the growth in beer production in recent years has been amazing. In just a few years, we‘ve seen many great breweries emerge, filled with ambition and ingenuity, and beer is now the most popular alcoholic beverage in Iceland. It’s no wonder, as Icelandic beer is delicious, in no small part thanks to the Icelandic water; renowned for its purity and quality.
VÍKING CLASSIC Víking Classic is a Vienna style beer with golden amber colour and taste of roasted malt. It has a good body and medium bitterness with balancing sweetness and a hint of caramel. The name might seem a bit presumptuous as this classic has only been in production for a few years, but it’s in fact named after the Danish “Classic” style of beer. Víking Classic is available in draught, bottles and cans and is part of the Víking beer family which is the most popular beer brand in Iceland.
EINSTÖK WHITE ALE A clean and crisp start with a smooth mouth feel thanks to the oats. Citrus and spice round out a refreshing finish.
Find more articles like this at whatson.is/writings/
Einstök beer is brewed up north, just 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle. You wouldn’t know it when you taste this summery, citrusy white ale. It has the complex flavours of a classic witbier, all brewed with pure Icelandic water for a cool smoothness that is deliciously refreshing. Don’t forget to ask for a slice of orange!
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KALDI Kaldi is a very mild and comfortable pilsner, dry, fresh, slightly bitter, with notes of roasted barley and hops, and has 5% ABV. You might detect a hint of sweetness as well. The brewery on Árskógssandur, makers of Kaldi beer, was the first microbrewery that opened in Iceland, back in 2006. The regular Kaldi is a pure pilsner, with all the ingredients, except the Icelandic water, coming from the Czech Republic. Even their brew-master is Czech! Following its success, the brewery opened Kaldi bar in the centre of Reykjavík, where all the varieties of Kaldi beer are available. Kaldi bar is, of course, the best place to get Kaldi, but it’s available in other bars as well, and in bottles at the liquor stores.
KALDI DARK A dark pilsner, it‘s similar to the regular Kaldi, but the main difference is the use of burnt malt, which provides the beautiful, distinctive dark colour and deepens the flavour. Most Icelanders are used to drinking light lagers and are even a bit wary of dark beers, at least until they taste Kaldi Dark. As mentioned – the Kaldi beers are brewed by Czech traditions, dated from 1842. Kaldi Dark is brewed using 3 different types of Czech hops. Kaldi Dark is unpasteurized with no added sugar or preservatives. You can get Kaldi Dark in all liquor stores as well as some bars, but the best place to get it is of course the Kaldi bar in the centre of Reykjavík.
These are our favourites, don’t leave Reykjavík without stopping by a pub or a bar and tasting at least one (or all) of them!
SÓLVEIG Thanks to a special type of yeast used in the brewing process, Sólveig has a unique flavour profile with heavy tones of banana and cloves. Additional notes of mango, passion fruit, grapefruit and other tropical fruits can also be tasted. Sólveig is back! This popular summer beer from small-batch brewery Borg Brugghús is being made again after it was a hit with Icelandic beer aficionados last summer. Sólveig is brewed with a so-called „dry-hopping“ technique, using American hops, meaning that the hops are added to the beer late in the process. This produces a fresh-tasting beer, slightly bitter and dry.
EXPERIENCE
BEER EXPERIENCE
SUMARGULL Sumargull is a fresh, light beer with fruity malt flavours and notes of the floral taste of grains. This is another popular seasonal beer returning for the summer. It‘s a blond beer with a summery flavour produced by the German and Slovenian hops used. It‘s perfect for drinking in the subarctic summer sun, whether it‘s on a sunny terrace of a Reykjavík bar or somewhere out in nature after a hike or a long drive.
Viking stout is pitch black, reminiscent of cocoa and coffee with a smoothly roasted aftertaste. This is one of the first stouts made in Iceland. Only brewed from the finest ingredients, Víking stout is unfiltered and has a distinctly smoky aftertaste. It’s recently had its look revamped along with the other Víking craft beers. The labels now carry graphic designs that interpret events and traditions from the Viking age. The pitch black stout’s label fittingly evokes images of the ravens of Flóki, the Viking traveller who named Iceland.
PILS ORGANIC Víking Pils Organic has a distinctive floral hoppiness, medium bitterness and a nice balance. Pils Organic took the Bavarian production tradition head on and emerged unquestionably victorious. A member of the same Viking inspired line of beers as the Víking Stout, Pils Organic is decorated with a pattern based on the snake’s heads that used to adorn the ships of the Vikings. Contrary to popular belief, these weren’t meant to intimidate opponents in battles on sea, but rather to frighten sea monsters.
Find more articles like this at whatson.is/writings/
VÍKING STOUT
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EXPERIENCE
THINGS TO DO ON A SUNNY DAY EAT ICE CREAM Ice cream in Iceland is the best, seriously. Soft serve ice cream is the name of game although choosing your favourite topping requires serious thought. Ice cream in a cone with a chocolate shell is a classic but in most self-respecting ice cream shops, the menu also includes creamy milkshakes that are almost too thick for the straws and blizzards mixed with everything from fresh fruit and berries to nuts, liquorice bits and chopped up chocolate bars.
Find more articles like this at whatson.is
GO SWIMMING
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Icelanders have access to plenty of environmentally friendly hot water and they put it to use in the best way possible; heating up their swimming pools. These public swimming pools are a luxurious experience and the Icelanders use them frequently. On any given day, you’ll find kids splashing about in the water slides, teenagers discussing pressing matters of life and love in a quiet spot and adults getting some exercise in the pool. The most important part of the swimming pool is the hot tub, where people from all walks of life get together and discuss the issues of the day, the latest political scandals, their cats, and the weather. SPEND A DAY LAZING ABOUT AT AUSTURVÖLLUR On sunny days, everyone who is anyone heads to Austurvöllur. The square in front of the Parliament building quickly fills up with avid picnickers enjoying a beer or ice cream, or simply relaxing in the sun. The cafés that surround the square fill up even faster and the hunt for a table can get brutal during mealtimes. GO HIKING Take a bus or a car out of the city and get hiking! Be sure to wear some good boots whenever you hike in Iceland and warm layered clothing. The weather in Iceland is fickle and not to be trusted! If you don’t
feel like going out of the city or if you don’t have the time, there’s actually plenty of great hiking trails right in the city. Try the paths around Öskjuhlíð, Grótta, Elliðaá or Rauðavatn. All these places are accessible by bus. DO EVERYTHING YOU WOULD NORMALLY DO ON A SUNNY DAY, BUT AT NIGHT! Sunny summer days in Iceland have one thing that most other countries don’t; at the end of the day, the sun doesn’t go down! Staying up for a whole night in the Icelandic summer, whether or not drinking is involved, is a great experience. Try wearing sunglasses at night, swimming at night or just taking a walk at night, it always adds something a little extra.
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Sundays are live jazz nights at Bryggjan Brugghús,
Bryggjan is an Iceland’s first Microbrewery &, Bistro Bar situated on Reykjavik harbour, that
You can expect some jazz standards, warm spirits and very good beer! ENTRANCE IS FREE
emphasizes fresh ingredients and various styles of high-quality beer, pumped directly from the brewery itself. Bryggjan can accommodate up to 280 guests and is open from 11.00 to 01.00, every day of the week. k Fis
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REYKJAVÍK HARBOUR
B R Y G G J A N B R U G G H Ú S * G R A N D A G A R Ð I 8 1 0 1 R E Y K J AV Í K * 0 0 3 5 4 4 5 6 4 0 4 0 * W W W. B R Y G G J A N B R U G G H U S . I S
THE FINEST BEER & WHISKY SELECTION IN DOWNTOWN REYKJAVÍK
Live Music Every Night | Live Sports on 5 Big Screens
The 1783-4 eruption of Laki was history’s biggest volcanic eruption. When it erupted, the ash darkened the sky over all of Europe for years. The ash’s toxicity caused widespread crop failures and the resulting famine all over Europe was almost certainly one of the causes of the French revolution in 1789, ultimately resulting in the first modern democracy as we know it. You’re welcome…
NOT JUST ONE, BUT TWO OF THE BIGGEST ERUPTIONS IN THE RECORDED HISTORY OF THE WORLD, OCCURRED IN ICELAND! Not only was Laki the biggest eruption in recorded history, measured by volume of lava, but Iceland was also the site of the second biggest emission in recorded history, the 2014 eruption of Bárðarbunga. In just 6 months, Bárðarbunga produced enough lava to cover the island of Manhattan – 85km2. It still isn‘t close to matching Laki. That eruption produced 370 km2 of lava, the size of the Gaza strip, in only 50 days!
All photos provided by the Volcano House
For more information on Icelandic volcanoes, check out www.volcanohouse.is
AN ICELANDIC VOLCANO IS THE REASON FOR DEMOCRACY AS WE KNOW IT
EXPERIENCE
5 FACTS YOU (PROBABLY) DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT ICELANDIC VOLCANOES
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EXPERIENCE For more information on Icelandic volcanoes, check out www.volcanohouse.is 30
1/3 OF ALL THE EARTH’S FRESH LAVA ORIGINATED IN ICELAND! When you’re discussing volcanoes, all concepts that have something to do with time get a bit skewed. For instance, fresh lava means lava emissions on earth since the year 1500. The reason for this impressive amount of liquid rock spewing to the surface is because not only does Iceland sit on a crack between two tectonic plates, it’s also on top of a geologic hotspot. Even so, for such a small island, that’s a pretty impressive amount of lava.
ICELAND HAS A VOLCANIC ERUPTION EVERY 4-5 YEARS! This isn’t surprising considering the island has somewhere around 150-200 volcanoes, split into different volcanic systems. About 30 different systems are still considered “active” in Iceland, and 13 of them have erupted since the Viking Settlement in 874. Not all the eruptions are on the
WANT TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE VOLCANOES OF ICELAND? For more information on volcanoes and geothermal activity in Iceland, go visit the Volcano House by the old harbour. Its attractions include a mineral exhibition and an hour-long documentary on volcanoes, which is shown every hour, on the hour. As an added bonus, the What’s On staff is also currently residing at the Volcano House due to construction at the Laugavegur What’s On office.
same scale as the Eyjafjallajökull eruption though; some are small enough to be considered tourist attractions and some happen underneath glaciers and never even see the light of day.
ICELAND HAS THE ONLY ISLAND SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OBSERVE AND DOCUMENT FROM THE MOMENT OF ITS CREATION: SURTSEY Surtsey was formed by a volcanic eruption at the bottom of the ocean and emerged from the water on November 14, 1963. It was immediately granted protection by law and no one was allowed to set foot on the island. To this day only scientists are allowed to go there, and even they have to get special permission. This means that we have been able to monitor how life settles on a brand-new land from the beginning, and the information gained has been invaluable to scientists.
Meet some of Iceland’s finest designers Epal Harpa / Epal Skeifan 6 / Epal Design Kringlan / 568 7733
www.epal.is
WHAT’S ON Find more events like this at whatson.is/ec/
REYKJAVIK CULTURE NIGHT
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Reykjavík Culture Night will take place August 20th for the 21st time. The festival celebrates the city’s culture with a plethora of different events and happenings. Culture Night has grown from a small festival to one of the biggest events in the Reykjavík calendar, barring the national holiday. There’s so much going on in the city that everyone should be able to find something to enjoy.
The festival’s schedule is always bursting with new and exciting events, concerts and shows, but some aspects of the festival have been there for years. Every year, residents of the city centre are encouraged to open up their door and welcome visitors with waffles and cream in the afternoon. The big concert at Arnarhóll, with some of Iceland's most popular artists, is always a draw and the fireworks display that marks the end of the festival is usually the high point of the night.
The festival celebrates culture in all shapes and sizes, with popular music, dance, classical music, food, theatre and even sports getting their time in the sun. This year, the festival puts the area around the Old harbour in the spotlight. This neighbourhood is one of the city’s most exciting areas, with new restaurants, shops and galleries popping up
Old traditions are well and good but if we don’t start any new traditions, how will we ever get any old ones? This year, Reykjavík has extended an honorary invitation to the town of Ísafjörður in the Westfjords of Iceland to participate in Culture Night. Ísafjörður will take over the City hall and show the city folk what they're missing! Please note that because of the festival, some of the city centre is closed off from traffic, so leave your car at home. Luckily, taking the city bus is free the day of the festival!
Here are just a few of the events taking place in Reykjavik on Culture Night, Menningarnótt, on August 20th!
Askur Yggdrasils - A maze based on Norse mythology. The idea is that the center of the maze is a “tree” which symbolises Ask Yggrasil, the tree of life. Around the tree will be a comfortable space, where peaceful music will be played and guests can relaxe and enjoy their surrounding. The tree will be made from recyclebable, donated, materials.
Improv-a-thon – The improv troupe Improv Iceland has been taking the country by storm lately. Their shows at the National theatre this winter were well received and this summer, they’re improvising in English at Húrra every other week. They’ll be having a ten-hour improve-marathon this Culture Night!
Sálmafoss - Hallgrímskirkja will be filled with song and pipe organ music from 3:00 PM to 21:00 PM. Choirs, coffee shops and a whole lot of fun.
Kítón concert at Bryggjan brewery – The Icelandic music scene is famous for its creativity but like in so many other countries, the guys tend to take centre stage. For a chance to see some of the top female musicians in Iceland, stop by the Bryggjan brewery on Culture Night!
For more events and information, check out www.menningarnott.is
Find more articles like this at whatson.is/music/
Milkywhale – Pop group Milkywhale offers the audience a chance to go on a different kind of whale watching. Somewhere in between a dance piece and a concert, Milkywhale will use aspects from different mediums to capture and entrance its visitors.
WHAT’S ON
Open house at the Icelandic symphony orchestra – The Iceland Symphony orchestra offers visitors a chance to step into Harpa’s magnificent concert halls and hear beautiful classical music. There will be two concerts, Peter and the wolf by Prokofiev for the youngest listeners and later, some of the greatest works of the Russian masters.
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A RARE, ONCE-INA-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY Around, on and deep within the awesome Langjökull ice gap glacier. Into the Glacier offers various tours to the World's largest ice tunnel. The ice tunnel and caves are located high on Iceland’s second largest glacier, Langjökull. Daily departures from Klaki base camp, Húsafell center and from Reykjavik. You can choose from various tours and book online at www.intotheglacier.is Tel: +354 578-2550
Choose Vodafone Iceland With Vodafone , you gain access to an extensive 4G network in Iceland with excellent 3G/4G roaming connectivity, no matter whether you’re on sea or land. Share your memories by using Vodafone’s prepaid mobile starter kit with voice and data. Vodafone Power to you
Buy your prepaid SIM card at Keflavík Airport, What’s On at Laugavegur 5 and Tryggvagata 11, Macland, Vodafone stores, N1 fuel stations all around Iceland, and at our network of resellers.
WHAT’S ON THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR REYKJAVÍK PRIDE 2016!
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It‘s that time of the year again and Reykjavík is gearing up for the gayest weekend of the year (and that‘s including the Eurovision Song Contest weekend), Reykjavík Pride! The first Pride parade in 1994 consisted of a handful of people but has grown into a week-long festival culminating in the Pride parade taking over the Reykjavík city centre. This year, the festival is dedicated to LGBT+ history, so in order to get ready for the festival celebrating everybody’s right to live and love, here’s a few things you should know:
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IT HASN’T BEEN EASY… In 1975, Hörður Torfason, an up-and-coming singer, scandalised the country when he admitted to being homosexual in an interview in Samúel
magazine. His coming out was ground-breaking for the gay community but society’s reaction was less than stellar. Faced with hostile reactions and threats, Hörður eventually left the country for a few years while the commotion died down. AND EVERY VICTORY WAS HARD-EARNED… Much like Hörður Torfa was the “first (openly) gay man” in Iceland, Anna Kristjánsdóttir was the “first (openly) trans person” in Iceland. Anna didn’t get the support she needed from the Icelandic medical system so she went abroad to finish the transition and came out as trans while she lived in Sweden in the 1990’s. For a long time, Anna was the only out trans person in Iceland and had her work cut out for her to gain acceptance. BUT IT’S GETTING BETTER. Ever since 1940, the year gay sex stopped being a punishable offence in Iceland, there has been excruciatingly slow but steady progress towards acceptance in Iceland. Rigid gender roles and strict heteronormativity have slowly made way for a more liberal attitude towards sex, love and life from the general population. THERE HAVE BEEN MILESTONES…
Hörður Torfa / photo from hordurtorfa.com
Gay people in Iceland have today been granted many legal rights that seemed unthinkable just a few decades ago. Confirmed cohabitation, a substitute for marriage with some of the legal rights, came first, followed by the right to adopt, and finally, in 2010, individuals of the same sex could get married.
WHAT’S ON
Jóhanna Sigurðard. / photo from althingi.is
Páll Óskar / photo by sbs
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir has been a prominent politician in Iceland for decades. In 2009, she made international news when she not only became the first female prime minister of Iceland, but also the first openly lesbian prime minister in the world. Her wife, Jónína, is a writer and in 2013, she published their love story after having to keep their private life private for decades.
and garnered international attention when he performed the highly suggestive Minn hinsti dans in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997. Although his most lasting love is with disco and dance music, he’s showed an incredible range and tackled everything from traditional Icelandic songs and ballads to techno. His float in the Pride parade and subsequent show on Arnarhóll hill is usually the highlight of the day.
AND ICONS…
BUT THINGS AREN’T PERFECT YET…
PIONEERS…
Páll Óskar is the ultimate gay icon in Iceland. He’s been in the spotlight since he was a teenager
…SO HEAD TO REYKJAVÍK PRIDE AND SING ALONG AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS! Ég er eins og ég er – There are plenty of Icelandic gay anthems (every other song by Páll Óskar, for example) but there’s one in particular that will climb through your ears the first time you hear it and take up permanent residence. Ég er eins og ég er (e. I am who I am) is just what it sounds like, a proud statement of identity, refusing to hide or to apologise. We recommend learning the lyrics by heart and singing along at the top of your lungs!
Anna Kristjánsdóttir / photo SEkring
Reykjavík Pride takes place 2-7th August. The Pride Parade leaves from BSÍ, Saturday August 6 at 2pm. For more information, visit www.hinsegindagar.is/en.
Find more articles like this at whatson.is/music/
When Hörður Torfa returned to Iceland after his informal exile, he and some other enterprising people founded Samtökin 78, Iceland’s most prominent LGBT+ rights association. Samtökin ’78 (simply translates to The ’78 Organisation) have spent decades educating the public in Iceland and fighting for the rights of their members. Unfortunately, there’s still a need for Samtökin; the fight for equality isn’t over yet.
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WHAT’S ON RUN, REYKJAVÍK, RUN!
Find more events like this at whatson.is/ec(
Reykjavík Culture night is one of Reykjavík’s biggest celebrations of the year and they don’t limit themselves to just the kind of culture that you can see in galleries. The Reykjavík Marathon, established as early as 1984, has by now become an integral part of the celebration.
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Taking place for the 33rd time this year, the Reykjavík Marathon has grown from a 214 people race to an event that attracts 15.000 people every year! If a whole marathon sounds like a bit too much for you, other events at the marathon include a half-marathon, a 10 km run, a marathon relay, a 3 km run and a Kids Run. The starting line is in the heart of the city centre by the pond and the city hall, and you run through residential areas, public parks and by the coast so it’s a great way to see the city!
The race takes place on Saturday August 20th. Online registration will be open until noon on August 18th at marathon.is, registration is also possible at the race EXPO in Laugardalsholl sports hall on the 18th and 19th of August. For more info, check out marathon.is
DESIGNED & TESTED IN ICELAND
W W W. C I N T A M A N I . I S BANKASTRÆTI 7 | AUSTURHRAUN 3 | SMÁRALIND | KRINGLAN | AKUREYRI
WHAT’S ON Find more articles like this at whatson.is/writings/ 40
THE INTERNATIONAL ORGAN SUMMER 2016
This summer, June 18–August 21, the Hallgrímskirkja Friends of the Arts society will be hosting the International Organ Summer, with 29 organ concerts and 9 choir concerts over the course of the summer. The popular summer concerts in Hallgrímskirkja Church will take place for the 24th time this summer. There will be three organ concerts every week: Sundays at 5 pm (60 min) and Thursdays and Saturdays at 12 noon (30 min). First class concert organists from all over the world perform at the Organ Summer every year, this year including artists from the USA, Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK, France, Germany and of course Iceland. Don´t miss a chance to experience excellent artists playing Hallgrímskirkja’s magnificent and monumental Klais-organ! SCHOLA CANTORUM CHOIR CONCERTS ARE ALL WEDNESDAYS AT 12 NOON. Hallgrímskirkja houses two of the very best choirs in Iceland and Schola Cantorum is the church’s multiple prize-winning chamber choir, celebrating its 20th birthday this year. The choir’s repertoire ranges from renaissance to
contemporary music. Schola Cantorum gives regular concerts in Iceland and has given concerts in Norway, Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, Switzerland and France. This summer’s programmes will consist of highlights from the last two decades.
DID YOU KNOW? »» They started building the church in 1945 and it was consecrated in 1986, the year of Reykjavík‘s 200th anniversary. »» Hallgrímskirkja is one of the best known landmarks of Reykjavík, but still functions as a parish church for the city centre. »» It‘s named after Hallgrímur Pétursson, a 17th century priest in Iceland, who is today best known for his poetry. His magnum opus, the Passion Hymns, are read in the church every Easter, which takes about 5 hours. »» The church‘s Klais organ, with its 5275 pipes is the biggest instrument in Iceland.
Hallgrimskirkja's Friends of the Arts Society 34th season
THE INTERNATIONAL ORGAN SUMMER IN HALLGRÍMSKIRKJA 2016 June 18 – August 21 Lunchtime concerts
on Wednesdays at 12 noon
Weekend concerts
Saturday at 12 noon and Sunday at 5 pm with international concert organists
Schola cantorum
Hallgrimskirkja Chamber Choir
18. 6. 12 noon & 19. 6. 5 pm 25. 6. 12 noon & 26. 6. 5 pm 2. 7. 12 noon & 3. 7. 5 pm 9. 7. 12 noon & 10. 7. 5 pm 16. 7. 12 noon & 17. 7. 5 pm 23. 7. 12 noon & 24. 7. 5 pm 30. 7. 12 noon & 31. 7. 5 pm 6. 8. 12 noon & 7. 8. 5 pm 13. 8. 12 noon & 14. 8. 5 pm 20. 8. 12 noon & 21. 8. 5 pm
Thomas Ospital, St. Eustache, Paris, France. Björn Steinar Sólbergsson, Hallgrímskirkja Leo van Doesselaer concert organist, The Netherlands Kári Þormar, Dómkirkjan, Reykjavík Katelyn Emerson, concert organist, USA Ligita Sneibe, concert organist, Latvia Douglas Cleveland, Plymouth Church, Seattle, USA Mattias Wager, Storkyrkan, Stockholm, Sweden Christoph Schöner, Michaeliskirche, Hamburg James McVinnie, concert organist, London
Lunchtime concerts
on Thursdays at 12 noon
In cooperation with Icelandic Organist Association
23. 6. Guðmundur Sigurðsson, Hafnarfjörður Church 30. 6. Hörður Áskelsson, Hallgrímskirkja 7. 7. Sigrún Magna Þórsteinsdóttir, Akureyri Church 14. 7. Lára Bryndís Eggertsdóttir organ, Iceland, and Dorothee Höjland saxophone, Denmark. 21. 7. Jón Bjarnason, Skálholt Cathedral 28. 7. Larry Allen organ and Scott Bell oboe, USA 4. 8. Friðrik Vignir Stefánsson, Seltjarnarnes Church 11. 8. Hörður Áskelsson Hallgrímskirkja and Sigríður Ósk Kristjánsdóttir alto. 18. 8. Kári Allansson, Háteigur Church, Reykjavík
WHAT’S ON LOCATIONS
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Check out the article The Reykjavik Sight Experience on pages 11-12 for more information about the places numbered here.
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REYKJAVIK CITY MAP
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WHAT’S ON
THE REYKJAVÍK MUSEUM WALK Reykjavík’s history reaches back for more than a thousand years and the city is rich with culture. This heritage can be experienced in the museums scattered throughout the city. To make life easier for you, here is a proposed Museum Walk that covers the best ones in downtown Reykjavik, all within a walking distance. 1
VOLCANO HOUSE
The museum gives visitors an idea of the life in Iceland, where volcanoes and earthquakes are a constant threat. Icelandic n at u re i s i n a st ate o f constant flux, earthquakes occur daily somewhere in Iceland, and volcanic eruptions are always a possibility. Volcano House lets you experience the world of Icelanders by coming as close as possible to experiencing an eruption or earthquake for yourself. They also have a Volcano Show, which consists of two back-to-back documentaries on historical volcanic eruptions.
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REYKJAVÍK MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY
The museum’s main objective is to present both historical and contemporary photography in an artistic, social and cultural context, as well as nurture public and scholarly interest in photography and its culture. The collection’s themes are diverse, you can find family photographs, photos from portrait studios, industrial- and advertising photographs, press photography, landscape photographs and more.
Find more articles like this at whatson.is
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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 on the 24th of February in 1863 and it’s aim is to increase and relay knowledge of Icelandic cultural heritage from the country’s settlement until now. In the museum you will find a permanent exhibition of objects that provide insight into Icelandic history and culture as well as temporary exhibitions highlighting specific eras or aspects of the Icelandic cultural heritage.
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THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ICELAND
The principal art museum of Iceland, established in 1884. Its art collection consists mainly of 19th and 20th century art works. In its possession are many of the keystones of Icelandic art history, as well as a growing collection of works from other countries. The National Gallery’s main role is to collect, preserve, research and exhibit Icelandic art and offer education about it. There is also a considerable emphasis laid on showing Icelandic art in context with international art.
REYKJAVÍK ART MUSEUM
Hafnarhús serves as the m u s e u m ’s i n s t i t u t e o f contemporary art, where new developments in art are explored through d i ve r s e ex h i b i t i o n s o f Icelandic and international artists. An exhibition of paintings by well-known pop artist Erró is a permanent feature. Don’t forget to stop by the Hafnarhús shop for postcards, art posters and books published by the museum.
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THE SETTLEMENT EXHIBITION
Archaeological remains were excavated in Aðalstræti in 2001, which turned out to be the oldest relics of human habitation in Reykjavík.The relics are now preserved at their original location and are the focal point of the Settlement Exhibition. The construction of Viking Age buildings is explained using multimedia technology and computer technology is used to give an impression of what life was like in the hall. This one is open late, until 8 pm.
©2013 GOOGLE
The Wonders of the Volcanoes Volcano House features two documentaries that focus on the most famous eruptions of Iceland, including Vestmannaeyjar in 1973 and Eyjafjallajökull in 2010, as well as talking about the causes and effects of Icelandic volcanology in general. The Volcano House includes a FREE “hands on” geology exhibition featuring many different mineral samples, such as lava from the 2014 eruption of Bárðabunga and ash from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull. Reviews from tripadvisor “Must-go when touring the museums of Reykjavik”
- Nikeflies, Connecticut, November 22, 2015
“A must stop for geology buffs!” - sfrarymt, Montana, October 3, 2015
“Volcano eruptions are a way of life for Iceland”
- FastEd1972, Texas, November 21, 2015
“Highlight of our time in Reykjavik!” - alexa011, Wisconsin, October 2, 2015
VOLCANO HOUSE
Volcano Cinema and Geological Exhibition in Downtown Reykjavik, next to the Old Harbour. Open Every Day from 10:00-21:00 / Show time every hour, on the hour. Tryggvagata 11, 101 Reykjavík | (+354) 555 1900 | www.volcanohouse.is
XMAS EXPERIENCE
With so much to see and do, why not rent a car with audio guided day tour GPS system?
Perfect day tours for the independent traveller My Way is your own audio day tour consisting of a suitable car for you and your friends together with an audio guide programmed into the GPS system. Sold in cooperation with Avis and Budget car rentals.
My Way audio guided daytours exsamples: Reykjanes Peninsula
Reykjavík – Gardskagi, Hafnir, Blue Lagoon, Kleifarvatn – Hafnarfjördur Volcanic wonders and some of our country’s most unforgettable sights. The Reykjanes peninsula tour offers an extreme variety of landscapes, lava fields and geothermal activity,
MIN: 4HRS
APX: 180KM
Golden Circle
Reykjavík – Gullfoss & Geysir Iceland’s most popular day tour, The Golden Circle, a route which encompasses many of Iceland’s most famous landmarks. This tour includes some of the best known historical sites and natural phenomena in Iceland.
MIN: 5HRS APX: 250KM
Only available from: &
To book your own day tour • Contact Avis, tel. 591 4000 or Budget, tel. 562 6060. • Ask the hotel or next information centre to book it for you. • Visit the My Way website mywayiniceland.is
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South Shore
Reykjavík – South Shore to Vík – Reykjavík You drive along the south coast of Iceland passing by glaciers and volcanoes, black sand coastline and moss-covered lava fields as far as the charming village Vík í Mýrdal.
MIN: 8HRS
APX: 400KM
EVENT CALENDAR
VOLCANO HOUSE WONDERS OF VOLCANOES The Volcano House includes a FREE “hands on” geology exhibition featuring many different mineral samples, such as lava from the 2014 eruption of Bárðabunga and ash from the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull. A documentary in English, with Emmy-nominated footage, is screened every hour, on the hour, from 10am to 9pm. It focuses on some of the most famous eruptions of Iceland, as well as talking about the causes and effects of Icelandic volcanology in general. The show is also available in different languages by pre-arrangement »» The Volcano House is fun and educational for people of all ages, and kids are especially welcome. (Free for 0-12) »» A fantastic place to start your stay in Iceland, so you know what you’re looking at as you travel around (or at the end of your visit, to make sense of everything you’ve seen).
WONDERS OF VOLCANOES
»» The Volcano House is a great stop on your Museum Day. After standing and reading for hours, it’s nice to sit down and watch a movie.
For more information see www.volcanohouse.is.
SIGURJÓN ÓLAFSSON MUSEUM FEMALE IDOLS To mark the centennial of women in Iceland winning the right to vote, Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum has created an exhibition of classical portrait
FEMALE IDOLS
sculptures of women, produced by Sigurjón. Along with those works, other works by the artist are on display. The works are carved in stone and wood and they focus on the female image in Sigurjón Ólafsson’s art – Das Ewig-Weibliche – taking on the image of the goddess. Sigurjón Ólafsson (1908−1982) is among the best known portrait sculptors in the Nordic countries. He created over 200
portrait sculptures, mostly of men who held important roles in society. Ólafsson’s female portraits are less well known, apart from a portrait sculpture of the artist’s mother, Guðrún GísladÓttir, created in 1938. For this work he was awarded the much sought after prize; Eckersberg Medal in 1939. Copies of the portrait belong to the collections of three state museums located in the Nordic countries.
Find more events at whatson.is
»» Volcano House is a great late-night activity (last show at 21:00), a good replacement if your tour is cancelled, or if the weather is bad (it’s always nice and warm inside). Drop by any time!
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EVENT CALENDAR
MUSEUM OF DESIGN AND APPLIED ART KEEPERS Museum collections are collections made up by a number of collected objects and sources that have some meaning to the museum But how are the objects collected? What reasons lie
behind certain objects being collected and where do the boundaries lie when collecting objects for a collection? The exhibition KEEPERS focuses on the museums’s collection. It will display the diversity that defines the collection while highlighting the fact that the museum’s collection is almost entirely composed of gifts. The title refers both to the objects themselves, the ones worth keeping, as well as the people who preserved them, kept them and eventually so generously gave them to the museum for safekeeping.
THE DESIGN MUSEUM FROM THE INSIDE OUT This summer, we invite you to look behind the scenes at the musem, for example where we photograph and document the museum collection. During weekdays, you can even check out our offices and get an informal guided tour around the museum!
Read more about these exhibitions at whatson.is/museums
THE DESIGN MUSEUM
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REYKJAVIK ART MUSEUM ÁSMUNDARSAFN DISRUPTION It often falls to artists to challenge old and stagnant attitudes. Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893-1982) spoke of trying to make people “aware that they are not just mindless beasts.” According to Elín Hansdóttir (b. 1980), art should “cut the ground from beneath your feet and make you re-evaluate your rigid ideas.” In Disruption, Elín takes on Ásmundur's artworks, searching for new viewpoints. Elín and Ásmundur work with perspective in different ways, he uses his material to capture the form, while she redefines the space. The contrast between Elín's recent work and Ásmundur's heritage opens up a new world for the viewer. Their generations are wildly incompatible, which creates interesting tension, although they also have some powerful attributes in common.
REYKJAVIK ART MUSEUM – KJARVALSSTAÐIR MIND AND THE UNIVERSE
KEEPERS
MIND AND THE UNIVERSE
A new exhibition of the works of famed Icelandic painter Jóhannes S. Kjarval. The exhibition comprises two parts: the principal content of rarelyseen works from the unique private collection of Þorvaldur Guðmundsson (1911-98) and his wife Ingibjörg Guðmundsdóttir (1908-2004), and pieces from the Reykjavík Art Museum’s own collection. The exhibition offers an excellent opportunity to see key works from the artist’s career and to gain insight into the recurrent themes which are characteristic of his oeuvre. The themes include Icelandic nature in all its diversity as well as the life and symbolism the artist sensed in his surroundings – perceived by the mind as much as it is seen by the eye.
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THE MAKING OF ERRÓ 1955-1964 An exploration of the development of the artist during the years 1955- 1964, a complex and spectacular period, both in his art and in European art history, when he was the first artist to create “collage paintings.” The exhibition illustrates in broad terms how Erró gradually moved away from expressionism and started to make collages, which he then reproduced in paint on canvas. At that time he also made various visual experiments with painting, text-collages, assemblages and happenings. The works were made against a background of the colourful culture and art world of Paris, and later New York, where he became familiar with the consumer/media society of the United States, and its stimulating art world.
MAKING OF ERRÓ
KINGDOM – FLORA, FAUNA, FABLE
Just as nature has been categorized, you can see different categories in the different approaches of various artists. For example, the research targeted approach; the allegorical; the aesthetic; or even surreal approach. Interdisciplinary ways of thinking have opened up a novel field,.
THE CINEMA
ARNFINNUR AMAZEEN: SUBSELVES MEAN WELL Arnfinnur Amazeen (b. 1977) is the third artist to exhibit in Gallery D in the year 2016. In his practice he examines the monotonous round of everyday life and the contradictory role of the person within.
THE CINEMA There’s a cosy little movie theatre on the Old Harbour waterfront in the Reykjavik Centre that’s simply called The Cinema. It offers a wide variety of documentaries, made by the renowned Icelandic filmmaker Valdimar Leifsson, on everything from volcanoes to the Northern Lights and glaciers. It has an impressive selection of scheduled shows and it’s also possible to book specially a number of others, including films in German.
HAFNARBORG TRACES OF WATER Until August 22nd. Hafnarborg’s summer exhibition is a group show of six artists that all work with some form of water in their works. Color, water and it’s evaporation is the core of the exhibition – what are the traces left behind after the transformation? The artists that have pieces in the exhibition are; Anna Rún Tryggvadóttir, Florence Lam, Harpa Árnadóttir, Hulda Stefánsdóttir, John Zurier and Margrét H. Blöndal.
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How is the relation of contemporary art to nature? The contemporary artists‘ attitude to nature is to observe it in an objective manner, or use it as a mirror for the self and society. In both cases the interpretations can be fresh and ingenious and encourage creative thinking while at the same time provoking questions about man's position towards his environment.
EVENT CALENDAR
REYKJAVIK ART MUSEUM – HAFNARHÚS
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EVENT CALENDAR Read more about these exhibitions at whatson.is/museums 52
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ICELAND PABLO PICASSO IN THE COLLECTION OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY Picasso’s widow, Jacqueline Roque Picasso, gave the portrait of herself to Mrs Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, who as a president of Iceland took the generosity as a gift to the nation. Following this unique decision of both women the bust was consigned to the NGI in 1988. It has been shown more often abroad than in Iceland and it is considered to be among the artist’s most unusual portraits.
THE RHYTHM OF GEYSERS An interactive video installation, brings to the foreground the musical diversity of the geothermal site. The visitor's participation is needed for the evolution of the works on display. By participating, the user creates his/her personal experience of the visual and sound composition of the geysers. The experience of the one participating is similar to playing an instrument or rather conducting different musicians playing different instruments. The different geysers are the musical instruments of this work and the musical harmony is created by the different rhythm and pitches reached at different stages of an eruption. “The Rhythm of Geysers” is a poem dedicated to the earth in form of 36 videos and an interactive floorpiece that contains 9 pressure sensors.
UDSTILLING AF ISLANDSK KUNST In 1927, Icelandic art was presented to the public in Copenhagen for the first time. Seven years earlier, in 1920, the Danish-Icelandic Society held the first joint exhibition of Icelandic art, Fem islandske malere (Five Icelandic Artists), showcasing 160 works by five artists in the Kleis Gallery. The present exhibition at the National Gallery of Iceland looks back at a portion of the works that were presented at these watershed events.
BERLINDE DE BRUYCKERE Belgian artist Berlinde de Bruyckere's drawings and sculptures start as true-to-life anatomical studies, shaped by the traditions of the Flemish and German Renaissance which have had a profound influence on the artist's work, as much as by her own imagination and poetic sensibility.
REYKJAVIK MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY VANISHING CULTURE – WESTFJORDS
PABLO PICASSO
Photographs by Þorvaldur Örn Kristmundsson. This exhibition depicts the life of the farmers, deserted farms and the landscape of one the oldest farming communities in the Ísafjarðardjúp in the western part of Iceland, where hardship and harsh weather conditions have put a mark on their daily life from the times of the first settlers.
AN ISLAND IN ÖLFUS An Island in Ölfus is the title of an exhibition by Valdimar Thorlacius. The title refers to a town in southern Iceland which lies in an active geothermal area. The town is also the photographer‘s home town, so it has a special meaning for him as a subject.
REYKJAVÍK MARITIME MUSEUM FOR COD'S SAKE A new exhibition at the Reykjavik Maritime Museum about the so called Cod Wars.The Cod Wars were a series of confrontations between Iceland and Britain over fishing rights in the North Atlantic during the years 1958-1976. Each of the disputes ended with Iceland's victory.
SEA WOMEN The exhibition is a collaborative project between Reykjavik city museum (of which the Maritime museum is a part) and Dr. Margaret E. Willson, an anthropologist with the University of Washington (Seattle,
MOOD
Washington State). Dr. Willson discovered through extensive historical and ethnographic research in Iceland that women have consistently worked at sea from the mid- 900s to the present day. In West Iceland, through the 1700s and 1800s, women comprised a full third of the fishing fleet. This appears to be different from any other group of female fishers about whom a study has been done. From the 1970s through the early 2000s.
FROM POVERTY TO ABUNDANCE The exhibition portrays the Icelandic fisheries at the turn of the 20th century, and realistically depicts the lives of Icelandic fishermen. During this time, tenant fishermen resided in modest coastal cottages during the fishing season. On display is Farsæll, an original four-person rowboat built around 1900 in the Westman Islands.
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WHALE WATCHING from Reykjavík
Elding Sea Angling EL-04 – 1 May to 31 August at 11:00 and 15:30
Take part in an adventure at sea with an unforgettable trip into the world of whales and sea birds all year round.
Elding Puffin Watching EL-05 – 15 May to 15 August at 9:30, 12:00 and 15:00
Elding Whale Watching schedule – all year round EL-01 / EL-02 / EL-03
Jan-Mar Apr 9:00** 9:00 13:00
May 9:00
Jun 9:00 10:00 13:00 13:00 13:00 14:00 17:00 17:00 20:30*
Jul 9:00 10:00 13:00 14:00 17:00 20:30
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* From 15 June ** Feb and Nov Environmental A Icelandic T
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THE MAKING OF A NATION - HERITAGE AND HISTORY IN ICELAND 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.
MAKING OF A NATION
EVENT CALENDAR
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ICELAND
A WOMAN'S PLACE...
ÁSGRÍMUR JÓNSSON COLLECTION EN PLEIN AIR - ALONG THE SOUTH COAST Upon completion of his studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Ásgrímur returned to Iceland as soon as possible, grateful to be free again. He was determined to
EN PLEIN AIR
reconnect with the land and put his new knowledge to work by painting Icelandic nature and thus expressing his love for nation and country – to capture the moment, the ever-shifting light, and paint outdoors en plein air in the style of the French and the painters of the Danish Golden Age. On his return home in 1909, Ásgrímur went to his native South Iceland, traveling east through the Skaftafell districts in 1910, 1911 and 1912. These travels are documented in numerous oil paintings and watercolours where the artist interprets the pure light with masterful skill. The exhibition includes numerous oil paintings and watercolours from 1909–1928.
NORDIC HOUSE SÆVAR KARL: FINE EXHIBITION Sævar Karl (b. 1947) has been involved with art all his life. In 1989, Sævar Karl founded the Gallery of Sævar Karl, located inside his fashion store. The Gallery was a popular and a known art venue in Reykjavík. Sævar is a colourist and paints in an expressionist style, often on large surfaces. The paintings on the exhibition in the Nordic House are large abstract paintings, some were exhibit in Venice in May and June of 2015 in connection with the Venice Biennale, other paintings are from this year.
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The exhibition A Woman's Place... examines the working lives of Icelandic women from 1915 to 2015. A hundred years after women gained the right to vote, and to be candidates, in parliamentary elections, we look ack, and ask: What have women in Iceland been doing for the past century? How hafve their circumstances changed - and why? And what is a woman's place, after all?
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EVENT CALENDAR Read more about these exhibitions at whatson.is/ec 56
THE CULTURE HOUSE POINTS OF VIEW The exhibition offers visitors a chance to delve into the collections of six different cultural institutions, the National Museum of Iceland, National Gallery of Iceland, Natural History Museum, National Archives of Iceland, National and University Library of Iceland and Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies. Points of view offers an innovative guide to a nation’s cultural history exhibiting thousand-year-old treasures, e.g. manuscripts, along with the latest in Icelandic art.
settlement sagas look back to life in Iceland from the ninth century through to the period of Iceland’s conversion to Christianity (in 1000 AD). They tell of settlers from Norway and the British Isles and the regions
where they settled, detailing their family origins and noteworthy descendants and sometimes giving their reasons for leaving their homelands.
EINAR JÓNSSON MUSEUM A museum in the heart of Reykjavík that houses the work of Iceland's first sculptor Einar Jónsson. The museum contains close to 300 art works 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 colloect, preserve and display the work of Einar as well as to conduct research on his life and art.
EINAR JÓNSSON
SETTLEMENT SAGAS
THE SETTLEMENT EXHIBITION SETTLEMENT SAGAS The central feature of this new exhibition are the nation‘s greatest treasures, ancient manuscripts that are usually kept under lock at The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic studies. This is a temporary exhibition and a rare opportunity to see these culturally valuable manuscripts that describe the Settlement of Reykjavik. Written in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the
POINTS OF VIEW
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EVENT CALENDAR
NOTABLE FESTIVITIES & RECURRING EVENTS EVENTS FROM WHATSON.IS/EC
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REYKJAVÍK PRIDE
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REYKJAVIK JAZZ FESTIVAL
August 2nd-7th @ Reykjavík
August 10th-14th @ Nordic House
DRAGSÚGUR EXTRAVAGANZA
REYKJAVIK MARATHON
August 2nd @ Iðnó
August 20th @ Downtown Reykjavik
HUMOROUS SONGS
OPENING OF " GRJÓTAÞORP - HEART OF REYKJAVIK"
August 2nd @ National Gallery of Iceland Organist Friðrik Vignir Stefánsson August 4th @
Hallgrímskirkja
MUSE
August 6th @ Laugardalshöll
FAMILY CIRCUS PARTY
August 7th @ Klambratún REYKJAVIK PRIDE PARADE
August 6h @ Downtown Reykjavik
NOTABLE DAYS IN AUGUST MERCHANT'S WEEKEND JULY 30TH - AUGUST 1ST More information about the festivals on pages 35-36 and on whatson.is
August 20th @ Stofan
JAMES MCVINNIE PLAYS THE MAGNIFICENT KLAISORGAN
August 20th @ Hallgrímskirkja
MELODICA FESTIVAL REYKJAVIK
August 26th-28th @ Kex Hostel/Café Rosenberg EVERYBODY´S SPECTACULAR - REYKJAVÍK INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL
August 24th-28th
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THE STEAK HOUSE
Steikhúsið simply means „The Steak House” and that underlines our goal, to focus solely on steaks. The Steak house is in the middle of Reykjavík, opposite the old harbor which has recently formed into a lively neighborhood of restaurants, cafes and artisan stores and work shops. When you wisit us, remember to try our “28 days” tendered meat. The heart of the place is a coal oven from Mibrasa, Spain. It is only a blacksmith and metal works in years gone by. THE KITCHEN IS OPEN FROM 17:00 TILL LATE — VISIT WWW.STEAK.IS
Booking: +354 561 1111 & steik@steik.is
ART & CULTURE
ÁRBÆR OPEN AIR MUSEUM
REYKJAVÍK CITY MUSEUM This unique museum was founded in 1957 in order to give visitors a tangible sense of Reykjavík’s past. It comprises a village-like collection of over twenty “homes,” each creating a very interesting exhibition in itself. Kistuhylur, Reykjavik 411-6304 | reykjavikcitymuseum.is Hours: Every day 10-17
VIÐEY ISLAND
REYKJAVÍK CITY MUSEUM Unspoiled nature reigns on island of Viðey, which has a unique place in Icelandic history. Birdlife abounds on the island, while outstandi ng works of modern art also make their mark.
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Viðey Reykjavik 533-5055 reykjavikcitymuseum.is
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REYKJAVIK CITY LIBRARY
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, Reykjavik 411-6100 | borgarbokasafn.is Hours: Mon-Thu 10-19, Fri 11-18, Sat & Sun 13-17
THE SETTLEMENT EXHIBITION
REYKJAVIK MARITIME MUSEUM
Aðalstræti 16, Reykjavik 411-6370 | reykjavikcitymuseum.is Hours: Guided tour at 11:00 on weekdays.
Grandagarður 8, Reykjavik 411-6340 | reykjavikcitymuseum.is Hours: Daily 10-17
REYKJAVIK MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY
THE EINAR JÓNSSON MUSEUM
Tryggvagata 15, Reykjavik 411-6390 | reykjavikcitymuseum.is Hours: Mon-Thu 12-19, Fri 12-18, Sat & Sun 13-17
Hallgrímstorg 3, Reykjavik 551-3797 | www.lej.is Hours: Tue-Sun 10-17
REYKJAVÍK CITY MUSEUM Experience Viking-Age Reykjavik at the Settlement Exhibition. Multimedia techniques bring Reykjavik’s past to life, providing visitors with insights into how people lived in the Viking Age, and what the environment looked like to the settlers.
REYKJAVÍK CITY MUSEUM/ FREE ENTRY The aim of the museum is to shape a unique vision and to be leading in its field. The museum preserves various collections from professional and amateur photographers.
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. Strandgata 34, Hafnarfjörður 585-5790 | www.hafnarborg.is Hours: Wed-Mon 12-17
REYKJAVÍK CITY MUSEUM It is impossible to truly get to know Iceland without getting to know its fishing history. The museum’s main exhibitions illustrate the development from rowing boats to m o d e r n t raw l e r s a n d t h e construction of Reykjavik harbour.
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.
THE NUMISMATIC MUSEUM
FREE ENTRY A selection from the numismatic collection is on display on the ground floor of the Central Bank’s main building in Kalkofnsvegur 1, Reykjavik. Kalkofnsvegur 1, Reykjavik 569-9600 www.sedlabanki.is Hours: Mon-Fri 13:30-15:30
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The National Gallery of Iceland has come a long way from its origins. To begin with, the collection consisted of donated artwork, mainly by Danish artists. Today the museum stands at Frikirkjuvegur in central Reykjavik, displaying both Icelandic and International art. Fríkirkjuvegur 7, Reykjavík 515-9600 | www.listasafn.is Hours: Every day: 10-17
THE LIVING ART MUSEUM
An active exhibition space that has organized many exciting exhibitions throughout the years. They put a n e m p h a s i s o n i n t ro d u c i n g young Icelandic artists, as well as showcasing work by better-known Icelandic and foreign modern and contemporary artists.
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. Suðurgata 41, Reykjavik 530-2200 | nationalmuseum.is Hours: Every day 10-17
THE ICELANDIC PHALLOLOGICAL MUSEUM
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. Laugavegur 116, Reykjavik 561 6663 | www.phallus.is Hours: Daily 10-18
HANNESARHOLT
VOLCANO HOUSE
Grundarstígur 10, Reykjavik 511-1904 | www.hannesarholt.is Hours: Daily 11-17
Tryggvagata 11, Reykjavik 555-1900 | www.volcanohouse.is Hours: Daily 10-21
Cultural center and historic home of Hannes Hafstein, Iceland’s first Minister of State, now houses the non-profit Hannesarholt, dedicated to retrieving cultural memory, and revitalizing cultural roots. Bordstofan Bistro open daily from 11am – 6pm. Short doc on Hannes Hafstein and early Reykjavik Guided historic city walks Tue and Thu at 1 pm by appointment.
Shows documentaries that give a good idea of real life in Iceland, where volcanoes and earthquakes are a constant threat. There’s also a geological stone exhibition, which gives a brief overview of Iceland’s geological history and volcanic system, and a boutique, with Icelandic designs, artwork, lava rocks, pumice, bottles of ash and Lava Jewellery.
SIGURJÓN ÓLAFSSON MUSEUM
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. Laugarnestangi 70 553-2906 | www.lso.is Hours: Tue-Sun 14-17
MUSEUM OF DESIGN AND APPLIED 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. Garðatorg 1, Garðabær 512-1525 | www.honnunarsafn.is Hours: Tue-Sun 12-17
AURORA REYKJAVIK
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 center features information, education and of course stunning visuals of the elusive lights that’ll get your heart racing. Grandagarður 2, Reykjavik 780-4500 | aurorareykjavik.is Hours: Daily 9-21
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Völvufell 13-21, Reykjavik 551-4350 | www.nylo.is Hours: Tue-Fri 12-17
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ICELAND
ART & CULTURE
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ICELAND
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ART & CULTURE
KJARVALSSTAÐIR
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. Flókagata 24, Reykjavik 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.
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Gljúfrasteinn, Mosfellsbær 586-8066 | www.gljufrasteinn.is Closed for repairs in August.
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ÁSMUNDARSAFN
Opened in 1983, the collection is housed in a unique building designed and constructed mostly by the artist himself from 19421950. The original building served Sveinsson as studio and home; behind it he built a crescent-shaped structure as a work- and exhibition space. Sigtún, Reykjavik 411-6430 | www.artmuseum.is Hours: Daily 10-17.
THE CULTURE HOUSE
Artifacts and works of art from the varied collections of six institutions provide a reflection of Iceland’s visual art history and cultural heritage in the exhibition Points of View, a journey through the Icelandic visual world of past and present. There are seven points of view to be found in as many wings of the house, connecting what you’ll see, independent from the medium or time. Hverfisgata 15, Reykjavik 545-1400 | www.culturehouse.is Hours: Daily 10-17
GERÐARSAFN
SAGA MUSEUM
Hamraborg 4, Kópavogur 441-7600 | gerdarsafn.is Hours: Tue-Sun 11-17
Grandagardur 2, Reykjavik 511-1517 | sagamuseum.is Hours: Daily 10-18
Gerðarsafn is a progressive modern art museum in Kópavogur. It’s dedicated to sculptor Gerður Helgadóttir and it’s the only museum in Iceland dedicated to a woman. The museum 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.
From the time of the earliest settlers, history is brought to life in a unique and exciting way. The Saga Museum intimately recreates key moments in Icelandic history, moments that have determined the fate of our people and which give a compelling view into how Icelanders have lived for more than a millenium.
HAFNARHÚS
The Reykjavik Art Museum took p o ss e ss i o n o f i t s p o r t i o n o f Hafnarhús (Harbour House) in 2000. Hafnarhús was built in 193239 for the offices and warehouses of Reykjavik Harbor and was at that time one of the largest buildings in the country. Tryggvagata 17, Reykjavik 411-6410 | www.artmuseum.is Hours: Daily 10-17, Thu 10-20
ÁSGRÍMUR JÓNSSON COLLECTION
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. Bergstaðastræti 74, Reykjavík 515-9625 | www.listasafn.is Hours: Tue, Thu, Sun 14-17
WHALES OF ICELAND
The largest whale exhibition in Europe (and perhaps even the world), where guests can learn about the giants of the sea in a calm and modern environment. The permanent exhibition features whales like guests have never seen them before. It is truly a giant experience. Fiskislóð 23-25, Reykjavik 571-0077 | whalesoficeland.is Hours: Daily 10-18
Wool & Souvenirs
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Two Icelandic themed villages
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Restaurant & Lodging
The Viking Village is a unique place and it is the only Viking theme Hotel and restaurant in Iceland. We have step by step been developing our facilities over the last 24 years and will hopefully continue to do so in the future. We offer Hotel accommodation and Viking houses. Good for families and groups.
The Fisherman´s village, our newest accommodation is Hlið in Álftanes only few minutes drive from the Viking Village. Like a country home by the seaside. Such an idyllic place to visit. The restaurant is open for groups in the evenings. Close to the president´s residence.
ve ri re d nt es ce ut ty in ci m e 15 th to
Viking feasts - Souvenirs - Live entertainment most nights “You haven't been in Iceland if you haven't been to us“ Don’t miss it! Booking: www.vikingvillage.is | +354 565 1213
Welcome to Gló Restaurant AT LAUGAVEGUR Gló is Iceland’s most popular health food restaurant in Reykjavik. Gló offers different set menu everyday: Raw food, chicken, a vegetarian dish and soup. Tasty desserts, coffee, tea and delicious juices are offered as well.
Laugavegur 20b · Open every day 11–22 Tel 553 1111 · www.glo.is · #gloiceland
Austur is one of the hottest clubs in downtown Reykjavik, and has been since it first opened in 2009. Austur is located in Austurstraeti, one of the main bar- and shopping streets downtown, and even though the surrounding area is filled with clubs and bars, Austur seems to be the center of attention. Austurstræti 7, Reykjavik 568-1907
HÚRRA
Dark and raw, this large bar/club opens up its back room to make a concert venue, with live music or DJs most nights. They’ve got six Icelandic microbreweries on tap and happy hour runs till 21:00. One of the coolest and hipster friendly places in town and your best bet of catching the next big thing from Iceland.
KAFFIBARINN
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 and univer sity 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. Bergstaðastræti 1, Reykjavik 551-1588 www.kaffibarinn.is
AMERICAN BAR
Laugavegur 20b, Reykjavik 581-2200
Austurstræti 8, Reykjavik 571 9999
B5
DEN DANSKE KRO
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 craftbrewed beers on tap. Great happy hour and great fun, Kaldi is a place not-to-be-missed!
B5 bar/bistro has become a very popular establishment with the locals of the capital. With its very contemporary and stylish interior, b5 is laid back during the day, while as night falls, the lights dim and the atmosphere changes accordingly. Bankastræti 5, Reykjavik 552-9600 www.b5.is
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.
There is live music playing every night at Den Danske Kro and sometimes there are live football games, pub quizzes, beer bingo, darts and happy hours. Den Danske Kro is a casual place in the heart of Reykjavik where everyone is welcome. Ingólfsstræti 3, Reykjavik 552-0070 www.danski.is
BAR ANANAS
THE ENGLISH PUB
Klapparstígur 38, Reykjavik
Austurstræti 12, Reykjavik 578-0400 www.facebook.com/enskibarinn
Ten seconds from Laugavegur, you'll find Iceland’s one and only BeachBar/Tiki Bar in downtown Reykjavík. There, most things are made in the shape of a pineapple. Pillows, glasses, chandeliers, candlesticks and more. At weekends city's best DJs will make guests feel sunny while they enjoy some of the best cocktails in town. G
In the mood for a pint? English Pub offers over 35 brands of beer and Whiskey. Whatever your preference – you will find it here. This is also a great place if you would like to catch some football (soccer). Inside they have 3 big screens and 2 TV’s so that you can catch all the action as it happens.
Find more recommendations at whatson.is
Naustin, Reykjavik www.hurra.is
KALDI BAR
NIGHTLIFE
AUSTUR
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SHOPPING & STYLE Find more recommendations at whatson.is 70
ANNA MARÍA DESIGN
For over twenty years, jewelry designer Anna Maria has created her things of gold and silver, a design that is both pure and timeless. Exceptional attention to detail and craftsmanship create the elegant simplicity that shines through Anna Maria’s products. Skólavörðustígur 3, Reykjavik 551-0036 www.annamariadesign.is
LISTVINAHÚSIÐ
The oldest ceramic workshop in Iceland established 1927. Three generations of artistic potters. U n i q u e h a n d m a d e ce ra m i c s , Viking masks and various ceramic potteries decorated with lava, made by Gudmundur Einarsson. Located right next to Hallgrímskirkja and the statue of “Leif the Lucky”. Skólavörðustígur 43, Reykjavik 551-2850 www.listvinahusid.is
FJALLAKOFINN
At Fjallakofinn you can find top quality clothing and good equipment at a fair price. They offer good advise on all backpacking and outdoor related things and offer basic things like backpacks, sleeping bags and tents for rent. A licensed retailer of many big brands, you’ll find everything for your outdoor needs. Laugavegur 11, Reykjavik 510-9505 | www.fjallakofinn.is
ÁLAFOSS
One of Iceland’s major woollen industry shops, the Álafoss store. Situated in old factory premises that for decades were the leading manufacturers and exporters of Icelandic woollens, Álafoss is a company that strives towards offering the newest wares along with the traditional Icelandic wool sweaters. Laugavegur 8, Reykjavik 566-6303 | www.alafoss.is
LISTASELIÐ
IGLÓ&INDÍ
Skólavörðustígur 17b, Reykjavik 551-5675 | www.listaselid.is Hours: Mon-Fri 12-18, Sat 11-16
Skólavörðustígur 2, Reykjavik 445-2020 | www.igloandindi.com
Six energetic women design and create exclusive art, while also running and working in the gallery. The gallery offers gift vouchers, issued by the store or by the Centrum organization that can be redeemed within most shops on Laugarvegur and Skólavörðustígur in downtown Reykjavik.
Loved by parents and children alike and praised in the media for boldness and creativity, Ígló&Indí has offered both parents and children an ever growing collection of clothes with a fresh take on children’s fashion since 2008— representing the best childhood has to offer.
THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS SHOP
On Laugavegur, in the heart of Reykjavík, you’ll find the very unique Little Christmas Shop— which is dedicated to the spirit of Christmas, all year round. There you’ll find Icelandic decorations and everything needed for that festive spirit. Should not be missed as it is definitely one of the most special and fun stores to visit. Laugavegur 8, Reykjavik 552-2412
METAL DESIGN
The jewellery forms which Metal design is known for are inspired by the Icelandic flora. But what stands out the most is the shape “The Coast” that is inspired by the waves of the Icelandic coast.”The coast silver jewellery line is for ladies and gentlemen. Skólavörðustígur 2. Reykjavik 552-5445 www.MetalDesignReykjavik.is
CINTAMANI
Nowhere in the populated world does the weather change as fast, or as often as here. Thus Icelandic d e s i g n e r s h ave to m e e t t h e requirements of consumers who have to go out all year long in harsh conditions. That‘s where the label Cintamani comes to the rescue. Their goal is to keep us warm, dry and comfortable, whatever the weather may bring. Bankastræti 7, Reykjavik 533-3800 | www.cintamani.is
WHALE WATCHING AND OTHER WILDLIFE ADVENTURES FROM REYKJAVIK
“Special Tours is the best!” Reviewed Apr 19, 2015
WHALE WATCHING
Whale Watching Andrea: 09:00, 13:00, 17:00 Whale Watching Express: 10:00, 14:00, 21:00
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
09:00
09:00 10:00 13:00 14:00 17:00*
09:00 10:00 13:00 14:00 17:00 21:00**
09:00 10:00 13:00 14:00 17:00 21:00
09:00 10:00 13:00 14:00 17:00
09:00 10:00 13:00 14:00 17:00*
09:00
13:00
*From 15th May-15th September Price: Adults: 9900 ISK Children (7-15) 50% OFF - Children (0-6) FREE
13:00
**From June 15th
SEA ANGLING
PUFFIN EXPRESS* MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP
08:30 10:30 12:30 14:30 16:00
08:30 10:30 12:30 14:30 16:00
08:30 10:30* 12:30* 14:30* 16:00*
17:00
10:30 12:30 14:30
PRICE: Adults 5.500 Children (7-15) 50% OFF Children (0-6) FREE *Daily until 20th August
17:00
17:00 17:00
GLING
PUFFIN EXPR
17:00*
PRICE: Adults 12.500 Children (7-15) 50% OFF Children (0-6) FREE
*Daily until 15th September
Hotel pick-up/drop-off:
SEA AN
Adults: 2000 ISK / Children 7-15 1000 ISK / Children 0-6: FREE Pre-booked pickup service starts 1 hour before departure
WE GO THE EXTRA MILE! Book online www.specialtours.is / info@specialtours.is Call us +354 560 8800, or visit our ticket sale at the old harbour
ESS
SHOPPING & STYLE
GULLKÚNST HELGU
With its wide open spaces and beautiful treasures displayed in glass casting, Gullkúnst Helgu feels more like a gallery than a jewelry shop. Located on central Laugavegur, Reykjavik's busiest shopping street, this family owned shop is not to be missed. Laugavegur 13, Reykjavik 561-6660 www.gullkunst.is
STUDIO STAFN
At Studio Stafn you will be able to look at art, purchase art and have your art framed! Great works and historical paintings by Iceland’s most famous artists could become all yours if you pay them a visit. If you’re not looking to buy art, at least stop by and take a look.
Find more recommendations at whatson.is
Ingólfsstræti 6, Reykjavik 552-4700 www.studiostafn.is
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THE HANDKNITTING ASSOCIATION OF ICELAND
Renowned for its excellent products and quality. Offering the widest selection of traditional hand knitted Icelandic sweaters, the range of products also includes special designs and a variety of woolen products from leading Icelandic manufactures. Skólavörðustígur 19, Reykjavik 552-1890 | www.handknit.is
MICHELSEN
KRAUM
Laugavegur 15, Reykjavik 511-1900 | www.michelsen.is
Bankastræti 7, Reykjavik 517-7797 www.kraum.is
HILDUR HAFSTEIN
GEYSIR
Inside their spacious shop in downtown Reykjavik, Michelsen Watchmakers offer you to browse one of Iceland’s best selection of watches. Along with their own design they also have a wide selection of well-known brands including Rolex, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Diesel, Movado, Swiss Military and more.
A wonderful little workshop, where Hildur Hafstein creates her handmade Icelandic jewelry line, KORA. Inspired by different elements, such as Buddhism and the flower power, a visit to Hildur Hafstein will be a pleasant experience. Although the store is technically on Laugavegur, you walk in from Klapparstígur! Laugavegur 20b, Reykjavik 771-1177 www.HildurHafstein.is
EPAL
Their main goal has been to increase Icelanders interest and respect for fine design by introducing and providing top quality design products from all over the world, particularly Scandinavia. Epal has always been very supportive of Icelandic designers and done what they can to help them promote their design around the world. Skeifan 6, & Harpa Reykjavik Keflavík Airport 568-7740 | www.epal.is
Natural light floods the wooden floors and the fresh white walls of this stunning design hub and retail outlet, which already attracts some of Iceland's top talents. More than 70 designers are contributing to a huge selection of products that include children’s puzzles, fish skin lamps and exquisite jewellery.
Rustic, vintage interior, intertwined with the latest fashion in outdoor and woolen clothing. Add some puffin, reindeers and other iconic animals and you‘ve got one of the coolest shops in town. This is one place you‘ll have to visit, if only for the experience. Skólavörðustíg 16, Reykjavík 519-6000 www.geysir.com
KRINGLAN
Kringlan Shopping Centre is conveniently located close to downtown Reykjavik. Standing at 50.000 sq.m. and equipped with 150 shops and services, including a multiplex cinema, a seven-outlet food court and three themed restaurants, it has something to suit every need. Kringlan 4-12, Reykjavik 517-9000 | www.kringlan.is
SKÓLAVÖRÐUSTÍGUR 14 - 101 REYKJAVÍK - TEL: +354 571 1100
Gourmet Experience
- Steaks and Style at Argentina Steakhouse Barónsstíg 11 - 101 Reykjavík Tel: 551 9555 argentina.is
FOOD & DRINK
FORRÉTTABARINN
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!
Find more recommendations at whatson.is
Is a centrally located and affordable restaurant that boasts an extensive international menu with an emphasis on Tex-Mex, Italian, Indian and many light meal options. One thing you can be sure of, when you visit Vegamót is that the place will be crowded. It's usually filled with locals for lunch, dinner and during evenings.
BRYGGJAN Bryggjan is not just a restaurant where you can get fresh Icelandic seafood overlooking the old harbour, it also doubles as a brewery. For beer enthusiasts, Bryggjan also offers an evening of beer school, where you can learn all about the beer and how it’s made, while tasting it with the appropriate courses.
Nýlendugata 14, Reykjavík 517-1800 | www.forrettabarinn.is
Vegamótastígur 4, Reykjavik 511-3040 | www.vegamot.is
Grandagarður 8, Reykjavík 456-4040 | bryggjanbrugghus.is
AUSTURLANDAHRAÐLESTIN
ARGENTÍNA STEAKHOUSE
HAMBORGARABÚLLAN – BURGER JOINT
Barónsstígur 11a, Reykjavik 551-9555 | www.argentina.is
Geirsgata 1, Reykjavik 511-1888 www.bullan.is
UNO RESTAURANT
ICELANDIC FISH & CHIPS
An excellent Indian restaurant, focusing on quality take-away, with the option of eating in. This means that while it‘s technically “fast food”, it’s definitely of restaurant q u a l i t y. T h e m e n u i n c l u d e s everything you could expect from an Indian restaurant, with the Chicken Tandoori being especially recommended.
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VEGAMÓT BISTRO
Lækjargata 8, Reykjavik 578-3838 | www.hradlestin.is
SNAPS
A new restaurant in Iceland situated at Odinstorg. Snaps is a classic french bistro using local Icelandic ingredients. The location could not be better. Snaps is literally a few steps away from downtown Reykjavik, close to the National Theatre, The National Gallery of Iceland and the two main shopping streets of Reykjavik” Óðinstorg, Reykjavik 511-6677 | www.snaps.is
They offer some of the the finest cuisine there is to find in the whole city. Grilling meat and fish of all kinds Argentinian style using wooden coal is what they do better than any other restaurant and frankly, you won‘t believe your own tastebuds
Uno is a relatively new, modern Italian restaurant in downtown Reykjavik, where original Italian culinary customs and Icelandic ingredients come together to form a delightful treat. Whether you're in the mood for a light lunch or a dinner feast, Uno is the place to be! Hafnarstræti 1-3, Reykjavik 561-1313 | www.uno.is
Since 2004, the Joint has kept it simple, fun and delicious. Sitting right by the Old Harbour, in a small, iconic house, the atmosphere of the Burger Joint is hard to find elsewhere. You can feel the joy of the staff, as they serve you juicy burgers, exploding with great taste.
This is not your run of the mill fish and chip shop! Not only does the restaurant use the freshest fish and ingredients, they serve their fish with delicious skyr-based sauces,.This fast-food upgrade is much more nutritious than you‘d think! After eating, we recommend visiting the Volcano House, it‘s in the same building! Tryggvagata 11, Reykjavik 511 11 18 | ww.fishandchips.is
SEAFOOD
BUFFET Every day from 17:30
Salted Cod With almond and chive butter, fig and potatoes
3.855
IKR
+3 5 4 5 1 7 4 3 0 0 geysirbistro.is
A new 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. Tryggvagata 4-6, Reykjavik 561-1111 | www.steik.is
KOL
Kol describes itself as “casual fine dining with a big bar”. The name comes from the unique charcoal oven which lends a very special, rustic flavour to the dishes. The restaurant offers a wide variety of sophisticated cocktails, mixed with handmade syrups and juices. Skólavörðustígur 40, Reykjavik 517-7474
What’s the only thing that’s better than a feast of Icelandic langoustine? A feast of Icelandic langoustine in a charming restaurant by the seaside in a tiny, picturesque fishing village. Their langoustine soup alone is well worth the 45-minute drive from the city. Fjöruborðið Eyrarbraut 3 A Stokkseyri 483-1550 | www.fjorubordid.is
The spices used to season the food at Austur-Indiafjelagid are imported directly from India and blended on the spot by their team of highly experienced chefs. The Tandoori dishes on the menu must be mentioned, as the chefs have truly mastered the art of Tandoori grilling. Hverfisgata 56, Reykjavik 552-1630 | www.austurindia.is
THE ICELANDIC BAR
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. Ingólfsstræti 1a, Reykjavík 517-6767 | www.islenskibarinn.is
HLÖLLI Hlölli has been serving up delicious subs, with his secret-ingredient sauce, for more than 30 years. Whether you’re in the mood for a lunch on your way about town or a late night snack after a night of dancing in the Reykjavík clubs, Hlöllabátar is the way to go. The bread is baked fresh every day and topped with fresh Icelandic ingredients. Ingólfstorgi, Reykjavik 511-3500 | www.hlollabatar.is
PYLSUHÚSIÐ
Hot dogs are the perfect fast food. They’re quick, portable and they taste great!. The classic Icelandic hot dog with all the fixings, raw and fried onions, ketchup, remoulade and mustard is of course available here, but they also offer more adventurous “dogs”, like chilli dogs and a French hot dog. If you’re not in the mood for a hot dog, they also serve ice cream! Ingólfstorgi, Reykjavik 842-2800
KAFFITÁR
KRÚSKA
Bankastræti 8, Reykjavik 420-2700 www.kaffitar.is/en
Suðurlandsbraut 12, Reykjavik 557-5880 | www.kruska.is
A chain of cafés and espresso bars with over 30 years of experience in serving and roasting high-quality coffee. They operate cafés in 8 locations in Iceland, promising a highly knowledgeable staff and a great cup of coffee procured in a responsible and fair way.
Krúska serves delicious, nutritious meals, both for people on the go and those who want to linger over their vegan, fish, vegetarian or chicken dishes. Everything is made right in their own kitchen from first class ingredients with no additives or preservatives. Krúska also serves coffee and cakes.
Find more recommendations at whatson.is
FJÖRUBORÐIÐ
AUSTURINDÍAFJELAGIÐ
FOOD & DRINK
THE STEAK HOUSE
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FOOD & DRINK
KITCHEN AND WINE
Situated inside the stylish 101 hotel downtown, Kitchen and Wine is a luxurious bistro with a relaxed atmosphere. The cuisine is seasonal and focuses on simplicity and finesse. The cocktails are also excellent! Hverfisgata 10, Reykjavik 580-0103 www.kitchenandwine.is
GRILLHÚSIÐ
73 RESTAURANT
Tryggvagata 20, Reykjavik 527-5000 www.grillhusid.is
Laugavegur 73, Reykjavik 555 7373 www.73.is
FISH AND CHIPS VAGNINN
FISH COMPANY
KOLABRAUTIN
Between the Reykjavík Maritime Museum and Reykjavík Marina Hotel 840-4100 | fishandchipsvagninn.is
Vesturgata 2a, Reykjavik 552-5300 | www.fiskfelagid.is
Find more recommendations at whatson.is
Geirsgata 3, Reykjavik 567-2700 www.koparrestaurant.is ta
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Not only does Smurstöðin have some of Reykjavík’s best new Nordic smørrebrød, it also has the added bonus of being inside the stunning Harpa concert hall. The delicious, beautifully decorated open-faced sandwiches are best washed down with an icy glass of the house-made schnapps. Harpa Austurbakki 2, Reykjavik 519-9750 | www.smurstodin.is
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.
rsga
A restaurant in prime location in Reykjavík‘s old harbour. The menu is inspired by South-American and southern-European cuisine and the restaurant designed to deliver fresh and uplifting dining experience, unique to the harbour area. MAR is an interesting choice for individuals and groups alike.
SMURSTÖÐIN
Geirsgata 9, Reykjavik 519-5050 | www.marrestaurant.is
KOPAR
Gei
MAR - SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
The fish and chips stand down by the old harbour combines the best of British and Icelandic culture, with fresh, quality Icelandic fish served in the traditional British way. You can even get mushy peas and malt vinegar with it! Festing on piping hot fish and chips on a sunny day while looking over the old harbour is an unbeatable Reykjavík experience.
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.
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.
Offering a great selection of Icelandic brews and one of the most Epic Burgers this country has ever seen (300gr!), 73, a family-owned and operated restaurant is the place to go for those seeking great food at good prices. Take note that the outdoor seating area is a special treat!
Harpa is not only home to the Icelandic Opera and the Orchestra, it is also the location of one of Reykjavik‘s newest fine restaurants. The kitchen is in the middle of the room, where the fiery furnace gives the dinner guests a warm welcome. An ideal choice for people who appreciate fine cuisine combined with unique architecture and elegant atmosphere. Harpa, Reykjavik 519-9700 | www.kolabrautin.is
Varma is dedicated to maintaining Icelandic tradition in developing, designing and manufacturing quality garments and accessories from the best Icelandic wool and sheepskin shearling. All Varma products are made in Iceland. Varma is available in various tourist shops around Iceland
NICE
GREAT FOODGOOD DRINKS ATMO HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY 17-19
KITCHEN IS OPEN Weekends 11.30–24 Other days 11.30–23
UNO at Ingólfstorg | Tel. 561 1313 | www.uno.is
Enjoy the freedom of riding ÍSHESTAR offers horseback riding tours through the spectacular Icelandic landscape. Whether you join our tours into the wilderness of the remote highlands, through the lush countryside or, all year round, for a short ride from our Riding Centre near Reykjavik, riding with Íshestar is a great experience. For further information check out our website www.ishestar.is, call +354 555 7000 or be our friend on Facebook.
For over 30 years Íshestar has given people an opportunity to ride the Icelandic horse, the most versatile gait horse in the world. Horses are our partners and our passion.
Got a question about Iceland? Wondering if it’s safe? (It is). Who the president is? (Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson). Maybe you’re wondering about where to find some original Icelandic Igloos? (Just stop. Don’t.). We have the answers to these questions and plenty more at our website: www.whatson.is. If you can’t find your answer there, just visit us on Laugavegur 4 in Reykjavík, or drop us an e-mail at whatson@whatson.is. MUST KNOW PHONE NUMBERS
IMPORTANT STATISTICS
112 – The only number you need to have in your arsenal. If you get hurt, robbed, set on fire or accidentally set something on fire yourself, this is the number you call. Memorize it. Luckily, it isn’t complicated.
330.000 The population of the country. Yes, we know, it’s not a lot.
5885522 – Thanks to a catchy jingle this company had in the early nineties, every Icelander knows this number. There are other taxi companies, but ask any Icelander for a number for a taxi, this is probably what you get.
0 Number of people living in Igloos in Iceland. 99.5 Percentage of Icelanders who speak English. Although we of course encourage you to check out the beautiful Icelandic language, if only for the always hilarious Eyjafjallajökull joke, you’ll be perfectly safe conversing with locals in a more international language.
11 The street number of the Tryggvagata location of the Volcano House, which also has a What‘s On information desk. 5 Number of post offices in the Reykjavík area. Also the street number of our Laugavegur office! Stop by in case you have more questions, or just want to chat! 220 Number of volts Icelandic electricity uses. Converters are needed for people from the UK and the USA, at least for those who like their phones charged and their hair dry and/ or curled.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: NUMBERS YOU SHOULD KNOW!
1818 – If you forget the emergency number, want to call a different taxi company or you met some nice Icelanders last night and want to call them up, this is the only number you need, the Icelandic phonebook. +354 – The country code to Iceland. Add this to the seven digit phone numbers in Iceland and you can telephone to your heart’s desire, so long as you’re calling people in Iceland.
CHECK OUT MORE ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ONLINE AT WHATSON.IS/FAQ
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Make a toast with Iceland’s no. 1 beer Pour a glass of the number one beer in the country, raise your glass to a friend and say “scowl fyrewr thyer!” You should fit right in. Skál fyrir þér!
Enjoy responsibly
FOLLOW US @ALAFOSS
Álafoss Main Store Álafossvegi 23 270 Mosfellsbær Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00 - 18.00 Saturday 9.00 - 16.00
Álafoss - Sweaters & souvenirs Laugavegi 8 Reykjavík City centre Opening hours: All days 10.00 - 21.00
Special opening for groups after closing: tel: 354 5666303
– Visit our stores: Skólavörðustígur & Kringlan, Reykjavík. Hafnarstræti, Akureyri. Geysir, Haukadalur. geysir.com –