What's On in Reykjavik - February 2018

FEBRUARY 2018

IN REYKJAVÍK

REYKJAVÍK’S LEADING GUIDE TO INFORMATION, EVENTS, MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES SINCE 1982.

24

48

T he Reykjavík Art Museum

Choose a city card that suits your stay: 24, 48 or 72 hours

#reykjavikloves

visitreykjavik.is

72

The Reykjavík City Card offers free entry to a great selection of museums and galleries, all thermal pools in Reykjavík and free unlimited travel by bus within Reykjavík. In addition, the card also gives you a free ferry trip to Viðey island and discounts on various tours, in shops and on services.

Guided Tours

Quest for Northern Lights When you’re on the hunt for the Northern Lights, it helps to know when and where to find them. At Gray Line Iceland, our guides are Northern Lights experts. We’ve done the research and we’ll give you the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. You just prepare to be dazzled.

AIRPORT EXPRESS We’ll Pick You Up Let Airport Express take some of the stress out of your travel experience. We offer service for all flights, free Wifi on board and modern, comfortable coaches. Sit back and enjoy the ride with Airport Express. For more information and schedules visit airportexpress.is

Contact information: Tel. +354 540 1313 | iceland@grayline.is | grayline.is

REYKJAVÍK

KEFLAVÍK AIRPORT

WHAT’S ON

CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2018 WHAT'S ON

ON THE COVER FEBRUARY IN REYKJAVIK 6-49

REYKJAVÍK CITY MAP 50-51 RVK MUSEUM WALK

52-53

EVENTS 54-73 ART & CULTURE

74-81

PUBS & NIGHTLIFE

82-85

SHOPPING & STYLE

86-89

FOOD & DRINK

90-95

PRACTICAL INFO

96-97

If you‘d told me five years ago that Iceland would be as popular by travellers in winter as it is in summer, I'm not sure I would have believed you. By now I can appreciate the excitement. If you dress for the weather, you can experience some amazing moments in Iceland‘s snowcovered winter nature, everything from waterfalls frozen in icy cages to the magic of the northern lights. Travelling in Iceland during winter is not only thrilling, it also teaches you flexibility.

Some people plan their trip to Iceland months or even years in advance. They pick out the places they want to see, the tours and trips they want to experience, even the flavours they want to try and things they want to buy!

The only problem is that the weather in Iceland is famously fickle. It can change at the drop of a hat and sunny skies in the morning do not guarantee that you won‘t be fighting a storm in the afternoon.

Keeping up with the weather forecast is instrumental to enjoying your trip to Iceland. If you can‘t do a specific activity on the day you had planned, do it the next day and find something else to do instead. If it‘s windy, maybe go on a sightseeing trip instead of a whale watching tour. Better yet, go explore a cave! On the other hand, if conditions are perfect today to go see the northern lights, don‘t wait! You won‘t necessarily have the same luck tomorrow!

Not only does following the weather ensure that you have the best experiences possible, it also keeps your trip spontaneous and fun. Maybe you‘ll end up trying something you wouldn‘t even have thought of before you arrived!

4

Contact Us: info@whatson.is

Published by: MD Reykjavík ehf.

Layout & Design: Stefán Birgir Stefáns, sbs@whatson.is

Laugavegur 5, 101 Reykjavik. Tel.: 551-3600

Publisher: Kjartan Þorbjörnsson Editor: Gréta Sigríður Einarsdóttir, greta@whatson.is Content Writers: The What’s On Team Ad Sales: Reynir Elís Þorvaldsson, reynir@whatson.is

Map: Kári Gunnarsson Printing: Oddi, Ecolabelled Printing Company

N

What's On - Volume 36 – Issue 2

141

O

RD

I C E CO L A

B EL

www.whatson.isv

What's On Information Centre, Laugavegur 5

776

WHAT‘S ON IN REYKJAVÍK is published monthly, covering events and happenings in and around Reykjavík. Opinions expressed in WHAT‘S ON IN REYKJAVÍK are those of the individual authors.

While every effort has been made to ensure the information presented is accurate, prices, times, dates and other information may be subject to change.

PRINTED MATTER

& OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

DAY TOURS FROM: REYKJAVÍK SÓLHEIMAJÖKULL SKAFTAFELL OUTDOOR ADVENTURES SUPER

JEEP ADVENT LKS URES GLACIER WA GLACIER WALKS, HIKING AND PRIVATE FELL L & SKAFTA SÓLHEIMAJÖKUL - 18

2017 DAY TOURS

& CAVING FROM REYKJAVÍK 2017-18 TOURS FROM REYKJ AVÍK 2017 - 18

icelandrove mountainguides.is info@ice s.is info@mountainguides.is · Tel: +354 587 rs.is 9999 landrovers.is guide587 · Tel: +354 9999 mountain 587 9999 s · Tel: +354 tainguides.i uides.is

1

www.mountaing

info@moun

MOUNTAINGUIDES.IS • INFO@MOUNTAINGUIDES.IS • TEL: +354 587 9999

WHAT’S ON

THE WHAT’S ON

FEBRUARY CHECKLIST February is a great month to visit Iceland. Even though it's still quite dark, the sun is rapidly shining more. Blue skies and beautiful sunsets are a common sight in this month. Plus, there are a lot of cool events going on. Here are some ideas on how to spend this February in Iceland.

You can find checklists from past months at whatson.is

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

6

Taste an Icelandic beer and make new friends during the Annual Beer Festival Eat too many cream puffs on Bolludagur Spoil your woman (or get spoilt) on Konudagur, Woman’s Day Enjoy a snowy day while soaking in a geothermal pool Watch the northern lights Try an exciting artisan cocktail during the Reykjavík Cocktail Weekend If you have some time to spare: go visit an ice cave in Southeast Iceland!

A rct i c C i rc l e

Killer canoeing trip Isafjordur

Grimsey

Most beautiful sunset ever

Thorshofn

Vopnafjordur

Akureyri

Egilsstadir

Saw reindeer (check!)

I C E L A N D Keflavik

REYKJAVIK

Amazing Iceland Expo exhibition at Ha rpa

Shape your adventure

60° So you’ve arrived in Iceland. Why not make the most of your time and fly? At our domestic destinations you’ll find all the services you need.

Your adventure is only a decision away.

Visit our website www.airicelandconnect.com and make it happen.

WHAT’S ON

#WhatsOnRvk

o n I n s ta g ra m

Follow WhatsOnIceland on Instagram for more beautiful shots from Iceland!

@sandrazphotography

8

@racheltrafalgar

@andy.fitfab

@thrainnko

@lorenzom.x

@raph.chapot

WHAT’S ON

So you‘re in Iceland, enjoying life, seeing the sights and taking in everything our magnificent country has to offer. Why not share it with the world?

Tag your photos using #whatsonrvk and your photo might be featured in our magazine next month!

On www.whatson.is, you can watch out for every issue published.

@lifewedaretolive

@panupong.ttt

ehrphotos

@soffiamikales

@wanderingminutes

Follow WhatsOnIceland on Instagram for more beautiful shots from Iceland!

@gretargudmunds

9

WHAT’S ON

SKYR

ICELAND‘S SECRET TO HEALTHY LIVING Legend has it that the Vikings introduced Skyr to Iceland when they settled in the country some 1.100 years ago. Travel back in time to any farm and Skyr would be on the table – essential nourishment for young and old. Generations past may not have been able to measure the nutritional content in the way we can now, but the lifeexpectancy of the average Icelander was proof enough that something good was going on.

Icelanders have ever since loved the smooth texture of this incredibly healthy dairy product and today it plays a big role in the modern lifestyle diet.

Skyr is high in protein and a virtually fat-free dairy delight. Thick and creamy in consistency, it is also rich in calcium and other nutrients.

Skyr can be found at almost every home and workplace. Enjoyed at breakfast, lunchtime, pretty much anytime, it has also become a healthy „fast-food“ for active people on the go. Delicious in smoothies or energy-boosting drinks, it even features on the dessert menus of many top restaurants, which are bringing a contemporary twist to this established favourite.

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, especially served with sugar and/or cream.

KEA SKYR WITH VANILLA

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.

10

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

MS SKYR.IS WITH DARK CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA 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 dark chocolate and vanilla flavour.

ICELAND’S SECRET TO HEALTHY LIVING

HIGH PROTEIN – FAT FREE

#iseyskyr

WHAT’S ON

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.

VÍKING CLASSIC Víking Classic is a Vienna style beer with a golden amber colour and a 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.

BRÍÓ Brío uses German hops, giving the beer a very distinctive taste and a sweet aroma.

Along with the hops, it uses Pilsen malt and underfermented yeast.

Bríó is the first beer produced by Borg Brugghús, a brewery that now produces several popular beers all year round along with seasonal beers for summer, Christmas and Easter. Bríó is a pilsner, a style of beer named after the city of Pilsen in the Czech Republic. This style of brewing first emerged in the middle of the 19th century and became so popular that the majority of beer drunk today is a relative of the original pilsner. Bríó was originally brewed as the house beer for Ölstofan but due to its popularity, it’s now available in liquor stores as well as most bars in town.

VÍKING STOUT

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

Viking stout is pitch black, reminiscent of cocoa and coffee with a smoothly roasted aftertaste.

12

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 traveler who named Iceland.

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.

ÞORRI BEERS Iceland’s craft brewery scene is booming these days, which is most noticeable in the rising popularity of seasonal beers. In addition to summer beers and Christmas beers, Icelanders like to celebrate the season of Þorri with a beer or two.

WHAT’S ON

BEER EXPERIENCE SEGULL 67 ÞORRAÖL Segull 67 Brugghús is a small, family-owned brewing company located in fishing village Siglufjörður, North Iceland.

They are housed in an old fish factory that they turned into a modern brewery. Their Þorri beer, Segull 67 Þorraöl, is a dark ale/black IPA, which has the flavour of roasted malt, coffee and liquorice root. It combines well with the Icelandic traditional Þorri food.

ÞORRAGULL Þorragull is a euro pale lager brewed by Ölgerðin Egill Skallagrímsson. Ölgerðin is the oldest producer of beer and soft drinks in Iceland. Þorragull is a fresh and powerful tasting beer with a golden cloudy colour. It’s more bitter than the traditional Egils Gull.

SURTUR Borg Brugghús have been experimenting with imperial stouts for Þorri for a while now and they’re getting really good at it.

ÞORRA KALDI Þorra Kaldi was first brewed in 2008 but the recipe has changed greatly in the years since.

The modern-day interpretation of Þorra Kaldi is a beautiful copper-coloured lager, although if it weren’t for the lager fermentation, Þorra Kaldi would probably be classified as a pale ale. Þorra Kaldi is available in liquor stores as well as the Kaldi Bar downtown!

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

Surtur is the name of a coal-coloured fire demon in the tales of the Norse gods, fitting for the black-as-night beer! You can get Surtur brewed with coffee, a smoked Surtur and Surtur aged in barrels formerly housing Armagnac or rum!

13

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

INGÓLFSSTRÆTI 1A

1 0 1 R E Y K J AV Í K

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

Experience real Scandinavian cuisine

Bankastræti 2, 101 Reykjavík Tel: (+354) 551 4430 info@laekjarbrekka.is www.laekjarbrekka.is

Let’s be friends!

/laekjarbrekka

vurl.is/i

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.

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 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

WHAT’S ON

5 FACTS YOU (PROBABLY) DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT ICELANDIC VOLCANOES

15

WHAT’S ON For more information on Icelandic volcanoes, check out www.volcanohouse.is

1/3 OF ALL THE EARTH’S FRESH LAVA ORIGINATED IN ICELAND!

16

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 geological 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 same scale as

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, there’s also a What’s On desk over there, in case you need any information.

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 AN 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 January 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 brandnew land from the beginning, and the information gained has been invaluable to scientists.

THE FINEST BEER & WHISKY SELECTION IN DOWNTOWN REYKJAVÍK

Live Music Every Night | Live Sports on 5 Big Screens

SINCE 1982

TOURIST INFORMATION

i

OPEN 8:30–22:00

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ICELAND? OUR EXPERTS HAVE ALL (WELL, MOST OF) THE ANSWERS! Check out our main location at Laugavegur 5, downtown Reykjavík!

• • • • • • • • •

Tour Booking/Car Rental Information Luggage Storage SIM Cards Maps Free Wi-Fi Reykjavik City Card Event Calendar Bus Tickets and more!

You can also find us at Tryggvagata 11, in the Volcano House by the Old Harbour. www.whatson.is | info@whatson.is | +354 551 3600

LAXNESS MUSEUM

Gljúfrasteinn was the home of writer Halldór Laxness (the winner of The Nobel Prize in Literature 1955) and his family for more than half a century. The house is now a museum, where the author’s home is preserved just as it was when he lived and worked there.

A number of events are hosted throughout the year. Every Sunday during the summertime there are concerts in the living room at 16:00.

The museum is open tuesdays to fridays from 10:00 – 16:00.

WHAT’S ON

GLJÚFRASTEINN

Audio guides of the house are available in Icelandic, English, German, Swedish and Danish, and an illustrated guide in French.

Gljúfrasteinn-Laxness museum is located in the valley of Mosfellsdalur on the way to Þingvellir National Park, only a 20 minute drive from Reykjavik.

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

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

Tryggvagata 11 - Volcano house Open 11:30-21:00 www.fishandchips.is

19

VISIT REYKJAVIK’S

LARGEST SHOPPING CENTRE FREE SHUTTLE BUS FROM CITY HALL Monday – Saturday To Kringlan To Kringlan Every hour 1012:00 am – 5 pm Sundays: 14:00 1, 2, 3, 4 pm From Kringlan From Kringlan On the half hour 13:30 11:30 am – 4:30 pm 15:30 Sundays: 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 pm

kringlan.is

#kringlaniceland

WHAT’S ON

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 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

IF YOU JUST WANT TO SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS It’s no coincidence that The Golden Circle is the most popular day tour from Reykjavík. There are three stops on the way that just happen to be three of the most captivating destinations in Iceland, and as an added bonus, the tour doesn’t take up more than half of your day. The stops are Þingvellir, the national park where the Icelandic Parliament congregated since Viking times, Gullfoss, the awe-inspiring waterfall which lends its name to the Golden Circle, and Geysir, an erupting hot spring, guaranteed to wow visitors.

21

WHAT’S ON

© Blue Lagoon

© Megan Whittaker, Elding

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

IF YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR A LITTLE LUXURY 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 of this most famous tourist destination in Iceland 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

22

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, info@whatson.is, and ask the staff to help you plan an unforgettable vacation.

SHRED ICELAND Hit the slopes at Bláfjöll, Iceland’s largest skiing area, close to Reykjavík.

OPENING HOURS

Don’t have a car? The city bus will drop you at Bláfjöll’s front door. Need equipment? You bring the adrenaline, we’ll take care of the rest.

MON–FRI 14–21 WEEKENDS 10–17

Adult prices start at ISK 1850.

Downhill, boarding, cross-country and some fine après-ski refreshments.

ARE SUBJECT TO WEATHER CONDITIONS

ON

A 25 LY DRIV MIN. DOW E FROM N REYK TOWN JAVI K

skidasvaedi.is tel. +354 530 3000

/skidasvaedin #bláfjöll

In the Old Norse calendar, Þorri was the month that ran from what is now late January to February. During Þorri, the Vikings would host a sacrificial ritual dedicated to the Norse gods, called blót, to appease the gods and ensure the return of summer. With the conversion to Christianity, this tradition died out, but was resurrected by romantic nationalists in the 19th century. Today, Þorrablót celebrations (minus the sacrifice) have become a firmly established tradition.

Are you indulging in some Þorri food while in Iceland?

Share your experience with us (and the world) by using the hashtag #WhatsOnRvk.

— ON THE MENU —

SÚRSAÐIR HRÚTSPUNGAR PICKLED RAM’S TESTICLES

Yes, you read it correctly; ram testicles. They really did use everything back in the day. The testes are pressed into blocks, boiled and cured in acid whey.

This does not sound very tasty – and to be frank, that’s probably because it really isn’t. There are some who enjoy snacking on these sheep balls occasionally, but my guess is that we mostly keep this dish around because we feel like we sort of have to, because it’s tradition. Either that or we just like freaking out the tourists.

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

During modern Þorrablóts, Icelanders celebrate their heritage by feasting on some of the old-fashioned foods Icelanders used to eat before they had refrigerators. Since it had to be preserved somehow, the dominant flavours are pickled, salted, dried and smoked. Some of it is quite good, some is not good at all, and almost all of it will seem very strange to those unfamiliar with it. Here’s a handy guide to some of the most popular Þorri food.

WHAT’S ON

ÞORRI!

25

WHAT’S ON

BLÓÐMÖR BLOOD-SUET The name doesn’t sound very appetising, that’s for sure.

Still, this blood sausage, a combination of lamb blood and suet mixed with flour, oats and some spices, actually tastes pretty good. Blóðmör is usually boiled and served with mashed turnips and a white sauce closely related to béchamel, or cut in slices and pan-fried. It’s also delicious served cold, with a bowl of cinnamony-sweet rice pudding.

HARÐFISKUR

HÁKARL

DRIED FISH

FERMENTED SHARK

Drying fish is a good way to preserve it when you don’t have access to freezers. It also, coincidentally, produces a delicious, savoury snack that’s almost pure protein. It’s best eaten with lots of creamy Icelandic butter. Harðfiskur can be purchased in most supermarkets and at Kolaportið Flea Market. This is one of the few traditional Icelandic delicacies we can definitely recommend.

Since fresh shark is poisonous, in order to eat it, you first have to bury it in the ground for 6-12 weeks. After that most of the poison has broken down into ammonia. This explains the pungent odour of ammonia (often compared to the smell of strong, and we mean STRONG, cheese) that this “delicacy” gives off.

It’s best washed down with a shot of Brennivín schnapps (an aquavit flavoured with caraway seeds). This pairing is often considered the ultimate test of masculinity.

SVIÐ Find more articles like this at whatson.is

SINGED SHEEP HEAD

26

Svið are sheeps’ heads, cut in half, singed, to get rid of the fur, and boiled. In centuries past, when there was never too much meat to go around, it made no sense to throw away the head just because it looked icky. Nowadays, we recognise that many find it uncomfortable to literally look their food in the eye, but they can always get sviðasulta, a lamb’s head terrine, which is sometimes pickled in acid whey. If you’re a first-timer, we recommend starting with the unpickled variety, since the pickled one is definitely an acquired taste, to put it mildly.

Woman’s Day The first day of Góa is known as Konudagur (Woman’s Day). It falls on the 25th of February this year, so make sure to take extra good care of the women in your life that day. The men aren’t left out, however, they have their own day a month earlier, the first day of Þorri. This is Iceland’s version of Valentine’s Day.

Two Icelandic themed villages

HLI

Ð Á LF TA NE SI

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

WHAT’S ON

SKIING

IN ICELAND

Northern lights, the photogenic snow scenes, frozen waterfalls. There are many reasons to enjoy Iceland in wintertime. For locals, one reason stands out: skiing. Even though Iceland doesn’t have high mountains like Switzerland, it is a ski paradise – if you know where to go. Good news for beginners, there are almost no trees. Happy skiing!

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

BLÁFJÖLL

28

Bláfjöll is a popular ski area, conveniently situated just half an hour outside of Reykjavík. It’s the largest ski resort in Iceland, with runs of varying difficulty levels covering a total of 15 kilometres.

The slopes are wide and well-maintained. The longest is 2.5 kilometres and has an elevation difference of 240 metres. The most difficult is 700 metres long and has an elevation difference of 200 metres. A ski rental and a ski school are located on-site. Depending on the weather and snow conditions, the season runs from January through May. Keep an eye on Bláfjöll’s website to follow regular updates about opening times!

Season: January - May Opening hours (subject to change due to weather and snow conditions): Weekdays from 14:00 till 21:00 Weekends from 10:00 till 17:00 Distance from Reykjavík: 30 kilometers

nce fees and Have a look at their website for entra /english/ edi.is asva .skid www tes: upda weather

WHAT’S ON Have a look at their website for current opening times and entrance fees: www.hlidarfjall.is/en

HLÍÐARFJALL If you’re headed north, don’t miss out on Hlíðarfjall, Akureyri’s top-notch ski resort. It’s located just a few kilometres outside of town, with breathtaking views over the fjord Eyjafjörður.

Using natural snow and snow machines, the resort prides itself on its high-quality snow. Floodlit slopes guarantee skiing in the Season: December - April dark winter months, and ski and snowboard lessons are offered Opening hours are variable over the onsite. It has 30 slopes in total, and elevation levels differ between season and depend heavily on the weather.

500 and 1000 metres above sea level. It’s open from December to April, making it the most popular destination for winter getaways. Distance from Reykjavík: 385 kilometres

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Iceland has a lot to offer for cross-country skiing enthusiasts. Both Bláfjöll and Hlíðarfjall offer several cross-country tracks. However, the best trail runs through Landmannalaugar. This highland region is famous for the well-trodden Laugavegur hiking trail. Less travelled in winter, a journey through these rugged hills will take you past black, desolate lava fields and steamy geothermal springs. The hot river flowing through the area ensures that it’s the perfect location for winding down after a long day in the snow.

Contact the What’s On Information Office, Laugavegur 5, for more information

Season: February - April

HELI-SKIING

Season: March - June Distance: Tröllaskagi to Reykjavík: 380 kilometres

us an email if you’re Stop by the What’s On office or send or heli-skiing tour! tour skiing try -coun interested in a cross

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

It’s not within the range of most casual skiers but if you want to go all out for the most luxurious skiing experience, go heli-skiing! You take a helicopter up to a mountaintop and ski down the untouched snow! The best spot for heli-skiing is the Tröllaskagi peninsula, in North Iceland. The peninsula is 4000 square kilometres and contains descents of up to 1500 metres. It’s home to long and exciting trails, starting at mountain peaks and heading all the way down to the sea shore. Hidden crevasses and open glacial surfaces provide challenges for all kinds of skiers. The season runs from February through the end of June. Perfect for skiing under the midnight sun in summer and enjoying the northern lights in winter!

29

EVERY TRIP IS AN ADVENTURE

EXIT THE CITY ENTER THE ADVENTURE WITH GEYSIR CAR RENTAL Geysir Car Rental is located in Geysirland Tourist Info at the Harpa Concert Hall.

Get free CDW insurance cover and Unlimited Milage on all rentals.

No one way fees and great prices.

Geysirland | Austurbakka 2 | 101 reykjavik | www.geysir.is | info@geysir.is | Tel +354 455 0001 /geysircarrental

(SORT OF)

In countries where Lent is observed, it’s usually preceded by a carnival. Icelanders do not observe Lent, but that’s no reason not to have a holiday or three, although the Icelandic version is maybe not what you’d expect.

WHAT’S ON

“ICELANDIC CARNIVAL!”

BOLLUDAGUR

CREAM PUFF DAY

Bolludagur is the first in a row of three peculiar holidays that together constitute Icelandic Carnival and it roughly translates to “Cream Puff Day” in English. It’s celebrated on the Monday six weeks before Easter, so the actual date is different every year. It’s believed that bakers from Denmark or Norway introduced the custom to Icelanders in the middle of the 19th century. It’s those people we have to thank for bringing the delicious Bolludagsbolla to Iceland.

Bolla is the Icelandic word for all sorts of circular pastries. The Bolludagsbolla, however, is something special. It’s a cream puff traditionally filled with jam and whipped cream and topped with a chocolate glaze, although in later years bakers have been experimenting with all sorts of fillings. It can be made at home or bought from a bakery and its only flaw is that it’s only served on Bolludagur.

Eating the Bollur (the plural form) is great, but that’s not the only thing this day is about. See, the tradition dictates you can’t buy your own Bolla, you have to get someone to buy it for you. If you manage to

spank someone before they get up in the morning, they owe you a Bolla. Children all over Iceland arm themselves with a “Bolludagsvöndur” (a paper paddle specially made for the occasion) on the Sunday before Bolludagur. When they wake up the following day, they creep into their parents’ room and spank them repeatedly while yelling “Bolla!” over and over again. Doesn’t that just sound like a great way to start your Monday morning?

VATNSDEIGSBOLLUR (CREAM PUFFS) • 4 dl water • 160g margarine • 250g flour • ¼ teaspoon baking powder • 5 eggs We start by mixing water with butter in a pot, bringing it to boil. Add the flour and baking powder and mix fiercely, until the mixture gathers up in a ball of dough when you stir it. Remove from heat and let cool for a while. Add the eggs, one by one, stirring well in between each one.

Pipe the dough on a baking sheet (or spoon it on if you’re not that fussy about their shape), and be careful to keep a good space between them, the puff part of the name is there for a reason. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 210 °C

or until golden brown. Be careful not to open the oven before you think the puffs are ready! The outer crust must be well baked, so the puffs hold their structure and don’t collapse in on themselves.

For the perfect Icelandic Bolla, fill the puff with jam and whipped cream and top it with a chocolate glaze.

If you’re feeling adventurous, fill it with whatever you like! Caramel pudding, ice cream, and Nutella all spring to mind.

Good luck!

This brilliant recipe is borrowed from www.eldhus. is. We recommend that website for an array of nice Icelandic recipes.

31

WHAT’S ON SPRENGIDAGUR

EAT-TILL-YOU-BURST DAY Sprengidagur is Iceland’s version of Mardi Gras. We celebrate it by eating as much as we can of boiled, corned (salt-preserved) lamb (sometimes horse) and split pea soup. It’s delicious! This holiday falls on the Tuesday after Bolludagur. On Sprengidagur, every Icelandic home, as well as most restaurants are flooded with the aroma of salted meat and peas. Why is it called Eat-Till-You-Burst Day? You should eat until you feel like you’re going to burst (think Monty Python’s Mr. Creosote). Remember, this comes just after a day dedicated to stuffing your face with a huge amount of cream puffs.

Lent is not something Icelanders actually observe, not anymore at least, but for some reason there’s still a special day for filling up on treats before Lent. It’s basically a celebration of gluttony, so enjoy it! Go to the nearest restaurant and ask if they’re serving saltkjöt. If they don’t, there’s probably another one close by that is.

ÖSKUDAGUR

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

ASH WEDNESDAY

32

Ash Wednesday is, in most countries, a solemn day. It’s the first day of Lent and the time of fasting that comes with it, and people give up something they enjoy in order to remember Jesus’s 40 days in the desert.

In Iceland, however, children dress up in costumes and sing songs for candy. It’s sort of like the Icelandic version of Halloween, without the pagan undertones. The children only beg for candy in shops and businesses (In Reykjavík and the bigger towns, at least), so Laugavegur and the shopping malls are filled with kids of all ages in costumes of all shapes and sizes. The children are expected to earn their candy by singing a song, a tradition that excites the young ones, but most adults dread it, especially those working in commerce.

If by any chance you are traveling to Iceland with a child, you might want to look into this. If not, keep this in mind when picking a day to do grocery shopping. Öskudagur is always a Wednesday, so this is mostly for children, not adults, and it’s celebrated with candy, not alcohol.

1–5 hours day tours for beginners to experienced riders.

In stunning nature only 15 minutes from Reykjavik!

Pre-booked pick up provided.

www.ishestar.is 555 7000

WHAT’S ON

ROMANCE IN ICELAND Iceland is the perfect destination for lovebirds, with its scenic views and plenty of opportunities to find yourself alone with your loved one. With Valentine’s Day coming up, you might be interested in the ins and outs of Icelandic romance. We hope this guide will help you plan your romantic day!

CHARMING LOCATIONS

34

First of all, accommodation. Imagine yourself all cuddled up inside, under a blanket in a fancy hotel on the border of the Arctic Circle. There are plenty of top-notch hotels in Reykjavík with stunning views of the city but consider a hotel outside the city as well!

Icelanders love summerhouses, even in winter. A wooden cottage, situated in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by beautiful mountains and lakes is perfect for hikes in the surroundings or relaxing in the hot tub under a starry sky with a glass of wine.

Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit! Iceland’s abundance of geothermal water means that Reykjavík has several luxurious swimming pools but for that extra special day, check out some of the natural spas. The Blue Lagoon, with its milky blue water, is the most famous but for more privacy, check out the Secret Lagoon or Laugavatn Fontana.

What is more romantic than kissing under the northern lights? February is a good month for spotting them. Just be sure to get out of the city, the bright city lights often outshine the delicate northern lights. Private northern lights tours are available, even with an addition of a lobster dinner or a starry night soak in a geothermal spa.

Blue Lagoon

Fontana

WHAT’S ON

ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS For atmosphere: Classivally stylish restaurant Grillið has a stunning view over Reykjavík and the surrounding mountains.

Head to Argentína Steakhouse for a southern rustic vibe, with a fireplace to keep you nice and warm. The fancy restaurant Grillmarkaðurinn is known for the beautiful presentation of their dishes and Nordicinspired decor.

For foodies: Are you looking for a food experience? Try the eight-course food and wine pairing menu at Nostra. Visit Sumac for an eclectic meal (with Icelandic ingredients and exotic spices combined) and Búrro for the best tapas.

For seafood and Icelandic food: Iceland is famous for its fresh seafood, and Icelandic lobster (technically langoustine) is not to be missed. Check out Fiskfélagið for fine dining, Kopar for a taste of rock crab or Matur and Drykkur for food with a traditional twist.

GIFT IDEAS For women: If you want to get a little more creative than flowers and chocolate, try getting her jewellery designed in Iceland, a hand-knitted Icelandic lopapeysa (woollen sweater), or skin care products with Icelandic herbs or seaweed. A fun surprise!

BÓNDADAGUR AND KONUDAGUR Did you know that Valentine’s Day isn’t traditionally celebrated in Iceland? This doesn’t mean we don’t have special days dedicated to our loved ones, in fact, we have two instead of one! Konudagur and Bóndadagur (Woman’s Day and Husband’s Day) are Iceland’s way of celebrating love but they’re different from Valentine’s Day in one crucial way. Instead of celebrating the love between two individuals, they focus on celebrating the individuals in love.

Konudagur especially is becoming increasingly competitive with Valentine’s Day, since it usually lands within a week or two of it on the calendar.

Now, you should already have celebrated Husband’s Day back in January, but you still have a chance to switch your romantic celebrations to the second Sunday after Feb. 14th this year. You will find special Konudagur deals in many places all over the city!

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

For men: Most guys would be delighted to get some Þorri beers (beers brewed to celebrate the old Norse month Þorri). You could also go for Icelandic schnapps, like Himbrimi gin made with Icelandic water, the seeds of the angelica flower, and the flowers of arctic thyme. For nondrinkers, try lava salt or music by an Icelandic band.

35

WHAT’S ON

ICELAND BY DESIGN

If you’re looking for a unique souvenir to take back home, you can‘t go wrong with Icelandic design. Not only will you be bringing back one-of-a-kind artefacts, most of them also happen to be quite beautiful!

PUFFIN BY SIGURJÓN PÁLSSON. EPAL DESIGN The puffin might be Iceland’s cutest bird, so of course this makes for a great souvenir. The designer, Sigurjón, is a multi-talented man, not only do his designs delight the eye, he’s also a writer and has published two books of crime fiction! You can also check out his Shorebirds, produced by Normann Copenhagen.

SHOREBIRDS BY SIGURJÓN PÁLSSON. NORMANN COPENHAGEN

FUZZY BY SIGURÐUR MÁR, HANDMADE The Fuzzy stool was first designed in 1972, by Sigurður Már Helgason. The seat is made of Icelandic sheepskin and the legs are in the shape of water droplets.

EPAL BLANKET

BY MARGRETHE ODGAARD.

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

IHANNA HOME.

36

The Ihanna home cushions, with their elegant graphic design will liven up every home and the blankets will keep you warm on a late summer evening or a cold winter day.

Founded in 2008 by designer Ingibjörg Hanna Bjarnadóttir, Ihanna Home’s aim is to design products where functionality, simplicity and enduring aesthetics come together.

BRYNJA blanket is made in Iceland of wool from Icelandic sheep. The sheep graze freely, and the wool is purchased directly from the farmers. Within a few hundred square kilometres, the wool is washed, carded, spun and knitted, and only natural energy sources such as geothermal power is used in the production of the wool.

Epal Design has once again opened a store in Keflavík Airport with a great selection of the best from Icelandic and Scandinavian design.

This is their fifth store in Iceland, others located in Skeifan 6, Kringlan, Laugavegur and Harpa concert hall.

Established over 40 years ago, EPAL’s main objective has been to improve appreciation for design and quality products.

This has been accomplished by the introduction of renowned designers from Scandinavia and other parts of the world.

Over the past four decades EPAL has been a great supporter of Icelandic designers in the production and promotion of their designs as well as being a driving force in bringing design and design awareness to Iceland.

In Epal Design you will find Kay Bojesen wooden animals, the famous Fuzzy stool, delicious liquorice from Lakrids by Johan Bülow, Icelandic Shorebirds and Puffins, Kubus from by Lassen, textile design by Ihanna home and so much more.

Located in South Building, Open in accordance with flight schedule.

ICELANDIC SEAFOOD makes world’s best sushi

SOCIALIZE WITH THE LOCALS

Our kitchen is open 17.00–23.00 sun.–thu.

17.00–24.00 fri.–sat.

The best of Icelandic produce with a nod to Japan and South America. Modern Icelandic flavours, share plates and award winning cocktails.

Sushi Social Þingholtsstræti 5 • 101 Reykjavík Tel 568 6600 • sushisocial.is

WHAT’S ON

Aalto Bistro

BEST VEGAN/VEGETARIAN FOOD IN ICELAND

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

Good news for vegans and the vegan curious! Traditionally a country of fish, dairy and meat, a lot has changed in Iceland the last couple of years. Vegan options are springing up like mushrooms, and there are so many alternatives now, it can be difficult to know where to go. Lucky for you, we will help you figure it out. You’re welcome.

38

BEST VEGAN RESTAURANT

BEST PIZZA

Well, this one is easy, since there aren't that many fully vegan restaurants in Iceland: Kaffi Vínyl. Kaffi Vínyl is a laid-back bar, bistro and record shop on Hverfisgata.

The menu consists of noodles, burgers, sandwiches, salads and a very tasty veggie lasagne. Also, not entirely vegan, but with plenty of good vegan options, is Kaffihúsið Garðurinn. They offer delicious soups and stews. O, and don’t forget dessert! They have an amazing selection of sweets.

The number of pizzerias offering vegan cheese has skyrocketed in the last six months, as even Dominos added it to their menu recently. Icelandic favourite Eldsmiðjan has been offering vegan cheese for a while now, and they added the Vegano 2018 to their menu, with red onion, mushrooms, tomatoes, jalapeños, salsa, nachos and vegan cheese. However, our number one is Íslenska Flatbakan. They offer deliciously greasy, cheesy pizzas and breadsticks. What do you think of this one, Sú Ferska: vegan cheese, garlic, dates, arugula, red onion, fresh tomatoes and spicy mayonnaise?

BEST BURGER Our favourite burger joint is BioBorgari, a cosy establishment on Vesturgata. They have a simple menu with mouthwatering hamburgers made on a charcoal grill and homemade vegetable chips. Go and check it out. Surprise! The Hard Rock Café in Reykjavík has an amazing vegan menu. They do not only offer a tasty and filling no-fuss burger, but also nachos, buffalo cauliflower wings and quesadillas.

Kaffi Vínyl

WHAT’S ON Kaffihúsið Garðurinn

BEST OPTIONS OUTSIDE OF THE CAPITAL AREA

BEST FANCY DINNER

Even though it’s easiest to find vegan food in Greater Reykjavík, there are some great spots in the rest of the country too! In North Iceland, a little bit outside of Akureyri, you will find Silva Hráfæði. Specialized in raw food, they make tasty, healthy dishes, with unlimited hummus and bread on the side. A special place in East Iceland is Havarí. At this farm, restaurant and guesthouse the vegan sausage Bulsur is produced, with kidney beans and Icelandic barley as main ingredients.

In Flúðir there is an Ethiopian restaurant, Minilik, and they can make very tasty vegan food! West Iceland recently got a new restaurant with vegan options, next to the brand-new geothermal pool Krauma. They offer tomato soup and a dish with roasted carrots, slowcooked onion, pearl barley, nuts and dill.

In a fancy mood? Head down to Aalto Bistro, the restaurant inside the Nordic House. They have several vegan items on the menu, like a pumpkin burger with baked tomato, cashew nut pesto, crunchy kale and fresh lettuce. For Argentinian food, Búrro is the place to be. They have plenty of vegan options, like broccoli in soy sauce, plantain chips with guacamole dip, a tofu taco with pickled cucumber and green chili, and almond ice cream for dessert.

BEST BRUNCH Brunch! We have to talk about brunch. Hannesarholt is a non-profit organization focusing on healthy food. You find them in the historic home of the late Hannes Hafstein, Iceland’s first prime minister. During weekends they offer an abundant brunch, consisting of scrambled tofu with mushrooms, onion and bell pepper, eggplant-bacon, hummus with walnuts, mixed root vegetables, pancakes with agave syrup, fruits, vegan cheese with chutney and a smoothie! If for some strange reason this doesn’t sound amazingly appealing to you, you should check out Bryggjan Brugghús.

Sourdough bread with avocado paste, baked tomato, sweet potato salad, pecans, spinach and mushrooms are among the things they offer!

Check www.whatson.is for more foodie recommendations Kaffi Vínyl

39

WHAT’S ON

REYKJAVÍK'S WINTERLIGHTS FESTIVAL FEBRUARY 1ST-4TH It’s no secret that it gets dark in Iceland in winter, but Icelanders don’t let the darkness get them down. The dark winter nights have their own special charm about them and celebrating this darkness and the returning of the light is what the Winter Lights Festival is all about.

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

The festival offers an array of sparkling events, where the many faces of Reykjavík culture come together. Art and industry, environment and history, sports and culture are combined when all the major museums, the swimming pools, and art galleries put on an amazing variety of events, all over the city.

40

Opening night is on February 1st, when beautiful lights will be lit all around the Capital Area.

Regular features of the Winter Lights Festival, like the Museum Night and Pool Night, will have their place on the program.

There will be plenty of exciting events, such as a Museum Night Lottery at Seltjarnarnes Library, Twilight Karaoke at Reykjavík City Library, a long exposure photo booth at Listastofan and the WOW Northern Lights Fun Run, starting at the Harpa Concert Hall!

WHAT’S ON

MUSEUM NIGHT On Museum Night, February 2nd, the museums across the whole Capital Area will open their doors to the public at 18:00, and stay open till 23:00.

Museum Night is not only a chance to visit your favourite museum, free of charge, but most museums are also putting on special events and offering their visitors a chance to see, hear and even taste the museum in a different way.

Special Museum Night busses will transport guests between museums, also free of charge! See the program and the bus schedule on the website of the Winter Lights Festival.

POOL NIGHT

© Raggi Th. Sigurdsson

During the evening, many of the swimming pools will host special events, creating a unique atmosphere, encouraging guests to take part, dance, sing, or just relax and enjoy the moment.

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

There aren’t many things that beat sitting in a geothermal hot tub underneath the stars feeling toasty warm. On Pool Night, February 3rd, nine of the largest pools in the Reykjavík capital area open their doors to visitors.

Entrance is free of charge from 6 p.m. till 11 p.m.

See the programme at www.winterlightsfestival.is 41

WHAT’S ON

THE

NORTHERN LIGHTS

ARE BACK!

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

The new season may be bringing the end of the bright summer nights, but never fear; The Northern Lights are here! The Aurora have been absent all summer long, as their faint light is no match for the midnight sun, but as the autumn equinox draws nearer, it’s now getting dark enough in the evenings that the Northern Lights are able to strut their stuff.

42

Seeing the lights is a magical experience and we recommend seeking them out while you’re in Iceland.

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

Different ways to see the Northern Lights:

GOING BY COACH:

GOING BY BOAT:

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

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

1 GET OUT OF TOWN

The city lights block the Northern Lights!

2 MAKE SURE IT’S DARK

Daylight and Northern Lights don’t go hand in hand!

WHAT’S ON

TOP 8 TIP S FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

3 MAKE SURE THE SKY IS CLEAR

The Northern Lights appear way above the clouds!

4 GIVE IT TIME AND BE PATIENT!

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

5 SIGHTINGS CAN NEVER BE GUARANTEED

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

6 WEAR SOMETHING WARM

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

7 KNOW YOUR CAMERA!

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

Lie down on the ground. Look up. Enjoy!

For more information, check out www.whatson.is or stop by the What’s On information office, Laugavegur 5.

GOING BY SUPER-JEEP: Exclusive and thrilling – Going in a specially modified super-jeep on a hunt for the lights is a thrilling experience that’s fun and exciting.

Sights can of course never be guaranteed, but the off-road action of the super jeep make for a great adventure and the lights are just an added bonus.

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

8 ENJOY IT!

43

WHAT’S ON

NOR THERN LIGHT PHOTOGR APHY DOs AND DON'Ts DO have a relatively good camera with you that allows for easy and quick change of settings.

DON’T rule out taking a photo on your phone's camera.

DO have your ISO set to at least 800 and your aperture as low as it goes.

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

DON’T forget your tripod! However little you think you move while waiting for your camera to take your picture, believe me, you always move a little and it’s enough to make your photos blurry.

44

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

DON’T go by boat! If you’re intent on getting photos, at least. The movement of the boat makes it impossible.

DO consider using continuous shooting so that while shooting the lights you don’t have to keep staring at them through your camera DON’T focus solely on your photographs and forget to be in the moment.

You don’t see the Northern Lights every day!

If you need any more information, check out www.whatson.is or stop by the What’s On information office at Laugavegur 5 and Tryggvagata 11.

Harpa Concert Hall sinfonia.is harpa.is (+354) 528 50 50

Main sponsor:

@icelandsymphony / #sinfo

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

WHAT’S ON

HOW TO READ THE NORTHERN LIGHTS FORECAST

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

GOING ON A TOUR? There are many tours taking you out of the bright city lights for a better chance of seeing the Aurora.

These tours will be CANCELLED if there is no chance of seeing the lights. All the major operators can be relied on to do this, first of all because there

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

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

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

47

WHAT’S ON

REYKJAVIK 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 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.

2 | PERLAN Standing at 25 metres, Perlan is one of Reykjavík’s most striking buildings. Built on top of the city’s hot water tanks, Perlan is known for its unique architecture. Up on the fourth level, there is a 360 degree viewing platform where you can get the city's best panoramic views for a fee. During the day, the Perlan café is a nice place to get coffee. Surrounding the Perlan is the Öskjuhlíð area, one of the many green spaces in Reykjavík, perfect for a walk on a sunny day.

Check out our centerfold map for the locations of these sights

3 | TJÖRNIN

48

Tjörnin (the pond) is the heart of the city centre and offers some of the most amazing views in Reykjavík. There is no better place in the city to enjoy a beautiful sunset and you can watch or feed a huge variety of birdlife that calls the lake home, while you’re at it.

When the lake freezes over in winter, geothermal water is pumped in to defrost an area for the birds, and feeding them is a popular family pastime all year round. Those who can handle the cold take to the lake on ice skates.

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

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 the map in the centre of the magazine to find the exact location of these Reykjavík sights.

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.

WHAT’S ON

SIGHTS TO SEE

7 | THE OLD HARBOUR 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

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.

9 | HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT Founded in 950 A.D, Iceland‘s parliament, Alþingi, is the oldest extant parliament in the world! For centuries, the parliament gathered in the open air (on the aptly named Þingvellir, Parliament fields) but in recent years, they’ve met in Reykjavík.

The House of Parliament is a modest classical building of hewn Icelandic dolerite but it gives Austurvöllur square a dignified look. The parliament garden behind the building is small but lovely in the summertime.

10 | LAUGARDALSLAUG Every country has traditions when it comes to leisure. Icelanders' favourite pastime is going swimming. Laugardalslaug is the city’s largest pool with extensive facilities, located in Laugardalur Valley. Its facilities include a 50m outdoor pool, 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.

Check out our centerfold map for the locations of these sights

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.

49

7

6 5

5 4

6

4

8

3

9 1

7

2

3 9

1

11

8

Check out the article The Reykjavik Sight Experience on pages 48-49 for more information about the places numbered here.

2

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

Sights

Tour Pick Ups

10

12

10

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

2

REYKJAVÍK MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY

The museum gives visitors an idea of the life in Iceland, where volcanoes and earthquakes are a constant threat. Icelandic nature is in a state of 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.

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

3

52

REYKJAVÍK ART MUSEUM

Hafnarhús serves as the museum’s institute of contemporary art, where new developments in art are explored through diverse exhibitions of 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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

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.

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 “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 “Friendly staff - excellent documentary”

Due to weather and unfamiliarity with Reykjavik we arrived just after the last show started and were told that we could go in right away and pay after the show. In my opinion everyone should visit and watch this show. - jdsteven, Colorado

VOLCANO HOUSE

Volcano Cinema and Geological Exhibition in Downtown Reykjavik, next to the Old Harbour.

Open Every Day from 9:00-22:00 / Show time every hour, on the hour.

Tryggvagata 11, 101 Reykjavík | (+354) 555 1900 | www.volcanohouse.is

Joe

HAS ARRIVED DOWNTOWN WE ARE NOW OPEN ON LAUGAVEGUR! DROP BY FOR SOME AMAZING JUICES, SANDWICHES AND SHAKES. P.S. WE’RE REALLY GOOD AT MAKING COFFEE TOO!

LAUGAVEGUR | SMÁRALIND | KRINGLAN | WORLD CLASS LAUGAR | KEFLAVIK AIRPORT

WHAT’S ON Emilie and the Cool Kids

NEW IN TOWN EMILIE AND THE COOL KIDS

KRAUMA Krauma is a natural geothermal spa next to Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. It’s located in West Iceland, in the valley Reykholtsdalur. Krauma is open year-round and has space for 140 guests. It has five hot tubs and one cold bath, a relaxation room and two steam baths. If you’re hungry after your relaxing soak, you can pay a visit to their restaurant offering seasonal Icelandic food. A good alternative to the Blue Lagoon and Secret Lagoon!

dinner with wine pairing. Nostra also has a cocktail lounge, Artson, with happy hour every Wednesday till Saturday between 17:00 and 19:00!

IÐNÓ Cultural centre IÐNÓ is recently renovated, and the ground floor turned into a trendy café, perfect for a cup of coffe on the go or a delicious light lunch. They have a Scandinavian-inspired menu, consisting of soups, sandwiches, salads and cakes.

Going for a cup of coffee here is the perfect way to start the day, overlooking Reykjavík’s downtown lake Tjörnin. IÐNÓ also hosts all kinds of events, like concerts, pop quizzes, comedy shows and book readings.

NOSTRA RESTAURANT Nostra is a stylish fine dining restaurant on main shopping street Laugavegur. They use the best Icelandic ingredients for their seasonal tasting menus. A popular option is their eight-course

Iðnó

Find more articles like this at whatson.is

Emilie and the cool kids is a brand-new cookie and coffee shop on Hverfisgata. They have five locations in France, one in Monaco and since December 2017 also one in the heart of Reykjavík. Specialized “cookie dealers” will make sure you get your cookie fix. All products are fresh and handmade. Do you feel like having a bagel, cake or soup? This is the place to be! “Trolls, elves and other legendary creatures are now very happy indeed,” as they say themselves.

55

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS Find more events at whatson.is/ec/ 56

POOL NIGHT February 3rd.

Pool Night, part of the Winter Lights Festival, is dedicated to the many great thermal pools in Reykjavík and the surrounding area. Many of the swimming pools in the Capital Area will be open late, free of charge, between 18:00 and 22:00. Additionally, plenty of special events will be organized, like Aqua Zumba and a concert by former Sugarcubes member Sigtryggur Baldursson. All the pools are geothermally heated and have comfortable hot tubs. And if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot the northern lights!

THE ANNUAL ICELANDIC BEER FESTIVAL 2018 February 22nd-24th.

The Annual Icelandic Beer Festival, organized for the seventh time at Kex Hostel, celebrates the end of the prohibition in Iceland. Beer with an alcohol percentage of more than 2.25% used to be illegal. In 1989, beer was legalized, and a lot of people still commemorate this by drinking beer or joining a pub crawl. These days, beer is Iceland’s favourite drink, with exciting breweries popping up all over the country. The Annual Icelandic Beer Festival aims to bring these breweries and other international breweries together, and to offer them the opportunity to introduce their new products. There will be live music and entertainment by Emmsjé Gauti, Margrét Erla Maack - Miss Mokki, Prins Póló and many more.

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUN RUN February 3rd.

This is a run through downtown Reykjavík, during which runners will see the city in a new colourful light. Ditch your inhibitions and go all out in the illuminated streets of Reykjavík. All participants get their very own illuminating merchandise, making them a part of the entire show from start to finish. Participants will get a “swag bag” with illuminated goodies such as glasses, bracelets and a finger light. This is part of the Winter Lights Festival and an off-venue event of the WOW Reykjavík International Games.

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

WHALE HELLO THERE! WHALE WATCHING WITH THE PROS FROM REYKJAVÍK & AKUREYRI BOOK NOW AT ELDING.IS

Tel: +(354) 519 5000

February 4th.

To conclude his residency with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, the master pianist Paul Lewis presents a solo recital of music by Haydn, Beethoven, and Brahms.

The programme is part of a larger project by Lewis, to present the works of these masters in major concert halls around the world. Lewis himself writes about this project: “I've wanted to explore the piano sonatas of Haydn in detail for some time. There aren't many composers whose music can raise a laugh from an audience, but Haydn certainly tops that short list. His outrageous ability to surprise, shock, and poke fun at the listener still feels remarkably fresh in an age when ever-increasing extremes have become the norm.”

BOLLUDAGUR February 12th.

Bolludagur is the first in the row of three peculiar holidays that together constitute Icelandic Carnival. Check out p. xxx to learn more.The name roughly translates to “Cream Puff Day” in English.. Bakers from Denmark or Norway introduced the custom to Icelanders in the middle of the 19th century. They are responsible for bringing the delicious Bolludagsbolla cream puff to Iceland. Bolla is the Icelandic word for all sorts of round pastries, sweet or savoury. The Bolludagsbolla, however, is something special.

It’s a glorious choux pastry bun traditionally filled with jam and whipped cream and topped with a chocolate glaze, although in later years bakers have been experimenting with all sorts of fillings.

For the past few years, there’s been a surge in the jazz music scene. Iceland has a host of talented and capable jazz musicians but for the longest time, opportunities to hear them play were scarce. Fortunately, Reykjavík has taken a jazzy turn, with plenty of places offering weekly jazz nights with live music. Stop by Bryggjan Brugghús on Sundays and sip a frosty mug of their house-brewed beer. On Mondays, Húrra hosts mánudjass, a lively jazz evening where people even spontaneously join in the music. Tuesday nights, Kex Hostel hosts KexJazz, where some of Iceland’s most talented musicians play their music in the refurbished biscuit factory.

Find more events at whatson.is/ec/

REYKJAVÍK JAZZ NIGHTS

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

PAUL LEWIS AND THE ICELAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

59

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

VOLCANO HOUSE THE WONDERS OF VOLCANOES The Volcano House includes a “hands on” mineral exhibition featuring different mineral samples, such as lava from the 2014 eruption of Bárðabunga and ash from the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull.

A documentary in English 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 arrangement The Volcano House is fun and educational for people of all ages, and kids are especially welcome.

(Free for 0-12) 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.

The Volcano House is a great latenight activity (last show at 21:00), a good replacement if your tour is canceled, or if the weather is bad (it’s always nice and warm inside).

Drop by any time!

For more information www.volcanohouse.is.

Wonders of Volcanoes

see

Find more events at whatson.is/ec/

THE LIVING ART MUSEUM

60

DISTANT MATTER On the horizon, moments of colour widen and an atlas of stars in the sky inverts darkness to white. They are representations of near and far-off instances. Inherited assumptions of nature and negotiated perceptions of the day-to-day are suspended in time, guiding and rendering this matter. Foreseeing future possibilities, albeit as we would like to see them, in their finite and nearsighted arrangements. Distant glimpses of their remoteness.

Pieced together. For the time being.

Distant matter brings together

Distant Matter

works by Katrín Agnes Klar and Lukas Kindermann for the first time to this extent at The Living Art Museum. By disconnecting and re-orientating impressions of matter through individual works, the exhibition takes transmitted

information, 3D replicas from space, popsicle-coloured screensaver gradients and poster horizons as a means to ask basic questions of everyday representations and leap out into the orderly system of the cosmos.

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

Erró

REYKJAVIK ART MUSEUM – HAFNARHÚS

Find more events at whatson.is/ec/

ERRÓ: MORE IS BEAUTIFUL

62

This exhibition shines a special light on Erró´s works which revolve around excess and density. This imaging has been an important part of his art and goes all the way back to his earliest work. More than thirty pieces from the Erró collection of the Reykjavík Art Museum – paintings, collages and movies – show how the artist creates intricate and charged structures which communicate materials related to politics, science, fiction and art history.

GREATER-ICELAND Greater-Iceland is a group exhibition with international artists who have settled in Iceland for limited or extended period of time. Participants are Anna Hallin, Claudia Hausfeld, Jeannette Castioni, Joris Rademaker, Rebecca Erin Moran, Sari Cedergren and Theresa Himmer.

Greater-Iceland places a group of contemporary artists together who have first and foremost, relocated to Iceland and are still singlemindedly making their art despite of doubts and circumstances. The idea for the exhibition is prompted on a hunch that something needs to be told about them and their commitments to art and involvements in the local visual art community. After all this fluctuate of artistic energies are moving around in many cities in the rest of the world.

FACT OF THE MATTER – DRAFT OF CONTEMPORARY ART HISTORY IN ICELAND The material world is the subject of a few chosen pieces from Reykjavík Art Museum's collection. Natural phenomena, man-made things and various materials are the foundation, based on characteristics, nature, meaning and value. The exhibition is a part of the museum's sketch work of sorts, of the history of contemporary Icelandic art.

The idea is that the museum continues choosing pieces from the collection and placing them in the context of an experiment of writing art history as it happens.

When pieces are bought by the museum, a certain choice takes place, reflecting on the diversity of art creation each time, but here we try to analyse even further the joint emphases, found in today's artistic melting pot. What characterises Icelandic fine art in the 21. century? What are the subjects of artists, their methods, materials and challenges?

D32 PÁLL HAUKUR BJÖRNSSON Páll Haukur is the 32nd artist to exhibit his work in the D-Hall series which started in 2007.

The series aims to give promising artists a chance to hold their first solo exhibition in a public art museum and direct attention to new and exciting currents in the art world.

THE STEAK HOUSE

Steikhúsið simply means “The Steak House” and that underlines our goal, to focus solely on steaks.

Steikhúsið is in the middle of Reykjavík, opposite the old harbor, which has recently formed into a lively neighborhood of restaurants, cafes, artisan stores and work shops.

When you visit us, remember to try our “28-day” tendered meat.

The heart of the place is a coal oven from Mibrasa, Spain. It is only fitting that we use coal for grilling and baking, since the building housed 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

We´ve got the car to make your day We go out of our way to bring you the vehicle you want - at a price you like. To complete our service, here´s a really great offer for you.

BOOK ONLINE

DISCOUNT PER RENTAL*

#enterpriseiceland

*Book online and use the coupon code FLYBUS1 to claim your discount

BSÍ Bus Terminal • 101 Reykjavík Keflavík International Airport Info@EnterpriseRentACar.is www.EnterpriseRentACar.is • Tel. +354 519 9300

ART FOR THE PEOPLE Retrospective on the works of Ásmundur Sveinsson. The sculptor was born in 1893 and died nearly ninety years later, in 1982. He lived through some of the most intense times of history. He was born into poverty, much like most Icelanders at the time. When he died Icelanders had become one of the richest nations of the world, and the country had long ago become a republic with active democracy.

The nation's history is reflected in his work.

INVASION I: GUÐMUNDUR THORODDSEN Guðmundur Thoroddsen has for the last few years focused on masculinity in a comical fashion, for example by creating sculptures from ceramics and wood. His coarse shapes and use of materials offer us an interesting dialogue with the works of Ásmundur Sveinsson.

Ásmundur Sveinsson

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

REYKJAVÍK ART MUSEUM ÁSMUNDARSAFN

REYKJAVÍK ART MUSEUM – KJARVALSSTAÐIR TALES OF THE UNSEEN

Different generations of artists meet here: Alfreð Flóki (1938– 1987), Ásta Sigurðardóttir (19301971), Jóhanna Bogadóttir (1944), Kristinn Pétursson (1896–1981), Sigga Björg Sigurðardóttir (1977), Sigurður Ámundason (1986)

KJARVAL: LA DURÉE This exhibition aims to show how the influence of French philosopher Henri Bergson appears in Kjarval's imagery. From his early years,

Tales of the Unseen

where he deals with time as a duration within the same painting, by twisting the shapes, thus creating movement and flow. Later, in his series of landscapes where he repeats the same subject again

and again from the same viewpoint, we see how he works with time as repetition. By repeating his work, Kjarval manages to delve deep into his perception of nature and time as real time or duration.

Find more events at whatson.is/ec/

Exhibited are works by artists who have been inspired by folktales and adventures or created their own hidden worlds.The exhibition is full of mysterious and exciting work which fire up our imagination precisely at the darkest time of the year.

65

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

SIGURJÓN ÓLAFSSON MUSEUM TWO COMRADES ASGER JORN & SIGURJÓN ÓLAFSSON Sigurjón Ólafsson (1908–1982) and Asger Jorn (1914–1973) were both influential figures in avantgarde art in Denmark in the 1930s and 40s, and the two had a close relationship until Sigurjón returned to Iceland at the end of World War II. They both participated in the landmark exhibitions Linien 1937, Skandinaverne 1939 and Teltudstillingen 1941.

In the summer of 1967 Jorn visited Iceland, when he was working on his great study of ancient Nordic art. He brought with him a number of prints, which at Sigurjón's suggestion, he presented to the Association of Icelandic Artists to help finance its planned gallery.

The works were purchased by the National Gallery of Iceland. The painting Tron II, which Jorn had given to Sigurjón Ólafsson when he was living in Denmark, was later donated to the National Gallery.

Two Comrades

Find more events at whatson.is/ec/

By showing works by Asger Jorn in the collection of the National Gallery of Iceland alongside selected works

by Sigurjón Ólafsson from the same period, the intention is to open a dialogue which will throw light upon unexplored links between these influential artists.

66

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ICELAND TREASURES OF A NATION In the collection of the National Gallery of Iceland there are over eleven thousand works of various kinds, from various countries and periods. In the exhibition Treasures of a Nation a fair selection of works from the collection displays the evolution of art in Iceland from the early nineteenth century to our times. The exhibition features the variety of media and styles distinguishing this short but eventful history.

Korriró & Dillidó

KORRIRÓ & DILLIDÓ Step into magic! The visual world of Icelandic folklore and fairy tales created by Ásgrímur Jónsson in his art is a truly enchanted realm. Elves, trolls and ghosts, which had lived a nebulous existence in the Icelandic mind in the semi-darkness of the old turf farmhouse, were given a clear form in Ásgrímur's art.

He first exhibited such pieces in Iceland in 1905. Ásgrímur's works on folklore themes were well received; in the press, reviewers expressed delight that the folktale

heritage was being addressed, for the first time, by an Icelandic artist. Ásgrímur's depictions of the appearance of elves and trolls met with widespread approval; hence the artist appears to have succeeded in capturing the way that Icelanders in general imagined such beings The exhibition Korriró og Dillidó offers an ideal opportunity for all the family to experience the unique supernatural world of elves in their finery and terrifying trolls, as depicted with passionate sincerity by Ásgrímur Jónsson.

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

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 collect, preserve and display the work of Einar as well as to conduct research on his life and art.

MUSEUM OF DESIGN AND APPLIED ART ÐYSLEXTWHERE ÐYSLEXTWHERE is an exhibition workshop based in the entrance of the Design Museum. The product designer Hanna Jónsdóttir will be working here for the next few weeks on the project ÐYSLEXTWHERE. Her collaborator is Ingrid Brandth from Norway but they have been producing and selling hand knitted hats since 2008.

Dyslextwhere

What characterizes the hats is the text that always has a spelling mistake. Spelling mistakes are taken very seriously in Iceland, especially in handmade items such as these.

Find more events at whatson.is/ec/

The hats are all for sale.

68

THE ICELANDIC WOOL SWEATER ORIGIN, HISTORY AND DESIGN The Icelandic wool sweater has developed through the centuries from a sturdy item of work clothing, used primarily in difficult outdoor jobs on sea and land, to being a national souvenir and a popular fashion item. In a way, the sweater reflects the lifestyle and history of a nation and tells a story of changing economic and social circumstances of Icelanders, and the part played by design.

Einar Jónsson Museum

The exhibition is based on a research by Ásdís Jóelsdóttir.

Exhibition design: Auður Ösp Guðmundsdóttir The exhibition is

a collaborative project between the Museum of Design and Applied Art, the Textile Museum and the Gljúfrasteinn-Laxness Museum.

Austurstræti 20, 101 Reykjavík, Tel. 561 2240

01 R

VK

ZA

G SIN ES HR

AR

SK Á

,1

EB A

MOST DELICIOUS FIRE BAKED SOURDOUGH PIZZA IN TOWN

Z PI

FI R

SOU R DOU G

H

K

ED

I2 ÆT LIN N AUSTURSTR

The kitchen is open from 9:00-23:00

0

Reykjavík´s Thermal Pools

A source of health

Therm al swi m m ing pools

Hot t ubs and jacuzz i

Saunas, steambat hs

The place to meet locals

Thermal pools and baths in Reykjavik are a source of health, relaxation and pureness.

All of the city´s swimming pools have several hot tubs with temperatures ranging from 37˚ to 42˚C (98˚–111˚F). The pools are kept at an average temperature of 29˚ C (84˚ F)

Tel: +354 411 5000 www.spacity.is

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS Black and White

REYKJAVIK MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY THIS ISLAND EARTH

This Island Earth

our sense of reality in relation to nature and landscape imagery.

BLACK AND WHITE Exhibition by Thomas Kellner in Skotið at Reykjavík Museum of Photography.

Black-and-white photography first became widespread in 1871 and developed into the first large-scale visual medium

in cultural history. It was the dominant form of photography for almost 60 years before color photography was introduced.

Those who have followed Kellner’s photography over the years know that most of his works have been published and exhibited in color. However, there was a time when Kellner worked in black and white.

Find more events at whatson.is/ec/

The exhibition is part of The Icelandic Photography Festival. In this exhibition, five photographic artists living in Iceland turn their gaze towards nature. Since the beginning, landscape photography has been a leading force in the Icelandic photographic scene, and its key mission has been to promote Iceland internationally and to preserve Icelandic national identity. The genre continues to play a crucial role in the photographic scene today. In This Island Earth, each artist´s approach is a highly personal one, which leads to a diversity in the composition and texture of the exhibited works yet parallels can be found. A common characteristic of the works, which include both photography and video, is that they all test

71

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ICELAND BUNDLED-UP IN BLUE An exhibition based on new research on the bones and grave good found in a settlement-era grave.

The grave was discovered in 1938 in East-Iceland. The research can provide answers on the age of the woman in the grave and where she came from, together with indications of how she looked and dressed.

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?

Find more events at whatson.is/ec/

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.

72

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.

FISHING STATIONS OF OLD ICELAND Karl Jeppesen has photographed old fishing stations and camps around Iceland. On The Wall a selection of these photographs is exhibited. The abandoned fishing stations are in varying conditions. Some are clearly visible, but others have disappeared from the face of the earth.

Bundled up in Blue

THE LONG APARTMENT BLOCK IN UPPER BREIร HOLT The building measures 320 metres, bearing a resemblance to a great wall. With its twenty staircases and 200 apartments, it is home to a few hundred people.

David Barreiro has photographed the building, the interiors of the apartments, and its inhabitants

who share the experience of moving to Iceland from across the world.

David Barreiro was born in 1982 in Galicia in Spain. His project is the fruit of a grant from the Hjรกlmar R. Bรกrรฐarson Fund, administered by the Icelandic Museum of Photography at the National Museum.

For information about daily events, check out www.whatson.is/ec

Meet some of Iceland’s finest designers Epal Harpa / Epal Skeifan 6 / Epal Design Kringlan / 568 7733

www.epal.is

The Icelandic Punk Museum is located at Bankastræti 0, an underground location that served as public toilets from 1930 to 2006. The Museum honours the music and the spirit that has shaped musicians and bands to this day; people who dared to be different.

Objects, photographs, videos, posters, etc. from those years (roughly 1978 to 1992) are on display with texts in Icelandic and English, as well as the main music from the period is available to guests.

Punk Museum

THE CULTURE HOUSE POINTS OF VIEW The exhibition gives visitors the chance to delve into the collections of six different cultural institutions.

A unique journey through Iceland's visual legacy, offering an innovative guide to a nation's cultural history.

The exhibition is a collaborative project of the following institutions: National and University Library of Iceland, Icelandic Museum of Natural History, National Gallery of Iceland, The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies, National Archives of Iceland, National Museum of Iceland.

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

THE ICELANDIC PUNK MUSEUM

Points of View

Saegreifinn restaurant (Sea Baron) is like none other in Iceland; a world famous lobster soup and a diverse fish selection.

Open 11:30 -22:00

saegreifinn.is Geirsgata 8 • 101 Reykjavík • Tel. 553 1500 • seabaron8@gmail.com

Find more events at whatson.is/ec/

An absolute must-try!

75

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: Daily 13-17

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 out­stand­ing works of modern art also make their mark.

Find more recommendations at whatson.is

Viðey Reykjavik 411-6356. reykjavikcitymuseum.is

76

THE SETTLEMENT EXHIBITION 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.

Aðalstræti 16, Reykjavik 411-6370 | reykjavikcitymuseum.is Hours: Daily 9-18

REYKJAVIK MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY Reykjavík City Museum 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.

Tryggvagata 15, Reykjavik 411-6390 | reykjavikcitymuseum.is Hours: Mon-Thu 10-18, Fri 11-18, Sat & Sun 13-17

REYKJAVIK CITY LIBRARY

HAFNARBORG

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.

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.

Tryggvagata 15, Reykjavik 411-6100 | borgarbokasafn.is Hours: Mon-Thu 10-19, Fri 11-18, Sat & Sun 13-17

Strandgata 34, Hafnarfjörður 585-5790 | www.hafnarborg.is Hours: Wed-Mon 12-17

REYKJAVIK MARITIME MUSEUM 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 modern trawlers and the construction of Reykjavik harbour.

Grandagarður 8, Reykjavik 411-6340 | reykjavikcitymuseum.is Closed untill February 16th.

EINAR JÓNSSON MUSEUM 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.

Hallgrímstorg 3, Reykjavik 551-3797 | www.lej.is Hours: Tue-Sun 10-17

THE ICELANDIC MUSEUM OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL Björk, Sigur Rós, Of Monsters and Men… What’s their story? At the museum guests can dive into the history of Icelandic rock ‘n’ roll music. Don’t miss the cinema running documentaries all day, the gift shop, the sound lab where you can try various instruments and sing your heart out in a karaoke booth!

Hjallavegi 2, 260 Reykjanesbæ 420 1030 | www.rokksafn.is Hours: Daily 11-18

GUARANTEED SEATS

FREE WIFI

45 MINUTES

ALL FLIGHTS

The Flybus operates in connection with all arriving & departing flights at Keflavík International Airport. For our flexible Flybus schedule, please visit www.flybus.is BOOK NOW!

BSÍ Bus Terminal • 101 Reykjavík •

ON WWW.FLYBUS.IS

AT YOUR RECEPTION

+354 580 5400 • main@re.is • www.re.is • www.flybus.is

WWW.FLYBUS.IS

BSÍ Bus Terminal • 101 Reykjavík +354 580 5400 • main@re.is www.re.is • www.flybus.is

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ICELAND

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

Offers a state-of-the-art exhibitions on the cultural history of Iceland.

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

Fríkirkjuvegur 7, Reykjavík 515-9600 | www.listasafn.is Hours: Tue-Sun: 11-17

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

ÁSGRÍMUR JÓNSSON COLLECTION

THE ICELANDIC PHALLOLOGICAL MUSEUM

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

Probably the most unique museum you’ll visit on your trip, the Icelandic Phallological Museum is a one of a kind.

Here you’ll find a collection of more than two hundred penises and penile part belonging to almost all land and sea mammals that can be found in Iceland.

Bergstaðastræti 74, Reykjavík 515-9625 | www.listasafn.is Hours: Sat-Sun 14-17

Laugavegur 116, Reykjavik 561 6663 | www.phallus.is Hours: Daily 10-18

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: Sat-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

VOLCANO HOUSE

AURORA REYKJAVIK

Shows documentaries that give a good idea of real life in Iceland, where volcanoes and earthquakes are a constant threat. There’s also a mineral exhibition, giving 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.

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

Tryggvagata 11, Reykjavik 555-1900 | www.volcanohouse.is Hours: Daily 9-22

Grandagarður 2, Reykjavik 780-4500 | aurorareykjavik.is Hours: Daily 9-21

Find more recommendations at whatson.is

HANNESARHOLT 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 11-18. Short doc on Hannes Hafstein and early. Reykjavik Guided historic city walks Tue and Thu at 1 pm by appointment.

Grundarstígur 10, Reykjavik 511-1904 | www.hannesarholt.is Hours: Mon-Fri 10-16

ART & CULTURE

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ICELAND

79

ART & CULTURE

KJARVALSSTAÐIR

ÁSMUNDARSAFN

HAFNARHÚS

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

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

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

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.

Gljúfrasteinn, Mosfellsbær 586-8066 | www.gljufrasteinn.is

Sigtún, Reykjavik 411-6430 | www.artmuseum.is Hours: Daily 13-17.

THE NUMISMATIC MUSEUM

THE LIVING ART 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.

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

Kalkofnsvegur 1, Reykjavik 569-9600 www.sedlabanki.is Hours: Mon-Fri 13:30-15:30

Find more recommendations at whatson.is

Hours: Tue-Fri 10-16

80

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

Grandagarður 20, Reykjavik 551-4350 | www.nylo.is Hours: Tue-Sun 12-18, Thu 12-21

GERÐARSAFN

THE CULTURE HOUSE

THE NORDIC HOUSE

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.

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.

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

Hamraborg 4, Kópavogur 441-7600 | gerdarsafn.is Hours: Tue-Sun 11-17

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

Sturlugata 5, Reykjavik 551-7030 | nordice.is Hours: Sun-Tue 10-16, Wed-Sat 9-21

Stay connected and share memories

Vodafone Starter Pack is the perfect travel companion in Iceland.

Gain access to the most extensive 4G network, geographically.

Buy the Vodafone Starter Pack at Keavik Airport, What’s On at Laugavegur 5 and Tryggvagata 11, Vodafone stores and at our network of resellers.

The future is exciting.

Ready?

VOLCANO & EARTHQUAKE EXHIBITION The Gateway to Iceland’s Most Active Volcanic Area

The Lava Centre

The creation of Iceland

Earthquake simulator

A world class exhibition on volcanoes and earthquakes surrounded by active volcanoes.

Learn how and why Iceland hosts so many volcanic eruptions.

Feel what it’s like when the ground starts to shake and rumble.

MORE INFO AND TICKETS AT

Open every day

Follow us on

www.lavacentre.is

9:00 - 19:00

social media

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

KALDI BAR

AMERICAN BAR

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

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

Austurstræti 20, Reykjavik 561-2240 | bjarnifel.is

Laugavegur 20b, Reykjavik 581-2200

Austurstræti 8, Reykjavik 571 9999

KOFINN

B5

DEN DANSKE KRO

This café/bar is in the perfect spot on the main street. This snug basement used to be a butcher’s shop but has been transformed into a comfy place to relax, have a drink and swap tales with friends. As an added bonus, Kofinn doesn’t just have happy hour, they have coffee hour as well!

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.

There is live music playing every night at Den Danske Kro, a Danish themed bar.

You can also expect live football games, pub quizzes, beer bingo and happy hours. Den Danske Kro is a casual place in the heart of Reykjavík where everyone is welcome.

Bankastræti 5, Reykjavik 552-9600 www.b5.is

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

Laugavegur 2, Reykjavik www.ktf.is

BAR ANANAS

THE ENGLISH PUB

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.

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.

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

Klapparstígur 38, Reykjavik

Austurstræti 12, Reykjavik 578-0400 www.facebook.com/enskibarinn

Find more recommendations at whatson.is

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 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.

PUBS & NIGHTLIFE

BJARNI FEL SPORTSBAR Named after a legendary Icelandic football player, Reykjavík's premier Sports Bar is nestled in the heart of the city and boasts the biggest array of HD screens in town. Classic bar food is served hot and the beers ice cold.

Finally, it’s open 7 days a week so you never miss the game!

83

PUBS & NIGHTLIFE

HÚRRA

LEBOWSKI BAR

MICROBAR

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.

The Big Lebowski by the Coen brothers is not only a film, it has now become a lifestyle. With the emergence of the Lebowski Bar in Reykjavik, everyone can now be a part of The Dude’s peculiar world. They even offer a whole White russian menu!

Beer enthusiasts look no further!

In a cellar underneath Restaurant Reykjavík, just off Ingólfstorg square, you will find Micro Bar. This ambitious bar serves only beer from microbreweries! Carrying an impressive 140 different kinds of beers from all over the world, this is definitely the go-to place for beer fans.

Tryggvagata 22, Reykjavik www.hurra.is

Find more recommendations at whatson.is

Vesturgata 2, Reykjavik

DRUNK RABBIT

PORT 9

VEÐUR

Every city needs to have a friendly neighbourhood Irish pub and in Reykjavík, that bar is the Drunk Rabbit.

It doesn’t matter if you’re going in for a snack, to enjoy the live music they have every night, people-watching in the lively bar, or just enjoying a beer or five in good company, the Drunk rabbit has got everything you need.

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

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

Veghúsastígur 9, Reykjavík 897 8212 | www.vport9.is

Klapparstígur 33, Reykjavík www.vedurbarinn.is

Austurstræti 3, Reykjavik 553 1041

84

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

LOFT HOSTEL

KIKI - QUEER BAR

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

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

Cocktails, dancing, and a tropical atmosphere, what more can you ask for?

Climb up a flight or two of stairs from the central Ingólfstorg square and you’ll find Pablo Discobar, one of the best places in town to get a cocktail and dance the night away.

Bankastræti 7, Reykjavik 553 8140

Laugavegur 22 www.kiki.is

552 7333 | www.discobar.is

PABLO DISCOBAR

Veltusund 1, Reykjavík

There are many places worth checking out in Iceland and even though we feel that our 21 stores should be up there with the waterfalls and geysers, we’re not completely mad.

That’s why we offer free delivery right to your door.

Reykjavik area

Akureyri

Akranes Reykjavik Keflavik Selfoss

TEL. 58 12345

FREE DELIVER Y r ight t

o your

d oo r

SHOPPING & STYLE

ANNA MARÍA DESIGN

HRÍM

LITTLE CHRISTMAS SHOP

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.

Icelanders are known for being a stylish people, whether you judge from their clothes, their homes, or just their lifestyles. At the heart of their stylishness is Scandinavian design, whether it‘s Icelandic or from our neighbouring countries. The Hrím stores offer you the chance to decorate your home (or even yourself) with the classic style of the Scandinavians!

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.

Skólavörðustígur 3, Reykjavik 551-0036 www.annamariadesign.is

Laugavegur 25, Reykjavik 553-3003 | www.hrim.is

LISTVINAHÚSIÐ

FARMERS MARKET

METAL DESIGN

The oldest ceramic workshop in Iceland established 1927. Three generations of artistic potters. Unique handmade ceramics, 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”.

An Icelandic design company and clothing brand, founded in 2005 by a young artist couple, designer Bergthora Gudnadottir and musician Jóel Pálsson.

With strong ties to the vibrant Icelandic music and design scene, the Farmers Market design concept and inspiration draws from Icelandic roots, combining classic Nordic design elements with chic modernity.

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.

Find more recommendations at whatson.is

Skólavörðustígur 43, Reykjavik 551-2850 www.listvinahusid.is

86

Laugavegur 8, Reykjavik 552-2412

Skólavörðustígur 2. Reykjavik 552-5445 www.MetalDesignReykjavik.is

Laugavegur 37, Reykjavik 552-1965 | www.farmersmarket.is

JÖKLA

IGLÓ&INDÍ

CINTAMANI

If you‘er interested in getting some Icelandic design to take back home , be sure to stop by Jökla on your way down the Laugavegur shopping street. You can get Icelandic design for you, your children, or your home and the best thing is that you‘re buying straight from the designers

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.

Laugavegur 90, Reykjavik 696 6604

Skólavörðustígur 2, Reykjavik 445-2020 | www.igloandindi.com

Nowhere in the populated world does the weather change as fast, or as often as here. Thus Icelandic designers have to meet the 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

NORTHERN LIGHTS BY BOAT FROM REYKJAVIK

AND OTHER WILDLIFE ADVENTURES

AL S

O

TR Y

W

HA

LE

W AT CH

IN

G

TO U

R

THE ORIGINAL NORTHERN LIGHTS

BY BOAT TOUR

SCHEDULE SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

22:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 22:00 Adults 10.990 ISK | Children (7-15) 50% OFF | Children (0-6) FREE 22:00 (01 Sep-30 Sep & 15 March-15 April ) | 21:00 ( 1 October - 14 March )

GOLD-CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL UMHVERFISFLOKKUN

CERTIFIED TRAVEL SERVICE VIÐURKENND FERÐAÞJÓNUSTA

BOOK NOW

WE GO THE EXTRA MILE 354-560-8800

specialtours.is

info@specialtours.is

SHOPPING & STYLE

GALLERY GALLERA

MICHELSEN

12 TÓNAR

If you walk up a flight of stairs from the city‘s main shopping street, you‘ll come across this hidden gem of a space, Gallery Gallera. This workshop/ gallery/store is run by a group of upand-coming artists and sells everything from hand-printed t-shirts to books and posters, perfect to keep for yourself or as gifts for family and friends back home!

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, Tag Heuer, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Diesel, Movado, Swiss Military and more.

The Icelandic music scene is extraordinarily vibrant, considering the size of the nation. Is there a better souvenir to take home than music from your new favourite Icelandic musician?

The 12 Tónar shop is a friendly place where you can sit down, listen to a selection of music, enjoy a free espresso, read magazines, or browse their juicy collection of rock literature.

Laugavegur 33, Reykjavik 773-3550

Find more recommendations at whatson.is

Skólavörðustíg 15, Reykjavík 511 5656 | www.12tonar.is

GEYSIR HOME

KIOSK

GEYSIR

The Geysir stores have been selling beautifully designed clothes for years but the recently opened Geysir Home focuses on quality design items for the home, everything from candles and linens to ceramics and posters

by Icelandic artists. Don’t miss the downstairs art & design gallery, Kjallarinn.

Taking some Icelandic design home is the best possible souvenir of a great trip. Luckily, Icelandic designers are known for their inimitable style! Try stopping by Kiosk, a co-op shop owned by 8 different designers. Not only are the clothes to die for, but the designers also take shifts behind the counter so you get to meet the people behind the design as well!

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.

Skólavörðustígur 12, Reykjavík 519 6033 | geysir.com

88

Laugavegur 15, Reykjavik 511-1900 | www.michelsen.is

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 manufacturers.

Borgartún 31, Reykjavík Skólavörðustígur 19, Reykjavik 552-1890 | www.handknit.is

Laugavegur 65, Reykjavik 445 3269 | kioskreykjavik.com

Skólavörðustíg 7, Reykjavík Skólavörðustíg 16, Reykjavík 519-6000 www.geysir.com

EPAL

KRINGLAN

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.

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 sevenoutlet food court and three themed restaurants, it has something to suit every need.

Laugavegur 70, Skeifan 6, Kringlan & Harpa Reykjavik, Keflavík Airport 568-7740 | www.epal.is

Kringlan 4-12, Reykjavik 517-9000 | www.kringlan.is

Don’t Fight the Power. Feel It. Welcome to the most powerful exhibition in the world.

“A must-see activity”, “Bucket List”, “Interactive and inspiring”

The exhibition is open every day 9:00-17:00 Info: exhibition@on.is Tel: (+354) 591 2880 www.geothermalexhibition.com

FOOD & DRINK

FORRÉTTABARINN

SÆGREIFINN

JÓMFRÚIN

Tasty tapas with an Icelandic twist.

With a new spin on traditional Icelandic cuisine and an extensive selection of local beer, Forréttabarinn – “The Starters Bar” – is worth seeking out when you need a bite to eat or a place to start your night out in Reykjavík.

Whatever you choose from the refreshingly creative menu, you’re in for a treat!

Iceland is an island, surrounded by water, so it only makes sense that we have some of the best seafood in the world. Taste the delicious grilled fish skewers and try the fermented shark if you dare but don’t miss out on their famous lobster soup. It’s delicious!

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

TE OG KAFFI

555-1910 | www.teogkaffi.is

Find more recommendations at whatson.is

Lækjargata 4, Reykjavik 551-0100 | www.jomfruin.is

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

Passion, expertise and craftsmanship are the main characteristics of Te & Kaffi, a family owned chain of coffee houses and speciality coffee roasters.

Highly skilled and amicable baristas, exciting and tasty drinks in beautifully designed coffee houses makes Te & Kaffi a must visit.

90

Geirsgata, Reykjavík 553 1500 | www.saegreifinn.is

SNAPS

FJÖRUBORÐIÐ

EARLY IN THE MORNING

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.

BREAKFAST. Early in the Morning is the perfect start to your day, whether you're going hiking on a volcano or just strolling around Reykjavík. This breakfast/brunch spot is hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, so stop by for a tasty breakfast in a relaxing atmosphere!

Eyrarbraut 3A, Stokkseyri 483-1550 | www.fjorubordid.is

MATHÚS GARÐABÆJAR

Veghúsastígur 7-9, Reykjavík 695 1021 Open daily 07:00-10:00

ICELANDIC FISH & CHIPS

Snaps is a classic french bistro using local Icelandic ingredients, located at Odinstorg. 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.

Mathús Garðabæjar, the newest addition to the restaurant flora in Garðabær, has been delighting its customers ever since they opened their doors. Serving everything from fish to pasta to vegetarian fare in exquisite dishes, Mathús Garðabæjar is the perfect place to bring the whole family!

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 skyrbased 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!

Óðinstorg, Reykjavik 511-6677 | www.snaps.is

Garðatorg 4B, Garðabæ 571 3775 | www.mathus.is

Tryggvagata 11, Reykjavik 511 11 18 | ww.fishandchips.is

SKÓLAVÖRÐUSTÍGUR 14 - 101 REYKJAVÍK - TEL: +354 571 1100

Go to icelandreview.com to subscribe and for daily news from Iceland

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

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

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

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

HLÖLLABÁTAR Hlöllabátar has been serving up delicious subs, with his secretingredient 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

JOE & THE JUICE

THE ICELANDIC BAR

PYLSUHÚSIÐ

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

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

Laugavegur 10, Reykjavík; Smáralind, Kringlan, World Class Laugum, Keflavík Airport www.joeandthejuice.is

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

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

ESSENSIA

A chain of cafés and espresso bars with over 30 years of experience in serving and roasting high-quality coffee. They operate cafés in 7 locations in Iceland, promising a highly knowledgeable staff and a great cup of coffee procured in a responsible and fair way.

If you’re looking for top-notch Italian food, look no further than Essensia.

Using only the best ingredients and preparing them in a way that showcases their quality, the good people of Essensia make sure our whole dining experience is one to remember. Don’t forget about their delicious Italian wines!

Bankastræti 8, Reykjavik 420-2700 www.kaffitar.is/en

Hverfisgata 4-6, Reykjavik 517-0030 | www.essensia.is

Find more recommendations at whatson.is

APOTEK An exciting restaurant located in one of the most beautiful corners of Reykjavik, Apotek Restaurant is casual-smart, offering delicious food in a vibrant atmosphere and stylish surroundings.

The menu is a fun mix of Icelandic and European cuisine and the dishes are designed to share and enjoy together.

Austurstræti 16, Reykjavik 551-0011 | www.apotek.is

FOOD & DRINK

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

93

FOOD & DRINK

MARSHALL RESTAURANT + BAR Marshall Restaurant + Bar is situated in Marshallhúsið, a new center for modern art in Reykjavík. Honest approach to food and cooking and an atmosphere of warmth. Icelandic fish and mediterranean inspired fare with vegetarian dishes, pasta and meat.

Find more recommendations at whatson.is

SMURSTÖÐIN 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.

Geirsgata 3, Reykjavik 552-0011 | www.saltkitchenandbar.is

Harpa,Austurbakki 2, Reykjavik 519-9750 | www.smurstodin.is

Grandagarður 20, Reykjavik 519 7766 marshallrestaurant.is

KOPAR

GRILLHÚSIÐ

73 RESTAURANT

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

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

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!

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

94

SALT - KITCHEN & BAR Salt is a newly opened family owned restaurant and bar by the old harbour. It specialised in serving quality Icelandic cuisine, made from the best local ingredients available!

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

Laugavegur 73, Reykjavik 555 7373 www.73.is

HARD ROCK CAFÉ

FISH COMPANY

KOLABRAUTIN

Hard Rock Café really doesn‘t need any introduction! You can get the food, drinks, and music you know and love at their recently opened three story restaurant/bar/shop in the heart of the city centre. Their cellar even doubles as a concert venue, so get ready to enjoy yourself!

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.

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.

Lækjargata 2a, Reykjavik 5600 800 hardrock.com/cafes/reykjavik

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

Harpa, Reykjavik 519-9700 | www.kolabrautin.is

Pre-booking is required. Book online at bluelagoon.com

Welcome to Jómfrúin, the home of Danish smørrebrød in Reykjavik. It all began in 1888 with Oscars Davidsen’s highly praised smørrebrød restaurant in Copenhagen. An unbroken tradition of quality and Danish culinary culture for the past 100 years. Enjoy!

Open every day 11:00 - 22:00 | Lækjargata 4 | 101 Reykjavík | jomfruin.is

Your Ticket to

Adventure Super Jeep Monstertrucks Snowmobiles

Tel. (+354) 580 9900 ice@mountaineers.is www.mountaineers.is

Got a question about Iceland? Wondering if it’s safe? (It is). Who the president is? (Guðni Th. Jóhannesson). 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 5 in Reykjavík, or drop us an e-mail at whatson@whatson.is.

MUST KNOW PHONE NUMBERS 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.

338.349 The population of the country. Yes, we know, it’s not a lot.

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.

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!

230 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.

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.

If you need more info contact info@whatson.is

Visit whatson.is for more practical information

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.

IMPORTANT STATISTICS

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: NUMBERS YOU SHOULD KNOW!

97

Explosive Show!

Volcano Documentary, Stone Collection and Geological Exhibition in Reykjavík, next to the Old Harbour.

Tryggvagata 11 | Reykjavík | +354 555 1900 | www.volcanohouse.is

HARD ROCK CAFE REYKJAVIK

HRCREYKJAVIK

#THISISHARDROCK

©2015 Hard Rock International (USA), Inc. All rights reserved.

– Geysir Skólavörðustíg 7 & 16 & Kringlan, Reykjavík. Hafnarstræti, Akureyri. Geysir, Haukadalur. Sími 519 6000. geysir.com –