5 Best Things To Do In Reykjavik, Mother Nature’s Favourite Child

Have you ever dreamt of living in a fantasy land filled with snow, volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and lava fields? Before you get yourself lost in the dream, here is a secret for you! There is a country which is filled with all the elements of your dream and the name of the country is Iceland. It owns the name, “The Land of Fire and Ice” as this Atlantic Island is home to natural phenomena from the hot volcanoes and geothermal geysers to the chilling glaciers. Right from the Star Wars to the Game of Thrones, Iceland has made its majestic presence known in several fictional worlds. This is a testimonial to the country being nothing short of a fantasy world. The capital of this fantastic country is the scintillating city of Reykjavik. Reykjavik consists of the best things that you can experience in the country of Iceland. Read on…

5 Best Things to do in Reykjavik

Reykjavik’s population contributes two-third to that of the country’s. The city is lively and filled with natural wonders which enables it to attract thousands of tourists every year. Reykjavik is filled with some of the best things to do in Iceland like shopping in the local markets, witness some energetic fishing harbours, having a great spa experience at the famous Blue Lagoon and much more. Read on to know in detail about the best things that you can do in the city of Reykjavik.

1. Aurora Borealis – The Ethereal Display of Northern Lights

Science is the best magic that nature had bestowed upon us and the Northern Lights is one such magic that proves that. Aurora Borealis, commonly known as Northern Lights, is a supernal spectacle of colours in the sky which will make our jaws drop down as our heads witness the wonder above. This spectacular natural phenomenon is caused by the collision of electronically charged particles with the upper atmosphere. This visible around the city of Reykjavik during the months of Winter.

The occurrence of the Northern Lights depends on various factors like weather, pollution, clearness of the sky, etc. But, if you are lucky enough to get there on a clear night sky, you can get yourself immersed in one of the best sights of your life. You can either view the Northern lights from the land or from a sailing boat. It doesn’t matter from where you see, you will be in for one brilliant visual treat!

2. The Golden Circle – A Stunning Sightseeing

The Golden Circle is a popular tourist route in Southern Iceland and it stretches over 300 km starting from Reykjavik. The first stop of the tour, Pingvellir National Park is an hour away from the city. You can see a canyon there which is there as a result of the rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Also, It has the site of Alpingi, the oldest Parliament in the world which dates back to 930 AD. Another interesting part of the tour is Gullfoss which is a marvellous double waterfall. This water marvel is 32 metres high and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. A noteworthy mention of the tour is the Haukadalur valley. The valley has mud pots, hot springs and geysers like Strokkur, which erupts up every 5-10 minutes.

The guided tours of the Golden Circle start from the city in the morning and return by the evening. It will be one of the best days of your stay and one of the strong reasons why you should visit Iceland.

3. The Sun Voyage – An homage to the Sun

The Sun Voyage is a huge stainless steel sculpture of a ship present at the seaside of Reykjavik. The sculpture has become popular for photo-ops following its erection in 1990 to memorialise the city’s 200th anniversary. The sculpture actually replicates a Viking ship and pays reverence to the Sun. The location of this carving enables picturesque views of Mount Esja, a majestic mountain with hiking trails.

The Sun Voyage is free to visit 24 hours a day but there are no conveniences available on-site, so prepare and leave accordingly. The best time to visit the place is during the sunrise or the sunset on a clear sky day. The choicest way to get to the site is to walk from downtown Reykjavik. Nearby, you can find Harpa, a concert hall and conference centre which you can visit on your way to or way back from the Sun Voyage.

4. Blue Lagoon – The Geothermal Spa

The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland and it is 30 min drive away from Reykjavik. This popular attraction attracts as much as 700,000 travellers from all around the world and that is almost double the population of Iceland. The Spa is open all days of the year and is filled with tourists every season. We suggest to book it well in advance as it will get filled to its capacity due to its popularity. If you don’t pre-book your slot, you are most likely to be turned away at the door without a reservation.

The water in Blue Lagoon is believed to have regenerative properties as it is rich in silica and sulphur. There is also a research and development facility on site whose job is to find cures and remedies for skin ailments. In addition to a nice warm bath (37–39° C / 98–102° F), you can also avail the silica mud on the sides of the pool for free to experience a face-mask. If you feel hungry after a long time in the water, you can head out to the LAVA Restaurant or the Blue Café. There are also saunas, steam rooms and a small waterfall on-site and missing this attraction on your next trip to Iceland with your loved one will be crime.

5. National Museum of Iceland – Iceland’s History

The National Museum of Iceland is very interactive and it explains the history of Iceland, right from the pagan rituals to contemporary fashion. The place gets you up to the speed on the Nation’s 1200 years of human history. There are also one-way telephonic conversations to experience where you can speak to different people including a medieval chief and a 14th-century nun. There are almost 2000 objects and 1000 photographs with mind-breaking artefacts like longboat, modern airport and much more.

The ticket cost for the admission to the museum is 2000 ISK per person. The ticket is for one-time admission and includes access to the museum’s facilities, exhibits and free parking lot. You can also avail the complimentary guided tours happening at 11 a.m. The property is open on all days of the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, Between September 16 and April 30, the museum is open only open for 6 days ( Tuesday – Sunday).

Reykjavik is nothing short of a fantasy world. Apart from the above things, there are also several other fabulous things to do in this Icelandic city. Start planning your very own trip to Iceland and get treated by the natural wonders along with the amazing hospitality. Visit Pickyourtrail to have hassle-free and peaceful travel experience. In Addition to that, you can also customize your itineraries as per your likings. Happy Travelling!