Reykjavik - The Capital City Area

Recreation
Both the pleasures of the city and unspoiled nature lie close at hand. While some choose strolls through central city streets, others long for walks through calm surroundings and vegetation. Among the true treasures of nature are Heiðmörk, Elliðaárdalur, Krýsuvík and Grótta, and trails throughout the city and its environs provide the walker with views over landscape and the sea. A top option is riding horses; no matter what the weather, being outside on the sturdy, very special Icelandic horse brings satisfaction to the rider. Another animal that attracts notice in pristine nature is the whale, splashing and blowing in the blue-green sea. Try taking a boat trip with us to watch these magnificent animals. At restaurants, you will have a choice of Icelandic and foreign specialities, whose raw materials are generally Icelandic, fresh and unpolluted. The area's vibrant night life has captured international attention, so come and try it out -- for an experience you will always remember.

Health tourism
Everyone wants to stay healthy and lead a happy life, and Icelanders are one of the longest-lived nations in the world. Hardly anything benefits a person more than exercise, taking advantage of the countless options around the capital, such as swimming, golf and jogging. With their warm, pure water coming unpolluted from underground, a total of fifteen local swimming pools give both Icelanders and numerous foreign visitors the opportunity of healthy exercise, followed by relaxation in a steam bath. For others who are more interested in golf, several competitions are held each summer, of which the most unique is scheduled upon the midnight sun in June. Jogging and running have enjoyed ever-increasing popularity. Every year, the Reykjavík Marathon has Icelandic as well as foreign participants; not only the runners but also the spectators have great fun. Another option is the facilities for those bathing in the sea at Seltjarnarnes.

Events
A great deal is constantly happening, so everyone should find plenty to suit themselves, any time of the year, though only a few of the numerous events can be mentioned here. Near the end of April, on the holiday when Icelanders welcome summer, an exhibition is held encouraging people to acquaint themselves with the local tourist recreation possibilities. May is enlivened by the Reykjavík Arts Festival, while the beginning of June brings the Festival of the Sea, and August is the month for the Cultural Night in Reykjavík. During the Reykjavík Arts Festival, domestic artists appear along with foreign visitors from every corner of the globe. The citizens of Hafnarfjörður sponsor a Bright Days Arts Festival in June, Seltjarnarnes also celebrates days of culture and the arts during the long days of that month, and Kópavogur presents its Kópavogur Celebration in May. In Advent, an enjoyable visit is to the Christmas Village, to shop at the craft market for Christmas goods and gifts. The steadily higher sun in February signals the Reykjavík Winter Lights Festival.

Culture and museums
Tourists are often surprised by the wide selection of cultural events; new things are happening all the time. Iceland's opera is in Reykjavík, which is also home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Not only do classical music concerts occur every week and jazz players make frequent appearances, but pop and rock lovers have no reason for disillusionment, since concerts are offered each year which bring those interested in such music from far away. In the Music Experiments, youth bands receive their chance, whereas more famous bands appear during Iceland Airwaves in October. The Cultural Centre of Kópavogur has a specially constructed music hall, while the two professional theatres and several amateur companies present drama performances annually. Nor are the museums to be forgotten: Mosfellsdalur contains the House of Halldór Laxness, while there are also art museums, local heritage museums, a museum showing medical instruments, museums for machinery and equipment, and, in the open air, the Reykjavík Museum at Árbær. The widespread libraries and information services are worth a visit too.

Ancient culture and informative offerings
The ancient premises at Hofstaðir can now be viewed, while the original settlement ruins in the Reykjavík city centre are being excavated for their opening in 2006. A number of museums provide enlightenment on Icelandic history. Relics from this 1100-year period are displayed at the National Museum. In the Pearl and its Saga Museum, ancient heroes appear in seemingly living likenesses, unforgettable to anyone attending. Moreover, the building itself is unique, constructed over some warm-water storage tanks of the area's geothermal utility and containing a revolving restaurant on the uppermost floor, which allows views in all directions. The Icelandic Culture House, which presents exhibits on the nation's history, is considered one of the country's most beautiful buildings. In mid-summer, Nordic descendents of the Vikings gather at the grand Viking Festival in Hafnarfjörður to commemorate their ancestors through armed combat. Since every weapon is a harmless replica, spectators have nothing to fear.

Nature: never more than a step away
The mountains provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature observation; everywhere, nature is close at hand. In the winter, Bláfjöll and Skálafell are the most popular spots for skiers and snow boarders. During summer, the peace of the mountains attracts people of every age to walks onto the majestic Esja or into the environs of Hengill. The expanses of the latter send up clouds of steam, evidencing heat and energy; there is even a warm river with unforgettable bathing in the outdoors. If you want to be among more people, try bathing in warm sea waters at Nauthólsvík. For bird watching and experiencing nature, Mosfellsdalur, Álftanes and Seltjarnarnes are perfect locations. Hafnarfjörður has the popular ponds of Ástjörn, with its assortment of birds, and Hvaleyrarvatn, a destination for angling and for walks through the surroundings. In the middle of the Reykjanes peninsula lies Krýsuvík, where brightly-coloured mud pools murmur and boil with a strange odour.

Austurvöllur: This green square in Old Midtown is the heart of Reykjavík. The 19th-century Althingishús (Parliament House), one of the oldest stone buildings in Iceland, is the seat of the world's oldest operating parliament, which dates from 930. A statue of Jón Sigurdsson (1811-79), the nationalist who led Iceland toward independence, stands in the square's centre.

Hallgrímskirkja (Hallgríms Church):This is Reykjavík's most imposing structure that was completed in 1974. It is a focal point of the city that can be seen for many miles around. You can go up to the 75 m high tower and enjoy the beautiful view of the city and its surroundings.

Perlan: On top of Öskjuhlíd hill overlooking Reykjavík Airport stands Perlan, or the Pearl, built in 1991 as a monument to Iceland's invaluable ever-flowing geothermal waters. Indoors and outdoors, there are art exhibits, musical performances, and fountains that spurt water like geysers. Above six vast tanks holding up to 800,000 cubic ft of hot water, a viewing platform offers telescopes and multilingual-recorded commentaries, plus a coffee bar and an ice-cream parlour. The crowning glory is a revolving restaurant under the glass dome; it is pricey, but the view is the best.

The Lutheran Cathedral: A place of worship has existed on this site since AD 1200. In this small church, built 1788-96, Iceland's sovereignty and independence were first blessed and endorsed by the Lutheran church. It is also, where Iceland's national anthem, a hymn, was first sung in 1874. Since 1845, members and cabinet ministers of every Althing parliament session have gathered there for a service. Among the treasured items displayed is a baptismal font carved and given by 19th-century half Icelandic master sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen.

Laugardalur Park: Besides a large swimming pool, this recreational expanse has excellent picnic and barbecuing facilities.

Farm Animal Park: Home to goats, cows, horses, seals, and fish. The animal park is open daily 10-7 June-August; from September through May, it is open from 1 to 5 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and from 10 to 6 on weekends.

The Family Park: Has rides and games, such as "crazy bikes" - a driving school complete with miniature traffic lights - and a scale model of a Viking ship.

The Botanical Garden: Has an extensive outdoor collection of native and exotic plants. Admission is free. Coffee and baked items are sold in summer at the cosy conservatory. Take Bus 14 east; in summer, a Museum Bus runs hourly from Lækjatorg Plaza to numerous cultural sites, including the park. It is located east of City Centre. Bounded by Sundlaugarvegur to the north and Reykjavegur to the west, Reykjavík.

The National Theatre: Construction on architect Gudjón Samúelsson's black basalt edifice began in 1928 but was interrupted during the 1930s for lack of funds. British troops occupied it during World War II, and it officially opened in 1950. The concrete interior ceiling - an amazing architectural accomplishment in its day - mimics the polygonal basalt columns that occur naturally in Iceland's geography. Diverse cultural events are staged here fall to spring.

The National Gallery of Iceland: Originally built as an icehouse by a lake, this became Reykjavík's hottest nightspot in the '60s. So hot, in fact, that it was gutted by fire in 1971. Today, it is a temple to art, housing an impressive 20th-century Icelandic art collection that offers works by Kjarval and Gunnlaugur Scheving. There are also works by 19th-century Danish artists. In addition, the gallery stages international exhibitions, often from Nordic or Baltic countries, or from international collections of Icelandic paintings. The coffee shop frames splendid views of the lake.