Cool, clean and a tad kooky, Iceland’s oceanside capital has become a hot destination for the hip—here’s why:
see: With less than 200K people living within city limits, Reykjavik’s downtown core is super compact and easy to traverse by foot. Wander along colourful streets to Reykjavík Roasters, grab a coffee and carry on toward Hallgrímskirkja church, said to have been designed to resemble the basalt lava flows of Iceland’s landscape. Once there, be sure to climb the tower for stunning, 360-degree views of the city and surrounding mountains. www.hallgrimskirkja.is
sea: For another fantastic way to observe what makes this chilly city so special, hop onto a Videy Island ferry (free with a Reykjavik City Card), which stops at a number of piers along the shores of Reykjavik’s’ Kollafjörður Bay. Once on the tiny island, explore its wildflower-covered hills via a network of winding footpaths. Blissful. videy.com
savour: You won’t be sorry for splurging on dinner at Grillmarkaðurinn, where expert chefs source everything they can directly from local farms and use open flame, charcoal and smoke to prepare it. The result: food as fresh as it comes (and, boy, can you ever taste it). Opt for the tasting menu, with wines, and prepare to be blown away. www.grillmarkadurinn.is
shop: Tucked away off the main strip down by the waterfront, Mýrin is a bastion of Nordic and Scandinavian style. Stocking cool-girl fashion brands, avant-garde accessories and drool-worthy home décor, you’ll want to give yourself a good hour to browse (and then, buy) these wares. myrinstore.is
swim: While Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is a must-stop for most visitors, a far less touristy place to test the waters in Reykjavik exists at one of the city’s dozen or so thermally heated public pools. Laugardular, for one, is but a short bus ride away from the core and has a handful of “hot pot” pools, each set to varying toasty temperatures. Don’t forget to grab a post-swim hot dog outside. Oh yeah, heads up—the showers are communal. www.visitreykjavik.is
Keep being you, Reykjavik! —Emma Yardley
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