Reykjavik in pictures

A metropolis inhabited by a small populace, Reykjavik is a delight to behold for its aesthetic beauty. Only a few high-rises occupy the city, traffic jams are few and the infrastructure is visually appealing with the cool mountains serving as an ideal backdrop. Music and literature keeps these modern city alive, sunny days are like natural holidays for the denizens, and people’s strong belief in the existence of elves and their fixation for supernatural entities is one of the interesting things to write home about.

Reykjavik, the capital and largest city of Iceland, woos tourists with its picturesque settings and colourful landscapes. It is a city that blends rustic charm with a wild, vibrant wildlife to create a seductive proposition for travellers. The republic of Iceland suffered a massive economic slowdown in 2008 when it almost became bankrupt, but the creativity and never-say- die attitude of the citizens has brought the country back on its feet in no time. With aesthetic surroundings, a pure and pristine environment, quirky but largely cordial people, Reykjavik makes for indelible memories.

Established in 2005, this museum features an impressive collection of historical maritime artefacts of Icelend. The seven-part exhibition is curated with relics from the mid-ninth century to the late twentieth century. The main highlight is the Icelandic Coast Guard’s rescue vessel—Óðin. Visitors on the guided tour get a chance to board the Óðin.

This expansive and elaborate church, named after poet Reverend Hallgrímur Pétursson— who penned Iceland’s most famous hymn book called the Passion Hymns—is one of the most spectacular buildings in the entire Iceland. Built in the expressionist style, this Church’s grand, eye-catching exteriors ensconce relatively plain and serene interiors. The main attraction of Hallgrímskirkja is the huge 5275- pipe organ that was installed in 1992. An elevator trip to the top of the church enables visitors get a breathtaking view of the entire city.

The Solfar is an interesting sculpture made of stainless steel by Jón Gunnar Árnason to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the city of Reykjavik. The sculpture is an ode to the sun, and symbolises hope, strength and new beginnings. This outstanding piece of art is located on the city’s picturesque waterfront.

These two unique museums provide the visitors with an interesting insight into the lifestyle and work of the people of Reykjavik in since the Settlement age (second half of the ninth century) to modern times. Árbæjarsafn is an open-air museum in the form of a make-believe village, which gives a fair impression of rural life in Reykjavik through the ages. Around twenty historical, old buildings were removed from their original sites and transported to Árbæjarsafn to give it an appearance of an actual settlement.Reykjavík 871±2 and the Settlement Exhibition is a fascinating display of the ruins of one of the first houses in Iceland and other artefacts showcasing the life, work and recreational activities of people of Iceland. It combines art and technology to create a brilliant demonstration of Iceland’s varied past. The exhibition is focused on the remains of a hall belonging to the Settlement Age that was unearthed in 2001.

Icelanders are extremely passionate about preserving and showcasing their history and culture and Reykjavik is dotted with many museums and galleries that exhibit the art and architecture of Iceland. The National Museum of Iceland has artefacts dating back to the Settlement Age as well as contemporary times. The Reykjavik Art Museum showcases a collection of sculptures, crafted by Ásmundur Sveinsson. Through his exceptional sculptures, Sveinsson explores themes as diverse and adverse as folklore and physics. The Icelandic Phallological Museum is as quirky as a museum can get. This museum houses a mammoth collection of male genital organs of around 283 mammals. The representation of the organs is extremely unique, and despite the innumerable jokes about this place, it remains one of the most popular places for tourists in Iceland.

Featuring glistening exteriors and exquisite architecture, the Harpa concert hall and cultural centre attracts tourists from all over the world. This visually exquisite place is worth a visit, even when it is not hosting any top-notch show, just to experience the magnificence of its architecture. The tourists also get an opportunity to take a 45-minute tour of the hall.

The enchanting island of Videy, situated in the Kollafjörður Bay, is an ideal place to spend some quality time in the vicinity of nature. The mesmerizing lush-green surroundings, sparkling blue waters and rocky terrain make this place a visual delight. The presence of an abandoned village creates an eerie ambience on the island. A short ferry ride from Iceland takes the tourists to this fabulous island.

Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík or the ‘Free Church in Reykjavik’ was established in 1899 and is situated on the banks of Lake Tjornin, which makes it a peaceful and tranquil place to spend idle evenings.

Gulfoss waterfall, the most famous waterfall in Iceland, is located in a canyon through which the Hvita River flows. Its meandering waters and sparkling droplets glitter in broad daylight, beguiling visitors with an illusion of rainbows over the gorge.

Literally translated in English as ‘The Pearl,’ this is an impressive building designed by well-known architect Ingimundur Sveinsson. On the ground floor, Perlan is home to the Winter Gardens—a popular venue for music concerts and expositions. This building also has various shops, catering primarily to tourists, which sell Icelandic delicacies and souvenirs. The glass domed part of Perlan houses a revolving restaurant and bar, which along with excellent food and wine, also offers a captivating view of the city.