Random Pictures from Reykjavik 101Reykjavik is a very cool city, I knew it well before the economic boom (and even after) when the cafes where filled with artists, thinkers and students not to mention all the families meeting for coffee and cakes. Post boom Reykjavik has empty store fronts and struggling high end restaurants but the true soul of the city are the cafes and bars that let you sit for hours with only a cup of coffee or a beer. When I was living in Reykjavik, I was doing a lot of painting and drawing in pastel, going for coffee to meet with friends was the highlight of my day, and I miss that a lot here in New York.
I already did a blog on cafes in Reykjavik but if you are visiting Iceland it is a must to go to one. Another must is to visit an art museum or gallery: Icelander’s are big on visual arts.
National Gallery of Iceland
I like the National Gallery because they have a collection of traditional art from Iceland's painting tradition.
HafnirHusid
Is a stunning museum in downtown that is very contemporary but I love its converted look, and the café has a wonderful view of my favorite mountain Esja. It also has free admission!
Kjarvalstadir
My great grand father, Johannes Kjarval has a exhibition of his life's work on view at this museum named after him until April 13th. He was in many ways responsible for getting Icelanders to view their landscape as not just a natural enemy but one that was majestic and beautiful. It also has free admission!
What do Icelanders do? Icelanders are family orientated they are also very artistic and like to drink. So if “partying” is your thing just head downtown and go to any of the downtown bars, Icelanders party like it is 1999 every Friday and Saturday.
I think Boston is the coolest place right now, but it does not matter where you go Icelanders are never bored and really will make any place fun. Just be prepared to see some of the drunkest people you have ever seen, Icelanders never do anything half way!
Another must is going to a pool, or if you want to make a day trip go to the blue lagoon. I prefer the local pools because they are cheaper and some of them have saunas and all have hot pots for the same price but if you have made your way to all to Iceland you might want to go to the blue lagoon just be forward that it is filled with tourists! Please note if you are going to an Icelandic public pool be prepared to shower naked before you go into the pool! These pools are heated and totally fantastic even in the middle of the winter when it is snowing!
I already did a blog on cafes in Reykjavik but if you are visiting Iceland it is a must to go to one. Another must is to visit an art museum or gallery: Icelander’s are big on visual arts.
National Gallery of Iceland
I like the National Gallery because they have a collection of traditional art from Iceland's painting tradition.
HafnirHusid
Is a stunning museum in downtown that is very contemporary but I love its converted look, and the café has a wonderful view of my favorite mountain Esja. It also has free admission!
Kjarvalstadir
My great grand father, Johannes Kjarval has a exhibition of his life's work on view at this museum named after him until April 13th. He was in many ways responsible for getting Icelanders to view their landscape as not just a natural enemy but one that was majestic and beautiful. It also has free admission!
What do Icelanders do? Icelanders are family orientated they are also very artistic and like to drink. So if “partying” is your thing just head downtown and go to any of the downtown bars, Icelanders party like it is 1999 every Friday and Saturday.
I think Boston is the coolest place right now, but it does not matter where you go Icelanders are never bored and really will make any place fun. Just be prepared to see some of the drunkest people you have ever seen, Icelanders never do anything half way!
Another must is going to a pool, or if you want to make a day trip go to the blue lagoon. I prefer the local pools because they are cheaper and some of them have saunas and all have hot pots for the same price but if you have made your way to all to Iceland you might want to go to the blue lagoon just be forward that it is filled with tourists! Please note if you are going to an Icelandic public pool be prepared to shower naked before you go into the pool! These pools are heated and totally fantastic even in the middle of the winter when it is snowing!
Árbæjarlaug
Hill-top pool with a great view of Reykjavik in the distance. Also boasts an indoor domed area, just in case it starts to rain.
Sundlaug Seltjarnarness
A recently renovated salt-water pool on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, which means even less chlorine than usual.
Sundlaug Vesturbæjar
Dubbed “the gay pool”, though for no apparent reason, Vesturbæjarlaug has the best hot-pots and sauna in town. I LOVE the sauna here! A great deal for around 3 dollors you can get a spa experience!
Dubbed “the gay pool”, though for no apparent reason, Vesturbæjarlaug has the best hot-pots and sauna in town. I LOVE the sauna here! A great deal for around 3 dollors you can get a spa experience!
Another favorite is to head down to the ocean and take a long walk, it is a fantastic hike and wonderful if the day is nice! You can also see Esja which, is the most beautiful thing to see in Reykjavik! Above is a picture of the ocean, there is a great path, where you can walk the whole of Reykjavik, a great way to see and experience Reykjavik!
More to come on what to eat!
Related Posts:
A Goldilocks' Guide To Iceland, Part I
10 comments:
Hi Ulla!
I read your blog from time to time, and it is really nice! I think this is a great posting (although you forgot to mention for the party people, that there is nothing going on downtown before midnight, or even one or two in the morning) and I absolutely loved the last picture, it reminds me om my home in Reykjavik! Reading this make me miss it a lot...all of Iceland really! Do you remember that weekend we went out in the countryside (you, me and some guy), it was a cold and sunny day, when you taught me to look at the world with an artist's eyes? That is a gift I still treasure!
Love and hugs,
Irene
Awww, Irene you are always too kind.
So a nice person, I miss you so much too!:)
Hope you are very well:)
That was a lot of fun!
Beautiful pics and posts. Glad I found your blog :)
9uy, thank you please come back!
oh how wonderful! Iceland!! I am jealous :) I travel a lot but have not made it there (yet)....
Rose! Thanks for stopping by!
Now is a great time to go!:)
I visited Iceland in January and I felt in love with Skyr yogurt. I also visited a really cool vegetarian restaurant. Sorry, forgot the name, but it's on a busy tourist street. Lovely folks work there. Very homey and look the complimentary bread. Got to say. Iceland got really wonderful wholegrain bread. No white stuff. :)
Love these photos (and all the others). Visted Iceland for just a few days about 10 years ago. Absolutely adored it. Reykjavik was very cool but it was the land outside the town that fascinated me. Almost surreal.
great, beautiful photos! Makes me want to go to Iceland...
The West end pool in Reykjavik is called the "gay pool" because it really was the favored pool for gays - until the sauna was redesigned. The new layout discouraged certain popular behaviors. Prior to that, Sunday afternoons were quite gay at this pool complex. --Reed Ide, editor, GetawayGay Iceland (and also a fellow New Yorker)
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