A Visit to Reykjavik, Iceland

November 7, 2014 by  
Filed under Travel destinations

Can you name the capital of Iceland?

Right! Reykjavik is not only Iceland’s largest city…it is also the capital. 

Come. Join us on a mini tour of this inviting city in the middle of the northern Atlantic Ocean.

Hop-on hop-off bus, Reykjavik, Iceland

Hop-on hop-off bus, Reykjavik, Iceland

My husband is a walker and found that the city is small enough to walk many places. I am not that great a walker so it is the  convenient hop-on hop-off bus for me. Join whichever one of us you wish.

Hint: Click on any photo to enlarge it.

First stop…the friendly pedestrian streets downtown.

Reykjavik, Iceland

street in Reykjavik, Iceland

 

This photo was taken near the tourist information centre.

Notice the special colours on the street. Unique, isn’t it.

(Note to self, must come back here to do some serious shopping.)

Next, have a look up this street.

Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik

Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik

You can join us at this church by clicking here.

But for now let’s hop back on the bus and head off to a Viking museum

Museum in Reykjavik

Viking Museum in Reykjavik

Maybe there will be time to visit the Saga Museum as well…learn some Icelandic history.

And then stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants in the downtown area.

restaurant in Reykjavik

restaurant in Reykjavik

Want to  get off at this stop and take a cruise across to Videy Island?

Aside: I have read good things about the island, but for me the main attraction would be the Imagine and Peace Tower on the island…but  it is only lit up at certain times of the year, and today is not one of them.

take a boat across to Videy Island ,Iceland

take a boat across to Videy Island , Iceland

 Look! There is Hofdi House.

Do you know its significance?

Hofoi House,  Reykjavik, Iclenad

Hofdi House,
Reykjavik, Iceland

Answer: The house is used for official receptions and, as such, has hosted many famous world figures. Back in 1986 Hofdi House was where presidents Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev held a summit meeting that marked the end of the Cold War.

Along the waterfront we see the Harpa Centre…Reykjavik’s the unique convention centre/concert hall.

Harpa Centre, Reykjavik

interior of Harpa Centre, Reykjavik

There is a special Wild Reindeer of Iceland Exhibition right now in the Harpa. Click here to join me as I explore this excellent show.

Now there is another interesting domed  building… way up on a hill top.

It’s a what!

The Perlan, Reykjavik

The Perlan, Reykjavik

 A water storage building! Why would I want to visit that!

Okay, now I understand. Quite a significant part of Reykjavik and the thermal energy story.

Click here  to learn a bit about thermal energy and its significance here in Iceland.

Where to now?IMG_3380a

Yes, Let’s head back downtown and to the hotel.

Tomorrow we can visit the National Museum of Iceland, walk along the boulevard along the waterfront and look at the sculptures (especially the Sun Voyager sculpture…I saw it from the bus today and want a closer, longer look!)

Sun Voyager sculpture, Reykjavik, Iceland

Sun Voyager sculpture, Reykjavik, Iceland

buzz

 

Want to see more of Iceland? That’s great!

 

 

Join us at the following places…

Click here to visit Hallgrimskirkja

Click here to visit Pingvellir. (Thingvellir)

Click here to visit the geysers.

Click here to visit the reindeer exhibit at Harpa Concert Hall.

and/or

Travel to other parts of the world...click here.

 

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