Reykjavik Information

The world's most northerly capital, Reykjavik comes with a sense of space and calm that comes as a breath of fresh air to travelers accustomed to the hustle and bustle of the traffic clogged streets of other European cities. Although unrepresentative of the rest of the country for it's relative urbanization, a visit here is as good a place as any to get a good picture of this truly unique country secluded on the very edge of the Arctic.

The barren lava fields that surrounds Iceland's international airport are an eye-grabbing introduction to this near-Arctic island, belched out from the mouths on the many volcanoes around the island (many of which are still active), awash in the midnight sun from May to August, glistening with glaciers, geysers, hot springs and waterfalls.

While it's true that Reykjavik has earned a reputation for hedonistic revelry on Friday and Saturday nights with locals carousing until the early hours of the morning - despite the legendary high price of alcohol here. Despite this the pace of life is still somewhat sedate.

The tiny centre for example is more a place for ambling around, taking in suburban streets and corner side cafes set against mountain and ocean scenery, rather than be somewhere to run around department stores and designer clothes shops.

With time to spare, it's worth venturing outside the the city limits into Greater Reykjavik to get a taste of the Icelandic provinces. Although predominately an area of dormitory overfill for the capital, the town of Hafnarfjöoður, is large enough to be independent of Reykjavik and has a couple of museums and a busy harbour, though it's for the summer Viking Festival that the town is perhaps best known.

Alternatively, the city is also a great place to start excursions in or around Reykjavik, including three of Iceland's most popular attractions: the site of the old Alþing at Þingvellir, the waterspouts and waterfalls of Geysir and Gullfoss, and Skálholt church, all within simple reach by public transport. Also worthwhile is the Reykjanes peninsula, a bleak lavafield that's a good introduction to the rest of the Iceland, and home to the mineral rich waters of the Blue Lagoon - the most visited attraction in the country.