Reykjavík

Reykjavík – the northernmost capital

Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, is a place where modern urban life merges with dramatic nature. It lies on the Faxaflói Coast and is surrounded by spectacular scenery of volcanoes, hot springs and snow-capped mountain peaks. Despite its small size, Reykjavík has much to offer. The city is known not only for its cleanliness and safety, but also for its vibrant culture, rich history and unique architecture.

Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral – the symbol of Reykjavík

Imposing Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral, named after the Icelandic poet Hallgrímur Pétursson, is one of Reykjavík’s most iconic buildings. Its architect, Guðjón Samúelsson, was inspired by natural formations in his design, particularly the columnar structure of basalt rocks formed when lava cools. However, these shapes are also a symbol of majesty and grandeur, recalling the mythical Valhalla – the abode of fallen heroes, which in Norse mythology belongs to the god Odin.

With a height of 74.5 metres, Hallgrímskirkja is the tallest building in the city. Inside, you’ll find a simple but beautiful interior that reflects Scandinavian cleanliness and minimalism. You can also hear liturgical chants in Hallgrímskirkja, which add to the atmosphere of the place. It made the place look cold, just like the whole Norse mythology. But it fit in perfectly and we’re very glad it wasn’t unnecessarily overdecorated.

If you want, you can go up to the top of the tower. But the price was very high, around 15 € per person, so we decided to skip this beautiful experience. In front of the cathedral is a statue of Leif Eriksson, the discoverer of North America, which symbolizes the importance of Iceland in the history of the world.

Historic town – Laugavegur Street

Central Reykjavík will charm you with its narrow streets, colourful houses and friendly atmosphere. A stroll down Laugavegur Street, one of the city’s most famous shopping areas, offers not only shops selling Icelandic fashion and souvenirs, but also plenty of cosy cafés and restaurants. But that’s far from all.

We started our walk by parking at the Vampire. This painting is beautiful during the day, but also at night. Conveniently, there is a Bonus right next door where you can buy groceries when you leave. Parking cost 500 ISK for an hour and we toured the town in 2,5 hours including groceries.

From the vampire, follow the main street. You will be accompanied not only by cafes, but especially by a large number of souvenir shops. To attract tourists, there are various cartoon characters at the entrances, as well as polar bears and other attractions. Iconic Icelandic Puffins or Trolls will be jumping out of the shop windows.

Also the Christmas shop where we sent a letter from Santa to the children was perfect . They take care of everything and even include a little gift.

Rainbow walkway in Reykjavik

After a while we took a left off the main street and found ourselves in front of a beautiful pink ice cream parlour. If it weren’t 5 degrees above zero, we’d definitely have this dessert here. They also offered waffles, but unfortunately they didn’t have plant-based alternatives for those with allergies. Which was a surprise, since there was oat milk in the coffee at even the most rundown pump in Iceland.

After a few more metres, we had reached the destination we were turning off for, the Rainbow walkway. This iconic symbol of equality and support for the LGBTQ+ community is more than just a visual attraction – it’s a statement of the values Iceland holds as a country: inclusion, openness and respect.

In 2015, the Rainbow walkway was created for Reykjavík Pride. Originally intended to be temporary, it was so popular with locals that it has become a permanent part of the city. This colourful strip on the street is a reminder of Iceland’s commitment to being a country where everyone has the right to be who they are, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is sad that, even in the 21st century, there are still many countries where women and ethnic minorities are denied status and opportunities, and are often denied even basic rights.

Street art at every corner

Reykjavík is not just a city of dramatic scenery and modern architectural gems. It’s also a place where street art comes alive at every turn. The streets of Iceland’s capital are dotted with beautiful murals, graffiti and art installations that transform the urban environment into an open-air gallery.

On Laugavegur Street you can find it at every turn. As well as colourful shop fronts, there are large-scale murals that tell stories about Icelandic myths, nature and culture. But you’ll also find a “Reykjavík ” sign.
We found the cute seals by the rainbow walkway the most beautiful. They reminded us of the seal fairy tale Romeo and Juliet, which the children adored.

One of the most interesting works that will enchant lovers of Icelandic legends is the street art with hidden trolls. This work combines modern art with ancient Icelandic myths, creating a unique experience for anyone who views it closely.

Statue of Ingólfur Arnarson

Just a short walk from Laugavegur you will also find a statue of Ingólfur Arnarson. Arnarson was a Norwegian Viking and, according to the sagas, became the first permanent inhabitant of Iceland when he settled here in 874. As the legend goes, Ingólfur followed an old custom – when sailing to his new home, he threw his carved columns (called háldstaflar) into the sea and settled where the waves washed them away. That place was present-day Reykjavík, whose name translates as ‘steaming bay’ – a reference to the geothermal activity in the area.

National Museum of Iceland – Key to the country’s history

If you want to understand Iceland’s fascinating history from Viking times to the modern era, the National Museum of Iceland is a place not to be missed. Founded in 1863, the museum is located in Reykjavik and offers a rich exhibition that will guide you through more than a thousand years of this unique country’s history. From the outside, it looks very inconspicuous and tiny, which is a very deceptive appearance.

We were very hesitant to visit the museum. The price was 18€ per adult and we visited Iceland with friends who are not attracted to museums. Surprisingly, they were also enthusiastic and glad we convinced them.

Entitled “Making of a Nation”, the museum’s main exhibition is carefully divided into thematic sections. Each one documents significant milestones in Icelandic history, from the first settlers to the present day. Here you will find more than 2,000 objects detailing the life of Iceland’s inhabitants at different times. But the boys were most interested in the section on the Vikings.

In each room you will find headphones in which you can listen to stories from different periods. These stories are told in the first person to give you a glimpse of life across time and the problems faced by Icelandic society. With this interactive element, you are guaranteed to be drawn into the past and feel as if you too have stepped back in time.

Vikings and settlement

First section of the exhibition is devoted to the period of settlement of Iceland, which began at the end of the 9th century. Here you can admire original Viking artefacts such as swords, jewellery, textiles, religious relics and various everyday tools.

Interesting pieces include, for example, a bronze sculpture discovered at Eyrarland Farm, which probably depicts Thor, the god of thunder, holding the hammer Mjöllnir, or a game piece from a Viking board game.

Martin, however, was more carried away from the horns than from the swords. Did you know that Vikings only used horns for drinking and didn’t decorate their helmets with them? That was only brought to light by the movie world.

Volcanoes and their influence

Furthermore, the Archaeological Museum includes an exhibition focusing on volcanic activity, especially the eruptions of Hekla Volcano, which greatly influenced life in Iceland. Among the museum’s displays of soil layers, each layer represents a specific volcanic eruption and its impact on the island. Each eruption of this volcano left behind thick layers of volcanic ash, which have allowed archaeologists to precisely date different historical periods.

We have learned that one of the most devastating volcanic eruptions has also seriously affected agriculture in Europe. In 1783, the Laki Volcano erupted, releasing huge amounts of volcanic gases, including sulphur dioxide and fluorides, into the atmosphere. This phenomenon caused the formation of a toxic ‘volcanic haze’, known as the Laki Mist, which covered much of Europe.
The consequences of the eruption were catastrophic. Acid rain and volcanic gas destroyed farmlands, and pastures and reduced crops across Europe. In Iceland, a third of the population died, largely due to starvation and poisoning caused by the destroyed pastureland and contaminated water. In Europe, average temperatures dropped, contributing to crop failure and widespread famine. It is estimated that the explosion was one of the factors that exacerbated social and economic problems, and some historians regard it as an indirect trigger for revolutionary sentiment in France before 1789.

Middle Ages and Christianity

Here, you will find a glimpse of the arrival of Christianity in Iceland and its impact on culture and everyday life. You will also find beautiful sacred objects such as decorated crosses, chalices, and medieval manuscripts, including fragments of old sagas.
Christianity arrived in Iceland much later, but church dignitaries also had significant estates here.

Even right in the museum you will find a medieval church with complete decoration.
It also contains the remains of typical wooden houses and shows in detail the impact of climate change on people’s lives. Crucial to this part of the exhibition is the context of how Iceland became part of the Danish kingdom and the effects this had on its society.

Plague epidemic

Very interesting was the part devoted to the plague epidemic. The Black Death also arrived in Iceland, but late compared to other European countries, only around 1402, about 50 years after its first outbreak in Europe. Unlike other regions where the plague was spread by black rats, Iceland did not have a population of these rodents. Therefore, the disease reached the island through human carriers, probably traders or travellers. The epidemic was devastating, killing up to 50 % of the population at the time.

Modernisation and independence

Now the final section documents the development of Iceland from the 19th century, when the country began to modernise, to its independence from Denmark in 1944. Here you will see old photographs, furniture, costumes and everyday objects that show the transformation of the Icelandic nation.
Both the interactive elements of this part of the exhibition, as well as recordings, will bring you stories from different periods. For example, audio recordings of conversations from the 19th century allow you to immerse yourself in the thoughts and life stories of the people of that time. You can also hear stories about the impact of modern technology on life in Iceland, including the introduction of electricity and communication.