Reykjavík Grapevine - 03.07.2015, Page 47

The Nordic House Reykjavík is a vibrant Nordic cultural
institution with exhibitions, a library, shop and one
of the best restaurants in Reykjavík, Aalto Bistro.
The building is designed by the internationally
acclaimed finnish architect Alvar Aalto.
Open everyday from 10–17
Visit www.nordichouse.is for more information.

Book a table: www.aalto.is
Sundays – wednsdays 11–17
Thursdays – saturdays 11–21
The Nordic House
Sturlugata 5, 101 Reykjavík
Tel: 5517030, www.nordichouse.is
Enjoy food
Enjoy books
Enjoy culture
Enjoy the
Nordic House
Norræna húsið
The Nordic House
A journey
through the
visual world
of Iceland
The Culture House
Hverfisgata 15
101 Reykjavík
The exhibition, shop
and café are open
daily 10 - 17
Closed on Mondays
16/9 – 30/4
Illuminated manuscripts, textiles, carvings,
photographs, paintings and contemporary
Icelandic art www.culturehouse.is
The Culture House is part of the National Museum of Iceland
THE HOUSE AT EYRARBAKKI

Opening hours: May 1st - September 30th daily 11.00-18.00 or by an agreement
Tel: +354 483 1504 & +354 483 1082 | husid@husid.com | www.husid.com
Árnessýsla folk museum is located in Húsið,
the House, historical home of the Danish
merchants built in 1765. Húsið is one of the
oldest houses in Iceland and a beautiful
monument of Eyrarbakki´s time as the
biggest trading place on the south coast.
Today one can enjoy exhibitions about the
story and culture of the region, famous piano,
shawl made out of human hair and the kings
pot, are among items. Húsið prides itself with
warm and homelike atmosphere.
The House at Eyrarbakki
1. Lunch at Vitinn,
Sandgerði
This is a super cosy restaurant by Sand-
gerði’s harbour. Pay attention to the ties
hanging from the ceiling: they’re from
the captains whose boats used to dock
at the harbour before the fishing quota
moved out of Sandgerði. It used to be
the place I’d go to on weekends when I
was coming up to my legal drinking age.
The owners, Binna and Stebbi, are lot of
fun, they regularly allowed me to monkey
around with the sound system when no-
body else was playing.
2. Garðskagaviti
This is a beautiful lighthouse that’s vital
to the Reykjanes Peninsula. It’s by a beau-
tiful beach, where you’ll find lots of bird-
life. It’s a very romantic location.
3. The pools
For outsiders, the pools of Iceland are an
absolute must-see. Vatnaveröld ('Water
World') in Reykjanesbær is maybe not
the best one, except if you have kids, but
it’s worth it for the hot tubs. The Sand-
gerði and Garður swimming pools are,
however, great, with the former featuring
a newly renovated swimming pool with a
slide, a jacuzzi, and some great hot pots.
4. Hvalsnes, Stafsnes and
Hvalsneskirkja
If you’re up for a road trip, Hvalsnes
is a very scenic area to drive through.
Hvalsneskirkja is a beautiful church to
visit, and it’s also famous for housing
the tomb of Steinunn Hallgrímsdóttir,
the daughter of Hallgrímur Pétursson,
celebrated hymn writer of Iceland. He
himself also spent his first years as a
reverend in Hvalsnes, 1644-1651. The
small lighthouse in Stafnes is very pret-
ty, as is the little harbour in the armlet
where fifteen sailors drowned in 1928,
which in turn led to the creation of the
Icelandic Association for Search and
Rescue (ICE-SAR).
5. A) The Icelandic Mu-
seum of Rock & Roll
This is perhaps something that doesn’t
need any introduction for the guests of
ATP. It is a must-see.
5. B) Paddy’s
This is the only bar that rocks out in the
Southern Peninsula.
Æla is not performing at this
year’s ATP, but their second
album ‘Vettlingatök’ just hit the
streets.
MUSIC
FESTIVAL
Bike Cave
Great prices
Bike Cave
Einarsnes 36 | 101 | Reykjavík stefan@bikecave.is
www.bikecave.is
Restaurant, Bar, wifi,
Scooter rental, Coffee,
Laundromat, self service pitstop
770-3113 & 666-6136
Open 8-23
7
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 9 — 2015
The self-proclaimed birthplace of Icelandic rock ‘n’ roll, Keflavík has had a hard time forg-
ing a new identity for itself since the military left, beyond being that place with the inter-
national airport. However, that’s not to say there aren’t plenty of things to check out. To get
the insider’s scoop on the matter, we reached out to Halli Valli, who in addition to being a
massive ATP fan (and opening the inaugural Icelandic show), is the frontman of post-punk
band Æla, whose roots lie in the area. Here are his five recommendations for people stay-
ing in or wanting to pass time in Keflavík and the surrounding area.
What To Do In Keflavík!