Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.07.2016, Blaðsíða 18

Laugardalslaug
Words MAGNÚS SVEINN HELGASON
Photo ANNA DOMNICK
The current iteration of Laugar-
dalslaug was inaugurated in 1968,
sixty years after the municipality
began operating a bathing facility
in the area. Throughout Iceland’s
history, the Laugardalur valley’s
numerous hot springs have been a
great boon to locals, who would in
the past venture there to do their
laundry. Legend has that the steam
rising from these hot springs were
what gave the capital its name, as
“Reykjavík” literally translates as
“Smoky Bay.”
The pool is Reykjavík’s largest,
a favourite with locals and usu-
ally packed during summer. The
swimming pool itself is 50 metres
long, ideal for swimming laps. It
has something for everyone: a large
warmer pool, a large indoor pool, a
tall water slide, a wading pool, two
smaller water slides and a large
selection of hot tubs. There is even
a seawater tub filled with water
pumped from a low-temperature
underwater hot spring.
Since Laugardalslaug is lo-
cated close to several large hotels
along with Laugardalur’s camping
grounds and hostel, it has become a
favourite destination for groups of
tourists. This means that the tour-
ists-to-Icelander ratio will at times
be roughly the same as in your aver-
age puffin shop.
An on-site hot dog stand ensures
you can experience almost every-
thing you would want from a pool
trip in Iceland. Except a decent sau-
na, which is a shame. But, to be fair,
the steam bath is pretty intense. It
is certainly the best example of the
narrow, claustrophobia-inducing
and dimly lit plastic tanks that
pools in the Reykjavík area used to
offer, providing a unique impres-
sion of how it feels to be a piece of
broccoli in a steam cooker.
SHARE: gpv.is/pool3
Starts with a shot of the Icelandic
national spirit “Brennivín“
Puffin
Smoked puffin with blueberries,
croutons, goats cheese, beetroot
Minke whale
Date purée, wakame, teriaky
“Torched“ Arctic charr
Cucumber, truffle ponzu vinaigrette
and yuzu mayo
Icelandic roll – 4 pcs
Gravlax roll with Brennivín (Icelandic
traditional Snaps) and dill. Avokado, mango,
cucumber, dill mayo, rye bread crumble
Reindeer
Reindeer slider with blue cheese,
portobello, steamed bun
Rack of icelandic lamb
Onion purée, slow cooked leeks,
chimichurri, baked carrot
And to end on a high note ...
Icelandic Skyr
Skyr infused with birch,
berries, white chocolate
crumble, and sorrel granite
7.990 kr.

Sushi Samba
Þingholtsstræti 5 • 101 Reykjavík
Tel 568 6600 • sushisamba.is
Laugavegur
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Lækjar-
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Our kitchen is open
17.00–23.00 sun.–thu.
17.00–24.00 fri.–sat.
Amazing
7 course menu
A unique
Icelandic
Feast
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 9 — 2016
18
POOL OF THE ISSUE
QUOTE OF THE ISSUE
Address
Sundlaugarvegur 30 , 105 Reykjavík
Opening hours
Mondays-Thursdays: 6:30-22:00
Fridays: 6:30-20:00
Saturdays-Sundays: 8:00-22:00
Hot dog stand
Yes, but prepare for a long line.
Family destination
Yes, a great place to take the kids in
the summer!
Crowds of foreigners
Yes, but it’s a hit among locals, too.
What's special
There’s something for everyone.
"I was actually given the option of second tier of
VIP personnel –behind the glass, presumably
being able to sip champagne or something.
But I much preferred being in the thick of it.
I realise that once I’m elected President, my
room to maneuver changes a bit, but since
I haven’t officially assumed office yet, I was
thrilled to be able to cheer on the team with
my fellow Icelanders, hug people I’ve never
met before, cheer and cry tears of joy, and all
the other things you do when you witness a
spectacular event such as this."
- President-elect Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, on watching Iceland v. England in France.