Reykjavík Grapevine - 10.12.2016, Side 38

The R
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Reykjavík is a relatively small city, but even so, sometimes you
need a bit of local advice to find what you’re looking for, whether
it’s a good people-watching spot, somewhere to see some contempo-
rary art, or the best place to catch an Icelandic movie. Don’t worry,
friend—we’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favourite spots
in Reykjavík, for all kinds of super-fun days and nights out.
Best pool
Neslaug
Suðurströnd 9, Seltjarnarnes
The Reykjavík municipality’s “big three” pools of Vesturbæjarlaug, Laugardalslaug,
and Sundhöllin, great as they are, lost a little shine this year due to overcrowding,
and Sundhöllin being closed for renovation. So our panel decided the award for
2016 should go to Neslaug, a tucked-away pool on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula,
that last won in 2011. They agreed that at Neslaug: “It feels like people are moving
in slow motion—time slows down. There’s always space in the big jacuzzi, and the
pool is filled with salt water so you feel buoyant when you do laps.” Perhaps the best
thing is that there’s some space, so you’re not always avoiding other swimmers.
Runners-up:
Vesturbæjarlaug
Hofsvallagata
“It might be very busy, but there’s a
reason for that,” said the panel. Vestur-
bæjarlaug is just a great all-round pool,
with traditional hotpots, a nice steam
bath, and a big, recently installed com-
munal hot pot. It’s a lovely spot for a
sunny day, and a classic Reykjavík pool.
Lágafellslaug
Lækjarhlíð 1a
This pool is on the very outskirts of
greater Reykjavík. “It’s perfect for the
start or the end of a road-trip, or for a
little outing in itself,” said the panel. It
has a coal-fired sauna, a steam room
with a view over the mountain of Úlfars-
fell, and spacious, modern ceramic-tiled
hotpots.
Previous winners
2015: Vesturbæjarlaug
2014: Vesturbæjarlaug
2013: Laugardalslaug
2012: Laugardalslaug
2011: Neslaug
Best gallery
i8
Tryggvagata 16
The i8 gallery goes from strength to
strength with their stable of top-notch
Icelandic artists, as well as some re-
nowned international players. i8 was the
first Icelandic art gallery to start becom-
ing involved in art fairs, so they’ve had a
hand in bringing the cream of Iceland’s
art scene to the international market. It
is also the gallery that represents Rag-
nar Kjartansson, the playful multi-media
artist who’s basically the spirit animal of
the Icelandic arts scene.

Runners up
The Nordic House
Sturlugata 5
The Nordic House is an art and culture
building located just across Tjörnin,
near the University. It recently hosted
a Nordic culture and fashion design
themed show called “The Weather Dia-
ries,” which won the hearts and minds
of pretty much everyone who got a
chance to see it . After the spectacular
success of that show, we can’t wait to
see what’s coming up next.
Ekkisens
Bergstaðastræti 25b
This DIY art space is housed in a former
basement apartment, and still bears
the marks of its former use. It’s a lively
gallery with a programme that gives a
platform to recently graduating and
emerging Icelandic artists. This is where
you can see what’s happening at the
grassroots of Iceland’s art community.
Previous winners
2015: i8
2014: Kling og Bang
2013: National Museum
2012: National Museum
2011: National Museum
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2016
Activities
All kinds of fun. Fun, natural fun.
Best art museum
Hafnarhúsið
Tryggvagata 17
The Reykjavík Art Museum has three
locations: the beautifully designed
Ásmundursafn sculpture garden and
museum, the rotating collection of
paintings and contemporary shows at
Kjarvalstaðir, and Hafnarhúsið, which is
Iceland’s largest contemporary art insti-
tution—think Tate Reykjavík. Each has it’s
own character, but if you only have time
for one, Hafnarhúsið is right in the heart
of downtown, and often has three or
more exhibitions running concurrently, so
you’re bound to find something you like.
There’s a great cafe and book shop, too.
Runners up
Einar Jónsson Museum
Eiríksgata
This sculpture museum is right by
Hallgrímskirkja, enclosed in a beautiful
walled, garden. You can take in the dra-
matic figurative works of Einar Jónsson
at your own pace. The main building
houses more of his oeuvre. “He also
lived there,” said the panel, “and you
can visit his apartment, preserved just
as it was back then.”
National Gallery of Iceland
Fríkirkjuvegur 7
This warren-like space holds a large col-
lection of Icelandic paintings in its lofty
halls, also offering a regular programme
of contemporary exhibitions on the
ground floor and basement. For those
on foot, it’s conveniently located right
downtown, on the street by Tjörnin.
Previous winners
2015: Reykjavík Art Museum
2014: Reykjavík Art Museum
2013: Reykjavík Art Museum
2012: Reykjavík Art Museum
2011: Einar Jónsson