Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2017, Page 58

The R
eykjavík G
rapevine
B
est of R
eykjavík 20
17
58
When you’re visiting a foreign
city, public transport can be a bit
intimidating. Here in Reykjavík,
however, getting the hang of it
is pretty easy. There are no tube
lines to get tangled up in, no
metro, no Ubers, and no tram
system. Basically, if you’re a
non-driver who doesn’t wanna
splurge on a cab—the bus sys-
tem is it.
As well as tourist-centric
hop-on-hop-off buses, there
are a 26 bus lines covering
Greater Reykjavík. City buses
are known as “Strætó”—a nick-
name for “strætisvagn,” which
translates literally as “street
carriage.” Most routes stop at
the bus station, Hlemmur, at
the top of the main Laugavegur
strip, also passing Harpa and
the downtown thoroughfare of
Lækjargata. So download the
Strætó app, connect your credit
card, and charge that baby up—
for just 420 ISK per journey, your
carriage awaits.
Úlfarsfell & Mount Esja
Everyone who comes to Iceland
wants to get out and see some of
that famous beautiful nature. If
you’re on foot, and on a budget,
you can get the bus to the city
limits and find two picturesque
local hikes. Úlfarsfell is a small
mountain with two walking
paths to the top, and Esja is the
large mountain just across the
bay from Reykjavík. Take snow
grips and waterproofs in winter.
Seriously. You’ll thank us later.
Route: Strætó 15 from Hlemmur
to Ártún. Change to Strætó 57 at
Ártún. Disembark at the Úlfarsá
stop for Úlfarsfell, or Esjurætur
for the Esja Hiking Centre.
Pro tip: The winner of our
“Best Pool” category is also in
the area.
Seltjarnarnes
& Grótta
This beautiful nature area sits
on the very end of the Greater
Reykjavík peninsula. There’s a
lighthouse with a tidal cause-
way, a bird sanctuary, and a
small hidden hotpot that you
can bathe your feet in. There’s
also a Medical & Healthcare Mu-
seum on Austurströnd, if you
like… medical stuff.
Route: Strætó 11 towards Selt-
jarnarnes. Disembark at the
final stop, then walk to Grótta.
Pro tip: If you get deja vu, maybe
you’ve been here before… virtu-
ally. The black beach was the lo-
cation of Björk’s “Stonemilker
VR” video.
Hafnarfjörður
You probably came through this
suburb of Reykjavík already, as
it’s on the Flybus route. While it
doesn’t look like much from the
bus, it’s a great place to spend
a day. Pallett is a popular cof-
fee house, occupying the same
building as the Von Mathús
restaurant. The old town has a
variety of shops, bakeries and
museums, a tucked-away park
with crags of lava, and an elf-
themed café.
Route: Strætó 1 to the final stop
of Hafnarfjörður.
Pro tip: Hafnarfjörður has a
quiet retro-style pool, Sundhöll
Hafnarfjarðar, built in 1949.
ACTIVITIES
No License?
No Problem
Life in the bus lane
Words JOHN ROGERS
tel. +354 855 9090
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