Reykjavík Grapevine - maí 2019, Blaðsíða 50

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2019
50
Best Day Trip
Snowmobiling
Various tour operators
Snowmobiling over the surface of a
glacier is an excursion to remember.
Just ten minutes into your tour you’ll
lose sight of day-to-day life, finding
yourself surrounded by pure unending
white as far as the eye can see, save
for the specks of other snowmobiles in
the distance. Numerous tour operators
provide exhilarating snowmobile tours
all over Iceland. Langjökull and Mýrdals-
jökull are both easily reachable in a
three hour drive or so, and some opera-
tors will pick you up from your hotel. It’s
breathtaking by day, and you can even
chase the northern lights at night.
Runners Up
Hvalfjörður
Cut off from Route One by a road tunnel,
Hvalfjörður is a beautiful rural fjord an
hour from Reykjavík. Perfect for a road
trip, it’s home to Glymur—Iceland’s
second-highest waterfall—as well as
various scenic and historical stops
dotted around the fjord. “The church is
a great place to get married, too—just
ask my sister.”
Viðey
BUDGET PICK This little island can
be reached by a three-minute ferry ride
from Reykjavík. “Despite its small size,
it has a lot to offer!” said the panel. It
has nesting birds, panoramic views of
Snæfellsness peninsula and the Imagine
Peace Tower (a Yoko Ono curated Lennon
memorial), just to name a few attractions.
Previous winners
New Category!
Best Hike
Esjan
Esjan
Esjan is hard to beat. Situated only 10
km north of Reykjavík, it offers hikes of
various lengths for both beginners and
advanced hikers and absolutely gor-
geous views on the landscape below.
“You also get a stunning glimpse of the
city,” says the panel. When you go there
in winter, make sure to bring hiking
poles and crampons, if the conditions
demand it, and be ready for ice and
deep snow. You can get to the trailhead
by public transport, making it the only
proper hike you can do in Reykjavík
without a car.
Runners Up
Heiðmörk
After only a 20 minute drive you will be
able to hike through this huge nature
reserve with forests and lakes. One
of its highlights are the red rocks
of Rauðhólar. In addition, there are a
lot of trees (something really rare in
Iceland), barbecues and you can even
go horse-riding and fishing.
Öskjuhlíð
Öskjuhlíð is a hill in the centre of Reyk-
javík, covered by trees and barbecues,
making it a popular site for bonfires
and ceremonies. It is very peaceful
and absolutely magical in the winter. To
top it off, you might end up at Perlan (a
futuristic glass dome with restaurants
and museums) if you get lost.
Previous winners
2018: Esja
2017: Reykjadalur
2016: Móskarðshnjúkar
Best People-Watching Spot
Loft Hostel
Bankastræti
There are so many great things to be
said about Loft Hostel. It has a balcony
from which you can watch people/
tourists on Laugavegur. It has regular
events such as concerts and yoga
classes, and water colouring nights
where all kinds of people get together
(to watch other people.) Last but not
least, it is also a hostel (surprise) and
brings together locals and people from
all over the world. Really, could there be
any better spot to watch people? The
panel does not think so at least.
Runners Up
Breiðholt
The infamous 111 district of Reykjavík
is a melting pot of many different
cultures and very different people. “You
can sit on a bench anywhere and just
watch people for hours,” said the panel.
Mjódd, one of Reykjavík’s biggest bus
stations, is also situated there and is
another great people watching spot.
IÐNO
Vonarstræti 3
Situated right next to the city pond,
Iðnó offers the ultimate coziness for
people watching. You can sip on your
coffee and devour your dumplings
while gazing at passers-by through the
generous windows. “You will also see
funny tourists screaming because of
the geese at the pond,” says the panel.
Previous winner
2018: Hlemmur Mathöll
2017: Kaffihús Vesturbæjar
2016: Grandi
Best Place To See The Aurora
Ægissíða ▸ Grótta
Vesturbær ▷ Seltjarnarnes
Ægissíða is literally the west coast
of Reykjavík. Running along the sea,
this walk is sheltered from traffic and
light pollution and thus perfect for a
peaceful and romantic walk of any du-
ration. In winter, it becomes even more
magical with some of the best chances
to see northern lights in Reykjavík. If
you walk long enough, you’ll end up at
Grótta at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes
peninsula with its iconic lighthouse.
“It’s one of my favourite places to be
in general,” said one of the panellists.
“Plus it has the best bonfires in town.”
Runners Up
Fossvogur and Öskjuhlíð
City Centre Area
This walk leads you along the creek
that divides Reykjavík and Kópavogur.
“Its right by the ocean,” says the panel.
“Nobody ever goes there, it’s so peace-
ful.” Additional perks include a mystical
graveyard and, if you walk a little
further, Reykjavík’s only “city forest” up
on the Perlan-topped hill of Öskjuhlíð.
Sculpture & Shore Walk
Laugardalur-Reykjavík 101
With its view on the ocean and moun-
tains, it’s recommended for a long,
contemplative walk. Leading from Lau-
gardalur to Reykjavík’s famous concert
hall “Harpa,” it is a nice and long walk
right next to the ocean — and you will
get to experience some of the diverse
city landscape that Reykjavík has to
offer.
Previous winners
2016-18: Grótta
2015: Öskjuhlíð
2012-14: Grótta
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2019
Activities
Seriously, try the pools, it's not like back home.
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