Reykjavík Grapevine - aug. 2019, Side 46

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2019
46
Guaranteed
Northern Lights
Wonders of Iceland
At Perlan – Wonders of Iceland, the latest science, and the best
museum artists and technologists have joined forces to create a
truly amazing exhibition. Visitors can see, feel, and live Iceland’s
many natural wonders all in one place.
20% Online Discount
for Wonders of Iceland
Discount Code: RVKBEST2019
Perlan – Wonders of Iceland
is an enchanting interactive journey
through Iceland’s nature, on five floors.
perlan.is
566 9000
Rammagerðin
Gift Store
Út í bláinn
Restaurant
Kaffitár
Café
Laugardalur
This leafy leisure area is a family
favourite. It contains the Lau-
gardalslaug pool, a large park,
the botanical gardens, a petting
zoo, and various play areas. The
Ásmundarsafn sculpture muse-
um is a beautiful building with
contemporary displays and a
sculpture garden; end up at Kaffi
Lækur for lunch or coffee. In the
summer, you can take a ferry to
Viðey island, in the midst of the
Faxaflói bay.
Grandi
This ex-industrial neighbourhood
might still be mostly concrete
and metal, but it can make for
a chilled summer day out. Get
brunch at Coocoo’s Nest, then
meander over to the Marshall
House for some contemporary
art; climb the Þúfa hill-sculpture
for a view over to Esja and Harpa,
then head to Grandi Matthöll for
dinner; Bryggjan Brúgghús has a
sun deck for a relaxed drink.
Esja & Úlfarsfell
Two more ambitious hikes in the
Greater Reykjavík area include
conquering the mountains Úl-
farsfell and Esja. Úlfarsfell is just
211 metres high, and there are
steeper or more circuitous trail
options leading the summit; the
Lágafellslaug pool is nearby, of-
fering a view of the mountain you
just climbed. Esja is the last stop
on the city bus system, and has
paths of varying difficult to the
914m summit.
Öskjuhlið
Overlooking 101 Reykjavík is Ösk-
juhlíð, the forested hill crowned
by the Perlan visitor’s centre. The
hill itself has a network of trails—
from gravel roads to barely-visi-
ble tracks—that wind past ruined
WWII bunkers and pillboxes. The
area is frequented by Reykjavík’s
LARPers, so you might also en-
counter some wizards crouched
in weird Blair Witch-style dens.
At the foot of the hill, there’s a
rabbit-infested graveyard, and
you can finish your stroll with a
dip and some lunch at the Nau-
thólsvík beach and café.
Vesturbær
The Vesturbær neighbourhood
lies over the hill from 101, past
the University of Iceland campus.
Visit the relaxed Vesturbæjarlaug
swimming pool, then head to Kaf-
fihús Vesturbæjarfor a sit-down
lunch (or drop by the Melabuðin
grocery store and deli for some
picnic supplies and head down
to the sun-kissed park area at
Ægisíða). Pop into the Nordic
House on the way home for an
exhibition, or dinner at Aalto
Bistro.
Grótta
At the end of the Seltjarnarnes
peninsula lies Grótta, a pictur-
esque seaside spot with a black
sand beach and a lighthouse
that’s reachable by causeway at
low tide. There’s also a nature re-
serve with some walking paths
and birdwatching information, a
tiny hotpot to dip your feet, and
the promise of a swim at Seltjar-
narneslaug to round things off.
It’s 5km from downtown; take the
bus, or do a bike ride along the
coastal pathway, returning via
Vesturbæjar.
Downtown
If you’re feeling truly lazy—well,
who can blame you. It’s summer.
Live your life! The Tjörnin pond is
surrounded by parks, or if you’re
feeling social, buy some tinnies,
and bask in the sun at Austurvöl-
lur. Café Paris has a drinking ter-
race if you’re phobic of grass, or
go to Sundhöllin for a refreshing
outdoor soak; the Einar Jónsson
Museum’s walled garden is also
a quiet haven. Watch the sunset
from Sky Bar.
“You might encounter some wizards
crouched in weird Blair Witch-style dens.”
TRAVEL GUIDE
I’M WALKIN’
HERE
Where to wander on a summer day in
Reykjavík
Words: John Rogers Photos: Art Bicnick
Summer is a theoretical and occasionally occurring season here
in Iceland. Even if you see blue skies out of the window in the
morning, you’d be wise to pack a hat for later. And maybe some-
thing waterproof. But before that rain shower, here are some
places you could head to while the sun shines.