Reykjavík Grapevine - Sep 2020, Page 38

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2020
38
Best Day Trip
Reykjanes Bound!
...Reykjanes
Brimketill Lava Rock Pool / Grindavík
Local Pool / Reykjanesviti
Reykjanes is, unfortunately, often
overlooked by tourists. We honestly
can’t fathom why, as the area is chock
full of beautiful lava fields, steamy hot
springs, and some great local pools. Not
to mention, it’s only a short drive from
Reykjavík. Our reccs? Stop by the Reyk-
janes Lighthouse, Brimketill rock pool,
and end the day with a swim at the
Grindavík swimming pool and a bowl
of lobster soup at Bryggjan. If you have
time, take a stop at Kleifarvatn, where
you can mosey amidst hot springs and
the bright grassy landscape.
Runners-Up
Þingvellir / Geysir / Friðheimar /
Fontana
South of Iceland
If you’re going to do the Golden Circle,
make sure you add this little twist. On
the drive to Þingvellir, turn onto the
route to Laugarvatn and pull over at
the lovely Fontana spa for a soak. After-
wards, head to Geysir and grab some
greenhouse-fresh grub at Friðheimar
near Flúðir.
Krauma / Settlement Center
Deildartunguhver, Reykholt
You can’t miss Krauma—the steam from
the bubbling geothermal vent pours
skywards into a column that’s visible
for kilometres around. The complex
contains five outdoor hot pots of
various sizes and temperatures, a cold
plunge pool, a scented sauna, a steam
room, and a lounge area with an open
fire. Afterwards stop by Borgarnes’s
Settlement Center for some culture.
Previous winners
2019: Snowmobile/ATV Tour
Best Place To See The Aurora
Grótta
Seltjarnarnes, 170 Seltjarnarnes
Grótta is something of a hidden gem. At
the end of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula,
not far from the centre of Reykjavík,
there’s a lonely, windblown, red-topped
lighthouse, with a walkable causeway
that’s only accessible at certain times,
depending on the tide. There’s a black
beach, a miniature hot pot, and a na-
ture reserve. Now, to find the Northern
Lights, it’s rather complicated. Basically,
you stand on this picturesque beach,
open your eyes, and look up. There you
go. Pure happiness. Note: Be aware of
the tides if you're gonna cross over and
check out the lighthouse. You could get
stuck overnight.
Runners-Up
Landakotstún
Hávallagata 14-16, 101 Reykjavík
This spot is a sneaky one. It’s smack
downtown, but yet there’s magically
enough darkness there to spot the
aurora if it’s burning up above the city.
Where is it, you ask? Find the Catholic
Church—there’s only one—and walk to
the bench behind it. That’s it. Now, pull
out your flask and enjoy the green fire
in the sky.
Sæbraut
Sólfarið, Sæbraut, 101 Reykjavík
Reykjavík’s coastline path features a
gorgeous sculpture called Sólfar The
Sun Voyager”). There, take a seat and
soak up the dark ocean as you enjoy
the dancing lights above you. It’s a
simple spot that can be surprisingly
secluded.
Previous winners
2019: Ægissíða to Grótta
2017-8: Whales Of Iceland
2014-6: Húsdýragarðurinn
Best Place To Spend Time
With The Kids (Winter!)
Reykjavík City
Library
Tryggvagata 15
For some free and wholesome family
time, the parents on our panel enjoy
the Reykjavík City Library. There’s an
excellent play area for younger chil-
dren between one and three and—you
guessed it—there are books for kids of
all ages to look at. On the second floor,
take a gander at everything from a
small aquarium to a closet of pirate and
princess costumes. Afterwards, show
your kid your favourite comics or just
chill while they run around like crazies.
Don’t miss their photography museum
on the top floor either.
Runner-Up
Whales of Iceland
Fiskislóð 23-25
Whales Of Iceland is a cavernous,
hangar-sized space populated by
life-sized models of whales, with
information plaques and flat-screen
devices containing information about
the different species. It also has a fun
indoor climbing structure shaped like
(you guessed it) a whale. It’s one of
those places your kids will repeatedly
demand to return to.
Newcomer

Flyover Iceland
Fiskislóð 43
Kid playing too many video games? How
about just stepping into one? Flyover
Iceland is a brilliant amusement park
ride for the whole family—a VR flight
over the majestic and frightening na-
ture of Iceland. It’ll definitely make your
kid forget about Minecraft. We promise.
Previous winners
2019: Loft Hostel
2018: Hlemmur Mathöll
2017: Kaffihús Vesturbæjar
For A Fancy Night Out
Sinfóníuhljómsveit
Íslands
Harpa
In recent years, the Icelandic classical
music scene has been booming, pro-
ducing superstars like Víkingur Heiðar
Ólafsson, Anna Þorvaldsdóttir, and,
yes you guessed it, the Oscar-winning
composer, Hildur Guðnadóttir. What do
these three all have in common? Well,
all three have played or have had their
compositions played by the wonderful
Iceland Symphony Orchestra. With
shows every month at Harpa featuring
a mix of old-school favourites and con-
temporary premieres, they are one of
Iceland’s most valuable cultural assets.
Pro-tip: Don’t miss their morning open
rehearsals on show dates either. For
only 2,000 ISK, you might even see their
whole programme.
Runners-Up
Íslenski Dansflokkurinn
id.is
The Icelandic Dance Company has es-
tablished itself over and over again as a
provocative and progressive art group
that consistently pushes themselves
and their medium into new territory.
Having collaborated with artists like
GusGus and Matthew Barney, they are
guaranteed to put on a unique night
that you will never forget. Bring a date
to impress them.
Tjarnarbíó
Tjarnargata 12
Tjarnarbíó houses the independent
professional theatre scene in Reykjavík.
The works shown here are experi-
mental and often in English, which is
refreshing, especially as Iceland gets
more and more multicultural. This year,
they played host to everything from a
Saga-inspired Drag Show to techno rave
performances to contemporary plays
and more. We stan.
Previous winners
New Category!
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2020
Activities
Seriously, try the pools, it's not like back home.
LAUGARÁSVEGI 1
2020
2019
2018
THREE
consecutive
YEARS
*Best Ice Cream according to Reykjavik Grapevine
*
BES
T OF REYKJAVÍK
2018
REYKJAVÍK GRAPEVINE
T H E
BEST ICE CREAM
BES
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2020
REYKJAVÍK GRAPEVINE
T H E
BEST ICE CREAM
BES
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2019
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T H E
BEST ICE CREAM