Reykjavík Grapevine - aug. 2022, Síða 14

14The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 08— 2022
Spot The Sunset!
If you’re blessed with good weather,
here’s where to watch the midnight sun
Words: Emma Ledbetter Photos: Emma Ledbetter
Sunsets in Reykjavík offer something otherworldly to the beholder, whether
you’re a die-hard sunset chaser (like me) or simply can’t adjust your sleep sched-
ule to the extended daylight hours (also like me). Of course, the nights don’t
actually get dark during Icelandic summers, but if you’re willing to stay up until
midnight and adjust your plans to the unpredictable weather, you’ll be rewarded
with a long-lasting flare of color reflected over the beautiful North Atlantic.
We’ve compiled a few of the best places in Reykjavík to watch the sunset—perfect
for solo adventures, gatherings with friends, or a romantic rendezvous.
Grótta Island Lighthouse
This is a popular spot any night of
the week, so don’t expect solitude.
However, it’s popular for a reason—
you’ll be treated to a sweeping west-
ward view of the ocean and far-out
peninsulas, plus Mount Esja and the
city skyline over your shoulder. Be
warned that the island is closed for
most of the summer for bird breed-
ing, and even when the path is open,
you need to be aware of the tides so
you don’t get stuck. Don’t let this
discourage you, though, because
the view from the parking lot is still
quite lovely.
Viðey Ferry Terminal
For the people-averse among us,
the ferry terminal may offer the
solitude you crave. Situated at the
northeast end of Reykjavík’s shore
walk, you’ll find an unobstructed
view of the ocean, pockmarked
only by the occasional boat. Mount
Esja is to your right, hovering over
Viðey. If you want to get closer to
the water, a staircase leads to a
small beach (Skarfaklettur) with a
whale-sized boulder. If you’re more
inclined to see a city skyline, this is
not the place—but other than that,
this spot is pretty perfect.
Red Steel Pyramid Bridges
Far from downtown, this spot gets
less traffic than others on this list.
Park at the Geirsnef dog park and
walk along the path toward the
ocean. You won’t have a full view of
the horizon, but the two red steel
pyramid bridges by Teiknistofan
Tröð add some man-made drama
to the landscape. Lupines, in season
through early summer, accent the
shoreline. This isn’t your traditional
sunset viewing spot, but it’s still
worth a trip.
Reykjavík Harbour and
Harpa
You’ll never be alone around Harpa,
but I’m always surprised to see
only a handful of teens and tourists
lingering for sunset here. Walk the
short distance out to Ingólfsgarður
Lighthouse, and you’ll be treated
to a number of sea-worthy sights:
fishers casting off, boats coming in
for the night, and the fluffy green
Þúfa. The nautical objects serve as
a reminder of Iceland’s maritime
history as you watch the sun dip
below the horizon of Faxaflói bay.
While you’re at it, you can walk
along the shore walk to Sólfar—an
artistic reminder of the nation’s
Viking past.
Perlan
Situated on a hill overlooking
downtown Reykjavík and the waters
beyond, Perlan offers a panoramic
view of the sunset, though it feels
rather distant when you aren’t
right by the shoreline. Head behind
the iconic dome and you’ll find
a network of walking trails, some
leading to mysterious underground
bunkers. Standing just above them
you’ll spot the University of Iceland,
Hallgrímskirkja, and several loom-
ing construction cranes. For you
visiting city folk, this is probably as
close to a metropolitan sunset as
you’ll get.
There it is, the mythical Icelandic sun
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