Reykjavík

Settled in 870 AD by Ingolfur Arnarson, the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík, is located on the west coast. Lore has it that early settlers brought their family’s high seat pillars, wooden poles flanking the seat of the head of a Norse household, when they migrated to Iceland. According to legend, on arrival Ingolfur Arnarson cast his high seat pillars overboard and settled where they washed ashore in today’s Reykjavík.
 
With its rich Norse history, the capital has grown into a fascinating hub of culture, events and historic buildings. Reykjavík is the largest, and arguably only, city in Iceland, around 36% of the population lives in the capital area. It is surrounded by picturesque towns where travellers can hike in high mountains and experience the countryside only 20 minutes from the metropolis. 

The city is known for its cultural scene that brings locals together to celebrate diversity and culture. August brings LGBTQ+ Pride, a true family celebration and the biggest in the world by percentage of national population participating, as well as Reykjavík Culture Night. One feature of the Culture Night is the Reykjavík Marathon, the only one held in Iceland. 

With its deeply rooted traditions, the Icelandic restaurant scene is something to sample. From fine dining to the famous local hot dog stand, ‘Bæjarins Bestu’, travellers will always find something to feast on. In fact, Reykjavík has no fewer than 5 food halls, 4 located within 15 minutes walking distance of each other! No need to go hungry. 

They city is also a treasure trove of historic and contemporary architecture. The most famous is perhaps Hallgrimskirkja Church, the tallest building in Iceland, visible all the way from Mount Esja. Another important building is the Parliament Hall, Althingi, at Austurvöllur, which is a lovely area for travellers and locals to enjoy the day surrounded by restaurants. One unmissable contemporary building is the Harpa Concert Hall. Built during and in spite of the economic crisis, the concert hall is testament to how important the arts are in overcoming adversity and the aspirations of the Icelandic people. 

In short, in Reykjavík you will find everything that makes a city, except skyscrapers, which most travellers would probably say is an added bonus.
  
Read all about Reykjavík here: VisitReykjavik.is