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Iceland's Top Cities, Towns and Villages
The Capital of Reykjavík - With its population of about
170,000, Reykjavík is rather small for American standards. However,
there's so much to see and do that it's nearly impossible to be
bored. Being the world's most northerly capital, Reykjavík boasts a
vibrant art and music scene, movie theaters, an opera, a dance
company, a symphony orchestra, museums and galleries, where you can
soak up and get completely immersed into the Icelandic culture.
Furthermore, there are plenty of stylish bars, cafés and everything
from exclusive fine dining establishments to affordable fast food
restaurants. During the bright summer nights, Reykjavík is
transformed into a lively party town, the streets being packed with
young partygoers spilling out from the clubs and bars.
The setting is also superb. The city is spread out along a small
peninsula, framed by the majestic Mt. Esja and the blue waters of
Faxaflói Bay. On a clear day, the view over the bay to the
ice-capped Snæfellsjökull glacier on the western horizon is just
amazing. At a summer night, one can sit at the harbor and watch the
midnight sun dip slightly below the horizon before it reappears
shortly thereafter.
Akureyri - With its population of 15,000, Akureyri is
Iceland's second largest city, located on the north coast. This is a
lovely town in a beautiful location. It is situated at the head of
the fjord, has a pleasant climate, tree-lined streets and a lively
town center. You can easily spend two to three days here to see all
the sights.
In winter, the mountains surrounding the town provide excellent
skiing conditions. In summer, the flowers bloom and many locals
decorate their houses with flower boxes and plant gardens. Akureyri
has some of the best weather in Iceland. On a warm day, you would
never think you're just a stone's throw from the Arctic Cycle.
One of Akureyri's best known attractions are the Botanical Gardens,
where more than 2,000 species of plants are grown without the help
of a greenhouse. Here, you can see plants native to Iceland and some
that come from as far away as New Zealand.
If you like museums, Akureyri has more than its share of it. There
is the Natural History Museum, a folk museum and museums that are
housed in the homes of Matthias Jochumsson, a native poet and Jon
Sveinson, a children's book author.
This is the only town in the north, where you can enjoy urban life.
Besides the museums, Akureyri boasts shops, cafés, restaurants, bars
and a swimming pool. All in all, it is a pleasant little town with a
laid-back atmosphere.
Arnarstapi - Arnastapi is a beautiful little fishing village
on the southern side of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is a very
peaceful place right on the ocean and surrounded by fascinating sea
cliffs. Here you can sit down, relax and watch the many birds
nesting in the cliffs along the coastline.
Take a walk along the coastline to get an up close view of the
birds, the magnificent lava formations and maybe even seals. Along
the way, you'll also come across three blowholes, which are
connected with the ocean. When the wind is blowing and the waves are
high, you they shoot a column of water into the air.
Arnastapi is close to Mt. Snæfellsjökull, which is famous among
certain New Age groups. Every year in the summer, people from all
over the world gather in this area because they believe that Mt.
Snæfellsjökull is a great power center radiating a positive energy.
They come here to recharge their bodies with energy and often times
also bring rock crystals with them.
Grímsey - A flat island 25 miles (41 km) north of Iceland's
mainland. Its 328 feet high (100 m), spectacular sea cliffs harbor
more than 60 bird species. Grímsey is Iceland's only real bit of
Arctic territory and a popular tourist destination. If you plan to
come here, you can get a certificate stating that you visited the
Arctic Cycle.
Most visitors come here only for a day, as Sandvík is the only
settlement and services are limited to a guesthouse, a church and a
swimming pool. The population is only 155 people, who mainly work in
the fishing and fish processing industry or in agriculture.
Grímsey is a peaceful place and interesting for bird lovers and
hikers. It is also THE place in Iceland to see the real midnight
sun. To be able to see it, you have to come here during the summer
and stay overnight, of course.
Húsavík - This little fishing village is known for its whale
watching cruises in the Skjálfandi Bay, where white-beaked dolphins,
minke and humpback whales are often seen. In summer, they offer
evening cruises under the midnight sun.
Besides the whale watching, Húsavík has a lot of other things to
offer. With its colorful houses, picturesque harbor and spectacular
view of the ice capped Viknafjöll across the bay, its setting is one
of the most dramatic on the north coast.
It's also home to the award-winning Whale Museum, which features
displays on all the whale species found in Iceland, including
skeletons and a library and video collection. There's also an
exhibition devoted to Keiko, also known as “Free Willy,” the killer
whale, which was captured off Iceland in 1979.
Worth a visit is also the natural history museum, which is one of
the best local museums in Iceland. The town's pride and joy is the
stuffed polar bear, which arrived on the island of Grímsey in 1969
after drifting over from Greenland on pack ice. Here, you'll also be
able to look at 16th century weapons, books and paintings and a
Bible that was printed in 1584.
The town's large, cross-shaped church, which was built in 1907, is
very impressive and a must-see when visiting Húsavík. It features a
Middle Eastern architecture and a painting of Lazarus behind the
altar.
Hofsós - This is a must-visit if you have Icelandic ancestry.
The small fishing village's main attraction is the Icelandic
Emigration Center, where U.S. American and Canadian emigrants search
for their Icelandic roots. The center tracks the migration of
Icelanders, who moved to North America in the past centuries. If you
want to stay overnight, there are some guesthouses, a restaurant and
a campsite. Hofsós is located on the eastern shore of Skagafjörður
in north Iceland.
Hólar í Hjaltadalur - With its prominent red stone church,
Hólar is the location of medieval Iceland's northern bishopric. This
is a must-see on your way to Akureyri. Here, you can get a glimpse
of the country's religious tradition, while enjoying the serene
atmosphere. It's now the site of an agricultural college and horse
farm. Hólar is located between Hofsós and of Varmahlið, just off
Highway 76.
Höfn - The main town of the southeast, Höfn possibly has the
most scenic surroundings of any town in Iceland. From here one can
see the Vatnajökull and its valley glaciers serving as a beautiful
backdrop. With a population of only 1,800, Höfn seems like a big
town after a long drive through tiny villages and the great
emptiness of the southeastern coast.
In 1974, the completion of the Ring Road made the access to the
capital of Reykjavík much easier. Before that, people from Höfn had
to drive via Akureyri to get to Reykjavík. Höfn, which means harbor
in English, has plenty of services and accommodations of all types.
Also, you'll find a few good restaurants, shops, a museum and a
swimming pool.
Laugarvatn - This town is famous for the hot spring Vígðalaug.
It was the site of early Christian baptisms. Laugarvatn is a popular
summer vacation place for Icelanders and also home of two large
schools, which operate as hotels in the summer.
You can rent a boat and head out on the lake or take a short hike up
to the viewpoint of Hringsjá, located between the lake and the
Laugarvatnsfjall Mountain. If you like the outdoors, there are some
great camping and hiking opportunities in the woods north of the
lake. Laugarvatn is located west of Þingvellir.
Seyðisfjörður - This is a nice if not the nicest little town
in the Eastfjords. It is situated at the head of a 10-mile (16 km)
long fjord and surrounded on three sides by mountains. Besides its
superb setting, it has beautifully painted timber houses and a
friendly atmosphere. Many musicians and artists have made it their
home.
Seyðisfjörður is also the place, where the first submarine telephone
cable that linked Iceland with mainland Europe was brought ashore in
1906. There's a historical museum, the Tækniminjasafn Austurlands,
which consists of two buildings: one was the home of ship-owner Otto
Wathne, built in 1894; the other was a machine shop, built in 1907.
The museum displays old photographs and machinery and shows how the
original telegraph station looked like.
If you want to meet some local people or simply relax, visit the
Skaftafell Cultural Center. Local artists and musicians like to meet
here and there's a gallery on the second floor which displays of
works of art. Occasionally, concerts and poetry readings are held
here.
Seyðisfjörður has developed into a center of music and arts. From
mid-June to mid-August, the Á Seyði Festival takes place. This is a
good time to visit as you can see many exhibitions all around town.
Also, concerts are held in the Blue Church.
For water lovers, guided kayaking tours through the magnificent
fjords are available. This is a great way to get an up close look at
birds and seals. Trips range from a couple of hours to two-day
tours, which include meals and accommodation.
Seyðisfjörður is definitely worth a visit and if you want, you can
even spend the night here as there is a hotel, guesthouse, youth
hostel and campsite. The town is also a hub for ferries, which
arrive here from the European mainland, bringing in a steady flow of
travelers. It is a short, scenic drive away from Egilsstaðir, just
east of the Ring Road. The road leading into the town follows the
river Fjarðará and 25 huge waterfalls.
Skálholt - A historic settlement that has been the cultural
and religious center for 700 years. It has been one of the two
Catholic bishoprics, which governed the Icelanders prior to the
Reformation. In the 18th century, the original cathedral was taken
apart. The current church, built in 1963, has beautiful artwork and
you can learn more about the place's interesting history of
beheadings and executions. Skálholt is located near Laugarvatn in
southern Iceland.
Snorri's Pool at Reykholt – Reykholt was the home of the Viking
historian Snorri Sturluson, a famous writer, who composed many of
his works here. In 1241, the early years of Iceland's saga age, he
was assassinated in Reykholt by his political enemy, Gissur
Þorvaldsson.
Today, the town is home to a large religious center and the
Snorrstofa museum, which is devoted to Sturluson. Beside the town's
schoolhouse is Snorralaug (Snorri's pool), a round pool about 13
feet (4 m) in diameter, which is fed by a hot spring. Go behind the
pool and you'll come across a path believed to lead to the cellar,
where Sturluson was murdered. Reykholt is located west of Borgarnes.
Vestmannaeyjar - Also known as the Westman Islands, these 16
islands are home to many birds and a fascinating sea life. Heimaey
is the largest island and home to about 5,000 people. All other
islands are only sparsely populated. Heimaey became famous in 1973,
when the volcano Eldfell erupted and almost wiped out the entire
town. Keiko, also known as “Free Willy,” was relocated here in 1998.
There's an interesting natural history museum that features a
collection of preserved wildlife. Also, you can have a look at some
odd-looking Icelandic fish at their aquarium. If you come here in
August, you'll be able to witness thousands of puffin chicks nesting
in the cliffs and then taking their first flight. Heimaey has
excellent facilities for visitors. The Westman Islands are
accessible by ferry and plane and are located off the southern coast
of Iceland. |
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