Travel Guide
Reykjavik & Reykjanes
Reykjavik
The northernmost capital of Europe is also its westernmost one and its name, Reykjavik, translates as “Smokey Bay”. The town is situated in a geothermally active area and the first settler of Iceland, Ingólfur Arnarson, gave this name to the bay, as he saw steam rising near a cove when he first came there. This is the most densely populated part of Iceland, a home to over 200.000 individuals, more than two thirds of the total population. It should be taken into consideration, though, that only about one-fifth of the whole island is considered habitable. The rest is covered by lava fields, icecaps and desert plateau. The city is surrounded by mountains although its landscape is fairly flat and not very high above sea level. It spreads over an irregular peninsula projecting westwards into the Faxaflói bay, surrounded by water on three sides, the west, north and south. Unsurprisingly Reykjavík is the trade centre of the island, with more versatile trades and less unemployment than anywhere else in the country.
This part of the country plays a central role in many of the Sagas. However, Reykjavík remained a tiny village from the time of settlement until mid 18th century, with only around 5000 inhabitants in year 1900. It has been said that time has another dimension in Reykjavík. This small but modern capital has earned its place as a vital part of the Iceland experience, next to the midnight sun and the otherworldly landscapes. The city is both vibrant in cultural life and boasts short distances to natural surroundings. This makes it an ideal place to visit for its own merits. There is also a bigger variety of recreational activities in the town than in any other part of the country. One of the country’s best salmon rivers, Elliðaár, runs right through Reykjavík and is yet unpolluted and clear. It offers anglers a rare opportunity to land a salmon just by a busy motorway. Other recreational options include midnight golfing, horse trekking and whale watching.
In year 2000 Reykjavík held the title of European City of Culture, an acknowledgement of the vigurous cultural life, including its various festivals and a remarkable selection of artistic events. At the same time the capital has been called the hottest one in Europe because of its famed and dynamic nightlife. Reykjavík brilliantly combines the qualities and comforts of modern urbanity and the intimate connection to amazingly beautiful nature. The adjoining towns also offer attractions, such as the unique and very popular elf-spotting tours, an annual Viking feast, guided tours to places of historical interest or the largest shopping mall in Iceland.
Reykjanes Peninsula (56 km from Reykjavík)
Reykjanes means The “Smokey” or “Steamy” Peninsula and is the south-westernmost corner of the country. It bears the signs of a volcanically active area with its prominent old shield volcanoes and rows of craters. In 1778 the first lighthouse of the country was built on top of a hill in the area and it was rebuilt in the years 1907 – 1908. It is well worth a visit for the magnificent view from its top. Just offshore a 52 m high rock pillar called Karlinn (often translated as “The Old Man”) protrudes from the sea. The 77 m rocky basalt island of Eldey (“The Fire Island”) is home to the largest colony of gannets in the world. At least three other islands were created in submarine eruptions in historic times but vanished shortly after the eruptions ended due to the constant sea erosion. Reykjanes is the geological meeting point of two continents, a crossing between the old and the new world.
