hÚsavÍk, iceland’s most populated northeastern...
TRANSCRIPT
HÚSAVÍK, ICELAND’S MOST POPULATED NORTHEASTERN TOWN, IS KNOWN FOR ITS QUAINT CHURCH AND SUPERB WHALE WATCHING.
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BE CAPTIVATED BY PRISTINE LANDSCAPES,
STAGGERING NATURAL BEAUTY, DELICIOUS FOOD AND AN
EMERGING ART SCENE. BY EMMA REYNOLDS
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ICELAND HAS BECOME ONE OF THE WORLD’S coolest travel destinations.
There’s never a bad time to visit this Nordic island nation. Contrary to its name,
Iceland has a relatively green landscape, albeit full of national parks, volcanoes,
lava fields and hot springs.
Unlike that of its frigid neighbor Greenland, Iceland’s climate is
characterized by damp, cool summers and mild but windy winters. By far the
most popular times to travel here are June through August, when there are 24
hours of Arctic sun. September through October is an alluring time too, when
tourist traffic has died down.
From the Blue Lagoon and Viking history in Reykjavik to the national parks
in Skaftafell, here are your must-visits.
Reykjavik Iceland’s capital is its largest city and
by far the most frequently visited.
With a population of 123,000, this is
one of the greenest, cleanest and
safest cities in the world. Although
it’s relatively small, Reykjavik’s culture
and eventful celebrations attract
people from across the world.
STAY When it comes to accommodations,
Airbnb is easily the most favored
option for travelers, though the city
also is home to incredibly luxe hotels.
If a hotel experience better
suits you, the 101 Hotel aims to
impress. This art-focused, 38-room
establishment offers a modern
stay. Contemporary furnishings and
a collection of local artwork are
regularly on display. After spending
the day touring the city, guests can
relax with a basement gym, spa
with steam bath, plunge pool and
hot tub. In-room spa treatments are
available as well.
The Reykjavik Marina Residence
offers seven plush suites inside two
historic refurbished houses. The
modern rooms, each named after
an Icelandic ship, feature antique
and contemporary furnishings
complemented by an old-century
style. Expect sea views and a minibar
with Icelandic snacks and organic
HALLGRIMSKIRKJA IS REYKJAVIK’S MAIN CHURCH
WITH A NATIONALIST ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN.
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toiletries. This stay is for those who
appreciate history as much as design.
The Alda Hotel, which opened
in 2014, is located on the main
shopping street, Laugavegur.
Upscale yet modestly priced, this is a
hub for locals who gather for drinks
in the Barber Bar in the lobby. The
minimalist space features a simple
design, with a color scheme of white,
gray and the occasional pop of red.
Because it’s located in the center of
the city, there’s much to do within
walking distance of the hotel.
EATAlthough Iceland has become
increasingly popular with U.S.
travelers, don’t expect the
restaurants to be fully Americanized.
Mostly on the menu is seafood,
including whale and shark dishes, as
well as savory sides washed down
with potent shots of hooch.
On the pricey side, DILL
Restaurant’s Northern European
fare delights the senses. Located
in Nordic House, one of Reykjavik’s
premier cultural venues, here guests
can experience Chef Gunnar Karl
Gislason’s creative dishes. Classic
Nordic ingredients with a twist, such
as meatballs and plokkfiskur (a hearty
fish stew), are staples, but the menu
changes weekly with three, five and
seven courses available.
If you want the best Icelandic fish,
look no further than Fiskmarkaðurinn,
or Fish Market, which stays true to
Icelandic culinary staples such as
seafood, lamb and local dairy, but
served with an Asian twist. There’s a
nine-course tasting menu available,
featuring dishes like scallop sashimi,
salmon maki and salt cod. If you’re in
a rush, the à la carte menu is nothing
short of amazing.
A local staple, Vid Tjörnina is an old
and charming restaurant specializing
in, you guessed it, seafood. Opened
in 1986, it’s still owned by the family
who founded it. Classic Icelandic
recipes are served, so if you’re up
for the challenge, you can indulge in
fermented shark meat, Icelandic lamb
fillet or skyr. There’s rarely an empty
seat, as this is one of the city’s most
frequented dining spots.
DOReykjavik is home to the famous
Blue Lagoon geothermal spa which
has taken social media by storm.
Located in a lava field in Grindavík
on the Reykjanes Peninsula in
southwestern Iceland, the silica-
and sulfur-heavy water boasts skin
benefits and is ideal for enjoying
picturesque scenery.
One of the city’s most impressive
structures is Hallgrimskirkja, a
church situated at the city’s highest
point. Built between 1941 and 1986,
this is the city’s stab at nationalist
architecture. The can’t-miss
destination is important, as it is one
of Iceland’s more modern design-
focused structures. While touring
cultural landmarks, don’t forget to
stop in the Viking Maritime Museum
to learn about Iceland’s rich history.
Reykjavik’s Golden Circle provides
glimpses of the natural landscape,
THE FAMOUS BLUE LAGOON IN REYKJAVIK IS KNOWN FOR ITS WARM BLUE WATER AND HEALING MINERALS.
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Vik iMirdalThis remote seafront village in
southernmost Iceland is a far cry
from bustling Reykjavik. Located 110
miles south of the capital city, the
modest town sits in the shadow of
the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which lies
directly atop the Katla volcano. Vík
í Mýrdal has a little more than 300
residents, but it’s a picturesque stop
as you travel across the country.
Vatnajökull National Park. Spanning
more than 12,000 kilometers, this
is home to some of Iceland’s most
exquisite landscapes.
Skaftafell National Park welcomes
travelers of all hiking levels to the
expansive terrain, glaciers and
volcanoes. The preservation area has
geography similar to that of the Alps
and has been naturally scarred by
both fire and water (volcanoes and
glaciers). Campsites are available
throughout the national park.
including erupting geysers, sheer
glacial cliffs, cascading waterfalls and
extinct volcanoes.
Travelers will love the culturally
rich art and music scene of Reykjavik.
Over the years, the city has garnered
international recognition as a
creative hub for visual artists. Gallerí
Fold has earned its reputation since
1990 as Iceland’s leading exhibition
and auction house. Art enthusiasts
can enjoy works from Iceland’s most
talented artists, such as Harry Bilson,
whose work was chosen to represent
Art Copenhagen in 2013.
Kling & Bang is another
gallery known for highlighting
emerging and established
artists with thought-provoking
pieces in a variety of media.
Started by 10 artists of different
backgrounds, the mission of the
space is “to introduce emerging
and established, national and
international artists and their works,
that challenge the context and
content of creative thinking.”
Other galleries recommended
for art aficionados include i8 Gallery,
Gallerí Bakarí, ASÍ Art Museum and
Reykjavik Art Museum.
SkaftafellYou’ll feel as if you entered Jurassic
Park when you visit Skaftafell,
the preservation area in Öræfi
in southeast Iceland, part of
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HusavikAs the largest town in northeast
Iceland, Húsavík is a great
destination for those seeking a
cultural narrative of the country.
This is the site of the first settlement
in Iceland, when a viking visitor
came for a winter and then left
behind a man and two slaves
who established a farm. The most
important structure is the wooden
Visitors will love the black basalt
sand beaches, one of the wettest
places in Iceland, and their most
popular inhabitant, the puffin. Vík í
Mýrdal is the country’s warmest place
with an average annual temperature
of 41.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite
short, cool summers and cold (but
not severe) winters, it has the heaviest
rainfall in the country.
Besides the breathtaking views,
enjoy the city’s football club, historic
church and wool factory, open to tours.
church, renowned as one of the
country’s prime locations for whale
watching. Be sure to visit the
Húsavík Whale Museum and take in
the city’s rich Viking history, just two
more reasons why Iceland is a nature
and history buff’s paradise.
(TOP LEFT) SEAFOOD FROM THE POPULAR FISH MARKET; LOCAL NOSH FROM DILL RESTAURANT; i8 GALLERY IS ONE OF REYKJAVIK’S MOST CONTEMPORARY GALLERIES; (ABOVE) GORGEOUS VIEW FROM REYKJAVIK’S 101 HOTEL.