Reykjavik Travel Guide, Iceland

Reykjavik Travel-Guide – The World’s Greenest City

Reykjavik is the young cosmopolitan city that functions as Iceland’s capital and it is the largest city on the island. In literal translation “Reykjavik” means “Smoke bay”, it has 120.000 inhabitants and the larger metropolitan area, which is often referred to as the city itself reaches a population of 200.000. Reykjavik only started developing as an urban agglomeration in the 19th century, and prior to that it functioned as a port and a trade center. Later the government built institutions there and economy started expanding, so the city started growing and it still does. The fact that Iceland is one of the most prosperous countries in the world ensures very high living standards for the locals, an excellent health system and state of the art infrastructure. Given the fact that Reykjavik is located just below the Arctic Circle there are strange phenomena occurring, the shortest day in winter lasts only for 4 hours and during the summertime the sun lights the city during the nighttime almost as intense as during the day. Reykjavik was also ranked “the world’s greenest city”, reason for which this Reykjavik travel-guide strongly advises a trip in the area.

Reykjavik Travel-Guide – The Best Hot Dogs in the World

Reykjavik is located in the south-western part of the island and it has very diverse geographical forms, lots of islands and peninsulas, straits and volcanoes. There is a river that runs through the city and is not navigable, but it provides one of the best salmon fishing opportunities in the world. The general aspect of the city is very particular, as it is very spread out and there are mostly houses that have been built far away from each other, so reported to the population the distance between the city centre and the suburbs is very long. There are several points of interest in the city and one of the most peculiar ones is Baejarins Beztu Pylsur, a small hot dog stand which reportedly has the best hot dogs in the world and had famous customers like Bill Clinton or James Hetfield. The best spa is the Blue Lagoon and it uses geothermal water, as all the houses in Reykjavik have a heating system. Consequently, Reykjavik has the largest geothermal heating system in the world.

Reykjavik Travel-Guide – The Nightlife Capital of the North

There is one element that no Reykjavik travel-guide can leave out: the city is considered the nightlife capital of the north, with over 100 bars and clubs that provide for the party crowds that don’t usually go out until after midnight. The people of Reykjavik have one of the largest numbers of cars per person, but the roads are designed very well so the city doesn’t get too many traffic jams. The city also has an international airport located inside the city centre and two ports, one of which is used for cargo and the other for cruises and fishing. The area surrounding the island offers excellent Reykjavik cruise deals that you shouldn’t miss.

email to a friendAsk our travel experts a question about Reykjavik
ask now

Things about Reykjavik you may be interested in

• Reykjavik Reviews

 

+ list your site

 

ReviewsTravel TipsWrite a reviewWrite a travel tip

 

 

Read our members' reviews about Reykjavik

• The geysers and fjords of Iceland
  review by lindamura posted more then 30 days ago
  Iceland The following content has been contributed by Trausti Tomasson - Please visit his galleries here: http://www.destination-iceland.com/about/stock_photos/index.html and you will see what a beautiful country it is! The North MYVATN: Myvatn lies in the northeast of Iceland on the western...

view all

 

Read our members' travel tips about Reykjavik

No travel tips have been added yet for this category. Be the first to add a new one.

 

 

Community

Members Who Have Been to Reykjavik

See who has been to Reykjavik and ask them a question (membership required)

skier60 ask a question add to friends

RennyBA ask a question add to friends

gokulraj ask a question add to friends

 

show all

 

 

the best travel deals provided by TravelZoo...