You've seen Paris and London, been to New York and Rome, and now you want to discover someplace a little more unusual and out of the way. Reykjavik, Iceland is the place for you! It's a bit off the beaten path, yet has plenty of interesting, low-cost activities for the individual traveling on a shoestring budget. Read on to learn about the things you can do in Reykjavik.
Start with the National Museum of Iceland, which was established in 1863 and has been housed in its current location since 1950. Here you'll find information about Iceland dating back to its 9th century settlement. There are furnishings, clothing, woven tapestries, carvings and other artifacts. There are even exhibits expressly for the little ones, where kids can dress up as Vikings.
Head to the three buildings of the Reykjavik Art Museum: Hafnarhus, Kjarvalsstadir and Asmundarsafn, to see the finest collection of contemporary art in Iceland. The museum opened in 1973 and since then has focused on acquiring works by Iceland's finest modern artists.
View the works of the great Icelandic sculptor Einar Jonsson at the Einar Jonsson museum, a favorite among art lovers.
Visit the Reykjavik City Museum, which allows visitors to learn how early Icelanders lived and built their homes. The museum is a thousand year old longhouse that was excavated right in the city of Reykjavik.
Enjoy the Open-Air Folk Museum, which features examples of several typical dwellings from Iceland's history. Architecture buffs will love it!
Head to the Culture House if you just can't get enough of Icelandic history and culture! The Culture House has permanent and themed exhibitions dealing with Iceland's long and rich history.
Go for a swim. The outdoor thermal pools at Laugardalur Park are a favorite attraction for tourists who want the singular experience of relaxing in the hot water amidst Iceland's ice and snow. Pools are kept nice and warm, and there are several hot tubs available as well. Icelanders insist that these outdoor pools can improve a person's overall health. Give it a try!
Go to church. Standing 73 meters high, Hallgrimur's Church is one of Reykjavik's favorite and most noticeable attractions. The church is beautiful, if austere, and visitors can take an elevator to the top to enjoy majestic views of the city.
Hop on the Puffin Express if you want to do a little bird watching. The Puffin Express is a boat that will take you to an island where hundreds of delightfully goofy-looking puffins nest.
Go to the Reykjavik Zoo and Family Park, where you'll see animals native to Iceland as well as typical farm animals. There is also an aquarium and Science World, where visitors can create giant soap bubbles and enjoy other hands on exhibits. There are also a few rides at the park, including a swing ride and a train ride.
Get a Reykjavik Tourist Card, a good deal that a budget-minded traveler will appreciate. This card includes admission to several of the attractions listed here and a few others as well. It also includes internet access and unlimited travel on the city's bus system. There are 24 hour, 48 hour and 72 hour cards available.
