So, you finally checked one off the bucket list and arrived in Iceland. Velkomin! But what now? Reykjavík is bustling with activities, from steamy swimming pools to world-renowned galleries to more historical sites than you can name. And the city’s diversity has only increased with the development of tourism—now you’ll find ambitious arthouse theatre in English and interactive tech museums dotting the streets. For those looking to get out of the capital, it’s surrounded by gorgeous hiking, plentiful picnic spots, and more. So what’s one to do to fully take advantage of the city? Presenting: the 2020 Grapevine Best Of Reykjavík Activities awards. Hey—when in Reykjavík, listen to the Reykjavíkingur.
Best Place To Spend Time With The Kids (Summer!)
Húsdýragarðurinn
Múlavegur 2
Húsdýragaðurinn (literally “farm animal zoo”) is the go-to place for Icelandic families on a nice summer day. It’s basically a petting zoo where you’ll find everything from seals to horses to reindeers. If you’re really lucky, the zoo might be nurturing a falcon or eagle, which you can visit with before they’re released back into nature. Last time one of our writers went, a bewildered stork was being nursed back to health. The garden also offers an amusement park with a few rides like go carts, a boating lake and a drop tower. Vá!
Runner-Up:
Einar Jónsson Museum
Eiríksgata 3, 101 Reykjavík
If you have some of those weird intellectual kids who want to learn things, pop by the Einar Jónsson sculpture garden during those rare Reykjavík heat waves. Einar Jónsson, of course, was Iceland’s foremost sculpture artist and his work will impress children as well as adults. And, to be honest, it can be fun to climb on them. Not that we know anything about that.
Runner-Up:
Viðey
Skarfabakki, 104 Reykjavík
Reykjavík has many small islands near the city, but the biggest and most commercial is Viðey. In the summertime, the ferry leaves every hour, taking you to a scenic land of nesting birds, panoramic views of Snæfellsness peninsula and the Imagine Peace Tower (a Yoko Ono curated John Lennon memorial), just to name a few attractions.
Previous Winners
2019: Tjörnin
2017-8: Whales Of Iceland
2014-6: Húsdýragaðurinn
You can buy a copy of the full Best Of Reykjavík 2020 magazine—an essential guide to having fun in Reykjavík—here, posted worldwide.
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!
