We reached out to bunch of notable Reykjavík figures to find out what they like best about the city. From the culture, to the people, to the pools to their favourite hidden corners of the city, here are their personal takes on what makes Reykjavík special.
Alison MacNeil
kimono guitar shredder
I just witnessed two cars full of drunk teenagers getting into a fight because the one in front was going too slow down Laugavegur for the second car’s taste. Probably no one will die from this encounter tonight.
-Photo by Gabrielle Motola
Bergsteinn Jónsson
executive director at UNICEF
The best things are the mountains I see from my office window and my little village community in 101 Reykjavík. Being close to nature and part of a tightly-knit community encourages sustainable ways of living and humility. Both are great life lessons.
Birgitta Jónsdóttir
captain of the Pirate Party
The Einar Jónsson Museum is a mythical oasis of art in the sculpture garden and in the magical home and museum of this visionary artist of ours. Einar used Norse myth as the backbone of much of his work and one can always see a new aspect of each and everyone of his works. A perfect place to get lost in.
-Photo by Julia Staples
Drífa Snædal
chair of SGS union
I think Reykjavík is the most beautiful place in Iceland, and I fall in love with my city every time we get a good summer day, feeling ecstatic cycling down Sæbrautin. The incredibly-active cultural life is another important part of my city, because there is always something going on, whether it be concerts, art exhibitions, political rallies, or educational meetings. Reykjavík has the charm of being close to nature, like a country village, but at the same time everyone acts like it is a metropolis, competing to offer world-class events.
Helgi Valur Ásgeirsson
musician
The best thing about the city is that you can walk everywhere you want to go, and that there are plenty of great swimming pools.
Hildur María Friðriksdóttir
geophysicist at Icelandic Met Office
The best thing about Reykjavík is the variety of ice cream shops. One of my favourite things to do is to partake in the Icelandic tradition of “ísbúltúr” and drive to get ice cream late at night, no matter what the weather’s like. Ice cream tastes just as good in a blizzard.
Indriði Arnar Ingólfsson
Muck guitar shredder
These days the best thing about Reykjavík is being near the ocean and getting dragged by the endless day without a plan.
-Photo by Julia Staples
Jón Örn Loðmfjörð
poet and programmer
I think my favourite thing is after midnight in Grafarvogur or Breiðholt, when everyone is asleep and no one is around. The suburbs, yeah. I like just watching the sky. It’s quiet. It’s kind of urban but still dead.
Katrín Jakobsdóttir
chair of Left Greens
The best thing about Reykjavík is its proximity to the sea––being able to walk to old harbour, and the feeling of living on an island.
Kolfinna Nikulásdóttir (Kylfan)
former member of Reykjavíkurdætur
The best thing in Reykjavík, in my opinion, is a small place on Tryggvagata called Momo Ramen. They have excellent service, and incredibly good dumplings—I always feel like I’m abroad when I go there. Afterwards I like to go out to the harbour, there lurks power in the sea, and it has such a healing effect. Some people live their lives without ever seeing the sea, and they yearn for it, but we’ve got it right in front of us in Reykjavík.
-Photo by Matthew Eisman
Sif Baldursdóttir
Fashion designer at kyrja
I like how many non-pretentious, insanely talented and creative people there are here… especially artists, designers and musicians. I just love that the majority of these amazing people are super nice and chilled!
Sunna Ben
DJ
I’ve been coming to Prikið since I was a teenager. Now I’m DJing there all the time and my best friend is managing it so that’s kind of my go-to place. It’s always been the best place for hip hop in Reykjavík and at times probably the only place I can count on finding it. Also it’s just very nice. It’s a nice café in the daytime and you have regulars that sit there and old people that come every day, and in the evening it gets really wild. It’s a very nice combination.
-Photo by Art Bicnick
Þórdís Nadia Semichat
stand up comedian
The best thing about Reykjavík is Elliðarárdalur. It’s pretty amazing that you can live in a suburb like Breiðholt or Árbær, go for a walk and within few minutes you’re walking by a beautiful river and green nature… and the fog that floats over the river in the fall is amazing.
-Photo by Gabrielle Motola
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