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Planes are full and people are flocking to…
Reykjavik!
A few years ago, my airline starting flying to Iceland. Though our flights were heavy, it seemed like a place that only those seeking extreme adventure traveled to. Waterfalls, rock climbing, glacier hiking, geysers, volcanoes, horseback riding, whales, geothermal spas, northern lights…you can find it all in Iceland.
Today, our planes are continually full, even in winter, and Iceland seems to be the new travel hotspot. Everyone wants to go!
The first time I ever traveled to Reykjavik, we hit the ground running. With only twenty-four hours, we quickly changed clothes, grabbed a rental car and drove the entire Golden Circle (the popular tourist route that includes stops at the Strokkur Geyser and the Gullfoss waterfall) and visited the Blue Lagoon, the famous, geothermal spa. On my other two visits, whale watching and Icelandic horseback riding were on the agenda.
What I especially love, however, is just walking around the town and appreciating the cleans lines of the architecture, the random sculpture scattered throughout, how tidy everything is and how friendly the Icelandic people are.
Recently while visiting, I took the afternoon to wander around the during the clear winter day, stopping to marvel at the lake near Town Hall. Frozen solid, it reflected the colorful buildings that surrounded it, and I wished that I had brought my ice skates to join the locals enjoying themselves on the beautiful, sunny afternoon.
The Church of Hallgrímur, my next stop, is located near the center of the city and is an absolute must-see. A Lutheran church, Hallgrímskirkja was completed in 1940, and is the largest church in Iceland, as well as the tallest structure in the country. The unique building was designed by Architect Guðjón Samúelsson and is said to have been designed to resemble the trap rocks, mountains and glaciers of the Icelandic landscape. At the forefront of the building is a statue of explorer Leif Eriksson which predates its construction. A gift from the United States in 1930, it commemorated the 1000 anniversary of Iceland’s parliament at Þingvellir in 930 A.D.
Having visited the church once before, I took more time to inspect the interior of the church as well as the large pipe organ, constructed by German organ builder Johannes Klais of Bonn. The massive organ is 15 meters tall and weighs a whopping 25 tons.
The church also serves as an observation tower and I decided to brave the interminable line to ascend the elevator to the viewing deck. With such a clear and sunny day, I was able to view the entire city as well as the harbor and surrounding mountains.
There are many restaurants and bars throughout the city center. Many first time visitors, however, are shocked at the costs of dining out and of alcoholic beverages. Since Reykjavik is an island, of course everything must be shipped in adding to the overall price. On one of my previous visits, a pizza, half a salad and a beer totaled up to about $45. There are some cheaper options out there, just ask around. And, keep an eye open for Happy Hour specials in many of the hotels and watering holes.
Whenever you decide to visit this amazing country, summer or winter, be prepared for many things to occupy your time…so many that you may have to pick and choose and save some for a later visit. But, no matter what time of year you decide to visit, be prepared for the large number of visitors also checking out what this fascinating country has to offer!
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Church of Hallgrímur (Hallgrimskirkja)
- http://www.hallgrimskirkja.is/
- Address: Hallgrímstorg 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Hours: Winter (October-April): 09:00-17:00. Tower closes 16:30. Summer (May-September): 09:00-21:00. Tower closes 20:30. The tower is closed on Sundays from 10:30-12:15 for mass at 11:00.
- Tower Admission: Adults, ISK 900, Children (ages 7-14) ISK 100, Under 7, free. Tickets are sold in the church shop.