Iceland land of vikings When you say Iceland the thought leads you to snow, hot springs and northern lights. Iceland was founded more than 1,000 years ago during the Viking age of exploration. The cosmopolitan city Reykjavik, is the Icelandic country's capital and largest city but also the smallest big city in the world, and traces Iceland's Viking history. A country where tales of fairies and legendary creatures are told, where the subsoil "speaks" and the water freezes, where nature is present in all its forms and expressions: air, earth, fire, mixed them in this magical land. Reykjavik is a perfect city for strolling through the streets of the center and slipping into one of the historic cafes to warm up with a kaffi or a koko. Reykjavik is located 64 degrees north from the equator, crossed by all those atmospheric phenomena characteristic of the northern latitudes. The most famous authors are Jules Verne, who started his "Journey to the center of the earth" from the Snaeffel volcano and Wystan Hugh Auden with "Letters from Iceland." It has been called "land of ice" because you are surrounded by magnificent creations of nature wrapped in epic stories and legends of kings and gods that make you a child again. If you travel in winter you have to know that winter in Iceland is not what everyone thinks. It is not black and dark, because even an endless night can be full of light. Reykjavik can be explored in a day, in fact, after only a few hours of walking through the center, and you already have the feeling that you can get anywhere you need. The really interesting part are the outings outside the capital, where you can see and experience a nature that Icelanders enjoy free, with which they have learned to live and for which they do not need many restrictions to enjoy it, such as it happens in "civilized" Europe. You have to know that all Icelanders believe in elves, and when you pass a lattice on the road, you must honk before you pass over it, so that the elves can take their gloves off the lattice. An interesting fact for european is that in Iceland you can travel with your card identity, no passport is required, although Iceland is not part of the EU. If you want to go exploring at your own pace, it would be best to take a rental car, or hitchhiking is very popular in Iceland, used on a fairly large scale without incident and where else can you say it's free! Also take in consideration the weather. The weather can be very changeable within 15 minutes. You can experience torrential rain, sun, hail, sleet, and then sun again. Icelanders don't have surnames. At birth, the child receives a first name and, if he is a boy, he takes his father's name, and if she is a girl, it is the mother's name, considered middle names. They are given a name at birth, to which is added the father's name, and the term "son" if he is a boy or "dottir" if she is a girl. If you know the famous singer Bjork, famous for her gorgeous voice,she never uses her full name, which is Bjork Guomundsdottir, which means Bjork the daughter of Guomundsdottir. According to the principle of this naming system, a woman cannot be someone's son, but only someone's daughter, and it would not be proper for her to become her husband's daughter, so that's why the wives don't take the husband's name. Reykjavik, like most of Iceland, is geologically active and earthquakes are not uncommon in the city. In addition, there is volcanic activity nearby, as well as hot springs. The city is also supplied with hydro and geothermal energy. Iceland and vikings Icelanders are undoubtedly the descendants of Vikings. Long, long ago, the whole of Europe was terrified when it heard of the Vikings. These daring sailors, on their fast ships, made frequent incursions into the coastal cities, in order to plunder them, killing those who did not obey them. Nothing in history is inevitable, but given the need for resources and the talent of sailors, it is not surprising that the Vikings, after occupying the Shetland Islands, continue their journey in the Faroe Islands, Iceland or Greenland, and take them to the shores of North America. In the North Atlantic, the Vikings manage to settle in untrodden realms, working miracles in Iceland, where they create a truly advanced society. Before the Vikings arrived in Iceland the country had been inhabited by Irish monks. When the Viking started arriving to the land of ice and fire they tried their hand at giving it a title that would stick. The Vikings proved their ability to establish well-structured cities and integrate into other societies. Their artistic skill was very developed. They skillfully worked wood, metal, leather and bones, making textiles and jewelry. And with regard to those horned helmets which are usually connected with the names of the Vikings, historians say that, in fact, they were not used in battles by them, but by the northern tribes before the Vikings, who are supposed to have used them in various rituals. One of the more famous and celebrated of the Vikings is Auour Djuoga. A female Viking who ran her own crew and settled in Iceland. Where did the Vikings disappear? Even so far, scientists have not been able to understand how an entire country could disappear, being in the very vicinity of Europe. There are all sorts of hypotheses, but scientists claim that the Vikings disappeared as a result of worsening climatic conditions. No one noticed or felt how the collapse of civilization began. Budget Iceland is an expensive country, because almost all goods have to be imported to this volcanic island in the north Atlantic. It doesn't just affect travelers though, Iceland has one of the highest costs of living in the world. There certainly are ways to save money and make it an affordable destination, even if your budget is small. The best news about visiting Iceland is that most of the stuff you are going to see and do is totally free, exceptions are few as Blue Lagoon and other spa pools as well as a few private museums. Iceland uses the Icelandic krona (ISK) so be sure to check the current exchange rates of the krona with your home currency before you know the exchange range. The best budget tip for Iceland is to buy and prepare your own food. Most visitors to Iceland choose to rent a car. This allows for the most flexibility and lets you see the beautiful countryside at your own pace but, if you're not interested in renting a car, you can usually book excursions through tour companies. Eating out, even on the cheap, costs about $15 USD or more per meal. Something from a sit-down restaurant with service can cost $25 USD or more! If you're going to be spending time in Reykjavik, be sure to check out one of the free walking tours in the city. CityWalk and Free Walking Tour Reykjavik both offer fun, informative, and comprehensive free walking tours to help you get introduced to the city. A good advice is to avoid the busiest and most expensive time to travel to Iceland is in the summer months(mid-June to end of August). A great way to travel in Iceland on a budget is camping. Camping is fairly inexpensive in Iceland and is one of the best budget ways to travel around Iceland if you plan to self-drive. Budget grocery store chains we recommend in Iceland include Bonus, Netto, Kronan. Iceland is looking to potentially ban plastic bags in the future, so you can save a little money by packing a few reusable bags if you plan to do grocery shopping a lot while in Iceland. Accommodation Iceland has a wide range of different accommodation options to suit a wide spectrum of needs and budgets. Self-catering cottages are often the most comfortable accommodation options in rural Iceland. Apartments can be basic or luxurious and there is a range of options available for every budget. The apartment tends to comprise a small kitchenette, sitting area (with a TV), private bathroom and bed, if looking to save money by eating in the apartment on some nights. The best accommodation for you depends entirely on what you seek to get out of your stay. Join us on our journey through Reykjavik and find the accommodation that suits your needs. With a stay at Rey Apartments, you'll be centrally located in Reykjavik which accommodates guests in 15 bright, modern and elegant apartments with stylish furniture and wooden floors. The apartments available are studios (for 2 guests) and one (for 3 or 4), two (for 6) and three-bedroom (for 8) apartments. They offer free Wi-Fi and a bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen (kitchenette for the studios), TV, DVD player, CD player, Wi-Fi, heating and a hairdryer. This place is 1.3 km from Vicki Maritime Museum. Guests can relax in the rooms, which open out to a balcony. Svala Apartments is perfectly located in downtown and has harbor views, free Wi-Fi and free private parking, set in Reykjavik, 700 m from Hallgrimskirkja Church. Svala Apartments consists of eight beautiful apartments. All the apartments are modern with parquet floors and feature a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge, a dining area, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with bath or shower and a hairdryer. A stovetop and toaster are also offered, as well as a kettle. The port and all attractions are within walking distance. The owners are very helpful and respond immediately to any queries. Kvosin Downtown Hotel is an old building dating back to 1900, offering modern rooms with free Wi-Fi access and Nespresso coffee machines. This stylish city-centre hotel enjoys a prime location in the historic Kirkjuvoli building, within a stone's throw of the city's parliament and Old Downtown Church. The hotel's suites are simple yet striking in their design, and typically Icelandic. Most rooms have a kitchenette with a dining area, fridge and cooking hobs. Views of the cathedral and parliament can be enjoyed from the ground-floor terrace. The hotel has 24 rooms and apartments which range from big room to biggest room. There is also the mountain suite which was inspired by Game of Thrones star and native Icelander Hafthor Bjornsson. Black Pearl Apartment Hotel is a new build design property set in a striking modern building, just 200 metres away from Reykjavik's old harbour. Perfect for visiting the rest of the island, guests can go whale-watching, fishing, horse riding or sightseeing to many of the natural wonders nearby. The hotel offers a very quiet and relaxed haven in the heart of the bustling old town centre, even though it is only a few steps away from all the shops and bars, not to mention the renowned nightlife. The suites are very nicely furnished, soundproof, and equipped with black-out curtains, heated marble floors, and free, high speed WiFi, fully-equipped kitchen with complimentary Nespresso coffee and tea, free satellite TV with a selection of international channels. If you look for a quiet place, Old Charm Reykjavik Apartments with its self-catering and self-check-in designed apartments combining old charm with modern, including free of charge WiFi access and a fully equipped kitchen, flat-screen TV, full-sized fridge, sink, small oven, stove top, kettle, coffeemaker, toaster, pots and pans, cutlery, plates, and glasses, will be another perfect choice. The private bathrooms include a bath or shower. Some accommodation options have a balcony or a terrace. The colorful houses are all built in the years of 1898 - 1904, renovated in 2014 reflecting the old charm of downtown Reykjavik, it combines many modern elements. Ice Apartments Reykjavik perfect for couples or families, provides bright and elegantly furnished guestrooms, featuring kitchens with refrigerators,stovetops, flat-screen televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Certain units offer views of the garden. A microwave oven, an electric kettle and dishwasher are also available. Each apartment has a sofa that can be pulled out to make a comfortable double bed. Supermarkets on a budget in Reykjavik Groceries are absolutely essential to visit if you are trying to see Iceland on a budget. If you replace daily dining out with cooking your own food for the duration of the trip, you can significantly reduce your food budget. Grocery stores in Iceland are actually super affordable places for foreigners to shop. Prices at grocery stores in Iceland are relatively similar to shopping at your average store in America or Europe and offering tons of brands everyone knows. Each store offers something a little different from the rest. All Iceland grocery stores offer fresh produce, frozen goods, and dry foods. The difference between Iceland supermarkets will be in selection, size, and price. Unlike many grocery stores in Europe, grocery stores in Iceland provide their shoppers with free bags upon checkout. You have to know there is a rule when it comes to supermarkets in Iceland, namely the rule of thumb is that the cheaper the store, the lesser the variety. Vegetarianism and veganism are increasingly popular ways of life in Iceland, and as a result, many supermarkets cater for such diets, but if anyone desire meat ask a staff because something looks like beef or pork doesn't mean it is. Icelanders have quite the adventurous palette, and puffin, whale and horse are all widely available. A good idea is to know a few words for the foodstuffs you want prior to arrival. This will shorten the time you spend shopping and thus increase the time you get to spend enjoying Iceland. If you want to get alcohol, it's best to get it at the Duty-Free shop. There are a few major supermarkets in Iceland but perhaps the most frequent is Bonus supermarket. Bonus have 31supermarkets, 19 in Reykjavik and 10 in the countryside, including a couple right in the center of the city: on Laugavegur high street and on Hallveigarstigur, so keep an eye out if you're looking to save a few bucks. You can spot a Bonus everywhere. Bonus is budget store and considered the cheapest operating around 30 stores nationwide and the stores are open on weekdays and weekends and operate under a yellow banner showing an obese cheeky piggy bank. Unfortunately, however, they close sooner than most supermarkets, usually at 18:30. You can find vegan brands such as Anamma, Beyond Meat and Toflurky. Kronan is a budget store that is the closest competitor to Bonus and also considered among the cheapest and offers a considerably larger variety of food items, including an impressive selection of organic and preservative-free groceries. They have a bigger selection – especially when it comes to fresh meat and fish, a big health section that will serve many people with dietary restrictions well (no gluten, no preservatives, etc. ) and the store in Grandi, at least, has served the vegan community very well. Their logo is a smiling yellow colored orange. They usually close a little later than Bónus, at 20:00 or 21:00. Bernhoftsbakari is a family business and one of Reykjavik's treasures that has served downtown Reykjavik residents and visitors with cakes, breads and pastries since 1834. Bernhoftsbakari has been recognized for its quality products, and won the “Cake of the Year 2011” contest in Iceland. Everything is created by hand at this bakery. The Bernhoftsbakari sells a wide range of rolls and types of bread made from wheat, multigrain, spelt and rye. Many types of bread have a rather soft consistency, which is customary in the country. In the refrigerated counter, there are various, richly topped breads, for example with cheese or salami. Another typical feature of Iceland is the cheese loop, a kind of elongated bun with a layer of cheese folded into it. Croissants made from shortcrust pastry with cheese and ham are also popular. Baked goods such as donuts, donuts, or Kleinur are also very popular and are always very fresh in the bakery. The yeast dough rolls are huge and coated with chocolate or brown, pink or white icing. They are open from Mo–Fr from 7.30–18, Sat and Sun. 8 am-5pm. Kolaportio is the biggest flea market in Iceland opened every weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00–17:00 and is located downtown by the Reykjavik harbor. It is a great place to buy strange Icelandic delicacies in the food section. The place is excellent for bargains, rare treats and lots of fun. A place where people of all ages gather in a large number of locals and tourists come for the mix of lively atmosphere and finding some rare items for sale, strolling around where diverse stalls fill almost every inch inside the huge space. Stalls filled with old vinyls, CD's, movies, second-hand clothes, shoes, jewellery and antique furniture and even new designs by young Icelandic designers can be found. Netto is another one of the budget grocery stores in Iceland and it is quite large that sells more than just groceries and opened up quite a lot of shops around the country. The stores are open both on weekdays and weekends. Some of the stores here in Reykjavik are open 24/7 and they deliver if you order online. Aside from the basic commodities, the shop also sells boards, games, and yarn, as well vegan foods. You'll find vegan cheese, veggie sausages (bulsur), non-dairy milk and cream, sweets, frozen foods, and more. Hagkaup is a supermarket icon that has a wide range of goods, from cheap clothes and cosmetics to a large selection of food items. Food is much more expensive at Hagkaup supermarkets in Iceland than the budget shops, but they are open 24 hours a day which is great if you need to make a run and all the other grocery stores are closed. They also have their own clothing section, F&F that offers a range of clothes in all kinds of sizes. It is important to the company that the customer's shopping trip is pleasant and to offer the best possible prices. 10-11 is the most expensive chain of supermarkets and they offer a limited selection of products at higher prices. Shopping at 10-11 stores will add at least 50% to your grocery bill. It's open 24/7 and most convenient to visit for a quick purchase of random items, grabbing snacks when in a hurry. The stores are also located at convenient locations like the airport and right outside downtown hostels that may lure tourists who do not know about budget shops in Iceland. If you are a budget traveller, this is not the place for you. So once again, you don’t want to fall into the tourist traps and you should only visit if you're in desperate need for something small and simple in the middle of the night. Sandholt Reykjavik is where you should go, not just for fresh bread, fresh baguettes, croissants, pastries and sandwiches, but also to drink your cafe, and they offer light meals and snacks. You shouldn't miss delicious soup called Svarta Kaffid, which is served in a sourdough bread. The bakery has been operated since 1920, and owned by the same family from the beginning. This local Icelandic bakery has been producing some of the yummiest treats for four generations. Brauo & co is a modern bakery chain loved by locals and tourists alike. Darkly crusted and deeply flavored loaves at Brauo & co (Bread & co), located in the centre of the capital. The organic sourdough breads are more nutritional and last longer and you will find their bread at most supermarkets. Made with local, high-fat butter Agust and his crew make no compromises in their effort to deliver top-notch croissants, Danish and the fantastically rich cinnamon rolls. They open at 06:00 every day and often the baked goods are still warm when they go over the counter. They import their flour from Denmark and use other really good ingredients. Everything you get there is great—it doesn't matter what you get. As a note for you, follow some rules when shopping. Know what you want, don't buy something random, go off-list, or get something you only kind of like just because the price is right. Stick to your list and set a general budget. A brilliant hack is to use baskets and not a grocery cart. It will help you stick to your budget. Restaurants It is true that Reykjavik offers numerous restaurants and alternatives of a level (but watch your wallet), but most smaller towns might have only a few at most. The good news for budget travelers is that fast-food options are more plentiful, and self-catering is even cheaper and easier.The important thing is not to be persuaded to try the whale, for which Iceland is infamous for hunting, but which mostly feeds the mouths of tourists (75% of Icelanders don't even touch it). Going out to eat in Iceland, a meal for two people can cost upwards of $50. There are so many ingredients and products in Iceland that aren't used elsewhere, so it's a true adventure to eat there. Unlike much of the world, Iceland has managed to keep its businesses open throughout this time of COVID-19, including restaurants. Discover our affordable list restaurants during your stay in Iceland's capital. Old Iceland Restaurant is a family-run restaurant that focuses mainly on serving local Icelandic fish and meat dishes, garnished with a selection of wild-growing Icelandic herbs and seasonal vegetables. This is definitely a place to drop by and enjoy some of the best lamb dishes in town. A warm and cozy environment makes the food and drink experience unique at Old Iceland restaurant. Meals are absolutely delicious, well balanced flavours of all ingredients and absolutely on point! They are open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 17:30 - 22:00. Kol restaurant is a must for foodies and describes itself as a 'casual fine dining restaurant with a big bar. The delicious, distinctive seafood dishes from the most skilled chefs in Iceland, the design is a combination that divides the restaurant into spaces containing comfortable leather sofas, and on a variety of different tables. Their inviting elegant decor and space sets up the perfect ambiance to sit and talk with your friends while enjoying an amazing meal. The cuisine is classic and offers a variety of starters, salads, fish, steaks, desserts, burgers, lamb or beef, seafood such as cod and salmon, and classic starters such as risotto, oysters or foie gras. The restaurant is on two floors with an open kitchen and a wieldy bar and the interior is designed with a modern Icelandic style. They also serve high quality craft cocktails. Our recommendation is to make a reservation for dinner. A perfect place where you can sip probably the best coffee is at Reykjavik Roasters served by award-winning Baristas. The coffee company was founded by a few young kids, but then a guy named Torfi Torfason took it to another level. The cafe offers a cosy and somewhat quirky atmosphere and it is a great place to stop to have an early-bird cup of quality coffee before you head down-town. KAFFITAR is a mini-chain of specialty coffee cafes in Reykjavik with seven locations around the city, five cafes and two bakeries with cozy atmosphere, direct trade specialty coffee and artisan breads, pastries and cakes, vegan burger options are handmade daily and tourists and locals enjoy quality coffee in comfortable surroundings. They have an impressive range in the selection of coffee and the quality of the green beans. Also offers soy and oat milk at no extra cost. Open Mon-Tue 11:30am-10:00pm, Thu-Sun 11:30am-10:00pm. Closed Wed. The idea for the Flame Veitingahus restaurant is inspired by the Japanese cuisine Teppanyaki literally means iron fried, and the technique lives up to the name and is at the same time the first Icelandic Teppanyaki place to open in Iceland. Professional Teppanyaki chefs will cook in front of you with the freshest ingredients from the locals. 32-seat custom-made Teppanyaki table, one of the largest cooking tables in Iceland. Icelandic Street Food is also the name of a small restaurant in the centre of town, where you can find traditional meat soup, fish soup and fish stew. If you go to Icelandic Street Food, order some fascinating shrimp soup. It is known to have good service and a friendly team, always ready to help. You can expect a decent price at this restaurant. All the soups are available in a bread bowl with—wait for it—unlimited refills! Iceland prides itself on the quality of its lamb and fish, so kjotsupa and fiskisupa are safe bets. If you'd like to try affordable local food, and you're very, very hungry, this is the spot. Reykjavik Meat is a steakhouse in downtown Reykjavik serving high-end grilled beef steaks, the excellent beef carpaccio, the truffle marinated steak, flavourful lamb, and delicious side dishes for every taste, as well as fish and vegan options. With its friendly warm atmosphere, stylish interior and decoration you will feel like home. Steak sizes can vary, so ask the waiter about steak sizes available, because from beginning to end, it is like a fantastic journey of flavours, aromas and textures. Kitchen opening hours: open every weekday from 11:30-14 and 17:30 to 23. The kitchen closes at 22. On weekends it is open from 17:30 to 01. The kitchen closes at 23. Forrettabarinn (Starters Restaurant & Bar) is the perfect restaurant for anyone whose favorite part of the meal is beef Carpaccio, Caprese salad, smoked salmon with potato rosti, desserts of various sizes. The menu focuses on fresh, Icelandic ingredients with a Southern European influence. It also offers a range of vegetarian dishes and a choice of four-course set meals. Be sure you don't miss the happy hour from 16–19 every day with special offers on draft beers and the house wines. The bar opened in 2011 and is now run by Robert Olafsson. If you wish to book a table for groups with more than 8 people, you must contact the restaurant before you head to it. ROK Restaurant is a wonderful, rustic icelandic fine casual restaurant focusing on serving high quality food in a friendly relaxed environment. What's more exciting, you can enjoy Icelandic food under a turf roof. Rok offers classics from beef pancakes and seafood to fish pie and cured lamb. As this restaurant is very busy, reservations are recommended. Despite its small size, this cozy little restaurant is easy to spot, thanks to its black paint and green turf roof–you can even see it from the church's main entrance! Public House Gastropub is a perfect happy hour place, unique, fun,cozy,original and tasty. The restaurant and pub are specialized in gourmet mini-dishes with a Japanese influence and provide high quality food using quality fresh ingredients. Public House Gastropub opens every day at 11:30 and closes at 01:00. The kitchen is open from 11:30-23:00 every day. You can find different group menus to enjoy, and every weekend you can enjoy the delicious Bottomless Brunch, a concept of choosing unlimited dishes and drinks from 12:00 to 15:00. The only rule is that you can only order two at a time. Choose from a selection of various appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers and wraps. Feature dishes like Baja Fish Tacos, Perogies, Poutine, Smokey Avocado Veggie Wrap and our Public House Signature Burger are all house favourites. Open 7 days a week and open late. Devito's Pizza provides catering for just about any size event. If you're looking for a place that is a little less expensive that the kids will enjoy, Devito's Pizza could be the answer. You will be offered such food as tasty Pepperoni, anchovy and pork at affordable prices. The pizzas are made New York-style with a thinner crust but not paper thin. All the food is homemade, free delivery and no minimum! Give them a try, you will not be disappointed! They are the perfect treat to get as a takeaway and enjoy in the comfort of your home. Potturinn & Pannan is a family friendly restaurant and a traditional Icelandic restaurant in Reykjavik, Iceland that offers delicious food in a relaxed family style atmosphere and reasonable prices (for Iceland) and has gained popularity over the years for convenient service and delicious refreshments. Potturinn & Pannan serves a large variety of food from lunch time to evenings. Every day of the week. Try good mixed seafood, seafood tagliatelle and grilled lamb. Here you will be able to order tasty chocolate souffles, creme brulee and ice cream. Potturinn og Pannan has delicious house wine or good beer among its drinks. You will hardly forget great coffee that you can order. Apotek Restaurant welcomes you in a unique interior that is a mix of a gastropub with a warm and modern setting where leather, gold chandeliers, wine bottles, wood racks and metal chairs are part of your fine dinner. This great restaurant is casual-smart, offering delicious food in a vibrant atmosphere and stylish surroundings that used to be the pharmacy of Reykjavik. The Duck and Waffles is definitely a good choice if you don't know what to pick. The menu is a fun mix of Icelandic and European cuisine with a smoking hot Argentinean grill. The dress code is smart-casual, with a stylish and elegant decor and a vibrant atmosphere. To ensure a table, make reservations online via their website. Tourist attractions Iceland, an island of fire and ice, has become one of the top destinations in the world, not only with adventurers looking for thrills, but also nature lovers who want something different for their holidays. Here you will discover its untouched nature, exotic and mystical, active volcanoes and lava fields, geysers rising to the sky, hot springs, glaciers, ice fields and fjords, with stormy waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and magical lakes. Iceland is resting on the edge of the Arctic Circle, and is located on one of the most volcanic areas in the world. During the winter months, from October to April, sunlight is almost non-existent, leaving the place of Aurora Borealis, a kaleidoscope of colors spread across the dark winter sky, an exceptional phenomenon that should not be missed, being one of the most spectacular natural phenomena on Earth. The spectacle of celestial lights takes place in the polar region. The northern lights are among the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. Auroras are related to the solar wind, a stream of ions that radiate from the sun. These particles become innate in the earth's magnetic field and collide with atmospheric molecules, causing energy explosions, which appear as large circles around the poles. This spectacular spectacle of natural light is best admired in remote places and is especially impressive in times of increasing solar activity. The northern lights appear in the magnetic polar regions of the northern and southern hemispheres, and their color can range from white, green, pink to purple. Their colors depend on and are influenced by ionized elements. The most common auroral colour is a yellowish-green, caused by oxygen molecules located approximately 96 km (60 miles) above the earth. Blue or purple-red auroras are created by nitrogen, and though rare, all-red auroras are produced by oxygen at a high altitude, at heights of up to 321 km (200 miles). Icelandic Phallological Museum first opened in August 1997, where after six years, it was attracting up to 5000 visitors annually. The museum is referred to as "Iceland's Penis Museum," housing a collection of 280 specimens including penises from seals, whales, land mammals, Icelandic elves and trolls as well as a human penis. The Blue Whale penis is the largest exhibition, measuring an incredible 170 cm (67 in) in length and weighing 70 kilograms (150 lb). The baculum—aka, the penile bone—of a hamster is the museum's tiniest specimen, measuring only 2 mm and requiring a magnifying glass to see. If you want to leave with a memory, you can also purchase some penis as a souvenir, as a reminder the day you visited the penis museum forever. The museum is every day from 10 AM–7 PM. The National Museum of Iceland is the best way to learn about the history of a city, life and culture of Icelanders. The permanent exhibition of the National Museum of Iceland consists of approximately 3,000 artifacts including medieval, agricultural and navigational tools, ancient sculptures and Viking relics., including cultural heritage from early time to modern time, such as art and crafts, tools and furniture, archaeological remains, but also many religious-related exhibits. exhibits showcase some of the jewelry and daily necessities used by Icelanders in ancient times, reflecting their superb skills. Such as fine-toothed combs, necklaces made of amber and dyed pebbles, and so on. One of the themes in Viking lifestyle exhibiting simple equipment not much different from Iron Age settlements with tools for ploughing fields, constructing turf houses, various grinding stones for preparing grain before baking, bronze house keys and cooking implements, Viking age bone hair combs, beaded bracelets and armbands. For more you should discover by yourself. Perlan is a museum and rotating glass dome that stands on top of Oskjuhlid Hill in Reykjavik. The site is built on top of six water tanks that together store 24 million litres of Reykjavik's hot water. The museum is interactive and worth a visit where you can enjoy with your family. It is the only museum in the world with an advanced cooling system that keeps the temperature above -10 ° inside the cave. The ice cave is over 100 meters long ice tunnel, built from 350 tons of snow and ice, where visitors are offered a glance into the past, present and future of Iceland's glaciers. Right next to the ticket office at the entrance you will find Iceland's first and only planetarium, with comfortable seats where you will follow the voice of Arora, the goddess of dawn and the Northern Lights, on their journey through time and space. You can't miss the fourth floor, where you will find a large observation deck with an incredible 360-degree view of all of Reykjavík and the surrounding area. Hallgrimskirkja is a Lutheran Church and has been voted both the ugliest and one of the most beautiful houses of worship in the world. The church encases a colossal pipe organ, standing at an enormous 15m tall and weighing an incredible 25 tons and contains over 5,000 pipes, creating tones that fill the majestic building from top to bottom. Facing the church is a big statue of Viking explorer Leifur Eiriksson, said to be the first European to land in America. Hallgrimskirkja Church is open every day 9-21 from May to September, and 9-17 from October to April. We recommend going up to the church tower, since the view is breathtaking and interesting to see Reykjavik from that high up. Sun Voyager is a sculpture that is an ode to the sun and that it says it is haunting. The sculpture thought is an interpretation of a Viking warship or longboat, but the artist had in his thoughts a dreamboat, a magical vessel to free his mind to take him on epic journeys towards the sun. Sun Voyager is an ode to the Norse Goddess Sunna or Sol. Sunna is female, while her brother Mani, is the God of the moon. The sculpture was designed by the artist Jon Gunnar Arnason a mechanic, who left a successful career as a mechanic in his early career to become an artist. Reykjavik Maritime Museum is located by the old harbour in Reykjavik, an harbour museum exploring Iceland's dramatic relationship with the sea. Displaying the nations 150 years of fisheries the exhibition spans the cod war, the lost men at sea and so much more. Artefacts and hands-on exhibitions will fascinate all ages, not least the opportunity to explore the 900-ton coast guard ship, Odin. If you need to know more about it, you can take a tour of the old Coast Guard ship Odin, which is docked right next to the museum. Saga museum has its share of legends from the time of its founding, has different recreations from the time of the settlers, famous stories from the Icelandic sagas with life-size sculptures. The museum is situated in the corner of the old harbor in Reykjavik. Iceland's legends are about Vikings, guaranteed to be bloody and exciting. To recreate these historical moments, life-like replicas of historical Icelandic figures have been created, based on descriptions found in the Viking sagas and chronicles. All wooden artifacts have been treated in a way that both enhances their appearance and makes them look genuinely old. Visitors are guided through the museum with an audio-guide available in English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Swedish or Icelandic. Iceland is nicknamed as "Land of Fire and Ice", because of its long history of eruptions at volcanoes with tongue-twisting names-Eyjafjallajokull. The Volcano House It was established in 2011 to give visitors a glimpse of the reality of volcanic and seismic living in Iceland,in Reykjavik. The museum features exhibitions on Iceland's geological history as well as a collection of volcanic rocks, many different mineral samples, lava, pumice and ash from famous eruptions. The museum also has ash from the many different eruptions of various volcanoes around Iceland over the years. You can touch pretty much everything and feel the differences between the various sediments. The entrance is about $20 USD to visit the museum and watch the documentary on the history of volcanic activity in Iceland. The Volcano House also has a small cinema in which an insightful documentary film is shown in English every day - first show is at 10 am, the last one at 9 pm and every show lasts one hour. Einar Jonsson was one of Iceland's first major sculptors, laying the groundwork for much Icelandic sculpture. In 1909, he offered his works as a gift to the Icelandic people, on the condition that a gallery would be built to display them. The location he chose was Skolavorduhaed, a desolate hill on the outskirts of town towering above Reykjavik. Today it stands as perhaps the completest example of Jonsson's sculptural vision, and visitors can explore the full range of Jonsson's sculpture, including his monumental bronzes displayed in the purpose-built sculpture garden. The museum contains close to 300 art works spanning a 60 year career. A beautiful garden adorned with 26 bronze casts of the artist´s works is located behind the museum. The museum is open on weekdays from 8.00 to 16.00. Contact the office for information about group visits. Iceland is surrounded by the ocean, offering many opportunities for whale watching. Excursions offer ascending encounters with humpback whales and minke(Minke whales are the most common great whale in Iceland's waters). Humpback whales are basically the attention-seeking divas of the whale world and for their acrobatic behavior. Whale watching is as essential a part of any trip to Iceland as seeing the Northern Lights, Hot Springs, and Glaciers. You'll probably see other wildlife on tour, such as dolphins and orcas. Seeing the whales and dolphins of Iceland is a mesmerizing and rewarding experience, and there are a wealth of places from which to do it. From May to August, about 30,000 puffins breed on nearby islands near Reykjavik. During a whale watching tour, you can admire them fishing in the open sea. Tours depart from Reykjavik and various other locations around Iceland all year. One of Iceland's natural riches is the hot springs. Obviously, they are captured and used for heating, for the production of electricity, but probably their most appreciated use is to take a bath and the best known is Blue Lagoon. It has become famous due to the fact that water contains silicon, sulfides and some algae and that it would be good for all kinds of diseases, some skin, especially psoriasis. But The Blue Lagoon is one of the biggest tourist traps in Iceland and if you are on a budget, you have to pay EUR 55 for the privilege and it's packed with hundreds of other tourists. But instead you can visit some of Iceland's many municipal pools. You'll find clean facilities and warm swimming pools with hot tubs galore. Everything is heated geothermally and they're a very social place to hang out with locals. You can choose between Laugardalslaug in Reykjavik and Hvolsvollur Sundlaugar. You will pay 6£ per adult and the kids are free, a great low-cost activity in Iceland. If Reykjavik is on your bucket list, your expectations will not be deceived but rewarded, once you have discovered bits and pieces of the magic of this land. We tried to provide some of the perfect places to take a break, recharge, because Reykjavik is insanely cool, with fantastic modern architecture and great natural wonders nearby. Let us know your opinion! 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