Whale watching is a pretty popular activity in Iceland. In Husavik and Reykjavik, boat tours seeking whales, dolphins, and puffins are commonplace. So, we did what the tourists do and spent Sunday whale watching in Reykjavik.
Where to take a whale watching tour in Reykjavik
There is a long pier down by the harbour where all the boats have offices and sell tickets for their tours. Besides whale watching and puffin hunting, you can also book a “Northern Lights” tour. The problem with that is, if it’s cloudy, as it often was for us, you aren’t going to see those lights on land or a boat. But people will pay, so they have the tour.
For a small city, Reykjavik street art is plentiful. Some of it is more commercial than others, but there’s a large variety and it makes it fun to explore the downtown. From murals to store decorations to statues and sculptures, there’s something new around every corner.
I read that a lot of the street art was supported in conjunction with the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival, trying to bring another component to the concerts they throw annually. It’s not all modern graffiti in Reykjavik. There’s a mix with some historic and old art in the streets of Iceland’s major metropolis. We learned about some of this Reykjavik street art on the walking tour, and some we found on our own.
SCULPTURES and statues
The sculptures and statues offer a glimpse into Reykjavik’s history and humor.
The statue of Skúli Magnússon, known as the father of Reykajvik, is prominently placed in the main square of the city.
The father of Reykjavik
Memorial to the Unknown Bureaucrat in Reykjavik
The Memorial to the Unknown Bureaucrat is a satirical tribute to all the thankless servants by Magús Tómasson.
For a small city, there are tons of eating options in Reykjavik. Even the “budget” meals are not cheap, though, so it’s worth it to choose wisely or stop worrying about costs. Here are my tips on eating and drinking in Reykjavik.
Like to try the food when you travel? Check out my food guides for Bonaire and Puerto Rico!
Fish & Chips
Seafood is big in Iceland – you can get fish stew in many places, and fish and chips is a hot item. Near the harbour in Reykjavik, there are 2 top options right across the street from one another. We headed that way on Saturday because our guide book recommended one which looked too stuffy and was empty, so we went into the hipper looking Reykjavik Fish. Not cheap, but delicious.
Outside Reykjavik Fish
We both went for the combo #1 – Fish and Chips with one sauce and a draft beer for $32 KR. You can also order a la carte but we went for the shebang. The fish was really lightly battered and delicate, and delicious. Viking beer is the basic Icelandic lager which tastes perfectly fine. Fries were OK.
Fish and Chips and a Viking Beer at Reykjavik Fish
Reykjavik Fish is big, clean and Nordic looking on the inside. You order at the front and they bring it to your table when it’s ready. It’s a much nicer looking place than your typical casual dining spot back home, but you’re also paying way more! But when in Iceland… I imagine the prices were similar across the street.
Inside Reykjavik Fish
Hot Dogs
Another ubiquitous Icelandic dish, the hot dog is much sweeter here than back home. I am having a hard time with this one; Brian likes it more than I do. These are available at N1 gas stations around the country, and are a relatively cheap meal option (still about $6 Canadian!).
Early yesterday morning we dropped off our campervan at CampEasy and our bags at our Reykjavik hotel. What to do to get a first taste of a new city? We like to go on walking tours! The good news is City Walks Iceland puts on free walking tours of the city centre every day so we booked the free Reykjavik walking tour for 1:30PM.
The tour was great! Sara, our guide, is a local and a historian – she studied with Iceland’s president, so pretty good credentials. She was entertaining and told some really fun and interesting stories about the city and country.
about Reykjavik
It’s a very charming little city, and reminds me of a smaller Halifax. The buildings are low and colorful, and there are cool sculptures and street art all over the place. There’s also a lot of construction, as the city grows.
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