Reykjavik

Iceland ranked fourth in a survey conducted to evaluate the general happiness of a people. Who wouldn’t be happy there? In Reykjavik, Iceland, almost every other person owns a car of some sort; without the city suffering serious congestion problems. The people are free by the truest sense of the word – a democracy without compromising safety – the crime rate is low. Unemployment is low. Literacy is high – almost a hundred percent. And until the late 2000s recession, the city is a thriving financial district. What is even better is that the city is surrounded by vistas of ice-capped mountains, beaches and rust-red craters.

Places to Visit

There are a lot of places throughout Reykjavik that you can visit to immerse yourself in their rich culture. You can visit the “Culture House” to view historical treasures such as traditional Icelandic literature in their original manuscripts. You can also drop by the Reykjavik Open Air Museum, a municipal museum, and the Reykjavik Museum of Photography for other interesting Icelandic-culture tidbits.

While Iceland has plenty of cultural attractions, ecotourism is the main thing that draws tourists from all over the world. When you visit the city, rent an SUV and drive around to look at volcanic craters in the area. Take a look at hiking trails in order to have better plans for your backpacking activities, so that you won’t risk being stuck in an isolated place at nighttime. You can also visit Heiomork, the largest nature reserve in the vicinity.

Things to do

Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon, a spa which is heated by geothermal steam. The sulfuric smell takes some getting used to, but it is worth it. The Ellioa river that passes through the city is a great fishing site. Go have some fun fishing for salmon.

At nighttime, when you think the whole city is about to go to sleep, witness the city’s party district come to life. Icelanders party after midnight and until 5 AM, so you have plenty of time to mingle with the locals, and other tourists.

This list could get you started on your Reykjavik, Iceland adventure. However, there are still tons of things to do out there. The fun is in discovering what those things are.

Reykjavik