Introduction
Reykjavik is a capital city with the feel of a small town. Brightly painted houses of corrugated iron dominate the city skyline and skyscrapers are virtually unheard of here. The buildings cluster around the Tjornin Lake, a spot that's at once tranquil and the bustling heart of the city.
From the tower at Hallgrímskirkja you can look out over the city and beyond to the rising columns of geothermal steam that earned this city the name Reykjavik, which roughly translates as, 'the bay of smoke'. For a taste of history head onto the National Museum where the Culture House exhibits beautifully illustrated sagas, vital records of the myths and legends that grew out of Iceland's ancient landscapes.
The world's most northerly capital, Reykjavik is also one of the most friendly and laidback, with award-winning restaurants and a world-famous nightlife that takes full advantage of the opportunity to party under the Midnight Sun.
One of the highlights of any stay in Reykjavik is the whale watching that can be undertaken just outside the harbour, where fin whales, humpback whales and dolphins congregate.
