It is called the world's northernmost capital of the country, the name is translated as "smoking bay", and more than half of the entire population of the state lives here. And this city is considered the cleanest on the planet and was once ranked first among the richest in the world. We are talking about the capital of Iceland, named by UNESCO as a city of literature. Going on a tour to Reykjavik means walking around the European capital up or down in a couple of days, seeing whales in coastal waters with your own eyes, drinking a pint of beer in an ice-cold bar, in the literal sense of the word, and trying to understand why Bjork writes this kind of music. However, no guidebook can guarantee that the last item on this list will be fulfilled.
History with geography
Norwegian and Celtic settlers flocked to Iceland in the 9th century, and it was then that the first farm was built on the peninsula where Reykjavik is now located. It was named Smoky Bay because of the large number of hot springs that throw steam into the sky in front of the amazed new-born Icelanders.
In the 13th century, the city actively traded not only with the Hanseaticans and Norwegians, but also with England, but four centuries later it was robbed by Berber pirates. The impetus for the revival and further development was the founding of woolen workshops and the subsequent independence of the island from Denmark.
Land of White Nights
Despite its fairly northerly location, the city is ready to offer the participants of tours to Reykjavik a very comfortable weather. In winter, it is extremely rarely colder here - 10, the reason for which is the warm Gulf Stream, washing the island. The water in the bay never freezes for the same reason. In summer, thermometers fluctuate around +23, and the least precipitation falls in the Icelandic capital in June-July.
Located near the Arctic Circle, the city is famous for its white nights. In the summer months, the evening dawn almost turns into morning, which makes the dark time of the day very short. The polar day is replaced by a long night in winter, and the daylight hours in December do not exceed three hours.
Useful little things
- Among the city attractions of the Icelandic capital is its 18th century cathedral. To a sophisticated tourist, the church may seem a rather gray and uninteresting structure, but Icelanders are very proud of it.
- You can and should bring lovely hand-knitted wool products with national ornaments from the tour to Reykjavik. Jewelry made from local silver is also in great demand among guests.
- Icelandic stew is best ordered in establishments where locals gather. There, the soup turns out to be especially rich, and the portion size differs from tourist restaurants for the better.
