Consider Reykjavik "home base" for our wedding. It is where we will depart from for the wedding ceremony / adventure and return to for dinner. We recommend booking your accommodations in Reykjavik unless you plan to travel elsewhere on your own. Reykjavik is the world’s most northerly capital, surrounded by incredible landscapes and countless natural wonders. The city center is nearby the harbor and reaches from Reykjavík’s oldest street, Aðalstræti, and the main street, Laugavegur. Discover this unique city with its modern touches amidst the Old Town Center, Parliament, the Hallgrímskirkja church and the bustling harbor area overlooking Tjörnin Lake and Esjan Mountain which rises over the city. Hofdi House is the site of the 1986 Iceland Summit where Reagan and Gorbachev met to end the Cold War. Walk to the Pearl vantage point for great views of the capital area and beyond.
There are several history museums in Reykjavík and many art museums and galleries. The National Museum has an exhibit on the history of Iceland. The Settlement Exhibition has scripts from the Icelandic Sagas and ruins from one of the first settlers, the Árbær Museum has an outdoor museum with old Icelandic buildings, and The Saga Museum includes wax figures of characters from the Icelandic Sagas. The old harbor is home of the Maritime museum, fishing boats, restaurants, and coffee houses. The National Gallery has a permanent exhibit of Icelandic art as well as shorter exhibitions by Icelandic and international artists. There are three City Museums and each emphasizes on different areas: modern art, contemporary art and sculptures. There is also a Photography Museum in the city center as well as many independent art museums and galleries, as you can see on this list. There is also a Whale Museum of Iceland, a Northern Lights Center, and an Iceland Museum at the Perlan.
From the outside, the structure and lights of the building resemble an ice formation that reflects the light and scenery around it. At night, the light show on the glass interprets the northern lights. From the inside, you'll have open views of the surrounding harbor and a chance to explore the unique architecture. There is open and free access to the building for the public and a cafe and a restaurant in the facility.
The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa in southwestern Iceland. The unique natural pool of mineral-rich geothermal water located in the middle of a lava field near Grindavík and in front of Mount Þorbjörn on Reykjanes Peninsula, in a location favorable for geothermal power, and is supplied by water used in the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power station. Geothermal seawater forms wells as deep as 6,000 feet and the water stays warm at 100-110°F throughout the year. The Blue Lagoon's warm water and natural ingredients of mineral salts, silica and blue green algae help you relax and escape. When we visited Iceland, the Blue Lagoon was our first stop even before our hotel. We landed, took the airport shuttle, and hopped off here for a 9am entry. The Blue Lagoon even has lockers for suitcases since visitors are often coming from or heading to the airport. If you're planning to make a day of it we suggest checking out Moss Restaurant with views of the geothermal spas.
At the remarkable geological and historical area of Þingvellir, visit the site of the world's oldest parliament founded in 930 AD, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the stunning canyon that runs through the park, stand on the dividing fault line between two of the earth’s tectonic plates.