Are you planning to visit the Icelandic capital during your next holiday? Excellent choice, but do you know where to stay? Here are the best places to stay in Reykjavik!
Located just above the 64th parallel north, the city of Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital, with has a subpolar climate comparable to that of southern Greenland or Patagonia. Needless to say, the weather is rather chilly around here. Renting an apartment or a hotel to stay in Reykjavik will be expensive, but Iceland, where one travels to experience its breathtaking nature or its northern lights, is worth the detour. With only 121,230 inhabitants, Reykjavik is a colourful, human-size capital whose population is known for its hospitality.
Reykjavik is not a big city, but it has much to offer to its visitors, regardless of their tastes and needs. To help you better organize your stay in Reykjavik, Traveltipy’s editors have prepared the following mini-guide to help you choose the place that suits you best.
The 101 district, Reykjavik’s historic centre
Photo credit: Flickr – Christian Barrette
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Reykjavik, nothing beats accommodation in the city centre, where everything can be done on foot while enjoying the best “spots” worthy of interest. Walk along Laugavegur Street, the main street of the Icelandic capital, lined with an array of stores, bars, restaurants, museums, and souvenir shops. Everything is nearby, and the neighbourhood has something for everyone: cultural visits, a variety of shops, and a vibrant nightlife. The 101 district is where young Reykjavikians meet to party the night away on Friday and Saturday evenings.
To the north of the district, the port is the city’s emblematic place, where fishermen have continuously performed their activities since the city was founded in the 10th century by the Vikings. Discover the famous Drakkar, and the Harpa, illuminated at night. Further south, the Lutheran church Hallgrímskirkja – which one can climb up to the top to enjoy an unobstructed view of the city – is a must, while Skólavörðustígur street is the favourite haunt of musicians performing in cafés-concerts. Home to the city’s majority of hotels, this area is a great place to stay in Reykjavik, striking the perfect balance between authenticity and modernity. Budget-wise, it won’t be cheap, so you’ll have to plan your budget accordingly if you wish to rent an apartment.
Lake Tjörnin area
Photo credit: Flickr – James Kirkus-Lamont
West of the city centre, the banks of Lake Tjörnin offer a family-friendly atmosphere for those looking to stay in Reykjavik’s calmer area. A great place to relax or stroll around and observe the ducks, gulls, geese, or swans paddle through the cold waters of the lake. This neighbourhood offers a peaceful setting between Lake Tjörnin and the large park Hljómskálagarður. Again, this is a popular area in an expensive city: accommodation rates in Tjörnin will be costly, so it’s better to travel as a group.
Main photo credit : Flickr – Matito
A comment ? Write there !
Leave a Reply