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HallgrimskirkjaCity/Region: Reykjavik
This landmark church, the tallest building in Iceland, dominates the city from its highest point and is visible on a sunny day from up to 10 miles (16km) away. Named after 17th century Icelandic poet, hymn composer and clergyman, Hallrimur Petursson, the church's unusual design represents volcanic basalt columns flanking its towering steeple. It took nearly 40 years to build the edifice, which was finally completed in 1986. In front of the church stands a statue of Leif Eriksson, donated
to Iceland by the United States.
Address: You can find it at the end of the Skólavörðustígur
Phone Number: 510 1000
Hours: Daily, 9am to 5pm
Admission: Kr300 to access the tower viewing level
National MuseumCity/Region: Reykjavik
The recently refurbished National Museum of Iceland is the best place to become acquainted with the folklore, history and culture of this fascinating nation. The museum contains around 3,000 artifacts, including medieval settlers' tools, agricultural and nautical implements, ancient carvings and Viking relics.
Address: Suðurgötu 41. The National Museum of Iceland is in postal code 101, in the center of Reykjavik
Phone Number: 530 2200
Email Address: natmus@natmus.is
Website: www.natmus.is
Transport: Public buses no. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12 and 14 stop in front of or near the museum
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm (16 September to 30 April); daily 10am to 5pm (May to 15 September)
Admission: Kr600 (adults), Kr300 (concessions), children free. Free to all on Wednesdays
Botanical GardensCity/Region: Reykjavik
The lush, green Botanical Gardens are a haven for strollers and planted with a large collection of Icelandic indigenous plants. Besides walking trails and water features, the gardens have a greenhouse café open during the summer months, a children's park and a zoo.
Address: Laugardalur Valley 104
Phone Number: 553 8870
Email Address: botgard@rvk.is
Hours: The Botanical Gardens are open all year
Admission: Entry to the gardens is free
The Einar Jónsson MuseumCity/Region: Reykjavik
Einar Jónsson was Iceland's foremost sculptor and he himself designed and established this museum, which contains several hundred of his works spanning his 60-year career. The museum building itself is deemed to be Jónsson's largest work, and served as his home, gallery and studio. The foundation stone was laid in 1916; it was Iceland's first art museum and retains pride of place on the highest point in Reykjavik. It is adjoined by a pristine treed sculpture garden, which sports 26 bronze casts of the artist's work. There is also a museum shop selling plaster casts of Jonsson's works, books and postcards.
Address: Eiriksgata
Phone Number: 551 3797 or 561 3797
Email Address: skulptur@skulptur.is
Website: www.skulptur.is
Hours: June to September 15th, open Tuesday-Sunday 2pm to 5pm. Closed on Mondays. September 16th to May 31st, open Saturday and Sunday 2pm to 5pm. Closed in December and January
Admission: Kr400 (adults); free (children under 16)
The Blue LagoonCity/Region: Reykjavik
A favorite and unique attraction close to Reykjavik, about 30 miles (50km) south west of the city, is the man-made geothermal 'Blue Lagoon', set in a lava field, filled with mineral-rich hot water pumped from about a mile below the surface. The lagoon is flanked by a luxurious health spa where visitors come to be pampered and treated for skin ailments like eczema and psoriasis. The lagoon's surreal phosphorescent aquamarine color is caused by the therapeutic ecosystem of algae, silica and minerals in the water.
Address: 240 Grindavik, Iceland
Phone Number: 420 8817
Email Address: bluelagoon@bluelagoon.com
Website: www.bluelagoon.com
Transport: The Blueline bus company offers transport to and from the Blue Lagoon, other transport options are outlined on the official website
Hours: Open daily from 7:30am to 9pm in summer (June 1st to August 31st), and 10am to 8pm in winter (September 1st to May 31st)
Admission: Adults Kr1800 and teenagers 12 to 15 years old Kr1200. Children when accompanied by parents/guardian, free
Gullfoss FallsCity/Region: Reykjavik
Iceland's famed Gullfoss (Golden) Falls are considered to rate among the most beautiful in the world and make for a popular day trip from Reykjavik. The falls, with their awesome double-cascade, are incredibly powerful which has meant they have come under threat of being utilised as a source of hydro-electricity. Currently, however, the fantastic vista of the falls, shrouded in mist and rainbows, gushing into a canyon on the Hvita River, are safely ensconced in a national park and remain one of the country's top tourist attractions.
Address: Gullfoss National Park
Transport: There is a bus that runs daily from Reykjavic to Gullfoss. It leaves Reykjavic at 12:30 and arrives in Gullfoss at 15:15. This route only operates in the summer months from 01/06 to 31/08. Refer to http://bsi.is/schedules/thingvallaleidsumar2007.htm for details
GeysirCity/Region: Reykjavik
The weird landscape of the Haukadalur valley in Iceland's southern lowlands, where hot springs spout and mud pots bubble, has been dominated for centuries by the 'granddaddy' of all geysers, the Great Geysir, from which all other such phenomena around the world have gained their name. The Geysir, once shooting boiling water hundreds of feet into the air, has reduced its performance levels somewhat in modern times, but is nevertheless still an impressive sight when it occasionally erupts. The rest of the thermal area, bathed in a sulphuric smell, is just as fascinating, featuring several other spouting vents and geysers which frequently display their prowess. The Geysir area has become a great tourist attraction and a center has been opened containing a multi-media geology museum and folklore exhibits. There is also a hotel, souvenir shop and restaurant on site.
Address: Geysir Center, Geysir
Phone Number: 480 6800
Email Address: geysir@geysircenter.is
Website: www.geysircenter.is
Transport: Thingvallaleid offers a bus service from Reykjavik to Geysir. Return buses can only be caught the following day. Buses leave Reykjavik at 08:30am and arrive in Geysir at 10:50/11:15am.
Thingvellir National ParkCity/Region: Reykjavik
The national park of Thingvellir, 30 miles (50km) east of Reykjavik, is not only Iceland's most important historic site, but also a place of natural and geological wonder. It was here that the world's first ever parliament, the Alting, first convened in AD930, and where Christianity was first introduced to Iceland. Even today people gather at Thingvellir to celebrate any major national event. Geologically this is the only site in the world where the American and European tectonic plates are visible; there is also the largest lake in Iceland, and stunning scenery including a lava gorge, the Oxararfoss waterfall, and the 'Money Chasm' filled with spring water where visitors drop coins into the water to witness the strange distorted reflections that result.
Address: 801 Selfoss
Phone Number: 482 2660
Email Address: thingvellir@thingvellir.is
Website: www.thingvellir.is
Transport: BSI runs a daily bus service in Summer to Thingvellir from Reykjavik at 8:30am and a return service which leaves Thingvellir at 3:15pm. Consult www.bsi.is
Hours: Thingvellir National Park is open all year round. The Visitor center is open from the 1st of April to the 1st of November, everyday but only on weekends from the 1st of November to the 1st of April
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