Things to do in Iceland, Reykjavik

New Years Eve in the capital of Iceland, the main landmarks and the Northern Light.

This is the first of four posts about my trip to Iceland, I spent there 10 days in December 2018. In this post, I will describe Reykjavik, the main landmarks and how felt when I was there. In the other posts, I will talk about the excursions I did, the Golden Circus, the Reykjanes peninsula, and the south coast with the black sand beach.

I participated in a volunteer work camp in Reykjavik and we celebrated New Year’s Eve there together with the other volunteers. I did some excursions to get to know the island. Iceland is an amazing place, nature at its best, here is where I started to practice photography and since then I never stopped.

Iceland

Iceland, known as "The Land of Fire and Ice," is a captivating island nation located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It's renowned for its stunning natural beauty and unique geological features.

Iceland boasts a striking juxtaposition of active volcanoes and sprawling glaciers. With a population known for its warmth and resilience, Iceland has also preserved a rich cultural heritage steeped in ancient sagas and modern creativity. From cascading waterfalls to vibrant cities, Iceland offers an unparalleled blend of natural wonders and vibrant culture that mesmerized me and for sure all the people who visit it.

Reykjavik

Perched along the southwestern coast of Iceland, Reykjavik stands as the vibrant heart of this island nation. As the world's northernmost capital, it marries a cosmopolitan atmosphere with the awe-inspiring beauty of its natural surroundings. With its colourful houses, contemporary architecture, and bustling arts scene, Reykjavik offers a blend of modernity and tradition. The city is also a gateway to Iceland's wealth of geological wonders, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the country's stunning landscapes. From its lively streets to its picturesque waterfront, Reykjavik is a captivating destination that harmonizes urban vitality with the raw, elemental forces that define Iceland.

One of the things that I liked about Reykjavik is the streets that go down to the waterfront and looks like that brings you directly to the ocean. In the picture above the buildings lead you to the ocean and the mountains which for me is amazing, and in winter with the snow is even more beautiful.

Reykjavik in winter is not as cold as you could think, because of the Gulf Stream that gives relatively warm winters to the south coast of the island. Anyway, it was windy, especially outside of the city, and this made the perceived temperature colder.

To have a view of the city from above we went to the Perlan, a former cluster of hot water tanks situated on a hill that now hosts exhibitions, and has an observation deck and a restaurant. From there is possible to have a 360-degree view of the city. Hallgrimskirkja church is very visible from there, it is by far the tallest building in the city.

Hallgrimskirkja

Hallgrímskirkja, a towering masterpiece of modern architecture, graces the skyline of Reykjavik. This iconic Lutheran church is a testament to both faith and artistic vision. Its soaring spire punctuates the cityscape, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Inside, a sense of tranquillity envelops visitors, inviting contemplation and reflection. Hallgrímskirkja stands not only as a place of worship but also as a symbol of Iceland's enduring spirit and its fusion of tradition with contemporary expression. With its distinctive profile and spiritual resonance, this cathedral is a cornerstone of Reykjavik's cultural and architectural legacy.

The design resembles the trap rocks, mountains and glaciers of Iceland's landscape. Here you can see pictures from one of the most famous beaches in Iceland, the black sand beach in Vik, and there you can recognise this pattern. 

In front of Hallgrimskirkja, there is the main street of the city centre, on New Year's Eve, we were here for the countdown and the fireworks, the square was full of people shooting the fireworks and celebrating, there we knew other people and with them, we moved to several places enjoying different parties.

Sun voyager

The Sun Voyager, or "Sólfar" in Icelandic, is a captivating sculpture adorning the waterfront of Reykjavik. Crafted in stainless steel, its sleek, ship-like form seems to sail towards the horizon, capturing the essence of adventure and exploration. This iconic piece of art pays homage to the boundless possibilities that lie beyond the sea, while also symbolizing the enduring spirit of the Icelandic people. As the sun casts its golden light upon the sculpture, it becomes a beacon of hope and inspiration, inviting people to embark on their journeys of discovery. The Sun Voyager stands as a poignant reminder of the adventurous soul that beats within the heart of Iceland.

On the waterfront where the Sun Voyager is located is possible to have a nice short walk with an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean, one of my favourite places in the city. In winter the weather is not the best and I think you can’t appreciate this as it’s best this sculpture because the daylight is short, all the pink clouds are because it is sunset, at 3 pm.

Icelanders say: "If you don't like the Icelandic weather wait 5 minutes". As visible also in the picture, this is quite true, on that day in half an hour the weather changed from sunny to cloudy to rainy, and after to sunny again. 

Harpa

Harpa, an architectural gem nestled along the coast of Reykjavik, Iceland, is a testament to modern design and cultural significance. Its striking glass façade, reminiscent of the facets of crystalline basalt columns, reflects the surrounding landscapes and dancing northern lights. This world-class concert hall and conference centre serves as a hub for artistic expression, hosting a myriad of performances and exhibitions that span genres and disciplines. With its innovative design and dedication to the arts, Harpa stands as a symbol of Iceland's dynamic and thriving cultural scene. From the gleaming glass exterior to the vibrant creative energy within, Harpa is a beacon of cultural richness in the heart of Reykjavik.

Harpa was one of the main things I wanted to visit, it is not far from the Sun Voyager, and because it started raining it was the perfect place to go for shelter. It was also a very good photo opportunity, that glass facade was very inspiring.

In front of the Harpa, there is a sculpture of the cellist Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, it's surrounded by a hot water pond and it was nice to play with reflections and the clouds that were colouring everything in pink.

Northern Light

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a natural phenomenon characterized by colourful, dancing lights that appear in the Earth's polar regions. This stunning display is caused by the interaction between charged particles from the sun (solar wind) and the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.

When these charged particles collide with gas molecules in the upper atmosphere, such as oxygen and nitrogen, they emit light of various colours, most commonly green and pink. The specific colours depend on the type of gas and altitude of the collision.

The Northern Lights are typically visible in high-latitude regions, closer to the Earth's magnetic poles, such as in Iceland, Norway, Canada, and Alaska. They are most commonly seen during the winter months, particularly on clear, nights away from city lights.

I think that witnessing the Northern Lights is a truly mesmerizing and awe-inspiring experience, and I think that at least once in a lifetime you have to attend. As a photographer is a dream to be able to shoot a good picture of the northern light.

Of course, with the other volunteers, we went one evening for an aurora hunting excursion outside the city. We went away from the city to have as little light pollution as possible, but we didn't see it, because it was cloudy and the northern light was behind the clouds.

We tried to take some pictures because a camera can photograph a northern light even if you can’t see it, but in the end, we just experimented with night photography. I was putting the camera on the ground trying to point to the sky, and I was getting light drawings with long exposure shots.

On the last night, we tried to see the northern light going to Reykiavik’s harbour, the darkest part of the city, it is visible also from the city if you go in a dark area, but the bad weather was again against us. In the end, I didn’t see it and of course, I don’t have a picture of it, but the trip to Iceland was amazing, I liked Raykiavik, it is a very dynamic and livable city, and in the next posts you will be able to have a taste of Icelandic nature, starting with the Golden Circle.