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_City Overview Reykjavik’s foundation is equally as romantic and beguiling as its location, set on the fringe of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by a lunar volcanic netherworld, with the shadowy hulk of Mount Esja in the background. Legend has it that the world’s most northerly capital was founded by a Viking called Ingólfur Arnarson. According to Iceland’s ancient Sagas, he followed the Nordic tradition of letting the gods decide the location of his new home. As he sailed towards the land, he threw two wooden pillars overboard and sent his slaves off to find out where they came ashore. After traversing the fertile south of Iceland, they expressed their disappointment on finding the pillars in the north: ‘For no good did we cross fine districts in order to settle on this remote cape’. Arnarson named the place Reykjavik (‘Smokey Bay’) after the steam rising from the hot springs. Today, these numerous geothermal springs, running beneath the city, provide almost all the heating and water in the city. The only by-product of this system is a faint odour of hydrogen sulphide, especially evident when showering. But the low level of fuel emissions gives the city clean air and crystal clear skies – when not raining. The lack of pollution is also due to the fact that the Industrial Revolution passed Reykjavik by. The city comprised of only a handful of farmhouses until the middle of the 18th century when a small trading community began to grow. It was granted a municipal charter and gradually developed as an urban centre. By the end of World War II, Iceland gained full autonomy from Denmark and Reykjavik became Iceland’s capital city. Although it still feels like a provincial town, with its low buildings and brightly painted houses, Greater Reykjavik (including the Old Town, harbour and six surrounding municipalities) is home to three out of five Icelanders and the diminutive city dominates Iceland politically, socially, economically and culturally. Since Reagan and Gorbachev played out the end game of the Cold War in Reykjavik in 1985, the city has emerged as an unlikely tourist destination. Countless travel articles are published focusing on its nefarious nightlife and thousands of tourists a year fly to the city to seek out the legendary bars and clubs. Considering that beer prohibition only ended in 1989, this is particularly impressive but the locals seem to have made up for lost time and the scene in the city centre at weekends is one of hedonistic mayhem. The city’s nightlife is perhaps fuelled by the fact that most Icelanders let go of their weekday Nordic calm and instead reveal the fiery Celtic side of the their heritage (the Vikings kidnapped many Scots and Irish on their way over), especially evident in their friendliness and openness to foreign visitors. During the day, Reykjavik is a far more sedate place with trim houses, rubbish-free streets and an easygoing pace of life. There are bountiful cultural attractions, countless cafés, six geothermal swimming baths and a myriad of day trip opportunities into the stunning hinterland. One of the most charming things about Reykjavik is that everything visitors would want to see is handily located within walking distance. Cultural festivals are also currently multiplying and maturing, as Iceland begins to establish its cultural identity. Situated in the country’s southwest corner, on Faxaflói Bay, the city has a very wet climate and with winds and rain blowing in from the sea. However, the Gulf Air Stream prevents the city from becoming as cold as its northerly location might suggest. Still, winters are long and bleak, with just four hours of daylight on some days, although the chance to view the spectacular Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights makes up for this. Summer, by contrast, brings the famed midnight sun with the city’s inhabitants at their most colourful and the streets taking on a carnival atmosphere at night. Language Icelandic is a Teutonic language of the Nordic group distantly related to Norwegian. It is believed to have changed little from the original tongue spoken by the Norse settlers. As the country only gained full independence from Denmark in 1944, Danish is still spoken among the older generation. ‘Video English’ has slipped into the slang language of the city’s younger inhabitants, although generally they have a good command of English, as it is an integral part of the schooling system. Despite this trend for foreign words, Reykjavikians are fiercely proud of their language and will always look to use an Icelandic expression or word rather than use an outside replacement: ‘computer’, for example, is tölva, a combination of the words tala (‘number’) and völva (‘sage’). Some of the Reykjavikians’ expressions seem archaic when translated, as they stem from their rural heritage – if something is ‘not much good’, it is ekki epp á marga fiska (‘not worth many fish’); and sauddrukkinn is to be ‘as drunk as a sheep’ – both colloquial expressions still used today. Phrases Yes - Já No - Nei Hello - Halló Goodbye - Bless Please - Viltu gjöra svo vel Thank you - Takk (takk fyrir) My name is … Ég heiti … How are you? - Hvernig hefurdu thad? I’m very well - Ég hef thad ágætt I feel ill - Ég er lasin How much does it cost? - Hvad kostar thetta? Do you speak English? - Talardu ensku? I don’t understand - Ég skil ekki Where is …? - Hvar er …? Entrance - Inngangur Exit - Útgangur Danger - Hætta Open - Opid Closed - Lokad Toilets - Salerni Doctor - Læknir Hotel - Hótel Restaurant - Veitingastadur Beer - Bjór Wine - Vín Menu - Matsedill Today - Í dag Tomorrow - Á morgun Monday- Mánudagur Tuesday - Thridjudagur Wednesday - Midvikudagur Thursday - Fimmtudagur Friday - Föstudagur Saturday - Laugardagur Sunday - Sunnudagur One - Einn Two - Tveir Three - Thrír Four - Fjórir Five Fimm Six - Sex Seven - Sjö Eight - Átta Nine - Níu Ten - Tíu Twenty - Tuttugu Thirty - Thrjátíu Forty - Fjörtíu Fifty - Fimmtíu Sixty - Sextíu Seventy - Sjötíu Eighty - Áttatíu Ninety - Nítíu One Hundred - Eitt hundrad One Thousand - Eitt thúsund Getting There By Air Keflavik International Airport (KEF) Tel: 425 0600. Fax: 425 0610. Website: www.keflavikairport.com International flights depart from the four runways of Keflavik International Airport, 40km (34 miles) from Reykjavik, on the Reykjanes Peninsula. A major renovation programme at Keflavik is currently underway. Major airlines: Icelandair (tel: 505 0300; fax: 588 8820; website: www.icelandair.net) is the national carrier and the only provider of scheduled flights from Iceland to the following cities: Amsterdam, Baltimore, Boston, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Glasgow, London, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando, Oslo, Philadelphia, Paris and Stockholm. Budget airline Go stopped its London–Reykjavik flights in 2002. Iceland’s domestic airline, Air Iceland (tel: 570 3030; fax: 570 3001; website: www.airiceland.is), operates from Reykjavik City Airport, which is connected to the city centre by bus 5. Air Iceland operate all domestic flights, as well as flights to the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Approximate flight times to Reykjavik: From London is 3 hours; from New York is 5 hours 30 minutes; from Los Angeles is 11 hours 30 minutes (via New York); from Toronto is 7 hours 30 minutes (via New York); and from Sydney is 32 hours (via Hong Kong and London). Airport facilities: These include a 24-hour bureau de change, ATMs, travel agent, tourist information, duty-free and other shops, cafés, restaurants and bars. Car hire companies Budget, Europcar and RVS Avis all have offices in the arrival hall. Business facilities: The Saga Executive Lounge, operated by Icelandair, provides telephone, fax, e-mail and Internet connections, as well as shower facilities. Arrival/departure tax: On domestic flights and on flights to Greenland and the Faroe Islands, the airport departure tax is IKr165. For international destinations, the tax is IKr1250. However, it is usually included in the cost of the ticket. Transport to the city: From Keflavik International Airport to the city, a taxi costs approximately IKr5000 (journey time – 30 minutes). Reykjavik Excursions operate The Flybus (tel: 562 1011; website: www.re.is), which runs in connection with all incoming and outgoing flights and travels from Keflavik to the Hotel Loftleidir, in Reykjavik (journey time – 45 minutes). The cost is IKr1000 per person. Getting There By Water Gamla Höfnin (Old Harbour) and Sundahöfn are the two main harbours. They are known collectively as the Reykjavik Harbour and governed by the Port of Reykjavik (tel: 552 8211; fax: 552 9880; website: vefur2.rvk.is/hofnin/.index.html). There are no passenger facilities available, as the harbour caters exclusively for cargo ships. The Port of Seydisfjordur (tel: 565 2300; fax: 565 2308) in eastern Iceland, however, has some passenger services. Ferry services: Direct sea journeys to Reykjavik can be made with the cargo shipping company Eimskip (tel: 525 7000; fax: 525 7009; website: www.eimskip.is) on its vessels Dettifoss and Gudafoss. The ships sail weekly between the harbour in Reykjavik and Eskifjordur (Iceland), Torshavn (Faroe Islands), Rotterdam, Hamburg and Gothenburg (Germany). The Smyril Line (tel: 562 6362 or 587 1919; fax: 552 9450 or 587 0036; website: www.smyril-line.fo) operates a weekly car and passenger ferry service during the summer between Seydisfjordur in eastern Iceland and Torshavn, Bergen in Norway, Hanstholm in Denmark, and Lerwick in the Shetland Islands. Transport to the city: Reykjavik Harbour is situated in northeast Reykjavik, within walking distance of the city centre. Seydisfjordur is about a 15-hour bus ride from Reykjavik (ferry timetables almost certainly make an overnight stay in Seydisfjordur necessary). Getting There By Road There is only one main motorway, Highway One, in Iceland – which was only completed in 1984 and traces the country’s coastline. Traffic drives on the right in Iceland. The use of headlights at all times of the day and night and fastening seatbelts – both in the front and the back seat – are obligatory legal requirements. Streets in towns are generally asphalt and have excellent surfaces. However, outside towns, the roads are often gravelled, so care must be taken. Drink-driving laws are strict and are also strictly enforced – the maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.05%. The speed limit is 50kph (31mph) in urban areas, while outside urban areas it is 80kph (50mph) on unpaved roads and 90kph (56mph) on paved roads. Drivers must carry the vehicle’s registration, proof of international insurance (ie a Green Card), plus a valid driving licence (foreign licences are valid for visitors to Iceland). The legal driving age in Iceland is 18 years. Information on road conditions is available from the Public Roads Administration (tel: 563 1400; website: www.vegagerdin.is). Any foreign national involved in a traffic accident in Reykjavik must contact the police without delay (tel: 112 in an emergency or 569 9000). The Icelandic Automobile Association (FÍB) can be contacted (tel: 562 9999; fax: 552 9071; website: www.fib.is) for information. Emergency breakdown service: FÍB 511 2112 Routes to the city: A 1351km (840-mile) ring road (called Highway One) traces Iceland’s entire coastline (the interior is largely inhospitable). The main routes to the city are along this road from the east or the west. Akureyri and Isafjördur are to the west, while Höfn is to the east. Driving times to Reykjavik: From Akureyri – 6 hours; Höfn – 9 hours; Isafjördur – 10 hours. Coach services: The central bus station is located at Vatnsmýrarvegi 10, near Reykjavik City Airport. It is run by BSÍ Travel (tel: 591 1000; fax: 591 1050; website: www.bsi.is), which is a consortium of the bus lines offering an extensive bus service to most parts of the country, to destinations such as Akureyr, Höfn, Isafjördur and Egilsstadir, as well as a large number of organised bus tours. Reservations are not usually necessary and tickets can be purchased at the bus station or from the driver. Getting There By Rail There is no rail system in Iceland. Getting Around Public Transport The main provider of bus services is the Reykjavik Bus Service – SVR, Borgartun 35 (tel: 540 2700; website: www.bus.is). The two main bus stations in Reykjavik are located at Hlemmur and Laekjartorg. Buses operate 0645-2400 Monday to Saturday and 1000-2400 Sunday. On weekdays, buses run every 20 minutes; while in the evening (after 1900) and on weekends buses run every 30 minutes. At the weekend, night buses run 0230-0400. The fare is IKr200 and is paid to the driver (the driver is not permitted to give change). If transferring bus routes, the bus driver can provide a skiptimidi (a transfer ticket), which is valid for 45 minutes from the time of issue, otherwise tickets are not usually issued. Passes of ten fares are available and can be purchased at the bus terminals. The Reykjavik Card (see Tourist Information in Sightseeing) offers unlimited transport on buses in Reykjavik. Taxis All taxis in Reykjavik are metered and charge standard fares. Tipping is not expected. Taxis can be hailed in the street or telephoned – operators include Borgaríll (tel: 552 2440), BSR (tel: 561 0000) and Hréyfill (tel: 588 5522). Taxis are expensive and taking a taxi on a short trip around town costs from IKr1000. Most taxi stations also offer day tours to the main sights around the city. Limousines Limousine operators include Edalvagnar (tel: 869 1555) and Limousine Service (tel/fax: 555 3225). Rates start at about IKr6000 per hour. Driving in the City With a small city centre and a very efficient bus service, it is not really necessary to use a car to get around Reykjavik. Furthermore, the cost of car hire is enough to put most people off. Those that do drive, however, will find it a pleasurable experience. Traffic is not heavy, there is little congestion (the heaviest build-up of traffic is around 2300 in the centre of the city, when the locals head out for a night on the town) and Icelandic drivers are considerate towards other road users. Parking in the city is easy, with metered spaces costing IKr50-150 per hour. Alternatively, there are six multi-storey car parks and plenty of larger parking lots costing around IKr40-100 per hour. These are Vitatorg, Hverfisgata, Kolaportid, Kalkofnsvegur, Bergstadir, Bergstadastraeti, Tradarkot, Hverfisgata, City Hall Basement, Tjarnargata, and Vesturgata 7, Vesturgata. Other parking lots are located at Hlemmur, Tryggvagata, Tjarargata and near the harbour. Car Hire Hiring a car in Reykjavik is prohibitively expensive. In addition to the hire price, VAT is charged at 24.5% and there are compulsory charges for insurance and petrol. Most car hire companies have a minimum age limit of 23 years and a foreign driver’s licence is accepted. The hire price for a small car from Víkingur, Furuhjalli 10 (tel: 562 1290), starts at IKr3500, which includes VAT and the first 100km (62 miles) but not insurance, which is an additional IKr950. Other hire companies include Budget, Malarhöfdi 2 (tel: 567 8300; fax: 567 8302; e-mail: budget@budget.is; website: www.budget.is), and Avis, Dugguvogi 10 (tel: 553 1090; fax: 553 1091; website: www.avis.com). Bicycle Hire Reykjavik’s flat topography makes cycling one of the best ways of getting around. However, it’s fairly difficult to hire a bicycle in Reykjavik. The Icelandic Mountain Bike Club (tel: 562 0099; website: www.mmedia.is/~ifhk/tourist.htm), based in Reykjavik, recommend bringing one’s own bicycle. It can also offer advice on cycling around the country, which is a tough and gruelling experience. Business Business Profile Iceland is in the unusual position of having its economy dominated by one industry: fish. A quick walk around Reykjavik’s harbour area is enough to see how dependent the city is on the sea and fishing as its main source of income, with the annual catch for the whole country averaging about 1.6 million tonnes. The importance of fish to the Icelandic economy was demonstrated during the bitter Cod Wars in the 1970s and 1980s when Iceland came to blows with the British navy. The majority of the fish caught in the waters around Reykjavik heads overseas for export, in the form of shellfish, canned fish, shellfish, frozen fish, smoked fish, cod-liver oil and other fish by-products. However, both Iceland and Reykjavik’s economy is trying to diversify and the share of marine products in total exports has fallen from around 90% in the early 1960s to around 70% today. Tourism is Reykjavik’s most important source of foreign revenue after fishing and it has been targeted by the government for growth. Tourism, however, is facing something of a crisis in 2002, as Go, the British budget airline, recently stopped its cheap flights from London to Reykjavik. Also, a serious overspend at the World Travel Market 2001 in London has led to cutbacks on promotional activities, such as hosting foreign journalists. This situation may affect the rise in tourist visitors at a tough time globally for the industry – and casts doubts on whether Iceland can improve on the 300,000 tourists it welcomes with open arms every year. Other industries include the sale of minerals, such as aluminium, ferro-silicon, cement and nitrates. Production is increasingly moving to high-technology, demonstrated by the fast-growing number of computer software and biotechnology companies, such as deCODE genetics, a company set up by ex-Harvard professor Kári Stefánsson om 1996. Reykjavik has traditionally been very attractive to foreign investors because of its highly educated work force, low energy costs and low unemployment rate, which fell from 5% in 1995 to just 1.3% in 2002 – well below the national average of 2.5%. Iceland boasts one of the highest living standards in the world, with per capita income of 30,575 Dollars (2000). The Trade Council of Iceland, Borgartun 35 (tel: 511 4000; fax: 511 4040; website: www.icetrade.is), can advise on inward investment and doing business in Iceland. Business Etiquette When meeting a business counterpart in Iceland, a handshake is the normal form of greeting. Businesspeople are expected to dress smartly, although casual wear is widely accepted for social functions. Although an Icelander’s second language is generally Danish, a very high proportion of the population is fluent in English. Visits between May and September should be planned, as many businesspeople go on trips abroad at this time. July is the holiday month and offices often close down for a three-week annual break. Standard office hours are 0900-1700 Monday to Friday (although many firms alter this to 0800-1600 during the summer). Characteristically, Icelanders can be quite reserved (except on Friday and Saturday nights) but very direct. Visitors are often invited into homes (especially if on business) and bringing a gift for the host is the norm (a bottle of foreign wine is always welcomed). Instead of surnames, the majority of Icelanders use the system of patronymics. Instead of a surname the first name of the father is used plus son (son) or daughter (dóttir). Because of this, the telephone directory is listed by first name. Sightseeing Sightseeing Overview Reykjavik is a very easy city to negotiate on foot so the best initial advice is to head for the Tourist Information Centre and stock up on some maps and recommended walking routes. Reykjavik has two landmarks that offer views over the city to aid orientation: the Perlan (on Öskjuhlíd Hill) and the 75m-high (230ft) Hallgrímskirkj church (in the centre of town). A visit to the top of either of these is the best way for visitors to become acquainted with the city’s layout. The very heart of Reykjavik lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the pleasant Tjörnin lake to the north. In-between lies the centre of the city with flat, wide streets housing bars, cafés, hotels, museums and art galleries. The modern Icelandic National Gallery lies right on the edge of the lake, while the National Museum lies just to the south. Just north of Tjörnin is Austurvollur, an attractive square popular with sunworshippers in the warmer months and also home to the Alping, the Icelandic parliament. Also in the city centre are the three branches of the Reykjavik Art Museum: the Harbour House, Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum and Kjarvalsstadethir. Heading east and uphill on Laugavegur, the city’s main thoroughfare, are many of the city’s best shops, cafés, restaurants and bars. Outside the city centre and easily accessible by bus or on a longer walk are the Árbaer Open-Air Folk Museum and the Sigurjon Olafsson Museum. Dotted around the city are six geothermal swimming baths that come complete with hot pots, which make the perfect venue to relax in after a hard day’s sightseeing at any time of year. Tourist Information Tourist Information Centre Bankastraeti 2 Tel: 562 3045. Fax: 562 3057. E-mail: tourinfo@tourinfo.is Website: www.tourist.reykjavik.is Opening hours: Daily 0830-1900 (summer); Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1000-1400 (winter). Information is also available from the City Hall Information Service, City Hall, Vonarstraeti. There are plans to open a brand-new Reykjavik Complete visitor centre in a renovated building in the city centre by summer 2003, as the city looks to boost the number of visitors and the facilities available for them. Passes Available for one (IKr1000), two (IKr1500), or three (IKr2000) days, the Reykjavik Card offers unlimited transport on city buses, as well as admission to six geothermal swimming pools and most museums and galleries. It can be purchased from the Tourist Information Centre, the City Hall, the BSÍ central bus station, hotels, guesthouses, museums and pools. Key Attractions Hallgrímskirkja (Church of Hallgrímur) Reykjavik’s highest and most imposing structure, Hallgrímskirkja, is visible from over 20km (15 miles) away. Begun in the late 1940s and completed in 1974, with its stark, light-filled interior and architectural resemblance to basaltic lava, it elicits mixed reactions. Most people visit it for the chance to view the city from the tower. Skólavörduholt Tel: 510 1000. Transport: Bus 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 110, 111, 112 or 115. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1800 (summer); daily 1000-1800 (winter); Church tower daily 1000-1800. Admission: Free (church); IKr200 (tower). Perlan (Pearl) A walk through landscaped gardens leads to the top of Öskjuhlíd Hill and Reykjavik’s architectural masterpiece – the Pearl. This magnificent glass structure, which houses a revolving restaurant perched atop hot water tanks, is an engineering feat. The fourth level has an outside viewing deck offering views of the city, as it sprawls out below. The first floor also houses a vetragardurinn (winter garden). Öskjuhlíd Hill Tel: 562 0203. Fax: 562 0207 (restaurant). Transport: Bus 7 from Laekjartorg. Opening hours: Daily 1000-2200 (restaurant until 2300). Admission: Free. Listasafn Íslands (National Gallery of Iceland) Iceland’s National Gallery houses a permanent collection of paintings and sculpture by Icelandic and international artists from the 19th and 20th centuries. It also stages temporary exhibitions of Icelandic art. Housed in a modernist building that was originally built for ice storage, it comprises four exhibition rooms, a café, lecture hall, art library and bookshop. Fríkirkjuvegur 7 Tel: 515 9610. Fax: 562 1312. E-mail: list@natgall.is Website: www.listasafn.is Transport: Bus 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 110, 111, 112 or 115. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1100-1700 (library shorter hours). Admission: IKr400; free Wed. Listasafn Reykjavikur (Reykjavik Art Museum) Known collectively as the Reykjavik Art Museum and housed in three locations around the city – Harbour House (Hafnarhúsid), Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum and the Kjarval Collection – the museum offers up a wealth of Icelandic culture. The Harbour House lays claim to the Erró Collection, the Architectural Museum and the Reykjavik Art Collection. Located near the harbour, the Harbour House also boasts six exhibition halls, a multi-purpose space, an outdoor courtyard, bookshop and café. It houses changing exhibitions of work by modern Icelandic and international artists in a variety of media. Dedicated to the sculptures and drawings of Ásmundur Sveinsson, the Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum collection is housed in the artist’s former home and studio. The Kjarvalsstadethir gallery houses works by leading Icelandic and international artists of the 20th century. The gallery has a shop and a cafeteria overlooking the Miklatún Park and the Perlan. Website: www.listasafnreykjavikur.is Admission: IKr500 (daily ticket to all three museums); free Mon. Harbour House Tryggvagötu 17 Tel: 590 1200. Fax: 590 1201. Transport: Bus 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 110, 111, 112 or 115. Opening hours: Daily 1100-1800 (until 1900 Thurs). Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum Sigtún Tel: 553 2155. Transport: Bus 5. Opening hours: Daily 1000-1600 (May-Sep); daily 1300-1600 (Oct-Apr). Kjarvalsstadethir Flókagata Tel: 552 6131. Transport: Bus 3 or 6. Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700 (until 1900 Wed). Thjódminjasafn Íslands (National Museum) Founded in 1863, the National Museum has a huge range of relics and tools spanning Reykjavik’s 11 centuries of history. It houses everything from medieval altar cloths through to its star attraction – a 12th-century door depicting a Norse battle scene. The museum is currently closed for a major refurbishment. It was scheduled to reopen in 2001 but the prediction is now Spring 2003 for its reopening. Sudurgata 41 Tel: 552 8888. Fax: 530 2201. Website: www.natmus.is Transport: Bus 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14, 110 or 112. Opening hours: Closed until Spring 2003. Admission: N/A. Árbaejarsafn (Árbaer Open-Air Folk Museum) Originally a farm – first mentioned in literary sources in the mid-15th century – Árbaejarsafn was turned into a museum in 1957. The museum includes exemplars of homes and buildings that illustrate life in early Iceland, including a turf church dating from 1842. The collection of homes shows furnishings of different periods and offers temporary exhibition spaces and craft workshops. Guided tours are available at 1300 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Visitors can also sample Icelandic pancakes from the old-style Dillonhus restaurant. Arbae Sími Tel: 577 1111. Fax: 577 1122. Transport: Bus 110 from Laekjartog or 10 from Hlemmur. Opening hours: Tues-Fri 0900-1700, Mon 1100-1600, Sat and Sun 1000-1800. Admission: IKr500. Heiti Potturinn (Hot Pots) Geothermal swimming pools and hot pots play a major part in Icelandic life as swimming lessons are mandatory and students cannot graduate without passing a swimming test. The hottest pools have controlled temperatures of up to 44°C (108°F) and are said to have certain medical benefits. As the pools are not heavily chlorinated, it is compulsory to take a nude shower and wash thoroughly before entering. The largest is Laugardalslaug, which has a 50m (150ft) pool, curved waterslide, five hot pots of differing temperatures and a steam bath. (For others, see Sport). Many locals pop in between 0800 and 0900 to relax before work and catch up on the gossip, making it a good time for curious visitors to join in. Sundlaugavegur Tel: 553 4039. Fax: 581 1555. Transport: Bus 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 15. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0650-2130, Sat and Sun 0800-2000. Admission: IKr200. Further Distractions Hafnarfjördur (Harbour-fjord) Hafnarfjördur has long been know as the ‘Town in the Lava’ – due to its location right on top of the Burfell lava formation, which dates back to an eruption 7000 years ago. Nestled in the arc of a natural harbour, it has become a suburb of Reykjavik. In previous centuries, it gained status as a trading centre and, today, its reputation is as a centre for culture. Highlights include a sculpture garden on Vidistadir, a lighthouse and an archaeological site from pre-Lutheran times. It is also home to the Icelandic Maritime Museum, the Museum of Local History and the Museum of Postal and Telecommunications. The town also has two geothermally heated pools and the Keilier Golf Club. Hafnarfjördur Tourist Information Office Vesturgata 8, Hanarfjördur Tel: 565 0661. Fax: 565 2914. E-mail: tourist-info@hafnarfjordur.is Website: www.hafnarfjordur.is/tourist-info Transport: Bus 140. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1730, Sat 0900-1500 and Sun 1200-1700 (summer); Mon-Fri only 1300-1600 (winter). Sigurjon Olafsson Museum The idiosyncratic Sigurjon Olafsson Museum is devoted to the life’s work of one artist, Sigurjon Olafsson (1908-1982), who was born and lived in Iceland. The sleek wooden floors and starched white walls are the perfect setting for his avant-garde work. Olafsson used a collage of wood, metal, plaster, stone and concrete in his work and his striking forms combined abstract styles with inspiration from the Icelandic Sagas. The museum is not one that many tourists go to or even know about but is much beloved of the locals and well worth a visit. During summer there are concerts in the museum on Tuesday evenings and there is also a café with lovely views over the ocean. Laugarestangi 70 Tel: 553 2906. Fax: 581 4553. Transport: Bus 4 or 5. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1400-1700 (summer); Sat and Sun only 1400-1700 (winter). Closed Dec and Jan. Admission: Free. Tours of the City Walking Tours The Tourist Information Centre, Bankastraeti 2 (tel: 562 3045; fax: 562 3057; e-mail: tourinfo@tourinfo.is; website: www.tourist.reykjavik.is) in Reykjavik can supply mini guides, including maps and routes, for various self-guided walks around the city. Each walk is signposted and lasts around two hours and the mini guide costs IKr200. For visitors wishing to venture further afield, Ferdafélag Iceland, Mörkin 6 (tel: 568 2533; fax: 568 2535), offers a selection of day walking tours during the summer. They leave by bus from the central bus station (BSÍ), Vatnsmýrarvegi 10, and prices start at IKr1500. Bus Tours A variety of excursions are available, ranging from half-day tours of the city to several days of glacier exploring. Allrahanda Excursions, Funahófdi 17 (tel: 540 1313; fax: 540 1313; e-mail: allrahanda@allrahanda.is; website: www.alrahanda.is), offers a selection of tours in and around Reykjavik. Reykjavik Excursions (tel: 580 5400; fax: 564 4776; website: www.re.is), runs tours around the city and its environs, as well as to places further afield. Whale-watching tours are offered from April to October, by H I Tourist Service, Ferdapjónusta Sudurnesja, 232 Keflavik (tel: 421 3361; fax: 421 3361). A boat trip costs IKr3000. Most bus tours leave from the BSÍ central bus station, Vatnsmýrarvegi 10, or, by arrangement, from hotels. In fact, BSÍ Travel (tel: 552 2300; fax: 552 9973; e-mail: travel@bsi.is; website: www.bsi.is) also arranges city bus tours and whale-watching tours. Prices vary depending on the tour – a two-and-a-half-hour tour of Reykjavik costs around IKr2300, a three-hour tour to the Blue Lagoon IKr2500 (plus the entrance fee) and a ten-and-a-half-hour tour to the Golden Circle IKr5900. Horse Tours The Icelandic horse is a strong but gentle animal that has adapted perfectly to the terrain. Consequently, horseriding is a popular way of visiting the sights outside the city and is suitable even for people with no riding experience. Íshestar, Íshestar Riding Centre, Sörlaskeið 26, Hafnarfjörður (tel: 555 7000; fax: 555 7001; e-mail: info@ishestar.is; website: www.ishestar.com), offers a variety of tours, ranging from the two-hour lava tour for IKr3900 to a six-day seasonal horse round-up costing from IKr73,000. Excursions For a Half Day Blue Lagoon: Located in the lunar-like landscape of a lava field, the Blue Lagoon was accidentally created by the run-off water from the Svartsengi power station. The reputed health benefits (particularly for skin ailments) of its mineral-rich, geothermal seawater have made it one of the most visited locations in Iceland. The restaurant at the Blue Lagoon was recently voted one of the top 50 in the world by Restaurant Magazine. Massages are also now on offer at the Blue Lagoon and spa beauty products, including mud from the lake, are also available. The Blue Lagoon (tel: 420 8800; fax: 420 8801; e-mail: lagoon@bluelagoon.is; website: www.bluelagoon.is) is situated on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 50km (30 miles) southwest of the city. Bus 5 leaves Reykjavik’s central bus station (BSÍ) three times a day (journey time – 40 minutes). There are also half-day excursions available (see Bus Tours in Tours of the City). In the summer (June-August), it is open daily 1000-2100, while in winter it is open Monday-Wednesday 1000-2000 and Thursday-Sunday 1000-2100. Admission costs IKr980 (discount cards are available for ten reduced priced visits). For a Whole Day Golden Circle: The waterfall of Gulfoss, together with the famous geothermal area at Geysir and the Kerid crater, form the main attractions of a round tour that has become known as the ‘Golden Circle’. Considered to be Iceland’s most beautiful waterfall, Gulfoss (‘golden falls’) is a two-tier waterfall in a huge gorge carved out by the mighty glacial River Hvítá. The spouting Geysir – the original that gave its name to the world’s spouting geysirs – ceased to erupt earlier this century but fortunately its faithful stand-in (the nearby Strokker) spouts and sprays approximately every five minutes. The site also includes hot springs that are coloured by mineral deposits, steaming vents and warm streams. Reykjavik Excursions (tel: 580 5400; fax: 564 4776; website: www.re.is) offers day trips for IKr5900. For those short of time the Golden Circle can be combined with a visit to the Blue Lagoon, although the combined tour makes for a very long day. It is possible to get to all these destinations by public bus, however, no one bus covers the whole Golden Circle and buses are infrequent so it would not be possible to do the whole round tour in one day. A tour or private transport is much more advisable. Sport Icelanders have a passion for swimming pools and hot pots. Reykjavik owes its reputation as a spa city to the many pools within easy reach of the city. The most popular spectator sport is football and the country’s growing success in the game is demonstrated by the increasing number of Icelandic players in the English Premiership and in other European leagues. The city’s main football teams are Fylkier Reykjavik and Knattspyrnufelag Reykjavikur (KR Reykjavik; website: www.kr.is). Both clubs are in Iceland’s premier league. While their European success has been limited, the national team is growing in strength and is now ranked in FIFA’s top 40. International matches can be viewed at the 7000-capacity Laugardalur Sports Centre, Laugardalur (tel: 568 5533). The most popular event in Reykjavik’s sporting calendar, however, is the marathon, which is held every August. Tickets to sporting events in Reykjavik are available direct from the venues. Fitness centres: The private fitness centres in Reykjavik have a membership fee and ask for a minimum membership period of a year. Many of the swimming pools have gyms that are open to the public, such as Vesturbaejarlaug, Hofsvallagata (tel: 551 5004), which also has a steam bath. The main sports centre is Laugardalur Sports Centre, Laugardalur (tel: 568 5533), includes a gym. Golf: The Reykjavik Golf Club operates two 18-hole courses: Grafarholt (tel: 587 2211; fax: 587 2212) and Korpúlfsstadir (tel: 586 2211 or 2213; fax: 586 2212). Green fees start at IKr2000. Both courses are located at Grafarholt (bus 8, 14, 15 or 115) in a natural landscape with rolling hills and rocky terrain. Horseriding: The term is ‘horse rental’ and hiring a horse costs from IKr4500 for half a day (see Tours of the City). Swimming pools: There are six geothermal baths in Reykjavik, including Vesturbaerjal, Hofsvallagata (tel: 551 5004), Seltjarnarneness, Sudurströnd (tel: 561 1551), Gardabaejar, Asgardur (tel: 565 8066), and Reykjavikur, Baronsstigur (tel: 551 4059). Prices are around IKr200-400. Most are open-air because the water temperature is at a comfortable 27°C (80.6°F) all year round. Entrance to hot pools, with temperatures ranging from 37°C-42°C, are also included in the admission prices. Tennis: Tennis courts can be found Tennishöllin, Dalsmári 9-12 (tel: 564 4050 or 4051; fax: 564 4050). Wintersports: The Skating Hall, Laugardalur (tel: 568 5533), is open from September to May. Whenever the Tjörnin pond freezes over, the snow is routinely cleared away to allow for skating. Skate hire is available here. The skiing areas of Blafjoll, Skalafell and Hengill are a half-an-hour drive from Reykjavik and are normally open from January to the beginning of May, depending on snow conditions. Scheduled buses leave from the BSÍ Coach Terminal (tel: 552 2300). Information on ski conditions can be obtained by telephone (tel: 570 7711). Shopping Reykjavik’s primary shopping district centres on its main artery, Laugavegur, in the downtown area. A selection of boutiques, designer labels, arts and crafts galleries and jewellery design studios can be found here. Over the past few years, Skólavödustígur – the street leading from Laugavegur to the Hallgrímskirkj church – has been transforming into one of the most chic shopping streets in the city. As would be expected in a country that experiences extreme weather conditions, several shops can be found selling high-quality outdoor wear and equipment, such as Skátabúdin, Snorrabraut 60, which stocks a range of well-known labels, including the Icelandic trademark Cintamani (website: www.cintamani.is). The Kringlan shopping mall – in the part of the downtown area know as the ‘new city centre’ – is a hub of social activity. Among its 150 shops is Íslandia, a one-stop outlet for Icelandic souvenirs. Similar souvenir shops are located on Laekjargata, Bankastraeti, and the area between Tjörnin and the harbour. Fur clothes are a particular Icelandic speciality and these can be found at the upmarket Eggert, Skólavördustígur 38. The famous lopapeysa (or Icelandic jumper) can be bought in many of the tourist shops or from The Handknitting Association of Iceland, Skólavördustígur 19, although buying one is the mark of a tourist – they are seldom worn by Icelanders. The flea market at Laugardalur 24 is open Saturday 1000-1700 and Sunday 1100-1700 and sells all manner of typical flea market paraphernalia. Shopping hours are Monday to Friday 0900-1800 and Saturday from 1000 to between 1400 and 1700 (depending on the shop). The Kringlan shopping centre is open Monday to Thursday 1000-1830, Friday 1000-1900, Saturday 1000-1600 and Sunday 1300-1700. Some shops stay closed on Saturdays during the summer. Many supermarkets remain open until 2300, seven days a week. A VAT refund will allow 15% of the retail price of goods to be reclaimed. To qualify, a minimum purchase of IKr4000 (including VAT) must be made in a store displaying the Global Refund Tax sign (website: www.globalrefund.com) and a refund cheque obtained at point of purchase. The refund can be claimed back on departure. For refunds of over IKr5000, the goods must also be shown. Culture Reykjavik received intense media coverage as a result of being one of the European Cities of Culture for the year 2000, and it certainly didn’t disappoint those visitors who wanted a new experience off from the beaten track. With so many months of darkness and bleak weather to fill, far from being limited or monotonous, the city’s cultural life surprises many visitors with its sheer diversity and vibrancy. Tickets to some cultural events can be purchased from the Tourist Information Centre, Bankastraeti 2 (tel: 562 3045; e-mail: tourinfo@tourinfo.is), such as the Arts Festival or the Viking Festival. All other tickets are available from the venue box offices. Two excellent free guides to what’s going on in the city are Reykjavik this month and What’s On In Reykjavik, both available at the Tourist Information Centre and leading hotels. Music: In winter, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra (tel: 545 2500; fax: 562 4475; e-mail: sinfonia@sinfonia.is; website: www.sinfonia.is) performs every alternate Thursday at 2000, in Háskólabió, Hagatorg, across from the Saga Hotel. Tickets cost from IKr1400. The Salurinn (tel: 570 0400; fax: 570 0401) concert hall in Kópavogur, Hamraborg 6, hosts regular recitals and concerts. Ticket prices are from IKr1500. The Icelandic Opera, Ingólfsstraeti, in Garmia Bió (tel: 551 1475; fax: 552 7384; website: www.opera.is), performs lunch operas on Wednesday at 1215. Ticket prices are IKr2000. One of the best sopranos in the country, Signy Saemundsdottir, often sings at these events. Björk, who broke onto the international music scene with the group The Sugarcubes in 1986, is one of Reykjavik’s most famous daughters, with a string of subsequent solo albums also to her name. Jazz lovers should aim to visit Reykjavik during the first week of September, when the annual Reykjavik Jazz Festival – an increasingly prestigious event on the international jazz scene – takes place. Many of the gigs are at Kaffi Reykjavik, Vesturgata 2 (tel: 562 5530). Theatre: Serious theatregoers wanting to check out Icelandic drama should head for the National Theatre, Hverfisgata (tel: 551 1200; website: www.leikhusid.is), or the Reykjavik City Theatre, at Listabraut, near the Kringlan shopping centre (tel: 568 8000). Tickets start at IKr1700 at the National Theatre and IKr2450 at the Reykjavik City Theatre. A lively, young amateur theatre group, Loftkastalinn, is based at Hédinshúsid, Vesturgata (tel: 552 3000). Tickets start from about IKr1500. Dance: The Icelandic Ballet (tel: 567 9188) puts on about three shows a year, covering a range of classical and popular ballets. Tickets start from IKr1700. The Iceland Dance Company (tel: 568 5500; fax: 568 0383; website: www.id.is), based at the Reykjavik City Theatre (see Theatre bove), focuses on contemporary work and has a regular programme of modern dance pieces by Icelandic and foreign choreographers. Film: Reykjavik has seven cinemas with a total of over 20 screens. These are Bioborgin, Snorrabraut 37, Biohollin, Alfabakki 8 (tel: 557 8900), Háskólabió, Hagatorg (tel: 530 1919), Laugarasbio, Laugaras (tel: 553 2075), Stjörnubio, Laugavegur 94 (tel: 551 6500), Kringlubio, Kringlan 4-12 (tel: 588 0800), and Regnboginn, Hverfisgata 54 (tel: 551 9000). Most of the new films shown are from America, although there are also a limited number of European films. Films are usually shown with the original soundtrack and subtitled in Icelandic. The daily papers can provide further details. Cultural events: The annual Reykjavik Arts Festival takes place in May. This is Iceland’s premier cultural festival and brings together the best in local and international theatre, dance, music and visual art. Jazz lovers can look forward to the annual Reykjavik Jazz Festival during the first week of September, while film buffs usually gather in Reykjavik in September and October, for the month-long Reykjavik Film Festival. The recently established Iceland Airwaves Music Festival also takes place in October, as a forum for showcasing the best of popular international music. Among the performers in 2002 were The Hives and British superstar DJ Fat Boy Slim. Literary Notes According to many experts, the foundations of Icelandic literature were laid during the 12th century, when scribes wrote down the sagas and epic tales of the early Icelandic settlers and villagers gathered in farmhouses on winter nights to hear them. One of the best known, Egils Saga, is a biography of the Viking hero Egill Skallagrimsson. Iceland’s most famous modern writer is Halldor Laxness, who was born in Reykjavik and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955, for works documenting life in Iceland – such as Independent People (1935) and The Atom Station (1948). Among the most successful of Iceland’s contemporary writers is Hallgrimur Helgason, whose novel 101 Reykjavik (1996) was made into a film of the same name and released internationally in 2000. A dark comic tale of life in the city, the novel tells of an aimless young man who begins to find maturity through an affair with his mother’s Spanish lesbian lover. Evelyn McDonnell tackles the enigmatic Bjork in Army of She (2001), in an irreverent and warm book that ends up with the author truly enamoured with Iceland’s pop queen. Nightlife Over the last decade Reykjavik’s nightlife has been hyped up by the enthusiastic Tourist Board and a stream of travel writers. Reykjavik, however, is a small city and those arriving expecting to find a large-scale ‘Ibiza of the North’ may be a little disappointed as most of the action takes place in a very small central area. Having said that, the scene on the weekends, especially in summer, is surprisingly nefarious for such a small city, as revellers flit between bars on the traditional runtur (pub crawl). One strange phenomenon is the nightly drive-by as Reykjavik’s hard-up youth shun the expensive bars and opt to cruise around in their cars for hours on end. Bar prices are expensive, from IKR600 up to as much as IKR1200 for a pint of beer. Most locals tend to counter the expensive bar prices by consuming a lot of alcohol at home before they can go out. Hence, it is not until around 2330 that the streets begin to fill with drinkers and clubbers and the real action begins. First-time visitors should be aware that this can mean some disturbingly drunk and violent people around, although most Icelanders demonstrate a refreshing level of friendliness to visitors. All of Reykjavik’s nightlife centres on the main street, Laugavegur, and the roads leading off it. The cafés and bars in Reykjavik tend to have a Jekyll and Hyde character – serving beer and coffee throughout the day, before transforming into buzzing drinking and dancing venues in the evening. The runtur is a way of finding the most ‘hip’ bar, with the length of the queues to get in acting as good indications of their ‘hipness’. Opening times for the majority of café-bars are Sunday to Thursday 1000-0100 and Friday and Saturday 1000-0300. Nightclubs close around 0400 or 0500 and the dress code is strictly spruce. Alcohol is available from licensed bars, restaurants and Áfengisbúd shops (open Monday to Thursday 1400-1800 and Friday 1000-1800). The minimum drinking age is 20 years. Where there is live music or dancing, expect to pay a cover charge of around IKr1000 per person. For nightlife updates, contact the Tourist Information Centre, Bankastraeti 2 (tel: 562 3045), or go online (website: www.whatson.is). Café-bars: Whether British pop star Damon Albarn is still a part-owner or not (no one is telling after an alleged recent tax scandal involving the bar), Kaffibarinn, Bergstadastraeti 1, is still a meeting place of the city’s media set and has a certain cachet, as evidenced by the frequent queues to get in. Reykjavik’s celebs (including Björk when she is in town) head to Sir Terence Conran’s Rex Bar, Austurstraeti 9, which has a café-bistro-style bar upstairs and the quieter ‘Mafia Room’ in the basement. Another popular bar is Kaffibrennslan, Posthusstraeti 9, which – despite its caffeine-inspired name – has a breathtakingly large selection of beers and free English-language magazines to leaf through for those in search of a quieter night. Reykjavik has jumped on the Irish bar bandwagon with The Dubliners, Hafnarstraeti 4, a decent and dimly lit stab at a traditional Irish bar and Celtic Cross, Hverfisgata 26, a less kitsch drinking den with candles and big windows. A current favourite of the smart set is Dillon Bar, Laugavegur 30, which boasts live DJs at weekends and a clientele who all seem to have strolled straight in off the catwalk. Casinos: Although gambling is not illegal in Reykjavik, there are currently no casinos. Clubs: Astró, Austurstraeti 22, is a very popular club in the city centre with a buzzing dancefloor Thursday to Saturday. Astró comes complete with a ‘Red Room’, which is the VIP lounge and has housed a smattering of both local and international celebs. Also popular is Rex, Austurstræti 9, where the playlist is a blend of house, funk, jazz and soul. Nelly’s Café, corner of Bankastræti and Thorningholtsstræti, is a cheerful bar with a small crew of house DJs playing a mix from rock’n’roll to the latest dance tracks on the upstairs dancefloor. New kid on the block is the renovated and impressive NASA, located off Austurvollur, which really draws the crowds and queues at weekends. Also at weekends, Restaurant 22, Laugavegur 22, turns into a gay venue after 2300. Live music: The rather rough and ready Gaukur á Stöng, Tryggvagata 22, claims to be ‘the Oldest Pub in Reykjavik’ and is still one of the most popular, with live music every night. It is advisable to arrive early to avoid the queues and also to be prepared for some dubious Icelandic heavy rock, which often bashes in among the more interesting local talent. Kaffi Reykjavik, Vifturgata 2, hosts a different band every night and features everything from rock and pop to disco. Although hugely popular, things can get a bit rough and bawdy here, in a venue that doubles as a pick-up joint for twenty/thirty-somethings. On a more civilised note, jazz and blues can be found alternating with rock and pop at Kringlukráin, in the Kringlan shopping mall, and at Gaukurámtöng, Triggata 22. City Statistics Location: Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland. Country dialling code: 354. Population: 112,276 (city); 178,030 (metropolitan area). Ethnic mix: Homogenous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts, with a small minority of European and other foreign workers. Religion: 89.9% Lutheran, 8% Protestant, Roman Catholic and other, 2.1% no religion. Time zone: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; two-pin plugs are standard. Average January temp: -1°C (27°F). Average July temp: 11°C (51°F). Annual rainfall: 780mm (31 inches). Special Events Thirteenth Day of Christmas, fireworks, songs and bonfires, 6 Jan, throughout the city Food and Fun, beer and food festival, Feb/Mar, restaurants and bars throughout the city Festival of Light, Feb/Mar, Laugardalur Bolludagur (Bun Day), day of excess, 24 Feb, throughout the city Sprengidagur (Bursting Day), day of excess before Lent, Mar, throughout the city Beer Day, celebration of the lifting of prohibition in 1989, 1 Mar, restaurants and bars throughout the city First Day of Summer, traditional giving of summer gifts, parades, sporting events and entertainment, 24 Apr, throughout the city Reykjavik Arts Festival, mid-late May, throughout the city Festival of the Sea, traditional holiday, 1 Jun, throughout the city National Day of Iceland, independence celebrations, 17 Jun, throughout the city Summer Solstice, gatherings to celebrate the longest day of the year, Jun, throughout the city International Viking Festival 1-31 Jul, Vidistadatun Park, Hafnarfjördur Landsmot – Festival of the Icelandic Horse, horse shows and entertainment, early Jul, Vindheimamelar in Skagafjördur Gay Pride, parties and parade through city, weekend in early Aug, all over city Reykjavik Cultural Night, dance, theatre, music and art festival, 18 Aug, various indoor and outdoor venues throughout the city Reykjavik Marathon, third weekend Aug, starts and finishes at Laejhargata Reykjavik Jazz Festival, Sep, various venues Reykjavik Film Festival, Sep, various venues Unglist Youth Arts Festival, Oct, various venues Iceland Airwaves Festival, popular international music festival, Oct, various venues Annar I Jolumm (Second Day of Christmas), locals escape their relatives and party in bars and nightclubs, 26 Dec, throughout the city New Year’s Eve, bonfires, parties and fireworks, 31 Dec, throughout the city Cost of Living One-litre bottle of mineral water: IKr200 33cl bottle of beer: IKr450 Financial Times newspaper: IKr285 36-exposure colour film: IKr700-900 City-centre bus ticket: IKr200 Adult football ticket: IKr1000 Three-course meal with wine/beer: IKr2500 100 Iceland Krona (IKr100) = £0.81; US$1.29; C$1.92; A$2.12; €1.19 Currency conversion rates as of February 2003 Business Services Business Contacts: Iceland Chamber of Commerce Kringlan 7, 103 Reykjavik Tel: 510 7100. Fax: 568 6564. E-mail: mottaka@chamber.is Website: www.chamber.is Trade Council of Iceland Hallveigarstígur 1, 101 Reykjavik Tel: 511 4000. Fax: 511 4040. E-mail: icetrade@icetrade.is Website: www.icetrade.is British Icelandic Chamber of Commerce c/o Iceland Chamber of Commerce, Kringlan 7, 103 Reykjavik Tel: 510 7100. Fax: 568 6564. E-mail: mottaka@chamber.is or birgir@chamber.is Website: www.chamber.is Icelandic-American Chamber of Commerce (USA) 36th Floor, 800 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022 Tel: (212) 593 2700. Fax: (212) 593 6269. E-mail: info@icelandtrade.com Website: www.icelandtrade.com There is no Icelandic Chamber of Commerce in Canada or Australia; visitors should contact the Chamber of Commerce in Iceland directly. Business library Technological Institute, Keldnaholti, 112 Reykjavik Tel: 570 7100. Fax: 570 7111. E-mail: info@iti.is Website: www.iti.is Convention and meeting venues Iceland Convention and Incentive Bureau Laekjarata 3, 101 Reykjavik Tel: 562 6070. Fax: 562 6073. E-mail: icib@centrum.is Website: www.icelandconvention.com Hótel Loftleidir Vid Hlidarfot, 101 Reykjavik Tel: 505 0900. Fax: 505 0905. E-mail: icehotel@icehotel.is Website: www.icehotel.is With over 220 rooms, the Loftleidir can handle events of up to 500 delegates and has a 110-seat auditorium. Hótel Ísland Ármúli 9, 108 Reykjavik Tel: 568 8999. Fax: 595 7001. E-mail: reservation@hotel-island.is Website: www.hotel-island.is Hótel Saga Vid Hagatorg, 107 Reykjavik Tel: 552 9900. Fax: 562 3980. E-mail: conference@hotelsaga.is Website: www.hotelsaga.is Nine conference rooms are available, with catering for up to 200 people. Perlan Öskjuhlio, PO Box 5252, 125 Rekjavik Tel: 562 0200. Fax: 562 0207. The Perlan is an impressive building of architectural interest. It offers exhibition space, a function area for 600 people, a small conference room and lecture hall for 50. There is also a revolving rooftop restaurant. Office equipment hire Penninn Fosshals 5-11, 110 Reykjavik Tel: 540 2050. Fax: 568 3909. E-mail: pontun@penninn.is Website: www.penninn.is Nÿherji Dorgrrtun 37, 105 Reykjavik Tel: 569 7643. Fax: 569 6729. E-mail: rj@nyherji.is Secretarial service Lidsauki Service Skipholti 50c, 105 Reykjavik Tel: 562 1355. Fax: 562 3767. E-mail: lidsauki@lidsauki.is Website: www.lidsauki.is Translation services Ellen Inguadottir Posthüsstraeti 13, 101 Reykjavik Tel: 562 6588. Fax: 562 6551. E-mail: ellening@simnet.is Sonja Diego Bergstadastraeti 64, 101 Reykjavik Tel: 551 4609. Fax: 552 2623. E-mail: diego@mmedia.is Unusual conference venue Laugardalur Sports Centre Laugardalur, Engjatiegur 8, 104 Reykjavik Tel: 553 8990. Fax: 581 1640. The Laugardalur has three main conference and exhibition areas consisting of a 2100 sq metre (22,600 sq ft) exhibition hall, a balcony for 578 people and a meeting room for up to 200 conference delegates. History 874 Ingólfur Arnarson names Reykjavik ‘smoky bay’ Early 900 His son Porsteinn Ingólfsson sets up Iceland’s first district assembly 999 Iceland is decreed a Christian nation 1226 An Augustinian monastery is set up on Videy Island 1281 A new code of law, the Jónsbók, is introduced by the conquering Norwegian king Hákon Hákonarson 1550 Iceland falls into Danish hands 1752 Skúli Magnuússon establishes local industries such as tanning and weaving and paves Reykjavik’s first street, Adalstraeti 1786 Reykjavik is granted market town status by the Royal Danish Government 1911 The University of Iceland is established in Reykjavik 17 June 1944 Iceland becomes independent 1991 Eruption of Mount Helka 2000 Reykjavik becomes one of nine European Cities of Culture Copyright © 2003 Columbus Travel Publishing Ltd.