We got into Reykjavik early, before 5:00, but had to wait until 6:15 for the 45-minute bus ride into the city. We purchased some wine at the Duty Free Store for our stay since we had read that alcohol was really expensive. For $20 we had two coffees while we waited.
The 45-minute Airport Direct bus ride took us to a main terminal in the city where we caught a smaller shuttle to Bus Stop 14 which was about a 5 block walk to Center Hotel Klopp. It was pitch dark and uphill so we were happy to find it close by. It was only 7:00 and check-in wasn’t until 2:00. We could have walked around the city center, but nothing would open until 10:00, and sunrise wasn’t until 10:55! We had only one logical option, pay $35 for an early check-in. We could sleep for a couple of hours and they threw in breakfast.
We had paid an extra $100 for a superior room with a view. We had the superior but not the view. After crashing for a couple of hours, we checked with the front desk about a superior with a view. As it turned out, availability would give us one but not both. The receptionist showed us one with the view, and though a little smaller, we took it. Because it wasn’t “superior”, we got our $100 back. Moving from 505 to 508, took all of 5 minutes. As we changed rooms, the Front Desk Clerk surprised us with a card and beautifully presented “slate” of four macaroons drizzled in chocolate for our anniversary.
After a catnap, we headed out to do a self-guided walking tour of the city.
The center is very compact and very walkable. There were no police anywhere which was notable throughout our stay. It is a very safe country. We did see a police station and were told there were six prisons in Iceland.
Going toward the parliament building, we stumbled onto an ice rink full of skaters. From there, we walked towards the waterfront where we found the huge glass Harpa concert hall. The inside was as impressive as the facade. This is where we have tickets for a Christmas concert on Friday evening. From there we continued along the water to the chrome sculpture of a Viking ship. Volcanic rocks lined the waterfront and, in some places, people had stacked the rocks making lots of rock sculptures. The mountains surrounded the city making a very picturesque backdrop.
Looking up the street, we could see Hallgrímskirkja, the huge cathedral that dominates Reykjavik’s skyline. We walked the half dozen blocks up to the Cathedral. The Cathedral is massive. We entered and a guy was playing the huge pipe organ. After he finished, we paid the 1,000 krona for the elevator to the observation deck at the top of the church’s tower. The 360 degree views of the city, mountains, and Atlantic Ocean were breathtaking.
We criss crossed, what seemed to be most of the streets all the way back down to the area of the ice skating rink. After searching for 30 minutes and, finally asking directions, we found the famous hotdog place, Bæjarins Bestu. This famous hot-dog shack has operated continuously in the same location since 1937.
It has been voted to be the “Best Hot Dog Stand in Europe.” We had been looking for a store front, it was a small shack in an alley. We had two dogs with everything (sweet remoulade, ketchup, a tangy mustard, and a combo of fried and fresh onions). Actually quite good, never had a hotdog like it.
We really enjoyed walking the colorful pedestrian shopping streets. Many of the stores are made of corrugated steel which have been brightly painted, some with really artistic murals. We did a lot of window shopping and also checked out some souvenir stores.
The streets were decorated for Christmas but instead of a huge Christmas tree in the main square, they had a really large lighted cat. This cat is depicted in a children’s story and everyone in Iceland supports the folklore by making sure everyone gets a new piece of clothing so that the evil cat does not eat those without.
After a short pit stop at the hotel, we headed out for dinner at the food hall in the Hlemmur Market. There are several restaurants within the hall. We ate at Skal! We drank and ate at the bar, Sue was allowed to taste 3 wines, at the encouragement of our server, before deciding on number two. Dave had a draft Tuborg winter lager. Sue had grilled char and Dave had cod and pickled beets. We also had a fantastic salad. Everything was great.
Exhausted, we called it a day.
2025-02-10