This Reykjavik 360 degree VR tour takes you to some of the best known areas within Reykjavík. Browse through the thumbnail images or click the Iceland 360 VR icon displayed in the panoramas to see the next location.
Reykjavik, in the south west of Iceland, is the country’s capital and largest city. Reykjavík is believed to be the location of the first permanent settlement in Iceland, which, according to the settler Ingólfur Arnarson, was established in AD 874. The city was founded in 1786 as an official trading town and grew steadily over the following decades, as it transformed into a regional and later national centre of commerce, population, and governmental activities. It is among the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities in the world.
If you´re looking for things to do while travelling in Reykjavík you can either check out our recommended tours and activities or check out this article about some of the best things to do in Reykjavík https://travelade.com/iceland/explore/heimaleiga-reykjavik/
The first permanent settlement in Iceland by Norsemen is believed to have been established at Reykjavík by Ingólfr Arnarson around AD 870; this is described in Landnámabók, or the Book of Settlement. Ingólfur Arnarson is said to have decided the location of his settlement using a traditional Norse method; he cast his high seat pillars (Öndvegissúlur) into the ocean when he saw the coastline, then settled where the pillars came to shore. The story about the pillars is dubious to many people. He obviously settled near the hot springs to keep warm in the winter and would not have determined it by happenstance. Furthermore the probability of the pillars drifting to that location from where they were said to have been thrown from the boat seems improbable. Nevertheless that is what the Landnamabok says and says furthermore that Ingolf’s pillars are still to be found in a house there in town. Steam from hot springs in the region is said to have inspired Reykjavík’s name, which loosely translates to Smoke Cove (the city is sometimes referred to as Bay of Smoke or Smoky Bay in English language travel guides).
Reykjavík is famous for its weekend nightlife. Icelanders tend to go out late, so bars that look rather quiet can fill up suddenly—usually after midnight on a weekend. Alcohol is expensive at bars. People tend to drink at home before going out. Beer was banned in Iceland until 1 March 1989 but has since become popular among many Icelanders as their alcoholic drink of choice. There are over 100 different bars and clubs in Reykjavík, most of them are located on Laugavegur and its side streets. It is very common for an establishment that is a café before dinner to turn into a bar in the evening. Closing time is usually around 4:30 am on weekends and 1 am during the week at the most well known hospitality venues.
The weather in Iceland is fickle all year ‘round, but especially during the winter months when travelers run the risk of having well-laid plans ruined by Mother Nature if weather forecasts are ignored. A couple of weeks before departing, you should check the road and weather conditions via official government websites, such as www.vedur.is and www.vegagerdin.is. Packing your clothing for your trip should also be tailored around the forecast and conditions that await. As a renowned Icelandic scholar once told us, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad choice of clothing.”