Lonely Planet Iceland's Ring Road

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• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Year: 2019
• eBook ISBN:
  9781788685368
• Print ISBN:
  9781786578402

Destinations

Reykjavík

Iceland’s addictive capital is where everything’s at, and has a heady blend of fresh air, stylish design, artfully hip cafes and bars, fabulous and unusual museums plus a thriving restaurant scene.

The Golden Circle

In striking distance of the capital, this circuit comprises some standout natural attractions, including the world’s oldest parliament, shifting tectonic plates, the original geyser and a stunning waterfall.

Akureyri

Iceland’s second city packs a punch for a diminutive town and is worth getting to know. There’s a quality restaurant and art scene, and the only decent nightlife beyond Reykjavík.

Strokkur geyser
SNOMEDIA/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Reykjavík

A vibrant small city with a lot of soul, Reykjavík is a cultural hub of innovative, offbeat art, music and design; its crisp clear air also thrums with culinary creativity and a rampant bar scene.

History

Ingólfur Arnarson, a Norwegian fugitive, became the first official Icelander in AD 871, and Reykjavík was just a simple collection of farm buildings for centuries. It expanded in the 1750s when local sheriff Skúli Magnússon, the ‘Father of Reykjavík’, created weaving, tanning and wool-dyeing factories – the foundations of the city – to bypass a Danish monopoly. Today, with continuously rising visitor numbers and endlessly innovative locals, central Reykjavík has exploded with renewed growth.

Reykjavík

1 Top Sights

1 Icelandic Phallological Museum D3

2 Laugardalur G4

3 Omnom Chocolate B1

4 Reykjavík Art Museum – Ásmundarsafn F4

5 Reykjavík Art Museum – Kjarvalsstaðir D4

1 Sights

6 Ásgrímur Jónsson Collection C4

7 Hljómskálagarður Park B4

8 Miklatún Park D4

9 Reykjavík Botanic Gardens G4

10 Reykjavík University C7

11 Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum F2

12 University of Iceland B4

2 Activities, Courses & Tours

13 Bike Cave A6

14 Laugar Spa G3

15 Laugardalslaug G3

16 Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach C7

17 Reykjavík Excursions C4

18 Sundhöllin D4

4 Sleeping

19 Alda Hotel D3

20 Galtafell Guesthouse B4

21 Grettir Apartments D3

22 Icelandair Hotel Natura C5

23 KEX Hostel D3

24 Luna Hotel Apartments D3

25 Oddsson Hostel A2

26 Opal Apartments D3

27 Reykjavík Campsite G3

28 Reykjavík City Hostel G3

5 Eating

29 Café Flóra G4

30 Frú Lauga F3

Hlemmur Mathöll (...

Table of contents

• Contents
• Welcome to Iceland’s Ring Road
• Iceland’s Ring Road Map
• Iceland’s Ring Road Highlights
• Reykjavík City Guide
• Need to Know
• Ring Road Planner
• Outdoor Activities Map
• Hot-Pot Hop Itinerary
• Wildlife Watching
• Road Trips
• Destinations
• Iceland Driving Guide
• Iceland Travel Guide
• Language
• Behind the Scenes
• Our Writers