Lækjartorg is a historical square in Reykjavík near the city center. It has been used since long ago as a place where farmers sell their products. It was named so, due to the presence of a brook that emptied into the sea. Today, the brook is underground and cannot be seen. Take a stroll along the square and engage in a spot of window-shopping. You will definitely find some souvenirs to carry home.
Nestled in the downtown of Reykjavik city, Laugavegurinn is a historical neighborhood of the city. Literally meaning 'Wash Road', this venue housed hot springs which were used for laundry purposes by the locals. Constructed in 1800s, Laugavegurinn has been a popular spot for shopping ever since malls like Kringlan and Smáralind have settled at this spot. Being a main tourist area now, Laugavegurinn is dotted with several restaurants and is near the famous Phallological Museum of Iceland.
Árbæjarsafn was founded in 1957. It is situated in Árbær, an old farm that used to be outside Reykjavik, but the city has grown and expanded so that this place is now within the city itself. When the museum was established, only farmhouses stood there but within the next years some old houses from Reykjavik's city center were moved up there and rebuilt. One of the museum's buildings is a church, built in 1842 and still used for religious ceremonies. As well as being an open-air museum, it also organizes exhibitions based on themes from the past. A case in point is an exhibition showing old cars and old garage tools. It is thought that the first settlers in Iceland built their houses in Reykjavik in 874. The museum is dedicated to Reykjavik's history from that day until the present day, showing artifacts representing the everyday life of Reykjavik's inhabitants over the period. For those wanting to get to know the history of Reykjavik, Árbæjarsafn is the best place to visit.
Sculptor Einar Jónsson (1874-1954) has recently become fashionable again. This after a period of a certain embarrassment surrounding his work, which is highly symbolic and heroic in style and content, perusing themes from the Norse and Greek Mythology, Icelandic Sagas and folktales and Icelandic nature. This museum is almost like a sculpture itself, designed by the artist himself, in collaboration with architect Einar Erlendsson. It is unique and unlike any in Iceland and was built for the artist as his home, studio and gallery, when he had donated his works to the nation. The house has recently been restored, and in addition to the art collection the artist's tiny flat on the top floor is now open to public.
Basking in perpetual shimmer, the phenomenal facade of the Harpa concert hall is a fine tribute to Iceland's unique terrain. The concert hall comprises of two large rectangular structures that stand firmly on the Reykjavik harbor, swathed in piece after piece of colored glass. Meant to pay ode to the country's basalt landscape, Harpa was designed by Danish architect firm Henning Larsen, and inaugurated in the summer of 2011. This modern structure holds four concert halls, the largest of which seats as many as 1800 spectators. It is also home to lavish conference rooms and a stunning exhibition space. Every year, the Harpa comes alive with lilting melodies of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera.
If you are a cinema lover, Bíó Paradís is a place you need to go to. This theater is known for showcasing various regional and international documentaries and short films regularly. The theater property has four screens with capacities ranging from accommodating 205 people to as small as 38 people. Operating since 2010, Bíó Paradís has been a venue for several classic cinema and educational documentaries and is an address to film festivals like Reykjavik International Film Festival, The Reykjavik Short Film Days and more. After watching a movie here, you can enjoy some quick bites and refreshing drinks at its in-house bar and cafe. Besides cinema, this theater also houses a shop offering DVDs and literature over film and film-making.