Reykjavík Sights

  1. Austurvöllur

    At the heart of the city, grassy Austurvöllur was once part of first settler Ingólfur Arnarson's hay fields. Today it's a favourite spot for lunchtime picnics and summer sunbathing, and is sometimes used for open-air concerts and political demonstrations. The statue in the centre is of Jón Sigurðsson, who led the campaign for Icelandic independence.

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  2. Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden

    Einar Jónsson (1874-1954) is Iceland's foremost sculptor, famous for his intense symbolist works. Chiselled allegories of Hope, Earth, Spring and Death burst from basalt cliffs, weep over naked women, sprout wings and slay dragons. For a taster, the Einar Jónsson sculpture garden behind the Einar Jónsson Museum contains 26 bronze casts; they're particularly effective at dusk.

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  3. Reykjavík Botanic Gardens

    Reykjavík Botanic Gardens contains over 5000 varieties of subarctic plant species, colourful seasonal flowers, a summer café serving coffee and waffles, and lots of bird life (particularly grey geese and their fluffy little goslings).

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