Reykjavík, a city of sagas, music and art: the back story

About Reykjavík, a city of sagas, music and art: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Reykjavík Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

For a city of its size, Reykjavík carries an extraordinary weight of culture. The National Gallery keeps the great collection of Icelandic art; the Reykjavík Art Museum spreads across three houses, from the harbour-side Hafnarhús to Kjarvalsstaðir and the sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson’s studio. Alvar Aalto designed the Nordic House, opened in 1968. The Iceland Symphony Orchestra plays at Harpa, the new national opera is taking shape at the National Theatre, and every November Iceland Airwaves fills the city with music.

The galleries

The National Gallery of Iceland; the Reykjavík Art Museum at Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir and Ásmundarsafn; Hafnarborg in Hafnarfjörður and Gerðarsafn in Kópavogur.

Music and stage

The Iceland Symphony Orchestra at Harpa; the National Theatre and its new national opera; the Reykjavík City Theatre; Iceland Airwaves in November; the Reykjavík Arts Festival in early summer.

Thursday evenings, when the Hafnarhús stays open until 22:00, are the city’s best gallery night.

Film

Bíó Paradís, the art-house cinema, and RIFF, the international film festival, which screens in pools and caves.

Craft

The Handknitting Association of Iceland, hand-knitting since 1977, on Skólavörðustígur.

Our advice: book Harpa early for the Symphony’s Thursday concerts.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Reykjavík, a city of sagas, music and art: the back story before you go.