When you stay in SPA City
Reykjavík, you are given the opportunity
to improve your health while enjoying
what the city has to offer. One of the
advantages of Reykjavík is being able to
see it on foot. Even though Reykjavík is a “little” capital, there is an amazing range
of possibilities for the tourist, which is
why Reykjavík is sometimes called the “biggest little capital in the world.”
Relaxation
and culture
One of the many benefits that
Reykjavík has as a destination for travelers
is that external annoyances such as
major traffic jams, noise and pollution
are low key. This makes the city a good
place to find relaxation, while allowing
tiredness and stress to gently flow from
your being.
While in Reykjavík, a good way to
start the day is by visiting Sundhöllin,
a charming, indoor swimming pool that
first opened its doors in 1937. Outside
on the second floor are two luxurious hot
pots and a small steam room. This pool is
only a five-minute walk from Hlemmur
Bus-Central.
Near Sundhöllin is the Einar
Jónsson Museum on Njarðargata, just
across the street from Hallgrímskirkja
Church, dedicated to sculptor Einar
Jónsson (1874 – 1951). The museum
is open during winter on Saturday and
Sunday from 2pm – 5pm, and daily
except Mondays during summer from
2pm – 5pm. Outside the house, which was the artist’s home, is a lovely garden
with many works on display that is
open daily. Einar Jónsson was one of
the country’s most prominent artists,
and his works are greatly influenced
by Icelandic nature, religious concepts
and the Icelanders’ attitude towards the
almighty. For more information about
the artist and his works, visit the museum’s
website at www.skulptur.is
A few steps away is
Skólavörðustígur, a lovely street that
stretches through part of midtown. On
this street are numerous handicrafts
stores, galleries, a coffeehouse, and a
gourmet shop.
Swimming, bathing, relaxation, culture,
shopping and a cup of good coffee or a light, tasty meal – a good idea!
Meditation by the sea
One of the things that Reykjavík
has over other cities is its close relationship
with nature, and one of the most
interesting swimming pools in Reykjavík
is Vesturbæjarlaug on Hofsvallagata; Bus
routes 4 and 6. Many regulars visit this
pool, and there are often lively discussions
in the hot pots, especially in early
morning and after work. Vesturbæjarlaug
is a great spot to meet Icelanders and get
information about what’s happening in
the city.
There is hardly a better way to get rid
of stress and relax than sitting in a hot pot
and feel your fatigue dissipate. The circular
hot pots are kept at varying temperatures,
from 37°C to 42°C (98°F – 111°F).
Swimming in geothermally heated water
while breathing clean air is one of the
healthiest forms of fitness training, and
during winter the star-studded sky is
often the backdrop to a show of Northern
Lights. During mid-summer the sun is
high above the horizon until well into the
evening. The steam room is an ideal place
to meditate, a place to cleanse the mind
as well as the skin. Vesturbæjarlaug is
certainly a great health spa.
It should be noted that a visit to
Reykjavik’s thermal baths and pools is
one of the least expensive leisure activities
imaginable: admission is only 2 ½ USD or
just over 2 euros (depending on exchange
rates). The pool is open until 10pm on
weekdays and until 8pm on weekends.
Down the road from Vesturbæjarlaug
is Ægissíða, one of the city’s most popular
outdoor areas. A walking track stretches
alongside a beautiful shoreline that
attracts diverse birdlife. The view from
the walking track out to sea and to the
mountains is invigorating. This track
goes all the way to Heiðmörk, a beautiful
nature reserve noted for vegetation and
lava just outside of Reykjavík. This walk
takes about three hours.
Those interested in taking a
short walk can stop at Nauthólsvík,
Reykjavik’s only bathing beach and one
of the most unusual found anywhere.
Nauthólsvík is a well-sheltered, popular
sunbathing spot, and the walk is both
pleasant and easy. Everyone visiting
Reykjavík should most definitely see the
city from this perspective while enjoying
the great outdoors.
SPA City Reykjavík
– Weekend outing
A good idea would be a weekend
visit to Reykjavík to “tweak” your health
while relaxing and simply enjoying life.
It is usually a pleasant surprise when
visitors discover the wide variety of
activities available to foreign tourists.
For detailed information, visit www.visitreykjavik.is.
There are seven Thermal Baths and
Pools in Reykjavík, all of which are very
inexpensive to visit. Pools are 25 or 50
meters long and kept at a temperature of
29°C (84°F). Research has shown that swimming
and bathing outdoors in hot, thermal
water, while breathing in clean, fresh air is
one of the healthiest fitness activities possible.
The baths limber up stiff joints and
relax tired muscles, and the contrast between
hot water and cool, fresh air has a positive
effect on stress. Swimming and bathing in
thermal water also has positive effects on the
heart and respiratory system.
Private health spas in the city offer
a large variety of spa services: different
types of massage and specialized SPA
treatments, in addition to facial and
skin treatments as well as manicures and
pedicures. Health spas offering these
services include Baðhúsið, a womenonly
spa, www.badhusid.is, Saga Health
and SPA, Center for Improved Health
and Wellness, www.sagaheilsa.is, and
Nordica SPA, a new spa located in the
hotel of the same name. Nordica SPA
focuses its emphasis on physical and
spiritual well-being, www.nordicaspa.is.
It should be mentioned that
Reykjavík has many excellent restaurants
offering exciting dishes made
from raw materials raised in Iceland’s
clean, natural environment.
Reykjavík is an ideal destination for
anyone looking to improve their health,
relax and simply enjoy life in a peaceful
environment – Reykjavík, the biggest
little capital in the world.
Detailed information is
at www.spacity.is
