Reykjavík : Why go there?

Reykjavík, Icelandic for "the bay of smoke", is the world's northernmost capital. It stretches across a number of small peninsulas, at the head of a multitude of bays, offering a permanently pleasant seascape. More than two-thirds of Iceland's population live here. Whatever the district, old or brand-new (the city is growing by leaps and bounds), a sense of calm reigns. Reykjavík will undoubtedly be your first encounter with Iceland, a smooth transition between Europe's big cities and Iceland's pristine wilderness. Don't overlook it, as it offers all the cultural and economic infrastructure of a real capital. The creative energy of this prosperous nation is palpable here: in the museums, in the galleries, in the streets, in the pubs and clubs that bubble over during the famous weekend evenings... Nature is also omnipresent.