Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [45]
Return to beginning of chapter
INFORMATION
Bookshops
Reykjavík’s two biggest central bookshop branches have a superb choice of English-language books, newspapers, magazines and maps, and both contain great cafes.
Eymundsson Austurstræti (Map; 540 2130; Austurstræti 18; 9am-10pm Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm Sat & Sun); Skólavörðustígur (Map; 515 2500; Skólavörðustígur 11; 9am-10pm Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm Sat & Sun)
Also try the following bookshops:
Bókin ehf (Map; 552 1710; Klapparstígur 25-27; 11am-6pm Mon-Fri, noon-5pm Sat) Great secondhand bookshop run by exactly the right kind of eccentric!
Bóksala Stúdenta (Map; 570 0777; www.boksala.is; Hringbraut; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, to 5pm in Jul & Aug) University bookshop.
Iða (Map; 511 5001; Lækjargata 2a; 9am-10pm) Tourist shop and bookshop combined.
Cultural Centres
A-Hús Intercultural Centre (Alþjóðahús; Map; 530 9300; www.ahus.is; Laugavegur 37) Advice bureau for immigrants.
Alliance Française (Map; 552 3870; www.af.is; 2nd fl, Tryggvagata 8) Book and video library, and regular program of films, lectures etc.
Norræna Húsið (Nordic House; Map; 551 7030; www.nordichouse.is; Sturlugata 5; noon-5pm) Scandinavian cultural centre, with exhibitions, library, cafe and restaurant.
Discount Cards
The Reykjavík Welcome Card (24/48/72hr Ikr1400/1900/2400) is available at various outlets including the tourist office. The card gives you free travel on the city’s buses and on the ferry to Viðey; free admission to Reykjavík’s seven swimming pools, and to various galleries and museums (Árbæjarsafn, Ásmundarsafn, Culture House, Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, Maritime Museum, National Museum, Reykjavík 871 +/-2, Reykjavík Zoo and Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum); and free internet access at the main tourist office. It’s worth it if you make use of the buses and swimming pools but might not be good value if you’re just visiting museums and galleries.
Emergency
For an ambulance, the fire brigade or the police, dial 112.
Landspítali University Hospital (Map; 543 2000; Fossvogur) Has a 24-hour casualty department.
Internet Access
The cheapest internet places are Reykjavík’s libraries (see below). Many hotels and guest houses have free internet access; the private tourist offices have rather overpriced services. If you’ve brought your laptop with you, lots of cafes have free wi-fi access where you can tap away for the price of a coffee.
G-Zero (Map; 562 7776; Vallarstræti 4; per 15/35/60min Ikr250/350/550; 11am-1am Mon-Fri, noon-1am Sat & Sun) Reykjavík’s only dedicated internet cafe, full of game-playing teenagers.
Libraries
The following offer books, novels and periodicals in English, French and other languages, and internet access for Ikr200 per hour.
Aðalbókasafn (Map; 411 6100; www.borgarbokasafn.is; Tryggvagata 15; 10am-7pm Mon-Thu, 11am-7pm Fri, 1-5pm Sat & Sun) Excellent main library, in the heart of Reykjavík.
Kringlusafn (Map; 580 6200; www.borgarbokasafn.is; cnr Borgarleikhús & Listabraut; 10am-7pm Mon-Thu, 11am-7pm Fri, 1-5pm Sat & Sun) Branch by the Kringlan shopping centre.
Medical Services
Dentist on duty ( 575 0505)
Health Centre (Map; 585 2600; Vesturgata 7; doctor’s appointment for European visitors Ikr2600, non-Europeans Ikr8000)
Læknavaktin ( 1770) Non-emergency telephone medical advice between 5pm and 11.30pm.
Lyfja (Map; 552 4045; Laugavegur 16; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm Sat) Central pharmacy.
Lyfja Apótek (Map; 533 2300; Lágmúli 5; 7am-1am) Late-night pharmacy, near the Hilton Reykjavík Nordica hotel. Buses S2, 15, 17 and 19.
Money
Beware of changing currency at hotels or private exchange offices in the city; commissions can reach 8.75% and exchange rates may be poor. There are central branches, with ATMs, of all three major Icelandic banks.
Landsbanki Íslands (Map; 410 4000; www.landsbanki.is;