Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [53]
Puffin Watching
Around 50,000 of these wonderful little birds (see the boxed text) nest on Lundey and Akurey, two islands just offshore from Reykjavík. Between May and late August you can visit them on the one-hour Puffin Express boat trips (Map; 892 0099; www.puffinexpress.is; adult/under 12yr Ikr3000/1500), which sail from Reykjavík harbour at 8.30am, 10.30am, 2.30pm and 4.30pm daily.
Also see Whale Watching, left.
Horse Riding
Trotting through lava fields under the midnight sun is an unforgettable experience. Horse farms around Reykjavík offer tours for all ages and experiences, and can collect you from your hotel. Most operate at least some of their trips year-round.
Several long-established companies offer everything from 1½- to two-hour outings (Ikr6000 to Ikr10,000), to nine-day tours into the wilderness, including riding and rafting/whale-watching/Blue Lagoon combinations (Ikr9800 to Ikr20,000):
Eldhestar ( 480 4800; www.eldhestar.is; Vellir) Near Hveragerði.
Íshestar ( 555 7000; www.ishestar.is; Sörlaskeið 26, Hafnarfjörður)
Laxnes ( 566 6179; www.laxnes.is; Mosfellsbær)
Cycling
Click here for information.
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REYKJAVÍK FOR CHILDREN
Icelanders love their kids, but they’re treated as small adults rather than as a separate species; consequently, there are only a handful of attractions aimed specifically at children. However, kids get discount rates at the theatre and cinema, and can travel free or at discount rates on many excursions.
The Family Fun Park & Zoo (Fjölskyldu-og húsdýragarðsins; Map; 575 7800; www.mu.is; Laugardalur; adult/5-12yr Ikr600/500, 1-/10-/20-ride tickets Ikr200/1800/3400; 10am-6pm mid-May–mid-Aug, to 5pm mid-Aug–mid-May) is the city’s only attraction especially for (youngish) children. Don’t expect lions and tigers; think seals, foxes and farm animals with slightly dismal enclosures, and tanks of cold-water fish. The family park section is jolly, with a mini-racetrack, child-size bulldozers, a giant trampoline, boats and kids’ fairground rides. The Family Fun Park is in the middle of a large park area, so buses don’t go directly to the door, but buses S2, 14, 15, 17 and 19 pass within a few hundred metres.
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REYKJAVÍK IN WINTER
It’s bitterly cold and the sun barely rises, but there are some advantages to wintery Iceland. The major joy, of course, is watching the unearthly glory of the northern lights (Click here).
The Reykjavík Skating Hall (Map; 588 9705; www.skautaholl.is; Múlavegur 1, Laugardalur; adult/child Ikr700/500, skate hire Ikr300; noon-3pm Mon-Wed, to 3pm & 5-7.30pm Thu, 1-8pm Fri, 1-6pm Sat & Sun Sep-Apr) throws open its doors in winter. Some people also skate on Tjörnin when it freezes.
The skiing season runs from November to April, depending on snowfall. The three ski areas close to Reykjavík (Bláfjöll, Hengill and Skálafell) are managed by the organisation Skíðasvæði ( 530 3000; www.skidasvaedi.is; Pósthússtræti 3-5, IS-101 Reykjavík). Iceland’s premier ski slopes are at 84-sq-km Bláfjöll ( 561 8400; 2-9pm Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat & Sun), which has 14 lifts and downhill, cross-country and snowboarding facilities – and gets swamped by eager city dwellers when the snow begins to fall. Passes cost Ikr2000/550 per adult/child six to 16 years, and you can hire skis, poles, boots and other gear at reasonable rates. The resort is located about 25km southeast of Reykjavík on Rte 417, just off Rte 1. A shuttle bus leaves from the Mjódd bus stand southeast of town once per day in season – check with Skíðasvæði for departure times.
More bus tours operate in winter than you might imagine, offering a startling vision of