Grænamýri

Whales of Iceland is an indoor exhibition in the Grandi harbour district, where more than twenty life-sized whale models hang and stand through a darkened hall. Walking between them, you can appreciate just how enormous creatures like blue whales and sperm whales really are. An audio guide explains the species that visit Icelandic waters.

In the middle of the capital, Tjörnin is a calm pond where the city's birdlife gathers, and a path circles the water past colourful houses, the city hall and the old Iðnó theatre. On quiet days the reflections of the buildings fill the surface, and in summer the air is full of birdsong.

Harpa is a striking concert hall and conference centre on the edge of Reykjavík's old harbour. Its glass façade is made of faceted, honeycomb-like panels that catch the changing northern light and shift colour with the sky and the sea. Inside, the lobby is open to everyone and has cafés, shops and sweeping views over the bay.