For the best fares and an unparalleled flying experience, choose Icelandair to fly to Reykjavik (KEF) from Portland (PDX). Icelandair provides hundreds of hours of movies and music in the in-flight entertainment system, Wi-Fi access on most flights, and a USB power port at every seat to power up your laptop or smartphone.
Reykjavík features in Icelandic history from the very beginning. The Norwegian settler Ingólfur Arnarson is supposed to have thrown out a pair of wooden poles from aboard his ship, declaring that wherever these came on land, he would build his farm. This was in the 9th century and now, a little more than 1100 years later, the site of Ingólfur’s farm has grown into the hub of Iceland’s government and cultural life.
Make your way to Reykjavik’s first proper street, Aðalstræti (Main Street), and get an idea of life in the 9th century at the Settlement Exhibition, showcasing the remains of an excavated farm. As you stroll through the city center, the tallest building in town, Hallgrímskirkja, will stand out. The church’s shape draws inspiration from basalt rock in Iceland’s nature. Ascend the bell tower and get a view over the whole city and its surroundings, out into Faxaflói bay and over to the favorite hiking spot of the locals: the mountain Esja.
Despite its modest size, Reykjavik has a wide variety of cultural outings to enjoy. Notable among the galleries and museums littered across the city are the Reykjavik Art Museum and the National Museum of Iceland. The city’s largest concert venue is Harpa, situated on the edge of the bay and identified by its angular glass façade. Up from Harpa, make your way to the old harbor and take a cup of Iceland’s favorite drink by far: strong coffee!
And then you can head beyond the capital and explore Iceland’s lava fields, glacial lagoons, caves and waterfalls.
