911±¬ÁÏÍø

Custom Walk in Reykjavik, Iceland by michelle_9eb8e created on 2025-05-06

Guide Location: Iceland » Reykjavik
Guide Type: Custom Walk
# of Sights: 5
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Share Key: LN6QP

How It Works


Please retrieve this walk in the 911±¬ÁÏÍø app. Once done, the app will guide you from one tour stop to the next as if you had a personal tour guide. If you created the walk on this website or come to the page via a link, please follow the instructions below to retrieve the walk in the app.

Retrieve This Walk in App


Step 1. Download the app "911±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" on Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Step 2. In the 911±¬ÁÏÍø app, download(or launch) the guide "Reykjavik Map and Walking Tours".

Step 3. Tap the menu button located at upper right corner of the "Walks" screen and select "Retrieve custom walk". Enter the share key: LN6QP

1
Laugavegur Street

1) Laugavegur Street (must see)

Laugavegur Street is Reykjavik's main shopping street. Visitors will find restaurants, bars, cafes, and boutique shops.

Laugavegur is one of the oldest streets in Reykjavík. The name can be translated as the Water Road. Here, women would bring their laundry to be washed in hot pools.

Laugavegur is just over a mile or two kilometers long. The shopping stretch starts at the city's busy bus center, Hlemmur, and continues to Bankastraeti.

There are two museums on Laugavegur. First, the Phallological Museum is the world's only museum dedicated to the male genitals, with specimens from the animal kingdom. The second museum is a small punk museum.

Most of the shops feature Icelandic designs and brands. Visitors will find high-end products, as well as shops with souvenirs such as books, fridge magnets, and stuffed animals.

Visitors can also find a variety of vintage shops and second-hand goods along Laugavegur.

Foodies will be delighted with the variety of options. Try traditional Icelandic menus or international cuisines. Visitors can also find vegan restaurants.

Several bars feature live music. Movie fans will love the Lebowski Bar, with food and "wheel of fortune" rounds.

Laugavegur is a diverse street with something for everyone.
2
Hallgrímskirkja (Church of Hallgrímur)

2) Hallgrímskirkja (Church of Hallgrímur) (must see)

Standing at 74 meters (244 feet) tall, the striking Church of Hallgrímur is Iceland's tallest church. Architect Guojon Samuelsson began drawing the church in 1937. Construction began in 1945 and was completed in 1986.

Iceland's unique geography inspired the design of the church. Volcanic action created lava flows which cooled into grey, hexagonal columns. The dramatic, cool, jagged columns inspired the design of the Church of Hallgrímur.

The church was named after 17th-century clergyman and poet Hallgrimur Petursson. Hallgrimur Petursson was best known for his work Hymns of the Passion.

This iconic building is visible from many parts of Reykjavík. The Church of Hallgrímur is a Lutheran, or Church of Iceland establishment. Its impressive height was in part to compete with Landakot's Church, the Catholic Cathedral.

During the summer, visitors can enjoy concerts which run four days a week. Don't miss the incredible pipe organ that stands 15 meters (49 feet) tall. The pipe organ has electronic action; the pipes are remote from the pedal console. The organ has 5,275 pipes and has been featured in several recording albums.

Outside the entrance, visitors will find a statue of Leif Eriksson, a famed explorer. The United States gave the statue to Iceland in the 1930s to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the Icelandic Parliament. The Icelandic Parliament was first convened in the year 930 AD.

The large clock on the tower is often wrong, as strong Icelandic wind gusts often blow the hands about.

Why You Should Visit:
The Church of Hallgrímur is a dramatic church that wonderfully emulates Iceland's landscape. You will see the church's tower from all over the city and find the church even more impressive up close. The interior is surprisingly austere with clean lines.

Tips:
Admission is free, but a small fee provides access to a lift to the top of the building, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Reykjavik and the surrounding mountains.
3
The Handknitting Association of Iceland

3) The Handknitting Association of Iceland

For a long time, sheep have been vital to Icelanders, providing the wool necessary for knitting warm clothes to withstand their harsh winters. Knitting, initially essential for survival, remains a popular hobby and is greatly valued.

Iceland's traditional hand-knitted sweaters, called "lopapeysa," continue to be in demand. These sweaters have transitioned from practical attire to trendy fashion, worn both casually and at social events.

The economic downturn a few years ago led to a renewed interest in Iceland's traditional materials and skills, particularly in hand-knitted items. In 1977, some Icelandic women, who supplemented their income through knitting, collaborated to create an organization for better marketing of their work, leading to the formation of the Handknitting Association. Shortly after its inception, the Association opened a store to sell its members' woolen products.

Their main store, located on Skólavörðustígur in the old part of the city, offers an extensive collection of traditional hand-knitted Icelandic sweaters. This includes unique designs and various woolen items from top Icelandic producers. With numerous knitters contributing, this store is a key destination for Icelandic wool, patterns, and supplies.

Since its beginning, the Association's principle has been to sell directly from the makers, ensuring high-quality standards. Each handcrafted item undergoes quality checks before sale, guaranteeing customers top-notch, uniquely Icelandic products.
4
Bæjarins beztu (The Town's Best Hot Dogs)

4) Bæjarins beztu (The Town's Best Hot Dogs)

"The Town's Best Hot Dogs" (Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur) is a small chain of hot dog stands in Reykjavík. This chain has been in continuous operation since 1937 when it was originally established on Austurstræti street, right at the heart of the city. It was founded by the grandfather of the current owner, Guðrún Kristmundsdóttir. In the 1960s, the stand relocated a couple of streets north to Tryggvagata, right across from the Harpa Concert Hall, where the main flagship stand still operates today.

In August 2004, the stand gained widespread attention when it was visited by the former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, during his trip to Iceland for a UNICEF conference. This high-profile visit significantly boosted the stand's popularity, leading to its inclusion in various tourist guidebooks about Iceland. Just two years later, in August 2006, the renowned British newspaper, The Guardian, declared Bæjarins Beztu as the best hot dog stand in Europe.

Today, this chain is a favorite among both tourists and local residents alike. There are three more locations within the city, collectively selling over a thousand hot dogs on a bustling day.

The hot dogs offered by Bæjarins Beztu are primarily lamb-based but also contain pork and beef. They are served in a bun and come with a variety of condiment options, including ketchup, sweet mustard, remoulade, crispy fried onions, and raw onions. Customers who wish to have all the available toppings often use the Icelandic phrase "eina með öllu," which translates to "one with everything" in English.
5
Icelandic Phallological Museum

5) Icelandic Phallological Museum

The Icelandic Phallological Museum, situated in Reykjavík, is renowned for its extensive exhibition of male reproductive organs and related anatomical parts. As of early 2020, the museum relocated to a larger facility in Hafnartorg, approximately three times the size of its previous location. The collection within the museum encompasses well over 300 specimens of penises derived from more than 100 different mammal species. Additionally, the museum houses 22 penises originating from creatures and figures in Icelandic folklore.

In July 2011, the museum acquired its first human penis, one of many pledged by potential donors. The process of removing it from the donor's body did not go as planned, resulting in the organ becoming a shriveled, greyish-brown mass preserved in a jar of formalin. The museum continues to search for a "younger, larger, and better" human specimen.

Established in 1997 by Sigurður Hjartarson, a retired teacher, the museum is now run by his son, Hjörtur Gísli Sigurðsson. It all started with Sigurður's childhood gift of a cattle whip made from a bull's penis, leading to his diverse collection of Icelandic animal genitalia. The museum even claims to include penises from elves and trolls, despite their invisibility in Icelandic folklore. Additionally, the collection includes artistic representations like lampshades made from bull scrotums.

Over time, the museum has become a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors annually and garnering international media attention. Notably, a Canadian documentary film titled "The Final Member" delves into the museum's quest to obtain a human penis. According to its mission statement, the museum's objective is to facilitate the organized and scientific study of phallology, allowing individuals to engage in serious research in this field.
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