Tjörnin, Urban lake in central Reykjavík, Iceland.
The lake spans across 3.5 square kilometers, featuring paved walking paths and surrounding parks filled with numerous species of water birds.
Since the late 18th century, Tjörnin has functioned as a vital freshwater source and central point for Reykjavík's urban development.
The banks of Tjörnin house the Icelandic Parliament, City Hall, National Gallery, and Lutheran Free Church with its green-white exterior.
The lake freezes during winter months, transforming into an ice skating area while authorities maintain defrosted sections for resident birds.
Local residents refer to Tjörnin as 'the biggest bread soup in the world' due to the frequent bird feeding activities along its shores.
Location: Reykjavík
Elevation above the sea: 16 m
GPS coordinates: 64.14453,-21.94263
Latest update: March 10, 2025 13:49
Iceland is an island shaped by ice and fire. Glaciers cover much of the interior while geothermal areas show that something is always happening beneath the surface. The landscapes here look different from most places: black sand beaches formed by volcanic activity, fjords cutting deep into the coast, waterfalls dropping over cliffs and canyons with moss covered walls. Vatnajökull in the southeast is Europe's largest glacier, while smaller ice caps like Snæfellsjökull or Drangajökull have their own character. Reykjavik sits by the ocean and mixes city life with access to nature. The Harpa concert hall stands by the harbor, Hallgrímskirkja church rises above the rooftops, and along the shore you find the Sólfar sculpture. Lake Tjörnin lies in the center of town. Outside the city, routes lead to natural sites: the Blue Lagoon with its milky blue water, Strokkur geyser that erupts every few minutes, Gullfoss waterfall where a river plunges into a canyon. The southern coast shows different faces. Near Vík there is Reynisfjara beach with its basalt columns and black sand, and not far away the cliff at Dyrhólaey. Diamond Beach near Hornafjörður is scattered with ice chunks washed up by the sea. In the north, Lake Mývatn attracts visitors with its volcanic surroundings, while the Westfjords with the Hornstrandir reserve and the red sand of Rauðasandur beach belong to the more remote parts of the country. The Ring Road connects most of these places and circles the entire island.
Hallgrímskirkja
830 m
Icelandic Phallological Museum
551 m
Harpa
807 m
The Sun Voyager
1 km
National and University Library of Iceland
431 m
Reykjavík Cathedral
285 m
Alþingishúsið
304 m
Statue of Leif Erikson
774 m
National Museum of Iceland
395 m
Austurvöllur
324 m
Landakotskirkja
433 m
Reykjavik Art Museum
516 m
Nordic House
745 m
Culture House
596 m
National Theatre of Iceland
612 m
Reykjavík 871±2
314 m
Ráðhús Reykjavíkur
146 m
University of Iceland VR
851 m
Reykjavík Municipal Archives
545 m
Fríkirkjuvegur 11
212 m
Embassy of Germany, Reykjavík
351 m
University of Iceland Main Building
547 m
Sundhöll Reykjavíkur
1.1 km
Hafnarhús
507 m
National Theatre of Iceland
612 m
Icelandic tree of the year 1999
335 m
Icelandic tree of the year 2016
473 m
Icelandic tree of the year 1994
254 mReviews
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