Sunset in a direction most cities never offer

Reykjavik faces Faxaflói Bay to the west-northwest, which means the sun sets over open Atlantic Ocean. At 64°N, golden hour in June runs close to two hours — the sun drops so slowly that the golden quality persists through what elsewhere would be early evening. Grótta lighthouse at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, 5 kilometers from the city center, stands on a tidal island accessible on foot at low tide, with a 360-degree view of the bay and the city behind. Hallgrímskirkja church (74 meters) faces west — its concrete facade catches the low golden light. Tjörnin lake in the city center reflects the sky and the National Gallery. In winter, northern lights are visible from the city outskirts on clear dark nights; mid-October through mid-March is the window. The drive to Þingvellir National Park (45 minutes east) gives northern lights above open lava field.