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In a country renowned for its rural geographic wizardry, 搁别测办箩补惫铆办 is a humming urban core. Approximately 350,000 folks live in Iceland, with nearly two-thirds of them calling the Greater 搁别测办箩补惫铆办 region home.

Sure, the 鈥淏ay of Smokes鈥� may not be the sprawling, high-rise-clad capital that so many of its metropolitan European counterparts are 鈥� there are only ten formal districts in 搁别测办箩补惫铆办 after all. But each of its distinct districts, neighborhoods and surrounding towns carry a unique punch, with a handful worth penning into any Icelandic itinerary.

Among the standouts are its museum and shopping-filled center, a recreation-infused utopia and quiet retreat with an open-air museum.

With a modern bus system, rentable scooters everywhere and pedestrian-friendly streets, it鈥檚 easy to experience the best 搁别测办箩补惫铆办 neighborhoods in a two-day span.

With that, here are the 搁别测办箩补惫铆办 neighborhoods and districts to set your sights on.

惭颈冒产辞谤驳

Best for nights out and cultural happenings

If you鈥檙e going to experience a crowd anywhere in Iceland 鈥� besides picking up your luggage at Keflav铆k International Airport 鈥� it will be in 搁别测办箩补惫铆办鈥檚 downtown, known as 惭颈冒产辞谤驳. Within its confines 鈥� which are dotted with mom-and-pop shops, high-end boutiques with parkas and snow gear and two- to three-story residences with colorful rooftops 鈥� you鈥檒l find Iceland鈥檚 biggest consumer thoroughfare, Laugavegur. If you鈥檙e looking for an evening on the town, this is the spot, with time-tested staples like the hostel bar-restaurant KEX Bar, saloon-esque Priki冒 and the laid-back Kaffibarinn offering great opportunities to indulge in local nightlife.

惭颈冒产辞谤驳 is also the epicenter for cultural happenings 鈥� the National Museum of Iceland, National Gallery of Iceland and the very adult and quirky Icelandic Phallological Museum can all be found here. And on the northern edge of the neighborhood overlooking the Old Harbour sits the all-glass Harpa Concert Hall 鈥� it is the place in town to catch symphony and opera performances.

Amid all the activity in 惭颈冒产辞谤驳, there are plenty of quiet places to escape, too. To dip your toes in some geothermal water without leaving city limits, head to the Nauth贸lsv铆k Geothermal Beach tucked just south of 搁别测办箩补惫铆办 City Airport. 惭颈冒产辞谤驳 has it all and if convenience and options are what you seek, this should be your home base.

Laugardalur

Best for outdoor activities

This is the district where 搁别测办箩补惫铆办 residents get their sweat on. In the heart of Laugardalur is a massive green space that includes the vast Laugardalslaug outdoor pool complex, the Iceland national soccer team鈥檚 stadium, an ice rink and 鈥� for when temperatures aren鈥檛 too frigid 鈥� running tracks. Right there as well are the Zoo & Family Park, a botanical garden and, on the neighborhood's southwestern edge, the 搁别测办箩补惫铆办 Art Museum 脕smundarsafn and sculpture garden.

A bit quieter and more residential than its Mi冒bor neighbor, there are a few big-name hotels along the Su冒urlandsbraut street. Options include the Hilton 搁别测办箩补惫铆办 Nordica and , each with panoramic mountain and park vistas.

痴别蝉迟耻谤产忙谤

Best for local life

This district strikes a wild balance of industrial, trendy, and traditional Icelandic charm. Along and around the warehouse-studded Fiskisl贸冒 road in the northern part of the district, you鈥檒l find some of 搁别测办箩补惫铆办 biggest draws and trendiest eats, including the highly-publicized simulating flight experience, Omnom Chocolate Ice Cream Shop and factory and the Grandi Math枚ll food hall.

South of this area in a region known as the 鈥淥ld West Side,鈥� 痴别蝉迟耻谤产忙谤 emits a super-residential vibe. A few fun facts: This was the first district to be developed in 搁别测办箩补惫铆办, dating back to the late 1800s. And, today, it is among the city鈥檚 most refined and in-demand areas for real estate. So, this area is a top choice for the Airbnb crowd looking for a quiet option with easy access to the city鈥檚 center.

脕谤产忙谤

Best for urban retreats

Located approximately 6 miles (10km) southeast of 搁别测办箩补惫铆办鈥檚 center, the 脕谤产忙谤 district still sits within city limits, and for those seeking an urban retreat with a small-town feel, it does not get any better. Outdoor lovers rejoice in the neighborhood's 贰濒濒颈冒补谩谤诲补濒耻谤 recreation area, which features the Elli冒a谩 River and the Kerm贸afoss waterfall. And for the quintessential Icelandic swimming pool adventure, head to the 脕rb忙jarlaug.

On the cultural front, the 脕谤产忙谤 Open Air Museum is a favorite for locals and tourists alike. The space comprises more than 20 buildings 鈥� many of which have been moved from around 搁别测办箩补惫铆办 鈥� to create a model village, town square and farm. For as charming as 脕谤产忙谤 is, the hotel scene is non-existent and B&B options are very limited. So, plan for a day-trip 鈥� and likely not a stay 鈥� here.

Seltjarnarnes

Best for getting off the beaten path

While not technically within the city of 搁别测办箩补惫铆办鈥檚 borders, it geographically feels like it should be. Whereas 脕谤产忙谤 emits a countryside vibe, the Seltjarnarnes peninsula 鈥� located just west of 痴别蝉迟耻谤产忙谤 - is as dreamy as a shore-landscaped area gets. Here you鈥檒l find a nine-hole golf course on the water, the Sundlaug Seltjarnarness pool complex and the area鈥檚 best spot for catching the Northern Lights, the Gr贸tta lighthouse.

This neighborhood is super-residential with minimal B&B options, so if you鈥檙e lucky enough to snag a room at the , do it. If not, Seltjarnarnes is just a 10-minute bus or car ride west of 搁别测办箩补惫铆办鈥檚 heart.