Tjornin Lake, Reykjavik
Tjörnin (The Pond) is a small lake located in the heart of Reykjavík. It's a common sight for tourists, being next to Reykjavik City Hall and various museums. Historically, it formed from a lagoon that was once part of a reef where Harbour Street (Hafnarstræti) now is. This street runs along the southern edge of the lake and leads to nearby gardens.
In winter, The Pond freezes at times, becoming a popular spot for ice skating. It's relatively shallow, with an average depth of 0.57 meters (about 1.9 feet) and a maximum depth of 0.8 meters (around 2.4 feet). Paved paths run along both sides of the lake, ending at the Concert Hall Park (Hljómskálagarður), adorned with statues, to its south. These paths are often used by joggers and cyclists, and there are boards displaying daily bird counts on the lake.
The Pond is a haven for birdwatchers, attracting 40 to 50 types of water birds, like the Arctic tern, Eider, Gadwall, Greylag goose, different goose species, Mallard, various seagulls, and the scaup. It's also a great spot to see Whooper swans up close. The arrival of the Arctic tern is a sign of summer's beginning, drawing bird enthusiasts from across the North Atlantic. The lake is a popular place for parents to bring children to watch and feed birds, earning it the playful nickname "the biggest bread soup in the world."
A wooden bridge for pedestrians was built over The Pond in 1920. To better support vehicles, it was replaced with a concrete bridge in 1942, which remains in use today.
In winter, The Pond freezes at times, becoming a popular spot for ice skating. It's relatively shallow, with an average depth of 0.57 meters (about 1.9 feet) and a maximum depth of 0.8 meters (around 2.4 feet). Paved paths run along both sides of the lake, ending at the Concert Hall Park (Hljómskálagarður), adorned with statues, to its south. These paths are often used by joggers and cyclists, and there are boards displaying daily bird counts on the lake.
The Pond is a haven for birdwatchers, attracting 40 to 50 types of water birds, like the Arctic tern, Eider, Gadwall, Greylag goose, different goose species, Mallard, various seagulls, and the scaup. It's also a great spot to see Whooper swans up close. The arrival of the Arctic tern is a sign of summer's beginning, drawing bird enthusiasts from across the North Atlantic. The lake is a popular place for parents to bring children to watch and feed birds, earning it the playful nickname "the biggest bread soup in the world."
A wooden bridge for pedestrians was built over The Pond in 1920. To better support vehicles, it was replaced with a concrete bridge in 1942, which remains in use today.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Reykjavik. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Tjornin Lake on Map
Sight Name: Tjornin Lake
Sight Location: Reykjavik, Iceland (See walking tours in Reykjavik)
Sight Type: Park/Outdoor
Sight Location: Reykjavik, Iceland (See walking tours in Reykjavik)
Sight Type: Park/Outdoor
Walking Tours in Reykjavik, Iceland
Create Your Own Walk in Reykjavik
Creating your own self-guided walk in Reykjavik is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Reykjavik Introduction Walking Tour
Reykjavik is the capital city of Iceland. Located close to the Arctic Circle, it is the world's northernmost capital. This charming, eclectic destination is the center of Iceland's economy, culture, and government.
Reykjavík is considered to be Iceland's first settlement. According to ancient texts, Norseman Ingolfr Arnarson was drawn to Reykjavík's natural harbor and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Reykjavík is considered to be Iceland's first settlement. According to ancient texts, Norseman Ingolfr Arnarson was drawn to Reykjavík's natural harbor and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Reykjavik Historical Buildings Tour
Reykjavik, although primarily famous as a base from which to explore the rest of Iceland, is surprisingly full of unique historic locations, many of which are off the beaten path and thus not overrun with tourists. In fact, unless you're accompanied by a historian or knowledgeable local, you can easily walk right past them and not realize their historical importance.
Relatively small in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Relatively small in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles