Iceland isn't known for architecture, and the best art is by whoever crafted the landscape. Still, there are a few landmarks.
The country's two best-known buildings are Hallgrímskirkja (Hallgrim's Church) (Skólavörðuholti, 121 Reykjavík; tel. +354 510 1000; www.hallgrimskirkja.is) and Akureyrarkirkju (Akureyri Church) (602 Akureyri; tel. +354 462 7700; www.akirkja.is). Both were designed by modernist Gujón Samúelsson in a spare, Nordic style. Hallgrímskirkja, the tallest building in Reykjavík, has a huge pipe organ and an eighth-floor bell tower with some of the city's best views. Access to the observation deck (via elevator) costs ISK 300.
While driving around Reykjavík, it's hard to miss Perlan (The Pearl) (tel. +354 562 0200; www.perlan.is), a huge dome sitting on top of six gigantic hot-water tanks. Opened in 1991, it's now the site of a fancy restaurant and winter garden; the observation deck is another place to grab good views of Reykjavík.
While wandering the streets of Reykjavík, make sure to shunt off onto side streets to check-out the brightly colored, corrugated iron siding on most of the houses. The cheerful colors offset the real need for the siding: Reykjavík's driving, horizontal rain.
Reykjavík's galleries and museums mostly focus on modern art. To tap into Iceland's ancient history, though, go to the Culture House (Hverfisgata 15, 101 Reykjavík; tel. +354 545 1000; fax +354 545 1401; www.thjodmenning.is) where a spectacular collection of ancient books is on display. Medieval Icelanders didn't paint or sculpt much, but they treated the written word as sacred -- and many of those written words have survived 800 years or more on their original pages.
If you're up in Húsavik for some whale watching, don't miss the ambitious Húsavik Whale Centre.
