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City Guide - Reykjavik - Sport | ||
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Sport Icelanders have a renowned passion for swimming pools and hot pots. Reykjavik owes its reputation as a spa city to the many pools within easy reach of the city. The most popular spectator sport is football and the country's growing success at the game is demonstrated by the growing number of Icelandic players in the English Premiership. International matches can be viewed at the Laugardalur Sports Centre. The most popular event in Reykjavik's sporting calendar is the marathon, held every August. Golf: The Reykjavik Golf Club operates two 18-hole courses: Grafarholt (tel: 587 2211; fax 587 2213) and Korpúlfsstadir (tel: 586 2211or 586 2213; fax: 586 2212). Green fees start from IKr1900. Both courses are located at Grafarholt (bus 8, 14, 15 or 115) in a natural landscape with rolling hills and rocky terrain. The Icelandic Golf Association, Laugardal, 104 Reykjavik (tel: 568 6686) can provide more information. Horseriding: The term is 'horse rental', a bit like car rental, and hiring a horse costs IKr4000 for half a day (see Horse Tours in the Tours of the City section). Ice skating: Skating Hall, Laugardalur (tel: 568 5533), is open from September to May. Whenever the Tjörnin pond freezes over, the snow is routinely cleared away to allow for skating. Skate hire is available. Skiing: The skiing areas of Blafjoll, Skalafell and Hengill are half an hour's drive from Reykjavik and are normally open from January to the beginning of May, depending on snow conditions. Scheduled buses leave from the BSÍ Coach Terminal (tel: 552 2300). Information on ski conditions can be obtained by telephone (tel: 570 7711). Swimming pools: There are numerous pools in the Reykjavik area including: Vesturbaerjal, Hofsvallagata (tel: 551 5004); Seltjarnarneness, Sudurströnd (tel: 561 1551); Gardabaejar, Asgardur (tel: 565 8066); and Reykjavikur, Baronsstigur (tel: 551 4059). Prices are around IKr200. Most are open air because the water temperature is at a comfortable 27°C (80.6°F) year round. |