Literary retreats
Sit down on a bench with a QR code and enjoy listening to Icelandic literature.

Ægisíða - Óskar Árni Óskarsson
Óskar Árni Óskarsson (b. 1950) is an acknowledged master of short prose, with a gift for bringing out the surreal in the most quotidian of circumstances. Here you can enjoy a reading from his works of prose and poetry.
Skólavörðuholt - Gunnar Gunnarsson
Here on Skólavörðuholt, opposite the church Hallgrímskirkja, you can listen to a reading from the historical novel The Black Cliffs by Gunnar Gunnarsson (1889-1975).
Steinbryggja - Vilborg Dagbjartsdóttir
Listen to readings of poetry by Vilborg Dagbjartsdóttir. Vilborg (b. 1930) published her first book of poetry in 1960 and at that time she was one of a few women in Iceland to write modernist poetry. She has since become one of Iceland's most celebrated poets.
Sæbraut - Sigurbjörg Thrastardóttir
Here, by the seaside you can listen to the short story "Curving Necks" by Sigurbjörg Þrastardóttir. It tells about a herd of giraffes that visit Reykjavik with unforseen consequences for the cultural life in the city and the health of the inhabitants.
Nauthólsvík - Kristín Ómarsdóttir
Here you can enjoy a reading of a "Icelandic National Poem" by Kristín Ómarsdóttir.
Klambratún Park - Thorsteinn Erlingsson
Here at Klambratún Park, in the vicinity of the bust of poet Thorsteinn Erlingsson (1858-1914), we offer you a reading of his poem "The Snow Bunting".
Höfði - Einar Benediktsson
Please enjoy a reading of Einar Benediktsson’s poem, “Surf”. His poetry has been classified as neo-romantic, collected in five books during his lifetime.
The Botanic Garden - Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Here, by this little pond in Reykjavik's Botanical Garden in Laugardalur, you can listen to a reading from the novel The Greenhouse by Audur Ava Ólafsdóttir.
Reykjavík City Lake - Bragi Ólafsson
Enjoy a reading of Bragi Ólafsson's short story "My Room" from his book Við hinir einkennisklæddu (Us, the Uniformed). This is a book of memories, factual and imaginary.
Reykjavík City Lake - Tómas Gudmundsson
Please have a seat next to poet Tómas Gudmundsson's statue and listen to a reading of his poem "Hotel Earth", originally published in Icelandic in 1933 in his book Fagra veröld (Beautiful World).
Reykjavík City Lake – Svava Jakobsdóttir
Here, by the Reykjavik City Lake, you can enjoy listening to a reading from the short story "Return" by Svava Jakobsdóttir (1930-2004).
Hljómskálagarður Park - Jónas Hallgrímsson
By the statue of poet Jónas Hallgrímsson here in Hljómskálagarður Park you can listen to a reading of his poem "Journey's End".
Austurvöllur Square - Thórarinn Eldjárn
On the square in front of the Parliament Building, Austurvöllur, you can listen to a reading from the historical novel The Blue Tower by Thórarinn Eldjárn.
Café Kaffislippur - Poetry and Prose
Reykjavik UNESCO City of Literature invites you to listen to readings from Icelandic literature on a city bench outside café Kaffislippur at the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina by the old harbour. Here you can listen to prose and poetry in English translation.
Skólavörðustígur - Icelandic Women Writers
We invite you to listen to readings from literature by Icelandic women writers in English translations.