Begin in Reykjavík, Björk’s hometown, a vibrant city surrounded by mountains and ocean. Stroll its narrow streets lined with colorful rooftops, quirky cafes, and murals of cosmic robots and mythical creatures. The city feels like a village nestled in nature – Mt. Esja looming across the bay and the cold North Atlantic hugging its shores. In this urban haven, Iceland’s creative heartbeat thrives: you might catch an impromptu concert at a tiny record shop or see avant-garde street art on the side of a fishing shed. Every corner of Reykjavík hums with artistic freedom, much like Björk’s music which she forged here among fellow dreamers. The Sun Voyager sculpture by the sea – a sleek steel viking ship gazing at the horizon – symbolizes the city’s spirit: always exploring, a vessel of dreams.

Morning light spills over Reykjavík’s harbor as you stand by the Sun Voyager. Sea breeze tousles your hair. In the distance, a lone figure (could it be Björk herself?) jogs along the shoreline. You close your eyes and hear “The Anchor Song” in your mind – that final track from her debut album, with its deep horns mimicking foghorns. I live by the ocean… The music seems to rise from the water itself. Opening your eyes, you feel anchored and free at once. Here, where city and sea meet, you sense why Björk sang of casting an “anchor” into these waters – it’s a place to ground your heart while your spirit sets sail.

In Reykjavik’s close-knit arts scene, Björk grew from a child prodigy to an icon. Her song “Anchor Song” was inspired by the harbor’s pull, using the ocean floor as a metaphor for finding home. As she once said, “In Reykjavík, where I was born, you are in the middle of nature… But you are still in a capital in Europe. So I have never understood why I have to choose between nature or urban… Nature hasn’t gone anywhere. It is all around us”. Take a cue from her: embrace Reykjavík’s duality. Enjoy an espresso downtown, then a quiet moment by the water. Maybe spin on a barstool at Kaffibarinn, a known musicians’ hangout, or browse indie vinyl at Smekkleysa (Bad Taste) record shop – co-founded by The Sugarcubes (Björk’s former band) in the ’80s. By night, the city’s music venues pulse with experimental beats and eclectic sounds. Recommended soundtrack: “Anchor Song” for a reflective harbor walk, “It’s Oh So Quiet” as you wander sleepy streets at dawn, and “Big Time Sensuality” to celebrate the creative energy all around. Reykjavík is an overture to your journey – intimately small, yet cosmically creative.