Located on a bay, presided over by mighty mount Esja, Iceland’s sprawling capital city stands in stark contrast to the quiet fishing villages and minute hamlets of the remarkable island nation. The hub is progressive, yet proudly traditional; remote, yet surprisingly cosmopolitan; inextricably tied to its natural landscape, yet embracing modern technology. The tiny city centre is characterised by an eclectic mix of brightly painted houses, elegant shops, stylish bars, and highbrow museums. A slew of restaurants serves up a delicious range of culinary delights as well as an array of exotic treats (try the pickled ram’s testicles and putrefied shark meat). Whether you plan on spending your vacation gallery-hopping while listening to Bjork on repeat, scuba diving between tectonic plates, or relaxing in the myriad geothermal pools, Reykjavik is the ultimate destination for pleasure seekers and adventure junkies alike.
Set in the wide-open spaces of Reykholtsdalur Valley, the tiny town of Reykholt is a forty-minute drive from Borgarnes. The little hamlet of Reykholt is the cultural highlight of any trip up the west coast of Iceland. Visitors can look forward to soaking up the breathtaking natural beauty of the surrounds and enjoying stunning views of dusky mountains and the tranquil Reykjadalsá River. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about local history at the Reykholt Museum, sample summer produce at the farmers’ roadside stalls and visit Deildartunguhver - the largest hot spring in Europe. Visitors can also view the statue of Snorri Sturluson, the most celebrated figure in Icelandic literature, who lived here during the Middle Ages and is famous as a politician and poet of Norse mythology. Don’t miss the lava waterfalls of Hraunfossar and the caves of Surtshellir in the lava field of Hallmundarhraun.
Resting at the base of the magnificent Mýrdalsjökull glacier the remote village of Vik, also known as Vík í Mýrdal rests on Iceland’s exquisite southern coast. The village of Vík í Mýrdal is a popular stopover for intrepid travellers keen to see all the stunning attractions this remote region has to offer. The closest village to the majestic Katla volcano and Myrdalsjokull glacier, Vík í Mýrdal is also known for its black pebble beaches and intriguing rock formations. Visitors can swim in Seljavallalaug, the oldest hot spring pool in Iceland; visit the Reynisfjall mountain, famous for its many bird species; or head to the coast to view the iconic Reynisdrangar – black basalt columns sculpted by the sea and located close to the village.
The Golden Circle is a popular 300-kilometre circuit in southwest Iceland encompassing Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir Geothermal Field. Thingvellir National Park sits directly over the original splitting point of the North American and Eurasian continents, and visitors can clearly see the rift valley formed by the shifting of the tectonic plates. The Silfra Fissure, in the park’s Thingvallavatn Lake, offers the chance of diving or snorkelling between the continents in water that displays exquisite shades of blue. The Geysir Geothermal Field at Haukadalur is home to bubbling hot springs, fumaroles and two geysers, one of which is extremely active, shooting spouts of steaming water as high as 40 metres into the air every 5 to 10 minutes. The other-worldly Gullfoss Waterfall is a massive cascade of water over a 36-metre high drop.
