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.
Located in West Iceland, the picturesque town of Borgarnes serves as the gateway to the world-renowned Snaefellsnes National Park. This little town boasts an authentic atmosphere, rich history, and spectacular scenery. Explore the old quarter, which is filled with heritage buildings; visit Borgarfjörður Museum, one of Iceland’s best; and stroll through the beautiful Skallagrimsgaraur Public Park. Nature-lovers should not miss the chance to hike in the Einkunnir Country Park or climb the nearby Hafnarfjall Mountain. Other highlights include taking a swim in an indoor or outdoor geothermal pool or photographing the spectacular views of the rugged peninsula, the Snaefellsjokull, and Eiríksjokull glaciers on a clear day.
Akureyri in northern Iceland is as pretty as a picture, with scenery that includes wilderness areas, lava fields, ice caves, steaming hot springs and magnificent volcanic peaks. The town also boasts the best sightings of the colourful ‘northern lights’ in the country. Tourists make use of the surprisingly moderate weather conditions to explore nearby Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, Húsavík, and Lake Mývatn. Hlíðarfjall Mountain is a wonderful skiing destination, covered in snow for around 180 days a year. There are many museums to explore in the town, but the cultural highlight of the region is arguably the collection of traditional turf homes built into the mountainside, which allow a sneak-peek into Icelandic history.
Set in northern Iceland and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, Mývatn is a eutrophic lake in a geothermal valley. Here, boiling mud pots and hissing fumaroles are surrounded by magnificent mountains of sulphur-streaked rock contrasted with snow and ice. The valley hides a collection of caves containing surreal rock formations and is dotted with sweeping wetlands teeming with plant and birdlife. The Mývatn Nature Baths is a bathing lagoon that contains around 3.5 million litres of water with a temperature of between 3 - 40 °C. Places not to be missed include Hverfjall, Leirhnjúkur, Dimmuborgir, Höfdir, Grjótagjá, Skútustadagígar, Lofthellir, Krafla and the hot springs east of Námskardur.
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Egilsstadir is known as east Iceland’s capital and an optimal destination from which to take day trips to the numerous attractions in the eastern districts – including Hallormsstaðaskógur forest, Gufufoss waterfall, the Laki craters, the town of Seyðisfjörður and Stafdal ski resort. While you’re in town, it’s worth checking out the Slaughterhouse Culture Center, which is the heart of culture and arts in Egilsstadir, hosting a variety of events throughout the year, such as concerts, art exhibitions and plays. The East Iceland Heritage Museum showcases Icelandic traditions from the past and there is a 25 metre-long, warm public pool that has two hot tubs and a water slide.
Set on a scenic peninsula in southeast Iceland, the town of Hofn, meaning ‘harbour’, serves as the capital of the region. It provides an excellent stopover for visitors travelling around Iceland’s ring road. This picturesque Icelandic fishing town is conveniently situated close to the mighty Vatnajokull, the largest glacier in Europe. The town is surrounded by vast majestic landscapes featuring volcanic beaches, glacial rivers, and remote offshore islands. Visitors can look forward to a wide selection of activities including enjoying the annual lobster festival, visiting the town’s museums to learn about the surrounding area’s geographical history, and visiting the Gamlabuo, the ‘Old Shop’, one of the oldest buildings in Hofn. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Europe.
South Iceland is an exquisitely scenic region known as ‘The Land of Fire and Ice’. This volcanic paradise boasts breathtaking landscapes, a rich cultural heritage, and picturesque Icelandic villages. The south of Iceland is home to the country's most popular natural attractions including numerous volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, waterfalls, and glaciers. Explore Europe’s largest glacier at Vatnajokull National Park, take a boat cruise past floating icebergs in the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, and catch a glimpse of the enthralling Northern Lights. Other spectacular sites include Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a highlight of the popular ‘Golden Circle’ route; the Great Geysir, a phenomenal, enormous geyser which is one of Iceland’s main attractions; and Gullfoss, a powerful cascading, two-tier waterfall.
Situated in southwestern Iceland, Klausturholar lies directly east of Reykjavik, the country's capital and largest city. This little hamlet serves as a great stopover for visitors exploring the wonders of southwestern Iceland which boasts a wealth of ancient Icelandic history and incredibly beautiful landscapes such as stark lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Other highlights include visiting Selfoss, the largest town in South Iceland; enjoying a dip in the many hot springs dotting the region, and soaking up the spectacular Icelandic scenery.
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