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.
Selfoss is sometimes referred to as the capital of southern Iceland, serving as its centre of commerce, farming, and horticulture, with shops, restaurants, and hotels dotted around the centre of town. It is part of the administrative area known as Arborg, located roughly an hour's drive from the capital, Reykjavik, on the famous Ring Road. A drive along Austurvegur road lined with colourful buildings leads out of town along the riverbanks of the glacial river. The town is an excellent kick-off point for day tours to places of interest in the area, such as the geysers and hot springs of Gullfoss Waterfall and the canyons, black sand beaches, volcanoes, and glacier lagoons of the South Coast.
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.
As previously described
