Must See

Akureyri

The largest community outside the Reykjavik area, Akureyri is situated just 60 km (37 miles) south of the Arctic Circle, at the head of Eyjafjordur, the longest fjord in the country. Despite its isolated position, the town has a flourishing cultural life and plenty of entertainment, including art museums, a symphony orchestra, theatres, cafés, restaurants and night-clubs. The town is also home to the most northerly golf course in the world, and an international round-the-clock golf tournament held in mid-summer takes advantage of the area's midnight sun.

Blue Lagoon

This steaming, aquamarine pool is Iceland's most famous attractions. The unique mineral-rich lagoon is set amid a black lava field in the heart of the Icelandic wilderness and the water's properties are said to have a beneficial effect on the skin. At 35°C it's like a huge hot tub. Don a silica-mudpack and join the many swimmers floating by.

Geysir

The place from which the name for all spouting hot springs originates. Every June 17, on Icelandic Independence Day, tons of soap are poured in the Great Geysir causing an eruption. Nearby Strokkur spouts up to 20 metres (70 ft) towards the sky every 5-10 minutes.

Grimsey

Grimsey is a small island 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Iceland, situated directly on the Arctic Circle, and visitors receive a certificate for crossing it. A great number of birds come to the island in the summer and polar bears have appeared on the island, arriving on drifting ice floes from Greenland.

Gullfoss

Gullfloss (Golden Falls) is a stunning rainbow-tinged double cascade located on the Hvita River. The water flows down into a wide curved three step 'staircase', before abruptly plunging in two stages into a narrow canyon 32 m deep, set at right angles to the flow of the river.

Jokulsarlon

Jokulsarlon is the largest and probably best known of a number of glacial lakes in Iceland. Giant floating icebergs make for a surreal landscape and the lake has been a favourite with photographers and film crews, with scenes from films such as 'Die Another Day', 'A View to a Kill', 'Tomb Raider', 'Batman Begins' and 'Beowulf and Grendel' all shot here.

Lake Myvatn

Also known as 'Lake Midge', this shallow lake was created by a large lava eruption 2,300 years ago, and the surrounding landscape is now dominated by volcanic landforms, including lava pillars, bubbling mud flats and volcanic craters. The lake and its surrounding wetlands have an exceptionally rich fauna of waterbirds, especially ducks. During the summer, there are unfortunately also a huge number of midges around the lake. Despite this, Lake Myvatn is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.

Landmannalaugar

This eerily colourful landscape of green, yellow, red and orange rhyolite hills is set in a region near the volcano Hekla in the Southern Highlands. The area is dotted with many hot pools and streams, making this a definite must for walkers and artists alike. However, Landmannalaugar can only be reached by visitors in the summer time, as the road is closed from late September until the beginning of June.

Reykjavik

Meaning 'Smoky Bay', this busy and vibrant capital set on a broad bay is in an area of geothermal hot springs - the source of the city's central heating system. Old-fashioned wooden buildings sit side-by-side with modern buildings. In the daytime, hang out at one of the many coffee shops, or browse the interesting art galleries, bookshops and museums. At night, the city comes alive to the sound of its buzzing music scene, especially at weekends.

Reykjavik is renowned for its wild weekend runtur, when Icelanders go out on the town and get sozzled. Starting with drinks at friends' houses, revellers head to bars and nightclubs from midnight onwards.

The city is particularly exciting at New Year, where visitors may join in the Gamlarskvold (New Year's Eve celebrations). The city lights hundreds of bonfires, and thousands of fireworks go off simultaneously on the stroke of midnight, setting ablaze the crystal clear sky.

One of the city's most recognisable landmark is the Pearl Observatory, with its silvery glass domes. Some wonderful views are offered from its revolving restaurant. Views of the city may also be obtained from the tower of the Church of Hallgrimur; Reykjavik's highest and most imposing structure.

In Hafnarfjordur, a suburb of Reykjavik, travellers may learn more about Norsemen of yore, their culture and achievements, and sample a typical Viking feast during the annual Viking festival, one of the biggest gatherings of its kind in the world. The town is built on lava and around huge boulders, which are believed to be homes for elves, and tours of the most popular elven homes are available; these are very popular amongst both Icelanders and tourists.

Westfjords

The Westfjörds are Iceland's most rugged region and home to some of the most isolated villages in the country. This area of unspoiled nature is accessible only by water and each fjord has its own distinctive character.

Standing at 400 m (1,312 ft) high, the cliffs of Latrabjarg are the largest known bird cliffs in the world. A great variety of cliff-nesting species can be found there including the largest razorbill colony in the world, puffins guillemots, cormorants, kittiwakes and gulls. Seals are a common sight on the rocks to the north and whales are also often seen. Latrabjarg is also the westernmost point of Europe.

Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar)

The Westman Islands are a small archipelago of 45 rocky outcrops and islands off the south coast of Iceland. Only the largest, Heimaey, is inhabited. Like the rest of Iceland, the area is very volcanically active; in 1973, the Eldfell eruption created a 700-foot-high mountain where a meadow had been, whilst an eruption in 1963 created the new island of Surtsey.

The area is abundant with varied bird-life, and birdwatchers and nature lovers flock to the islands every spring to see the return of the puffin to nest from its long winter at sea. In August, millions of baby puffins leave their nests for the very first time to test their wings.

Activities

Fishing

The pristine streams of Iceland are excellent for salmon fly-fishing. Although licences for some of the most popular rivers are very expensive, it is possible to fish arctic and char trout for a fraction of the price.

Horse Riding

The small Icelandic horse is a strong but gentle animal that has adapted perfectly to the terrain. They stand at an average of 12.2 to 14.1 hands in height and can carry roughly one-third of their weight. Riding over deserted beaches and lava fields is a popular activity.

Northern Lights

One of nature's most awesome spectacles, the Northern Lights, can be enjoyed from September to March. Electrically-charged particles in the sky cause ever-shifting, glowing patterns of light that twist and turn restlessly.

Walking and Hiking

Walkers and hikers are spoilt for choice in Iceland; from the highlands to the Snaefellnes Peninsula and from Skaftafell National Park to the Westfjord, breathtaking views lurk around every bend.

Whale Watching

The waters around Iceland are some of the best in the world to spot a variety of cetaceans, with humpback, minke, fin, blue, sei and sperm whales making their appearance just off the coast.