Reykjavik Iceland

Iceland’s tiny capital has an almost inconceivable quantity of character. Home of spurting geysers, mammoth hot spring baths where you can lounge amongst fresh snow fall and a music scene the envy of cities several times its size (think Bjork, Sigur Ros and a White Stripes ‘fans only’ gig that’s since become the stuff of legends), Reykjavik lies high on many a savvy travler’s must-see list.

Unsurprisingly given its reputation, Reykjavik is difficult to match in terms of natural allures. Grabbing a bike and heading out into the surrounding wilderness – wrapped up in a suitably large number of layers, obviously – reveals perfect grassy meadows and pools shooting water high into the air, as well as idealistic spots for angling, hiking, climbing and pretty much any other kind of outdoor adventure you care to think up. If you’re here for the thermal pools, you could happily hop between them for the entire duration of even a lengthy trip, not forgetting to stop off at the bizarre geothermal beach (where hot water influx allows summer vibes amongst the frigid waters) and the infamous blue lagoon, where the rustic waters have been turned into a phenomenal (and pricey) health spa, and can also be explored more naturally on foot.

Landmannalaugar, Iceland

Landmannalaugar is a region in southern Iceland that is home to strange and beautiful geological formations. The multicolored rhyolite mountains in particular are breathtaking to behold. Visitors to this area enjoy hiking, horseback riding, and hot springs. Popular hikes include a trip up the peak of Bláhnúkur, a walk through the ice caves of Hrafntinnusker, or an extended multi-day hike along the Laugavegurinn trail. Tourists can visit Landmannalaugar between June and late September. Accommodations are sparse, consisting of only an austere mountain lodge that has room for 78 people total. Landmannalaugar can be accessed by car or by daily bus service from Iceland’s capital Reykjavik.

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

The Blue Lagoon is a unique wonder of Iceland, a result of all that volcanic activity the small island is so famous for. In the middle of the weird and wonderful, flat black lava fields of the Svartsengi National Park, the huge, outdoor lagoon is filled by naturally heated geothermal water which comes from 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) below the surface of the earth.

 

 

 

It is full of minerals, silica and algae and is especially good for the skin and relaxation. In fact, part of the Blue Lagoon development is a health clinic specializing in cures for psoriasis. The water is almost startlingly blue in color, and the white of the silica on the black lava rocks around the edges makes an amazing contrast.

 

Geysir Geyser, Iceland

Geysers are spectacular and never fail to fill us with excitement and wonder at the nature of this planet we live on. Shooting hot water into the air if and when they feel like it, they really are like the Earth blowing bubbles of sheer joy. Iceland has some of the best in the world. The most visited are right beside the highway on The Golden Circle route, connected to the Hvitá River. Here several geysers erupt every few minutes.

 

 

 

 

Geysir's geysers, for all their steamy, spectacular shooting of water high into the air, are really a quick stop off on a trip to the nearby Gullfoss waterfall. There is not much else to do except watch water shoot out of the ground or visit the tourist shop across the road, but it's worth it.

 

Reykjavik, Iceland

Jokusarlon Lagoon

The largest and best known of Iceland's glacial lakes, Jokulsarlon Lagoon is in the south of the country at the end of the Vatnajokull glacier. The lagoon first appeared around 1935 and has been growing ever since with the accelerating melting of the glacier.

 

 

 

These days it looks likely to eventually breach the narrow isthmus and join up with the sea, making it an inlet rather than a lake. The Icelanders are keen to stop this happening as the main highway which circles Iceland passes over this narrow strip of land.

 

 

 

Gulfoss Waterfall

Gullfoss is a massive waterfall on the river Hvita which originates in the glacial lake Langjokull. Gullfoss means 'golden falls' because the glacial sediment in the water turns the falls golden in the sunlight. The water falls 105 feet (32 meters) in two steps. As you approach, you hear the falls before you see the wild, tumbling water as the river valley is a deep, dramatic crevasse. You can stand at the top or walk down the path to the bottom.

 

  

 

 

 

 

The Pearl (Perlan)

Perlan ('The Pearl' in English) is a spectacular landmark which overlooks Reykjavik and can be seen for miles around. Dating from 1991, it is actually a water storage facility (for the geothermal water that comes out of the earth here and supplies the city with its hot water) with a viewing platform, a cafeteria and a revolving restaurant on top. Inside there is a large space which is often used for concerts.

 

 

 

Perlan also houses the Viking Saga Museum which is open everyday.

Videy Island

Across the water from Reykjavik lies Videy Island. Once the main harbor until Reykjavik took over in 1943, the first settlement on the island dates from the 10th century. These days birds are the main inhabitants of the island with around 30 species coming to breed there.

 

 

 

For humans, there is a restaurant, located in Videyjarstofa house, the first stone and cement building in Iceland, which dates from 1755. The island was once home to Augustine monks until 1539 when the reformation began in Iceland. There are also walking tracks and horse-riding.