Bucket list destination:
Iceland
For nature in the raw, nowhere on earth compares to Iceland. Pocked by volcanoes, rocked by tectonic forces and coated in vast ice sheets, this strange volcanic island offers a smorgasbord of wild, weird experiences.
In a single day, you could find yourself hiking onto a glacier, strolling across a black sand beach, delving into a frozen ice cave, descending into a petrified lava tube or chilling out in a geothermal lagoon under the flickering lights of the Northern Lights Aurora Borealis.
Iceland is a paradise for nature lovers and adventurous travellers: savour every second.
Reykjavik, the capital, is in the south west, the most populous area.
Other towns are dotted around the coast, while the centre is mainly a mountainous, volcanic and uninhabitable area.
The country’s second city, Akureyri, is in the north near Lake Myvatn; Seydisfjordur, the main ferry port, is on the east coast.
Iceland is a very safe place to visit. Icelanders can be reserved at first, but have a sly sense of humour once they warm up. People tend to eat and drink late, particularly in summer which is blessed with long hours of daylight; winter here can be tough.
There is a strong culture of swimming, thanks to the country’s natural hot springs, and an innate appreciation of nature.
If you’re planning a weekend break in Reykjavik, be aware that Sundays are notoriously quiet, with few shops open. Plan your day trips out of the city then.
With fresh lamb, salmon from crystal-clear streams and seafood from just offshore, Iceland’s raw ingredients are sublime, and eating out is a pleasure with excellent fine dining restaurants and twists on New Nordic cuisine.
More challenging traditional recipes include sheep’s head, puffin and seagull’s eggs. (You can try all of Iceland’s weird and wonderful local specialities during the Thorrablot Festival).
Locals love their pylsur (hot dog) smothered in ketchup, mustard and onions sold from street stalls in central Reykjavik. Braver souls should try hákarl (rotting shark) at Kolaportid market.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers
Reykjavik
Price: €800
Min age: 13
Rating 4.96 / 5 [56 ratings]
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Reykjavik
Price: €1,210
Min age: 8
Rating 4.48 / 5 [33 ratings]
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Reykjavik
Price: €1,260
Min age: 8
Rating 4.78 / 5 [46 ratings]
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Reykjavik
Price: €1,840
Min age: 8
Rating 4.95 / 5 [82 ratings]
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Reykjavik
Price: €1,900
Min age: 8
Rating 4.95 / 5 [146 ratings]
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Reykjavik
Price: €1,940
Min age: 6
Rating 4.80 / 5 [357 ratings]
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Reykjavik
Price: €2,160
Min age: 8
Rating 4.87 / 5 [47 ratings]
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Reykjavik
Price: €2,170
Min age: 12
Rating 5 / 5 [20 ratings]
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Reykjavik
Price: €2,230
Min age: 8
Rating 4.91 / 5 [258 ratings]
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Reykjavik
Price: $2,280
Min age: 8
Rating 4.86 / 5 [15 ratings]
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Reykjavik
Price: €2,420
Min age: 6
Rating 4.29 / 5 [85 ratings]
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Reykjavik
Price: €2,470
Min age: 8
Rating 4.39 / 5 [58 ratings]
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Reykjavik
Price: €3,100
Min age: 11
Rating 5 / 5 [32 ratings]
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Travel in Iceland is highly seasonal. Visit between November and February for the Northern Lights, but be aware that it’s cold, daylight is in short supply, and sightings need a clear night and aren’t guaranteed.
Visit between June and August to bask in the midnight sun, with up to 23 hours of daylight. Summer is, of course, peak season, so flights and accommodation will be more expensive. But it’s the best time to be outdoors, with a raft of activities available.
Spring and autumn can also be good for getting outdoors with fewer crowds – but more chance of rain.
If you’re flying into Keflavik International Airport, Reykjavik is approx 40 minutes away. Hire a car or take the Flybus, which works out significantly cheaper than a taxi.
The island’s other main access point is the ferry port of Seydisfjordur in eastern Iceland. Buses link up with ferry crossings to take you to Reykjavik (approx 8-hour journey).
It’s a good idea to hire a car if you’re coming to Iceland to see more than Reykjavik (which is best seen on foot or by bike). Iceland is ringed by Route 1, the only major road, linking all the major towns; roads in the highlands and centre of Iceland can be closed for part of the year by bad weather. There are car rental offices at Keflavik Airport, Reykjavik and Akureyri.
Note that petrol in Iceland is expensive, and outside the main towns, petrol stations can be few and far between.
First-time visitors will certainly want to spend a couple of days in Reykjavik, which acts as a good base for visits to Thingvellir National Park, Geysir and Gullfoss, and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula (a lengthy day trip away). You can take day trips from Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar in the central highlands too.
Akureyri is the main place to stay if you’re visiting the natural wonders of Myvatn or whale watching in Husavik.
Hella is a good option if you’re investigating the southern reaches, including Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon; Seydisfjordur is the hub for eastern Iceland.
