Iceland’s difficult terrain takes time to negotiate, and you can’t cover the whole country in a single trip. Our Grand Tour concentrates on Iceland’s main sights, while our other suggested routes focus on two fascinating regions, the island’s west and north, and the south and east.
1 Reykjavík
Though one of Europe’s smaller capitals, the vibrant heart of Iceland offers everything from style-conscious bars and restaurants to great museums and galleries.
2 Blue Lagoon
Take a dip in the sublime waters of this famous open-air swimming pool, fed by geothermal water and set in the middle of a lavafield.
3 Geysir
See the original geyser (which gave its name to all the others) spew water from deep underground high into the air.
4 Þingvellir
The chasm between the European and North American tectonic plates marks the site of Iceland’s original open-air parliament.
5 Akureyri
Chill on the north coast in Iceland’s second-largest town, renowned for its sunny summer days and great bar and restaurant scene.
6 Húsavík
Whale watching is on everybody’s list of must-dos in Iceland, and the expertly run tours from Húsavík offer virtually guaranteed sightings.
7 Lake Mývatn
A proliferation of geological oddities, from bubbling mud pools to steam vents, clustered around a beautiful lake teeming with birdlife.
8 The Interior
Venture into Iceland’s uninhabited Interior to witness some truly awe-inspiring scenery: from glaciers to lava deserts, the views are jaw-dropping.
9 Heimaey
A steaming volcano cone, grassy clifftop walks and abundant wildlife make this small, self-contained island community an essential overnight stopover.
This one-week tour guides you through the best destinations between Reykjavík and Akureyri, including a detour into the West Fjords.
1 Borgarnes
Step into Iceland’s stirring past at the Settlement Centre and learn more about the country’s Saga heroes.
2 Stykkishólmur
Skim across the waters of Breiðafjörður in a rigid inflatable, checking out the myriad islands and rich birdlife in this part of the west.
3 Flatey
A night on this idyllic island provides a taste of rural Iceland: stroll through flower meadows down to the shore to watch the thousands of birds that call Flatey home.
4 Ísafjörður
Explore the West Fjords ‘most agreeable town, and try a spot of sea kayaking too.
5 Ósar
The place to get up close to entire colonies of seals, lolling on the black volcanic sands.
6 Hofsós
Take a restorative swim in the new oceanside pool and drink in the extraordinary coastal vistas.
7 Akureyri
Iceland’s second town offers a profusion of bars and restaurants, and the beautiful surroundings in Eyjafjörður are perfect for exploring on horseback.
A one-week tour from Reykjavík to Mývatn via the south and east coasts, with an excursion into the fringes of the Interior.
1 Borgarfjörður Eystri
This tiny, isolated community has plenty of puffins, hiking trails and spiky mountains to investigate – you might even spot a Greenland shark being landed at the harbour.
2 Landmannalaugar
Iceland’s most celebrated batheable hot spring, which emerges from underneath a lava wall amidst a stark gravel wilderness.
3 Gullfoss
The “Golden Falls” are at their most spectacular in late spring, when melted snow and ice tears through the gorge of this two-tier cataract.
4 Mývatn
Placid lake featuring abundant wildfowl, volcano cones, boiling mud pits and an underground bakery as just part of the surrounding scenery.
5 Jökulsárgljúfur National Park
Hike over the moors to Europe’s largest waterfall alongside a terrific 30km canyon created in prehistoric times by a single massive flood.
6 Vík
Pleasant village near Iceland’s southern-most point, with bracing sea breezes, black sand beaches and some easy scenic walking trails.
