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  • Europe
    • Introduction
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  • Iceland
    Overview
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    Explore
    • Reykjavík
    • Southwestern Iceland
    • The west coast
    • The West Fjords
    • Northwest Iceland
    • Mývatn and the northeast
    • Eastern and southeast Iceland
    • The Interior
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  • Things not to miss
A dip in the sublime waters of the Blue Lagoon is a quintessentially Icelandic experience. Landmannalaugar’s bubbling hot springs, wildly-coloured hills and rugged hiking trails are the Interior’s best-known feature. The total remoteness and majestic landscape make isolated Hornstrandir a fantastic destination for dedicated hikers. Scramble down the stark sides of this volcanic crater in the Interior and take a quick dip in the lukewarm geothermal lake, Víti. ample Iceland’s legendary nightlife, starting with a pub crawl round of Reykjavík’s bars. Admire the drama of the West Fjord mountains from the green, flat meadows of this tiny, peaceful island haven. Reykjavík’s Culture House boasts some of Europe’s oldest and finest medieval manuscripts. Mývatn’s placid spread of water is a haven for wildfowl, while the lake’s surrounds abound in volcanic formations, both extinct and highly active. A trip into the desolate, uninhabited Interior is an unmissable opportunity to see the raw side of Iceland. Hike 25km over the mountains between Þórsmörk and Skógar, right past the steaming site of the 2010 volcanic eruption at Eyjafjallajökull. This sweeping stretch of golden sand and turquoise water is Iceland’s most beautiful beach. See Strokkur erupting at Geysir, after which all geysers are named. The dramatic site of Iceland’s first parliament, set in a mighty rift valley where the Eurasian and American continental plates are slowly tearing apart. Get up close to minke and humpback whales on a whale-watching tour from Reykjavík or Húsavík. Skaftafell’s blend of highland plateau, summer meadows and ice-blue glaciers are best explored by hiking, biking or climbing. Reykjavík’s best-known landmark, the striking Hallgrímskirkja offers unsurpassed views of the capital from its tower. Deep inside Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, encounter nature in the raw at Europe’s most powerful waterfall.