Around Iceland

Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, a museum located on ’Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical centre where one can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.

On 14 November 1963, a trawler passing the southernmost point of Iceland spotted a column of smoke rising from the sea. Expecting to find a burning boat they were surprised to find instead, explosive volcanic eruptions. They were witnessing the birth of a new island. Columns of ash reached heights of almost 30,000 feet in the sky and could be seen on clear days as far away as Reykjavík. The eruptions continued for three and a half years, ending in June 1967. Once formed, Surtsey was 492 feet above sea level and covered an area of almost 2 square miles.  The island was named after the Norse fire god Surtur. It is a perfect scientific study area used to understand the colonisation process of new land by plant and animal life.

It’s hard to imagine, as you stroll Heimaey’s idyllic streets of white wooden houses, that this island was literally torn apart by a spectacular volcanic eruption, just over 40 years ago. The fact that you can visit incredible Heimaey at all is something of a miracle – because the oozing lava of the Eldfell volcano threatened to seal the harbour off completely. Fortunately, its advance was halted by gallons of seawater, pumped onto it by the plucky islanders, who saved their fishing industry in the process. Iceland's famous for its scenery, and the huge castles of volcanic rock that rise out of the sea's waves here are some of the country's most dramatic.

Seyðisfjörður, a beautiful 19th-century Norwegian village on the east coast of Iceland, is regarded by many as one of Iceland's most picturesque towns, not only due to its impressive environment, but also because nowhere in Iceland has a community of old wooden buildings been preserved so well as here. Poet Matthías Johannessen called Seyðisfjörður a 'pearl enclosed in a shell'. The beautiful Gufufoss is the largest waterfall in Seydisfjordur, an Icelandic fjord. It is famous for its similarity with another popular waterfall in Iceland, the Skogafoss. However, despite the comparison, the Gufufoss waterfall remains a magnificent fixture in its own right in East Iceland. 

Enjoy an overnight here to experience everything this destination has to offer.

Continue exploring all this beautiful destination has to offer on your second day here.

Known as the capital of the North, the Icelandic city of Akureyri offers a port call in a majestic setting and (for the lucky few) the possibility of glimpsing the Northern Lights. The small city is nestled at the base of Iceland’s longest fjord, Eyjafjörður; a spectacular stretch of water that spans nearly 40 miles. First settled by Norse Vikings in the 9th century, today Akureyri is the perfect launchpad from which to explore Northern Iceland’s greatest treasures. Piercing blue fjords, bubbling mud pools, snow-kissed mountains and tumbling waterfalls all form part of the spellbinding cocktail that is Akureyri’s scenery. While the usually mild climate makes for pleasant exploring on long midsummer days.

Discover the dazzling natural beauty of Isafjordur, a small town surrounded by snow-capped mountains, pristine water, and jaw-dropping vistas. With its striking steep mountains on three sides rising dramatically around a gorgeous bay, this is one of the most awe-inspiring places on Earth. As the largest settlement in the Westfjords, Isafjordur is the ideal place to discover northern Iceland’s unspoiled terrain and spot wildlife, including whales, seals, and arctic foxes, in their natural habitat. Visit the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, or head to Dynjandi, a group of waterfalls known as the jewel of the region. 

Beautiful Grundarfjørdur is located between a mountain range and the sea for spectaclar views. The nearby road crosses a warm lava field and the main attraction is the Snæfellsjokull National Park, full of regal glaciers, lava fields, waterfalls, caves and cliffs. This Peninsula was the first Iceland area to win the EARTHCHECK Sustainable Community Award in 2010. 

Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, a museum located on ’Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical centre where one can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.