Iceland's Must See Sights

Reykjavik, the capital, is the perfect place to start your vacation in Iceland. This colourful, buzzing city is compact and easy to explore on foot, and has a wealth of fantastic bars, restaurants, boutiques and galleries, with a thriving music and nightlife scene. Don’t miss architectural landmarks such as the distinctive Hallgrimskirkja church, and visit the historic harbour, where you’ll find a bustling fish market and some delicious fresh fish and chips.

Included in your trip is a visit to the ethereal Blue Lagoon, which you can enjoy on arrival. Here, swim in natural mineral-rich geothermal waters in a spectacular setting, surrounded by fields of black basalt lava and mountain peaks. Optional additional activities include Northern Lights tours (September to April) and whale-watching trips (April to October).

You’ll stay at the stylish Apotek Hotel in the heart of Reykjavik, which is housed in a historic building built by the same architect who built Hallgrimskirkja.  

Next, you’ll head to the scenic south coast and the village of Vik, Iceland’s most southern village. The award-winning Icelandair Hotel Vik is an ideal base for visiting the many natural gems of the area. Just a short walk away is a distinctive black beach that is one of the most beautiful beaches in Iceland, framed by the Atlantic Ocean, and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views if you hike up Mt. Reynisfjall, which Vik nestles beneath. Also not far away are the impressive Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, the sweeping Reynisfjara beach and the Reynisdrangar Pillars – legend has it that these shoots of volcanic rock that jut out of the ocean are three trolls that were caught out too late and frozen by the early morning sunlight.

Visit the glacial lagoon of Jokulsarlon, whose deep blue waters are dotted with icebergs and are home to hundreds of seals in winter, and walk around the Solheimajokull Glacier, which has shaped rugged rock formations, deep crevasses and ice sculptures all the way down to the sandy plains of the south coast. Atop the Dyrholaey peninsula, defined by a distinctive arch snaking out to sea (its name literally means ‘hill island door’ in Icelandic), you’ll find a century-old lighthouse, while seals frolic in the waves and thousands of puffins nest in the summer months.

The final leg of your Icelandic trip takes you to the Golden Circle and the luxurious Frost and Fire hotel, set in awe-inspiring surroundings where you can snorkel in the crystal-clear glacier waters of Silfra, one of the fissures between two tectonic plates, go rafting on the Hvita River, ride an Icelandic horse through the countryside, explore the highlands in a super jeep or head out on foot or bike on the scenic trails that you’ll find right on the hotel’s doorstep.

Embark on a thrilling midnight tour in the depths of night to experience the Midnight Sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter – both unique and memorable adventures and well worth missing sleep for. Back at the hotel, indulge in a geothermal mud bath or relax in the riverside hot tub and toast your adventure.