Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Itineraries
Iceland's di
cult 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.
GRAND TOUR OF ICELAND
7
Lake Mývatn
A proliferation of geological
oddities, from bubbling mud pools to steam
vents, clustered around a beautiful lake teeming
with birdlife.
See p.249
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.
See p.306
9
Heimaey
A steaming volcano cone, grassy
clifftop walks and abundant wildlife make this
small, self-contained island community an
essential overnight stopover.
See p.136
Two weeks in Iceland and no idea where to
start? Our Grand Tour puts you on the right
track.
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.
See p.50
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.
See p.93
3
Geysir
See the original geyser (which gave its
name to all the others) spew water from deep
underground high into the air.
See p.105
4
Þingvellir
The chasm between the European
and North American tectonic plates marks the
site of Iceland's original open-air parliament.
See p.99
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.
See p.226
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.
See p.258
THE BEST OF THE WEST AND
NORTH
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.
See p.151
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.
See p.164
3
Flatey
A night on this idyllic island provides a
taste of rural Iceland: stroll through flower
ABOVE
PUFFINS
