Reykjavik Attractions

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Although a beautiful, cosmopolitan, vibrant and charming city, many of Iceland's best tourist attractions are actually located outside of its capital Reykjavik. However, luckily for visitors, Iceland is a small country - and none of the tourist attractions mentioned here require a significant amount of travelling to get to.

As far as attractions in Reykjavik are concerned, don't miss the Botanical Gardens, which are full of interesting indigenous plants and trees; the Einar Jónsson Museum, displaying works by Iceland's greatest sculptor; Hallgrimskirkja, one of the weirdest, most grandiose churches on the planet; and, to satisfy your Viking curiosity, the National Museum, Saga Museum and the Reykjavik City Museum (which features live actors and historical renactments).

Outside of Reykjavik, however - as one enters Iceland's remarkable hinterland - is where the real tourist gems are found. Be sure to check out the Blue Lagoon, a man-made geothermal spring and spa; Geysir, the world's original hot spring; the truly transcendent Gullfoss Falls; Thingvellir National Park, with its incredible hiking trails; and Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon full of eerie, luminous-blue ice bergs.

No matter what you decide you to see and do in the 'Land of Fire and Ice', one thing is for sure: don't forget to take a camera along with you, as Iceland is a country uniquely full of sights that beggar belief.

Hallgrimskirkja

This landmark church, the tallest building in Iceland, dominates the city from its highest point and is visible on a sunny day from up to 10 miles (16km) away. Named after the 17th-century Icelandic poet, hymn composer and clergyman, Hallrimur Petursson, the church's unusual... see full details

National Museum

The recently refurbished National Museum of Iceland is the best place to become acquainted with the folklore, history and culture of this fascinating nation. The museum contains around 3,000 artefacts, including medieval settlers' tools, agricultural and nautical implements, ancient carvings and Viking relics. ... see full details

Botanical Gardens

The lush, green Reykjavik Botanic Garden is a haven for strollers. It is planted with a large collection of Icelandic indigenous plants and other plant collections, which give an idea of the enormous diversity of vegetation in the northern temperate zone. Besides walking trails... see full details

Einar Jónsson Museum

Einar Jónsson was Iceland's foremost sculptor, and he himself designed and established this museum, which contains over 300 of his works spanning his 60-year career. The museum building itself is deemed to be Jónsson's largest work, and served as his home, gallery and studio.... see full details

Aurora Borealis

The Aurora Borealis - or Northern Lights - are one of nature's most celebrated, most beautiful and rarest occurrences. Caused by collisions between charged particles in the highest reaches of the earth's atmosphere, witnessing the spectacular lightshow is a numinous and unforgettable experience. Visitors... see full details

Hidden People

Never mind the Vikings, one of Iceland's most interesting cultural drawcards must surely be the Huldufólk, or 'Hidden People'. In Icelandic folklore, the Huldufólk are akin to elves - invisible, non-threatening, magical beings, that can be observed by humans with a talent for communicating... see full details

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