Waterfalls, lava fields and glaciers under endless summer light.
Iceland is a raw, volcanic island where the landscape is the main event. The Golden Circle links Þingvellir, the Geysir area and Gullfoss, while the south coast runs past Seljalandsfoss, black-sand Reynisfjara and the icebergs of Jökulsárlón. Reykjavik is small and colourful, with the striking Hallgrímskirkja church and a lively café scene.
Most visitors drive the Ring Road, stopping at hot pools, lamb soup counters and bakeries in small towns. Weather changes fast, so plan loosely and check road conditions. June to August brings near-endless daylight and open highland roads; winter trades short days and icy driving for a real chance of the northern lights from September to March.
Best time to visit Iceland
June, July, August.
Places to visit in Iceland
Reykjavík: Iceland's small, colourful capital of geothermal pools, live music and seafood, and the starting point for most road trips.
Golden Circle: Iceland's classic day loop from Reykjavík: the rift valley of Þingvellir, the Geysir hot springs and the Gullfoss waterfall.
Vík: A village on Iceland's South Coast, near black-sand beaches, sea stacks and a string of famous waterfalls along the Ring Road.
Jökulsárlón: A glacier lagoon where icebergs calve from Breiðamerkurjökull, float to the ocean and wash up on the black sands of Diamond Beach.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula: A peninsula north of Reykjavík with a glacier-topped volcano, lava fields, black churches and the much-photographed Kirkjufell.
Lake Mývatn: A volcanic lake in north Iceland ringed by pseudocraters, lava formations and geothermal fields, near Akureyri and Húsavík.
Essentials
Currency: Icelandic Króna (ISK)
Language: Icelandic; English widely spoken
Plugs: Type C / F, 230 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+0
Tipping: Not expected; service is included in prices
Getting around: Hire a car for the Ring Road; buses and day tours from Reykjavik cover the main sights
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking