Iceland is an adventure paradise, with some of the most unbelievable terrain and natural land formations of any country. There are more glaciers here than anywhere else in Europe, and many regions and towns have a significant amount of geothermal activity, where bubbling pools and geysers provide excitement. The northern, western and eastern coastlines are mountainous and riddled with super-deep fjords, while the southern region is smoother and warmer, although still spectacularly beautiful. Iceland has a very small population, yet its capital, Reykjavík, offers all the charm and sophistication of a major European city.
 Akureyri
Located in the north of Iceland, Akureyri is the main town and base for summer and winter tourists wishing to partake in leisure activities in this fine region. Some of the best skiing in Iceland is close to Akureyri, and the town is only a short flight from the capital. Besides skiing, other winter activities include snowmobiling and ice fishing. There is much geothermal activity in the area and many hotels and resorts are geared that guests can enjoy Jacuzzis and hot tubs.
 East Iceland
East Iceland encompasses a massive area and has much to offer tourists in the way of beautiful landscapes and many towns. By far the biggest attraction in East Iceland is the awe-inspiring Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. The glacier is near the coast and is a sublime sight. Other, must-see natural attractions in East Iceland include: the Hafrahvammsgljúfur canyon, Mount Snæfell and Hengifoss waterfall. In addition, Seyðisfjörður is an old town with some grand old houses and monuments.
 North Iceland
North Iceland is another diverse area and the best place to watch the sun teetering on the horizon in the summer months. Wildlife, nature and history are all in abundance here, and the scenery ranges from gentle, rolling hills to spectacular snowcapped peaks. One of the main draws to North Iceland is the wealth of winter activities, particularly skiing. Situated at the tip of a long fjord, Akureyri is an attractive town, used as a base for skiers and snowboarders who come to visit some of the best ski resorts in the country.
 Reykjanes Peninsula
This beautiful peninsular is one of Iceland’s most accessible areas, with plenty of amazing attractions. Reykjavík and the international airport are located on this barren peninsular, with its stark, volcanic landscape and geothermal areas. The biggest attraction here is the Blue Lagoon - Iceland's number one spa, while Grindavík is a great spot for whale-watching in the summer and Krísuvik boasts bubbling mud pools.
 Reykjavík
Reykjavík is an extremely diverse capital city; it offers all the trappings of any other prominent world city such as museums, galleries, theatre and wonderful shopping and dining, as well as a fantastic setting. There are lush parks and gardens throughout the city and a river packed with salmon runs through it. Reykjavík bustles day and night and is as cosmopolitan as they come, while at the environs are golf courses, ski resorts and some outstanding landscapes.
 South Iceland
Like other regions of Iceland, South Iceland enjoys plenty of the geothermal activity that is ubiquitous on this island. The major towns and cities of southern Iceland are not far by road from Reykjavík and many tour companies have set up base here to take advantage of the many attractions and relatively balmy temperatures. The so-called ‘Golden Circle’ is located in this area of Iceland; a staggeringly beautiful region where the Þingvellir National Park resides.
 The Highlands
The rawest part of Iceland lies in the heart of the country, where humans are rare, and the rewards for those that do venture here are priceless. The terrain features massive mountains; active and extinct volcanoes; ancient, meandering glaciers; sporadic hot springs and the odd grove.
 West Iceland
A great fishing region, West Iceland features many great rivers and lakes as well as attractive lava formations and much geothermal activity. Waterfalls abound and the country’s highest, Glymur, plunges nearly 200m, while the world’s largest lava cave, Víðgelmir, is enormous. From Reykjavík, West Iceland proper is accessible by taking the seven kilometre tunnel under Hvalfjörður fjord.
 Westfjords
The Westfjords is accessible by land by going through West Iceland, but it is not associated with West Iceland and is a region unto itself. Featuring dozens of deep and impressive fjords, the area is another favourite destination for tourists, with many big attractions to seek out. The Látrabjarg, Europe’s westernmost point, is a huge 400-metre cliff that harbours one of the world’s biggest seabird colonies. Djúpavík is an old outpost and has the abandoned herring centre, while Hornstrandir nature reserve survives on the edge of the world in northern Westfjords and presents rich vegetation and unbelievable views.
Top Things to Do
 Bathe in the Blue Lagoon
Located to the west of Reykjavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon is a huge therapeutic natural pool that is open year-round and is easy to get to. The lagoon is one of Iceland’s biggest attractions and it is well-known the world over. Buildings at the attraction have been well designed and add to the overall ambience, while boutiques and restaurants are also on-site for added comfort. You can get to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavík or from the airport by bus.
 Chase a Rainbow at Gullfoss Falls
Gullfoss is Iceland's most famous waterfall and a national monument, plunging over 30m into a sheer canyon, where a tremendous amount of spray is created. Try to get here on a sunny day, when fascinating rainbows are formed over the gorge making the whole place look divine.
 Cruise the Jökulsárlón
Part of the James Bond movie Die Another Day was filmed at the Glacial River Lagoon. You can get up close to this magnificent field of floating glacial ice chunks by taking a river cruise. The lagoon is located near the town of Höfn, in the southeast of Iceland, and boats run here in the summer. Also in the area on the Breiðamerkur sands is a massive colony of skua (large predatory seabirds).
 Marvel at the Northern Lights
One of nature’s most awesome sights is the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. Iceland is located at a high enough latitude to be gifted with this natural phenomena, and the lights appear on clear, cold nights, as a spectrum of colours and shapes that dance about in the night sky. The lights are actually charged particles from the sun reacting with the earth’s cold atmosphere.
 See the Hekla Volcano
The active volcano known as Hekla Volcano is Iceland's most famous, and it continues to erupt on occasion – roughly every 10 years since 1970 – and lava from the last eruption in 2001 covers a huge area. The volcano is a series of ridges as opposed to the classic cone shape and can be visited on a trek in the summer.
 Steal a View from atop Hallgrímskirkja
Reykjavík’s huge church, Hallgrímskirkja, dominates the city and can be seen from miles away. The conical shaped steeple stands 75m high and is supported by a series of volcanic basalt columns to give the appearance of a volcano. Take the handy elevator to the top and see the best view of the city before admiring the stark interior. A statue of Viking Leifur Eiríksson (the first to discover America) stands proudly outside the church, atop a lofty plinth.
 View Geysir
Residing to the east of Reykjavík, not far from Gullfoss falls; Geysir (geyser in English) is the original spouting hot spring that is the namesake of every other in the world. You can see Geysir erupting about two or three times daily, although it was inactive for a time after people clogged it up with rubbish in an attempt to set it off. Geysir doesn’t quite reach the heights of 60m like it used to when it was born in the 13th century, and the highest you will see now is it reaching about 10m. A more impressive yet less historic geyser is the nearby Strokkur (the Churn) geyser, the world's most reliable geyser that spouts water and steam up to about 35m every 10 minutes or so.
 Visit Skaftafell National Park
The largest national park in Europe is located in the south of Iceland and is a favourite attraction among visitors in the summer. The park is loaded with huge peaks, glaciers and thundering waterfalls, while its main feature, the blue-white Vatnajökull icecap, is the largest of its kind outside the north and south poles, weighing in at a somewhat impressive three trillion tonnes. There is talk of merging Skaftafell park with nearby Jökulsárgljúfur Park to make a ‘super park’ that will cover a significant percentage of Iceland.
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