Reykjavik

Reykjavík boasts all the trappings of a modern European city, as well as an interesting old town, whitewashed wooden buildings, and rows of brightly painted concrete houses. Nearly everything of interest is within walking distance of the old settlement.

The barren lava fields that surround Iceland’s international airport are an eye-grabbing introduction to this near-Arctic island, belched out of the mouths of volcanoes (some still active), awash in midnight sun from May to August, glistening with glaciers, geysers, hot springs and waterfalls.

Geysir

Geysir is the original spouting hot spring; all the others around the world are named after it. The great geyser debuted in the 14th century, blasting a jet of superheated water up to 80m (262ft) into the air, but has been mostly inactive since the 1960s. Luckily for visitors, Strokkur (the Churn), spouts up to 35m (115ft) and erupts every 10 minutes or so.

The great geyser ceased erupting after thousands of tourists tried to set it off by pouring in loads of rocks and dirt. When water levels inside the geyser were artificially lowered, it resumed activity. However, after earthquakes in June 2000, the geyser erupts to no specific timetable.

Gullfoss

Iceland’s most famous waterfall tumbles 32m (105ft) into a steep-sided canyon, kicking up a sheer wall of spray. The spectacle depends on what the weather is like. On sunny days the spray creates shimmering rainbows over the gorge and Gullfoss can seem simply magical. On grey, drizzly days the falls retreat into the mist and can be slightly underwhelming.

The site was once slated for sale to international bidders for hydroelectric development, but has since been purchased by the government and set aside as a national monument.

Mývatn

Mývatn, in northeast Iceland, is considered one of the natural wonders of the world. Although most of the interesting sights are volcanic or geothermal topographical features, the reserve’s centrepiece is a lovely blue lake teeming with birdlife.

Thanks to its location in the rain shadow of an enormous icecap, the reserve experiences some of the finest weather in Iceland. Travellers can relax and settle in, spend a week camping, or set out on excursions to the Kverkfjöll ice caves, Námaskaro or the Hverfell crater.