Photo: Martin Argles/The Guardian
The small city that thinks big
A village that’s also a capital city, a low-rise, hi-tech, beautiful place backed by astonishing mountain scenery in the corner of a deserted, desolate country, Reykjavik is unique. Its profile as a weekend party destination has grown recently, and for good reason: it’s the most fun you can have at those latitudes.
It's an expensive ride, to be sure, and if you're staying for more than three days, do bring a book to read. But it's worth the three-hour plane ride just to climb in to the Blue Lagoon, a naturally heated outdoor pool using run-off water from Reykjavik’s hydro-electric plant. It's just the most relaxing place on earth, and the silt does wonders for your skin.
Take a tour of the Golden Circle – essentially, the whole south west of Iceland – where the world's first parliament sat, the Gulfoss waterfall thunders and the Great Geysir shoots out boiling water of its own accord. My recommendations: fly with Iceland Express rather than Icelandair. Stay in central Reykjavik - public transport isn't good. Take loads of cash. Go up the cathedral's 1970s spire for a great view. Eat the lamb everywhere. Go clubbing on the main street and see if you can last until 6am like the locals do.
It's an expensive ride, to be sure, and if you're staying for more than three days, do bring a book to read. But it's worth the three-hour plane ride just to climb in to the Blue Lagoon, a naturally heated outdoor pool using run-off water from Reykjavik’s hydro-electric plant. It's just the most relaxing place on earth, and the silt does wonders for your skin.
Take a tour of the Golden Circle – essentially, the whole south west of Iceland – where the world's first parliament sat, the Gulfoss waterfall thunders and the Great Geysir shoots out boiling water of its own accord. My recommendations: fly with Iceland Express rather than Icelandair. Stay in central Reykjavik - public transport isn't good. Take loads of cash. Go up the cathedral's 1970s spire for a great view. Eat the lamb everywhere. Go clubbing on the main street and see if you can last until 6am like the locals do.
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