Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards.

Reykjavík - The capital of Iceland and the only city. (pop. 119 900 (Greater Reykjavík area: 200 878))

Old Town

The Old Town is easy to walk around. The houses in Reykjavík have very distinct features, most notably their brightly colored corrugated metal siding. Plan to spend at least a couple hours just wandering around.

Perlan

The Perlan (The Pearl) has fantastic views of the entire city and has a rotating restaurant on top of the water towers. You don't need to dine there to access the viewing platform. It's open to the public, but the food is recommended and good. The views are fantastic.

The National Cathedral

Located next to Althingi and is a very small church.

Tjörnin Lake

Tjörnin Lake (also known as Reykjavík Pond) is where you can find Reykjavík City Hall. The young and old gather to feed the ducks here, too. Don't forget to bring some bread.

Alþingi

Alþingi, that is the parliament, is located by Austurvöllur, a green spot in the middle of downtown Reykjavík close to the pond, it is a big stone building with a new extention (c.a. 2005).

National Museum of Iceland

National Museum of Iceland (Þjóðminjasafn Íslands), Suðurgata 41 (Bus no. 1,3,4,5,6,12 and 14 stop in front of or near the museum.). Winter (September 16th - April 30th): Daily except Mondays 11-17. Summer (May 1st - September 15th): Daily 10-17.. The National Museum has a restaurant with a good view of the city. Admission: Adults: 800 ISK; Children (Under 18): Free; Seniors, Students, Groups (10+): 400 ISK; Wednesdays: Free.

Hallgrímskirkja (Church)

Skólavörðuholti. Hours: Mass: Sunday 11:00; Church tower: Daily 09:00 - 20:00. This can't miss attraction towers over the city on top of a hill. In front is a statue of Leif Ericsson, the Viking explorer who sailed to North America in the 10th century. The United States gave this statue to Iceland in 1930, in honor of the 1,000th anniversary of the Althingi, the Iceland parliament. As of June 2008, the church was undergoing renovation, obstructing the view from the front (downtown) of the tower. Admission to the tower: Adults: 400 ISK, Children (6 - 12) 50 ISK.

The Culture House (''Þjóðmenningarhúsið'')

Hverfisgata 15. Everyday from 11am to 5pm. The great museum has two world class exhibitions. On the ground floor is one of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts in the world, including many of the oldest copies of the Icelandic Sagas. The top floor has an impressive exhibition on the Volcanic island of Surtsey, it is to back the island's campaign to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is fully interactive and a great introduction to the geological hot spot that is Iceland. 300 kr; Senior, Students: 200 ISK; Under 16: Free; Free on Wednesdays.. 

Reykjavík Domestic Animal Zoo

Hafrafell v/ Engjaveg. Admission: Adults (12 years +): 450 ISK, Children (Under 4 years): Free, Children (4 - 12): 350 ISK.

Reykjavik Museum of Photography

Grófarhús, Tyggvagata 15, 6. Haed. 101 Reykjavik. 10-16 (Mo-Fr) and 13-17 (weekends). A very small museum with a nice library and reading room where you can find some older (but good) books about photography and current and past issues of photography magazines. It also has a huge collection of Icelandic photographs.

Vestmannaeyjar (The Westman Islands) - The volcanically active islands in the southern part of Iceland

Tour the Natural History Museum (Náttúrugripasafnið)

The only natural history museum in Iceland worthy of the name: watch fish and other creatures from the sea swim, crawl or creep in their aquariums, a fine display of stuffed birds and one of the best collections of Icelandic minerals anywhere.

Drop by “Skansinn”

The place by the harbour where past and present meet, where the lava flow stopped in 1973. There you will find a Norse timber church, the only one of its kind in Iceland, a gift from the people of Norway, and Landlyst, the second oldest building on the islands, now housing a small medical museum.

Take a walk on our most recent lava field

Many meters above the street level and buildings that used to be, where you will find signposts to mark their former place and aid the imagination. A fine walk would include the “geothermal” area, where the returning islanders constructed a heating system for their houses using the heat from the cooling lava, then eastward to Prestavík and Viðlagavík and then end in Gaujulundur, a lava garden, an oasis in a desert.

Play golf

Nine or eighteen holes on a course chosen by the magazine Golf Digest as one of Europe's 200 most enjoyable courses. Players have even been known to forget to hit the little white balls, being too engrossed in the view and their surroundings.

Sail around the islands

A roundtrip taking about 90 minutes. Accompanying you is a guide who might perhaps be in the mood to play trumpet or saxophone inside one of the caves. You will see the birdlife up close and personal and, if lucky, whales playing their various games. Whale watching/sea Angling sightings of whales, dolphins and puffins (depends on season) are frequent around Vestmannaeyjar. Trips can be booked directly with companies at Vestmannaeyjar Harbour.

Climb Heimaklettur

The highest rock formation on the islands. Its highest peak is no more than 283 meters, not demanding too much of your valuable time. Neither does it demand arduous climbing as ladders have been placed in the most difficult areas. And the view from the top is magnificent, whichever direction you prefer to look.

Drive to the top of Stórhöfði

The windiest place in Iceland and possibly the whole of Europe, where four calm days are the limit in an average year and wind speed can pass 30 m/sec. Needless to say the view is fabulous.

Swim in our fine swimming pool

Where the salt water makes it even easier and more enjoyable to swim. Afterwards you can relax in the sauna or if you prefer more exercise, visit the gym.

Go round the harbor

On your own two feet or by car and have a look around one of the cleanest harbor areas in Iceland. The harbor is usually teeming with activity, not least Friðarhöfn (Peace harbor) when the catch of the day is beeing landed.

Visit Landakirkja

The local Lutheran church and the oldest building on Heimaey. A dignified house of God with a pulpit in the centre, right above the altar. On Sundays, everyone is of course welcome to attend the service.

Visit the scene of Tyrkjaránið, (the Turkish plunder)

Lyngfellisdalur, Ræningjatangi (Robbers spit), Prestasteinn (Priest rock) Sængurkonusteinn (Childbirth rock), Fiskhellar (Fish caves) and Hundraðmannahellir (the Cave of Hundred). We can unreservedly recommend the local theatre company´s production of Tyrkjaránið 1627.

Horse riding

A popular activity amongst locals as well as visitors. Two companies offer one hour to five hour long trips.

Hafnarfjörður

It is easy to spend a day walking around in the old part of Hafnarfjörður, looking at the oldest houses and visiting a park, Hellisgerði, in downtown Hafnarfjörður. In the park you can find the only collection of Japanese bonsai trees in Iceland. As a part of your walking tour you can walk along the beach in the heart of the town. You only have some 5 minutes walking distance to a magnificent cliff giving view over the town, 10-15 minutes walking distance to the magnificent lava nature in town or the unspoiled nature along the beach. You can also visit the museums downtown (e.g. town museum and maritime museum). Hafnarfjörður has one of the few monasteries in Iceland. In downtown Hafnarfjörður you can visit the museums, e.g. the Hafnarborg cultural centre

Keflavik

Whale watching tours leave from the harbor. These tours generally last about 3 hours and see dolphins, orca, minke and humpback whales. There is also a festival of lights in late August. Numerous walking paths lead out from town, including a stone path along the water that meanders several miles past seabirds to the lighthouse on the point.

Hofn (Höfn) in Hornafjordur

Höfn's Glacier Museum

Húsavík - One of the world's most reliable whale watching sites.

Icelandic Phallological Museum

Hedinsbraut 3a. This may be the only museum in the world that has phallic specimens for all the mammals in its country.

Husavik Whale Center

Akureyri - Capital of the North

Akureyri is a good base to explore some of the more remote areas of Iceland, such as Myvatn. Bus tours are available which take you to see the sulfur fields of the Devil's Kitchen, the enormous crater of Viti, and Godafoss (waterfall of the gods).

Ísafjörður - biggest town of the West fiords of Iceland.

West Tours, Adalstraeti 7 (The same house as the Information Centre)

Day tours and longer tours. Bird watching, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, skiing, biking and more.

Sjominjasafn Vestfjarda Nedstikaupstadur

Maritime Museum. Open daily from 1st June to 15th Sept, 13h00 to 17h00. Small museum decided to the fisheries of the past. Nice restaurant, Tjoruhusid, is located next door and serves local fish.