Lonely Planet Best of Iceland

Hitting headlines, topping bucket lists, wooing nature lovers and dazzling increasing numbers of visitors there seems no end to the talents of this breathtaking northern destination.

An underpopulated island marooned near the top of the globe, Iceland is, literally, a country in the making. Its a vast volcanic laboratory where mighty forces shape the earth: geysers gush, mudpots gloop, ice-covered volcanoes rumble and glaciers cut great pathways through the mountains. Its the power of Icelands nature to turn the prosaic into the extraordinary. A dip in a pool becomes a soak in a geothermal lagoon; a casual stroll can transform into a trek across a glittering glacier; and a quiet night of camping may mean front-row seats to the aurora borealis curtains of light, or the soft, pinkish hue of the midnight sun.

The counterpoint to so much natural beauty is found in Icelands cultural life, which celebrates a literary legacy that stretches from medieval sagas to contemporary thrillers by way of Nobel Prize winners. Live music is everywhere, as is visual art, handicrafts and locavore cuisine. The warmth of Icelanders is disarming, as is their industriousness theyve worked hard to recover from financial upheaval, and to transform Iceland into a destination that, thanks to its popularity with visitors, can host more than six times its population each year. Its the power of Icelands nature to turn the prosaic into the extraordinary.

Embrace the worlds most northerly capital

Historic Reykjavk combines colourful buildings, quirky people, eye-popping design, wild nightlife and a capricious soul in an endearingly compact package. For all its new-found fame and creative cosmopolitan air, Reykjavk remains an overgrown village at heart, where walking is still the best way to get around but world-class arts, culture and museums abound, and quality bars, restaurants and coffee houses appear on every street corner.