DK Eyewitness Travel - DK Eyewitness Top 10 Iceland

Clockwise from top: Jkulsrln icebergs, the Blue Lagoon, Hallgrmskirkja in Reykjavk, Eyjafjallajkull volcano erupting, Vk church, a puffin, turf houses in Djpivogur

The land of the Vikings and their sagas, this small country never fails to enchant visitors with its mix of lunar deserts, thundering waterfalls, erupting volcanoes and majestic fjords. All this only begins to describe Iceland so who could deny its Europes wildest, most rugged destination? With Eyewitness Top 10 Iceland, its yours to explore.

Here you can spend never-ending summer days strolling Reykjavks historic centre, taking an outdoor thermal soak in the surreal waters of the Blue Lagoon, enjoying fresh-caught salmon or lobster in a seafront restaurant, tackling the Laugavegur trail between Landmannalaugars hot springs and the beautiful highland wilderness at rsmrk, or gazing at powder-blue icebergs drifting lazily around at Jkulsrln. Its all here on this island nation, floating just below the Arctic Circle.

It is not just the countrys landscape that draws visitors here. Small but sophisticated Reykjavk offers a melange of cafs, bars and museums. Whilst history and the elements are visibly entangled at sites such as ingvellir, the rift-valley location of Icelands original Viking parliament, or Laxrdalur, the setting for the tragic Laxdla Saga. But in the end, its Icelands raw beauty that really captures the imagination: the smouldering lava fields, huge volcanic craters, bubbling mud pools and seething geysers.

Whether youre visiting for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide brings together the best of everything that Iceland has to offer, from four-wheel-drive expeditions across the Interior to gentle walks around Reykjavks city parks. The guide has useful tips throughout, from seeking out whats free to avoiding the crowds, plus nine easy-to-follow itineraries, designed to tie together a clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring photography and detailed maps, and youve got the essential pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Iceland.

Exploring Iceland

Icelands attractions are split between its unique island culture and its often explosive scenery and with many landscapes closely tied to famous historic events, youll often find both together. Here are some ideas for making the most of your stay, whether you are here on a weekend break in Reykjavk, or have time to circuit the country.

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Two Days in Iceland

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Day 1

Stroll around .

Reykjavks old houses are weatherproofed in brightly coloured corrugated iron.

Day 2

Take a Golden Circle tour (or drive) around the ancient parliament site at .

Strokkur geyser erupts every few minutes.

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Seven Days in Iceland

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Day 1

Explore crater to spend the night in the town of Selfoss.

Day 2

Travel the southwest coast, via the , with its teeming seabird colonies.

Seljalandsfoss waterfall is fed by meltwater from Eyjafjallajkull icecap.

Day 3

Cross the gravel desert that lies east of Vk to i cecap along the way.

Jkulsrln lagoon is filled with floating blue icebergs.

Day 4

Travel up the east coast and then inland to .

Day 5

Drive towards , detouring to explore the Krafla eruption site and Nmaskars mud pools. Circuit Lake Mvatn before unwinding at Jarbin Nature Baths.

Day 6

Head to the north coast for a whale-watching trip out of .

Day 7

Return to Reykjavk and spend a couple of hours at the en route to the airport.

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Top 10 Iceland Highlights

Jkulsrln lagoon at sunset

Top 10 Iceland Highlights

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INGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK

Icelands location on the mid-Atlantic ridge is obvious at ingvellir (Assembly Plains), where the land has crashed in a deep scar stretching north from Lake ingvallavatn. In AD 930, this dramatic setting was chosen by the islands 36 chieftains as the site of their annual Aling (General Assembly). Almost 4,000 of the countrys 60,000 inhabitants gathered here to hear laws and to settle disputes, occasionally by combat. The Alings power declined after Iceland accepted Norwegian sovereignty in 1262, but the assembly continued to be held here until 1798.

NEED TO KNOW

From Reykjavk, Golden Circle tour buses visit ingvellir daily year-round; some 6 and 6a buses and summer services using the Kjlur route also stop here; if driving, allow 6090 minutes via Route 36 Bus schedule: www.bsi.is www.thingvellir.is/english

Google Map

• From the Visitor Centre, through Almannagj, descend to the Law Rock. Take a detour to see Peningagj and the church, then walk up to Drekkingarhylur. In good weather, follow hiking tracks up the rift to some abandoned farms, but take care as the dense undergrowth hides deep fissures.
• The Visitor Centre at Haki sells sandwiches, whilst the service centre sells soups and pizza.

Lgberg

A prominent outcrop below Almannagjs cliffs marks the site where the Alings Lawspeaker stood and recited the countrys laws to the masses below. Look nearby for faint outlines of