Indulge in designer shopping in the heart of 101, Reykjavik's fashionable district. Don't miss Kraum (www.kraum.is), Iceland's answer to Colette, where irresistible items like Fuzzy sheepskin stools await. Dive into contemporary art at the Hafnarhus museum (www. .artmuseum.is) featuring national pop art master Erró, then ascend Hallgrimskirkja church for a breathtaking 360° city view. Evenings call for trendy spots like KEX (www.kexhostel.is), a revamped biscuit factory turned café-concert venue, The Laundromat Cafe (www.thelaundromatcafe.com), or Boston at Laugavegur 8—rumored to be a favorite of Björk.
Year-round, Icelanders flock to outdoor geothermal baths like neighborhood pools or cafés for swims and chats. The iconic Blue Lagoon (www.bluelagoon.com), nestled in a lava field midway between the airport and Reykjavik, draws global visitors. Arrive or depart with a luxurious dip in mineral-rich 38°C waters, renowned for their skin benefits.
Prepare for jaw-dropping landscapes that magnetize filmmakers. At Geysir, navigate gurgling craters amid sulfurous fumes, evoking mythical trolls below—some maps even mark them! Marvel at Gullfoss ("Golden Falls"), a thundering cascade. The south coast showcases Iceland's volcanic diversity: lava fields, glaciers, waterfalls, hot springs, plains, and volcanoes like the infamous Eyjafjallajökull, surprisingly serene up close.
Relish mutton soup, rúgbrauð (geothermally baked rye bread), creamy skyr yogurt, and lobster soup at Saegreifinn (https://saegreifinn.is), the city's oldest fishing eatery. Dare to try local specialties like ram testicles, whale skewers, or fermented shark—if you’re adventurous!
No elite athlete required. Strap on crampons at the base of Mýrdalsjökull (www.mountainguides.is) and step cautiously across the ice. Deep breaths reveal trickling waters and the glacier's poignant fragility, shrinking yearly. Winter extras: sea-view skiing an hour from Reykjavik, diving the continental divide, or dog sledding.
Fly with Icelandair for packages including return flights and hotel stays (www.icelandair.fr). More details: Reykjavik Tourist Board (www.visitreykjavik.is) and Visit Iceland (www.visiticeland.com).
