Iceland City Breaks

A guide to Iceland

Iceland is a country of stunning natural wonders. Brooding volcanoes, fissures torn into the earth, bubbling hot springs, spurting geysers, impossibly turquoise pools, tumbling waterfalls, majestic glaciers, the ethereal Northern Lights; the only way to describe Iceland is epic. As such, a trip will undoubtedly want to venture out into the stunning Icelandic wilderness. The country also makes for an excellent short break destination however, primarily due to the vibrant, individual capital, Reykjavik. Visitors to the city will find a clean, eco-friendly place with a laid-back, liberal atmosphere, beloved of artists, poets, and musicians. And because just outside the city lies the wild rugged terrain this country is famous for, you can enjoy the exciting pace of city life as well as a range of exhilarating outdoor pursuits, including hiking, hill walking, cycling, kayaking, rock-climbing, glacier trekking, salmon fishing, horse riding, whale watching and much, much more.

A stunning natural landscape

Reykjavik sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by a surreal, volcanic Martian landscape, with the looming Mount Esja in the background. The city itself is a mixture of little iron houses and gleaming glass architecture; street sculptures grace the pavements and a vibrant café culture along with art galleries, museums, boutique shops and large department stores give the city a distinctly cosmopolitan feel. This being the land of thundering geo-thermal activity, a trip to one of the many thermal swimming pools or spas here is an absolute must; Icelandic spas are a fantastic way to relax and re-energise. An extensive range of top-class restaurants provide delicious cuisine, from wild game and lamb, to fresh seafood from the Atlantic Ocean. While Iceland has a reputation for being a pricey holiday destination, there are still good selection of cheap accommodation options here, and opting to holiday self-catering is a good way of keeping the costs down.

Legendary nightlife, ideal for a clubbing weekend

The nightlife is Reykjavik has fast become legendary; perhaps somewhat surprising given that beer prohibition only ended in 1989. The lively clubs and bars have made this unassuming capital one of the top alternative clubbing city break destinations in Europe, and weekends here are debauched and quite hedonistic! Aside from the nation’s capital, the second largest city in Iceland, Kópavogur, offers a quieter scene than Reykjavik. Kópavogur boasts the hillside Geroarsafn, Kópavogur Art Museum, Kópavogur Cultural Centre (where you can see artistic performances and concerts), the natural Science Centre in the town centre, and a large, open-air, geo-thermally heated swimming pool, amongst other attractions.