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 With its glassy glaciers, hot thermal springs, spectacular geysers, active volcanoes, lava fields, stunning waterfalls and snow capped hills, Iceland is indeed the original land of fire and ice.
It is not only special and wonderful natural phenomena that intrigue visitors to this, the second biggest island in Europe, which lies close to the Arctic Circle northwest of Scotland and south of Greenland. The hardy Icelandic people, descendants of ancient Norsemen and Celts, are intriguing too, having spawned what is now renowned as the oldest surviving parliament in the world (called the Althing), founded in 930AD, and boasting a much revered literary heritage of the best medieval works, mostly based on historic heroic sagas.
Most of the countrys popular tourist features are in the south of the island near the capital, Reykjavik, in the region known as The Golden Circle. Top of the list for scenic splendour is the Gullfoss double tiered waterfall, set off with a brilliant rainbow, and the spouting hot springs of Geysir.
Reykjavik means smoky, but in the case of Icelands pristine capital (which is Europes most northerly capital city) the smoke is not smog, but rather steam from the underground springs that warm the city. Reykjavik has a well deserved reputation for being the cleanest, most invigorating city in Europe, where the standard of living is one of the highest in the world. The city may be small, but it is full of interesting attractions from galleries and museums to thermal bathing spots, and the nightlife is second to none.
What else is there to do and see in Iceland? Well, how about whale watching; chic fine dining; hiking the highlands; viewing Europes biggest glacier Vatnajokull; fishing the rivers; taming one of the great wild Icelandic horses, river rafting; exploring on a snow scooter; shopping for designer wear, souvenirs and gourmet foods; joining the descendants of the Vikings in the Summer Solstice Festival at Hafnarfjorour; visit the northerly island of Grimsey to cross the Arctic Circle; visiting the recreated medieval farm at Stong.
This is the complete listing of cities in Iceland and you can easily book online from our preferred Iceland hostels, cheap hotels, B&B s and pensions. For detailed information about all Iceland youth hostels in a specific city, please choose your destination city from the below list.
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