Table of Contents
Discover Iceland 6
10 Top Experiences 10
Planning Your Trip 16
• Chasing the Northern Lights 19
Iceland Weekend Getaways 22
• Winter Wonders 23
• Best Wildlife-Watching 24
• Best Day Hikes 26
• Get Yourself in Hot Water 28
• Local Iceland 29
Reykjavík 30
Itinerary Ideas 32
Sights 36
Sports and Recreation 46
Entertainment and Events 48
Shoppinq 52
Food 57
Bars and Nightlife 67
Accommodations 70
Information and Services 73
Getting There and Around 74
Around Reykjavík 76
Reykjanes Peninsula and the South 84
Itinerary Ideas 88
Reykjanes Peninsula 90
The Golden Circle 99
The South Coast 108
Heimaey 130
Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the Westfjords 134
Itinerary Ideas 137
Akranes and Inland 139
Snæfellsnes Peninsula 151
The Westfjords 164
North Iceland 178
Itinerary Ideas 182
Húnaflói Area 184
Skagafjörður 187
Tröllaskagi 192
Grímsey 199
Akureyri 203
Around Akureyri 213
Myvatn Region 215
Húsavík 222
Jökulsárgljúfur (Vatnajökull National Park-North) 227
East Iceland and the Eastfjords 230
Itinerary Ideas 233
Vopnafjörður 235
Fljótsdalur Valley 238
The Eastfjords 244
The Vatnajökull Region 259
The Highlands 268
Route F26 (Sprengisandur) 272
Route F35 (Kjölur) 277
Ring Road Road Trip 281
Planning the Drive 283
Day 1 Reykjavík and the Blue Lagoon 287
Day 2 The Golden Circle 288
Day 3 The South Coast 290
Day 4 The Glacial East 291
Day 5 The Eastfjords to Mývatn 292
Day 6 Detour to Húsavík 293
Day 7 The North 294
Day 8 Driving to Snæfellsnes 296
Day 9 Snæfellsjökull National Park and Borgarnes 296
Last Day 299
Background 300
The Landscape 300
History 304
Government and Economy 306
People and Culture 308
Essentials 311
Transportation 311
Visas and Officialdom 315
Recreation 316
Festivals and Events 317
Food 318
Accommodations 319
Health and Safety 321
Practical Details 322
Travel Tips 325
Resources 328
Glossary 328
Icelandic Phrasebook 328
Sugqested Reading 332
Internet Resources 333
Index 334
List of Maps 345
