Einar Jónsson Museum, Reykjavik

Einar Jónsson was Iceland's foremost sculptor, and he himself designed and established this museum, which contains over 300 of his works spanning his 60-year career. The museum building itself is deemed to be Jónsson's largest work, and served as his home, gallery and studio. The foundation stone was laid in 1916; it was Iceland's first art museum and retains pride of place on the highest point in Reykjavik. It is adjoined by a pristine, treed sculpture garden, which sports 26 bronze casts of the artist's work. There is also a museum shop selling plaster casts of Jónsson's works, books and postcards.

Opening Times:
June to September 15th: open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 2pm to 5pm. Closed on Mondays. September 16th to May 31st: open Saturday and Sunday, from 2pm to 5pm. Closed in December and January

Admission:
Adults Kr500; concessions Kr300; children under 16 free

Botanical Gardens, Reykjavik

The lush, green Reykjavik Botanic Garden is a haven for strollers. It is planted with a large collection of Icelandic indigenous plants and other plant collections, which give an idea of the enormous diversity of vegetation in the northern temperate zone. Besides walking trails and water features, the garden has a display greenhouse where a cozy café is open during the summer months. Located close to the garden is the Reykjavik Zoo and Family Park.

Opening Times:
The Botanical Gardens are open all year

Admission:
Entry to the gardens is free

Hidden People, Reykjavik

Never mind the Vikings, one of Iceland's most interesting cultural drawcards must surely be the Huldufólk, or 'Hidden People'. In Icelandic folklore, the Huldufólk are akin to elves - invisible, non-threatening, magical beings, that can be observed by humans with a talent for communicating with the 'hidden realm' of being. A large proportion of Iceland's population reputedly believe in the Huldufólk and they are an important element of the country's folklore and national identity. Visitors to Iceland will gain a lot of insight into the culture by exploring the concept a little. Recommended Huldufólk-related activities include a visit to Reykjavik's Hellisgerdi Lava Park (which is supposedly full of elvin homes); a trip to the Museum of Icelandic Wonders in Stokkseyri (just 45 miles or 70km from the capital); and, for the really enthusiastic, attending a half-day course at Magnús Skarphedinsson's Álfaskólinn - the Icelandic Elf School, where you'll learn all about the 'hidden realm', and even receive a diploma as a keepsake.

National Museum, Reykjavik

The recently refurbished National Museum of Iceland is the best place to become acquainted with the folklore, history and culture of this fascinating nation. The museum contains around 3,000 artefacts, including medieval settlers' tools, agricultural and nautical implements, ancient carvings and Viking relics.

Getting There:
Public buses no. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12 and 14 all stop in front of or near the museum

Opening Times:
Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 11am to 5pm (16 September to 30 April); daily from 10am to 5pm (1 May to 15 September). Closed on Christmass Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day

Admission:
Kr1000 (adults), Kr500 (concessions), children under 18 free. Free to all on Wednesdays

Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik

This landmark church, the tallest building in Iceland, dominates the city from its highest point and is visible on a sunny day from up to 10 miles (16km) away. Named after the 17th-century Icelandic poet, hymn composer and clergyman, Hallrimur Petursson, the church's unusual design represents volcanic basalt columns flanking its towering steeple. It took nearly 40 years to build the edifice, which was finally completed in 1986. In front of the church stands a statue of Leif Eriksson, donated to Iceland by the United States.

Opening Times:
Open daily from 9am to 5pm

Admission:
Kr500 (adults); Kr100 (children) to access the tower viewing level

Thingvellir National Park, Reykjavik

The national park of Thingvellir, 30 miles (50km) east of Reykjavik, is not only Iceland's most important historic site, but also a place of natural and geological wonder. It was here that the world's first-ever parliament, the Alting, initially convened in AD930, and where Christianity was first introduced to Iceland. Even today, people gather at Thingvellir to celebrate any major national event. Geologically, this is the only site in the world where the American and European tectonic plates are visible; and the park is also home to the largest lake in Iceland, and stunning scenery including a lava gorge, the Oxararfoss waterfall, and the 'Money Chasm', where visitors drop coins down a gorge into water, to witness the strange distorted reflections that result. Activities available at Thingvellir National Park include hiking, angling, horseback riding, diving and camping.

Getting There:
BSI runs a daily bus service in Summer to Thingvellir from Reykjavik at 8:30am and a return service which leaves Thingvellir at 3:15pm. Consult www.bsi.is

Opening Times:
Thingvellir National Park is open all year round. The Visitor centre is open from the 1st of April to the 1st of November, everyday but only on weekends from the 1st of November to the 1st of April

Geysir, Reykjavik

The weird landscape of the Haukadalur valley in Iceland's southern lowlands, where hot springs spout and mud pots bubble, has been dominated for centuries by the 'granddaddy' of all geysers, the Great Geysir, from which all other such phenomena around the world have gained their name. The Geysir, once shooting boiling water hundreds of feet into the air, has reduced its performance levels somewhat in modern times, but is nevertheless still an impressive sight when it occasionally erupts. The rest of the thermal area, bathed in a sulphuric smell, is just as fascinating, featuring several other spouting vents and geysers which frequently display their prowess. The Geysir area has become a great tourist attraction, and a centre has been opened containing a multi-media geology museum and folklore exhibits. There is also a hotel, souvenir shop and restaurant on site.

Getting There:
Thingvallaleid offers a bus service from Reykjavik to Geysir. Return buses can only be caught the following day. Buses leave Reykjavik at 08:30am and arrive in Geysir at 10:50/11:15am.

Gullfoss Falls, Reykjavik

Iceland's famed Gullfoss (Golden) Falls are justly rated among the most beautiful in the world, and make for a popular day trip from Reykjavik. The falls, with their awesome double-cascade, are incredibly powerful, which has meant they have come under threat of being utilised as a source of hydro-electricity. Currently, however, the fantastic vista of the falls, shrouded in mist and rainbows, gushing into a canyon on the Hvita River, are safely ensconced in a national park and remain one of the country's top tourist attractions.

Getting There:
There is a bus that runs daily from Reykjavic to Gullfoss. It leaves Reykjavic at 12:30 and arrives in Gullfoss at 15:15. This route only operates in the summer months from 01/06 to 31/08. Refer to http://bsi.is/index_en.html for the latest bus schedules.

Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik

A favourite and unique attraction close to Reykjavik, about 30 miles (50km) south west of the city, is the man-made geothermal 'Blue Lagoon', set in a lava field, filled with mineral-rich hot water pumped from about a mile below the surface. The lagoon is flanked by a luxurious health spa where visitors come to be pampered and treated for skin ailments like eczema and psoriasis. The lagoon's surreal phosphorescent aquamarine colour is caused by the therapeutic ecosystem of algae, silica and minerals in the water.

Getting There:
The Blueline bus company offers transport to and from the Blue Lagoon, other transport options are outlined on the official website

Opening Times:
Open daily from 8am to 9pm in summer (June 1st to August 31st), and 10am to 8pm in winter (September 1st to May 31st)

Admission:
Adults EUR28 and teenagers 12 to 15 years old EUR 7. Children when accompanied by parents/guardian, free

Jökulsárlón, Reykjavik

Jökulsárlón - literally, 'glacier lagoon' - is the largest glacial lake in Iceland, and an enormously popular tourist attraction. The site shot to prominence after being featured in Hollywood movies (most memorably, "Batman Begins"), and now attracts thousands of visitors each year. Caused by the retreat of the glacier known as Breiðamerkurjökull, the lagoon is now nearly a mile (1.5km) from the ocean's edge, and is over 650 feet (200m) deep. Most easily approached from the fishing-town of Höfn on Iceland's southern coast, visitors in search of an indelible memory of their time in Iceland should definitely make the trip to Jökulsárlón, where luminous blue icebergs float eerily across the freezing water. Whatever you do, don't forget to pack a camera - Jökulsárlón is undoubtedly one of the best sights Iceland has to offer, and in such a staggeringly beautiful country, that's really saying something.

Aurora Borealis, Reykjavik

The Aurora Borealis - or Northern Lights - are one of nature's most celebrated, most beautiful and rarest occurrences. Caused by collisions between charged particles in the highest reaches of the earth's atmosphere, witnessing the spectacular lightshow is a numinous and unforgettable experience. Visitors to Iceland will be pleased to know that, due to the country's latitudinal position, spotting the Aurora Borealis is commonplace between September and April - just head away from the city lights on a clear, crisp night, and the otherworldly glow in the night sky soon becomes apparent. Although somewhat of a 'routine' display for locals, a sighting of the Northern Lights may well prove to be one of the best things to see during your Iceland vacation.