Reykjavik

Reykjavik is small for a capital city, home to about 130,000 people, and the centre is compact enough to cover on foot. Ships dock at the Old Harbour or at Sundahöfn terminal, a short ride from downtown. Hallgrímskirkja, the tall concrete church on the hilltop, is visible from most of the city and has a tower elevator with a 360-degree view. The Harpa concert hall, wrapped in a honeycomb glass facade, sits on the harbour edge. The Golden Circle, the most popular day trip, covers Thingvellir National Park (where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pull apart), the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall, all within a few hours by bus. The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal pool about 45 minutes from the city, requires advance booking. For food, a lamb hot dog from the Bæjarins Beztu stand near the harbour is a local institution. Prices in Iceland are high by any standard, and the currency is the Icelandic króna.