Experience Iceland's amazing diversity and many attractions the way the locals do. Frommer's Iceland is a complete guide to everything Iceland has to offer, from cosmopolitan city Reykjavik to outdoor activities like taking a dip in natural thermal pools. No matter what your budget or interests, this guide will show you exactly how you can enjoy Iceland. Plan your trip with detailed maps, enjoy off the beaten path experiences explore undiscovered gems. * Experience Iceland's amazing diversity, from soaking up the culture of Reykjavik to Summer Solstice festival. * Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not. * Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget. * Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.

Table of Contents

List of Maps. 1 THE BEST OF ICELAND. The Most Unforgettable Travel Experiences. The Best Natural Wonder. The Best Waterfalls. The Most Charming Towns & Villages. The Best Big-Name Hiking Areas. The Best Off-The-Beaten-Track Hiking Area. The Best Museums. The Best Places to Stay with Local Character. The Best Dining Experiences. The Best of Iceland Online. 2 ICELAND IN DEPTH. Iceland Today. ELVES IN THE ICELANDIC PSYCHE. Art & Architecture. ICELAND'S THOUSAND YEARS DATELINE. Fire, Ice & the Tallest Bonsai Forests in the World. Iceland in Popular Culture: Music, Books & Film. THE U.S. PULL-OUT. HALLDOR KILJAN LAXNESS (1902-1998). Eating & Drinking in Iceland. Restaurants. 3 PLANNING YOUR TRIP. When to Go. TEMPERATURE. CALENDAR OF EVENTS. PACKING SUGGESTIONS FOR ICELAND. Iceland in the Off Season. THE BIG ROUND-UP. Entry Requirements. Getting There & Getting Around. Money & Costs. THE VALUE OF ICELANDIC KRONA VS. OTHER POPULAR CURRENCIES. Staying Healthy. Special Travel Resources. FROMMERS.COM: THE COMPLETE TRAVEL RESOURCE. Responsible Tourism. GENERAL RESOURCES FOR GREEN TRAVEL. Special Interest & Escorted Trips. Staying Connected. Tips on Accommodations. THE CASE FOR HOSTELS. 4 ACTIVE ICELAND. Aerial Tours. Biking. Birdwatching. Caving. Dogsledding. Fishing. Glacier Tours. Golf. Hiking. Horseback Riding. Hunting. 4WD Tours. Kayaking. Photography. Pools & Spas. Rafting. Rock Climbing. Scuba Diving & Snorkeling. Snow Sports. Volcanoes. Whale-Watching. 5 SUGGESTED ITINERARIES. THE BEST OF ICELAND IN 4 DAYS. THE BEST 0F ICELAND IN ONE WEEK. THE BEST OF ICELAND IN 2 WEEKS. HOME BASE REYKJAVIK: 5 DAYS WITH THE FAMILY. HIKING ICELAND. 6 REYKJAVIK. Orientation. Getting Around. Tours. FAST FACTS: REYKJAVIK. Where to Stay. Where to Dine. What to See & Do. Pools, Spas, Outdoor Activities & Spectator Sports. REYKJAVIK THERMAL POOL GUIDE. Shopping. Reykjavik Nightlife. 7 NEAR REYKJAVIK. Hafnarfjorethur. NOTES ON ENTERING THE COUNTRYSIDE. Mosfellsbor. Esja, Hvalfjorethur & Akranes. Golden Circle: Tingvellir, Geysir & Gullfoss. WHY DOES TINGVELLIR CHURCH HAVE TWO ALTARPIECES? The Blue Lagoon (Blaa Lonieth). Keflavik. Reykjanes Peninsula. Hveragerethi, Selfoss & Nearby. A DAY HIKE IN HENGILL. 8 WEST ICELAND. Borgarnes, Reykholt & Farther Inland. Snofellsnes. HORSEBACK RIDING ON SNAFELLSNES. NORTHERN LIGHTS: AURORA BOREALIS. A SHORT HISTORY OF GOING BERSERK IN ICELAND. Stykkisholmur & Breiethafjorethur. Westfjords: The Southwest Coast. CLIFF-SCALING ICELANDERS TO THE RESCUE. Central Westfjords. Isafjorethur & Isafjarethardjup. The Strandir Coast. Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. 9 NORTH ICELAND. Hunafloi. Skagafjorethur. THE COWBOY OF SKAGASTROND. WHY BUILD A HOUSE WITH TURF? Akureyri. FAST FACTS: AKUREYRI. Near Akureyri. Myvatn & Krafla. Husavik & Nearby. WAS ICELAND'S FIRST SETTLER NOT A VIKING? THE SAGA OF ICELANDIC WHALING. Vatnajokull National Park. The Northeast Corner. 10 SOUTH ICELAND. Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar). THE GREAT PUFFLING RESCUE. Tjorsardalur & Hekla. ASCENDING HEKLA. Landmannalaugar, Fjallabak & Surroundings. THE LAUGAVEGURINN. Hella, Hvolsvollur & Markarfljot Valley. THE RING OF FIRE. NJAL'S SAGA & ITS SITES. Torsmork. THE FIMMVORETHUHALS TREK. Skogar, Vik & Myrdalsjokull. TROLL TALES. ACTIVE VOLCANOES. Kirkjubojarklaustur & Laki Craters. Vatnajokull, Skeiethararsandur & Skaftafell. THE GLACIER MYSTIQUE. Between Skaftafell & Hofn. 11 EAST ICELAND. Hofn. Lonsorofi. Lower Eastfjords: Djupivogur to Faskruethsfjorethur. Middle Eastfjords: Reyetharfjorethur, Eskifjorethur & Neskaupstaethur. Egilsstaethir. Inland from Egilsstaethir: Logurinn, Snofell & Karahnjukar. KARAHNJUKAR: ICELAND'S LOST WILDERNESS. Seyethisfjorethur. A DAY HIKE IN SEYETHISFJORETHUR. Borgarfjorethur Eystri. HIDDEN PEOPLE, ELVES & MODERN ICELAND. Fljotsdalsheraeth Valley. Egilsstaethir to Myvatn. 12 THE INTERIOR. Kjolur Route. THE KJOLURVEGUR TREK. Sprengisandur Route. Askja, Kverkfjoll & Eastern Interior Routes. 13 FAST FACTS. Airline, Hotel & Car Rental Websites. 14 ICELANDIC PRONUNCIATION & USEFUL VOCABULARY. Pronunciation Guide. ICELANDERS: ON A FIRST-NAME BASIS. Basic Vocabulary & Phrases. Glossary of Geographical Terms. Index. Accommodations Index. Glossary of Geographical Terms. Restaurant Index.