Hallgrímskirkja The tall, pale, volcano-shaped church in the centre of Reykjavík with views out to Faxaflói Bay from the steeple on a clear day.

The Pearl This circular glass building on the top of Oskjuhlíð Hill reflects the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) in winter.

Nauthólsvík Beach Reykjavík's own beach, heated with geothermal water.

The Blue Lagoon A 39°C bowl of milky-blue soup in the lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula with healing properties and an ethereal, otherworldly feel.

Þingvellir National Park Where you can see the earth being created in front of your eyes.

Lava by horseback Get a feeling for the outback by trekking with one of the friendly Icelandic horses across the folklore-inspiring moonscape.

Landmannalaugar A natural hot spring surrounded by multicoloured rhyolite mountains and fields of shiny obsidian.

Snæfellsjökull This glacier was the inspiration for novels by Jules Verne and Halldór Laxness. There's plentiful birdlife and a few alien life forms out here too.

The Westman Islands Home to thousands of puffins that leave in August, but outside the puffin season you can still see the odd whale or active volcano.

Geysir and Gullfoss Much-visited natural wonders where you can see water leap high into the air, and a wide and beautiful two-step waterfall half-frozen in winter and veiled with rainbows and mist in summer.