On and off the beaten track…
1. Public swimming pools. You can find a public pool in every town around the country and every neighbourhood in the Capital, Reykjavík. The pools are heated and most of them have a wonderful spa area. It is truly magical to enjoy the warmth of an outdoor hot tub on a dark, cold winter night.
2. Harbours. Breathing in the fresh air and listening to the seagulls on the rugged Icelandic coast is just the best, and the sea seems to stretch endlessly into the distance. One of my favourites is Stykkishólmur Harbour, a beautiful port located on the Breiðafjörður Fjord, on the north coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula in western Iceland.
3. Dimmuborgir (Dark cities/forts). Close to Mývatn in the North of Iceland, these are dramatically shaped lava fields where you can let your imagination loose amongst the caves and strange rock formations. I like it best when the weather is foggy or even rainy – it’s possible that you will see elves going about their day, but you must believe they are there. Pssst… they are there!
4. Húsavík. The oldest settlement in Iceland, Húsavík is a beautiful seaside town in the North East of Iceland, with great whale watching, delicious food and postcard-perfect scenery. I always recommend visiting Geosea, a geothermal sea bath with the best view out to the ocean.
There are many, many more wild, extraordinary places to visit in Iceland, particularly if you want to get away from the more visited spots. Message me on social media and I’ll give you some great tips!
Katrín Júlíusdóttir’s award-winning debut mystery, Dead Sweet, translated by Quentin Bates, is out in paperback on 7th December 2024.
