The 23 areas of Iceland

Iceland's small, walkable capital — geothermal pools, harbour whales, and the country's only real nightlife on Laugavegur.

Reykjavik's biggest suburb, home to Sky Lagoon and the country's largest shopping mall — practical, not pretty.

Lava-field harbour town 10km south of Reykjavik, built on and around old lava flows with a working fishing port.

Wealthy commuter suburb between Reykjavik and Hafnarfjordur — quiet, coastal, home to the president's residence.

Green valley suburb 15km north of Reykjavik — Halldor Laxness's house, Reykjadalur hot river, and the road north.

The airport town on the Reykjanes peninsula — practical first or last night, black rocks, and the Viking World museum.

Merged municipality including Keflavik, Njardvik and Hafnir — Viking World museum and the Reykjanes lava coast.

Fishing town beside the Blue Lagoon — evacuated for volcanic activity in 2023-2024, check status before you book.

The biggest town in south Iceland — practical Ring Road stop, Bobby Fischer's grave, and pizza at Tryggvaskali.

Geothermal greenhouse town 45 minutes from Reykjavik — Reykjadalur hot river trailhead, tomatoes grown year-round.

Southernmost village in mainland Iceland — Reynisfjara black beach, basalt columns, and the red church on the hill.

Southeast fishing port at the foot of Vatnajokull glacier — Iceland's langoustine capital and gateway to ice caves.

Iceland's second city on a fjord in the north — botanical garden, ski slopes, and the base for Myvatn and whale-watching.

Whale-watching capital of Europe on the north coast — 95% success rate, wooden boats, and yes, the Eurovision film town.

Practical Ring Road town in east Iceland — Lagarfljot lake, the Hallormsstadur forest, and gateway to the east fjords.

Rainbow-painted fjord village 27km east of Egilsstadir — ferry to Denmark, wooden Norwegian houses, and one great cafe.

Capital of the Westfjords on a curling sand spit — 18th-century timber houses, avalanche country, and Iceland's remote northwest.

Photogenic port on Snaefellsnes peninsula — ferry to the Westfjords, Roni Horn's Library of Water, and Breidafjordur islands.

Saga-country town 75km north of Reykjavik — Settlement Centre museum, Hraunfossar waterfalls, and the road north.

Working port 45 minutes north of Reykjavik via the tunnel — the old lighthouse, black sand beaches, and cheaper beds.

UNESCO rift valley where Iceland's parliament met from 930 AD — walk between tectonic plates and snorkel in Silfra fissure.

Volcanic lake region east of Akureyri — pseudocraters, lava caves, Namafjall sulphur field, and Myvatn Nature Baths.

Highland hot-spring valley in Iceland's interior — rainbow mountains, the Laugavegur trek trailhead, summer only.