Replete with lava flows, colossal glaciers and thundering waterfalls, Iceland is one of Europe's most unusual destinations. This brand-new edition of Bradt's Iceland guide gives everything needed to break free from the pack and explore Iceland, a country increasingly accessible and affordable, on your own. Containing information on remote offshore islands, the uninhabited interior and Reykjavik's bustling music and art scene, this remains the definitive guide. Compared to 2011, 2012 saw a 13.8% and 32% rise in summer and winter visitors to the country respectively, of which over 25% were arrivals from either the UK or USA. Andrew Evans, the author, made his first trip to Iceland in 1998 and has been back a dozen times since. He has written a handful of books including the Bradt guides to Ukraine and Kiev.
Iceland
Description
Table of Contents
Introduction ix
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1
Chapter 1 Background Information 3
Geography 3, Climate 4, Population 6, Administration 7, Government 7, Politics 8, International relations 10, Economy 11
Chapter 2 The Icelanders 15
History 15, People 27, Language 30, Beliefs 31, Culture 34
Chapter 3 Natural History 43
Earth 43, Air 45, Fire 47, Water 48, Flora 51, Fauna 53
Chapter 4 Practical Information 69
When to visit 69, Highlights 70, Suggested itineraries 71, Tourist information 73, Tour operators 74, Red tape 75, Embassies and consulates 76, Getting there and away 77, Health 81, Safety 83, What to take 87, Money 91, Budgeting 92, Getting around 93, Accommodation 103, Eating and drinking 108, Public holidays 113, Shopping 114, Activities 114, Arts and entertainment 118, Media and communications 119, Business 121, Cultural etiquette 121, Velkomin! 122
PART TWO THE GUIDE 125
Chapter 5 Reykjavik 127
History 128, Getting there and away 131, Getting around 135, Tourist information 139, Tour operators 139, Where to stay 139, Where to eat and drink 151, Entertainment and nightlife 159, Shopping 163, Other practicalities 165, What to see and do 166, Natural Reykjavik 187, Greater Reykjavik 192
Chapter 6 Reykjanes 203
Getting around 203, Keflavik International Airport (KEF) 204, Reykjanesbaer 205, Vogar 207, Gardur 207, Blue Lagoon 208, Grindavik 210, Reykjanesta 211, Eldey 212, Krysuvik 213, Trekking in Reykjanes 213
Chapter 7 Sudurland (South Iceland) 214
Getting around 214, Thingvellir National Park 214, Hveragerdi 221, Gullfoss 222, Geysir 224, Skalholt 225, Laugarvatn 226, Selfoss 227, Vestmannaeyjar (The Westmann Islands) 229, Mt Hekla (1,491m) 240, Thjorsardalur 242, Landmannalaugar 242, Hvolsvoellur 246, Skogar 247, Thorsmoerk 248, Vik 250, Kirkjubaejarklaustur 251, Lakagigar 252
Chapter 8 Vesturland (West Iceland) 253
Getting there and around 253, Hvalfjoerdur 254, Akranes 256, Borgarfjoerdur 259, Borgarnes 260, The saga circle 262, Husafell 263, Southern shore 263, Snaefellsnes 265, Snaefellsjoekull National Park 265, Olafsvik 271, Grundarfjoerdur 271, Bjarnahoefn 273, Stykkisholmur 273, Budardalur 276
Chapter 9 Vestfirdir (The West Fjords) 277
Getting there and away 280, Getting around 281, Isafjoerdur 281, Vigur 286, AEdey 287, Bolungarvik 287, Sudureyri 288, Flateyri 289, Thingeyri 290, Arnarfjoerdur 291, Bildudalur 294, Patreksfjoerdur 294, Latrabjarg 296, Around Latrabjarg 298, Vatnsfjoerdur 299, Breidafjoerdur 301, Flatey 302, Reykholar 305, Strandir 306
Chapter 10 Nordurland vestra (The Northwest) 313
Getting there and around 313, Vatsnes 313, Hunafjoerdur 317, Vatnsdalur 317, Bloenduos 318, Skagafjoerdur 319, Saudarkrokur 319, Drangey 321, Varmahlid 321, Holar 323, Hofsos 325, Siglufjoerdur 326, Olafsfjoerdur 328, Dalvik 329, Hrisey 330
Chapter 11 Nordurland eystra (The Northeast) 331
Getting around 331, Eyjafjoerdur 331, Akureyri 332, Glerardalur 352, Eyjafjardarsveit 352, I Fjoerdum 354, Grimsey 355, Kolbeinsey 364, Thingeyjarsveit 365, Godafoss 365, Laugar 366, Myvatn 367, Beyond Myvatn 377, Husavik 377, Tjoernes 381, Kelduhverfi 382, Joekulsargljufur National Park 383, Melrakasletta 389, Kopasker 390, Raufarhoefn 391, Thorshoefn 392, Saudanes 393, Langanes 393
Chapter 12 Austurland (East Iceland) 395
Vopnafjoerdur 395, Moedrudalur 398, Egilsstadir 399, Fljotsdalur 401, Hallormsstadur 403, Vesturoeraefi 404, The East Fjords 405, Borgarfjoerdur 405, Seydisfjoerdur 406, Reydarfjoerdur 409, Eskifjoerdur 410, Neskaupstadur 411, Faskrudsfjoerdur 412, Stoedvarfjoerdur 412, Breiddalsvik 412, Djupivogur 413, Papey 414, Vatnajoekull 415, Hoefn 417, Lonsoeraefi 420, Sudursveit 420, Joekulsarlon 421, Skaftafell National Park 422
Chapter 13 Halendid (The Highlands) 429
Getting around 430, Kjoelur 432, Hveravellir 434, Kerlingarfjoell 434, Sprengisandur 435, Mt Askja (1,510m) 436, Mt Herdubreid (1,682m) 437, Kverkfjoell 437
Appendix 1 Language 439
Appendix 2 Further Information 448
Index 451
Author Description
Andrew Evans has travelled widely in Iceland. Author of Bradt's Ukraine, he currently maintains a nomadic existence as National Geographic's Digital Explorer.