Reykjavik

Although there’s no guarantee of seeing these natural phenomena, they should be on every traveller’s bucket list. The Aurora Borealis is one of nature’s finest works of art and will leave you speechless if you’re fortunate enough to witness them. Illuminating the dark winter skies in soft hues of green, red and yellow, the Northern Lights perform a swirling dance often compared to a whirling dervish. No performance is ever the same and even locals are still mesmerised by their appearance. The best months to see the Aurora are from late September to March when the skies are at their darkest.

Throughout Iceland there are many geothermal areas, but the Haukadalur Valley in the Golden Circle is the best. Home to the most famous Great Geysir and Strokkur, you can watch spouts of hot water erupt almost 200 metres in the air. Great Geysir is much less active nowadays, but Strokkur continues to put on a fantastic show with eruptions almost every five minutes. Other must-visit natural wonders in the area include hot springs and bubbling mud pools which are formed from geothermal activity beneath the ground.

Arguably the most renowned hot spring in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon has been listed as one of the 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic. Its milky blue waters lie inside a lava field just under an hour from Reykjavik and its combination of sea water and fresh water is rich in minerals that are great for the skin. Although this is a naturally heated spa, there are excellent facilities such as steam rooms, a sauna and a relaxation area. Sinking into the hot lagoon during the winter is a surreal experience especially if the Northern Lights make an appearance while you bathe.

Also referred to as the polar day, the Midnight Sun is a natural phenomenon which only occurs during the summer months in Iceland. The sun is visible for 24 hours a day and never completely sets below the horizon. While it can take some getting used to, especially when it’s still daylight at midnight, it’s a magical experience. It’s definitely worth setting your alarm and going for a walk in the middle of the night to bask in the sunshine.

Across Iceland you can find many glacier lagoons but Jökulsárlón is the largest and most impressive of them all. It’s often referred to as the ‘crown jewel of Iceland’ and is strewn with huge icebergs and meltwater that have come away from the tip of the glacier. A Zodiac boat trip is one of the best ways to experience Jökulsárlón as you sail on the icy waters below gigantic icebergs. Walk to Diamond Beach, just half a mile from the lagoon to see icebergs that have been swept onto the shore, studding the black sand like glistening diamonds.