Car Hire Reykjavik - Mini guide to Reykjavik

Iceland is rapidly becoming one of Europe's hottest destinations due to its natural features, which include glaciers, hot springs, geysers, active volcanoes, vast lava deserts and the magnificent midnight sun. In addition, Iceland is also rich in history, literature, folklore and Viking tradition.

Reykjavík ('Smoky Bay') is Iceland's capital It is the world's northernmost capital and also one of the newest, being established in the late 19th century. But, thanks to incessant winds and its reliance on geothermal heat, Reykjavík also has another reputation, it's smog free.

For a cultural insight visit the Old Town, the city's hub, consisting of grassy parks, lakes, markets and museums. For Norse and Icelandic culture, the National Museum has exhibits of religious and folk relics, and tools dating from the period of the island’s settlement. Its prized exhibit is a period church door carved around 1200, depicting a Norse battle scene.

Immediately behind the museum is the Magnússon Institute, containing a famous collection of works returned from Denmark to independent Iceland, including the Landnámabók and Njáls Saga. By far the city's most memorable structure is the Hallgrímskirkja, an imposing church designed to resemble a mountain of lava.

The city's landscape is marked by its white-washed wooden buildings, and rows of brightly painted concrete houses. Nearly everything of interest is within walking distance of the old settlement. Due to the endless and ubiquitous flow of geothermal water streaming from the earth, this Arctic town offers tourists an array of open-air swimming pools and health spas.

For a night out on the town, try the Iceland Runtur, akin to the pub crawl, which involves trawling through the city's hip bars, live music venues and discos, where you can dance the night away with a sophisticated crowd.

Reykjavik's backyard offers unlimited trekking possibilities, ranging from an afternoon hike to a two-week wilderness trek. Some of the country's best hiking can be found in the remote areas of Landmannalaugar, Látrabjarg and Hornstrandir, or in Reykjanesfólkvangur, and is easily accessible by car on well maintained roads.

Reykjavik also offers world-class skiing facilities, Akureyri, Bláfjöll (just southeast of Reykjavík) and Hlíðarfjall (near Akureyri). Sledding’s a must on the Langjökull Icecap, or whitewater rafting on the Hvítá (White River). Golf fans can tee up for the Arctic Open, held in the North East of the Ireland at Akureyri. Its attraction is an all-night 'midnight sun' golf tournament fielding amateurs and professionals from around the world.

From Reykjavik, it’s only about a three-hour flight from most European cities and five hours from the North American Eastern seaboard. You can also fly to many towns and tourist attractions around the country, such as Akureyri, the capital of the north, with its beautiful surrounding scenery, or the Westman Islands in the South.