Hikers arriving in Reykjavík will recognise the looming 914m-high (3,000ft) Mt Esja as a challenge that needs conquering. The peak has several popular walking trails, but do consider weather conditions before setting off. Less challenging is Öskjuhlíð and the city's southern shoreline; stroll around Ægisíða for lovely sea views.
Things to do in Reykjavik
Conquer Mt Esja
Submerge yourself for the clearest view
Iceland’s temperatures aren’t exactly tropical, but qualified scuba divers can explore some of the clearest waters in the world, with visibility of up to 100m (33ft). The most famous site is Silfra, an undersea rift between the tectonic plates of America and Eurasia. DIVE.IS (+354 578 6200; www.dive.is) will take you down.
Spend a day on the slopes
If pistes are your pastime, Iceland’s number one ski resort is just a half hour car drive away from Reykjavik. The slopes at Blafjoll offer downhill skiing for intermediates and beginners, as well as cross-country skiing and snowboarding. Nearby Vatnajokul and Kerlingarfjoll both have glacier skiing during the summer.
Hook a whopper with a spot of lake fishing
There are great opportunities for both salmon and trout fishing in Iceland's lakes. Fishing licences can be obtained with short notice and at reasonable cost as demand is not particularly high. Þingvallavatn, the country’s largest natural lake, is less than an hour from Reykjavik. For guided trips try Iceland Angling Travel (tel +354 867 5200; www.icelandangling.com).
Enjoy an evening at Iceland's iconic concert hall
As striking as any landscape that surrounds Reykjavik, Hapra (tel: +354 528 6050; http://en.harpa.is) is the glass and honeycomb, harbourside home to both the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera. Grab a ticket and bask in the white light that floods the venue before basking in the reverberating passion of a world-class classical performance.
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