Akurvellir

Hellisgerði is a small, charming park in the middle of Hafnarfjörður, set among dark lava outcrops. Winding paths lead between mossy rocks, flower beds, trees and little ponds, with quiet corners to sit and rest. It feels like a hidden garden tucked inside the town.

The site was once a farm owned by the medieval chieftain and writer Snorri Sturluson, and later a base for Danish officials. The house itself dates from the 18th century. It has served as the presidential residence since the early 1940s, around the time Iceland became an independent republic, which makes it an important symbol of the country's independence.

Sky Lagoon is a modern geothermal spa on the Kársnes shoreline in Kópavogur, built into the coastal rocks. Its infinity-edge pool looks straight out over the North Atlantic, so soaking in the warm water feels like drifting toward the horizon. There are saunas, a cold plunge and a bar within the facility.