Kóravegur

Árbæjarsafn is an open-air museum in Reykjavík where a cluster of historic buildings has been gathered to form a small old town. Wander between wooden houses, a turf-roofed farm and a little church, with grazing animals and gardens adding to the atmosphere. Many buildings are furnished to show how people lived, worked and traded.

It's best to book ahead, particularly for evening and summer slots, and you should plan on two to three hours. The lagoon is a short drive or bus ride from central Reykjavík, which makes it a convenient alternative to the Blue Lagoon, especially if you are not heading toward the airport. Sunset sessions are especially atmospheric.

Bessastaðir stands on a low, windswept headland of the Álftanes peninsula, facing the sea. The white house with red roof is the official residence of the President of Iceland, surrounded by lawns, a small church and views over the bay to Reykjavík. It is a peaceful, understated place, quite different from a typical tourist attraction.