Snorrabraut

Rising above the rooftops of central Reykjavík, Hallgrímskirkja is the city's most recognisable building. Its stepped concrete tower is shaped to echo the basalt columns found across Iceland, and the white façade is visible from almost every corner of the capital. Inside, the church is plain and airy, with a huge organ dominating the hall.

A circuit of the pond takes about twenty minutes, which makes it an easy break between the museums and shops nearby. Spring and early summer bring the most birds, including Arctic terns and their chicks; you are asked not to overfeed the ducks with bread. In winter the surface often freezes, and locals skate on the ice.

Sun Voyager stands on the seafront promenade in Reykjavík, a gleaming stainless-steel sculpture whose curved ribs resemble the skeleton of a longship. Set against the bay, with Mount Esja across the water, it is among the most photographed spots in the city. Walkers and cyclists pass it all day along the coastal path.