One Hour From... Reykjavik

Stand and watch the world pull itself apart

Beyond Iceland's capital are some out-of-this-world sights for you to wonder at and enjoy.

Blue Lagoon

This amazing spa, below, (steaming, milky, aquamarine water) in the middle of a lava field is filled with seawater that has been pumped a mile under ground to be heated geothermally and then brought back to the surface to power turbines at the Svartsengi power plant. Renowned for its healing properties and sanctioned by the Icelandic surgeon-general, it has pools in which you can bathe at 39C and bubbling mud in which you can wallow. Surreal.

By car: take route 41 towards the airport and follow signs; journey time 40 mins. By bus: take the Grindavik bus (four daily) from the BSI terminal; journey time 40 mins.

Geysir

The boiling hot springs of Geysir (pronounced gay-zeer) gave their name to all other hot springs. Hear the earth groan as it spouts water from deep within its bowels. An eruption is guaranteed about every 10 to 15 minutes, lasting a couple of seconds, so make sure you have your camera poised and remember to stand well back! Look out for the psychedelic algae and warm streams.

By car: take route 36, then routes 365, 37 and 35 to Geysir; journey time more than an hour. By bus: daily summer service (four per week in winter) from BSI terminal in Reykjavik; journey time more than an hour.

Gulfoss

Iceland's star attraction (apart from Bjork) is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe. Thundering down a valley from the glacier high above, this waterfall drops 32 metres into a deep canyon. It is at its most spectacular in spring, when the waters are swollen.

By car: take route 36, followed by routes 365, 37 and 35 to Gulfoss; journey time more than an hour. By bus: daily summer service from BSI terminal in Reykjavik; journey time more than an hour.

Thingvellir

Historic site and national shrine of Iceland – the oldest existing parliament in the world was founded here in 930AD. Thingvellir, the first national Park in Iceland, has the country's largest lake, springs, waterfalls, canyons and caves. You can even stand on the line where the tectonic plates of Europe and North America pull apart.

By car: take route 36 to Thingvellir; journey time 40 mins. By bus: daily service from BSI terminal in Reykjavik journey time 50 mins.

Hafnarfjordur

Iceland's third largest town is centred around a pretty, natural port, hence the name, which means "harbour fjord". Its traditional wooden homes have a timeless fell, though they are covered in corrugated aluminium. Part of the town's charm is the residents' belief in the Hidden People, the creatures who live in the lava. Most Icelanders believe in gnomes, elves, dwarves and fairies. Whale-watching and sea-angling trips are available from here.

By car: take route 41 to Hafnarfjordur; journey time 20 mins. By bus: frequent service (bus no 140) from Laekjargate; journey time 40 mins.

Lundey Island

If you're into puffins this is the place for you. Tens of thousands are to be found here (Lundey, like Lundy in the Bristol Channel, is Norse for puffin island) along with black guillemots, fulmars, Arctic terns and other species. Boats stop on the way back to Reykjavik at Videy Island, an ideal place for a walk and more bird-watching.

By boat: cruises operate from Reykjavik's Sundahofn ferry dock on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday during summer only; journey time more than an hour.