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There’s no bad time to visit Iceland, depending on what you’re hoping to see. Go between August and May, and you might catch the spectacular Northern Lights. Travel during the summer, and you’ll enjoy wildflowers, warmer temperatures — the July average is 52 degrees — and almost 24 hours of daylight.
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Day 1
Most visitors start in Reykjavík — the tiny nation’s largest city, with about 123,000 residents. Hotel recommendations in Reykjavik include the City Center Hotel, located on one of the city's oldest streets, and the art deco Hotel Borg facing Austurvöllur square.
It’s a fun city for walking, so wander Austurvöllur Square and Public Park, or sign up for a walking tour to see landmarks such as Hallgrímskirkja Church, whose 240-foot-high tower offers spectacular views of the city, mountains and ocean. For another perspective, you can book a helicopter tour with companies such as Nordurflug or Helo. You’ll soar outside the city to see such natural wonders as lava spewing from the Holuhraun lava field and Videy Island. And be sure to eat a hot dog, which is arguably the national dish. The weenies are made largely with lamb, along with pork and beef, and typically served with mustard, ketchup, rémoulade and onions (both fried and raw). The best-known spot is Bæjarins Beztu, a stand that has served such prominent eaters as Bill Clinton and Anthony Bourdain.
