With its throbbing nightlife, midnight sun and cosmopolitan outlook, Reykjavik is quite rightly one of the hottest European destinations for city breaks right now.  Here are four tips to make your break in Reykjavik a success:

Get in the swim.

Swimming is one of Iceland’s most popular pastimes. Given the unpredictability of the weather – and the plenitude of warm water from the country’s abundant geothermal springs, it’s perhaps not surprising that swimming pools have become such popular hang outs. Swimmers are expected to be scrupulously clean before entering the pool so expect to shower thoroughly before being allowed in.

Whale-watching.  

Many travel sites offer whale-watching trips as part of a Reykjavik break.  However, it’s worth researching the cost of these trips before booking – sometimes you can get a better deal booking when you arrive.  Excursions leave from the main harbour daily and usually take around 3 to 4 hours.  You aren’t guaranteed to see any whales but you can usually rely on a glimpse of a lesser cetacean such as a harbour porpoise.

The Aurora Borealis.

Given its latitude just on the Arctic Circle, Iceland is one of the best places to view the Northern Lights. Bear in mind that a sight of the famous lights is most likely between September and October and March to April.

The Golden Circle tour.

If you’re going to Reykjavik for the first time, the Golden Circle tour is practically essential. The tour encompasses three of the most famous natural sites in Iceland and gives you an overview of the geological and cultural history of the country, from the awe-inspiring waterfall at Gullfoss to the geysers at Haukadalur. The final stage of the tour is Pingvellir, an extraordinary natural rock formation that sits at the meeting point of the North American and European continental plates – you can literally stand on the dividing line between Europe and America.

When going on a trip like this it pays to have proper travel insurance cover, try Go Travel for a quote.