Iceland: In the Land of the Midnight Sun

Around the Arctic Circle during the summer, the sun works overtime — rather than setting, it just dips down briefly below the horizon before popping back into the sky, as seen above in the Mount Kirkjufell, Akureyri region. Like a prolonged sunset and sunrise all at once, this natural phenomenon colors the sky and earth in a reddish yellow light and transforms already stunning destinations into truly magical experiences.

Perhaps nowhere is this natural phenomenon better experienced than on a journey around Iceland with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, where you can take advantage of the long days to explore a bevy of remote villages set among a wonderland of waterfalls, thermal baths and glaciers.

Akureyri: The Capital of the North
Akureyri may be Iceland’s second largest city, but with a population of approximately 18,000, it feels more like a small town. Only 62 miles from the Arctic Circle, it surprisingly has one of warmest climates in the country — and some of the longest days come summer. Enjoy a stroll through the charming streets, especially Hafnarstræti, a pedestrian-friendly road filled with quaint coffee shops and boutiques selling locally made wares. Also in town is a lovely botanical garden near the majestic Akureyri Church, the city’s best-known landmark. Come August, the city becomes a prime viewing spot for the luminous northern lights, or aurora borealis.

Siglufjörður: A Gateway to the Arctic Circle
Fewer than 25 miles from the Arctic Circle, at the mouth of the fjord that lent this former fishing mecca its name, sits the colorful town of Siglufjörður. Once the fishing capital of Iceland — and the herring capital of the world — the Siglufjörður of today is a welcoming town embraced by beautiful snowcapped peaks. The glaciated mountains and sandy black shores make for scenic hiking, especially under the golden glow of the midnight sun. A stroll around the town center offers a relaxing change of pace as you visit the art galleries and shops housed in the well-preserved and brightly painted historic buildings. The award-winning Herring Era Museum features elaborate exhibitions depicting the glory days of Siglufjörður’s fishing industry. You’ll still find fresh fish in the local restaurants, and Segull 67 brewery offers tours and tastings of the local beer.

Ísafjörður: Where Rugged Beauty Abounds
Known for its dramatic landscapes, Ísafjörður is the largest municipality in the Westfjords peninsula, a territory as rugged as it is beautiful and as dense with nature as it is sparse with people. A haven for outdoor activities like hiking and birdwatching, Ísafjörður has its roots in the fishing industry, which remains an important part of the local economy. On an easy stroll from the pier, explore the quaint narrow streets of the Old Town with its boutiques, art galleries and cafés, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and the Icelandic doughnuts called kleina. Venturing into the sun-dappled countryside, explore Drangajökull glacier and the majestic waterfalls at Dynjandi, or head into the water for fjord kayaking or a boat trip to Vigur Island, home to thousands of puffins, eider ducks, guillemots and other birds.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Iconic Icelandic Sights
The charming fishing village of Grundarfjörður sits on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula backed by snowcapped mountains in the distance. In the foreground just across the water stands the town’s landmark, Mount Kirkjufell, rising from the bay. The most photographed scene here is the picturesque waterfall nearby with the solitary, striated peak as a backdrop. A scenic coastal drive takes you to Snæfellsjökull National Park, named for the glacier-crowned stratovolcano at its center. Here you can hike along pebbled beaches and moss-covered lava fields amidst jagged volcanic craters and into lava tube caves. The region is also known for abundant bird life, which can be observed ashore or on a boat to the island of Melrakkaey just off the coast. In the summer months, it is home to a large colony of the beloved orange-beaked puffins, and the landscape is so striking that it inspired Jules Verne’s novel Journey to the Center of the Earth.