Reykjavik

Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, blends rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty.

It may be one of the smallest capital cities in the world – and the most northern – but it packs a punch with its unique charm and endless opportunities for adventure.

Your private jet charter will land at Reykjavik airport, just under 2km away from the city centre.

Within minutes, you can be at the city’s EDITION Hotel, which couples modern luxury with a prime downtown location next to the harbour. The exterior of the hotel is black, to mimic the country’s landscape of lava, but the interior is full of tactile elements: rugs and throws, leather-clad columns, and a glass-covered fireplace.

The rooms are spacious with views of Mt. Esja and the Snæfellsjökull glacier, the welcome is warm, and the buzzing restaurant is helmed by a Michelin star-winning chef cooking modern Icelandic cuisine.

101 Hotel is a chic stay, with its own collection of contemporary art and a futuristic restaurant and bar, as well as an on-site spa.Rooms have Quagliotti linens, Bang & Olufsen speakers and Aveda products, while some have freestanding tubs with views overlooking the harbour.

The restaurant, Kitchen & Wine, offers Icelandic dishes such as lobster soup and fish of the day, with homemade waffles and smoothies on the menu for breakfast.

Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik calls itself a ‘lifestyle hotel’, with slick public spaces inside a historic building with plenty of vinyl referencing its former life as music venue Faktory.

The ground floor has a shop selling local products, lounge area, and an outdoor terrace which hosts a pop-up food court in the summer.

The hotel’s Geiri Smart restaurant boasts dishes such as langoustine bisque, Icelandic lamb and Arctic char.

If you prefer to leave the hotel to dine, Skál could be described as an Icelandic gastropub, offering up small plates with hand-foraged ingredients such as pineapple weed and lovage, natural wines and memorable cocktails.

Brut makes the most of the country’s fishing heritage, with whelks in garlic butter, skate, and scallops on the menu.

For hearty Italian cuisine with local ingredients, La Primavera showcases the best of both countries with a view overlooking the harbour and city skyline.

As night falls, Reykjavik comes alive with a vibrant nightlife scene that rivals cities many times its size.

Try Apotek Restaurant, where the bar serves an intriguing list of cocktails using local ingredients such as the Laugardalur – gin, lemon, yuzu, tarragon and rhubarb.

Reykjavik is well-placed for an icy Icelandic adventure as the capital is just outside the famed Golden Circle – a 190-mile route which covers the island’s three most popular natural attractions: the Geysir geothermal area, Thingvellir National Park, and the Gullfoss waterfall.

The Blue Lagoon, where you can wallow in geothermal waters, is also less than an hour away, and whale-watching expeditions can be arranged from the city once your international charter flight has touched down.

The most recognisable landmark of the city itself is the iconic Hallgrimskirkja. Towering over the city skyline, this striking church is a masterpiece of modern architecture, with its soaring columns and sweeping lines.

The best time to charter a flight to visit Reykavik is either between September and March, to see the Northern lights, or between June and August to make the most of the midnight sun to explore the stunning countryside. Whichever you choose, Reykjavik is an unforgettable city of contrasts.