THERE was a time when Iceland was deemed too expensive for most travellers, but in recent years its other-worldly landscapes have become much more accessible thanks to budget airlines such as easyJet and WOW Air.
Now Reykjavik looks set to become even more popular, operating as a stopover hub for a flurry of cheap transatlantic flights from London and Bristol.
Both Iceland Air and WOW are offering customers the option of a stopover at no extra cost, encouraging holidaymakers to incorporate a trip to Iceland into their broader travel plans.
So what's the best way to spend a stopover in Reykjavik? Those on a tight time schedule should stay in a centrally located hotel such as the new four-star Fosshotel Reykjavik (www.fosshotel.is), one of the tallest properties in the city with superb views.
Double rooms start from $A192.29 per night. Central Reykjavik is small and the city's key attractions such as the Hallgrimskirkja Church and Harpa Concert Hall are within easy walking distance.
If the weather is bleak, indoor activities include Whales of Iceland (www.whalesoficeland.is), the largest whale exhibition in Europe, which features life-size models of cetaceans found in the waters around Iceland.
Tickets cost from $A31. One of the key attractions for visiting Iceland is a chance to witness the Northern Lights.
Aurora displays are common from October to March, but to be in with a chance of seeing them, you'll need to escape light pollution.
Tours operate nightly from the city, but a much better option is to stay in a more remote area for a few days.
Less than an hour's drive from Reykjavik, the boutique Hotel Ion (www.ioniceland.is) offers guests an opportunity to watch the lights from an outdoor hot tub.
Double rooms start from $A413.52 per night. Alternatively, head southeast from the city for an hour's drive to Hotel Ranga (www.hotelranga.is), which operates an aurora alarm service.
Guests can fall asleep safe in the knowledge that if the lights do show up, a night watchman will raise the alert.
Iceland is famous for its geothermal spa pools, with the Blue Lagoon (www.bluelagoon.com) being the most popular option for short break visitors. Located close to Keflavik airport, it's easy to incorporate into a stopover itinerary.
An off-the-beaten-track alternative is the Secret Lagoon in Fludir, within the Golden Circle, which may lack fancy swim-up bars but also benefits from being less crowded.
Make the most of the setting by visiting with Floating Tours (www.floatingtours.com), who run a novel night trip for $A279.13 per person including transport.
Guests are given flotation caps with concealed headphones and invited to lie back and listen to music through underwater speakers while gazing at the starry sky.
AAP