Flamands Beach stretches across St Barts’ northwestern coast as the island’s widest crescent of sand, where gentle slopes meet the Caribbean’s playful surf. Unlike more secluded shores, this beach balances public access (via a signed coastal road pathway) with pockets of exclusivity — think billionaire-owned villas and hotels renting loungers at the eastern end. The north-facing bay delivers consistent waves for bodyboarding, framed by hilly headlands and views of offshore islets like Île Chevreau. Come hungry: La Langouste’s grilled lobster and Chez Roland’s Creole dishes are both a short stroll away. Just don’t expect shade — the beach’s pearly expanse promises uninterrupted sunshine, with the occasional celebrity sighting as a bonus.

On the waterfront, only a few minutes from Harpa sits the most famous sculpture in Iceland, the Sólfarið or the Sun Voyager. Made of steel and resembling a Viking ship — although this was not the artist's intention — the Sun Voyager is, according to its creator Jón Gunnar Árnason, an ode to the sun, a dreamboat symbolising the promise of undiscovered territory, the dream of hope, progress, and freedom. This is also one of the best spots for a picture in Reykjavík, with Mount Esja providing the perfect backdrop.

Gustavia blends St Barts’ Swedish heritage with Caribbean flair, its pastel harbourfront lined with designer boutiques and cafés. For history and panoramas, hike Rue des Dinzey to Fort Karl, where 18th-century Swedish cannons and the ruins of a bottle-shaped lighthouse overlook Shell Beach and the marina. History lingers in every detail: from the ruins of the fort to the Wall House Museum’s island artefacts, Gustavia rewards slow exploration. Across the bay, the Gustavia Lighthouse offers a quieter escape. Locals and visitors often bring sunset picnics here, watching yachts navigate the harbour mouth. Time your visit for the monthly open-air market on Rue du Général de Gaulle, where straw hats and spices spill onto cobblestones.