Reynisfjara, Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland

Considered one of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world, Reynisfjara is a black sand charmer that lays claim to miles of dramatic coastal Icelandic geography. Iceland is noted for its dramatic, often epic land and seascapes, and is also renowned as a spreading ground for myth and legend – the Icelandic Sagas are beautiful, thrilling stories, and there’s plenty of history associated with the landscape surrounding this beach. The Reynisdrangar sea stacks, off the coast of the picturesque village of Vík í Mýrdal, are actually three trolls, conspiring to bring down sailing vessels foolish enough to come close to the coast. At night, under a pink and purple sky, and set against the drama of the black lava beach, the trolls come alive.