Looking for the best things to do in Reykjavik in winter? Here are the must-do experiences in the city and the top day trips from there so you can make the most of your trip.
Reykjavik had never really crossed our minds as a city break destination; we had always considered it a place to witness the Northern Lights. Yet our recent trip revealed that the city with its 140,000 residents offers more than we initially thought.
Despite Iceland’s chilly temperatures (well, it earned its name for a reason), Reykjavik in winter combines urban charm with natural marvels. You can visit fascinating museums, bathe in geothermal pools, explore breathtaking landscapes, and maybe catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights!
You can easily explore Reykjavik’s highlights within two days and then venture on day trips from the city to discover Iceland beyond its capital. Reykjavik is the perfect base for day excursions without a car, especially during winter when driving conditions can be challenging.
In this post, we’ll highlight the key winter activities in Reykjavik and the best day trips from there so you can make a better-informed decision about what to see and how much time to spend in the city.
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Best of Reykjavik in Winter in A Nutshell
Must see: Hallgrimskirkja, Laugavegur, Harpa
Museums & shows: Perlan, National Museum of Iceland, Lava Show
Hot pool: Blue Lagoon
Tours: Northern Lights, Golden Circle, South Coast
Hotel: Exeter Hotel (4-star hotel)
12 Best Things to Do in Reykjavik in Winter
Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city and also has one of the smallest populations among all capital cities. Reykjavik’s popularity with tourists over recent years has brought about more varied ways to spend your days there. Here are the things you shouldn’t miss during a visit:
Must-See Sights within Reykjavik
1. Climb to the top of Hallgrimskirkja
Hallgrimskirkja is one of Reykjavik’s most iconic landmarks and Iceland’s largest church.
Did you know? The church’s design is inspired by Iceland’s natural features: basalt columns, lava flows, and glaciers.
Inside the church, you can see one of Iceland’s largest pipe organs with over 5,000 pipes. If you take the elevator up the tower’s 73-metre (240-feet) peak, you’ll get a 360° panoramic view of Reykjavik.
Our Top Tips for Visiting Hallgrimskirkja
- Free parking is available directly next to the church if you’re driving.
- Don’t miss the beauty of the well-lit church after dark.
- If you decide to go up (you definitely should!), note that only 6 people fit into the elevator at once, so there may be a wait. To minimise waiting time, visit the church before 10:30 am or after 4pm.
- When going up to the tower, keep in mind that you’ll be close to the church bells, which ring every 15 minutes. A couple next to us nearly dropped their camera out of fright when the bells rang!
Admission and Opening Hours: Hallgrimskirkja is free to enter and is open daily from 10am-5pm. To go to the top, buy a ticket for ISK 1,400 (approximately £8, 9€, or US$10) at the church shop on the left as you enter the foyer on your visit day.
2. Go shopping on Laugavegur
Laugavegur is Reykjavik’s main shopping street and one of the oldest in the city. You’ll find a mix of shops, eateries, cafes, bars, and stunning street art here.
Did you know? The street’s name, Laugavegur, translates to “Wash Road” due to the once nearby hot springs where locals used to wash their laundry.
Laugavegur is only a short walk away from attractions like Hallgrimskirkja and the iconic Sun Voyager sculpture by the harbour.
As the sun sets, Laugavegur comes alive with Reykjavik’s nightlife, offering a variety of pubs, bars, and clubs that line the street.
Top tip: If you spend over ISK 6,000 (approximately £35 or 41€ or US$44) in one shop, ask for a tax refund cheque. This allows you to later reclaim the taxes at the airport.
3. Marvel at Harpa
If you like architecture, Harpa is a must-visit! It’s a gorgeous concert hall and conference centre. Its design has received several prestigious awards, such as the Mies van der Rohe Award for Contemporary Architecture in 2013.
While some people say it looks like a beehive, Harpa’s hexagonal glass facade was actually inspired by Iceland’s natural basalt landscape. The geometric panels reflect sunlight and create a mesmerising visual effect.
Inside, there are four concert halls, numerous conference and exhibition spaces, a gift shop, a café, and a restaurant.
Top tip: Take the elevator to the top floor for free – the views from up there are spectacular!
Admission and Opening Hours: The building is free to enter and open daily from 8am-midnight.
4. Walk down Rainbow Street
Rainbow Street, or “Regnbogagatan” in Icelandic, is a part of Skólavörðustígur Street with colourful rainbow-painted stripes.
The street runs slightly downhill from Hallgrimskirkja towards downtown. It has several shops, cafes, and food places, as well as beautiful buildings and artwork to admire. The lower section of Skólavörðustígur is known as Rainbow Street.
If you visit in winter, chances are there will be snow on the streets. While it might not look as vibrant in summer, it’s still a very pleasant street to stroll along.
5. Visit at least one of Reykjavik’s museums
Although Reykjavik has only 140,000 residents, it boasts over 60 museums and galleries. Choosing the right one can be tricky, so let us share our recommendations!
If you can only visit one museum, then go and visit Perlan. This exploratorium allows you to delve into Icelandic nature, discover a real ice cave, and watch a Northern Lights show in the planetarium. It also has an observation deck that gives you 360° views over Reykjavík.
The National Museum of Iceland is the best place to explore Iceland’s culture and history. Spanning two floors, its exhibits cover everything from Viking ships to contemporary Iceland.
Our third favourite museum in Reykjavik is Árbær. It’s Iceland’s largest open-air museum, with over 20 original buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries. The buildings serve as snapshots frozen in time, as though someone from each family just left.
Visiting a museum and learning about Iceland’s city is definitely one of the best things to do in Reykjavik in winter. Obviously, it’s essential to find a museum that fits YOUR interests.
We’ve personally tested many of Reykjavik’s museums (such as the Settlement exhibition, Saga Museum, Maritime Museum, Whale Museum, Lava Show, and even the infamous “penis museum”) and put together a list of the best museums for each category to help you find a museum that’s worth your time and money.
Read more: Best museums in Reykjavik based on interest
6. Eat your way through Reykjavik
If you’re a foodie visiting Reykjavik, get ready to experience unique flavours and seasonal treats. Check out some of our favourites:
Restaurants
- Skal! ($$$) – An Icelandic gastropub located in a trendy food hall featuring fresh local fare.
- Chickpea ($) – Provides family-run vegetarian dining with delicious falafel variations.
- Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur ($) – A famous Icelandic hot dog stand since 1937.
- Svarta Kaffid ($$) – Offers two daily soup specialities (meat and vegetarian), served in bread bowls.
- Dill ($$$$) – Offers Michelin-star cuisine using Icelandic ingredients.
Top tip: Want to discover Iceland’s culinary culture on a guided walking tour? We highly recommend this 3-hour foodie adventure tour, which includes dishes from five different restaurants!
Cafes & Bakeries
- Brauð & Co – A wide selection of breads and cakes and the best cinnamon rolls we’ve had in Iceland!
- Deig – An American-style bakery known for fluffy pancakes, cinnamon rolls, and hearty bagel sandwiches. Try one of their delicious filled bagels!
- Sandholt – A family-run bakery serving freshly baked bread, pastries, and sandwiches. Grab a tasty breakfast or lunch on the go while exploring downtown Reykjavik.
You can check the availability and pricing of Reykjavik food tours here.
7. Ride an Icelandic Horse
One of the highlights of our Reykjavik visit was the winter horse-riding tour on an Icelandic horse. Icelandic horses are a unique breed with a thick double coat that keeps them warm during Iceland’s harsh winter months. Due to Iceland’s isolation for over a thousand years, this breed remains pure and unchanged by influence from other breeds.
Did you know? Most horses have three basic gaits (walk, trot, and gallop). Icelandic horses have two additional gaits called tölt and flying pace that set them apart from other breeds.
We opted for (and highly recommend) this 2-hour riding tour through Iceland’s volcanic fields, forests, and plains! The tour guides catered to riders of all abilities; most were beginners, and advanced riders enjoyed tölt rides! The horses were lovely, and the staff were incredibly helpful and friendly – truly one of the best things to do in Reykjavik in winter!
You can check the availability and pricing of all horse riding tours here.
8. Celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik
During the festive season, Reykjavik goes all-out and transforms into a winter wonderland, with sparkling lights and festive decorations that go up as early as November.
Did you know? Iceland has 13 Yule Lads, mischievous characters tied to Christmas folklore and believed to be the sons of the troll Grýla and Leppalúði. The Yule Lads visit homes during the 13 nights prior to Christmas Eve.
If ice skating appeals to you, visit Ingólfstorg Square in Reykjavik’s Old Town, which has an ice rink. The frozen Tjörnin lake in the city centre may offer skating opportunities too during winter!
On the weekends in December, Reykjavik offers a few Christmas Markets across the city, like the Hjartartorg Christmas Market and Kvosin Christmas Market. Moreover, there are carol services and Christmas concerts that you can attend.
Top tip: There are a few Christmas-related tours if you visit in December to get you into the festive spirit in Reykjavik.
If you’re in Reykjavik over New Year’s Eve, join the tradition of attending bonfires and firework displays across the city. The fireworks often last hours. For something special, why not take a Fireworks Cruise to see the fireworks from the water?
Best Half-Day or Full-Day Trips from Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the perfect base for half-day or full-day trips to explore Iceland, especially in winter when driving in wintery conditions may not be preferred. One great advantage of Iceland is that all of its famous landmarks can be seen through guided tours – you don’t need to worry about a car!
During our stay in Iceland, we booked several tours with different operators. The local guides provided us with firsthand insights into Icelandic life, culture, and history. Our tours were filled with fascinating stories, like the regulations on alcohol in Iceland, an app preventing Icelanders from dating relatives, and why so many Icelanders believe in elves.
Below are the 3 trips from Reykjavik that shouldn’t be missed! We did more tours but wouldn’t label the other ones as must-do trips.
9. Chase the Northern Lights
Chances are, you’ve chosen Iceland during winter to witness the Northern Lights, scientifically known as the aurora borealis. That’s a great choice because September to March are the best months for seeing this dazzling display!
Did you know? To see the Northern Lights, three elements must come together: solar activity, darkness, and cloud-free skies.
Reykjavik isn’t ideal for viewing the Northern Lights due to its light pollution, but it’s a fantastic starting point for Northern Lights tours. The guides know where the darkest spots are located, interpret the weather data, and only operate when there’s a chance of spotting the lights. If conditions aren’t favourable, tours are cancelled on the same day, and many companies offer free reschedules for another day.
We opted for the highest-rated Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience! They picked us up in Reykjavik and took us to several spots chosen on the day. We were provided hot chocolate and cinnamon buns to keep us warm while waiting for the lights. Additionally, this tour operator allows you to join the tour again for free until you see them.
We didn’t see the lights on our first two tours, so it was great that we could rejoin for free the following day and finally see them.
Our Top Tips for a Northern Lights Tour in Winter
- Please remember, seeing the Northern Lights isn’t guaranteed. When choosing your tour operator, look for one with an established reputation that lets you re-join the tour for free if you don’t see the lights.
- Book your tour well in advance as the winter tours fill up quickly.
- To capture perfect pictures, bring along a tripod (and a DSLR or mirrorless camera if you have one).
- Plan your Northern Lights tour on your first evening in Iceland so you can re-join it until the lights appear.
You can check the availability and pricing of all Northern Lights tours here.
10. Witness geothermal power at a Golden Circle tour
The Golden Circle tour in Iceland was our second favourite after the Northern Lights tour. The Golden Circle is a 300-kilometre (186-mile) route that forms a loop from Reykjavik and back. Along this route are some of Iceland’s most breathtaking natural sites.
We did this Golden Circle tour in a minibus from Reykjavik, but you could also drive yourself. Here are a few spots not to miss on your Golden Circle adventure:
Start at Kerið, a volcanic crater with black and red slopes and a snowy rim in winter.
Stop at Fríðheimar Tomato Farm, where the owners have cultivated tomatoes and cucumbers since 1995. You can visit their geothermal greenhouse to learn about sustainable farming practices and dine onsite, surrounded by rows and rows of tomatoes. They have unique tomato-based dishes – make sure to try the tomato cheesecake!
The Geysir Geothermal Area is home to several geysers and bubbling mud pools. The biggest geyser, Strokkur, erupts every five minutes and can reach heights up to 40 metres (131 feet), although we only saw it get to about 5 metres (16 feet) during our visit.
Head over to Gullfoss (which translates to “Golden Falls”), commonly referred to as the “Niagara Falls of Iceland”. This majestic two-tier cascading waterfall set against the snowy landscape was a beautiful sight!
Finally, arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park to walk between the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia.
You can check the availability and pricing of Golden Circle tours here.
11. Explore Iceland’s dramatic South Coast
The third trip from Reykjavik we recommend is Iceland’s South Coast.
The highlight of our South Coast full-day tour was seeing Sólheimajökull Glacier. If you want to do a glacier hike, you can join one of several guided hikes with crampons and ice axes to explore the glacier safely.
Since it was pouring when we visited, we skipped the hike and took a 10-minute walk from the car park to the glacier’s edge. Even without hiking, we got to enjoy the amazing views of the black sand beach, glacial lagoon, and ice formations.
Like many glaciers worldwide, Sólheimajökull has experienced a dramatic retreat due to climate change. Studies indicate its extent has shrunk by hundreds of metres in recent decades. For us, visiting the glacier was an eye-opening experience and a powerful way of seeing the effects of climate change firsthand.
Another place that should be on your South Coast itinerary is Reynisfjara Beach, a black sand beach. It’s known for its hexagonal basalt columns and large rock formations rising from the sea.
We recommend two other South Coast stops: Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, two powerful waterfalls. You might have seen some pictures of Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind its cascading water for a unique perspective. Unfortunately, the path was closed when we visited due to ice and snow.
You can check the availability and pricing of South Coast tours here.
12. Bathe in the waters of the Blue Lagoon
Another must-visit from Reykjavik is the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa located in a lava field about 50 minutes away from Reykjavik and a 20-minute drive from Keflavik Airport.
The lagoon is famous for its milky-blue waters due to the combination of silica, algae, and minerals. The water maintains a pleasant temperature of 37-39°C (98-102°F) throughout the year.
The lagoon is vast, and it feels surreal to be immersed in the hot water while there’s light snow.
Our Top Tips for Visiting the Blue Lagoon
- This is one of Iceland’s most visited attractions, so make sure you book your tickets early.
- To avoid crowds, plan your arrival early morning or late in the evening.
- The lagoon is close to the airport, so it’s easiest to visit when you arrive or depart Iceland (luggage storage is available for a small fee).
- You can take your smartphone into the lagoon, so bring a waterproof phone pouch.
- Your ticket includes a towel, shampoo, conditioner, one drink from the bar, a silica mud mask, and an electronic bracelet for locker access.
- Apply conditioner to your hair before entering the water. Otherwise, your hair will be dry and stiff afterwards.
- While you can walk barefoot from the changing rooms to the pool, the floor is very cold, so bring flip-flops or slippers.
Admission and opening hours: There are two types of tickets: “Comfort” and “Premium”. We recommend purchasing the cheaper version (Comfort), which starts from ISK 9,990 (approximately £57, 67€, or US$74). Premium tickets start from ISK 12,990 (approximately £74, 87€, or US$96) and include an additional drink, additional masks, and a bathrobe. In winter, the lagoon is open daily from 8am-10pm.
You can buy your Blue Lagoon ticket here.
Other Sights & Activities in Reykjavik
For our city guides, we only select the activities we believe are the absolute musts. However, if you have more time in Reykjavik, consider these additional sights:
Tjörnin Lake – Enjoy a stroll around this picturesque lake, which looks particularly lovely when frozen in winter.
Sun Voyager – Capture a photo of this ship-like sculpture on the waterfront. While it’s iconic, we don’t necessarily consider it essential.
Whale Watching Tour – Reykjavik offers numerous whale-watching tours. While it was incredible to witness whales breaching in their natural environment just meters from our boat, we found the three tours listed under the ‘Best Tours from Reykjavik‘ section above more exciting.
Walk along the Harbour – Reykjavik’s harbour provides breathtaking views of its city centre and surrounding mountains, so why not enjoy a scenic stroll along its waters?
Visiting Reykjavik in Winter: FAQ
Here are answers to some common questions to help you plan your winter adventure to Reykjavik:
When is winter in Iceland?
Winter in Reykjavik spans from November to March, with average temperatures of 0-3°C (32-37°F). January is the coldest month, with average lows of -3°C (27°F) and highs of 3°C (37°F). Winter has shorter daylight hours (around 4-5 hours in December and January) and the possibility of snowfall.
Is Reykjavik worth visiting in winter?
It depends! Winter is best for Northern Lights seekers, as September to March are the best months to see them. You’ll also experience fewer crowds and lower prices during winter. On the other hand, summer offers milder temperatures with longer daylight hours that are great for exploring Reykjavik and venturing out of the city. If the Northern Lights aren’t a priority, we’d recommend a summer visit instead!
How many days in Reykjavik is sufficient?
Reykjavik is a walkable city, and you can experience its main sights in two days. However, in our opinion, Reykjavik isn’t worth a trip as a standalone city break destination. Spend two days in the city and add 3-5 days for trips from Reykjavik to experience more of Iceland, such as its Golden Circle, geothermal spas, and the Northern Lights.
What is the best month to see puffins in Iceland?
The best time to see puffins in Iceland is from late April to late August when they migrate to cliffside nesting areas to raise their young. It’s usually not possible to see puffins during Iceland’s winter months. For an optimal puffin-spotting experience, plan your visit between mid-May and mid-August.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik?
To see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), you need solar activity, darkness, and cloud-free skies. Reykjavik has light pollution, so it’s rare to see the lights in Iceland’s capital. Venturing away from city lights increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
Is Iceland cheap in winter?
According to Eurostat, Iceland has one of the highest price levels for consumer goods and services within the European Union (EU). Despite being generally considered expensive, Iceland becomes slightly more affordable in winter compared to the peak summer season. You can find better deals on flights, accommodation, and car rentals.
Plan Your Reykjavik Trip
Final Thoughts on Visiting Reykjavik in Winter
While we don’t think Reykjavik is worth a standalone city break, it’s an excellent choice if you want to discover both Iceland’s natural wonders and capital city. Reykjavik provides a unique blend of urban energy and natural splendour. Visit iconic landmarks like Hallgrimskirkja, Harpa, and Laugavegur, and explore Reykjavik’s fascinating history through its many museums.
Beyond the city, be sure to discover the Golden Circle‘s wonders and Iceland’s picturesque South Coast.
If you’re just visiting for one or two days to view the Northern Lights, patience will be key. These stunning displays are a natural phenomenon; it took us three nights to witness them.
So, what do you think of our list of the best things to do in Reykjavik in winter? If you’ve visited before, is there anything we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments!