Reykjavik Holidays

What to see in Reykjavik?

Iceland is one of the few places in the world where you can watch the Northern Lights flit across the skies. The best time to catch this natural phenomenon is between September and April, during the darkness of night when cloud coverage remains low. It’s impossible to guarantee a sighting, but if you’re lucky enough to witness the wonder of the Aurora Borealis casting its magic, you’ll treasure the moment forever.

Set off from the capital on an adventure around Iceland’s famous Golden Circle. The journey begins with a stop at Thingvellir National Park, a stunning scenic area on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where two tectonic plates meet. Next up, visit the striking Gullfoss Waterfall. In summer you can get close to the thundering waters, while during wintertime, it becomes a frozen paradise. The third and final Golden Circle stop is the mesmerising geothermal area of Geysir, where you can watch the famous Strokkur geyser erupt high into the sky.

Start your day with a visit to the Whales of Iceland exhibition and learn about an array of underwater creatures with its virtual reality experience, life-like models and interactive exhibits. When you’re ready, join an afternoon whale watching experience out on the North Atlantic Ocean. Keep your eyes peeled, as experts leading the excursion ferry you to find the best wild animal spots – where there are frequent sightings of porpoises, dolphins, humpback whales and orcas during winter.

You’ve seen it on Instagram and in magazines; now it’s time to experience the Blue Lagoon for yourself. Make your way west from Reykjavik on a day trip to enjoy white silica face masks and luminous blue, mineral-rich waters and bask in the enchanting natural geothermal pools, surrounded by lava fields. Book your Blue Lagoon ticket in advance of your Reykjavik holiday, to guarantee a break where you can truly unwind in the tranquil pools. Rejuvenate in the spa restaurant or cafe, where you can select items from the all-day menu.

You can experience a unique bathing adventure at the Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths, deep in the Golden Circle around 55 miles east of Reykjavik. Rejuvenate yourself with a dip in its refreshing interconnected geothermal pools, take a splash in ice-cold Laugarvatn Lake, then warm up with a trip to its natural hot spring and steam baths and afterwards enjoy a tasty bite from its very own geothermal rye bread bakery. The bread is served with Icelandic butter and fresh smoked trout. There are three mineral baths that vary in depth, size and temperature, plus a Finnish-style sauna with temperatures reaching 80-90C and views of the lake. It’s a tranquil spot far away from the tourist crowds.

The capital oozes with cool vibes, as cafes evolve into bustling bars and packed dance venues. Pop into the Slippbarinn for a tantalising choice of cocktails – the bar is renowned for its master mixologist – and happy hour from 15:00 – 18:00. Alternatively, check out the Micro Bar, where you’ll find international and Icelandic beers. For a late night in Reykjavik, choose Paloma. The venue packs out at midnight, and you can dance until dawn with the locals.

Iceland is full of black-sand beaches due to its volcanic landscape. World-famous Reynisfjara Beach is located just beside Vik I Myrdal, a small fishing village at the southernmost tip of the mainland, around 115 miles from the capital (2.5 hours by car). With its towering basalt columns, roaring Atlantic waves and stunning panoramas Reynisfjara is widely considered the country’s most beautiful black-sand beach. You’ll immediately notice the rocky sea stacks offshore, whose origin has been the subject of many folk stories, such as a tale claiming they were trolls frozen to stone for killing a local woman.

Many bars and clubs around Reykjavik offer happy hour with special deals on alcoholic drinks which traditionally takes place from 16:00 – 19:00 but can sometimes stretch as late as 01:00 depending on the establishment. It’s an especially convivial time when locals and visitors often gather to embark on a pub crawl of participating venues to load up on cheap deals in a country not generally known for affordable boozing. Many places now offer daily happy hours and over 50 bars now participate, but times do vary from place to place, so it’s best to check before you set out for the night.

When does it snow in Reykjavik?

Iceland has a sub-polar climate with winters that are long and cold. Snow can fall from October through to May and there can be up to a foot of snow on the ground in Reykjavik throughout this period.

Can you see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik?

Yes, it’s quite possible to see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik although it can’t be guaranteed. Light pollution and the city skyline tend to diminish its impact. For the best chance venture out beyond the city’s suburbs to areas such as the Grotta peninsula and Raudholar.