Where to eat, drink and stay

Going to Iceland in January is not for the faint of heart. The second I left Keflavik International Airport, I was slapped in the face by 18 mph wind gusts and a 6 degree chill in the air. It was 8:30 in the morning and still dark outside; The coral-pink sunrise didn’t rear its head until 10:30 a.m. I nearly fell three times on the slick snow-covered ground as I walked to the car to take me to my hotel. That’s how I was introduced to the land of fire and ice.

Iceland is probably one of many people’s dream travel destinations for a winter break. Other times of the year, sure – it’s lush and green and ripe for hiking during most of spring, summer and early autumn. But smack-dab in the middle of winter? The country gets about four hours of full sunlight, average temperatures fall between 17 and 45 degrees, and those aforementioned winds can travel up to 22 mph, wreaking havoc on air travel. January is the coldest month of the year.

Despite the harsh elements and lack of sunshine, Iceland has some pretty unique things to offer during the winter – basically, this is the collection. Frozen IRL you will find snow covered waterfalls. You’ll see Icelandic horses in all their soft-coated glory. The hot water at the geothermal spa feels even more satisfying. And it’s the best time of year to see the Northern Lights, a real bucket list item. You won’t experience any of this on a Caribbean island.

Iceland is a country bordering the Arctic Circle above all else and is primarily a country of lakes, glaciers and lava fields. With all its volcanoes, cerulean blue hot springs, and untouched land covered in snow, the entire awe-inspiring landscape must be awe-inspiring. Next, everything I did in Iceland.

Where to stay in Iceland

I was invited to explore Iceland by EF Ultimate Break, a travel company that organizes group vacations around the world for 18- to 35-year-olds. I was only in the BTW hotel to sleep, so I didn’t mind the lack of a good view or minibar.

If you prefer luxury, your place to stay in Iceland’s capital is The Reykjavik Edition (from $657 per night): the five-star resort is located in the Old Harbor downtown (waterfront views!) and has its own impressive list of bars. And restaurants – including Tide, from Michael-starred chef Gunnar Carl Ghislason – as well as a stunning spa.

All in all, Reykjavík is the area where you want to find a hotel. Iceland is about the same size as Ohio, so it’s not small. And although you can post in other cities (like Vik, Hof, or the Far East Fjords), Reykjavík is it. It is the country’s capital and largest city, and home to many bars, restaurants and shops. Additionally, it is within driving distance of both the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle, two must-see destinations on the island.

What to do in Iceland

You can do a lot without leaving Reykjavík. There’s no shortage of places to eat and shop (more on that later) – don’t forget to pick yourself up a handmade Icelandic wool sweater from Iceland Hand Knitters while you’re in town. For culture, the National Museum of Iceland offers intel on the country’s Viking origins or If you’re not interested in a history lesson, visit the Icelandic Philological Museum (read: Genital Museum). A must see is the Halgrímskirkja church, although from the outside, its unique architecture is a result of the island’s geological topography (you’ll find the same undulating columnar shape in the mountains outside the city).

Beyond the capital, the Golden Circle, one of the country’s most famous sightseeing routes, is a must. It consists of three geological wonders: Thingvellir National Park, Great Geyser Geothermal Area and Gullfoss. Thingvellir is half an hour’s drive from Reykjavík and is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet (and form a very cool rift valley), and where the country met to declare independence from Norway in 1944. In the geothermal area, you can watch the Great Strokkur geyser erupt every five to 10 minutes. Then, you’ll go to Gullfoss, which is my personal favorite site: it’s a mind-bending giant waterfall and one of the most powerful in all of Europe. (Fun fact: My favorite band, Echo and the Bunnies, also shot for it. Porcupine album cover, which made me a little starstruck.)

All three points of the Golden Circle are east of Reykjavík, so if you decide to stay in the car a little longer, you should take the South Coast Road. The highlands are home to many spectacular waterfalls (you will find many waterfalls in this country), glaciers and volcanoes. You can also go on the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. Admiring the soft sand beneath your feet, you’ll be struck by how strong the water is. The waves are high and roll in with a bang, so don’t get too close.

Of course, you can’t go to Iceland without visiting the Blue Lagoon. The country’s geothermal spa is known for its Instagram-friendly blue hot springs where you can float weightlessly as you soak up all the skin-nourishing minerals like silica and algae. You can also hit the sauna or steam rooms for the full spa experience. I’d seen the hot spot on social media for years, but being there IRL still blew my mind—as I waded into the lake and slowly made my way to the mask bar (where they hold a mud mask for your face). The sun was hazy and low in the sky, smoke was billowing off the water… I felt like I had entered a new dimension. It happened to be my birthday, so the visit felt special.

Don’t sleep on Sky Lagoon, a new geothermal spa that opened in 2020. This overlooks the North Atlantic Ocean, has a waterfall and is basically a grotto. Like the Blue Lagoon, it has a swim-up bar and other spa features, but offers a ritualistic, seven-level spa experience with cold water, sauna (with a view of the Atlantic!), body scrubs, steam rooms, and showers. The facilities are definitely better than the ones at Blue Lake – the locker room made me feel like I was at the Equinox.

Where to eat and drink in Iceland

Anthony Bourdain rated Icelandic minced shark as the worst thing he’s ever eaten, so I was afraid I’d starve during my stay. Fortunately, I had nothing to fear; The country is full of great food (and I have never once experienced a polarizing national cuisine). Kafitar is a quaint, rustic coffee shop in Reykjavík (yes, it has oat milk). In New York City, there is a place called Hlemur Food Hall, similar to Chelsea Market, with different vendors, all with different cuisines. I got a delicious pho from a Vietnamese place called Bánh mì.

My pro tip? Try a traditional Icelandic hot dog while you’re in town. You’ll find a few stands that sell them – and you can even find them in the airport – but the most famous is the Bejarin Base Hot Dog Stand (Bourdain went there). There are no reservations room). An Icelandic specialty is a lamb hot dog topped with raw and grilled onions, ketchup, sweet mustard and a special mayo remoulade sauce. I’m thinking, I’m thinking.

Other solid restaurants and bars in Reykjavík: Bryggjan Brugghus (harbourfront steakhouse), Kaldi Bar (Really Delicious Spicy Margaritas), Lebowski Bar (Inspired The Big Lebowski and burgers, shakes and an extensive White Russian menu) and Cafe Rosenberg (get a ham sandwich and vegetable soup – simple, I know, but delicious).

Tips for visiting Iceland

Iceland will surprise you. Although it feels very strange with its lava and snow-laden land, it is really easy to get to; From New York City, it’s a five and a half hour flight. The must-see destinations are pretty centrally located – the furthest to drive in the Golden Circle tour is 72 miles from Reykjavík. (You’ll also need to drive: Unless you’re traveling with a tour company like EF Ultimate Break, which has its own buses for your trip, you’ll definitely need to rent a car if you want to hit the road. Book a Golden Circle or tour bus.)

While in Iceland, some places accept US dollars, but you should carry some Icelandic krona with you (1 ISK equals .0074 USD).

While you can certainly see the wonders of Iceland in the warmer months, don’t put off visiting the country in the winter. It makes you feel like you are on a different planet. The best advice I can give you? bring a lot Layers and rain jackets. Harsh elements can be easily handled as long as you wear it properly. My only regret is not being able to see the Aurora Borealis when we went on the Northern Lights tour. This means I have to go back – and I’m totally fine with that.