Famous for its geothermal pools, breathtaking glaciers, towering waterfalls, black sand beaches, geysers, wildlife, and other iconic natural wonders like the Northern Lights, Iceland is a place that feels like pure magic.
And when it comes to ticking off bucket list destinations, it's a country unlike anywhere else in the world. On the southwest coast of Iceland, we headed to the capital and largest city, Reykjavík, for four days of adventure. As well as being a clean and peaceful city which feels safe to visit (whether travelling solo, with a partner or with friends or family), it's a logical starting point for exploring the beauty of the Nordic island.
Need some help planning your trip? Consider this your Iceland cheat sheet for an epic adventure, from activities to book to the most delicious local restaurants. We promise you'll return feeling energised from all the exploring in the fresh Icelandic air...
Where to stay:
The Reykjavik EDITION
It was big news when The EDITION arrived in Reykjavik in 2021, and we can see why. The EDITION hotels scream cool, sultry and sexy with their laid-back luxury vibe, and the Icelandic opening is no different.
With muted, soft lighting, neutral shades, cosy fabrics, and natural woods, the rooms are modern, relaxing, comfy and really let the views do the talking - especially with their big floor-to-ceiling windows. If you can, go for a room with a harbour view for maximum opportunity to take in the stunning scenery. Add in huge king sized beds, comfy robes, Le Labo toiletries, and a breakfast so good you actually want to get up in the morning (even in the long winter nights when sunrise doesn’t hit until 11am) and you’re in hotel heaven.
But The Reykjavik EDITION isn’t just a pretty face. There’s an incredible rooftop bar for soaking up even more scenery (the only rooftop bar in Reykjavik - FYI), while the Lobby Bar just oozes so much ski chalet energy, it would be rude not to après. There’s also an incredible spa, perfect for zen time during the day or a pre-party pamper in the evening, with facilities including a hammam, steam room and sauna.
The location is also absolutely perfect. It’s within walking distance of everything you could want to see and do in the area: the Sun Voyager sculpture, Hallgrimskirkja cathedral, Skólavörðustígur (aka Rainbow Street), Tjörnin Lake, Harpa Concert Hall, the shopping and cafes of Downtown Reykjavik, and the whale watching trips and tourist attractions of Grandi and The Old Harbor. All are no more than 15 minutes away on foot.
Hvammsvik Hot Springs
Looking for something different? Locals raved about Hvammsvik Hot Springs, but (drawback of travelling in the middle of winter) adverse weather conditions put a stopper in our visit. But with eight natural hot springs right on the edge of the ocean, it’s not only a great day out, but also a little-known accommodation secret. There are 4 private houses, ranging in size, packed with all the mod-cons you need to be cosy, comfy and self-sufficient. With the ocean, meadows, black beaches, and mountains on all sides, its secluded location and minimal light pollution make it great for Northern Lights visibility.
Where we ate:
Skál
This modern Icelandic restaurant is a must, and just won the ‘Best Goddam Restaurant’ award locally. Not only does the place ooze cool, and deliver a top notch soundtrack, the food is *chefs kiss* good. We had freshly-baked warm garlic bread, cod wings with hot sauce and the already iconic raw scallops to start. We then went for the ribeye with crispy potato skins to share, and Skyr sorbet to round off. And don’t sleep on the cocktails… their 3 citrus gimlet is honestly one of the best cocktails I have ever tasted, and trust me, I’ve tasted a lot. Possibly the best meal we had in Reykjavik and worth every penny.
Deig
Holy sh*t these doughnuts. I still think about them now. This bakery also offers mouthwatering bagels and other bakes, but trust me, it’s the doughnuts you want to make room for. And doughnuts for a whole meal is totally acceptable. The stand-out is the Creme Brûlée, topped with freshly blowtorched sugar and filled with divine vanilla custard, but the Toblerone is also delicious. And I’m not even sorry to say we also tried both the Oreo and the classic Jam - also incredible.
Tides
The mouthwatering menu at this swanky waterfront spot is officially Michelin Guide-recommended. And yes, Tides is swanky, but it’s also relaxed, friendly and never snooty. The Lobster & Langoustine Croquettes and Nordic Seed Salmon Tataki start you off on the right foot, and the North Icelandic Lamb Fillet is your go-to main. But you truly haven’t lived until you’ve had the Basque Skyr Cheesecake with citrus sorbet…
Le Koch
Officially awarded The Best Burger by The Reykjavik Grapevine, and we concur. This cool, edgy diner offers a whole host of humorously titled - and truly mouthwatering - burgers, as well as chicken wings, toasties, shakes, sides and plenty of veggie and vegan options, all alongside a range of cocktails, craft beers and natural wines. Plus, check out their socials for their calendar of events (Mondays are currently jazz night).
Sandholt
Hands down one of the best bakeries in town, with the awards to back it up, this is a great lunch spot. Make the most of their baking skillz with their incredible range of sandwiches. I went for the sourdough grilled cheese with sriracha cream, washed down with a coffee and cinnamon danish. The carb coma is oh so worth it.
Pósthús Food Hall & Bar
Feeling indecisive? This lively food hall is loved by locals and tourists alike, and boasts 9 restaurant options, ranging from savoury to sweet, with plenty of seating, and multiple bars.
Kaffi Ó-le
Great coffee. Cool vibes. End of.
BakaBaka
BakaBaka isn’t exactly a taste of Iceland, and service can be slow, but it does serve up great pizzas. Start with grilled broccolini, deep-fried goat cheese and and Padron peppers for bonus yumminess.
What to do:
With SO much to do and see, it's challenging to pinpoint everything to add to your itinerary, but here are our highlights:
Visit a hot spring
We'll bet you've heard of the Blue Lagoon, but we recommend venturing beyond the tourist hotspot and heading to either Hvammsvik, or The Sky Lagoon. The latter's geothermal pool has an enviable clifftop position close to Reykjavík's centre, so it's like a (hot) infinity pool overlooking the icy waters of the North Atlantic. You can bob around serenely in the spa's thermal pools with a Prosecco Rosé in hand – yes, there's a swim-up bar – while looking out at the boats floating by.
After relaxing in the lagoon, take advantage of the spa's seven-step cleansing ritual. The cold plunge is a deeply traditional step for Icelanders, which is said to stimulate your immune system, decrease blood flow in your body and tighten skin. It's certainly a shock to the system when you've been enjoying the blissfully warm thermal pool! The next step is the sauna with breathtaking views of the ocean, and there are cold fog-mist, body scrub and steam room steps to enjoy after. Top tip: time your trip to witness the incredible sunset for an otherworldly experience.
Most locals say they prefer Hvammsvik or The Sky Lagoon, but if the famous Blue Lagoon is still on your must-visit list, here's a tip: it's much closer to Keflavik Airport than anything else (about 20 minutes), so it makes sense to use the Blue Lagoon as a reviving pit stop on the way to or from the airport, especially if you're short on time.
Take a tour of South Iceland
We thoroughly recommend taking a tour of the most beautiful places on the south coast of Iceland. There are no shortage of day trips and guides to choose from, but may we recommend a more personal experience with Oli at Puffin Taxis. He's super friendly, knowledgeable and offers a whole range of tailored itineraries.
A great place to start is at one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland – the majestic Skógafoss. You can walk up to it on ground level, or climb 500 steps to the waterfall's crest for even more breathtaking photos, rainbow and all. It's no wonder the waterfall has popped up on TV multiple times, from Game of Thrones to Thor: The Dark World. Next up, there's the Sólheimajökull glacier, which should be on everyone's bucket list, especially as the glacier is sadly retreating so quickly due to global warming.
There's also a chance to walk along Reynisfjara, the world-famous black sand beach, just beside the fishing village of Vík í Mýrdal. There's more than one in the country, but this one is by far the most popular, and I'm not surprised why, with many folklore stories behind the cliff's striking hexagonal basalt columns. Watch out for the 'sneaker' waves, they can get dangerously high when least expected. Finish the day at Seljalandsfoss, the waterfall which you can walk behind and through to the other side (and watch the sunset peeking through!)
Having a guide to teach you more about the history of Iceland and keep you safe on hikes is paramount – it's also a long day of travelling, which means you can relax on the drive to each attraction, watching out the window for Icelandic goats and horses and taking snaps of volcanoes in the distance.
Go whale watching
Iceland is the world's top destination for whale watching, and no trip would be complete without a whale watching tour. The tours depart daily from the old harbour, from April to October. Faxaflói bay is where you'll find plenty of harbour porpoise dolphins, minke whales and even humpbacks, so there's a good chance of seeing these beautiful animals swimming in their natural habitat. You can never predict what you will see, and how close they will swim to the boat, so it's all down to luck.
Explore Reykjavík
Many people use Reykjavík as a gateway to the rest of Iceland, but explore the city itself a little, and you'll warm to its wintery wonder, from the brightly painted houses to the cosy boutique shops. The city is easily walkable (providing you're wrapped up warm!), and there are plenty of tourist attractions to check out. One of the coolest places in Reykjavík is Laugavegur Street, which also happens to be one of the oldest streets in the city – with bustling shops, cafes, bars, hotels, and restaurants. Don't forget the famous Rainbow Street (painted the colours of the rainbow as a sign of support for the LGBTQ+ community), which leads to the must-see Hallgrimskirkja church, towering above the colourful-roofed city. There's a lift to the eighth floor, but you'll need to climb the final steps to the viewing platform. To recharge after all the exploring, grab a coffee and drool over a cinnamon bun from one of the many bakeries.
Visit the Perlan Museum
There are so many museums to visit around Iceland, but if you're interested in learning more about the country's breathtaking nature, head to Perlan – Wonders of Iceland. It's only a 5-10 minute drive from downtown and feels like an enjoyable, interactive version of a geography lesson, explaining everything you should know about the volcanic island's geothermal activity. There's even a real ice cave built with 350 tonnes of snow and a Northern Lights Planetarium Show (in case you can't see the real thing). It's a family-friendly activity, but also super interesting for a 28-year-old adult with no kids (aka, us). To top it all off, the museum has an observation deck with stunning 360-degree views and can be a good place to spot the Northern Lights as it's a little further out of the city's glare.
Chase the Northern Lights
Iceland's latitude and lack of light pollution make it one of the world's best locations to see this breathtaking phenomenon — IF you get lucky with a clear sky. Plus, The Met Office and NASA have confirmed the start of a ‘solar maximum’ expected to enhance solar displays over the next 12 months, making 2025 the perfect year to visit.
Northern Lights tours with to the likes of Aurora Basecamp depart from the city centre and head out of town to chase the clearest view. Top tip: Book any aurora-spotting trips for your first night's stay, so if the weather isn't on your side, you can join the next night's trip for free.
But your best bet is heading to Hvammsvik or even further away from the well-lit cities and villages. Check whether wake-up calls are an option, and how far viewing points are from your room and/or the hotel. Do download the various apps available but honestly, asking the locals and hotel staff is your best and most accurate guide!
FYI…
- Although Iceland is a year-round destination, the winter (November to February) can be bleak and windy with less daylight. Long nights, however, are best for viewing the Northern Lights. During the summer is when most festivals and events run, mountain passes reopen and conditions are perfect to go hiking or horse riding. So pick the right time of the year to visit, depending on your priorities and cross your fingers for some luck - nature is unpredictable!
- Ask Icelanders what NOT to do, and they will likely say that buying bottled water is highly unnecessary - the tap water in Iceland is some of the cleanest in the world. Plus, it's much better for the environment, so remember to bring your reusable water bottle.
- Don't spend all of your time in Reykjavik. It's the perfect base, but the beauties of Iceland lie far beyond the capital. There are so many activities to do, so pack in as much as your time and budget will allow. You seriously won't regret it.
- Dress! For! The! Weather! I know it sounds obvious, but high-quality waterproof and windproof gear is a must. There are plenty of shops to buy some, but they are expensive, so I suggest bringing all the layers you can fit in your suitcase.
- The currency is the Icelandic Króna, and everything is... expensive. Alcohol is only available in bars, restaurants and government stores and is heavily taxed, so stock up at duty-free to save ££ if you wish to. Icelandic is the official language so it's handy to know a few phrases, but English is spoken fluently in the vast majority of the country.
Claire Hodgson is Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan UK. Formerly the brand's Digital Director, she has worked in the media industry for over fifteen years, specialising in cross-platform content, from print and digital, to social and video. Originally working as an entertainment journalist, Claire is a film fanatic, box-set binger and music-lover, having interviewed the likes of Channing Tatum and Zac Efron, with her Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo video going viral in 2015. You're most likely to find Claire writing random entertainment op-eds on her love for Pedro Pascal and F1: Drive to Survive, or lusting after dreamy holiday destinations in our travel section.
Sophie Boyden (she/her) is Cosmopolitan UK's Head of Social, who leads the content creation and social strategy across the brand’s social media platforms - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and Snapchat. She also occasionally contributes news and features for the website.
