10 Best Things to Do in Reykjavik in Winter

Jo Roberts

30 August 2026

Home » 10 Best Things to Do in Reykjavik in Winter

Reykjavik is one of Europe’s smallest capital cities, with a population of around 140,000 in the city itself. Sitting on Iceland’s rugged coastline with colourful houses, mountain views and a buzzing food scene, it’s a fantastic place to base yourself for a short winter break.

However, staying in winter brings challenges and you’ll need to plan around harsh weather conditions and limited daylight hours. In this guide, find out the best things to do in Reykjavik in winter, easy day trips from Reykjavik and places to visit on a rainy day, especially if you’re travelling with kids.

Some of my content may contain affiliate links for companies I use and love and recommend to awesome readers like yourself. If you take action, (i.e. subscribe, make a purchase) after clicking one of these links, I’ll earn a small amount of pocket money (at no extra cost to you), so I can buy a coffee while creating more helpful content like this.

Our Experience of Visiting Reykjavik in Winter

We visited as a family of five over New Year, so the city looked especially magical with Christmas lights everywhere. We were also lucky enough to see the amazing firework extravaganza in Reykjavik on New Year’s Eve.

Winter in Iceland is cold, dark and weather conditions are unpredictable. During our visit, we experienced freezing temperatures, harsh winds, cloudy skies and only a few hours of daylight.

Our tour to see the Northern Lights was kyboshed by cloudy skies, and the high winds prevented any chance of taking a whale-spotting trip. Friends of ours were unfortunate to have their outgoing flight delayed because of the weather and consequently missed their first day of tours.

Is It Worth Visiting Reykjavik in Winter?

Don’t let this put you off visiting Iceland in winter. You simply need to plan with the harsh conditions and limited daylight hours in mind.

Some of the tours that are wonderful in summer are limited by winter conditions, but you can still experience the natural wonders of Iceland, enjoy cosy restaurants and geothermal pools. I’d just avoid booking tours on your first day, or travelling too far from Reykjavik because of the limited hours of daylight.

Here’s what I’d recommend.

1. Wander Around the City Centre

One of my favourite things to do in Reykjavik was simply wander around. Reykjavik is uniquely pretty with its colourful houses, mountains and coastal scenery.

The city centre is compact, so it’s easy to explore on foot. We spent hours strolling along the harbour, browsing the independent shops, popping into cosy cafés and admiring the colourful corrugated houses that Iceland is famous for.

If you’re visiting in winter, don’t miss the Christmas lights. The city feels incredibly festive, and we loved spotting the famous Reykjavik Cat, a giant illuminated sculpture inspired by Icelandic folklore.

2. Visit Hallgrímskirkja Church

You can’t miss Hallgrímskirkja – it’s the tallest church in Iceland and one of Reykjavik’s most recognisable landmarks.

Even if you’re not particularly interested in churches, it’s worth walking up to admire the unusual architecture, which was inspired by Iceland’s basalt lava columns.

If you have time, head up the church tower for fantastic views across Reykjavik’s colourful rooftops and out towards the surrounding mountains.

3. Take a Photo at Skólavörðustígur (Rainbow Road)

Don’t miss the Skólavörðustígur (Rainbow Road), which has become an iconic permanent fixture. Created for the Pride Festival, it was so popular it was kept as a symbol of love and diversity.

It makes a perfect photo opportunity with the church in the background, but the street is very popular, so it can be tricky to get a shot without other tourists. You may want to use an editing tool to remove a few people! 😅

colorful street leading to hallgrimskirkja

4. Walk Along the Harbour

The old harbour is one of the nicest parts of the city.

You’ll find cafés, restaurants, whale-watching boats and lovely views across Faxaflói Bay. Even on a cold winter’s day, it was a beautiful place for a stroll.

If you’re lucky, you may even spot seabirds or seals in the water.

sun voyager sculpture in reykjavik iceland — Sun Voyager sculpture

5. Whales of Iceland Museum

Whales are a huge part of Icelandic culture, and there are many species living in the waters surrounding the island. Iceland is famous for its whale watching tours. In summer, you’re much more likely to spot one.

Whale-watching tours do operate in winter but colder weather and rough sea conditions make it a less predictable experience. For this reason, we decided to visit the Whales of Iceland Museum, and we were pleasantly surprised. The life-sized whale models really help you appreciate just how enormous these creatures are, and the exhibits explain their behaviour, migration and conservation in a really engaging way.

It’s an excellent rainy-day activity and ideal if you’re travelling with children – our children really enjoyed their visit.

👉 Check availability and prices for Whales of Iceland

6. Explore Perlan Museum

If you’re only visiting one museum in Reykjavik, I’d make it Perlan.

It’s one of the best museums I’ve ever visited. From its striking spherical glass building to its incredible interactive exhibits and spectacular views, everything about it is impressive.

The highlight for me was walking through the indoor ice cave, built using real Icelandic snow and ice. It genuinely feels like stepping inside a glacier.

The interactive exhibitions covering volcanoes, glaciers, geothermal energy, wildlife and Iceland’s natural landscapes are brilliant, and there’s plenty to keep both adults and children entertained.

We were unlucky with the weather and never managed to see the Northern Lights during our trip, but Perlan’s planetarium show gave us a fascinating insight into how they form and where you’re most likely to see them.

Tip: Don’t miss the observation deck. It offers fantastic panoramic views over Reykjavik and is especially beautiful around sunset.

👉 See availability and prices for Perlan Museum

7. Go Northern Lights Hunting

If you’re visiting between September and April, seeing the Northern Lights will probably be high on your bucket list.

Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate during our trip, but Reykjavik is a popular base for guided Northern Lights tours that take you away from the city lights in search of clearer skies.

Nothing is guaranteed, but many tour operators offer another trip free of charge if you don’t see the aurora on your first attempt, making it well worth considering if you’re staying for a few nights.

👉 Check availability and prices for a Northern Lights tour

8. Take a Day Trip to a Geothermal Bath

Soaking in geothermal water is one of the best Icelandic experiences. There are lots of lagoons to choose from and you can arrange day trips to the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, the Secret Lagoon or Hvammsvík Hot Springs, which is set in a beautiful coastal location about an hour from Reykjavik.

We chose to drive from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s most famous geothermal spa.

We absolutely loved it. Relaxing in the warm mineral-rich water while snow fell around us was one of the highlights of our entire holiday.

It’s only around 45 minutes from Reykjavik and can easily be combined with your arrival or departure from Keflavík Airport.

👉 I’ve written a full guide with everything you need to know before visiting the Blue Lagoon.

👉 See prices and availability for the Blue Lagoon

9. Book a Golden Circle Tour

If you only have one full day outside Reykjavik, I’d recommend booking a Golden Circle tour.

It’s the easiest way to see some of Iceland’s most famous natural attractions, including Gullfoss Waterfall, Strokkur Geyser and Thingvellir National Park.

Because we visited in winter we loved having someone else deal with the icy roads while we enjoyed the scenery and learnt more about Iceland from our guide.

👉 I’ve shared everything about our experience in my full Golden Circle guide.

👉 Check availability and prices for Golden Circle Tour

Tip: If you’re planning day trips from Reykjavik, it’s worth looking at GetYourGuide tours that include hotel or accommodation pick-up in Reykjavik. This makes life much easier in winter, particularly if you don’t want to drive on icy roads or navigate unfamiliar roads in limited daylight.

10. Get Cosy in a Reykjavik Restaurant

Reykjavik has lots of cosy cafés and restaurants, which are particularly inviting when you’ve spent the day exploring in freezing temperatures. We were eager to try kjötsúpa, a traditional Icelandic lamb soup that is perfect for warming you up on a cold winter’s day.

Café Loki is a good choice if you want to try traditional Icelandic food, with views towards Hallgrímskirkja and a relaxed, homely atmosphere.

For something a little more casual, Íslenski Barinn serves traditional Icelandic dishes alongside more familiar options, making it a good choice if you’re travelling with a family or group with different tastes.

Due to the high cost of restaurants, we generally stuck to having a hot drink to warm up and rarely ate out except for the odd burger. However, having at least one cosy Icelandic meal is definitely worth putting in your budget.

Grab Lunch at Reykjavik Chips

Eating out in Iceland can be expensive, so we were delighted to discover Reykjavik Chips.

As the name suggests, they specialise in chips… and they do them incredibly well.

Served in paper cones with a choice of homemade sauces, they’re crispy on the outside, fluffy in the middle and surprisingly filling. There are even specially designed tables with holes cut into them to hold your cone while you eat.

Simple, delicious and one of the more budget-friendly meals we found in Reykjavik.

Getting Around Reykjavik

One thing I loved about Reykjavik is how walkable it is.

Most of the main Reykjavik attractions are within easy walking distance of each other, so if you’re staying in the city centre, you probably won’t need a car at all.

Bus Service

Reykjavik has a good public bus network operated by Strætó, which makes it easy to get around if you’re not hiring a car. Buses connect the city centre with the suburbs and surrounding areas, although you’ll want to check the route and timetable before setting off, particularly in winter when weather can affect travel.

You can use the Strætó website or app to plan your journey and check routes and timetables.

Car Rental

We rented a car because our apartment was outside the city and we found it cheaper than the cost of transfers for a family of 5, but if you’re visiting solo, or as a couple, and only visiting Reykjavik for a couple of days, walking and organised day trips are likely to be all you need.

Visiting Reykjavik in Winter

Although many people use Reykjavik simply as a base before heading off around Iceland, I think it makes an excellent choice for a short winter break.

Between the fascinating museums, cosy cafés, colourful streets and easy access to incredible day trips like the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle, there’s plenty to do to keep you entertained.

Top Tips for Visiting Reykjavik

Allow at least two full days to explore the city.
Wear warm, waterproof layers if you’re visiting in winter.
Book Geothermal Lagoons and Golden Circle tours in advance.
If you’re hoping to see the Northern Lights, keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to stay up late.
Don’t be put off by Iceland’s prices – there are still a few budget-friendly places to eat, and Reykjavik Chips was one of our favourites.

This was all part of our 4-day Iceland winter itinerary, where we also visited the Blue Lagoon and explored the Golden Circle.