Iceland lives up to every cliché written about it, and then some. Geothermal pools, glaciers, waterfalls, black sand beaches, the Northern Lights — it all exists, and it really does feel that dramatic in person.
Our trip started on the southwest coast in Reykjavík — the capital, the largest city, and for most visitors, the obvious first stop. Clean streets, a calm pace, and a genuine sense of safety make it work just as well for solo travellers as it does for families. It’s also a solid base for everything else Iceland throws at you.
Think of what follows as a practical cheat sheet: where to sleep, where to eat, what to actually do. Iceland rewards the people who show up with a rough plan.
Where to Stay: The Reykjavik EDITION
When The Reykjavik EDITION opened in 2021 it generated a fair amount of conversation, and the hype turned out to be warranted. The EDITION brand has a specific feel — sleek without being cold, luxurious without announcing itself — and the Reykjavík property pulls it off well.
Rooms lean into soft lighting, muted tones, and fabrics that actually feel comfortable. The floor-to-ceiling windows do most of the work, and if you can get a harbour-view room, do it. King-sized beds, proper bathrobes, Le Labo toiletries, and a breakfast good enough to get you out of bed at 11 AM in the depths of winter — it adds up to somewhere you genuinely want to come back to.
Beyond the rooms, the rooftop bar is the only one of its kind in the city, and worth the visit for the views alone. The Lobby Bar has a warm ski-chalet feel — exactly what you want after a day in the cold. The spa runs hammams, steam rooms, and saunas, which works well either as a daytime escape or a pre-evening reset.
Location-wise, it’s hard to fault. The Sun Voyager sculpture, Hallgrimskirkja cathedral, and the cafes and shops of Downtown Reykjavík are all within a 15-minute walk.
Hvammsvik Hot Springs: A Hidden Gem
Locals speak highly of Hvammsvik Hot Springs, and we’d have gone ourselves if the winter weather hadn’t made it impractical. Eight natural hot springs sit right by the ocean, and there are four private houses on site if you want to stay over. Black beaches, open meadows, mountains, and almost no light pollution — which makes it one of the better spots for catching the Northern Lights.
Culinary Highlights: Where We Dined
Skál
Skál recently picked up the title of ‘Best Goddam Restaurant,’ and a meal there makes that easy to believe. The room has energy, the food is serious, and the menu hits. We had warm garlic bread, cod wings, raw scallops, a ribeye with crispy potatoes, and finished with a Skyr sorbet. The cocktails are worth mentioning too — particularly the three-citrus gimlet, which may be the best I’ve had anywhere.
Deig
If you’re going to eat a doughnut in Reykjavík, eat it at Deig. The crème brûlée version — blowtorched sugar on top, creamy custard inside — is worth the detour on its own. The Toblerone and classic jam options are both solid too.
Tides
Tides holds a Michelin Guide recommendation, and the food backs it up without making the whole thing feel stiff. Start with the lobster and langoustine croquettes, go for the North Icelandic lamb fillet as a main, and don’t leave without trying the Basque Skyr cheesecake.
Le Koch
Le Koch has built a following on the strength of its burgers, and the reputation is deserved. Good sides, decent cocktails, and jazz nights that tend to fill the place out — worth checking the calendar before you go.
Sandholt
A reliable bakery with a strong sandwich lineup. The grilled cheese sourdough with sriracha cream paired with a coffee and a cinnamon Danish is a straightforward combination that works exactly as well as it sounds.
Pósthús Food Hall & Bar
Nine different eateries under one roof. Useful when you’re travelling with people who can’t agree on what they want, or when you just want options.
Kaffi Ó-le
Good coffee, relaxed atmosphere. Sometimes that’s all you need.
BakaBaka
Not what you’d expect from Iceland, but the pizzas are genuinely good. Pair one with the grilled broccolini and deep-fried goat cheese — it elevates the whole plate.
Unforgettable Experiences: What to Do
There’s a lot competing for your time. These are the things that actually stood out.
Visit a Hot Spring
The Blue Lagoon is the obvious choice, but the Sky Lagoon is worth serious consideration. Built into a cliffside, it gives you the feeling of floating at the edge of the ocean. There’s a swim-up bar serving Prosecco Rosé, and the seven-step spa ritual is exactly the kind of thing Iceland does well. For something quieter, Hvammsvik is the one locals tend to mention.
Explore South Iceland
A south coast day trip is non-negotiable. We’d recommend Oli at Puffin Taxis if you want a guide who makes the whole thing personal. Start at Skógafoss — you can walk right up to it at ground level or climb the 500 steps for the view from the top. From there, the glacier at Sólheimajökull is a genuine bucket-list stop, and retreating visibly due to climate change in a way that makes the visit feel urgent. Reynisfjara black sand beach comes with real folklore and equally real wave warnings — take them seriously. Finish at Seljalandsfoss, where walking behind the waterfall at sunset is as good as it sounds.
Whale Watching
Iceland is one of the best places in the world for this. Tours run daily from April to October out of the old harbour. Harbour porpoises and humpbacks are the ones people come for, and sightings are common.
Discover Reykjavík
It’s easy to treat Reykjavík as a transit point and miss what it actually offers. Laugavegur Street has good shopping and better people-watching. Rainbow Street leads up to Hallgrimskirkja church and is worth the walk. Stop into a bakery for coffee and a cinnamon bun afterwards — that part is not optional.
Visit the Perlan Museum
Perlan — Wonders of Iceland sits just outside the city centre and does a genuinely good job of explaining the geology that makes this country strange and spectacular. The ice cave and planetarium are the highlights.
Chase the Northern Lights
Iceland’s latitude gives it excellent Northern Lights visibility, and solar activity peaks in 2025, which makes this a particularly good window. Guided tours that take you away from city light work better than trying to find a spot on your own.
Travel Tips
- Timing Matters: Iceland works in any season. Winter gives you the best shot at Northern Lights; summer opens up festivals and long daylight hours for outdoor activities.
- Stay Hydrated: The tap water is among the purest in the world — leave bottled water behind.
- Dress For the Weather: Layering is key. High-quality waterproof and windproof clothes will keep you comfortable in varying conditions.
- Explore Beyond Reykjavík: The capital is worth your time, but the landscapes outside it are the reason most people come. Build in at least one day trip.
Iceland tends to stay with you. The landscapes are unlike anything else, the food scene is stronger than people expect, and the whole place has an atmosphere that’s hard to describe until you’ve been. If you’re on the fence, stop being on the fence.
