Embarking on a journey to Iceland in January promises a captivating adventure through a winter wonderland, where nature’s beauty is enhanced by the serene blanket of snow. Our Icelandic itinerary, encompassing Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Skogafoss falls, Vik Myrdal, Yoda Cave, lava tubes, and so much more, presents a diverse tapestry of landscapes and experiences that make winter travel to this Nordic gem truly special.
Reykjavik
As most trips into Iceland, it all starts in Reykjavik, the vibrant capital, which welcomes you with its charming blend of modernity and Icelandic tradition. Explore the city’s cultural scene, with museums, galleries, and lively streets, all adorned with a touch of winter magic.
Northern Lights
As darkness falls, Reykjavik offers a prime location for witnessing the ethereal dance of the Northern Lights. Sometimes looking like a kaleidoscope of colors across the night sky. For best viewing, we recommend heading out of town to more remote locations. This will help remove the light pollution. We didn’t have a great night for seeing the northern lights, but we were still lucky enough to see them. We definitely recommend packing very warm travel blankets, coats, and gloves. After a bunch of research, these were the best in our opinion.
Spa day at the Blue Lagoon
Venture to the iconic Blue Lagoon, a geothermal oasis enveloped in steam against the winter chill. Here, you can soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by snow-covered lava fields. A surreal experience that epitomizes Iceland’s juxtaposition of fire and ice. We made a day of the Blue Lagoon and really took advantages of their amenities.
Waterfalls
We know everyone talks about Selfoss Falls but we want to highlight some waterfall gems that you may not hear much about. We take off from Reykjavik and head towards Vik Myrdal.
Skogafoss Falls
Skogafoss is one of the larger, good old fashion waterfalls and is located near a main road which makes for easy access. Renowned for its sheer beauty and powerful cascade, Skogafoss is one of the country’s most iconic and visited natural landmarks.
What sets Skogafoss apart is its impressive drop of approximately 60 meters (200 feet) and a width that spans nearly 25 meters (82 feet). A cool feature of Skogafoss is the fact that you have an opportunity to get up close to the falls.
A sturdy staircase allows for a climb to the top, providing a panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes and the vast southern plains. Standing near the edge of the powerful waterfall, feeling the mist on your face, and witnessing the roaring water plunge into the river below is truly awe-inspiring. Now, be forewarned, there are a lot of stairs and when we were there, it was cold and wet.
Nauthúsagil Falls
About two-thirds the way there (or an hour outside of Vik), you will find a little adventure, the Nauthúsagil falls. This majestic waterfall stands as a testament to the raw and untouched landscapes that define Iceland’s allure. You have to navigate through some water and water-filled “crevasses” (not a glacier and nothing dangerous, except for getting wet in winter in Iceland 🙂 ). Highly recommend waterproof outwear for this adventure.
And sometimes water rises
It was very windy during our trip. So much so, that some waterfalls were actually rising back up. This was a first for us and pretty neat.
Vik Myrdal and Yoda
Vik Myrdal, with its dramatic black sand beaches and iconic sea stacks, stands as a testament to Iceland’s rugged coastal splendor, amplified by the stark winter landscape.
The Yoda Cave, known for its unique resemblance to the Star Wars character, offers a whimsical stop in your Icelandic journey. Lava tubes, carved by ancient volcanic activity, beckon exploration—a fascinating encounter with Iceland’s geological wonders.
There are so many more things to do in Iceland, but hopefully this gets you started on your next adventure. We will write about the cool places to eat and drink in Reykjavik.