Reykjavik short break recommendations

[CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease]

Hi all.
We’re looking at 4-5 days in Reykjavik in January or February next year.
I think I’ve googled too much and would prefer some first-hand recommendations or avoids from those that have been.
Great hotels, or awful ones to avoid?
Must see attractions while there?
thanks 😊

If you paid over 4000 for a single pizza you were rinsed!

Thank you for all the replies.

I'll talk to the others about the timing - I’m not the one doing the organising but they may not be aware that January isn’t a great time.

I don’t drink so I’m not concerned about the cost of alcohol. But I do like food!

We went in February and it was fantastic. To stop sliding everywhere just buy shoe grips!

It's expensive but there is a happy hour app to follow.

We stayed in b and b in the Reykjavik Marina Hotel which was quirky and fabulous. We did see the lights both on tour and from the harbour

Thanks. We do have some shoes grips somewhere as DH does a lot of snow-based holidays.

I've seen you say this a couple of times now and while I agree that Iceland is an amazing country, with endless interesting and enjoyable things to do, for anyone who hasn't been before, 'seeing Rvk and a few tours' isn't a waste of time or money, it's a good and hassle free introduction to the country where you know that there will be things to see and do without having to do a huge amount of thinking/planning. Then it's likely that you'll want to go back many times and see more.

@CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease We also have shoe grips (rubber frames with short spikes in) that would be ideal for an Icelandic winter, but I did wonder if we'd be able bring them in hand luggage or if they'd have to be checked into the hold?

It's just that people do tend to come once, because it's so expensive.

Some people come multiple times which obviously gives you a chance to better explore the country.

But I always think it's a shame when people's first and only experience of Iceland is the darkness, the storms, cancellations, the capital city (which is a nice place to live but not that exciting to explore), and one or two of the busiest destinations in a tiny bit of the south west corner (which are busiest because of their proximity, not because they are the most incredible things to see). I feel sorry for the tourists in the dead of winter, but you're right I'm sure they are having fun 😁

That time of year is always going to be maximum chance for hassle of the cancellation and travel disruption variety, though.

So caveat on my advice - if you're coming once to tick Iceland off your list, don't make it Nov - Feb.

If you're a frequent visitor and fully signed up friend of Iceland, then yes definitely do try mid winter at least once because it is certainly an experience to see all the snow, dramatic weather, pitch dark at 11 am, northern lights, NY fireworks and bonfires, Reykjavík at Christmas time, frozen lakes. I'm negative about the winter because there are so many downsides and so much of the good stuff is better in other seasons, but Iceland is always magnificent.

I went for four nights last October with my friends . I booked worh Jet 2 as a package and believe it worked out as quite a good deal. We stayed at Hotel Frön ( I see a pp did the same) . It had a fridge and bit of kitchen equipment so we could prep a few snacks. Also purchased a bottle of wine each at the airport arrivals to save some money.

It is expensive to eat and drink there - but was all good quality.

We did the standard coach trips which were interesting and well worth the cost also . Another memorable outing was an afternoon at the Sky Lagoon.

I would like to visit again - possibly in the summer months as would love the light nights - I’d probably take DH this time and travel around a little rather than just a mini break in Reykjavik

The exciting bit for me is that DH and I are having our first child free holiday while Grandma has the children.
Id be happy going anywhere - as long as there’s a bed for sleep and uninterrupted marital consummating!
So, darkness and cold don’t bother me at all. It’s DH who has chosen the destination and I’m happy to go along with it.

So we’ve identified a date in March that everyone is free so might be able to go then rather than January.

I’ve been looking at the hotels mentioned and it looks very doable.

March sounds much better than January if you can go then