Things to Do in Reykjavik in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
January Weather in Reykjavik
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
37°F (3°C)
High Temp
28°F (-1°C)
Low Temp
3.4 inches (86 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Near-freezing temperatures, pack warm layers
Is January Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Northern lights season peaks, 62% chance of clear skies on any given night, with aurora visible from downtown Reykjavik if you walk 10 minutes away from Laugavegur's neon signs.
- + Hotel rates drop 35-40% from December peak, the same boutique guesthouse that charges premium rates over New Year's suddenly has rooms available two weeks later.
- + January 6th marks Þrettándinn (Thirteenth Night) when locals torch massive bonfires along Faxaflói Bay and sing traditional songs, tourists rarely know this happens.
- + Swimming culture hits its stride, locals spend 2-3 hours daily at Laugardalslaug's outdoor thermal pools while steam rises into sub-zero air, creating a scene straight from Nordic noir.
Considerations
- − Only 4-5 hours of useful daylight, sunrise at 11:30 AM, sunset by 3:45 PM means you'll plan everything around the light, or lack of it.
- − Storm systems roll in fast, Atlantic lows can drop visibility to 50 meters (164 feet) on the Golden Circle route in under an hour, stranding rental cars.
- − Most highland roads remain closed until May, the interior F-roads that access Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk are completely inaccessible, limiting day trip options.
Best Activities in January
Top things to do during your visit
Reykjavik in January offers elemental contrasts. The low sun casts long blue shadows. It paints the city's corrugated iron houses in soft pastels against a slate-gray sky. Crisp, clean air carries the faint briny scent of the North Atlantic. During short daylight hours, steam rises in thick plumes from outdoor geothermal pools. These create warm pockets where locals gather to talk. The city operates on a different rhythm now. It turns inward, embracing deep winter. Two distinct events punctuate the calendar. On January 6, the coastal darkness is pierced by orange Þrettándinn bonfires at Ægissíðan and Skerjafjörður. The sharp smell of burning Christmas trees mixes with songs about the Yule Lads. This communal ritual ends the holiday season. Later, focus shifts to Harpa concert hall. The Dark Music Days festival fills its geometric interior with experimental sound. Some performances happen in total darkness, making hearing the primary sense. A January visit is defined by the pursuit of light. This means the ethereal aurora, a warm geothermal lagoon, or avant-garde music. It is a time for profound sensory experiences. Taste smoked lamb in a cozy bistro. Feel the chill of tectonic spring water. Planning requires understanding this seasonal character. The weather dictates a pace that is both contemplative and adventurous.
Private Silfra Snorkeling 6 p. group - Meet on Location - with Underwater Photos
adventureVisibility exceeds one hundred meters in water so pure you can drink it. Your drysuit seals out the cold. You float silently over volcanic rock formations in shades of sapphire and aquamarine. A photographer captures your passage through this otherworldly corridor.
This is the only place where you can snorkel directly in the crack between two continents. You are surrounded by surreal, drinkably clear glacial water.
Insider tip: Book the earliest morning slot. You can have Silfra largely to yourself before the day-trip buses arrive from Reykjavik.
Private 2-Day Glacier Lagoon, Ice Cave and Northern Lights
otherYou will walk inside a crystalline blue ice cave. You will hear the thunderous crack of icebergs calving into the Jökulsárlón lagoon. After dark, your guide finds a secluded vantage point far from city lights. You wait under wool blankets for the aurora to dance across the sky.
It combines the frozen landscapes of Vatnajökull National Park with an expert-led hunt for the Northern Lights. It is a complete private journey.
Insider tip: Wear multiple thin thermal layers under your provided overalls. You will be stationary for long periods during aurora watching in the deep cold.
Reykjavík All In One Food Tour - Eat, Drink & Explore with Locals
foodIt starts at a sleek coffee roastery for a taste of locally roasted beans. It moves to traditional eateries serving smoked Arctic char and slow-cooked lamb stew. You finish with a sample of caraway-flavored spirit.
It has a direct education on Icelandic food culture. It highlights the quality of local ingredients and contemporary Reykjavik dining.
Insider tip: Come with an empty stomach. The portions are substantial and form a full meal as you explore the city center.
Visit the Volcanoes - Half Day Private Tour - up to 9 passengers
private_tourThis is a stark moss-covered lava field still steaming from recent eruptions. Your guide leads you across brittle crusted earth past sulfur vents. You will peer into a dormant crater at the Earth's fiery interior.
It provides access to the raw volcanic forces that shape Iceland. A private guide explains the geology of the most active eruption sites near Reykjavik.
Insider tip: Request a stop at the Gunnuhver hot springs. See the roaring steam vents and feel the ground vibrate.
Reykjavik Private Northern Lights Tour with Pro Photographer
guided_experienceThey teach you to adjust your camera settings to capture the aurora's shifting greens and purples. Hear the quiet click of shutters in the frozen darkness. You leave with professionally edited images.
It guarantees a Northern Lights sighting and high-quality personal photographs. It is managed by an expert in aurora forecasting and night photography.
Insider tip: Bring your own DSLR or mirrorless camera and tripod if you can. The photographer can give the most tailored advice for your equipment.
This month: The long dark nights of January provide a wide window for aurora hunting. The lights often show greater intensity now.
Full Day Golden Circle - Guided Tour
day_tripYou can walk between the continental plates. Steam from geothermal areas hangs in the cold air. The low winter sun glints off the icy river canyon.
It efficiently shows Iceland's well-known geological trio. A knowledgeable guide provides narrative context.
Insider tip: Pack a thermos of hot coffee or tea. The stops are exposed and windy. A warm drink while viewing Gullfoss makes it more comfortable.
Where to Stay in Reykjavik in January
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for January travellers.
★★★★
Luxury
Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
From $280 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
January Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
January 6th
Þrettándinn (Thirteenth Night)
Iceland's actual Christmas celebration ends January 6th with massive bonfires along the coast. Families gather around 8 PM at Ægissíðan and Skerjafjörður to burn Christmas trees while singing about the Yule Lads. The president sometimes shows up unannounced.
Late January
Dark Music Days
Contemporary composers show experimental pieces in Reykjavik's Harpa concert hall. The 2026 festival (January 23-26) features performances in total darkness where sound becomes the only sense. Tickets sell out to locals first, so book the moment sales open.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Reykjavik Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Downtown Reykjavik's geothermal pipes run under sidewalks, follow the steam rising from metal grates to find the warmest walking routes.
Most museums offer half-price admission on Wednesdays after 2 PM during January because locals are at work and tourists are scarce.
The best northern lights viewing isn't on tours, it's from the free parking lot at Perlan after 11 PM when tour buses have left.
Soup Company (open since 1996) serves unlimited bread bowls with their lamb soup from 11 PM to 4 AM specifically for January bar crowds.
Avoid These Mistakes
Lock in your northern lights tour for the very first night. Weather here flips fast, and Reykjavik folk routinely wait 2, 3 days for the forecast to line up before they even bother heading out.
Turn up in jeans during January rain and you'll regret it. Cotton needs four-plus hours to dry inside even a well-heated guesthouse, leaving you damp and cranky for whole days.
Never tackle the Golden Circle without glancing at road.is first. A sudden dump, two feet of snow overnight, can close Route 35 and leave you spinning your wheels.
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