Iceland | Fall 2024

Planning a solo winter trip to Reykjavik, Iceland? Get ready for breathtaking landscapes, steaming hot springs, and an unforgettable adventure! Here’s my day-by-day itinerary from my November trip, packed with active volcanoes, thermal baths and the best local eats.

Getting There: The Journey to Reykjavik

Ah, the glamour of travel. I started my journey by taking the A train to JFK’s Terminal 7, spoiler alert: if you have a Priority Pass, just forget about using it here.

After an overnight flight featuring a toddler who seemed determined to keep the entire cabin awake, I landed at Keflavík International Airport around 6:20 am, bright-eyed and definitely not bushy-tailed.

Welcome to Iceland, where even the commutes are epic.

Day 1: First Taste of Reykjavik

Finally reached Center Hotels Arnarhvoll around 10 am, did an early check-in, ate breakfast and took a well-deserved nap until the early afternoon. Trust me, the nap was worth it. By 3 pm, I was ready to explore Reykjavik like a somewhat-functioning human. I strolled down Laugavegur Street, Reykjavik’s “tourist” main shopping hub and admired the small shops and restaurants. I stumbled upon an Ice Bar but decided that cover charge could be better spent on actual food.

Dinner was at Cafe Loki, where I had a small meat soup, smoked trout, and cottage cheese on rye bread. Malt was my drink of choice. Yummy!

Day 2: Volcanic Adventures

I woke up late, as one does with jetlag and missed the hotel breakfast. Ran and grabbed some snacks, bread and drinks from the grocery store instead. Just before noon, I got a call from Volcano Heli, they had an open spot for a shared helicopter tour! Immediately dropped everything and hopped on Bus 12 to the heliport.

Usually these helicopter tours require a minimum of 2 people for booking but if your flexible with your time and it’s only you, then you can always get a last minute booking if someone cancels.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’d never been in a moving helicopter before and let me tell you, the excitement was REAL. The moment we lifted off the ground, it felt like I was starring in my own action movie. As we flew over the rugged landscape, Iceland looked even more surreal from above. Then, there it was: the active volcano. Seeing it with my own eyes was unlike anything else. The lava glowed beneath us, I couldn’t believe I was witnessing something so raw and powerful. Here I was, looking right into its fiery heart.

After the thrilling tour, the father and son I shared the helicopter with were so kind to drive me over to the Perlan Museum, which has an ice cave and a polar bear exhibit. Sure, it was touristy, but I’m a tourist, so I enjoyed it. Wrapped up the day with some comforting fish stew at 101 Reykjavik Street Food.

Day 3: Golden Circle & Hot Springs Adventure

I checked out early, stored my luggage, and waited for the 8:30 am pickup for the NiceTravel Golden Circle Geothermal Wonderland & Hvammsvík Spa tour. This day was packed with some of Iceland’s most famous sights. The tour was medium size with about 20 people, there were a few other solo travelers.

First, we visited Eilífur Geyser & Geothermal Bakery. Where we were served Rye bread and hard boiled eggs. We watched the geyser erupt not once, but twice before leaving. The bread had a unique flavor…. It’s the molasses and let’s be real, it’s not every day you eat a meal cooked by the earth itself. It was a memorable and warm start to a very rainy day.

Next, we headed to Kerið Volcanic Crater. The bright reds and oranges of the crater were gorgeous against the icy blue water at its base. It felt like I had just stepped into a fantasy movie. It reminded me a bit of Santa Ana volcano in El Salvador, except this one had a cold, mystical twist and I was driven to the top, totally a new vibe. Walking along the crater’s rim was exhilarating, even if it did feel like I could slip and fall into ancient volcanic history at any second.

Afterward, we visited Gullfoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s most iconic sights. Picture this: partially frozen waterfall, looking like Elsa herself blessed it. The sheer power of the water crashing over the icy formations was amazing, and despite my face feeling like it would freeze off, those Instagram shots were worth every frozen shiver.

We then made a quick stop to feed some Icelandic horses. Let me tell you, these horses are not like the ones back home. They’re smaller, fluffier, and look like they could be the stars of a Disney movie. Feeding them candy was oddly therapeutic and honestly, I think they enjoyed the attention as much as I did. Their thick winter coats made them look like oversized teddy bears. It was a wholesome break from all the epic scenery.

Next up was Strokkur, a geyser that’s basically the Beyoncé of geysers always erupting on cue and stealing the show. We all gathered around in suspense, cameras ready, and then boom! Water shot up into the sky, and everyone gasped. It was Iceland’s version of a fireworks display, but, you know, with boiling water. Absolutely amazing.

Finally, we reached Þingvellir National Park. I stood there, looking at American tectonic plate and the Eurasian plate, feeling like I could fall into the crack. The landscape was all rugged and beautiful, with lot of rain and ice. Our guide told us some gnarly stories about Iceland’s first parliament meeting there it was like Game of Thrones but with fewer dragons and more democracy.

By evening, we arrived at Hvammsvik Hot Springs. Imagine stepping into a steaming hot spring while the outside temperature is -2 degrees. Heavenly, right? Now imagine getting out. Torture. But honestly, soaking under a starry sky made it all worth it. I stayed until my fingers were pruney and then reluctantly headed back to the city, already missing the hot springs.

Day 4: City Exploration

Started the day with breakfast: cookies and chocolate milk. Clearly, I have the diet of a responsible adult. Around midday, I joined the CityWalk.is free walking tour and lasted about an hour until the cold convinced me to retreat. I treated myself to an iconic Icelandic hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur after abandoning the tour. Verdict? Every bit as good as the hype promised. Next, I visited the Icelandic Phallological Museum, which was, uh, a one-of-a-kind experience. After that, I took some photos at the Culture Center with my new camera, had to show it off. Before heading back to the hostel, I swung by Bonus supermarket to pick up volcanic salt. Because nothing says ‘I was in Iceland’ like a bit of salt from a volcano.

Day 5: Whales & Reindeer

Breakfast was fish stew from Bonus supermarket. As I sat there, I realized I had no clue where the taxi stand for my tour pickup was. After a bit of panicking and asking reception to call the tour company, I learned that I had mixed up the bus terminals. Classic.

Day 6: Final Flavors

My last morning in Reykjavik started at Cafe Loki. Breakfast was amazing, especially paired with some good conversation with another solo traveler. After breakfast I had a frantic dash back to the hostel to pack. While browsing in the airport I started realizing that I’d left my neck pillow on the bus. Goodbye, sweet neck support. Before leaving Iceland, I grabbed one final hot dog and a kid’s meal of fish and fries for my final Icelandic meal. Simple, yet the perfect end to my adventure. Goodbye Reykjavik, you cold, magical, unpredictable place.

Must-Try Icelandic Foods

• Plokkfiskur: Hearty fish stew
• Skyr: Better than yogurt, might even beat ice cream
• Pylsur: Icelandic hot dogs with all the toppings
• Rúgbrauð: That incredible rye bread
• Lamb Soup: Perfect winter warmer
• Reindeer Meat: Surprisingly delicious!

Best Souvenirs to Buy

• Volcanic Salt from Bonus supermarket
• Rye bread (check the best-by date!)

Packing Essentials

• Uniqlo Heat tech layers (long sleeves, leggings)
• Waterproof hiking boots
• Fleece half zip, wool blend socks, knit sweaters
• Waterproof outerwear (including gloves and a hat)
• Casual yet warm layers like fleece pullovers and heat tech jeans
• Swimsuit (for those hot spring dips!)
• Snacks for unexpected hunger moments
• Portable charger for cold-weather phone drain

Final Thoughts

Reykjavik in winter is magical, from its steaming hot springs to active volcanoes. While the weather can be challenging, the unique experiences like soaking in hot springs under the stars or spotting whales in the frigid waters make it all worthwhile. Plus, where else can you have a helicopter view of an active volcano?

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