Winter Wellness: Embrace the Elements 

Winter is the time to actively pursue a connection with Iceland’s elements, as harsh and unpredictable as they may be. Here are some suggestions for a wellness vacation during the months of darkness and snow. 

Get hot… 

The abundance of hot water from the volcanic ground undeniably helps Icelanders get through winter. Local homes are warmed with geothermal heating, and nearly every town and village has a public bath called sundlaug. 

The sundlaug baths are more than just a swimming pool. They are a place to soak in multi-temperature baths and socialize with the community. Larger pools have steam baths and saunas. Find locations and details on this map. 

Take a deep breath for the second act.  

…and cold 

Meaningful pleasure—one that heals and relaxes the mind—follows some sort of challenge. Even pain. A simple example is the cold plunge. 

At sundlaug, the cold tubs are small, and sitting down goes against every instinct. Hold your palms together; it is easier to sit still with your hands in a locked position. 

But for a more immersive experience, take a cool dip in the Atlantic Ocean. 

Nauthólsvík and Guðlaug are the top places to swim in the ocean near Reykjavík. The two beaches have locker rooms and a warm bath after a cold swim. Over winter, a few breaststrokes are an achievement. Experienced swimmers wear gloves and footwear to stay in longer. 

Retreats with stunning scenery 

Among the upsides of booming tourism in Iceland are the recent developments of ‘luxury baths, ' which offer service, design, and architecture beyond the public pools. Each bath has its own character; some have a swim-up bar and a cheerful vibe, while others offer a more catered experience. 

Hvammsvík Hot Springs merges with the shoreline of Whale Fjord outside of Reykjavík, and the bathing area shifts along with the tide line. Laugarvatn Fontana, along the Golden Circle, is on the banks of a shallow lake. The Forest Lagoon in Akureyri has an excellent sauna and a cold plunge. 

To enter a more organized ‘retreat’ experience, the Sky Lagoon has a ritual named the seven-steps inside the turf-house Skjól. The Blue Lagoon offers a range of add-ons to general admission, including a floating therapy and an in-water massage. Complete the day at the Blue Lagoon Retreat Spa.  

National parks have the best winter paths 

A long walk in a calm, snowy landscape is a precious experience. But stay safe: the sun sets early, and the weather can be unpredictable. Follow the Safe Travel guidelines at all times.

National parks are the best and safest places for a long walk over winter.

Vatnajökull National Park has trails of stunning variety. Skaftafell, along the southern edges of Vatnajökull Glacier, has a two-hour trail to the popular Svartifoss. To avoid the crowds, visit the information center for recommendations and winter conditions. To the north, where annual snowfall is greater, the park has visitor centers at Mývatn and Ásbyrgi. More on Vatnajökull National Park. 

Þingvellir National Park, a highlight along the southern Golden Circle, has paths along Lake Þingvellir and the cliffs of Almannagjá. Perfect for a short walk, passing famous sights and many more tourists. More on Þingvellir National Park. 

Snæfellsjökull National Park covers about 170 km2 (65 square miles) of the westmost tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The park is named after the beautifully shaped and infamous stratovolcano and glacier Snæfellsjökull, the crown of the national park. Read our complete coverage.

Slow travel spells wellness 

Winter is the time of slow travel. First, traveling slowly makes it easier to adjust to weather conditions. Second, with enough time, you will almost certainly encounter vivid northern lights. Third, some damn good accommodations for a damn good price are available.  

Good winter deals are especially true the further one travels from Reykjavík. Iceland has plenty of farm stays and remote villages that have embraced the ‘slow travel’ ethos, such as Seyðisfjörður and Siglufjörður. Those seeking a long-term base may prefer small towns such as Höfn, Ísafjörður, Stykkishólmur and Akureyri.

Calm down on a stormy day 

Winter storms can alter any good travel plan. Like a hot summer day urges people to leave the house, a cold winter day tends to push people inside. Try to be flexible and weather the storm in place and wait for the roads to clear.

Traditionally, the two winter pastimes Icelanders have embraced for centuries are knitting and reading. Yarn is sold everywhere—even in large gas stations—and makes for light luggage. When it comes to books set in Iceland, winter is probably the most common seasonal setting. For beautiful prose, check out the translated work of contemporary novelists Jón Kalman, Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir, and Ólafur Ólafsson.