Iceland Holidays in January

Iceland is cold in January everywhere, so the milder spots are the ones with the most sheltered coastlines and the easiest access to warm pools and towns.

• Reykjavik: Reykjavik is the most sheltered and reliably mild option in January, largely because of its coastal position and the ease with which you can stay warm indoors between outings. The city's compact core is packed with cafes and restaurants, and many geothermal pools stay open through the winter. Its harbour area is pleasant on calm days and the city remains the best-connected base in the country. It is not warm in the conventional sense, but it is the most comfortable place to spend a winter week. It is exactly the brief our Reykjavik holidays deals are built around.
• Akureyri: Akureyri sits on the long fjord in the north, where the surrounding mountains offer some shelter from the strongest winds. It makes a sensible choice if you want cold but calm conditions and a slower pace. Expect snow on the ground for much of the month, and plan around it.
• Stykkisholmur: Stykkisholmur is a small town on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula with a working harbour and ferry links across the wide bay to the west. Its sheltered harbour makes it one of the gentler places on the west coast in winter, though the peninsula road can be affected by snow and ice. The town suits visitors who want a peaceful base with easy access to scenic coastline. Check road conditions before any day trip out from here.
• Husavik: Husavik is a small harbour town in North Iceland and a well-known whale watching base, although in January whale watching is seasonal and operators run fewer trips than in summer. The town is compact and the harbour sits close to the middle of town, which keeps walking distances short in cold weather. It suits travellers after a quiet northern stay, the same brief our Iceland Last Minute Holidays deals are built around, provided you accept that many outdoor options are limited by daylight. Confirm whether tours are operating before you build your plans around them.
• Vik: Vik is a village on the south coast along the Ring Road, and it is one of the wetter places in the country, so expect rain and sea spray as well as cold. Its famous black sand beach is dramatic in winter but dangerous, with strong waves and sneaker waves, so it should be viewed from a safe distance. The village is a useful overnight stop for travellers heading east or west along the south coast, the same brief our Iceland Luxury Holidays deals are built around. Pack waterproof layers for any time spent outdoors here.