Last Minute Holidays to Iceland in January

In January the bases that work best are the ones with compact centres, easy access to day trips and enough indoor comfort to make the short days feel relaxed.

• Reykjavik: Reykjavik is the capital and the easiest base in Iceland for a January break, with a walkable centre, museums, restaurants and a lively harbour area. The city is the main departure point for day trips, so you can see a great deal without changing hotels or driving on icy roads yourself. The trade-off is that the capital is one of the more expensive places to stay, so it is worth booking early for the best rates. We recommend it for first-time visitors who want a city base with easy access to the wider country. Reykjavik holidays are a natural fit for travellers who want comfort first.
• Akureyri: Akureyri is North Iceland's largest settlement, set on a long fjord and ringed by mountains, with a relaxed rhythm that suits a quieter January trip. It works well as a base for visits to the famous waterfall of the north and for whale watching from the harbour in the neighbouring community, where trips run on a seasonal basis. Flights and transfers take longer than to the capital, so the trade-off is fewer day-trip choices in the depths of winter. Much like the itineraries our Iceland Family Holidays deals are built around, it suits travellers who want space, calm streets and a northern perspective on the country.
• Stykkisholmur: Stykkisholmur is a small harbour settlement with a ferry link to the remote fjords of the north-west and a peaceful character that feels very different from the capital. It is a useful base for boat trips across the bay and for exploring the dramatic coastline of the surrounding western region when conditions allow. Local services are limited, so you will want to plan meals and transport in advance. We think it is a strong choice for couples and small groups looking for a slower January stay away from the busier routes, the same kind of relaxed, grown-up pace our Iceland Adults Only Holidays deals are built around.
• Husavik: Husavik is a small harbour settlement in North Iceland and the main base for whale watching tours that leave from its waterfront, close to the centre. The area is calm and easy to explore on foot, and the tours offer a clear reason to stay here during a northern winter visit. Cruise calls come and go with the seasons, so the harbour can feel quieter in January than in summer, which many visitors prefer. Husavik suits anyone who wants one clear activity at the centre of their trip.
• Seydisfjordur: Seydisfjordur is a small fishing settlement in East Iceland, known for its colourful wooden houses and for being the port where the Smyril Line ferry from Denmark calls. Reaching this community in winter means mountain roads and weather that can change quickly, so it is best suited to travellers who are comfortable with a slower, more self-contained stay. The reward is a quiet, characterful base with an arts scene and a sense of arriving somewhere remote. We recommend it for those who want something off the usual circuit.