With a new wellness-focused Edition hotel open in the capital, Reykjavík is the perfect weekend getaway for travellers in search of breathtaking nature and recalibration
For those in search of colder climes and blisteringly beautiful nature, Reykjavík is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Just under three hours away from London (fly via Icelandic airline Play), and a popular stopover spot for those travelling back to the US via Europe, Iceland has been attracting visitors for decades thanks to its numerous natural geological wonders; geothermal baths, icecaps, glaciers, volcanoes and more. (Björk, who was born and raised in Reykjavík, wanted her 1997 album Homogenic to “sound like” the Icelandic nature she grew up around – the results are hypnotic).
Reykjavík, the country’s quaint capital, is home to roughly 139,849 people and is the perfect jumping off point to explore the island, with its charming, colourful timber-framed homes, high-end fashion stores and local eateries. And with the 2021 opening of the Reykjavík Edition, there has never been a better time to visit the capital for a wellness weekend full of relaxation, bathing and hiking.
Below, find recommendations for where to stay, what to eat, and do in Reykjavík.
Where to stay…
Across their locations around the world, the Edition hotels have become a byword for high-end design, lifestyle and luxury. Opened in 2021, their new Reykjavík outpost is located at the precipice of downtown Reykjavík by the water, with panoramic views of the Old Harbour, Faxaflói Bay and the surrounding mountains. A short walk away is Laugavegur Street, the city’s vibrant shopping district, and the Harpa Concert and Conference Center – everywhere worth visiting in the city is accessible on foot.
Inside, the rooms are cosy, finished in warm palettes of ash wood and pale grey oak, paired with bespoke furniture, fluffy throws, while floor-to-ceiling windows frame the rugged natural landscape outside. With temperatures in Iceland plunging to as low as -23°C in winter, the Edition’s homey rooms are an ideal place to snuggle up away from the cold after a long day out.
Upstairs, the hotel has a traditional hammam, steam room, thermal plunge pool and a range of spa treatments for guests in search of a wellness kick. The Edition’s harbour-side restaurant, Tides, is a great spot for lunch or dinner, serving up seafood caught from Iceland’s waters and locally sourced ingredients (highlights include the lobster ravioli, the Nordic seed salmon tataki, or simply the fish and chips).
What to do…
One of Iceland’s biggest touristic pulls is the country’s abundant hot springs; pools of naturally hot water heated by subterranean volcanic activity that are said to help bring down blood pressure, burn calories, and improve vascular health and skin conditions. A 45-minute drive from Reykjavík is Hvammsvík Hot Springs, a newly opened, family-owned estate situated in the middle of Hvalfjörður Whale Fjord – a historic and remote fjord with dramatic, panoramic views of Iceland’s rugged mountains. An alternative to the packed-out, more popular hot springs, Hvammsvík is scenic and tranquil, a place to relax and rejuvenate away from the crowds. For those who dare, a dip in the freezing fjord – alternated of course with dips in the steaming hot springs – is sure to get your heart rate up.
Adjacent to the hot springs is Hvammsvík’s restaurant, Stormur Bistro & Bar, where hearty seafood soups, wellness shots – filled with astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant harvested from seaweed – moreish open sandwiches, and a variety of chocolate and carrot cakes offer the perfect way to dine and wind down after a day spent bathing in nature.
Where to eat and drink…
Reykjavík boasts a wealth of wonderful restaurants and bars both new and old. Skreið, a cosy restaurant located downtown is a great spot for an aperitivo, with a wide selection of natural wine, cocktails, pintxos and tapas all day and night. Enjoy drinks with friends while nibbling on Iberico ham, anchovies, dates, goat’s cheese, grilled octopus and padron peppers. Austur-Indiafjelagid, an Indian restaurant also located downtown, is a national favourite, serving up spicy north Indian dishes. Mat Bar is a great spot to start your Friday or Saturday evening, with a superior wine selection and a rotating menu of snacks (baked cheese with wasabi honey and walnuts), main dishes (a kimchi and cheese sandwich with onion, red cabbage and mayo) and desserts (brioche with rum ice cream and dulce de leche).
