Luxury Solo Travel in Iceland: A Curated Guide to Reykjavík
Where Nordic Cool Meets Feminine Adventure
If you’ve ever dreamt of escaping somewhere that feels like the edge of the world — but still lets you order a perfectly crafted espresso martini — welcome to Reykjavík.
Iceland’s capital is clean, safe, and quietly magical — a city where Art Deco façades meet volcanic landscapes, and every local seems to double as a poet, a geologist, and a DJ.
It’s also one of the world’s safest cities (officially ranked safest in 2025), which makes it an ideal destination for your first — or fifteenth — solo European escape.
Whether you’re craving calm, cold air and clarity, or simply want to chase the Northern Lights with a glass of Champagne in hand, here’s your Solo Travel Concierge guide to doing Reykjavík in style.
Travel Tip
2026 is expected to be the most dazzling year in over a decade for Northern Lights sightings — the peak of the solar cycle. The spectacle continues through next March, making this winter your best chance to witness the Aurora Borealis until 2037.
Where to Stay
The Reykjavík EDITION
Modern, refined, and effortlessly cool.
Set along the Old Harbour with panoramic mountain views, The Reykjavík EDITION brings contemporary luxury to Iceland’s capital. Just steps from Harpa Concert Hall and the boutiques of Laugavegur, it’s perfectly placed for exploring both the city and the landscapes beyond.
Awarded a Michelin Key for excellence in hospitality, the hotel pairs thoughtful design with Icelandic warmth. A social spa, curated dining, and sleek gathering spaces create an atmosphere that’s both cosmopolitan and calm — ideal for long summer evenings or Northern Lights sightings alike.
Where to Eat
Iceland’s culinary scene is having a moment — and Reykjavík is its beating heart. Here’s where to eat your way through the city, one indulgent meal at a time.
Tides at The Reykjavík EDITION
Come for the Michelin-level seafood, stay for the quietly glamorous crowd. Expect langoustine, Arctic char, and ocean views that make you want to extend your trip another week.
Family-run and effortlessly cozy, this is where locals and travelers mingle over plates of tender lamb and tagliolini with baked cod and shrimp. (Order the Reynisfjara pasta — trust me.)
Set inside the lively Hlemmur Mathöll food hall, Skál! delivers modern Icelandic flavors with a fresh, playful twist. Think smoked Arctic char with skyr and herbs, local lamb tartare, and house-fermented drinks. It’s the kind of place where you’ll end up chatting with locals over a shared plate.
Set in a former pharmacy, Apotek balances moody glamour with Icelandic soul — the cocktails are almost too beautiful to drink, and the caramelized lamb shank is worth the flight alone.
For a more casual afternoon, head to this harbor-side food hall filled with local vendors serving everything from Icelandic fish stew to vegan dumplings. It’s perfect for grazing, people-watching, and sipping natural wine as ships roll by.
Start your morning here. Their cinnamon rolls are legend. You’ll know you’re close when you smell the butter.
Where to Shop
Reykjavík’s shopping scene is small but mighty — a perfect reflection of Iceland itself: stylish, authentic, and deeply connected to the land. Here’s where to pick up treasures that tell a story.
Clothing that reflects the contrasts of Iceland, beautifully mixing urban silhouettes with rural materials. Created by Icelandic designer Bergthora Gudnadottir and musician Jóel Pálsson, this brand embodies Reykjavík’s dual spirit — rugged yet refined. Their Laugavegur storefront always stops me in my tracks.
Each piece feels like a wearable poem. PRAKT specializes in handcrafted jewelry inspired by Icelandic nature, using sustainable materials and timeless shapes that quietly command attention.
Handknitters Association of Iceland
The place for an authentic lopapeysa — the traditional Icelandic wool sweater. Each one is handmade by local artisans, often with a handwritten tag bearing the name of its maker. Warmth, heritage, and craftsmanship all stitched together.
The gold standard of Icelandic wool. Their flagship store (and many pop-ups around the city) offers blankets, sweaters, and scarves — all made with impeccable quality and modern design sensibility.
Styled like an old-world pharmacy, this natural skincare boutique crafts products from Icelandic herbs and botanicals. Small-batch, eco-friendly, and incredibly chic — the perfect spot for a thoughtful gift or a self-care souvenir.
Take home the essence of Iceland’s most famous spa. Their mineral-rich skincare line, powered by geothermal seawater and algae, leaves your skin as dewy as an Icelandic morning.
Where science meets beauty. This biotech skincare brand uses barley-based growth factors to deliver serious anti-aging results — a cult favorite among locals and global beauty editors alike.
Step into the shop to experience their signature scent journey—an immersive exploration of each fragrance, enhanced by bespoke schnapps, leaving your senses elevated.
Our Conciergerie's Top 3
1 –Sky Lagoon
Skip the crowds at the Blue Lagoon and head here instead — a geothermal infinity pool perched over the North Atlantic, where you can float, sip, and watch the steam rise into the Arctic air. The seven-step ritual is wellness goals meets Viking heritage.
2 – Golden Circle Tour
Because you have to do it once. Think geysers that hiss like dragons, waterfalls that make you gasp out loud, and volcanic craters you can walk into. You’ll get the “wow” moments — minus the stress of figuring out the logistics (that’s what I’m for).
3 – Northern Lights Jeep Tour
Hunt the Aurora Borealis with expert guides in a super jeep, escaping the crowds and city lights.
Safety, Comfort & Packing with Intention
Reykjavík consistently ranks among the safest cities in the world — the kind of place where you can walk home at midnight under the Northern Lights and still feel completely at ease.
That said, comfort and connection matter just as much as safety. That’s why I always recommend:
– Booking centrally located.
– Opting for refundable rates — flexibility is luxury.
– Using a trusted airport transfer — no guesswork, no awkward taxi moments.
What to Pack:
Think practical chic — layers, texture, and warmth.
– A wool-cashmere rollneck (you’ll thank me later)
– Water-resistant boots (ideally cute ones)
– A great trench or puffer
– Your favorite journal
– A swimsuit for Sky Lagoon (yes, really)
Pro tip: Icelandic weather is like dating apps — unpredictable but always a little dramatic. Pack layers, not expectations.
Iceland has a way of grounding you — in beauty, in stillness, in yourself. It’s the kind of destination that whispers rather than shouts, where adventure and calm exist in perfect balance.
And when you’re ready to stop scrolling and start planning your own solo escape, I’ll make sure it’s effortless, elegant, and entirely your own.