Reykjavík
Ice skating + Hafnarfjörður Christmas Village
Rental skates on the outdoor rink at Ingólfstorg, then lights and mulled wine in the old town next door.
More about this plan
From late November to early January the city turns on an outdoor ice rink at Ingólfstorg, right in the middle of 101. Rentals are cheap, the music is loud, and nobody expects you to be good. Fall over a few times, laugh about it, get warm.
When you are done, drive fifteen minutes south to Hafnarfjörður — the old lava-town neighbour of Reykjavík — for the Christmas Village. Handmade wool, roasted almonds, hot chocolate, elves if you believe in that. Twinkling lights everywhere. It is the closest thing Iceland has to a Continental Christmas market and it is charming without trying.
End with a proper hot drink at Pallett Kaffikompaní in the harbour house down the road. Small, warm, good cardamom buns. You will leave smelling of cinnamon.
The plan, stop by stop
- 1
Ingólfstorg outdoor ice rink
Seasonal outdoor rink in the middle of 101. Rental skates on site. Low stakes, high charm.
- 2
Hafnarfjörður Christmas Village
Lit-up market in the old lava town. Handmade Icelandic crafts, mulled cocoa, elves, the full thing.
- 3
Hot drinks at Pallett Kaffikompaní
Tiny harbour-house café in Hafnarfjörður. Cardamom buns, good coffee, warm radiators.