Reykjavík is the northernmost European capital city, and one of the smallest European capitals as well, but don’t be fooled by the size, because this tiny town packs a major punch.

Reykjavik from the balcony of Room With A View Apartments

While some may choose to hibernate when the temperature dips, real men grow a scruffy beard, wear flannel, drink beer and embrace the cold. For visitors to Iceland, upon first arrival into the country, simply spotting the airport runway amid the sheets of scattered snow is a challenge–and it almost feels as if one is landing atop a glacier. Whereas the summer months bring perpetual sunlight, the winter season offers the complete opposite—so much to see, so little (day) time—which makes it important to condense as much as possible into the daylight hours.

While many people are drawn to the country by a desire to see The Northern Lights, I wouldn’t recommend going solely for this reason because it would be a grave injustice to visit for only one attraction when there are countless other elements that encompass the energy and beauty that is Iceland. If traveling by car, an SUV is definitely the way to go, as the Icelandic weather can be just as unpredictable as the Icelandic women after a few drinks…so I’ve heard.

Where’s the road??

5 Things To Do In Reykjavik As A Man

Why travel there in winter? Why not wait for summer, you ask? Well that question has already been answered; because men become more manly when it’s cold…so why not!

1) Get out of Reykjavik

Ok, so this may seem a bit odd given the nature of this article, but the reasoning is simple. One of the highlights of any winter trip to Iceland is to view The Northern lights. Even if Reykjavik is the base location for your vacation, the bright lights of the city tend to flood out the opportunities to get a clear view of The Northern Lights that other nearby, less-densely populated areas may offer.

So what’s the best way to catch a glimpse of these elusive natural phenomena?

Just about any tour agency will arrange a nightly trip out to the countryside with “guaranteed” northern light spotting success or your money back.
The beauty of the money back guarantee is that after paying for one night, you can continue to join each night that follows without paying again until you have satisfactorily seen the northern lights. Imagine being surrounded by darkness and then looking into a sky illuminated by a sea of dancing colors.

2) Take a Golden Circle Day trip

Although The Golden Circle is a tourist route that can be done via chartered bus, without the hassle of navigating in the ever-changing Icelandic weather, driving presents opportunities that would surely go overlooked aboard a bus. By not driving, one loses the luxury of simply being able to stop at any time and take in the true images of the environment: thick-coated horses grazing in the snow, snow-capped rooftops overlooking small towns, and unoccupied, summer lake houses sleepily seated, waiting for the summer season to return.

These concrete images, among others, are just as impressive as traditional tourist spots like The Geysir Hot Springs area and Gullfoss Waterfall. But don’t get the wrong idea…The Geysir Hot Springs and Gullfoss Waterfall are still the highlights of this journey.

The hot springs, located just a fifteen-minute drive from Gullfoss, present the aura of walking through a battlefield while clouds of gunsmoke fill the air. That mist you see; however, is not gunsmoke, but instead steam rising from the one-hundred-degree Celsius bubbling waters of the hot springs. After viewing the bubbling waters explode upward into the air, Gullfoss waterfall offers the natural contrast of wintry waters flowing downward.

Gullfoss Waterfall

Geysir Hot Springs

3) Visit Hallgrimskirkja Church

This centrally located church is a landmark of the city. The picture-perfect parish can be seen from miles away and stands as one of the tallest structures in Iceland. It’s position and height make it easy to find from all directions and it is truly an architectural beauty, both inside and out. Even on a cold, overcast winter day, the white-concrete walls of Hallgrimskirkja complement the clouds like a hand-crafted snowflake.

If you happen to visit during the holiday season, then Christmas concerts are a regular occurrence. And for a panoramic, picturesque view of the city, after paying a minimal fee, journey to the top of the church tower where all of Reykjavik can be seen.

4) Try Local Food

There’s an old saying that goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans.” Well, when you think of dining in Rome, the first things that probably come to mind are gelato, spaghetti, and/or pizza. Reykjavik; however, is far from Rome so when dining in Iceland there’s definitely no time to be spent twirling forks in pasta.

Throughout the city, you can hit any local restaurant and grab a delicious meal of Plokkfishkur (Traditional Icelandic fishstew), Hrisgrjona salat (Rice salad), Marinerud sild (Marinated herring), and Geysir bread, followed by a shot of Brennivin to wash it all down. But the ultimate dining test comes as a meal tailor-made to be devoured, bare-handed by a man—Svio, singed sheep’s head, which is traditionally served during the winter months. Common courtesy says to look a man in the eyes during a conversation, so while in Iceland, in the spirit of courtesy…order a plate of Svio and look your sheep head in the eyes while biting into it.

5) Laugavegur Street

The shopping district of Laugavegur Street is where the city truly comes alive. Take a stroll down this avenue and witness the endless availability of entertainment options. The traditional tourist might check out the many quirky shops dotting this street while the non-traditional tourist may decide to admire the interesting assortment of appendages on display at The Icelandic Phallological Museum.

Various penises on display at the Phallological Museum

Once nightfall hits, get the night started with a cocktail, haircut, and a shave at The Barber Bar (but be sure to book your seat with the barber in advance), and follow that up with a night out of partying. You can channel your Inner-American and have some beers and a burger at the Chuck Norris Grill, or down a few White Russians at The Big Lebowski Bar. If that’s not enough, fear not, Laugavegur Street is dotted with countless other lively, late-hour bars and clubs to rock-out in. Ultimately, no matter what the choice may be, a night out in Reykjavik is guaranteed to be a memorable one.

Strikes and gutters, ups and downs…

At the end of the day, whether you’re a man or a woman, take comfort in knowing that if you do in fact choose Iceland as a travel destination–The “dude” abides.