If the thought of another winter’s getting you down, you might just be spending it in the wrong place. In Iceland, the colder months bring epic adventures and luxury experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else.
We asked our guide, Levi Baráth, what he loves about the winter in Iceland:
“I love the snow and the sun being so low, creating such colors at sunrise and sunset. I haven’t seen this anywhere else before!”
He’s right. The colder months are a chance to see something spectacular. Read on to inspire your Iceland winter itinerary, with a definitive list of what to do in this unique part of the world. So pack for the weather and let’s start ticking off the list.
Walk through the ice caves
The first example showcases what makes Iceland such a winter wonderland. The ice caves are the most beautiful blue, a seasonal phenomenon that has to be seen to be believed. It’s the kind of place that feels a million miles from the busy cities of home. And they’re designed with first timers in mind; get there via helicopter, superjeep, or a short walk. This activity is ideal for almost everyone. Curious as to how to prepare or which places to go to? We’ve got the perfect guide to the glaciers, as well as tours that take you straight through to the breathtaking Jökulsárlón and its magnificent ice caves.
Catch a sight of the Northern Lights
Possibly the best reason to visit Iceland in the winter. When the sky is dark and the nights are long, that’s when you have the best chance of seeing the majesty of the Northern Lights. You could plan your entire trip around them and it’d be worth every second; in fact, we offer Northern Lights tours that do just that.
Explore the stunning waterfalls
Spending time by the water in the winter might not feel like the obvious choice, but few places are this spectacular. Skógafoss is depicted in Game of Thrones and Thor as an otherworldly place, and when you’re seeing the seven shades of the rainbow shimmer in the mist of its waterfall, you can understand why. And if you’re able, there’s 527 steps to the top, where the view is extraordinary. In winter, you can see glistening icicles form upon the walls near where the water falls. It’s loud, it’s magnificent, and it’s the perfect place to start your Iceland adventure tour.
Take a dip in the famous hot springs
The Golden Circle has not only the brilliance of the erupting geysers and the majesty of the Gullfoss waterfall, but it also offers an experience undoubtedly improved by the cold weather: the magnificent hot springs. You’ll be spoiled for choice with several stunning hot pools in the area, including the Secret Lagoon (the oldest pool in Iceland!), Hvammsvík, and Fontana, and unwinding in one of these geothermal gems we think is the perfect way to end your Golden Circle tour.
Or, if you want to stay closer to Reykjavík, you can bathe in the healing waters of the renowned Blue Lagoon. The wonder of taking a dip in the milky blue waters and sipping on a drink from the in-water bar, makes the cold outside feel a million miles away. It’s why we advise it to be the last thing on your list, as the lasting memory of somewhere truly special.
Lava: above and below the surface
These two experiences certainly bring the heat to the cold winter months. In the village of Vik, local entertainers perform a lava show that enraptures the kids (and the adults) as they turn rock to lava and back again like sorcerers. Then, for more molten-based fun, you can delve deep underground into Raufarhólshellir, a lava tunnel 5600 years in the making.
It provides both a unique look into the wonder of the natural world, and gives fantastic photo opportunities. It’s the perfect family-friendly trip, and an ideal activity to add to your Iceland winter itinerary. Your kids will never forget the winter they saw a wizard work with lava and then went to the centre of the Earth.
That should be more than enough to get started on your Iceland winter itinerary, but we’ve many more activities you can add to the list, including events specific to February, where the country’s culinary excellence is on display.
So, if you’re convinced that this is the place for you this winter, then we are here to make your luxury trip to Iceland simply spectacular.
With Hidden Iceland at the helm, a wonderful winter awaits you in the land of fire and ice. Book your tour now by giving us a call on :+354-770-5733 or email us at info@hiddeniceland.is. If you would like to explore some of our amazing example itineraries head to our luxury Iceland tours page. Or get some travel inspiration from our Elements of Iceland Winter Tour.
Explore our example winter itineraries
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