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Winter Guide to Visiting Iceland

Winter transforms Iceland into a magical wonderland of snow-covered volcanoes, frozen waterfalls, and the stunning Northern Lights. While the days are shorter and the weather more unpredictable, Iceland’s winter landscapes offer a unique, serene beauty. Whether you’re an adventurer seeking the thrill of glacier hikes or simply want to relax in a geothermal hot spring, here are some tips to help you make the most of your winter trip to Iceland.

What to Pack

Winter temperatures in Iceland aren’t as extreme as you might think, but staying warm and dry is crucial. Dress in layers, starting with a thermal base layer, adding insulating fleece or wool, and finishing with a waterproof and windproof outer layer. A good pair of waterproof boots with sturdy grip, thermal socks, and gloves will keep you comfortable during outdoor activities. Don’t forget a warm hat and scarf to shield yourself from the cold winds.

Must-See Winter Attractions

Reykjanes Peninsula
The Reykjanes Peninsula, the youngest part of Iceland, is where much of the island’s seismic activity happens. Don’t worry—your safety is always our priority. This region is home to several attractions, including the famous **Blue Lagoon**, where you can soak in soothing geothermal waters surrounded by volcanic landscapes. For history buffs, the **Viking World Museum** showcases a full-size replica of a Viking ship, built to commemorate 1000 years since Leif Eriksson’s discovery of North America.

The Northern Lights
One of Iceland’s main winter draws is the aurora borealis. Head out to remote areas away from city lights for the best chance to see these colorful, dancing lights illuminate the night sky. Know more about our Northern Lights Private Day Tour.

The Golden Circle
A classic route, the Golden Circle tour is just as breathtaking in winter. Visit Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, walk around Geysir geothermal area with its erupting hot springs, and marvel at the mighty Gullfoss Waterfall, which looks even more dramatic when partly frozen in the winter.

The South Coast
Just as scenic in winter as in summer, the South Coast tour offers incredible views of snow-covered mountains, dramatic cliffs, and iconic waterfalls like Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. A must-stop is the Lava Center in Hvolsvöllur, where an interactive exhibition teaches visitors about Iceland’s dynamic volcanic landscape in a fun and easy-to-understand way.

Glacier Hikes and Ice Caves
Winter is the best time to explore Iceland’s glaciers and venture inside sparkling blue ice caves. Guided tours will take you safely through these stunning natural wonders, offering incredible photo opportunities.

Hveragerdi
Known for its geothermal activity, the town of Hveragerdi is a fun stop where you can boil an egg in a hot spring and enjoy it alongside traditional rye bread baked underground by geothermal heat.

Hot Springs
Iceland’s many natural hot springs are especially inviting in winter. Soaking in the warm waters while surrounded by snowy landscapes is an experience not to be missed. Popular spots like the Blue Lagoon and Secret Lagoon are perfect for a winter dip.

Driving in Winter Conditions

Driving in Iceland during winter can be challenging due to snow, ice, and unpredictable weather. While renting a 4×4 vehicle is a good option, many travelers prefer to join a tour to avoid the stress of driving in such conditions. Private tours may seem expensive initially, but if you’re traveling in a group of 4-9 people, the difference between a private tour and a small group bus tour isn’t significant. Plus, with a private guide, you’ll benefit from personalized service, expert local knowledge, and the flexibility to adjust your itinerary based on weather and road conditions.

Why Choose a Small, Dedicated Tour Company?

The best way to experience Iceland’s winter wonders is by choosing a small, dedicated tour company in Iceland with a strong reputation. These companies offer personalized service and in-depth knowledge of the country’s natural and cultural treasures. Some companies will create a balanced plan for you, offering private day tours and Northern Lights excursions in the evening when the forecast is right. This takes the stress of planning off your shoulders, as you won’t need to deal with new companies and meet new guides every day. Instead, you’ll have a seamless experience with a single guide who knows your preferences, making your trip smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.

Final Tips

With only a few hours of daylight in winter, plan your activities carefully to make the most of the daylight. However, don’t forget that the long winter nights provide the perfect backdrop for hunting the Northern Lights. Keep your camera ready!

Winter in Iceland is a time of beauty, wonder, and adventure. Whether you’re marveling at the Northern Lights, exploring ice caves, or relaxing in a hot spring, a winter trip to Iceland promises memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

5 Tips Planning Your Winter Holiday Trip to Iceland

Are you planning a trip to Iceland? You’ve come to the right place! In this post, I’m going through the most important things you need to consider for planning the perfect Iceland vacation.

This post covers a lot. We go through the different ways to visit and get around Iceland, as well as some of the regions you might want to consider visiting depending on how long you are staying in Iceland.

Weather In Iceland in December

With temperatures ranging from -10°C to 4°C, December and January in Iceland are pleasantly cold and bearable. Being the darkest time, the days are the shortest, and the nights are utterly gorgeous. While this gives a good time to look for the dancing Aurora Borealis the daylight stays for only four hours. It is, therefore, good to know exactly how to make the most of the daylight. To sum it up, in January, the weather can be really cold and snowy.

Apart from the northern lights, the darkness in January is still lit up by the Christmas lights, which makes the place look all the more magical. If you plan to visit Iceland during winter, make sure you don’t forget your warm woolen and clothes with extra layers.  Or like my grandpa used to say “you can take off the clothes you are wearing if it gets too hot but should it get too cold you can not put on the clothes you left at home.”

Reasons Why You Must Visit Iceland During Mid Winter

  • It is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Iceland
  • You can fly to Iceland and stay anywhere without spending too much money
  • The long nights are optimal to see the Northern lights
  • Iceland is less crowded during this time
  • A backdrop for popular shows like Game of Thrones, Iceland, during this month will give you the right feels
  • There are many winter activities that can be tried out

You might have thought the weather of Iceland in winter would be nothing other than snow. Colorless! But, no. You could get a bit of both. Surprisingly you often feel the warmth out of nowhere. The people in Iceland also have a saying that if you are not pleased with the weather just wait for 5 minutes, and everything will change. That’s how unpredictable the climate of Iceland is in winter.

Clothing Tips: Obviously, you should pack some warm and waterproof clothes, and winter jackets. Don’t forget to take waterproof shoes or boots. If you are going hiking, wear a warm hat, thick gloves, and if you are going glacier hiking, you might want to wear polarized sunglasses.

Iceland Travel Tip: During winter, not all roads in Iceland will be accessible. So, don’t be upset if you get restricted from traveling on some of the road trips you planned. Most importantly, make sure you avoid the Highlands, F Roads, and H Roads to avoid tripping or accidents.** **

Don’t give up on the Northern lights!

If you are traveling in Iceland in the winter months, chances are that you are at least a little interested in seeing the Northern lights. While it is important to remember that they are a natural phenomenon, and therefore you may be unlucky and not see them, it is equally important not to assume the worst. They can be seen from early evening to the middle of the night, so make sure you don’t give up hope of a sighting and keep an eye out on the forecast for predictions.

Make use of the hot springs

It can be cold in the winter in Iceland, but this land of natural contrasts has an answer to that: the geothermally heated water that is so readily accessible. You are never far from warm water to defrost in, whether one of the many hot swimming pools you will find in almost every village in Iceland, the hot tubs that most hotels offer, or even one of the country’s natural hot springs. And most of them are outside, too, so you can enjoy the fresh air and stunning scenery while you have a soak!

Now that you know a bit about how special Iceland in winter can get, you might be thinking about how you want to plan your trip to Iceland. You can be a solo traveler who seeks adventure or a traveler who likes to get the best with your gang. Iceland got everything to give you a quintessential vacation. So, wait no more because you can pick the best and most personalized Iceland travel agency for private tours after checking reviews on TripAdvisor and other online sources. If you want to make the most of your time by hiring a private guide, don’t hesitate to send us an email and we will do our best to give you good advice.