Iceland in Winter: Winter Travel Guide for First-Timers

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Visiting Iceland in winter is one of the most magical travel experiences. Even for me, as someone who usually doesn’t like the cold, I found winter in Iceland utterly enchanting.

You’ll get to enjoy vast otherworldly landscapes, active volcanoes, epic glaciers and stunning waterfalls, often under a blanket of snow.

Add to that the late-morning sunrises and golden sunsets that literally last all day, and you can easily see why winter is one of the best times to visit Iceland.

Two of the highlights from my own Iceland winter trip were hiking to the Reykjadalur natural hot springs, chasing the northern lights on crisp, clear nights, and simply enjoying the incredible scenery while driving around Iceland.

If you’re visiting Iceland in winter for the first time and need the best Iceland winter travel tips, I’ve got you covered. I’ll provide everything you need to plan your trip, including the best things to do in South Iceland in winter, how to get around and the important safety stuff you need to know.

What is Iceland Like in Winter?

Iceland in winter is like no other place I have ever been. As Iceland is so far north, it experiences longer hours of darkness in the winter and shorter daylight hours.

At the start of January, the sun rises after 11 am and sets just before 4 pm, which means less than 5 hours of daylight. However, it also means that if you’re not usually an early bird, you get to catch the sunrise every morning and enjoy the golden sunset only a few hours later. You’ll enjoy longer daylight hours if you visit at the start (October/November) or end (March) of winter.

The sun barely rises from the horizon in the depths of winter, which means you enjoy golden light all day long as the sun rises and almost immediately starts to set again! This creates amazing light for photographs. More darkness also means more opportunities to see the northern lights.

The weather conditions in Iceland in winter can be very unpredictable. When I visited in January, we had dry, sunny days, wind, rain and intense snowstorms in one week! It’s important to be prepared, as the weather can change within minutes.

Despite the unpredictable weather and short daylight hours, Iceland is well worth a visit in winter. You’ll experience the incredible landscape under a blanket of snow, which makes the scenery so mesmerising.

Best Things To Do in Iceland in Winter

Hike to Reykjadalur Natural Hot Springs

The number one highlight of my winter trip to Iceland was hiking to Reykjadalur Hot Springs. Many people opt to visit the Blue Lagoon, but I wanted to experience natural geothermal springs surrounded by stunning mountain scenery without the hoardes of tourists. Plus, it’s free, which is great if you are travelling Iceland on a budget.

Reykjadalur is a lesser-known spot than popular places such as the Blue Lagoon, and it takes a bit of effort to get there, which means you will be surrounded by fewer people.

Although it can get busier in the summer months, when I visited Reykjadalur in January, there were only a couple of people there and we enjoyed the water and scenery to ourselves.

Hunt for the Northern Lights

One of the best reasons to visit Iceland in winter is the opportunity to see the northern lights. Extra hours of darkness mean more chances to see the aurora borealis, which can light up the night sky in a stunning visual display.

Whether you book a northern lights tour or hunt for the aurora by yourself, there’s something very exciting about heading out in the darkness with the anticipation of seeing one of nature’s great phenomena.

These are the northern lights tours I recommend:

Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik – large group tour by coach. These are usually the cheapest tours, but there will be 50+ other people on the tour with you.

Small-Group Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik – smaller group tours that are more intimate on a mini-bus instead of a coach.

Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise – If you fancy something different, try a northern lights boat trip!

Day Trip to the Golden Circle

While the Golden Circle may be a well-worn tourist trail, some places are famous for a reason! The Golden Circle is just outside Reykjavik and is one of the main reasons many people visit Iceland. This is a well-trodden tourist path, so the roads are usually safe to drive even in winter.

In the Golden Circle, you’ll drive through vast mountain ranges, experience bubbling geothermal pools and geysers, walk between tectonic plates and see stunning waterfalls.

The main tourist stops in the Golden Circle are: Gullfoss Waterfall, Strokkur Geysir, and Þingvellir National Park. Watch the Geysir erupting, gaze in awe at the three-tiered Gullfoss waterfall and the stunning mountains surrounding you. When I visited in January, Gulfoss was covered in snow and ice, which made it even more spectacular!

One stop that many tourists miss is Oxararfoss Waterfall, in Thingvellir National Park, where you can walk between two tectonic plates. I’m so glad we stopped off at Oxararfoss, as the walk between the plates to the waterfall was beautiful and well worth the extra stop.

If you don’t have a hire car, here are some Golden Circle tours I recommend:

Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater – See all the highlights of the Golden Circle with this 8-hour day trip to Gullfoss, Strokkur Geysir, Thingvellir National Park and Kerid Crater.

Golden Circle, Kerid Crater and Secret Lagoon Tour – As above, this includes all the Golden Circle highlights and a trip to the Secret Lagoon.

Explore Downtown Reykjavik

Downtown Reykjavik is a lovely small city that is very easy to get around on foot and by public transport. As well as great restaurants, cosy cafes and beautiful architecture, Reykjavik enjoys a wealth of museums that are brilliant for a rainy or snowy day.

Here are some highlights from my trip to Reykjavik:

• Head to Laugavegur for some shopping, cafe hopping and people-watching.
• Admire the beauty of Harpa, Reykjavik’s very own opera house.
• Enjoy the view from the top of Hallgrimskirkja, the largest church in Iceland.
• Learn something new about Iceland’s landscape and history at the Perlan Museum.
• Take a free walking tour or guided food tour to learn more about the city.

Road-Trip Along the South Coast

The day we spent exploring the south coast of Iceland was one of my favourites. From jaw-droppingly beautiful landscapes to huge cascading waterfalls, black sands and a cool plane wreckage, there’s so much to see.

Start your journey with Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can walk behind it and enjoy a unique view (as long as it’s not too icy, in which case the walkway may be closed).

Just a short drive away from Seljalandsfoss, you’ll find Skogafoss, one of the most photographed places in Iceland. Climb to the top of Skogafoss using the steps on the right-hand side for a different perspective and a beautiful view upriver.

Next, head to the fishing village of Vik, the gateway to Reynisfjara Beach, where you can see enormous basalt stacks and black sand. (Sadly, the stacks at Reynisfjara Beach are now inaccessible due to storms in 2026.) Finally, trek out to the awesome plane wreck at Sólheimasandur.

It’s about a 2.5-hour drive from Reykjavik to Vik, the furthest point in the above itinerary, so I’d recommend setting out early while it’s still dark to make the most of the daylight, or you could stay somewhere near Vik for 1-2 nights to explore south Iceland better.

If you don’t have a hire car, I recommend the following tours to explore the south of Iceland:

South of Iceland Full Day Trip from Reykjavik – see all the south Iceland sights, including Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Sólheimajökull, Vik and Reynisfjara Beach.

South Coast, Diamond Beach, and Jökulsárlón Tour – this tour includes all of the above sights and a visit to the famous Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón. Be aware, Jökulsárlón is a 4 or 5-hour drive from Reykjavik so this involves ALOT of travelling in one day!

Explore the Reykjanes Peninsula

Perhaps one of the lesser-known regions in Iceland, Reykjanes feels slightly off the beaten path. Many blogs and Iceland travel guides don’t mention the Reykjanes Peninsula, which is close to Keflavik Airport, but it’s a beautiful place to explore.

Update: Some areas in the Reykjanes Peninsula are off-limits due to the 2025 volcanic eruption. Updates can be found on the Visit Iceland website.

We visited Reykjanes Geopark a couple of days after heavy snowfall, and the area was draped in a beautiful vale of untouched snow. The Geopark is the only place in the world where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is visible above sea level!

Here are a few highlights from my visit to the Reykjanes Peninsula:

• If you like hiking, head to Krysuvik for interesting hiking paths and geothermal pools (too hot to swim!).
• Drive around the epic Kleifarvatn Lake.
• Explore the Leiðarendi Lava Tunnel.
• Head to the Instagram-famous Blue Lagoon for an afternoon of relaxation.
• Admire the rugged coastline at Reykjanesta.

Explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Located about a two-hour drive north of Reykjavik, you’ll find breathtaking scenery, epic lava fields, a glacier-topped volcano, and quaint fishing villages. Head to the iconic Kirkjufell and snap some long-exposure shots of the pretty waterfalls and the cone-shaped mountain.

Some highlights from the Snaefellsnes Peninsula:

• Hike around Eldborg Crater.
• Enjoy the heat of Landbrotalaug Pool, a tiny geothermal pool with temperatures up to 36-40 C.
• Marvel at the impressive Snæfellsjökull Glacier.
• Spot seals at Yrti Tunga Beach.

If you don’t have a hire car, I recommend this full-day tour to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavik.

Take a Spa Day

There are countless geothermal pools you can swim in throughout Iceland, some paid and some free. Most people head to the world-famous Blue Lagoon, but I fancied trying somewhere a little off the beaten track.

Krauma Spa is a great alternative to the Blue Lagoon if you’d rather avoid the crowds. We visited on a day when there was a huge snowstorm, but thanks to our 4X4 hire car, we made it to Krauma and were the only people there!

We enjoyed steaming hot outdoor baths overlooking the snow-covered landscape. It’s an amazing way to spend a winter day in Iceland. We also had lunch in the Krauma Spa restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Hike on a Glacier, Visit Ice Caves and a Volcano

Iceland is one of those places where you can do amazing bucket list items like hiking on a glacier or trekking to see a volcano or an ice cave!

It’s best to book these activities with a qualified and experienced tour company so you know you’re in safe hands, especially if visiting Iceland in winter when conditions are more precarious! Here are some tours I recommend:

Lava Tunnel Expedition – Explore an underground lava tube created by the mighty power of a volcanic eruption over 5,000 years ago at the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel.

Skaftafell: Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike – Explore a natural blue ice cave and walk on Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, in Skaftafell National Park.

Guided Afternoon Hiking Tour to Volcano Site – Explore recent volcanic eruption sites in Geldingadalur Valley.

How to Get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik

Keflavik Airport is about a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik. I hired a car at Keflavik Airport, but there are a few other ways to get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik if you don’t want to hire a car.

Flybus Airport Transfer: Flybus offers coach transfers from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik. They transfer to most hotels in Reykjavik with the Flybus+ package, enabling you to choose your hotel from the dropdown list. If you’re staying in an Airbnb, you can select the nearest hotel to your accommodation and walk the rest of the way. Flybus coaches have free WiFi, and the journey takes around 45 minutes. Buses depart 35-40 minutes after each flight arrival.

Get Your Guide: You’ll find a variety of Iceland airport transfers on Get Your Guide. Depending on your budget, you can choose from cheap airport transfers from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik on a coach or the more expensive private transfers.

Hiring a Car in Iceland

As we were travelling to Iceland in winter, I was nervous to drive a hire car in winter conditions. But after speaking to several people about their experience, I decided to go for it. Hiring a car in Iceland gives you so much more flexibility, and it’s a lot cheaper than paying for tours every day.

I hired a 4-wheel drive and recommend booking through Discover Cars as they scan for the cheapest deals. The service we received was great, and the staff were very friendly, providing lots of local tips and advice. When we experienced a severe snowstorm during our trip, the 4×4 made it much easier to get around.

If you plan to drive in Iceland in winter, I’d strongly recommend you hire a 4×4 vehicle to be safe.

Iceland Winter Safety Tips

Weather conditions can be unpredictable in Iceland in winter, so it’s important to be prepared when travelling around Iceland. Here are a few safety tips:

• Check weather conditions before you travel using the Iceland Met Office.
• Check road conditions before you travel using the Iceland Official Traffic Info website. In winter, some roads are permanently closed or marked as impassable on the map. It’s worth checking this to plan your route.
• Download the Safe Travel app, run by the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue. They provide safety information based on current road and weather conditions.
• Keep your plans flexible – We had planned to do a day trip on the day we had a huge snowstorm. A quick change of plans meant we visited the Perlan Museum in Reykjavik instead. Keep your plans flexible for any unpredictable weather changes!
• Fill up your hire car with fuel whenever you can. You never know when you might need it and fuel stations can be few and far between outside Reykjavik!

What to Wear in Iceland in Winter

I recommend you add the following items to your winter packing list for Iceland:

• A waterproof and windproof coat
• A warm coat – I recommend a down jacket
• Thermal base layers – merino wool is fantastic
• Hat, scarf and gloves
• Thick socks – again, I recommend Merino wool socks
• Sturdy walking boots
• Jumpers
• Walking trousers
• Waterproof trousers
• Plenty of layers to take off or put on if the temperature changes.
• Crampons
• Swimsuit – even in winter, you’ll need one for the geothermal pools
• Torch/flashlight, in addition to the one on your phone
• Backpack for carrying supplies on day trips or while hiking

If you plan on taking day trips, always pack a second pair of clothes in the hire car to change into if you get wet.

Planning a winter trip to Iceland? Contact me via the contact form if you have any questions.