Can you visit iceland in winter

Thermal underwear or an equivalent that covers you from head to toe while not necessarily attractive is required to combat the wind.

We tend to pack Pack at least good long sleeve shirts each. Terrence wears a thermal top and thermal leggings. On these warmer days, you may want to ditch the heaver study coast in favor of a lighter thermal one. Having a light thermal jacket with Omni-heat technology is a great idea and your larger coat can be put over the top if needed.

We love this light thermal jacket with Omni-heat technology. You can of course if you want to wear jeans or any other trousers but we find hiking pants more comfortable in particular if they are ones which have a bit of stretch in them. Hiking pants tend to be on the thin side so you will need something warmer under them.

For the days when a balaclava is not necessary a wool hat may do just the job. Do not spend winter in Iceland without a pack of wool socks. The hot springs will be warm when you are traveling to Iceland in winter so you will want to make the most out of it by taking a dip. In our minds, this is totally essential on your winter trip to Iceland.

If you have been skilling you will know why you need polarized sunglasses during a winter trip to Iceland. Sun reflecting off snow and ice can be very harmful to your eyes. You can drink water straight from the tap and we have even seen some people drinking straight out of the streams in Iceland. However, everyone reacts to bacteria differently so we suggest a filtered water bottle or something like a life straw just to be on the safe side.

Obviously, you will also need your sleepwear and outfits for days you decide not to venture out and cozy up inside. You are less likely to come across road closures and inclement weather.

The south coast has lots of natural wonders to keep you busy, from dramatic waterfalls to black beaches you are unlikely to miss out on anything a visitor in warmer weather can get a glimpse at. As with any winter Iceland itinerary makes sure you make allowances for the few daylight areas, only climb stairs and areas around waterfalls if it is safe to do so, and stick to the main highway.

As you can see winter in Iceland means you miss out on none of the usual tourist spots. Winter in Iceland allows you to see most of the places that Iceland has become known for at a time when they are likely to be less busy. Visiting the blue lagoon in winter can be somewhat of an extraordinary experience. If you are lucky you may catch the northern lights or be there when the snow starts to fall. You will need to pre-book and there are various offers with added extras.

We recommended going as early as you can as by noon the place will be buzzing with people. There are places to store luggage and lockers to keep belongings. All purchases are charged to your smart wristband so no need to worry about your wallet while enjoying the lagoon. Please note before entering you are required to shower naked and while a lot go for the communal showers there are private shower stalls. The Lagoon is large and the water temperature varies so you can always find a spot that is perfect for you.

Before you go in protect your hair and jewelry as the minerals in the water can play havoc with them. We recommend using the conditioner in the shower and leaving it in your hair and taking off all your jewelry and storing it safely in your locker. There is a restaurant on-site and you can go in your bathrobe and slippers provided in some entry levels. It is one of the best places to see on your Iceland Itinerary! There are some great ours available most starting in Reykjavik.

This day trip allows you to see many breathtaking sights and if the Gods are looking down on you, the northern lights. The tour starts in Reykjavik and then you get to experience Thingvellir Park, Geysir, Gulfoss waterfall, and the Kerid volcanic crater.

Then weather permitting after a short rest you get set for your Northern Lights Tour and if the conditions are just right you will be in for a jaw-dropping experience.

This tour lasts for 9 hours and starts at 10 am. Compared to many places in the United States and Canada [and the world! Compared to places such as Minnesota, New York , or the Rocky Mountains, Iceland experiences quite pleasant winter weather.

Although Iceland is situated in the Arctic, it is located right on the Gulfstream. This warm water keeps Iceland nice and reasonable pretty much all year round!

New York City and certainly Chicago experience colder weather than Iceland in winter on a more consistent basis. We are Floridians and we have experienced winter in Iceland twice and loved every second of it.

If we can do it, you surely can! People choose to visit Iceland in winter because of the high chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Having a chance to experience the Northern Lights in Iceland is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many people. If you choose to visit Iceland in December through March [or even September-April], there is a great chance you will get to see the Northern Lights.

Winter is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland because it stays dark for so long. That being said, we want to warn you in advance that there is no guarantee you will see the Northern Lights in Iceland.

Perhaps it will be cloudy every night of your trip or it may rain or the Northern Lights may simply not be very strong on the days you are traveling to Iceland.

If you are hoping to spot the Northern Lights in Iceland, you are going to need to have a car and be in a dark area on a clear night that the Aurora is forecasted to be strong. Even if you are staying in Reykjavik, you can drive less than 25 minutes outside of the city and be in enough darkness to see the Northern Lights on a lovely Iceland winter night. There are so many different kinds to fit every budget and need! We simply urge you to go into your winter trip to Iceland with an open mind regarding possible Northern Lights sightings.

If you are dreaming of taking an epic Iceland road trip , you can still do so during the winter with no problem! Our Iceland road trip itinerary was the exact drive we did in Iceland in February and in November and the same route many other readers have followed as well. The Ring Road in Iceland is the main highway that circumnavigates the entire island. It is always open during winter unless otherwise specified [check online! This Iceland road trip itinerary covers a lot of fantastic sites and can be done during winter in Iceland.

Instead of burying the landscape, snow from an Iceland winter actually accentuates it! Sure, waterfalls in Iceland may look a little different during the winter when cloaked with icicles, but they are no less impressive or beautiful to behold! Having sunset all day to accent the snowy landscape is pretty surreal! Although we discussed it above for a little, packing for Iceland in winter should be done carefully!

This is not the trip to skimp on buying new clothing as you want to be warm and dry instead of cold and sorry! Whether you are hiking in Iceland or just taking a road trip, packing the proper clothes for your trip is essential, especially in winter. When it comes to packing for Iceland in winter, understand that you should be going for comfort over style.

Winter weather in Iceland is not to be taken lightly, so dressing properly is a must. These are some of our tried and true favorite suggestions when traveling to Iceland in the winter. The main thing that makes an Iceland winter bad is the wind chill! The temperatures in Iceland during the winter are never that bad, but the wind is! As we are writing this, Iceland is experiencing a wind storm with gusts up to 75mph which is just crazy, even for Floridians who experience hurricanes!

Make sure to dress in windproof layers when visiting Iceland in winter. However, the Hveragerdi pool is a much cheaper and less touristy option. There are several restaurants in this little town and I recommend eating out as there is more choice and the prices are lower than at the hotels.

Hveragerdi is well located for a visit to the Golden Circle and it saves quite some driving time for the rest of your journey further down the South Coast of Iceland. We stayed at Hotel Eldhestar for 2 nights. It was pretty basic, but we were only there to sleep, so it was ok.

You can find the best deals for Hveragerdi accommodation here. The real reason I traveled to Iceland in winter was my long-time dream to see Northern Lights.

They were very vague and better visible in the pictures than in reality, but it was just the first night, so it gave us hope. We started our day at Thingvellir National Park. It was just magical in a soft morning light of a never-ending sunrise….

We then continued to the Geysir area where we also had lunch. Strokkur Geyser is the main attraction here. Alternatively, there is also a more expensive option — Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths , which is also located in this area. Our first stop on day 3 of our Iceland winter trip was at another iconic landmark of Iceland — Skogafoss waterfall.

The views are well worth the steep climb! We had a quick lunch on the way and continued to Solheimajokull glacier for a guided glacier hike. TIP: book your glacier hike in advance — this will help you plan your time better and you will be certain you can do this activity. Otherwise, it might be difficult to even know where to look. If glacier hiking or ice caving is not your thing, you can visit Skogar museum.

It is divided into three parts: folk museum, turf houses, and transport museum. The turf houses are well worth seeing. In summer you could easily do both — glacier hiking and Skogar museum, but in winter your sightseeing time in Iceland is limited and you have to choose and plan well.

After the glacier walk, we drove to the beautiful black sand beach at Reynisfjara near Vik. This beach is famous for its basalt columns and attracts lots of people. Good to know: The waves here are very sneaky, often flooding the entire beach unexpectedly. It often happens that people are swept off their feet and there have been serious accidents too. So never walk close to the water. It was so beautiful on the beach that we stayed until the dark. Sunsets are truly out of this world in Iceland in winter!

Book your tickets in advance! We recommend staying in the Kirkjubaejarklaustur area. On the fourth day of this winter trip, we continued all the way up to the famous Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

Our first stop was at Svinafellsjokull where we made a short walk to one of the many tongues of Vatnajokull glacier. In the early afternoon, we reached Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. We were extremely lucky with the weather and the glacial lake was simply spectacular. Cold temperatures and the wind turn this coastline into an amazing winter wonderland. We stayed on the Diamond beach till sunset and seeing all those icebergs lit up with the setting sun was an unforgettable experience. I found Jokulsarlon Diamond Beach more impressive in winter than the famous Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon itself.

Our hotel for the night was Hotel Smyrlabjorg. Alternatively, you can find more information about Jokulsarlon accommodation here. The amazing Northern Lights display we witnessed that night exceeded all our expectations. But so did all the rest! We started our day early and made a quick stop at Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon at sunrise. We then continued to the nearby Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon.

TIP: If you travel here before mid-November, you can book boat tours between the icebergs. Summer or winter, you should not skip Skaftafell. The views were simply amazing! Alternatively, make an ice cave tour at Skaftafell. These tours run from October to March — mid April and are one of the best things you can do in Iceland in winter!

We stayed in the Kirkjubaejarklauster area, in the same hotel as on DAY 3 of this itinerary. We started our day at another iconic landmark of Iceland — Fjardrargljufur Canyon. The dimensions of this lava field are immense — some km2.

For comparison, the total area of Singapore is km2. The last stop today was another famous waterfall — Seljalandsfoss. It had been freezing cold over the last few days and the area close to the waterfall was completely frozen. We could hardly walk or even stand here. This is the reason you should pack ice cleats when visiting Iceland in winter! Needless to say, the path behind the waterfall was closed, but it was still unbelievably impressive.

You could even combine the two to see as much as possible! Icelandic horses are just adorable. Because these are purebred horses that are unique to Iceland and have adapted to the climate over centuries. Their hardiness comes in handy when the winter comes around. It also means you can go horse riding in Iceland in the snow. Wandering through the beautiful Icelandic scenery on horseback is a very special experience that allows you to get closer to nature than ever.

Another cool thing about Icelandic horses is that they have an additional gait, on top of the standard ones. Depending on when you visit, you could join the locals in attending some of the cultural, traditional and sporting events.

You can incorporate as many of these Iceland winter activities into your itinerary as you like. Take your pick from self-drive packages , privately guided or small group tours , and city breaks with day trips. Get in touch to start planning your adventure in Iceland or to speak to our local experts for more advice. They know Iceland inside out and will use their expertise to personalise a winter tour to suit you.

Wanderlust has taken Emma across much of the world, but it was Scotland that she made her adopted home. We'd love to give you the same amazing travel experiences as you read about in our blog! To visit the destinations and attractions mentioned in this post - and to discover a few new highlights along the way - check out these recommended Nordic Visitor tours.

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