10 Things to Do in Iceland in Winter

Absolutely. While it can get cold (it’s not called “Sunland”!), visiting Iceland in winter is always a good idea. Snow blankets the landscapes, the Northern Lights are visible for longer, and it’s the only time of year to experience the country’s unique ice caves.

The colder climate brings some challenges that aren’t there in warmer months, but Iceland winter is an unforgettable experience quite unlike anything else on Earth. In fact, learn how to spend 3 incredible days in winter in Iceland in our blog.

Here’s a quick guide of the best things to do in Iceland in winter.

There are plenty of Iceland winter activities to enjoy. From Iceland winter tours to events and festivals - you can create an Iceland winter itinerary you prefer.

The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are among the most enchanting things you’ll see in your lifetime. Caused by sun particles entering the Earth’s atmosphere, the result is a cosmic ballet of dancing lights in the night sky. People travel from all over the world to take a Northern Lights tour.

Because they’re only visible at night, and daylight hours reduce greatly during the winter months, it is the best time of the year to see this phenomenon.

These lights are special even for us Icelanders, and we’re lucky enough to witness them many times. And even for those of us who see them often, the Northern Lights are too wonderful to keep to ourselves. When you see the lights, you call your mom straight away and then jump on social media to tell your friends. Only once you’ve shared it with everybody do you stop to bask in this spectral beauty.

If all of this sounds appealing, you can check out our Northern Lights tours, where you can experience the natural wonder that is the Aurora Borealis.

Only available in winter, the enchanting ice caves are definitely something you shouldn't miss while visiting Iceland in winter.

These natural phenomena form in glaciers during Iceland’s coldest months, forming spaces, shapes and shades of blue that you’ve never seen before. We have a range of ice cave tours: some combine these visits with a glacier hike or a snowmobile ride, which can take place in Skaftafell, on Langjokull and often on Solheimajokull.

If you're heading to Jökulsárlón, our Crystal Ice Cave tour includes a Super Jeep transfer to Vatnajökull and back again for your ice cave adventure.

A glacier hike is one of the most exhilarating activities in Iceland. It can be done together with ice caving or ice climbing or alone. There are several spots where you can go glacier hiking in Iceland. Among the most popular ones are Sólheimajökull, Vatnajökull, Snæfellsjökull, and Langjökull glaciers.

On Solheimajokull glacier, there are several glacier hiking tours to choose from. The Glacier Experience is one of the most popular ones, offering an easy and exciting glacier hike. If you want to add a little bit extra to your experience, choose a glacier hike with an ice climbing option.

If you're looking for an easy hike to Vatnajökull National Park, the Glacier Wonders tour offers spectacular views with a fairly easy hike on the Falljökull glacier tongue. For a longer and more moderate hike, check out the Glacier Explorer. If you want to add more to your experience, choose the Vatnajökull glacier hike with an ice cave tour.

Langjökull glacier offers a one-of-the-kind experience in the man-made ice tunnel. Visit the longest and the 2nd largest glacier in Iceland and see it from the inside!

Snowmobiling in Iceland is an adventure you won't likely forget. Imagine driving to the top of the glacier with nothing but mountains and snow surrounding you. A thrilling ride on a snowmobile is just a must-do for every adventure-seeker!

There are snowmobile tours available of the incredible Langjökull Glacier. Combine your snowmobiling experience with the Golden Circle tour or ice cave to enhance your experience! If snowmobiling isn't your thing, explore our super jeep tours.

It should come as no surprise that a country called “Iceland” has embraced skiing!

Skiing has been popular in this country for some time. Our ski areas (we won’t call them resorts because that is not technically what they are) are small and the mountains aren’t particularly high.

Still, downhill skiing in Iceland is a fun experience. Close to Reykjavik, Bláfjöll (or the Blue Mountains) is family-friendly and perfect for beginners. If you want a little more action, Akureyri, the capital of the north, is a very charming city with a wonderful ski area.

The small but incredibly appealing towns of Dalvik, Isafjordur and Siglufjordur all have ski lifts and slopes worth exploring.

If you end up in Dalvik, it’s worth remembering that this is also one of the best places on the planet to go whale watching.

Winter is prime time for hiking and for visiting geothermal pools and hot springs – especially in this tour!

The hot springs in Reykjadalur are always a fine way to spend half a day. It’s a relatively easy hike up to a valley where the river meets the hot springs, making it the perfect temperature for a bath.

The Secret Lagoon or Gamla Laugin (the old pool) is a delightful place to visit on its own, or as a part of a Golden Circle Tour.

The Blue Lagoon is probably one of the best Iceland tours in winter, especially if you're looking to warm up.

If you time your winter visit to Iceland just right, it’s perfect to use the darker hours of the day for a dip, where you could spot the Northern Lights as you float around in the warm water of a hot spring. The pools are also considered a much-needed remedy to soothe tired legs and minds after a long day of hiking and exploring.

Don’t forget to pack the right gear! Getting cold is a sure way to dampen the mood on those hikes. The temperatures won’t be frigid, but we would advise doing some research on how to layer your clothes in an effective way.

As luck would have it, we have written a post on what to wear on a hike.

Snorkeling in Iceland in winter? Yes, this might seem crazy at first, but hear this out. Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure is one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have in Iceland and, truly, all around the world. The temperature in Silfra stays between 2-4°Celsius (35-39°Fahrenheit) throughout the year, making it accessible in all seasons.

What can you expect while snorkeling in Silfra? You can expect to swim in a crack between two tectonic plates drifting apart. These two plates are actually two separate continents - North American and Eurasian. The water in Silfra is so clear that you can easily see 100 meters below you!

The snorkeling tours are available with a pick-up from Reykjavik or meeting directly at Silfra, within the Thingvellir National Park. Into the Blue tour is particularly popular with beginners. Here you will receive all the necessary equipment (including high-quality dry suits) and a dive master guide to take of you during the whole experience.

Looking to turn your Silfra Fissure visit into a full-day adventure? Look no further than our combo tour. The Black & Blue tour seamlessly blends the thrill of snorkeling with an exploration of underground caves.

The atmosphere changes in Iceland in winter. As nights get longer and the temperature drops, indoor get-togethers get cozier.

Icelandic bars can go shoulder to shoulder with any in the world: the décor tends to be homely or chic, we’re great at cocktails and know what we’re doing when it comes to beer as well.

If you’re not sure where to start, our beer and drink tours.

Icelandic food doesn’t get the credit it deserves. Indeed, we love fresh ingredients, innovation and especially quality seafood. The Reykjavik Food Walk will bring you everywhere from classy restaurants to mouth-watering food markets.

Further afield in Stykkisholmur, the Viking Sushi Tour is a tasty tour of local seafood delicacies. The tour also includes sightseeing, where you’ll bear witness to incredible landscapes.

Iceland has a number of indoor and (yes) outdoor events in winter. 

These include: 

A world-famous music fest that draws bands and fans from every corner of the globe. Previous Iceland Airwaves performers include Bjork, Vampire Weekend, Robyn and even Yoko Ono. 

Iceland is a perfect place for Christmas markets, with its winter wonderland appearance, winter festival atmosphere and – of course – close proximity to Santa Claus! Christmas markets are part of Iceland and pop up throughout the country in December.

We like to ring in the new year in style, with partying, reflection and (of course) spectacular fireworks. Reykjavik is an especially good place to enjoy NYE celebrations.

We have a full calendar of these events and more in our comprehensive Iceland festival guide. 

This dynamic Iceland's capital offers tons of activities all year round, including in winter. If you're visiting Reykjavik for the first time, you can engage in a city walking tour or hop-on hop-off tour.

You can also go for day tours from Reykjavik. For example, this Northern Lights tour is a famous Iceland winter tour from Reykjavik.

Also, we encourage you to check out this Reykjavik city guide before visiting the capital.

Many visitors prefer Iceland winter travel, as they can enjoy unique marvels like the Northern Lights and ice caves, before unwinding in a warm spring or comfortable bar. Prepare for your Iceland winter vacation and maybe see you on a glacier sometime soon…