Everyone has to experience an Iceland winter trip at least once in their life!

Iceland in December is stunning. I had been there for two days at this point, and had seen locals jogging at 8am down a snowy rainbow road, businesses covered in festive lights, a near-frozen waterfall, and a snow-capped mountain. Part of me is thinking that Iceland in the winter is probably the coziest time to be here, as I float through the Sky Lagoon with a mimosa in hand- top half cold, bottom half perfectly warm.

Before you visit in the dead of winter, be sure to read my short guide on everything you should know about traveling to Iceland in the winter months – Especially if you’re renting a car!

Table of Contents show

Iceland Winter (Short Trip Itinerary)

⏰ Planning a last minute trip? Get my quick recommendations below!
🏨 Center Hotels Laugavegur – 4-star hotel on the main shopping street
🏨 Center Hotels Plaza – 3-star hotel located near everything
🥾 South Coast & Glacier Hike Tour – 12 hour day trip with local guides
⛰️ Golden Circle Tours – Several options with added stops

I’ve been to Iceland 7 times, and still never feel like there’s so much more to see! Flights from the U.S. (especially the East Coast) to Iceland are relatively affordable- especially in the winter months. If you’re visiting for a long weekend or less than 5 days, then I’d recommend following this short trip itinerary to experience the best of Iceland in the winter!

Exploring Reykjavik and the Sky Lagoon
The Golden Circle, Kerid Crater, and Secret Lagoon
Friðheimar Tomato Farm and Laugarvatn Fontana
Glacier Hike and South Coast Trip
More of Reykjavik and a Northern Lights Tour

Winter in Iceland Map Resource

Visiting somewhere you’ve never been before can feel a little overwhelming, especially when you find out that place has over 10,000 waterfalls and so much to do in the winter! The below map will be a helpful resource when planning your Iceland winter trip.

Map provided by Wanderlog, a travel planner on iOS and Android

Iceland Winter Trip Day 1: Reykjavik and the Sky Lagoon

Where to Stay in Reykjavik

I’ve stayed in both hotels and hostels around Reykjavik and found both options were great, depending on your travel style and budget. If you want to meet people and travel for cheap, then I’d opt for Loft HI Hostel or Kex Hostel. If you want a good price, your own space, and cozy vibes, these are my favorite boutique hotels in Reykjavik!

🛏️ The Best Areas to Stay in Reykjavik if it’s Your First Time Visiting!

Reykjavik

Reykjavik in the winter is cozy, charming, and full of life! It’s the ideal hub to experience a winter in Iceland, and one of my favorite cities! Numerous accommodation options for every budget, museums, tours, restaurants, and the pick-up location for most day trips- you can’t get more central than that.

If you’re in Iceland for a short trip, chances are you won’t have much daytime availability since most tours can be quite long. To make the most of having one full day in Reykjavik, be sure not to miss these spots if you’ve never visited before.

⭐ Tip: With so many restaurants/bars to see, I’d recommend doing a walking food tour of the city to sample some of the best Icelandic delicacies with a local (and it’s great for solo travelers)! The best companies to do this with are Wake up Reykjavik and The Reykjavik Food Walk.

Climb Hallgrímskirkja Church for 360 views of the city
Walk along the infamous Rainbow Road
Visit the Old Harbor and do a little Museum Hopping
Eat local in the cozy interiors of Islenski Barinn

Sky Lagoon

From Reyjavik, it’s pretty easy to get to the Sky Lagoon for a few hours. From November 1st to May 31st the hours are 11 AM–10 PM on weekdays, and 10 AM–10 PM on weekends.

Even in the winter, this is one of the more popular things to do in Iceland- even for locals. I’d recommend booking ahead of time online through their website or with a tour company. Both also offer pick-up/drop-off options from Reykjavik.

🇮🇸 How to Spend One Full Day in Reykjavik: Mini Guide

Iceland Winter Trip Day 2: The Golden Circle and Bonus Stops

I’ve visited the Golden Circle on almost every trip I’ve taken to Iceland. Yes, even in the winter it just never gets old! If you’re renting a car, it’ll take around 2-3 hours total to visit each stop along the way, depending on how long you plan to spend at each.

Most basic tours include stops to: Thingvellir Park, Strokkur Geyser, and Gulfoss. Longer tours may add on stops like Fridheimar Tomato Farm, Laugarvatn Fontana Spa (home of the baked bread underground), Kerid Crater, and the Secret Lagoon.

If you have a car it’s easily doable to do all stops mentioned above in a day, but if you’re choosing to go with tour companies like I did, then I’d break them up a little and decide what you really want to see in addition to the standard Golden Circle stops.

Thingvellir National Park

The only place in the World to swim between two tectonic plates, Thingvellir Park is home to crystal-clear waters where you can scuba or snorkel with a guide. Personally, I haven’t done this one yet because I’m sensitive to cold temperatures.. But it looks unreal!

Strokkur Geyser

Most people who have been to Iceland before skip the Geyser, but I’ve seen it around 3-4 times and think it’s so cool! The area itself has a hiking trail, bubbling holes, and a few smaller geysers. When the large Geyser explodes, the exhale of those watching never gets old.

Gullfoss Waterfall

The powerful falls of Gullfoss are pretty popular year round. Of course in the winter the water is typically frozen over, but it’s still well worth the visit. Easily accessible, the van will drop you in the parking lot and it’s a short walk down to the falls. There are several viewpoints for pictures, but a few of the trails may be closed in the winter to keep everyone safe.

Kerid Crater

The blue waters of the volcanic crater lake against the red rocks are astonishing. If you want to see the colors and walk the rim and toward the bottom of the lake, then I’d visit in the warmer months. Winter can get a little slippery up there, but it’s still gorgeous when the snow falls!

Secret Lagoon

On a winter trip to Iceland, all you want to do is float around in a heated Lagoon. The Blue and Sky Lagoons can get pretty busy, but for some reason not many people have heard of the Secret Lagoon (hence the name).

There’s nothing “luxurious” about it, but if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path local experience, this is it. The winter is even more magical and you’ll find yourself surrounded by snow on all sides.

Friðheimar Tomato Farm

A family-run business, the Fridheimar tomato farm has expanded immensely in the last few years, the indoor portion of the farm is located inside a greenhouse where you can dine amongst the tomato vines! Tomato beer, tomato soup, everything tomato.. And it’s all delicious. Visitors are free to walk around, and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see the bee display they sometimes set up.

Laugarvatn Fontana

Since the spa and wellness center is built around natural hot springs, it’s no wonder they bake bread in the ground. They dig the bread into the warm ground, bake it for 24 hours, then dig it up and serve! The geothermal bakery is open year round for visitors to sample the breads.

Iceland Winter Trip Day 3: South Coast Trip and Glacier Hike

My first time visiting the South Coast was to do a glacier hike, and it was epic. The landscapes here are dramatic to say the least. Winter in Iceland can get extremely snowy at times, but on clear days you may even get a view of the Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla volcanoes along the way.

A long trip, the South Coast is best when you can see it during the midnight sun months (since you’ll get more hours of daylight), but the winter is equally as magical. The first stop on most South Coast trips is Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, which takes around 2 hours from Reykjavik- so pack some snacks/drinks for the road.

Book my exact South Coast trip here!

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

You’ll have the chance to walk behind the powerful waterfall, so be sure to pack your waterproof gear just in case it’s not frozen! The last time I visited Seljalandsfoss, I got splashed a few times, so it’s good to be prepared for all extremes.

Sólheimajökull Glacier

With most glaciers and ice caps melting around the Globe due to global warming, I think it’s important to see these natural wonders while causing the least amount of damage possible. Crampons in place and snowsuits secured, we made our way to the tongue with our certified glacier guide. You’ll only be hiking for a short amount of time and even have the chance to sip on some ice cold water straight from the glacier.

Reynisfjara

It’s no wonder the producers of Game of Thrones chose this spot as a filming location. The distinct black sand, basalt columns (which Icelanders say are mischievous trolls turned into rock), and caverns give an almost eerie feeling. Prone to sneaker waves and raging waves, be careful here especially in the winter!

Skogafoss Waterfall

Walk as close as you can to the 60-meter-high towering waterfall and feel the spray (if it’s not frozen. There’s a pathway to the side with around 527 steps if you want a bird’s eye view of the falls from above (not advisable if the steps are frozen over).

Iceland Winter Trip Day 4: Reykjavik and Northern Lights Tour

The final day of your Iceland winter trip should include some rest, relaxation, and the Northern Lights. I typically spend most of my time in Reykjavik on my trips, and think there’s definitely enough to do to keep myself occupied (even if it means visiting my local favorites a few times!)

Museum Hopping

If you’re not sure what to do, there are several museums scattered throughout the city that will keep you busy for a few hours. I personally love the Whale Museum, but here’s a few options:

Aurora Reykjavik – Northern Lights Center
The Living Art Museum
Reykjavik Maritime Museum
The Saga Museum
Museum of Photography
Reykjavik Art Museum
The Punk Museum

How to make the most of one day in Reykjavik: Where to eat, what to do, where to stay!

Northern Lights Tour

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is around September to April. The first time I saw them was in Reykjavik while I was sitting outside having a beer in September, so prepare for anything and let mother nature do her thing!

It’s very doable to do this on your own if you have a car, but in the winter I’d advise going with a local guide since they know the roads well and best spots to see the lights. There are also Northern Lights boat trips, but most of these stop running in the winter.

Facebook Tweet Pin LinkedIn

Experience an Iceland Winter Trip: Complete Itinerary & Tips