The Perfect Iceland Winter Itinerary (How to Spend 3, 5, Or 7 Days)
Planning an Iceland winter itinerary? In our opinion, this is one of the best times to visit the country and here’s our itinerary and all of our top tips.
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland in winter, you’re in for something truly special. The snow-dusted landscapes, the chance to see the Northern Lights, and the raw beauty of this country make this one of our favourite times to visit.
We’ve explored Iceland 3 times in winter. Once in December, which was our first ever trip to Iceland. We visited again at the end of March, where we did a road trip of the south coast, and a third time in January, where we explored North Iceland.
And, honestly, after all of those trips, Iceland still doesn’t get boring. We’d return again in winter in a heartbeat. It’s much quieter than summer, and the dark and stillness of the landscapes are somewhat enchanting.
So, if you’re planning on exploring in winter, we’ve put together this 5-day Iceland winter itinerary based on our own trips.
It covers a little bit of everything: geothermal pools, dramatic waterfalls, the Golden Circle, black sand beaches, and plenty of opportunities to chase the aurora.
If you’ve got less time, we’ll also share how to adapt it for 3 days, and if you’re lucky enough to have a week, we’ll give you ideas on how to stretch it to 7 days too.
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Iceland Winter Must-Do’s!
Short on time? These are 5 bucket-list things you NEED to do in Iceland in winter! ❤️
- Go on a Glacier Hike
- Soak in the Blue Lagoon
- Visit Katla Ice Cave
- Tour the Golden Circle
- Chase the Northern Lights
Save on car hire with this company.
Things to Know Before You Go
Winter in Iceland is magical, but it does come with its challenges. Roads can be icy, the weather is unpredictable, and daylight hours are limited. That said, with the right preparation, it’s absolutely manageable and 100% worth it.
Here are a few quick things to keep in mind before you set off:
- Driving: Roads are usually clear along the main Ring Road, but always check safe.is and vedur.is for conditions before you travel. They’ll tell you about any road conditions like blowing snow or strong wind, and also any road closures, which are not uncommon in winter.
- Daylight: In mid-winter, you’ll only get around 4–6 hours of daylight, so plan your big activities for the middle of the day. We only had around 4 hours when we visited Akureyri in winter, but still managed to see a lot during the time we had.
- Tours vs driving: If you don’t feel comfortable driving in icy conditions, almost everything on this itinerary can be done with guided tours from Reykjavik. This is how we did our first trip to Iceland – we based ourselves in Reykjavik for 3 days and did guided tours. And it was that trip that hooked us on Iceland and made us want to return again and again!
- Pack smart: Packing is so important when visiting Iceland in winter. You’ll need lots of layers, thermals, good boots, water and windproof gear, and crampons. Also, if you’re driving in Iceland in winter, we recommend bringing an ice scraper, as many rental car companies don’t include one.
👉 Check out our full winter packing list for Iceland for everything we’d bring!
Our 5-Day Iceland Winter Itinerary
So, here’s our recommended winter itinerary for Iceland.
This is just a guide and can be adapted depending on your own preferences; however, this is pretty much the exact itinerary we did in Iceland in March, and it was fantastic!
Day 1: Geothermal Pools and Reykjavik
Like most people travelling to Iceland, you’ll most likely arrive in Reykjavik. This is the capital city, and while many people skip it, there are some amazing things to do in Reykjavik, and it’s highly worth a visit.
Depending on your flight arrival, you might not have a full day here, but we always recommend making a little time to explore the capital and the surrounding area.
First, collect your hire car from the airport – we recommend this company for booking your car – and head to one of the country’s famous geothermal pools to unwind after your journey.
The Blue Lagoon
This is arguably Iceland’s most famous geothermal pool, and for good reason. Yes, it’s touristy, but it really is worth visiting the Blue Lagoon once you’re floating in that steaming milky-blue water with snow all around you.
Because the Blue Lagoon is located only 20 minutes from Keflavik Airport and 40 minutes from Reykjavik city centre, it makes the most sense to do this on your way to or from the airport.
We recommend heading there as soon as you arrive, as it’s the perfect way to relax after a flight.
Tickets sell out fast, even in the winter months, so you’ll need to book well in advance to guarantee your time slot, but it’s 100% worth it!
The Sky Lagoon (alternatively)
Alternatively, if the Blue Lagoon doesn’t tickle your fancy, head to the Sky Lagoon. Located much closer to Reykjavik, you can get here in just a 20-minute drive from the city centre.
This makes it a good option if you’d rather go and check in your bags first, or you’d simply prefer a different type of spa experience.
The Sky Lagoon has a stunning geothermal infinity pool, but the thing we loved the most was the 7-step ritual. This includes a sauna, steam room, facemask and much more. It’s a wonderful way to relax, and we loved our experience here.
Once again, be sure to book tickets in advance to guarantee your time slot.
Reykjavik City Centre
After you’ve relaxed, spend the rest of the afternoon wandering around Reykjavik. This is one of our favourite cities in the world, and there’s so much to do there.
We recommend checking out Hallgrimskirkja, the famous church, and climbing to the top for panoramic views over the city.
You can also head to the Harpa Concert Hall, admire the Sun Voyager along the waterfront, and walk the famous Rainbow Street.
If you have time, head to one of the city’s many museums. Our favourites to date are the Whales of Iceland Museum and Perlan, a large interactive museum which details all of Iceland’s stunning nature and wildlife.
Finally, grab a cosy dinner in one of the city’s many restaurants. We loved Messinn for its delicious fish dishes, and 101 Reykjavik Street Food serves delicious bread soup bowls.
Stay in Reykjavik
Tonight, we recommend staying in the city centre. We stayed in Centre Hotels Plaza when we did this, and its fabulous location is ideal for exploring the city.
For something a little further out, we also recommend these apartments. They’re clean and comfortable, plus you’ll be able to cook for yourself and pack a lunch for tomorrow. They also have free parking outside, which is a bonus.
Day 2: Golden Circle
For your second day in Iceland, head to the Golden Circle. This is one of the most iconic routes in the country and is something everyone visiting Iceland should do at least once.
Once again, it’s a bit of a touristy route, but it’s much less busy in winter than in summer, and you’ll see some pretty cool spots. Plus, it’s not too far from Reykjavik, so it is a good way to get used to driving in Iceland in winter.
We recommend driving it clockwise today, as many tours opt to go the other way round, so you’ll miss a lot of the crowds.
Thingvellir National Park
Your first stop is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s fascinating both geologically and historically.
The park sits in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, which means you can literally walk between two continents. It’s almost eerie, but so beautiful here.
It’s easy to spend a couple of hours here if you want to explore the main viewpoints. We walked in a loop that also included the Thingvellir Church and the beautiful Oxararfoss waterfall, which is just stunning in winter.
Bruarfoss
Next, head to Bruarfoss. This is the bluest waterfall in Iceland, and we absolutely loved our trip here. It’s not on the typical Golden Circle route, but that is the joy of having a rental car – you can visit a few of the hidden gems as well!
The car park is virtually right next to the falls, and you’ll only have a 5-minute walk to see the stunning blue water.
We found Bruarfoss incredibly peaceful compared to the bigger stops on the Golden Circle, and it’s a great spot to enjoy Iceland’s raw beauty without a crowd.
Geysir
Your next stop might just be the busiest of your entire day. This is where you’ll find the famous Strokkur, which erupts every 5-10 minutes, shooting boiling water high into the air.
Geysir is a unique spot in Iceland, so you’ll most likely find crowds here and have to wait a while for an eruption. However, it’s definitely worth it!
Gullfoss
Just a short drive away is Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. In winter, the falls are partially frozen, which creates some incredible icy formations and is a completely different vibe from the summer.
There’s a walkway that allows you to get close, but be careful on the icy patches. There’s also another walkway which takes you right above the falls, which is completely shut off in the winter months because it’s too icy.
It’s another fantastic place to see the raw beauty of Iceland and the stunning nature up close.
Kerid Crater
Your final stop of the day is Kerid Crater. This place is one of the only paid natural attractions in Iceland, and you’ll have to pay a small fee to enter the area. The crater is mainly famous for its unique red, purple, and green colours on the slopes.
Depending on when you visit in winter depends on how much of this colour you’ll see but the contrast between the red volcanic rock and the snow is pretty beautiful. The lake at the bottom might also be completely frozen, which is very cool to see.
You can also walk around the entire rim of the crater, but be very careful if it’s windy, as it can get quite blustery up there.
Stay in Selfoss
For tonight, we recommend staying in Selfoss. We loved Hotel Selfoss and it’s one of our favourite Ring Road hotels in Iceland.
It’s just a short 15-minute drive from Kerid Crater and has an on-site restaurant and a spa, which is perfect for relaxing in.
👉 Check out our full review of Hotel Selfoss here.
TOP TIP: If you don’t fancy eating at the hotel, our favourite food court in Iceland is right around the corner and serves a delicious range of foods from all over the world.
Day 3: South Coast Highlights
This is our favourite day of the whole trip. The South Coast of Iceland is just ridiculously beautiful, and is one of our favourite regions of the entire country. Winter makes it even more dramatic with icy waterfalls and lots of snow.
Seljalandsfoss
Possibly one of the most dramatic waterfalls in Iceland, Seljalandsfoss is utterly stunning. It’s the iconic waterfall that you can normally walk behind; however, in winter, the path behind the falls is usually closed for safety reasons.
Even so, viewing it from the front is breathtaking. We visited in March, and it was absolutely beautiful. Plus, it’s a great spot for photos if you time it right.
Gljúfrabúi
If you fancy seeing a bit of a hidden gem, head to Gljufrabui, the hidden waterfall in a cave. One of the most enchanting waterfalls in South Iceland, this place is stunning and just a short 5-minute walk from Seljalandsfoss.
To reach the waterfall, you have to walk through a small stream, so waterproof shoes are essential and crampons if it’s really icy.
You’ll also need a waterproof coat to protect you from the spray! Nonetheless, it’s one of the most incredible waterfalls in South Iceland and is so pretty in winter.
Skogafoss
This is the waterfall that everybody wants to see when they visit, so we absolutely had to add it to this Iceland winter itinerary. Located just a short 20-minute drive from Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss is one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls.
The huge 60-meter cascade can be viewed from the bottom, or you can climb over 500 steps to see it from the top. Either way, it’s pretty mind-blowing, especially when it’s all snowy, and you might even see a rainbow in the mist.
Reynisfjara Beach
Next is one of the most beautiful yet dangerous spots in all of Iceland. Reynisfjara is located next to Vik, and the combination of basalt columns, crashing waves, and rock formations makes this one of the most photogenic places in the country.
However, be very careful of the sneaker waves – they’re unpredictable and extremely powerful, especially in winter.
Please pay attention to the warning signs when you reach the beach, as people have literally lost their lives due to carelessness here.
But, with caution, you can definitely enjoy this beach. I found the waves completely captivating when I first visited, and on our second trip, we even saw whales off in the distance.
Vik
Finally, head into the town of Vik itself. This is one of the most popular towns on the south coast, and you’ll find shops, restaurants, petrol stations to fill up and several quirky establishments like Skool Beans Cafe and Black Crust Pizza.
We recommend grabbing some dinner and also heading up to Vik i Myrdal church for stunning views over the town and the beach in the distance.
Stay in Vik
Tonight, we recommend staying in Vik. It’s a great central point on the Sound Coast and a good base for tomorrow’s activities.
We recommend either Hotel Katla by Keahotels or Black Beach Suites if you’d prefer to stay self-catering.
Day 4: Flexible
We always like to keep a little flexibility in an itinerary, especially in Iceland in winter, where the weather can change by the hour. As a result, day four is your “choose your own adventure” day.
Here are a few ideas:
Go on a Glacier Hike
Of all the things we’ve ever done in Iceland, this is one of our favourites. A glacier hike is something you should absolutely have on your Iceland bucket list, and it’s a fantastic way to spend the morning.
You can get tours directly from Vik, or meet the guides on location at the glacier tongue. Either way, it’s a wonderful thing to do, and we cannot recommend it enough.
If you get time after your glacier hike, you could also head to Fjadrargljufur Canyon, a winding, moss-covered gorge that looks like something straight out of a fantasy film.
❤️ We recommend this glacier hike – it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done!
Visit Katla Ice Cave
One of the magical wonders of Iceland is the ice caves, and Katla is possibly the most famous. Located just a short distance from Vik, this is one of the most magnificent ice caves on the island.
The combination of black sand from the iconic volcano and deep blue hues of the ice is a truly magical environment, and you truly won’t find many places like it.
You can meet the guides in Vik, and they’ll take you to the cave via a super jeep, and then you can head out to the ice. It’s truly magical and well worth doing in winter when the caves are at their most magnificent.
Visit the Glacier Lagoon
When we did this itinerary, we decided to drive to the Glacier Lagoon in winter. It was stunning and one of the most unique landscapes we saw in Iceland.
You’ll find a huge glacier tongue, the lagoon with hundreds of icebergs floating around, the seals in the water, and the gorgeous Diamond Beach across the road, glittering with hundreds of icebergs on the black sand.
It’s completely stunning and well worth a visit, even though you can’t take the boat trip until the summer months.
However, this is a very long drive (around 2.5 hours each way), so you’ll need to be comfortable taking on a long drive in winter.
If you do choose this option, be sure to double-check the weather before you head off and always drive according to the road conditions.
Stay in Vik
Tonight, stay in the same place you stayed the night before, ready to head back down the south coast to Reykjavik tomorrow.
🏨 Check out all of our favourite places to stay in Vik.
Day 5: Return to Reykjavik
On your final day, drive back from Vik to Reykjavik. You’ll be spending your final night in the city, or if you have an early flight, head back to the airport and stay in an airport hotel.
On the drive back, there are a few places you could stop that we didn’t visit on the way down.
Kvernufoss
Located close to Skogafoss, this waterfall is another beautiful hidden gem along the south coast. It’s tucked away out of sight and will involve around a 15-minute walk to reach, but we promise you it’s worth it!
Once you reach the waterfall, you’ll find another huge cascade tumbling into a pool below, but the best part is that you can also walk behind it!
Be extra careful if it’s icy, as the ground can be very slippery – you might want to bring crampons. However, the views from behind are magnificent, and this was one of our favourite waterfalls in South Iceland.
👉 Check out our full guide to Kvernufoss for more info!
Reykjadalur Hot Springs
This place involves a bit more of a hike; however, if you want to finish your Icelandic winter itinerary with a soak in a natural hot spring surrounded by icy mountains, we highly recommend this spot.
It’s located just past Selfoss along the Ring Road and will take about 45 minutes to an hour to hike to. The hike is much more demanding with several steep uphill sections; however, you’ll likely need crampons in the winter.
Remember to bring your swimming costume for this one, as once you reach the end, you’ll be able to soak in a river that’s as hot as bathwater. It’s completely free to visit, and the surroundings are just beautiful.
It’s a pretty magical experience and one we highly recommend adding to your list.
👉 Check out our full hiking guide to Reykjadalur Hot Springs
Reykjanes Peninsula
If you wanted to explore a whole other area of Iceland completely with your final day, you could drive to the Reykjanes Peninsula and skip Reykjavik completely.
This will be another long driving day as it’s around 2.5 hours from Reykjavik; however, there are some beautiful places here that would be a fab way to end your trip.
You could visit the Bridge between Continents and see a literal bridge between two tectonic plates, then head to Gunnuhver Hot Springs to admire a billowing volcanic vent.
Visit the Seltun Geothermal area and explore the boardwalks and steaming mud pots, and see some truly stunning black sand beaches.
This is also the area where you can go for a volcano hike, a true bucket list experience with all the recent eruptions.
This is a beautiful area, but much more isolated than the south, so be extra careful if it’s really snowy weather.
TOP TIP: The Blue Lagoon is in this area too, so if you want a full day in Reykjavik on day one, we’d suggest booking the Blue Lagoon for today instead.
Where to Stay
For your final night, if you’ve headed back to Reykjavik, we recommend getting a hotel there again – perhaps the same as your first night or one of our favourite places to stay in Reykjavik.
If you’ve opted for a trip to the Reykjanes Peninsula, then it would be easier to stay near the airport.
We loved this hotel, and the sunrise the next morning before our flight was also truly beautiful. It was the perfect way to end a winter trip to Iceland.
🏨Check prices and book a room at Courtyard by Marriott Keflavik Airport
If you only have 3 days in Iceland in winter …
So, that was our full 5-day itinerary recommendation, but what if you only have 3 days in Iceland?
In this case, we recommend spending one full day in Reykjavik, one day doing the Golden Circle, and the third day to dedicate to a south coast day tour.
You can do all of this with a base in Reykjavik and just book guided tours instead of hiring a car, which is much easier if you only have 3 days. This is exactly how we spent our first-ever trip to Iceland in December 2020, and we loved it!
👉 You can check out our full itinerary for 3 days in Reykjavik here.
If you have 7 days in Iceland in winter…
If you have 7 days, you have much more flexibility.
When we spent 7 days exploring Iceland in winter, we spent the first 2 days exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and then headed south and drove all the way to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon before heading back to Reykjavik.
However, you could also do it the other way around.
We recommend sticking to this itinerary for the first 3 days. On the fourth day, drive to Jokulsarlon and stay around there for one night.
Then drive back along the south coast, stop at a few additional destinations like Fjadrargljufur Canyon, then head to Snaefellsnes afterwards.
If you do decide to do this, be extra careful when driving the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in winter. It’s much icier than the south coast as it’s much less travelled. We encountered much more snow here, especially on the northern side.
Nonetheless, it’s a gorgeous place to visit, and we totally get why it’s called Iceland in miniature because there’s such a variety of landscapes.
TOP TIP: As always, when driving in Iceland in winter, always be flexible and have a backup plan in case of any road closures.
FAQs
Is driving in Iceland in winter risky?
It certainly can be if you’re not careful. Iceland is notorious for having freak weather changes, and conditions can go from bright and sunny to snowy within minutes.
If you’re not used to icy roads and heavy winds, the conditions can be very difficult to drive in.
It’s important to always be prepared, drive to the conditions, check for weather warnings, and above all, trust your gut. If you’re not comfortable driving, don’t drive!
👉 Check out our winter driving guide to Iceland for more tips and examples.
Do you need a 4×4 car in winter?
Yes, we would highly recommend hiring a 4×4 car if you’re visiting Iceland in winter. While all cars are equipped with winter tyres by law, a 4×4 will have much more grip and traction on the snow and ice than a smaller car.
🚗 We always use this company when hiring a car in Iceland, and they give you the best deals!
How many days are enough in winter?
This really depends on what you want to do. If you’re staying in Reykjavik, you can explore the city and do a few day trips in around 3-5 days.
However, if you’re planning on driving, we’d always say to allow a little extra time for potential weather disruptions and road closures. The last thing you want is to end up stranded and miss your flight!
As such, if you’re driving around, we recommend spending 4 days in Iceland at a minimum, and keeping at least one day flexible in case of bad weather.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we think everyone should visit Iceland in both summer and winter to get the full experience of the country. We’ve visited Iceland in winter 3 times, and every trip has felt so different from the one before, but each has felt completely magical.
Sure, the weather can be unpredictable, and yes, it’s cold, but that’s part of what makes it such an adventure. From chasing the Northern Lights to standing at the foot of frozen waterfalls, Iceland is a true wonderland in the colder months.
If you’ve got 5 days, we hope this itinerary has given you a taste of exactly how to spend your time in Iceland in winter!
Any questions? Ask us anything in our Facebook Group!
👉 Need more Iceland winter planning tips? Check our favourite Northern Lights Hotels in Iceland!
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