Things to Do in Iceland in Winter
Frozen waterfalls, glowing skies, and coffee that tastes better in -10°C
Fresh snoooow, yay! (on our way to snorkeling in Silfra)
Last update: March 2026
Winter in Iceland feels like a different planet. The sun barely rises, the air smells like snow and sulfur, and every drive turns into an Arctic movie scene. It’s quieter, wilder, and often cheaper than summer — fewer crowds, cheaper hotels, and the magic of the Northern Lights dancing above empty landscapes. And it’s actually one of our tips to travel Iceland on a budget!
If you can handle icy roads and the occasional blizzard, winter rewards you with scenes so surreal they’ll make your camera battery freeze.
Top Iceland winter tours
From glacier hikes and ice caves to Northern Lights safaris — these are Iceland’s most popular experiences.
Getting around Iceland:
The best aurora shows happen far from city lights — and that means you’ll need wheels if you don’t join a northern lights tour. A rental car gives you the freedom to chase clear skies wherever the forecast looks best, but winter driving requires caution. Roads can ice fast, so rent a 4x4 and always check road.is before you go.
| Tool | Why We Use It |
|---|---|
| 🏨 Booking.com | Best free-cancellation options for winter stays |
| 🚗 Rentalcars.com | Essential for road trips and chasing clear skies |
| ❄️ Heymondo Insurance | 5–15% off — covers weather delays & cancellations |
When to see the northern lights in Iceland
What a surprise near Hofn!
The aurora season in Iceland runs from late September to early April, with the best viewing usually between December and February, when nights are longest and skies clearest.
The best viewing conditions are outside city lights — think countryside cabins, transparent igloos, or coastal stays near Thingvellir and the South Coast.
If you want more tips on timing and weather, check our main guide: Best Time to Visit Iceland & Top Things to Do.
You can also check our favorite northern lights hotels and stays in Iceland here.
Wondering if Iceland is a good destination for northern lights? Find out here.
For photo settings, gear advice, and the best Northern Lights destinations across the world, check out our full 👉 Northern Lights Hub.
Top things to do in Iceland in winter
Geese getting ready to migrate for the winter on road 1, near Vatnajökull
1. Chase the Northern Lights
Between late September and early April, Iceland’s long nights give you front-row seats to the aurora. You can sometimes see them right from your hotel, but your odds go up on a guided Northern Lights tour — especially if you’re near Thingvellir or the South Coast.
👉 Read next: Best Northern Lights Hotels in Iceland
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Don’t just check apps — clouds matter more than forecasts. Drive away from city lights, bring hot chocolate, and give the sky time to surprise you. More tips in our Northern Lights Hub!
2. Explore ice caves and glaciers
The crystal-blue ice caves near Vatnajökull only exist in winter — meltwater carves new tunnels every season. Take a guided ice cave tour and walk through 1,000-year-old glacial ice that looks like frozen glass. We can’t think of anything more magical than nature showing off — and glaciers are its most breathtaking masterpiece (ok, maybe the northern lights too!)
We went with Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia, and you can read the full story here.
3. Warm up in hot springs
Geothermal activity is one thing that sets Iceland aside from other Arctic destinations, and it’s really, really cool (well, hot). There’s something incredibly satisfying about sinking into steaming water while snow falls around you. The Blue Lagoon is iconic, but the Secret Lagoon, Fontana Spa, Hvammsvík and Sky Lagoon feel more local. You can check the top hot springs in Iceland here.
You can also ask locals for hot rivers in the wild (we love the one in Hveragerði). Also, some hotels have hot tubs, like our beloved Frost and Fire and Brekka Retreat.
4. Visit frozen waterfalls
In winter, Iceland’s waterfalls become ice sculptures. Gullfoss, Skógafoss, Brúarfoss and Goðafoss glisten under layers of frost — just bring shoe spikes.
You can join a Golden Circle winter tour to see them safely with a local guide.
5. Drive the south coast (carefully)
This route from Reykjavík to Vík is Iceland’s best short winter road trip. You’ll pass glaciers, black-sand beaches, and 50 shades of black and white.
Book a 4x4 rental — smaller cars won’t handle bumpy, smaller roads or heavy snow, and weather can change fast. That being said, the ring road and other main roads are doable with a regular car (if you have some winter driving experience).
6. Meet Icelandic horses
These fuzzy, sturdy little horses are built for this season — and love to pose. Try a horse riding tour through snowy meadows or visit a family-run farm. We went on a fun horse riding tour with Sólhestar near Reykjavik (you can read about your experience here). Just remember: never call an Icelandic horse… a pony!
7. See Reykjavík in winter light
The capital glows with Christmas markets, cozy cafés, and candlelit windows. Visit Harpa Concert Hall, browse local design stores, and end the day with soup and skyr. Trust us: Christmas in the North is next level. Oh, and the northern lights! You’ll find more information in our guide to free and cheap things to do in Reykjavík.
8. Go whale watching (yes, even in winter)
Humpback and orca sightings are common off the coast of Grundarfjörður and Akureyri between December and March. Join a winter whale-watching tour — just dress for the wind (and then some).
Between November and May, humpback whales and orcas migrate through Icelandic fjords. If you fall in love with these Arctic giants, you can actually follow one’s journey through our partner Fahlo — their Whale Bracelet supports marine research and lets you track a real whale’s migrations in the North Atlantic. You can also track other Icelandic animals like dolphins and seals!
💙 🐋 Our readers get 20% off through this link: Track a real whale with Fahlo
9. Watch real lava flow (indoor)
Iceland's volcanic activity isn't just something you read about. At the Lava Show in Reykjavík's Grandi Harbor District or in Vík, real lava — reheated to 1,100°C from Iceland's 1918 Katla eruption — is poured into a darkened room in front of you. The heat hits your face, the light is extraordinary, and the whole thing lasts about an hour. It works in any weather, any season, and it's one of the most genuinely surprising things we've done in Iceland. 🌋 Read our full Lava Show review here.
10. Snorkel Silfra fissure
Most people assume Silfra is a summer thing. It's not. The water stays between 2°C and 4°C year-round, the visibility never changes, and snorkeling the crack between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in a snowstorm is, frankly, more dramatic than doing it in sunshine. You're sealed inside a dry suit the whole time, so the weather above the surface is mostly a vibe rather than a hardship.
The fissure is filled with glacier meltwater that has filtered through lava rock for up to 100 years — the result is some of the clearest water on Earth, a saturated, electric blue that hits you the moment you put your face in. You float with the current through Silfra Hall and Cathedral, and there's a section narrow enough to reach out and touch both continents at once. We snorkeled Silfra with Tröll Expeditions and it's one of our favorite experiences in Iceland! Read more about our experience here!
When is the best time to visit Iceland in winter?
No sheep crossing in winter! Here in Hvalfjörđur
The sweet spot is February to early March — long enough nights for the aurora, but enough daylight for road trips.
December and January are magical too, but daylight lasts just 4–5 hours.
Winter in Iceland runs October–April; February is the coldest month (around -1°C to 3°C on average, but winter storms can make the temperature drop much lower).
What to pack for Iceland in winter
Jökulsarlon is one of my favorite places on earth!
Here’s a short list to get you started.
Warm layers (merino base, fleece, shell)
Waterproof boots with traction
Swimwear for hot springs (just bear in mind that in Iceland, you’re expected to shower fully naked before entering a pool).
Portable charger + car adapter
Extra batteries
Patience — weather wins every time.
You can buy some of our favorite Arctic gear here.
Check our detailed guides for more Arctic survival tips and Arctic packing advice.
A word of warning: temperatures are not as dramatic as in other Arctic destinations like Lapland or Svalbard, but the wind chill is real and makes you feel cold much faster. Don’t underestimate it.
Plan your Iceland winter adventure
If you’re ready to experience Iceland’s wild side, here are more things to do.
✈️ Find flights — fly into Keflavik for international flights.
🏨 Find a place to stay — aurora igloos, cozy cabins, and hotels we love.
🚗 Compare car rentals — explore the ring road and beyond.
🧭 Heymondo Travel Insurance (5–15% off) — protect yourself (and your camera gear) from Arctic surprises.
🧳 Arctic gear — check our travel essentials on Amazon.
🐾 Fahlo Wildlife Bracelets (20% off) — track a real Arctic animal and stay connected to the north.
FAQ: Visiting Iceland in winter
Even though temperatures are not so low, you’ll be happy to stay near hot springs due to the wind chill!
Is Iceland worth visiting in winter?
Absolutely. Fewer crowds, cheaper stays, and the best Northern Lights season. Just plan for unpredictable weather.
Do I need a 4x4 to drive in winter?
Yes. Even major roads can ice over. Check road.is daily before driving anywhere.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Reykjavík?
Sometimes — but your best odds are outside the city, away from streetlights.
Is it expensive in winter?
Slightly less than summer, but Iceland’s never cheap (anymore). Save by cooking some meals and visiting free hot springs.
Do I need travel insurance?
We recommend it for Arctic travel, especially in winter. We use Heymondo, which covers cancellations and outdoor activities.
Winter in Iceland isn’t for the faint of heart — but that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable. And, as we say at Penguin Trampoline: you haven’t been to the Arctic if you haven’t experienced Arctic winter! The storms, the silence, the black and white contrast, the steam rising from a hot spring as the sky explodes in green — it’s raw, unpredictable, and wildly beautiful.
If you’re dreaming of an Arctic adventure that feels both otherworldly and real, this is it.
Book early, drive very carefully, pack extra layers, and let Iceland remind you that the best things in life are rarely comfortable — but always worth it.
Planning a trip to Iceland? Check out our guides:
🌋 Iceland Travel Guide — Volcanoes, waterfalls, and the road trip of your geothermal dreams.
🏨 Best Northern Lights Hotels in Iceland — Cozy cabins, glass igloos, and wild skies where the aurora dances right above your bed.
💚 Northern Lights in Iceland — Is it a good destination for the aurora, and things nobody tells you.
🤫 Iceland Without the Crowds— Quieter alternatives to the main tourist spots.
💸 How to Travel Iceland on a Budget — Iceland is expensive. Here's how to make it significantly less so.
🐴 Horseback riding in Iceland — Learn about the horse culture in Iceland and our experience near Reykjavik.
🔥 Lava Show in Reykjavík — Watch lava melt and solidify right in front of you.
🛁 Brekka Retreat, Hvalfjörður — Private sauna, geothermal hot tub & northern lights over Iceland's most underrated fjord.
🤿 Silfra snorkeling in Þingvellir — Swim between two continents in the clearest water on Earth.
♨️ Hvammsvík Hot Springs, Hvalfjörður — Eight geothermal pools cut into the North Atlantic coast and a Viking settlement older than Iceland's parliament.
🛖 Aurora Igloo South, Hella — Transparent dome pods, a heated bed, and a South Iceland sky that delivers with or without the aurora.
🧊 Glacier Hike & Ice Cave in Iceland — Crampons, blue ice, and a natural cave under Europe's largest glacier that you'll be describing to people for years.
❄️ Our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide — How to explore, survive, and avoid becoming a polar bear’s lunch.
✨ Northern Lights for Dummies — How to actually see the aurora (without freezing your butt off or waiting 12 nights in vain).
