Top 5 Winter Activities in Iceland

1.3-Day South Coast Winter Tour with Ice Cave

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 171 reviews · 3 days · from $977Our pick

From Reykjavík, travel by minibus with an English-speaking guide through the Golden Circle and along Iceland’s South Coast. You’ll spend two nights in hotels, soak in hot tubs on night one, and take a super jeep to a seasonal ice cave beneath Vatnajökull. Guides such as Hakon, David and Vlad have led this route, though your guide is not guaranteed.

“the tour was excellent as you got to see the different landscapes of iceland which are so diverse. The guide was very informative and the pace of the tour was good, plenty of time at each stop to enjoy it. highly recommended this tour, a great way to see Iceland if you don't want to hire a car”

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2.8 Day Winter Circle Tour, Ring Route of Iceland with Snæfellsnes Peninsula

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 110 reviews · from $679Top rated

Travel Iceland’s Ring Road and Snæfellsnes Peninsula over eight days in a small group of up to 17, with an English-speaking guide and seven nights of accommodation. The route includes a glacier hike, a Super Jeep ride to a winter ice cave, whale watching, and stops at waterfalls, hot springs, and coastal villages. Meals, horseback riding, Vök Baths, and the Víðgelmir lava cave cost extra.

“My 8 day tour was broken up as 6 days + 2 days so I was with 2 different groups. But the Troll Ex. Did such an excellent job with the logistics ( i.e pick ups), accommodation and tour itinerary that even though this was a last minute trip. I felt well looked after and unstressRead more”

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3.South Coast, Glacier Hike and Northern Lights Winter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 66 reviews · from $255

Spend a long day touring Iceland’s South Coast, walking on Sólheimajökull with a certified guide, then return to Reykjavík before heading out again to look for the Northern Lights. You’ll see Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara. Northern Lights guide Frank is praised for making the evening hunt enjoyable, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“Enjoyed the entire tour, especially the glacier hike. All of the guides were exceptional and ensured we all had a great time. It was unfortunate that we couldn’t see the northern lights but maybe next time. Thanks for an enjoyable trip!!”

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4.Winter Whale Watching and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $198Best value

Join Elding Whale Watching for two separate boat trips from Reykjavik: a three-hour afternoon cruise to look for whales and a two-hour evening cruise to search for the Northern Lights. An English-speaking guide shares information about wildlife and the aurora. Warm overalls and blankets are provided, and food and drinks are available to buy on board.

“Very cool experience, got to watch humpback whales feeding. We didn’t catch the Aurora this time around but if you don’t see it they give you a voucher gift next time!”

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5.2 Day Iceland Winter Tour to South Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 9 reviews · 2 days · from $660

This small-group tour from Reykjavik pairs South Coast waterfalls and Reynisfjara’s black sand with an ice cave, Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach. You’ll stay one night in a three-star hotel with breakfast, and may see the Northern Lights if conditions cooperate. Guides vary, with John and Sebastián among the team.

“Our 2-day trip was excellently planned! John our tour guide was very friendly and accommodating! He was telling us stories and facts about the areas while we were passing by driving and he planned our visits at our destinations at the correct time of the day to make the most of the sceneries. Overall, the trip went smoothly and organised and had a chance to see many of the attractions at the South Coast of Iceland! Definitely recommending this activity!”

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