Iceland is one of the most fascinating countries with fire and ice. And in Winter, it becomes even more of a wonderland.Below is my Iceland Winter Travel guide to help you plan your ideal itinerary including the best places in Iceland in Winter (especially …), road trip guides and plenty of photos and video to make you dream of your next trip!
Make the most of your time in Iceland in Winter!
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Travel Guide written by Claire, the ultimate Travel Planning Geek
“With the Zigzag Travel Guides, Planning is half the fun of Traveling”
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Best things to do in Iceland in Winter
In Winter, Iceland is a wonderland… in which you can play the song from Frozen many times.You can discover magnificent waterfalls, frozen waterfalls, black and white mountains, inspiring fjords, geothermal areas contrasting with the wintery scenery…I promise you won’t get bored.Below are articles with thee highlights of traveling Iceland in Winter: my favorite photos, the advantages of a winter trip, the best things to do and the best places to see…
Discover all my favorite places in my eBook that makes the planning of your itinerary so much easier, for an unforgettable trip!
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
- 6 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 75+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Winter tips to make the most of your time
- 115+ original photos to help you choose
Planning an Iceland Winter Trip
The Winter conditions in Iceland are not to be overlooked.It is not as cold as some might think but wind and snow can make driving around difficult. You should carefully plan your trip based on your capacity to drive in the snow. And you have to remain flexible as you may have to change your plans in case of snow storms.Below are my articles to help you plan your trip: self-drive or organised tour – with by itinerary suggestions and driving tips.
Accommodations
Need to rent a car in Iceland?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Best time to visit Iceland
Wondering when the best time is to visit Iceland? In my opinion:
- September for the Summer time
- February for the Winter time
But if you want to know more about the best time to see the northern lights, the whales, the puffins, the ice caves.. or if you want to see comparison of locations in Summer and Winter, check out the articles below.
This page contains all the articles about Iceland in Winter. If you want articles about Iceland in Summer or Autumn, head to this page.
Golden Circle in Winter
The Golden Circle is one of the most famous drive in Iceland. Not too far from Reykjavik you get to experience a National Park with giant fissures in the Earth’s curst, a powerful waterfall and a geothermal area with the Strokkur geyser. A good variety of landscapes!
What to do in Iceland South Coast in Winter
Easily accessed from Reykjavik via Road 1, the South Coast is often consider the most beautiful regions where glaciers meet the sea.There is so much to see: waterfalls, glaciers, ice caves, lava fields, lagoons, black sand beaches…
Snaefellsnes peninsula in Winter
Often referred to as “Iceland in Miniature”, the Snaefellsnes peninsula shines in Winter. Fjords, waterfalls, lava formations, craters… The contrasts are mesmerizing.
North Iceland in Winter
If you are looking to get away from the “crowds”, head North. It is less impressive than in Summer (in my opinion), but still worth the trip: geothermal areas, pseudo-craters, giant lava formations. Even covered in snow, it feels like another planet.
Reykjavik in Winter
The capital city of Iceland has been developing its offering with fascinating museums and attractions.If you don’t want to head on a Winter road trip, it is also a great base to enjoy day trips to the Snaefellsnes, the South Coast and the Golden Circle.
Where to stay in Iceland?
My favorites:
- Reykjavik, capital city: see best rated accommodations – or my article on where to stay
- Selfoss, between Golden Circle and South Coast: see best rated accommodations
- Vik, near waterfalls and glaciers: see best rated accommodations
- Höfn, gateway to the East fjords: see best rated accommodations
- Egilsstadir, between fjords and North Iceland: see best rated accommodations
- Reykjahlid, for the wonders of Lake Myvatn: see best rated accommodations
- Akureyri, capital of the North: see best rated accommodations
- Grundarfjordur, on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula: see best rated accommodations
East Fjords
The East fjords are magnificent!There are not many stops to consider; you should just drive around and enjoy the scenery (However, I still have listed my favorite stops in my eBook).Just be careful when driving, because the reindeers come to this area for the Winter.
Plan your dream trip in Iceland thanks to my guide
- 6 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 75+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Winter tips to make the most of your time
- 115+ original photos to help you choose
General Travel Tips
Practical websites to book your trip
BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION & TOURS
- I personally use Booking.com for their large choice of both hotels and apartments, their real reviews and reductions for repeat customers – Book your accommodations via Booking.com (or if you prefer – Book with Hotels.com)
- DAY TRIPS – The other travel option I like to just seat and relax while admiring the scenery it to Book day trips and organized tours. I also like to have my tickets beforehand to save time. I personally use GetYourGuide.com and Viator.com
GET EQUIPMENT YOU NEED
- CLOTHES, SAFETY ITEMS, PACKING PRACTICAL ITEMS, LUGGAGE, ELECTRONICS… Get it on Amazon (US, UK and Canada only)
GET TRAVEL INSURANCE
- I wish you a very smooth trip, but my policy is: better be prepared. I personally use World Nomads. Get a quote online here.
