Iceland in Winter – Travel Guide

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!

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.

Need to rent a car in Iceland?
My tips:

• Option 1 - Compare car rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
• Option 2 - compare cars and prices of local brands on GuidetoIceland.com
• If you plan on driving on F-roads in the Central Highlands, you need a good 4WD - otherwise, no.
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles (it is a popular island)

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.

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 in Winter?
My tips:

• Reykjavik - capital city - see best rated accommodations
• 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 - to explore 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.

General Travel Tips

Practical websites to book your trip