8 of the best winter experiences to have in Iceland

The distinct landscapes of Iceland offer an extraordinary setting for a winter adventure. In the colder months, you can enjoy the mountains, volcanoes and half-frozen waterfalls without the crowds found in the summer and find a sense of peace in Iceland’s dramatic natural locations. While Iceland’s winter days are short, the nights are long and dark, and locals have always found ways to enjoy them — relaxing in natural hot springs, trying to capture the majestic Northern Lights with their cameras and enjoying fine dining in Reykjavik’s restaurants. Here are eight can’t-miss winter experiences to have in Iceland.

1. Search for the Northern Lights with an experienced guide and professional photographer

Take advantage of the dark skies and lack of light pollution by searching for Iceland’s nocturnal jewels: the Northern Lights. According to Icelandic tradition, the phenomenon is a sign of good luck, particularly for those about to embark on a journey or major life event. The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is on a cloud-free night between September and mid-March. Joining a tour gives you the best chance of finding them, as guides will take you to their favourite locations and share photography tips.

2. Hike the Sólheimajökull Glacier

One of the country’s most accessible glaciers, Sólheimajökull is an hour-and-a-half drive from Reykjavik on the south coast. The glacier is known for its distinctive black streaks, which were formed when ash from eruptions of the nearby Katla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes settled on the ice, and were later covered in layers of snow. Sólheimajökull is an easy half-day hike, but it's always best to travel with an experienced local guide, so you'll be in safe hands as you traverse the crevasses and heavily-packed ice. Prepare to marvel at the swirling shapes and captivating blue patches on the ancient ice.

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3. Take on the ultimate Iceland road trip

Iceland’s most famous highway is Route 1, a circular road that takes in the whole island starting in Reykjavik. Driving this route is an adventure at all times of year, but even more so in the winter, when skies are full of stars and the aurora lights your way. The route will take you past shimmering frozen waterfalls, dormant volcanoes, snow-covered pastures and fields of shaggy Icelandic ponies. Small group trips are available year-round with Aldu Experience, during which local guides will provide insight into the area's history and culture — from picturesque fishing villages, such as Hofn and Stykkisholmur, to Reynisfjara, Iceland's famous black sand beach.

4. Learn about Iceland’s volcanic activity

Iceland’s volcanoes have erupted frequently since 2023 and show no signs of slowing down. Take a journey into volcanology at the LAVA Centre in Hvolsvöllur, close to the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano in south Iceland. Here, you'll learn about the systems monitoring seismic and volcanic activity, and discover how these forces shaped the Earth. Alternatively, head out to see the country's volcanic sights first-hand on guided hikes.

5. Taste the produce at Friðheimar Tomato Farm

What would you expect to eat in Iceland? Probably not a home-grown tomato. At Friðheimar Tomato Farm, ingenious farmers have harnessed the power of geothermal energy to heat greenhouses and grow fruits and vegetables you’d otherwise never expect to see this far north. It’s a typically Icelandic approach to life: inventive, playful and quite out of the ordinary. At the farm's restaurant, the tomato soup is a firm customer favourite.

6. Discover Iceland’s Silver Circle

Iceland’s popular Golden Circle route, encompassing the key sights of Geysír, the Gullfoss Falls and Thingvellir National Park, can get busy. For an equally impressive, quieter alternative, head off the beaten track on the Silver Circle, a day-long adventure that takes in waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafossar; the historic Reykholt Valley, formerly the home of the author of several Old Norse sagas, Snorri Sturluson; and the Krauma hot springs.

7. Sink into hot springs under the stars

Iceland is so far north that it’s not unusual for the sun to set in the middle of the afternoon in winter. While it might cut your sightseeing short, it also allows for one of the island’s most memorable experiences: unwinding in a hot pool under the stars, watching the steam rise as snow falls all around you. As well as the famous Blue Lagoon, there’s Sky Lagoon, just outside Reykjavik, where you can swim and experience the seven-step Skjól Ritual, which guides you through Icelandic bathing culture. Alternatively, sink into a Viking-age thermal spa at Hvammsvík Hot Springs.

8. Give your tastebuds an adventure

The traditional Icelandic feast, Thorrablót, takes place from late January to late February. It's a time where Icelanders gather together and celebrate the country's rich history and food traditions, with dishes including blood pudding, sheep’s head, rotten shark and pickled ram testicles. Try some of these classic Icelandic dishes at Kaffi Loki in Reykjavik. If such options sound slightly too adventurous, the city is also home to multiple fine-dining establishments, along with two Michelin-starred restaurants, Óx and Dill, which serve world-class modern interpretations of traditional Nordic food.