It's a dazzling experience that is difficult to describe in words because it is so unique every time. Id also recommend the folk museumSkgasafn in the town ofSkgar,which is open-air museum complex plus two museums along the South Coast with over 15,000 artifacts and 6 historical buildings. Whether you'd like to leap out of a helicopter onto frozen slopes, or try a more modest adventure with a sauna close at hand, here are seven extreme activities located all over the island and for every comfort level. This is when driving conditions, in Iceland can be bad and driving in the countryside should only be attempted by those who are familiar with driving in difficult and icy conditions. Celebrating Christmas and New Year's Eve in Iceland can also be an enjoyable and memorable . And every summer, they melt or fall apart. Also, be sure to check for weather and safety alerts on the Iceland SafeTravel website, which is run by the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue. , this beautiful part of the country is home to a huge glacier as well as waterfalls, beaches, fishing villages, caves, and a glacier. On our trips to Iceland, weve used a number of tour operators and booking portals. This can be particularly dangerous in the winter when snow can disguise cracks and crevasses in the ice. Meet the dogs and ride on the sled for about 1 hour over the snowy fields. It also contains Games of Thrones filming locations! This post focuses on the best things to do in Iceland during the winter, and we cover everything from heli-skiing to holiday celebrations to Northern Lights tours! Note that these tours range from low physical activity to needing to be fairly physical strenuous so be sure to read the guidelines and recommendations to find a tour that is a good fit for you. Other snow activities that you can join from Reykjavk include thisice climbing tour. If you do stay overnight in this area, wed recommend staying in Kirkjubjarklaustur or Vk. Snorkeling in winter? If you are staying in Reykjavk, one of the most convenient tour will take you to to Slaheimajkull glacier, a beautiful outlet glacier on the South Shore. You can book your Blue Lagoon time slot online here (must have a pre-booked time to visit) and then book a corresponding transfer. If youd rather join a tour and not have to worry about the driving, there are several tours that run in the winter from Reykjavk. For a full overview of all the options available, check out our 30 Best Hot Springs and Geothermal Pools in Iceland and you're sure to find what you're looking for! Let us know in the comments below! 1. For a day trip from Reykjavk to Lake Mvatn, wed recommend taking a look at this tour, which includes domestic flights and stops atGoafoss Waterfall, the pseudocraters of Skutustadagigar, the lava pillars ofDimmuborgir, Reykjahlid village, the Krafla volcano, and Mvatn Nature baths. Updated: Jan 8, 2020. So if you are driving from Reykjavik, then we recommend taking AT LEAST two days to go and see it. If you are able to do an overnight trip, we recommend this small group tour which includes an ice cave tour, exploration of the South Shore, a visit to the glacier lagoon, and a Northern Lights hunt. And winter is the perfect time to visit the geothermal pools and the hot spring in Iceland. Once you get out of Reykjavk, youll mostly just follow Route 1, which is the National Road of Iceland, and forms the famous Ring Road. If you are coming to Iceland primarily for winter sports or snow activities, Id recommend checking out offered multi-day treks or highly active winter trips with professional local guides that include activities like long-distance snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice climbing, hikes on glaciers, and skiing. In fact, winter is the best time to see certain whales such as the Grundarfjrdur orcas (killer whales). All the following tours depart from Reykjavk. 10 Winter Iceland Activites | Icelandic Mountain Guides But here is a guide about how to photograph the Northern Lights and includes tips for different types of cameras and smartphones. Note that the best time to see whales in Iceland is during the summer months, but you still have a chance to see some species year-round. Ice climbers may want to head toSkaftafell, Slheimajkull, or the icefalls in Kaldakinn, and can join ice climbing tours such as this one. The Sky Lagoon was opened in the Reykjavik capital region in the year 2021 and has already become very popular and a premier spot for geothermal bathing in Iceland. They know where the best places to go are, the gear that is necessary, and what is and is not safe to attempt. You're probably looking for some fun and exciting activities! Wow, this was a really helpful and comprehensive post! Find out more about diving in the Thingvellir National Park here. Winter activities in Iceland | Guide to Iceland It's a mere 2 hour drive from Reykjavik on a nice paved road. I think they will translate well! Youll definitely want to overnight in the area as there is plenty to explore and youll find a number of, For a day trip from Reykjavk to Lake Mvatn, wed recommend taking a look at. Icelandic food is not all about, In terms of food, Iceland is known for a lot of things from shark and lamb to langoustine and salt to fresh berries and, There are so many things you might want to include on a self-drive food tour such as hot dogs in Reykjavk, vegetables grown at one of the countries geothermal greenhouses (some have attachedcafs or restaurants), langoustine soup in Stokkseyri, hkarlat the, To get a sense of the wide range of food from traditional home cooking to the latest innovative dishes, youll want to stop at some of the. In terms of food, Iceland is known for a lot of things from shark and lamb to langoustine and salt to fresh berries and skyr. Best, Jessica. All tours include transportation, driver, and guide, and the majority depart from Reykjavk. Hope you get a chance to visit Iceland!! Winter Activities in Iceland - CampEasy Iceland's most famous diving location is Silfra, a crystal clear ravine at Thingvellir National Park where you can dive or snorkel between tectonic plates with a visibility of up to 120 meters! There's a swimming pool in almost every town you will go through and many swimming pools in Reykjavikas well. Most hot springs and public pools in Iceland are open year round, so it is easy to add a hot spring to your itinerary. Instead, the snorkeling trip takes place in the, The national park does not have any official guides or operators for snorkeling tours or equipment rentals, but there are several companies offering snorkeling tours and gear for those wanting to snorkel at Silfra. You can also join guided tours or rent horses to ride (for more experienced riders) at Slhestar (services around Reykjavk and south Iceland, book a tour here). Iceland can be an expensive destination and we recommend checking out our tips for traveling to Iceland on a budget. But if you want a real sledding experience, Id book a Snowcat mountain tour with, For those looking to go ice skating, there is normally an outdoor public ice skating ring in Reykjavk over the holidays. Most popular with locals before and after typical work hours, we found our visits very relaxed in the afternoon. Some of these elements you cant control (e.g., solar activity, cloud cover) so seeing them is partially down to nature and luck. All the best and happy new year . Let us know if you have any questions as you plan your own trip to Iceland. Its not all food either. Fortunately, the countrys size also lends itself to being fairly navigable in a short amount of time, even with some essential activities requiring getting out into the wild. Around the Christmas season, you can enjoy the holidays lights and decorations, Christmas markets, Christmas carols and concerts, and learning about Icelandic Christmas traditions. Hi Leigh, Yes, 1 night is definitely not very much time to see much of Iceland but glad you got to see a couple of things. Tour operators know where to go to find the darkest spots, know how to interpret the meteorological data, know where they can park, and usually only operate if theres a chance of seeing them. It is easy to stop off for some fun in the snow if you are traveling in Iceland during the winter. They are very photogenic (they even made our Iceland photography guide) and are unique in that they are one of a few horse breeds where a number of the horses have five distinct gaits. Iceland's Best Winter Activities - It's Glacier Time. Unless you have dived here before, youll probably want to have a guide, and for Silfra wed recommend doing a guided dive such as this one. Yes, the weather can be tricky for driving which is why a guided tour can be a great option for those who do not wish to drive, particularly in the winter months. To get a sense of the wide range of food from traditional home cooking to the latest innovative dishes, youll want to stop at some of thefarm to table restaurants that dot the countryside as well as the more refined restaurants of Reykjavk. Youll find over a dozen of these in Reykjavk alone, plus one in about every Icelandic town of any size. One of the reasons many people travel to Iceland is to see some of its local wildlife, and this includes whales. Be sure to check the tour conditions so you understand what happens if your tour is cancelled or you dont see the Northern Lights. Bring warm layers, waterproof outer layers, good waterproof hiking boots, hat and gloves, and a waterproof hiking bag. For snowshoeing, you can go on your own or join a snowshoe day trip such as this introductory onenearSnfellsjkull National Park and several snowshoe day trips offered by Wide Open. So you may want to make your own sled (e.g., buy a plastic trash can lid) and find some snow-covered hills to enjoy. Hi Lauren, Glad you enjoyed reading about our winter adventures in Iceland. Hi Laura, Thanks for sharing your experience driving in Iceland in winter! The weather in Reykjavik in March tends to be warmer, but even the warmest recorded temperature over the past two decades was only 54 F (12.4 C). The Snfellsnes Peninsula is a region in western Iceland known for its dramatic landscapes, and is accessible year-round. Read this to find all the answers to your questions about things to do in Iceland in winter. This type of tour is ideal for families with children, or any adventure seeker looking to do something different. For more of a party atmosphere, youll want to be in Iceland for New Years Eve, when its traditional to attend a bonfire and set off fireworks. Iceland in Winter: 10 Sports & Adventure Tours Around the Country - RentByOwner Journal CATEGORIES Alabama Dauphin Island Fort Morgan Gulf Shores Orange Beach Amusement Parks Arizona Phoenix Scottsdale Sedona Australia Sydney Bahamas Barbados Beaches British Overseas Territory Turks and Caicos California Balboa Island Big Bear Lake Lake Tahoe On top of that, the weather is sometimes too windy to open the ski resorts. The temperature averages between -10 to 5 C. That's not considering the wind chill, which can make you feel like it's even colder than that. The Ultimate 7-Day Iceland Winter Itinerary There you can rent gear, including skis and snowboards. You can also take tours that allow you to hike or snowmobile on top of glaciers. If you are wanting to walk, snowmobile, or take a super jeep tour on top of a glacier, youll find there are several options for glacier day trips from Reykjavk. This includes a hands on cooking experience, followed by a three-course meal. If youre interested in reindeer, then head to eastern Iceland, where you can join an experienced guide on a Reindeer Safari to track down these beautiful animals. However, in the end, Iceland's strength is it's unique natural beauty, and that is also on full display during winter. Top Winter Activities in Iceland - Iceland Travel Guide However, with stops, Id recommend at least 9 to 10 hours. Enjoy your trip to Sweden and I agree, many of these tips should indeed transfer. One of the mostpopular year-round day trips from Reykjavk is to explore the Golden Circle, which includes a number of Icelands most popular landmarks. Celebrating Christmas or New Years in Iceland. They know where the best places to go are, the gear that is necessary, and what is and is not safe to attempt. The Nature Baths are not as crowded and located in a beautiful natural setting. If that sounds like fun you can book a heli-skiing trip on the Trllaskagi Peninsula (part of the northeast) with Arctic Heli Skiing or Viking Heli Skiing. If youd like to travel independently, but would rather have someone else make all the arrangements, you can alsobook aself-drive trip in Icelandwhere all the bookings are made for you (e.g., rental car, hotels), but you still travel independently and drive yourself. Connect with local hikers and hiking groups and they can let you know what places theyd recommend (and which they recommend avoiding) in the winter. However, for the best skiing (and chance of good snow) Id go in February or March, especially if you are a downhill skier or snowboarder. Visiting Reykjavik in winter is a fantastic way to discover how Iceland celebrates Christmas and other winter festivities. These range from the world famous Blue Lagoon to the local public baths to lesser known springs away from Reykjavk. There will also be clear and crisp days in between. You can also book day tours from Reykjavk that include a stop at a thermal bath or swimming pool along with a day of other activities. They are only accessible from around October and November until March. When choosing where to ski, Id base it on where you plan to travel in Iceland, past ski experience, and the current snow and trail conditions. Winter hiking opportunities can be found throughout the country, and include inland trails, coastal trails, and even a number of smaller mountains. Iceland is one of the best whale watching destinations in Europe with over 20 whale species found in its waters. In a word, yes! Also check the dates for the annual Food and Fun festival, which is the countrys largest food festival that takes place each winter in Reykjavk. Surprisingly, skiing and snowboarding are not massively popular in Iceland - or at least not in Reykjavik. , which includes domestic flights and stops atGoafoss Waterfall, the pseudocraters of Skutustadagigar, the lava pillars ofDimmuborgir, Reykjahlid village, the Krafla volcano, and Mvatn Nature baths. ), Id check out theHeimrk nature reserve, Elliardalur, and for an easy central hill hikeskjuhl. We also provide information on how to book winter day tours for those who want to base themselves in Reykjavk and take guided experiences. For more unusual winter experiences, you can join a dog sledding tour, or go ice fishing onLake Langavatn. Reykjavk is easy to explore by foot, car, or public transportation, and many of the citys top attractions are within walking distance of each other. Winters, even the most of spring and fall, are cold enough for you to carry some very heavy clothing and . If heli-skiing is a bit too scary or pricey for your tastes, you can also do cat skiing in northern Icelandwith companies such, 3. Snfellsnes Peninsula makes for a great day trip, and it takes about 2 hours to get from Reykjavk to the eastern side of the peninsula. For example, geothermal bath stops can be combined with Golden Circle tours (such as, For more information and advice on planning your trip to Iceland wed recommend checking out our Iceland. Without stops it takes about 3.5 hours to drive the route round-trip with return back to Reykjavk; however, with stops Id suggest at least 6 to 7 hours. Youll find over a dozen of these in Reykjavk alone, plus one in about every Icelandic town of any size. For example there isorrablt (Thorrablot)which is a mid-winter Icelandic festival which includes ancient Norse traditions and feasting on traditional Icelandic foods. I always desired to visit Iceland as an independent traveler, and sharing your experience helped me a lot to understand better how to organize myself. Or this full day tour includes a classic Golden Circle tour during the day and then Northern Lights hunting in the evening. The northern lights are stunningly beautiful, but they are very unpredictable. Seven Extreme Adventures in Iceland Get your blood pumping in the nation of extremes. Ok, now that we got the safety stuff out of the way, here's our list of top winter activities in Iceland: 1 Northern lights - Though not really an activity, Iceland's Northern Lights are one of the countries most popular winter draws and they are only visible during the "winter" months.By "winter," we mean roughly from September - March. Northern Iceland gets far fewer visitors in winter than the rest of Iceland. Iceland Our Trips to Iceland Find your inner Viking on a tour of the 'Land of the Midnight Sun.' Discover otherworldly glaciers, waterfalls, geysers, volcanoes, and the fabled Northern Lights on an Iceland adventure tour. Exploring the Wonders of the Golden Circle, One of the mostpopular year-round day trips from Reykjavk is to explore the Golden Circle, which includes a number of Icelands most popular landmarks. And Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO heritage site, is beautiful and rich in history. Every winter ice caves form in Vatnajkull glacier, Europe's largest glacier. Id check out local websites or newspapers, or talk to your hotel staff or locals to find out what holiday events will be happening during your visit. Have you been hearing press and blogs recommending Iceland as a winter destination? 1. It looks as if it is a truly unique place no wonder its one of the most popular destinations at the moment. If you are planning to hit the lesser known spots and pubic pools, youll want to bring your own towel and any gear as these will not be provided and may not be available to rent or buy on site. On the way to the Golden Circle, you can find the Fontana geothermal baths, located by Lake Laugarvatn. The Best Winter Activities in Iceland | Guide to Iceland If youd rather depart from another location, see tours listed in the section above. A whale watching tour can get you up close to these massive sea mammals, as well as a variety of other sea wildlife. In Reykjavik, you might want to try this food walking tour to try some of the cities specialities. Itineraries often include, or include the option to add-on, many of the recommended winter activities covered in this post. The most notable historical attraction is probablyThingvellir (ingvellir) National Parkwhich is a site of historical, geological, and religious importance because it was the place of the first church, the site of the first parliament in Europe (theAlingi general assembly), and has a number of notable geological features. The local publicbus system can get you to all the main cities and towns in Iceland and although not the quickest, it is the best budget option. Another company that offers well-reviewed whale watching tours are Elding which also operates the Whale Watching Centre. tour, which includes ten different beers! Or go on this 3-day self-drive tour. The one near Reykjavik, is Blafjoll. In the winter wed recommend joining a tour in Reykjavk for convenience and the fact that many tour operators dont operate during the winter in Hsavk. The issue is that the majority of the most popular trails are located in the Highlands and are inaccessible in winter due to snow and ice. If you are looking for a local experience, Id join locals at one of the public swimming pools, which generally include a geothermally heated large lap pool, hot tubs of varying temperatures, and a kiddie pool. That's because it's during those long dark nights that this breath-taking display is easiest to see. For the Blue Lagoon, we recommend checking out this list of tours that include a number of day trips to the Blue Lagoon, such as this day tour that includes stops at the main Golden Circle sites, Kerid Crater, and the Blue Lagoon. For those who are more fit, you can also join a private tour to summitSnfellsjkull with Summit Guides. Trying to explore an ice cave or tunnel, hike onto a glacier, or drive onto a glacier on your own can be incredibly dangerous if you dont have the necessary knowledge and equipment. If you are only going to do one tour while in Iceland in winter, wed recommend booking a Northern Lights tour. I thought it was going to be impossible to get around to all the awesome things, but it wasnt. As it is very close to Keflavik International Airport it's also often visited on the way to or from the airport. The main sea animals you are likely to see on a boat tour are the humpback whale, minke whale, fin whale, orca, white-beaked dolphin, and the harbor porpoise.
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