Exciting Two-Week Northern Lights Winter Vacation in Iceland

Welcome to the wonderland that is Iceland in winter!

After landing at Keflavik International Airport and passing through customs, you'll find a shuttle bus waiting to take you to Reykjavik. Alternatively, if you've chosen a private transfer, you'll meet your driver and start your journey toward the capital. 

You'll travel through the Reykjanes Peninsula, enjoying your first look at Iceland's volcanic landscapes, before continuing along the coast and into the city. The peninsula is home to the Fagradalsfjall volcano, which erupted in 2021, 2022, and early 2023, drastically changing the area's geography.

Reykjanes is also the location of the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. You can choose to add a ticket to the Blue Lagoon to your vacation — ask your personal travel consultant to book your entry for a time that suits you.

Depending on your flight's arrival time, you might want to go straight to your accommodation or spend the rest of the day sightseeing. Reykjavik is a beautiful, vibrant city — especially when covered in snow in the winter. Walk through the colorful streets and get to know the city on foot. 

Reykjavik has a small population for a capital city (only about 120,000 people live here), but it's a bustling city with plenty to do. You'll find fascinating museums dedicated to Icelandic history and culture — a great introduction to Iceland — and brilliant art galleries. Walking around is the best way to see the city, but there are regular buses if you prefer.

After a busy first day sightseeing, you can enjoy your first taste of Icelandic cuisine at one of the city's numerous restaurants. After dinner, you can visit a pub for a drink with locals or head to a dark corner of the city to see if you can catch your first glimpse of the northern lights.

You'll spend your first night in accommodation in downtown Reykjavik.

Today, you can immerse yourself in the Blue Lagoon's soothing waters or enjoy Reykjavik's top sights.

If you don't want to visit the Blue Lagoon today, you can spend your day how you like. 

Reykjavik has so much to see and do.

Climb the tower of the Hallgrimskirkja church for a sweeping view of the city from above. 

Head to the Harpa Concert Hall to admire the modern architecture and coastal views. 

Explore the Old Harbor and the Laugavegur shopping street. 

Visit the National Gallery of Iceland to see art by local artists. 

Go to the Icelandic Phallological Museum for something a bit different. There's so much to do!

Alternatively, if you've chosen to visit the Blue Lagoon today, you can spend the day relaxing. 

Located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the geothermal spa is renowned for its vivid blue waters. It contains algae and beneficial bacteria found nowhere else on Earth. It's also rich in therapeutic minerals such as silica and has an international reputation for its medicinal qualities, healing issues of the mind, body, and soul.

With the basic entrance (Comfort level), you'll enjoy access to the pools, saunas, steam rooms, and silica masks on-site, allowing you to rejuvenate from your travels yesterday and fortify yourself for the journey ahead.

Those seeking a little more luxury could organize a Premium-level entrance, which grants you a bathrobe, slippers, an extra therapy mask, and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine if you dine at the lagoon's excellent Lava Restaurant.

After your luxurious time unwinding in the Blue Lagoon spa, you'll return to Reykjavik. 

Feel free to check out one of the lively bars and restaurants or wander around the striking landmarks. However, you'll want to ensure you don't stay out too late, as your eight-day adventure around Iceland's Ring Road starts tomorrow.

You'll return to your Reykjavik accommodation for another night.

Today, you'll continue your Ring Road tour by traveling into the remote East Fjords region.

Due to its distance from Reykjavik, very few travelers to Iceland visit the Eastern Region. While this is unfortunate for them, as they miss such beauty, it's excellent news for you — you'll be able to marvel over the sights without any disturbance from crowds.

The first significant attractions you'll visit are the dramatic mountains of Vestrahorn and Eystrahorn, composed of dark gabbro rock and boasting jagged peaks. You'll have time for a photo stop before you continue your journey through the winding East Fjords.

Deep, winding bays define this region. You'll see towering mountains, tiny fishing villages, and abundant wildlife as you enjoy sweeping views of the Vatnajokull glacier. 

The cliffs have an abundance of birds, even in the winter. The waters are home to seals, and the east is the only part of the country where you can find roaming herds of wild reindeer.

You'll make plenty of stops throughout the day, visiting sites steeped in folklore and pausing at viewpoints to enjoy your surroundings. As you pass through the villages, you'll better understand Iceland's old way of life because the culture persists in these remote settlements.

Travelers on this package can also participate in a couple of optional excursions today. Go horseback riding through the picturesque countryside of East Iceland — this is a fantastic tour for animal lovers. Icelandic horses are known for being friendly and have a unique gait called a tolt.

Alternatively, you can book a trip to the Vok Baths, floating geothermal infinity pools. The baths are an interesting counterpoint to the Blue Lagoon and a fantastic way to relax after a busy few days.

As the day draws to a close, your group will head to Egilsstadir, East Iceland’s largest town. You'll check in to your accommodation in this region. 

Don't forget to watch out for the northern lights before you sleep!

One week down! To mark the halfway point of your 14-day trip to Iceland, you'll travel into North Iceland to visit the geothermal wonders of Lake Myvatn.

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you'll board the bus and continue your journey around the Ring Road, heading north. Your first major stop will be the barren Namaskard Pass, a geothermal area near Lake Myavtn.

Here, on a mountain plateau, you'll see a row of fuming steam vents pouring columns of steam into the sky. The air is sulfuric, and there are no signs of life around — your guide will tell you why as you discover the intensive power of Iceland's volcanic forces.

You'll continue to the Dimmuborgir lava fortress, a dramatic basalt landmark filled with towering rock formations and hidden caves. The gorgeous area is steeped in folklore. 

It's said to be the home of Iceland's Christmas Trolls and their child-eating mother. You can learn more about Icelandic Christmas traditions as you explore the basalt structures.

Dimmuborgir is an especially great place to visit for Game of Thrones fans, as it was the principal shooting location for Mance Raider's Wildling camp in the hit series.

Your driver will now take your group to Lake Myvatn. Contrasting with the barren nature of Namaskard and Dimmuborgir, the lake is more serene and blooming with life. An abundance of birdlife lives here, and you can see unique flora if you visit outside of midwinter.

Geological marvels stand around every corner of the lake, adding even more beauty to the region. Basalt pillars stand tall from the icy waters, and rows of bizarre pseudocraters hug the lake's shores.

When your group has finished exploring the lake, you'll journey up to the "Capital of the North," the town of Akureyri. This cultural hotspot has everything a traveler could ask for: boutiques, restaurants, bars, beautiful architecture, and breathtaking views of the Eyjafjordur fjord. 

You'll spend the night in a hotel in North Iceland.

Welcome back to Reykjavik! After a busy eight-day tour of the Ring Road, you now have a few days of free time in Iceland's capital, with optional excursions to make your time even more special.

After the once-in-a-lifetime journey you've just had, you might be ready for a relaxing day in the city. You can go to a local swimming pool for a dip — the Vesturbaejarlaug is a favorite among Reykjavik's residents. You could also visit any of the city's numerous museums or galleries. 

Alternatively, if you have the energy and want to pack in the excitement, there are a few optional tours for you to choose from today. 

You might want to take a helicopter ride over the geothermal areas surrounding Reykjavik. Make your way to Reykjavik Domestic Airport and enjoy a thrilling takeoff, flying over the city skyline and witnessing the capital's landmarks shrinking below you. 

You'll then fly over the surrounding landscapes for a fantastic new perspective over Iceland. Conditions permitting, you'll also land on a mountaintop to disembark. Let yourself be blown away by the country's beauty from a new angle.

If you're not keen on flying, you could take a Super Jeep tour into the Highlands instead. You'll go off-roading into the beautiful Landmannalaugar hiking area, which is only accessible with 4X4 vehicles during the winter season.

Landmannalaugar is full of brightly colored rhyolite mountains, dramatic craters, and bubbling hot springs. You'll have the chance to bathe in one of these natural springs as part of your trip, without the crowds that usually fill them in summer. It's a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Iceland's nature and enjoy an exciting ride.

Whatever you choose to do, you'll have an enjoyable day. Spend your evening making the most of Reykjavik's nightlife options. You'll find plenty of pubs and bars for a drink with your friends or family — chat with the locals and make the most of your time in Iceland's largest city.

You'll spend the night in your accommodation in downtown Reykjavik.

On day 12 of your two-week Icelandic vacation, you can choose between sightseeing in Reykjavik or embarking on exciting nature tours with optional excursions. 

If you want to relax in Reykjavik, you should still have plenty to keep you entertained. You could book a space on a walking tour to explore more of the city with an expert local guide. Alternatively, you can walk around the city's picturesque parks and enjoy the wintery landscapes. 

For a panoramic view of the city, head to the Perlan Observation Deck, just outside the city center. Take a few photos, then head into the museum's exhibitions to learn more about the natural wonders of Iceland.

Those who choose to book an excursion have a few good options. One choice is a trip back into Thingvellir National Park to snorkel in the Silfra fissure. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

The fissure sits between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates and is filled with crystal-clear glacial meltwater. Swim between the plates and enjoy amazing views beneath the water — visibility extends almost 330 feet (about 100 meters).

It might not sound appealing to jump into glacial water in winter, but the tour provider will give you an insulating undersuit and dry suit to keep the cold away.

A second optional tour is a snowmobiling excursion on the Langjokull glacier, the second-largest ice cap in Iceland. You'll set out on a thrilling adventure across the ice. Get your adrenaline pumping and see a glacier up close as you enjoy the incredible views.

The final option is ideal for anyone who enjoyed their ice-caving tour. You can descend into a hand-carved ice tunnel within the Langjokull glacier. You'll ride a Super Jeep over the glacier to reach the tunnel's entrance and can then explore the corridors and chambers on foot. 

After getting to know Reykjavik better or taking a fantastic excursion, you'll spend the night in your accommodation in the capital.

On the penultimate day of your two-week winter vacation in Iceland, you can enjoy some final sightseeing in Reykjavik or take a last excursion out of the city.

Those staying in Reykjavik can visit a couple of museums to solidify their knowledge of Icelandic culture. Animal lovers can see the Whales of Iceland exhibit, while keen musicians should check out the Punk Museum. The Saga Museum is perfect for anyone interested in folklore, while the Settlement Exhibition will teach you more about Iceland's first inhabitants.

If you'd prefer to immerse yourself in art, head to the Einar Jonsson Museum and Sculpture Garden or the Reykjavik Art Museum. It's also worth heading to the coast to see the famous Sun Voyager sculpture.

Anyone who'd prefer to participate in a final excursion can do this instead. Travelers visiting in September or October can take a group trip to the interior of the Thrihnukagigur volcano. Enjoy a hike to the entry point, then descend 400 feet (about 120 meters) to the bottom of the volcano's crater.

You'll get a unique view and can better appreciate the impressive size and power of Icelandic volcanoes. 

Thrillseekers also have the option to book an ATV tour. Spend two hours zooming through the Icelandic countryside on an off-roading vehicle, splashing through rivers and ascending hills. It's a great way to enjoy a final rush before the end of your trip.

Anyone traveling as a family might prefer a gentler end to their trip.

If so, book tickets to the FlyOver Iceland 4D Cinema experience. You'll sit on a suspended seat with your feet hanging below you, enjoying a simulated flight through some of Iceland's most iconic landscapes. The spherical screen and special effects create an unforgettable experience — you can visit the country's highlights without leaving Reykjavik.

After a busy day, you can spend your evening however you wish. You might want to make the most of your final chance to see the northern lights by heading out of the city, or you may prefer to enjoy dinner and drinks with your friends and family. 

You'll spend your last night in your accommodation in Reykjavik.