Perfect 6-Day Northern Lights Vacation in Iceland

Welcome to Iceland! Enjoy your first day in the land of fire and ice by exploring Reykjavik and a thrilling northern lights hunting tour.

Upon landing at Keflavik International Airport, you’ll collect your luggage and board the pre-booked shuttle bus to Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital. Depending on your flight’s arrival time, you may have time to spend a few hours sightseeing once you’ve checked into your accommodation.

Though Reykjavik has a small population, it’s a unique city with plenty to offer. You’ll find several excellent art galleries and fascinating museums to teach you about Icelandic culture and history. You can also visit the Hallgrimskirkja church, one of the country’s highest buildings, for sweeping views over the city.

Head to the city’s coastline to see the Sun Voyager sculpture, then go to the Old Harbor to admire the striking Harpa Concert Hall.

When you’re ready for dinner, try some traditional Icelandic food in one of Reykjavik’s world-class restaurants, then head to a pub for a drink with some locals. Ensure you don’t linger too long, as now it’ll be time for your exciting evening tour to hunt for the northern lights.

When booking your vacation package, you can choose to take a bus tour into the Icelandic countryside or a boat tour of Faxafloi Bay. On both tours, an experienced local guide will take you to an area with low cloud cover, consulting an advanced aurora forecast to predict where the lights will appear.

The northern lights are a natural phenomenon, so there’s no guarantee you’ll see them during your trip — but taking a tour with experts will increase your chances.

After a beautiful evening spent (hopefully) watching the aurora borealis dancing in the sky above, you’ll return to your accommodation in downtown Reykjavik for a good night’s sleep.

The second day of your perfect Iceland vacation will take you on a guided tour along the Golden Circle, the country’s most famous sightseeing route.

The first stop is Thingvellir National Park. This beautiful valley is located directly between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, both of which can be seen as you walk through the forests and lava landscapes.

If you’re looking for a unique experience, you can book a Silfra snorkeling tour here and witness an incredible underwater world. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

Next, you’ll come to the Haukadalur Valley, home to the famous Geysir geothermal area. Geysir itself isn’t very active today, but the nearby Strokkur geyser erupts every five to 10 minutes. In between eruptions, there are plenty of bubbling hot springs to marvel over.

The third attraction is the Gullfoss waterfall. This powerful and beautiful waterfall is striking year-round but is particularly breathtaking in winter when icicles cling to the rocks surrounding it.

In addition to the snorkeling experience in the Silfra Fissure, you can add two optional excursions today. Explore Iceland’s countryside on horseback with a horseriding tour, or enjoy a thrilling snowmobiling ride over the Langjokull glacier.

On your way back to Reykjavik after the Golden Circle tour, you’ll stop at the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa for a soothing sensory experience. Release all your tension and let the azure waters soothe tired muscles and joints from yesterday’s flight.

Please note that if you have arranged additional activities with your Golden Circle tour, such as snorkeling, horseback riding, or snowmobiling, the Blue Lagoon will be scheduled on your arrival or departure day instead to ensure you have time to take full advantage of its restorative powers.

The Blue Lagoon is world-famous for its healing, mineral-rich waters. You’ll want to relax here and take your time bathing and enjoying a soothing face pack.

You’ll return to your accommodation in Reykjavik in the evening.

Enjoy free time sightseeing in Reykjavik, or add a day trip to the magnificent Snaefellsnes Peninsula on your last full day in Iceland.

Locals often call the Snaefellsnes Peninsula “Iceland in miniature” because it offers various natural attractions. Anything you can visit in Iceland can also be found here — glaciers, volcanoes, mountains, black-sand beaches, and more. 

You’ll visit the stunning Djupalonssandur beach, home to the historic lifting stones, and the iconic “arrowhead” mountain from Game of Thrones (known more accurately as the Kirkjufell mountain). You’ll also explore Snaefellsjokull National Park, home to a glacier-capped stratovolcano.

The Snaefellsjokull volcano is visible throughout the Snaefellsnes Peninsula — it’s even visible from Reykjavik on a clear day. You’ll quickly understand why its dramatic presence has inspired many artists, including Jules Verne, who used it as a setting in his novel A Journey to the Center of the Earth.

The day trip to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula can be included in the vacation package, but if you’d prefer to stay in Reykjavik, you can book a free day in the city instead (for a reduced price). You’ll find plenty of sightseeing opportunities in the city. Visit one of the city’s best art galleries, such as the Einar Jonsson Museum and Sculpture Garden or the National Gallery.

You can also learn more about Icelandic history and culture at the Settlement Exhibition at Reykjavik City Museum. Or, why not discover the marine life in Icelandic waters at the Whales of Iceland Museum?

Whale lovers can also take advantage of a whale-watching boat tour from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. Alternatively, if you’re seeking more excitement, you can take an exhilirating ATV tour through the Icelandic countryside instead. Zoom across hills, valleys, and rivers on an all-terrain vehicle. 

If you’re looking for a relaxing experience, you can also opt for a swim and spa experience in the Sky Lagoon, where you can unwind in the geothermal waters while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding landscape. It's the perfect way to rejuvenate both body and mind.

Whatever you decide to do, your final full day in Iceland will be one to remember. You’ll spend the last night in your accommodation in Reykjavik before your flight home the next day.