10 Best Things to do in Iceland in Winter

Are you ready to discover a magical world? Here’s my selection of the best winter attractions and activities in Iceland! Visiting Iceland in winter is a unique experience: lava fields as far as the eye can see, snow-covered landscapes in black and white, frozen waterfalls as if time has stood still, ice or lava caves, glittering glaciers… And when night comes, the suspense is at its peak: will you see the Northern Lights tonight?

Discover the Golden Circle in Winter

Planning a trip to Iceland this winter? Don’t miss the Golden Circle under the snow! ! Explore Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main trail is well maintained even in winter and you can easily walk through the rift and admire the area under a snow cap. The geothermal area of Haukadalur, home to the famous Geysir, is one of the highlights of the Golden Circle in both summer and winter. Finally, the mighty Gullfoss waterfall looks even more impressive in a landscape covered in a soft white blanket.

Glacier hiking with a guide

In Iceland, winter is the best time to hike on a glacier: it’s an unforgettable experience! The Sólheimajökull glacier offers breathtaking scenery with its bluish crevasses, tunnels and ice arches. Explore these natural wonders in complete safety and immerse yourself in the wilderness with an experienced guide. Feel the thrill as you navigate through icy landscapes.

 

Visit a natural ice cave

Visiting a natural ice cave is one of the highlights of winter travel in Iceland. . Ice caves are constantly evolving natural phenomena. They are only accessible in winter. (from November to March). Every winter, ice caves form under the glaciers. And every summer, they melt or collapse… The most famous caves are on the Vatnajökull and Kötlujökull glacier tongues.

These ice cavities change every day as the glaciers move and the weather changes. Depending on the light, the intensity of the blue will be more or less intense! The thickness of the ice is also a parameter, and it’s important to understand that the less white air bubbles there are in the ice, the bluer it will be..

Meet the animals of Iceland!

In winter, you can reindeer in the western fjords, seals basking on the ice floes, arctic foxes, eider ducks and, of course, Icelandic horses! These equines are adorable, stocky and robust. The Icelandic horse is a unique breed of smallish horses. They have amazing adaptation skills and do well in the ice-cold climates. You can see them along roadsides all over the island.

 

Explore the beautiful frozen waterfalls

Icelandic winter offers a new spectacle: seeing frozen or partially frozen waterfalls… as if frozen in time. Even the mighty Gullfoss takes on a magical appearance in winter. Due to the immense flow of water, it never completely freezes over, but is dressed in its winter coat: glittering icicles, ice stalactites in white and blue, frozen mists…

See the amazing ice stalagmites in the Víðgelmir lava tunnel

In Iceland, you can also explore lava tubes during the winter season. A lava tube is formed by a volcanic flow that cools at the surface, forming a solid crust, but remains fluid at depth, allowing the lava to continue flowing. When the flow is no longer fed by molten lava, it empties, leaving a gallery-like cavity.

The Víðgelmir lava tunnel is easily accessible. There are only a few steps and a good path all the way. It can be visited in summer, but there’s something special about winter. In one area of the Víðgelmir lava tunnel, impressive ice stalagmites form on top of the lava!

 

Visit Iceland’s Diamond Beach

Indulge in the breathtaking beauty of a beach, where glistening icebergs resemble sparkling diamonds under the winter sun. In winter, wave-sculpted icebergs wash up on the volcanic black sand of Breiðamerkursandur in Iceland. It is nicknamed Diamond Beach. CGlittering icebergs create a unique landscape. Every one of them is unique, in size, shape, color – pristine whites, blues, dark almost black!

 

Relaxing in the soothing hot springs

Winter in Iceland isn’t just about the cold! You can warm up in the geothermal areas. Seltún is a geothermal hot spring system in Krýsuvík volcanic area, in southwest Iceland. This area is known for its boiling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and vibrant, colorful mineral deposits. When an active geothermal zone meets white snow… it’s an amazing show. And of course, you can still relax in the hot springs. Such as the Blue Lagoon or Secret Lagoon.

 

Enjoying the snowy landscapes

As you drive along road number 1, magnificent winter landscapes flash by. It’s impossible to take your eyes off these landscapes: black lava and pristine snow, snow-capped glaciers, lagoons and frozen waterfalls. Iceland is worth visiting in winter for the unique beauty of its snow-covered landscapes.

Hunting the Northern Lights

Seeing the dancing colors of the Northern Lights is a must-do activity in Iceland during the winter. The chances of seeing this natural phenomenon are best between October and April. The long nights are ideal for observing this unique phenomenon. Are you ready for a nighttime outing?