Iceland in winter (December to March) can be a magical experience. The island offers visitors so many once-in-a-lifetime experiences and people travel from far and wide to spend the festive season in what can only be described as a true winter wonderland.
If you’ve been wondering when to book your trip to Iceland, this article is for you. We do a deep dive into the season and whether it will allow you to tick off all those Iceland bucket list itinerary items.
The Pros and Cons of Spending Iceland in Winter
As with most things in life, spending Iceland in winter has its pros and cons. We’ve compiled a quick overview so you don’t have to:
Pros
The summer months are considered the peak tourist season in Iceland. And peak tourist season brings with it…masses of tourists, of course. Visiting Iceland in winter allows you to skip the crowds.
With the summer crowds in your rearview mirror, you can also wave goodbye to peak season prices.
You truly get to experience Iceland and it’s absolutely gorgeous.
You get to see beautiful seasonal attractions such as the ice caves or the Northern Lights.
Cons
Certain parts of the island are almost completely inaccessible during the winter months. For example, if you have things that you want to do or see in the Westfjords or the Highlands, you might want to come during the summer season.
The weather in Iceland has almost been pretty unpredictable, but with the legendary Icelandic winds and snow also in the mix, you can expect sudden road closures. This can often create havoc with a well-planned itinerary or a road trip.
It should be fairly obvious, but Iceland in winter is extremely cold. So if you’re not someone that can handle temperatures well below freezing you might want to give Iceland in winter a skip.
What You Can Expect From the Weather When Visiting Iceland in Winter
A famous local saying says that “you can experience all four seasons in a day in Iceland”, but even though you’ll get some sun during the winter months, you won’t get close to summer temperatures.
But it’s these low temperature that makes many of the Iceland attractions in winter and things to do in Iceland during winter possible in the first place.
In general, the thermometer will rarely move above the 0-degree mark. Even though you can expect temperatures ranging from -30 to 2 degrees Celsius. The cities such as Reykjavik can feel slightly warmer due to the buildings providing a certain amount of shelter against the winter elements.
And winter is the season in Iceland where you get to experience almost all of the elements at play; rain, sun, snow, winds, etc. Daylight hours are also few and far between, so keep that in mind when compiling your itinerary.
At its peak, you can expect just about 4 hours of daylight each day. But, once again, this darkness is also what makes certain Iceland winter activities possible.
Packing List When Traveling to Iceland in Winter
We often get asked this question. And before you start packing your entire closet for “just in case” use this handy packing list as a guide:
Raincoat
Waterproof, long winter coat
Waterproof jacket
Wool and fleece sweaters (just take a couple of woolen sweaters as you definitely want to buy a few of the authentic Icelandic woolen sweaters once you’re here)
Waterproof winter pants
Winter pants (for when you’re just out and about in the city)
T-shirts & long-sleeved shirts
Thermal underwear
Woolen socks
Waterproof hiking boots (irrespective of whether you’re planning on going camping or not)
An extra pair of shoes (you’ll want to change out of your wet, muddy gear before you enter a hotel or a restaurant.
Ice cleats
Warm, waterproof gloves
Warm hat (beanies work really well)
Warm scarf
Bathing suit (for when you want to take a dip in the hot springs)
Flip flops (for public restrooms and the hot springs)
A Quick drying towel (you do not want to walk around with wet things during the wintertime)
Sunglasses
Thermos Flask (this works well for both having water on hand as well as staying stocked up on delicious hot drinks out in the cold)
Flashlight
Moisturizing cream and lip balm ( dry skin and cracked lips are a real thing in Iceland during the winter months)
Washcloths (most accommodation do not provide these)
Electronic devices: charger, cables, adapter, power bank, etc.
Toiletries and medications (just remember to double-check flight restrictions before vital medicines get confiscated at the airport)
Backpack (for day outings)
Small ice scraper or foldable snow shovel (even though you probably won’t be able to bring this along with you on your flight, we’re still placing it here as a reminder since you WILL be needing one of these if you’re planning on renting a car and most rental agencies do not provide them)
Camping in Iceland in Winter
We often get asked whether camping is still one of the things to do in Iceland in winter. And it is, but probably not because of the reasons you think. Unless you’re Bear Grylls shooting a survivalist series, Iceland in winter is not the time to go camping on the island.
So you will also find that certain campsites close during the winter months. Others might fall within the regions that are inaccessible during winter too, so unless you grow wings you won’t be able to get to them either.
But there are a few other campsites that remain open and are a good solution if you want to cut down on some accommodation costs. By renting a campervan you’ll be able to tick off both accommodation and transport on your Iceland to-do list.
If you’re really clever, you’ll purchase a Camping Card and save even more! A Camping Card only costs €159 and will grant access to a family of 2 adults and up to 4 children for 28 nights at certain campsites around the island. Once again, just double-check which ones are open, though.
Driving in Iceland in Winter
Driving in Iceland can be one of the most challenging things to do in the winter months. This is because you never know what type of weather you’ll ru… drive into along the way. And sudden road closures can require a number of U-turns.
We highly recommend that you also have a chat with your rental agency about the routes you were planning on taking. As locals, they will be able to advise whether it’s better to opt for a 4x4 vehicle and which winter accessories you will need to make your ride as smooth as possible.
Also, keep a close eye on the Iceland weather forecasts and check the Iceland road conditions before heading out.
Things to Do When Spending Winter in Iceland
As we’ve already mentioned before, there are plenty of places to visit in Iceland in winter and just as many things to do. Here are a few things you can consider adding to your Iceland itinerary:
Experience the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights is an amazing neon-light display brought to you by mother nature. It’s a truly extraordinary experience to see these waves of light dance across the Icelandic sky. As one of the top things to do in Iceland in winter, many visitors try to DIY their own Northern Lights hunt, but we won’t recommend it.
The Northern Lights only appear under very specific conditions and as locals, experienced guides know exactly where and when to spot this phenomenon. So rather book your spot on a Northern Lights tour for an almost guaranteed sighting.
Visit the Waterfalls
Iceland has 10 000 waterfalls scattered all across the island and the one is more impressive than the other. Even though it might sound a bit counterintuitive to scout out natural water wonders during the winter months. It still remains one of the best things to do in Iceland in winter.
It is absolutely astounding to see some of these powerful cascading water masses with icicles like fangs hanging down from the cliffs and the surrounding landscape covered in a thick blanket of white snow. Some of the favorite places to visit in Iceland during winter include:
Gullfoss waterfall
Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Dettifoss waterfall
Svartifoss waterfall
Godafoss waterfall
Camping in Iceland in Winter
We often get asked whether camping is still one of the things to do in Iceland in winter. And it is, but probably not because of the reasons you think. Unless you’re Bear Grylls shooting a survivalist series, Iceland in winter is not the time to go camping on the island.
So you will also find that certain campsites close during the winter months. Others might fall within the regions that are inaccessible during winter too, so unless you grow wings you won’t be able to get to them either.
But there are a few other campsites that remain open and are a good solution if you want to cut down on some accommodation costs. By renting a campervan you’ll be able to tick off both accommodation and transport on your Iceland to-do list.
If you’re really clever, you’ll purchase a Camping Card and save even more! A Camping Card only costs €159 and will grant access to a family of 2 adults and up to 4 children for 28 nights at certain campsites around the island (once, again, just double-check which ones are open, though).
Driving in Iceland in Winter
Driving in Iceland can be one of the most challenging things to do in the winter months. This is because you never know what type of weather you’ll ru… drive into along the way. And sudden road closures can require a number of U-turns.
We highly recommend that you also have a chat with your rental agency about the routes you were planning on taking. As locals, they will be able to advise whether it’s better to opt for a 4x4 vehicle and which winter accessories you will need to make your ride as smooth as possible.
Also, keep a close eye on the Iceland weather forecasts and check the Iceland road conditions before heading out.
Explore the Ice Caves
The ice caves are a once-in-a-lifetime experience and remain some of the best places to visit in Iceland in wintertime. Ice caves are naturally formed by either water or lava having tunneled its way through a glacier.
Because these ice caves melt during the summer months, they are not open to visitors during the warmer seasons. This also means that you can visit the same ice cave each year and not see it exactly as it was the previous time you visited the site. Some of the best ice cave places to go in Iceland in winter include:
Katla Ice Cave
Crystal Ice Cave
Skaftafell Ice Caves
Langjökull Ice Cave
Vatnajökull Ice Caves
Take a Dip in a Hot Spring
Due to the volcanic activity on the island heating up the underground water supply, you’ll find many natural hot springs all across the island. Some of these you can still experience in their natural form whilst others have been turned into geothermal public pools.
As you can imagine, the ones still found in their natural state are mostly free to use, but the geothermal pools will require paying an entrance fee and they also have other amenities such as spas you may opt to use at an additional fee. Iceland hot spring places to visit in winter include:
Hrunalaug
Reykjadalur
Kvika Footbath
Go on a Road Trip
We are still convinced that this is the best way to explore the island and get to all the must-see places in Iceland in winter. Even though some areas and roads will be closed, a few route adjustments will still allow you to do some of the most popular road trip routes and do some of the best winter activities in Iceland along the way. These routes include:
The Golden Circle
The Westfjords Way
The South Coast Way
The Arctic Coast Way
The Ring Road
Let an Icelandic Horse Show You Around
Iceland is known for its very own breed of horse very unimaginatively called the Icelandic Horse. These horses have a short, stubby build that makes them look more like ponies than full-grown horses and they have a wonderful friendly nature. They are also known for their special gait called the tölt during which the horse always has one hoove on the ground.
This gait is said to be so smooth that it has inspired some friendly fun in the form of the beer tölt. During a beer tölt, the rider must hold a pint of beer whilst the horse is performing the gait without spilling even one drop of beer. You will find plenty of Icelandic horse tours in and around the cities and in some areas you can even stop by the horse farms themselves.
Take a Walk on a Black Sand Beach
Iceland’s iconic black sand beaches are also because of the island’s volcanic activity. They are formed when hot lava meets the cold ocean. It quickly cools down and forms a dark hard sediment.
Over time this sediment is broken down by the elements to leave what we now see as black sand. This is something you must do in Iceland when visiting during the winter season. And if you choose the right spot, you’ll even get a plane wreckage as part of the deal (don’t worry, no one got hurt). Some of the black sand beaches that are must-see spots in Iceland in winter are:
Reynisfjara
Dyrholaey
Diamond Beach
Stokksnes
Solheimasandur
Go Skiing or Snowboarding
These are definitely some of the best winter activities in Iceland. Many don’t know just how big these sports are on the island. Iceland actually plays host to quite a few international competitions such as the AK Extreme Festival in Akureyri.
Whilst some travelers might already be pros and others, it doesn’t mean that beginners need to sit out on the fun. There are plenty of slopes for all ages and skill levels. Some of the must-see (and ski) slopes in Iceland during winter are:
Iceland in Winter; a Magical Time to Visit
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do and see when you travel to Iceland in wintertime. By using our article as a guide, you will not only be prepared for everything this season brings with it, but also easily compile an Iceland 5-day+ itinerary for your winter trip to the island.
May the majestic surroundings and some of the best things to do in Iceland in winter make this the trip of a lifetime!
Commentaires