Sunrise peeking over the mountains as we hike onto the glacier

Planning a winter trip to Iceland? Iceland should be on every adventurer’s bucket list. From glacier hikes and ice caves to hot springs, lagoons, and the Northern Lights, Iceland offers unforgettable experiences at every turn. Below are our top 10 things to do in Iceland in winter based on our personal trip.

If you want more suggestions for your trip check out our other blog posts: Iceland Winter Packing List and our Ultimate 9 Day Iceland Roadtrip Guide.

Top 10 Things To Do In Iceland (Quick Overview):

Northen Lights In Iceland
Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike Tour
Skaftafell Glacier Hike Tour
Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Blue Lagoon Spa Experience
Skógafoss Waterfall
Reykavik Food Tour
Golden Circle Geysirs Area
Sky Lagoon Spa Experience
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Northern Lights In Iceland

Jesse getting his northern lights moment

It has always been Jesse’s dream to see the northern lights in all their glory which made planning this trip all the more special. There are few better places on the planet then Iceland if you’re looking for a northern lights show.

Our advice is to go during winter if you want the best chances at seeing them. We went in mid November and I made sure to plan it around when the moon will be at it’s smallest. If you do this, you’re most likely going to luck out. From there, you just have to wait for a low cloud coverage night.

We suggest downloading the Aurora app and track the KP Index. Anything over 4 means you’ll have a decent chance at spotting them but will see only green. Anything from 7-8 and you’re going to see the northern lights in all their glory. A fiery display of greens and reds.

Keep in mind, to the naked eye the northern lights often don’t look like more then dancing clouds unless the KP Index is high. Once you capture them on camera you’ll see them fully.

Side note, once you start flying over Greenland, keep a look out during your flight. We got to see them from our plane window!

Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike Tour

Another big reason of ours for heading to Iceland was the glaciers. We couldn’t get it out of our heads! We booked two separate tours and both were equally as impressive but shockingly very different experiences.

The first glacier hike we did was Sólheimajökull. We booked this through Icelandia and thought they did an excellent job! We were lucky enough to get a private tour which admittedly made it more special as the guide was able to take us on more daring adventures across the ice sheet that wouldn’t have been safe to do with larger groups.

Not only did we get to trek across the glacier but we got to rappel down into some crevasse’s, hike along their river systems and explore multiple ice caves. Forewarned though, ice climbing is tough work and my toes ached by the time I got to the top!

If you’re looking for the ultimate glacier adventure, this is the one to book!

Smiling cause we just rappelled down 50 feet of ice wall!

Skaftafell Glacier Hike Tour

The second glacier hike we did was the Blue Ice Experience with Icelandia in Skaftafell. Although much more tame than the first hike, the wow factor might have been even greater!

This hike is definitely more of a leisurely walk which was perfect because everywhere you look is a new opportunity for an amazing photo op. Without extreme adventure and continuous safety briefings our guide was able to take the time to explain the history of the glacier and share about the erosion it’s facing.

If you’re nervous about getting out on the ice, this would be our recommendation for you.

Helmet, harness and axe are all for show - didn’t use them once!

Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon

We happen to stumble upon this lagoon while driving to Diamond Beach and it turned out to my personal favourite view point of the entire trip!

Hanging out on an iceberg..what’s cooler than that?

This is one of the only places where you can get up close with the Icebergs and ice wall without being on the glacier hikes. We spent at least two hours here just marvelling at the view in front of us.

Blue Lagoon Spa Experience

Believe it or not we almost didn’t book a trip to the famous Blue Lagoon. I saw a lot of Tiktoks about people reviewing all the spa’s and I was almost convinced out of going. It’s no secret these spa experiences are pricey and with the Sky Lagoon already booked I wasn’t so sure this was going to make it on the agenda. But Jesse was right when he said “where else in the world will we get the chance to soak in volcanic blue water like this”. So we went!

Highly recommend if you’re looking to check off a really cool, once in a lifetime activity. We stayed for four hours and until our hands were pruning.

Fun fact - if you hang out near the edges, the water will be at it’s warmest and the clicking noises will be at their loudest.

Skógafoss Waterfall

If you’re traveling through Iceland in a campervan it’s likely you’ll be stopping here overnight along the way. If you’re just driving through on your way to a hotel then make sure you add a stop here. You won’t regret it!

One of the most beautiful waterfalls we saw

You can climb all the way to the top and look out over the falls. If I’m being honest, we didn’t do this - lame I know. But you should. The grandeur of these falls is unlike anything else we saw in Iceland and you can walk all the way up to the base.

Reykjavik Food Tour

One of the best parts of traveling anywhere in the world is getting to try new local foods. And while that is absolutely the case in Iceland and you should absolutely try the local food - especially the lamb stew, that is not what I recommending here. Below are our top two recommendations of what to try in Reykjavik.

A must try is the cinnamon buns from Brauð & co. As I mentioned in previous blogs, Jesse and I consider ourselves cinnamon bun connoisseurs and it’s not easy to make the top of the list but wow did they blow away everything else we’ve ever tried. I don’t know what magic they put into it but the dough is so soft with a slight crunch from the sugar, making for the perfect combination.

Next up on the must try list is the famous Icelandic hot dog and specifically the stand just to the left of the Hallgrímskirkja church. It’s got a really unique flavour to the sauce that will keep you coming back for more - just ask Jesse. He went back 3 times!

Golden Circle Geysir Area

The Geysirs on the Golden Circle route are a must see. Seeing the water bubble and boil until it goes off in a massive explosions of steam, shooting up into the sky was seriously impressive and left us in awe of what nature is capable of.

If you’re heading south on the main route, going to the Geysirs will be out of the way but we think it’s worth the extra few hours in the car.

Caught on camera just as it’s about to burst

Sky Lagoon Spa Experience

What’s a vacation without a proper spa experience to reset you before heading home? Jesse and I always try to fit one in on the last few days of our trips and Iceland is no exception. While I mentioned going to the Blue Lagoon above, the Sky Lagoon is where it’s at if you want a traditional spa experience. This lagoon is relaxing, tranquil and comes with a complimentary 7 step process where you’re guided through a series of steps to find the ultimate relaxation.

We went at night and while I though this made the mood just right, Jesse wishes we had gone at sunset. The spa is situated right next to the ocean, with one of the lagoon areas looking out over it. Having booked it for sunset would have been extra special.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Everyone talks about Diamond beach but no one talks about Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. The two are located right next to each other, with the broken glaciers from the lagoon floating down the channel to the open ocean in turn creating Diamond Beach.

This lagoon was breathtaking and stole the show for us. We were honestly shocked to see everyone running off to Diamond Beach and ignoring the massive icebergs stacking up in the lagoon. If you’re lucky you can even spot seals swimming around and sun soaking on the icebergs like we did!

When planning a trip to Iceland you won’t be short of things to do - rather you’re going to be overwhelmed with options. We only highlighted our top 10 things to do in Southern Iceland but we hoped this helped you narrow it down. Iceland is truly one of the most magical destinations in the world, especially in winter. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights, hiking glaciers, or soaking in hot springs, these are some of the best things to do in Iceland for an unforgettable trip.

Thanks for coming along our adventure - if you have any thoughts or questions don’t hesitate to reach out or comment below! Follow us on Social Media to stay up to date on our day to day!

Cheers,

Liv & Jesse

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Iceland in Winter

Is winter a good time to visit Iceland?
Yes! Winter offers fewer crowds, Northern Lights, ice caves, and dramatic landscapes.

How many days do you need in Iceland?
We recommend 7–10 days to explore southern Iceland comfortably.

Do you need a tour for glacier hikes?
Yes. Glacier hikes must be done with certified guides.

Top 10 Things to Do in Iceland in Winter (Glacier Hikes, Lagoons & Northern Lights)