Things to do in Iceland
Searching for Northern Lights
The Northern Lights come imbued by ancient myth. Inuit thought they were souls of the dead, while Scandinavian folklore nailed it down specifically to the spirits of unmarried women. Science more prosaically cites whizzing solar particles arcing down Earth's polar magnetic fields and smashing into upper atmosphere atoms, sparking them into energised life as the aurora's green, violet and magenta hues.
And Iceland's winter landscape frames displays like nowhere else on Earth. Iconic mountains like Kirkjufell reach up to touch the shimmering celestial curtain, pitch black lava fields provide dramatic contrast, while dark fjords or glistening glaciers present mesmerising Icelandic mirrors to the sky show. The eastern beach at Grundarfjord is a favoured spot but any rural location will do. Peak sightings tend to occur in deep winter but displays can occur anytime from October to April.
Our Iceland Vacations
Northern Lights photography vacation in Iceland, coast & ice
Photographic trip in the stunning west and southeast Iceland
From
£3150 to £3250
10 days
ex flights
Iceland vacation, small group
Delve into the ancient land of Vikings and volcanoes
From
US $3195 to US $3948
10 days
ex flights
Highlights of Iceland self drive vacation
Discover the best of Iceland along the ring road in 11 days
From
£1500 to £2500
11 days
ex flights
Northern Lights & orca photography vacation, Iceland
Incredible photographic trip in stunning West Iceland
From
£2500
7 days
ex flights
Iceland birds & landscapes photography tour
Fabulous Birds and Landscapes photo tour Arctic Iceland
From
£3450
10 days
ex flights
West Greenland photography tour
Incredible photographic adventure in stunning West Greenland
From
£3150 to £3250
8 days
ex flights
East Iceland photography tour, Fjords, puffins & blue ice
Superb photography in beautifully remote Midsummer Icelandic fjords
From
£3400
11 days
ex flights
Northern lights and whale watching cruise in Iceland
A cruise and coach journey to see whales & northern lights
From
£2370
7 days
ex flights
Thingvellir horse riding vacation in Iceland
Ride in beautiful valleys with unusual volcanic formations
From
£1510
6 days
ex flights
Iceland cruise, Circumnavigation
An unforgettable journey around the island of fire and ice
From
£2199 to £2265
10 days
ex flights
Walking vacation in Iceland
Explore the best walking areas in Iceland
From
US $6199
14 days
ex flights
Iceland self drive vacation, whale watching & horse riding
2 days horse back riding and self drive to discover Iceland
From
£1500 to £3000
7 days
ex flights
Northern Lights photography tour, waterfalls & landscapes in Iceland
Incredible Winter photography trip to Iceland's remote North
From
£2900
8 days
ex flights
Northern Lights tour in Iceland
Springs, waterfalls, volcanoes and Europe’s biggest glacier
From
US $1655 to US $2135
6 days
ex flights
Iceland summer small group vacation
Visiting Iceland is an other-worldly experience.
From
US $4530
10 days
ex flights
Iceland hiking vacation, Fjallabak
Amazing trek behind the mountains and off the beaten path
From
£2300
8 days
ex flights
Cruising Icelands Wild West Coast
Discover a different side of Iceland
From
US $2682
8 days
ex flights
Iceland hiking vacation, East fjords
6 days trekking in the “Kingdom of Elves” in the East fjords
From
£1600
7 days
ex flights
Midnight sun photography vacation in Iceland
Photograph amazing landscapes in Iceland's midsummer light
From
£3550
12 days
ex flights
Horse riding vacation in Iceland, 5 days
Tolt on the Icelandic horse in the land of 'Ice and Fire'
From
£1555
5 days
ex flights
Iceland family vacation
Refreshing summer vacation to explore Iceland's rugged beauty
From
US $3082
7 days
ex flights
Camping in Iceland vacation for 18-29s
Unzip your tent to Iceland's greatest geysers and glaciers
From
US $1485 to US $1678
7 days
ex flights
Horse riding vacation in Iceland
Ride in a hidden nature reserve surrounded by glaciers.
From
£1375
6 days
ex flights
Iceland Highlands photography tour, waterfalls & canyons
Superb photo tour into Iceland's incredible wilderness areas
From
£3200
12 days
ex flights
Iceland horse riding vacation
Riding, Hiking, Bathing and Whale watching in Iceland
From
£1185
6 days
ex flights
Laugavegur Trail trekking vacation in Iceland
Few trekking routes can match the striking vistas on offer here
From
US $3649 to US $3799
8 days
ex flights
Iceland hiking vacation, West Fjords
Explore Iceland's stunning and preserved West Fjords
From
£1400
6 days
ex flights
Photography vacations
You won't need filters or Photoshop to make Iceland look like nowhere else on Earth
Iceland is a photographic dreamscape, offering colour and contrast plus moody monochrome. Black lava fields highlight form and tone, while 'light on ice' means ethereal blue 'bergs in lonely fjords, spectacularly frozen winter waterfalls or sculpted translucent sea-ice on a dark Icelandic beach. On an Iceland photography vacation, you'll learn to frame aurora with a volcano in the foreground on winter nights, or catch sunlight on a traditional fishing village set beside a vast ocean.
Our top Iceland Vacation
Northern Lights photography vacation in Iceland, coast & ice
Photographic trip in the stunning west and southeast Iceland
From
£3150 to £3250
10 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 20 Oct
2020: 9 Feb, 21 Feb, 1 Mar, 30 Sep, 30 Oct
2019: 20 Oct
2020: 9 Feb, 21 Feb, 1 Mar, 30 Sep, 30 Oct
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Iceland or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
The unstill Earth
Iceland is one of the world's most geologically active countries, defined by vast lava fields, rugged valleys and ranges that could double for Mordor, giant glaciers and berg-dotted fjords. Add volcanoes such as Hekla and ice-crowned Eyjafjallajökull that are as stunning when not erupting as when they are. Trek underground lava tubes - or see the fiery fissure in the Earth's crust where the North American and European tectonic plates are tearing themselves apart.
Geysir is the Icelandic word now used for all these quirky spouters, the best found in the so-called Golden Circle near Reykjavik – including the Great Geyser in the Haukadular valley, whose clockwork eruptions send steaming water jets 70 metres into the air. Geothermal pools beckon in gorgeous settings, offering the world's most idyllic bathing experiences.
Iceland has some of the world's most spectacular and easily accessed ice phenomena, from Europe's largest ice cap to unique black beaches decorated with glittering chunks of sea ice. Vik is particularly good for icy beach vistas plus dramatic sea stacks and basalt columns.
Whale watching
Iceland is a place where just sailing out to watch whales may help save them...
From May to September, the waters off Iceland's black beaches and traditional fishing hamlets attract two dozen whale species, including the blue whale – Earth's biggest animal. The best whale watching tours use quiet wooden boats to get close to these magnificent creatures, from orcas around Grundarfjordur and Snaefellsness to minke and humpbacks in Reykjavik’s old harbour. And the more people watch whales, the less incentive to hunt them.
More about Iceland
Summer is the best time to visit Iceland for midnight sun and migrating whales. The Northern Lights are at their best in March, September and October...
Iceland's landscape could double for a Tolkien fantasy, and its culture is fed by this unique geography. This travel guide explores a place that is truly unique...
The Westfjords and Snaefellsnes score in the 'wildest' stakes, while the Golden Circle is an enclave of geysers, glaciers, hot springs and history...
Iceland's landscapes hit you with an onslaught of natural wonders, from waterfalls to fjords, uninhabited peninsulas to glacier topped volcanoes...
Iceland has been shaped by nature's powerful forces and the Northern Lights add their dramatic paintbrush to its already colossal canvas...
With its lunar-like terrain, black beaches, steep volcanoes and glacial lagoons, Iceland could have been designed for a photography vacation.
Iceland's remote location, its wild landscapes and its folklore weave their way through its books, poems and music, now as much as ever...
Iceland's capital Reykjavik is home to colourful homes and modernist architecture, with the sea and the mountains as its nearest natural neighbours...
Self driving in Iceland lets you follow nature, not crowds. In summer, follow the midnight sun. In winter, head for the hills to spot the Northern Lights...
With tourist numbers swamping local residents, we look at overtourism and explore how travelers can visit Iceland without contributing to this problem...
Booking a vacation to Iceland, rather than traveling independently is more enjoyable for you and beneficial to the country, its environment and people...
Iceland doesn't offer many activities especially aimed at children, but its magical appeal is so evident it doesn't have to...
These tips come directly from our friends in Iceland who have shared their wisdom on all things hot, from geothermal pools to contemporary culture...
Avoiding places clogged with day trippers, and months when visitor numbers shoot up like a spouting geyser, is the responsible way to visit Iceland...
Despite being hugely controversial, whaling still occurs. We look at the justifications for whaling and what visitors to Iceland can do in response...
Find all of our Iceland guides in one place for more information on the different types of vacations such as walking or cruising in Iceland...
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Moyan Brenn] [Searching for the Northern Lights: Greenland Travel]
[Photography vacations: SaraYeomans]
[The Unstill Earth: James St. John]
[Whalewatching: Daniel Enchev]
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