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
£2950 to £3150
10 days
ex flights
Iceland vacation, small group
Delve into the ancient land of Vikings and volcanoes
From
US $3073 to US $4600
10 days
ex flights
Highlights of Iceland self drive vacation
Amazing self-drive to discover the best of Iceland
From
£1300 to £5000
10 days
ex flights
Short Arctic cruise from Iceland
A unique Arctic experience on board a three-masted schooner
From
€1000
4 days
ex flights
Northern Lights, glaciers & ice photography vacation Iceland
Incredible photographic trip in stunning south/east Iceland
From
£2700
8 days
ex flights
Northern Lights & orca photography vacation, Iceland
Incredible photographic trip in stunning West Iceland
From
£2450
7 days
ex flights
Northwest Iceland photography tour
Incredible photography trip Icelands remote Northwest corner
From
£2950
11 days
ex flights
Iceland cruise, Circumnavigation
An unforgettable journey around the island of fire and ice
From
£3080
10 days
ex flights
West Greenland photography tour
Incredible photographic adventure in stunning West Greenland
From
£3950 to £4250
10 days
ex flights
Northern lights and whale watching cruise in Iceland
A cruise and coach journey to see whales & northern lights
From
£1970
7 days
ex flights
Arctic cruise to Greenland and Iceland
Explore the stunning natural beauty of Greenland and Iceland
From
£4935
14 days
ex flights
Thingvellir horse riding vacation in Iceland
Ride in beautiful valleys with unusual volcanic formations
From
£1373
7 days
ex flights
Iceland vacation, Summer Solstice
Summer solstice and Midnight sun small group
From
£2520
9 days
ex flights
Northern Lights photography tour, waterfalls & landscapes in Iceland
Incredible Winter photography trip to Iceland's remote North
From
£2800
8 days
ex flights
Laugavegur Trail trekking vacation in Iceland
Few trekking routes can match the striking vistas on offer here
From
US $3565
8 days
ex flights
West Iceland self drive vacation
Amazing time in the wilderness exploring fjords in Iceland
From
€1500 to €5000
10 days
ex flights
Grand Tour of Iceland
Explore the landscapes and geographical phenomena of Iceland
From
US $8835
15 days
ex flights
East Iceland Fjords Midsummer Landscapes photography tour
Photograph landscapes birds flowers remote fjords E. Iceland
From
£3250
12 days
ex flights
North Iceland bird and landscape photography tour
Midsummer bird & landscape photography trip in Iceland
From
£3250
11 days
ex flights
Iceland vacation, Valentine's Day special
Adventure and romance in the northernmost capital
From
£1100 to £3000
6 days
ex flights
Walking vacation in Iceland
Explore the best walking areas in Iceland
From
US $6505
14 days
ex flights
Myvatn Marathon running vacation, Iceland
Combine a visit of natural sites and a famous run race
From
£1200
5 days
ex flights
Iceland new year vacation, Northern Lights explorer
Hunt the northern lights in Iceland At New Year
From
£1375
5 days
inc UK flights
Horse riding vacation in Iceland
Ride in a hidden nature reserve surrounded by glaciers.
From
£1215
6 days
ex flights
Wellbeing vacation in North Iceland
A self-drive tour where you can visit and pamper yourself
From
£1100 to £5000
8 days
ex flights
Iceland northern lights and snowshoeing vacation
Hiking in snowshoes and bathing under the northern lights!
From
£2300
8 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
£2950 to £3150
10 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2018: 30 Sep, 26 Oct
2019: 1 Feb, 15 Feb, 3 Mar, 30 Sep, 10 Oct, 20 Oct
2018: 30 Sep, 26 Oct
2019: 1 Feb, 15 Feb, 3 Mar, 30 Sep, 10 Oct, 20 Oct
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Iceland or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
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...
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...
Why book with Responsible Travel
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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