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 tour in Iceland
Springs, waterfalls, volcanoes and Europe’s biggest glacier
From
US $1526 to US $1975
6 days
ex flights
Iceland vacation, small group
Delve into the ancient land of Vikings and volcanoes
From
US $3154 to US $3795
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's Golden Circle short break
Iceland's Golden Circle short break
From
US $1300 to US $1370
4 days
ex flights
Iceland summer small group vacation
Visiting Iceland is an other-worldly experience.
From
US $3320
8 days
ex flights
Iceland birds & landscapes photography tour
Fabulous Birds and Landscapes photo tour Arctic Iceland
From
£3450
10 days
ex flights
Short break to Iceland, tailor made
See the Northern Lights and snorkel the rift in Iceland!
From
£1479
5 days
ex flights
Northern Lights photography vacation in Iceland, coast & ice
Photographic trip in the stunning west and southeast Iceland
From
£3250
10 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
£1760
7 days
ex flights
Iceland hiking vacation, West Fjords
Explore Iceland's stunning and preserved West Fjords
From
£1460
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 new year vacation, Northern Lights explorer
Hunt the northern lights in Iceland At New Year
From
£1035
5 days
ex flights
Iceland Highlands photography tour, waterfalls & canyons
Superb photo tour into Iceland's incredible wilderness areas
From
£3200
12 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
Greenland voyage cruise and northern lights
The world's longest fjord & spectacular Aurora Borealis
From
€3450
8 days
ex flights
Iceland winter adventure vacation
Northern Lights, waterfalls and Hrisey Island
From
US $3050
9 days
ex flights
Laugavegur Trail trekking vacation in Iceland
Few trekking routes can match the striking vistas on offer here
From
US $3279
7 days
ex flights
Iceland cruise, Circumnavigation
An unforgettable journey around the island of fire and ice
From
£2265
10 days
ex flights
Iceland horse riding vacation
Riding, Hiking, Bathing and Whale watching in Iceland
From
£1185
6 days
ex flights
Camping in Iceland vacation for 18-29s
Unzip your tent to Iceland's greatest geysers and glaciers
From
US $1445 to US $1730
7 days
ex flights
Iceland hiking vacation, Fjallabak
Amazing trek behind the mountains and off the beaten path
From
£2200
8 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
Iceland northern lights and snowshoeing vacation
Hiking in snowshoes and bathing under the northern lights!
From
£2300
8 days
ex flights
Iceland small group tours
See glaciers, geysers and geothermal hot springs in Iceland
From
US $1205 to US $1380
5 days
ex flights
Summer short break to Iceland
Glaciers, waterfalls, geysers and volcanoes
From
US $3099
5 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 tour in Iceland
Springs, waterfalls, volcanoes and Europe’s biggest glacier
From
US $1526 to US $1975
6 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
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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 for midnight sun and migrating whales, winter for Northern Lights.
Iceland's landscapes are Tolkien-esque, and the culture is fed by this unique geography.
Westfjords and Snaefellsnes are wildly beautiful; the Golden Circle justly famous.
The Northern Lights add a dramatic paintbrush to Iceland's colossal canvas.
Iceland's incredible landscapes might have been designed for a photography vacation.
Iceland's remote location, wild landscapes and folklore are woven into the culture.
Iceland's capital is home to colourful homes and modernist architecture.
Self driving in Iceland lets you discover natural landscapes, not crowds.
We look at overtourism and how you can visit Iceland without contributing to the issue.
Touring Iceland is convenient, and often more enjoyable than independent travel.
Midnight sun photography vacations in Iceland are the stuff of bucket lists.
These tips come directly from our friends in Iceland and our previous travelers.
Learn how you can travel Iceland better, with less impact and helping locals.
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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