Iceland Holidays
Iceland Holidays
Northern Lights, geysers, waterfalls, glaciers and the midnight sun — Europe's most dramatic and otherworldly destination
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Flight Time
2.5–3h from London
Best Time
September to March (Northern Lights); June to August (midnight sun)
Country
Iceland
Suppliers
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Iceland Holiday Guide
Iceland is Europe's most dramatic and otherworldly destination — a volcanic island of extraordinary natural spectacles just 2.5 hours from London. The Northern Lights in winter, the midnight sun in summer, geysers erupting every few minutes, waterfalls thundering over black lava cliffs, glaciers calving into iceberg lagoons and whales breaching in the fjords.
The classic Iceland itinerary is Reykjavik plus the Golden Circle and South Coast — a circuit that can be done comfortably in 5-7 nights and covers the essential highlights. The Blue Lagoon is best visited on arrival or departure (it's 40 minutes from Keflavik airport).
For Northern Lights, the best months are September to March — the longer the night, the better the chances. A clear sky and a solar activity forecast (available on the Icelandic Met Office website) are the key factors. Getting away from Reykjavik's light pollution significantly improves your chances.
A hire car is strongly recommended for Iceland — it gives you the freedom to stop at waterfalls, chase the Northern Lights and explore at your own pace. The Ring Road (Route 1) circles the entire island (1,332km) and can be driven in 7-10 days. Winter driving requires a 4x4 with winter tyres.
Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world and very easy to travel independently. We search across Travelpack, Emirates Holidays and JTA Holidays for the best Iceland holiday deals.
Popular Areas in Iceland
Average Temperatures
Jan
1°C
Feb
1°C
Mar
3°C
Apr
6°C
May
10°C
Jun
13°C
Jul
14°C
Aug
14°C
Sep
10°C
Oct
6°C
Nov
3°C
Dec
2°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Iceland
The volcanic landscapes, natural wonders and extraordinary light shows that make Iceland the most dramatic and unforgettable destination in Europe.
The Northern Lights — Aurora Borealis
The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are Iceland's most famous attraction — curtains of green, purple and white light dancing across the winter sky, caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with the earth's atmosphere. The best time to see them is September to March, on clear nights away from light pollution. The Reykjanes Peninsula, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the north of Iceland around Akureyri offer the darkest skies.
The Golden Circle — Geysir, Gullfoss & Thingvellir
The Golden Circle is Iceland's most popular day trip from Reykjavik — a 300km circuit taking in three of Iceland's most extraordinary natural sites. Thingvellir National Park (where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and Iceland's first parliament was established in 930 AD), the Geysir geothermal area (where Strokkur erupts every 5-10 minutes to 20-30m) and the thundering Gullfoss waterfall.
The Blue Lagoon — Geothermal Spa
The Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most visited attraction — a vast geothermal spa in a lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula, 40 minutes from Reykjavik. The milky-blue silica-rich water is maintained at 37-40°C year-round. The Blue Lagoon is particularly magical in winter, when steam rises from the water against a backdrop of snow and (if you're lucky) the Northern Lights. Book well in advance — entry is timed and sells out months ahead.
The South Coast — Waterfalls & Black Sand Beaches
The South Coast of Iceland is the most dramatic stretch of road in Europe — the Ring Road (Route 1) passes Seljalandsfoss (a waterfall you can walk behind), Skógafoss (a 60m waterfall with a rainbow in the spray), the black sand beach of Reynisfjara (with its extraordinary basalt columns and sea stacks), the Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcano and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where icebergs calve into a black sand beach.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón is one of Iceland's most extraordinary landscapes — a glacial lagoon filled with icebergs calved from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier (an outlet of the Vatnajökull ice cap, Europe's largest glacier). The icebergs drift slowly to the sea, stranding on the black sand Diamond Beach. Boat tours through the icebergs are available in summer. Seals are frequently seen on the icebergs. The lagoon has appeared in several James Bond films.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula — Jules Verne's Iceland
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula in west Iceland is often called 'Iceland in miniature' — the Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano (the setting for Jules Verne's 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'), dramatic lava fields, sea cliffs, fishing villages, seal colonies and some of Iceland's best whale watching. The peninsula is 2 hours from Reykjavik and can be done as a day trip or overnight stay.
The Midnight Sun — Summer in Iceland
In summer (June to August), Iceland experiences the midnight sun — the sun never fully sets, giving 24 hours of daylight. The effect is extraordinary — hiking at midnight in full daylight, watching the sun dip towards the horizon at 2am before rising again. The summer solstice (around 21 June) has the most daylight. Summer is also the best time for puffin watching (Westman Islands, Látrabjarg cliffs), whale watching and highland driving.
Reykjavik — The World's Most Northerly Capital
Reykjavik is the world's most northerly capital city and one of the most charming — a compact, walkable city of colourful corrugated-iron houses, excellent restaurants (Icelandic lamb, skyr, fresh fish and the extraordinary hot dog stand Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur), the extraordinary Hallgrímskirkja church, the Harpa concert hall and a vibrant bar scene. The city is the base for most Iceland holidays and deserves 2-3 nights.
Explore Iceland on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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