activities in iceland winter

Iceland is not as cold as some may imagine, even in winter, but it is still cold. Or go on this 3-day self-drive tour. Reykjavk is easy to explore by foot, car, or public transportation, and many of the citys top attractions are within walking distance of each other. Many people want to go to the Blue Lagoon, which given its popularity, we totally understand and it is about a 23 minute car ride from Keflavik airport or a 45 minute drive from downtown Reykjavk. If you are looking for a guided food tour, one excellent option is the Golden Circle food tour, which includes the classic Golden Circle day tour stops plus visits to a local farm, meals, and lots of tastings of local products throughout the day. Youll definitely want to overnight in the area as there is plenty to explore and youll find a number of, For a day trip from Reykjavk to Lake Mvatn, wed recommend taking a look at. You can see some of our favourite day trips from Reyjkavik here. Yes, like most destinations with seasonal weather, there are going to be trade-offs and different experiences available no matter when you visit. These include this 10 hour tour with Grayline, this popular 11 hour tour, and this 12 hour premium small group tour. Wed also recommending doing this as a tour rather than trying to hunt for them yourself. And every summer, they melt or fall apart. One of the reasons many people travel to Iceland is to see some of its local wildlife, and this includes whales. Ice Cave & Snowmobile Tour from Gullfoss. You will be provided with crampons to attach to your boots, making it easier to get a grip on the snow and ice. Go skiing, off-piste or on groomed slopes and enjoy guided tours on Super jeeps, snowmobiles, snowshoes or dogsleds. Snfellsnes Peninsula makes for a great day trip, and it takes about 2 hours to get from Reykjavk to the eastern side of the peninsula. You can also book a winterwhale watching tour here that leaves fromStykkishlmur see tour detailshere. But if you want to get really up close, you can interact and ride Icelandic horses by visiting a farm and booking a horseback riding tour. The best place to be for the holidays is probably Reykjavk as there youll find the most people, most events, and largest public celebrations. For being such a small country, both geographically and in terms of population size, Iceland has an incredible amount of activities that no visitor should miss! If you want to ski a lot, Id head to Akureyri where there is the highest concentration of skiing opportunities. If you drive yourself to the starting location, then you can join thistour to the ice caves. Updated: Jan 8, 2020. You can also indulge in winter activities like snowmobiling, ice climbing, and glacier hiking. If you plan to do longer hikes, youll also want to get needed navigational gear (e.g., compass, maps), winter weather gear (e.g., crampons, ice axe), safety gear (e.g., rent an emergency beacon), and medical emergency supplies (e.g., first aid kit, emergency blanket). If you book a tour, most companies will outfit you with the necessary equipment, but Id advise bringing along a good pair of waterproof hiking boots, warm layers, gloves, a hat, a waterproof jacket, and waterproof pants if you plan to spend much time in the snow. Note that public buses can take you near the trailheads for many of these hikes. If you are coming to Iceland primarily for winter sports or snow activities, Id recommend checking out offered multi-day treks or highly active winter trips with professional local guides that include activities like long-distance snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice climbing, hikes on glaciers, and skiing. Located near the town of Akureyri, volcanic Lake Mvatnis home to a number of natural wonders such as craters, mud pools, massive waterfalls, and geothermal caves. From city sightseeing on a hop-on hop-off bus tour to heading out on a whale-watching tour, there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik during the colder months.Read on to discover top attractions, tips, and more. Akureyri is also a great place to celebrate Christmas. This is a great trip to go on if you want a little bit of action and adrenaline, but also taking time to take in the landscape, as you're in control of your own snowmobile. Hi Jessica, Yes, I dont think a lot of people know about all the things you can do in Iceland in winter (or other times of the year). . This is the home of the 13 Yule Ladswhich are a huge part of the Icelandic Christmas story. We loved the experience, and the photos were worth braving the harsh winter elements. On the way to the Golden Circle, you can find the Fontana geothermal baths, located by Lake Laugarvatn. What are the best things to do in winter in Iceland? Top Winter Activities in Iceland | What's On in Reykjavk Note that the best time to see whales in Iceland is during the summer months, but you still have a chance to see some species year-round. Some of the museums and cultural attractions you may want to visit in the capital aretheNational Museum of Iceland,Hallgrmskirkja Church,The Settlement Exhibition,Reykjavk Family Park, Perlan Museum,Saga Museum,rbaer Open Air Museum, and a number of art museums. Since most of the countrys top museums and cultural attractions (see list above to get you started) are located in and aroundReykjavk, we recommend that you are better off exploring on your own on foot or via public transportation. Hi Lindsey, Indeed, it does pack a lot of punch, especially with natural attractions like waterfalls, beaches, glaciers, geysers, etc. Thanks! Is Winter A Good Time To Visit Iceland? But no matter when you go, you can still see many of the main spots in Iceland, although in winter we recommend focusing on the west and south (the area most people visit on a first trip to Iceland any time of the year). I dont know of any places renting quad bikes or mountain buggies in Iceland, so youll probably need to join a tour if you want to do one of these activities. Best, Jessica. Iceland can be an expensive destination and we recommend checking out our tips for traveling to Iceland on a budget. However, there is no shortage of beautiful natural wonders along the way, including waterfalls, hot springs and dormant volcanoes. Although this article is geared towards those who are either planning to take day trips or drive themselves, this post can help give you some ideas for the types of activity options and destinations you want to look for in a tour itinerary. That way you can burn off some calories in between stops! A couple of hours drive north of Reykjavk, this beautiful part of the country is home to a huge glacier as well as waterfalls, beaches, fishing villages, caves, and a glacier. Most hot springs and public pools in Iceland are open year round, so it is easy to add a hot spring to your itinerary. If you are able to do an overnight trip, we recommend this small group tour which includes an ice cave tour, exploration of the South Shore, a visit to the glacier lagoon, and a Northern Lights hunt. Read this to find all the answers to your questions about things to do in Iceland in winter. This is particularly a good option in the winter months for those who dont want to drive themselves and want to return to the same hotel or apartment each evening. The highland mountain roads will be closed throughout the winter to regular vehicles (including 4X4s) but many of these areas can still be explored on guided tours with snowmobiles, snowcats, or SuperJeeps. Id also recommend the folk museumSkgasafn in the town ofSkgar,which is open-air museum complex plus two museums along the South Coast with over 15,000 artifacts and 6 historical buildings. Explore 9 of our favourite activities to enjoy in Iceland during the colder season. It must be like a fairytale come true! If you are looking for more long-distance winter hiking, technical climbing, or mountaineering, Id highly advise joining a tour or hiring a private local guide. Although some attractions in Iceland close or become inaccessible during the winter, many of Iceland's most famous spots are still easy to visit, including the Golden Circle, waterfalls, Blue Lagoon, glaciers, black sand beaches, museums, ice caves, and the Jkulsrln Glacier Lagoon. TOP 15 WINTER ACTIVITIES IN ICELAND. A: The best Winter Sports in Iceland according to Viator travelers are: Skaftafell Glacier Hike 3-Hour Small Group Tour. If you are planning your trip, just let us know and happy to answer any questions. Average Winter Weather In Iceland Average Sunlight In Iceland During Winter How to Drive In Iceland In Winter On every street corner in Reykjavik, there will be fireworks and sparkling lights going in every direction, before and after midnight. What To Do In Iceland In Winter - Visit Iceland in the Winter Depending on what you are interested in, there are still a lot of winter activities you can do by day tripping fromReykjavk. In fact, winter is the best time to see certain whales such as the, If you are interested in the whales around Iceland, you might want to visit the, Another company that offers well-reviewed whale watching tours are Elding which also operates the. Other hot springs pools to visit include the Secret Lagoon near the town Fludir. Or this full day tour includes a classic Golden Circle tour during the day and then Northern Lights hunting in the evening. You can snorkel year round in Iceland, but youre not going to be heading out to sea or spotting a lot of marine life. If planning to ski or snowboard, check out our ski holiday packing list for a list of things you probably want to pack. Consider heading out on an ATV, a mountain buggy, or even getting a great view of the mountains from above in a helicopter. Mt. During the height of winter, from November to February, you can usually expect a lot of snow and ice and stormy weather. September to April is roughly the winter season of Iceland. The caves vary in size and shape, sometimes there are many of them, and sometimes there are few. On top of that, the weather is sometimes too windy to open the ski resorts. The inspirational experience you did are very interesting, so I think I will do something of similar. Mosfell, Mt. You can also take tours that allow you to hike or snowmobile on top of glaciers. Before Lent, there are a number of food-related holidays such as Bolludagur (Bun Day) where it is common to eat cream buns or Sprengidagur (Shrove Tuesday) where it is traditional to eat a big meal with lots of salted meat (lamb being the popular choice). Id check out offerings from companies like Mountain GuidesandSummit Guides, and if you dont see what you are looking for, Id contact them and see if they can help or recommend a local guide. The museum provides an immersive learning experience and includes over 20 life-sized models of whales that have been found in Icelandic waters. Thingvellir National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and contains some of the most important historic, geological, and religious spots in Iceland. Glacier Walk and South Coast Tour by Minibus from Reykjavik. There isalso a pool to lounge in with a beautiful view over the lake itself. Instead, the snorkeling trip takes place in the Silfra fissure in Thingvellir National Park. Know how many hours of daylight you can expect If you haven't booked your trip yet and still have to decide in which winter month to visit Iceland, there is one thing that you should consider above anything else. To get a sense of the wide range of food from traditional home cooking to the latest innovative dishes, youll want to stop at some of thefarm to table restaurants that dot the countryside as well as the more refined restaurants of Reykjavk. Meet the dogs and ride on the sled for about 1 hour over the snowy fields. This includes a hands on cooking experience, followed by a three-course meal. Visiting Iceland in winter means you might be around for one of the holiday celebrations that take place at this time of year. You can also rent an emergency beacon at several locations in Iceland so that local search & rescue teams can located you quickly if necessary. Just let us know if you have any questions and for winter gear, you can see our winter packing list to help with that as well. There are a number of tours for snorkeling that meet on site at the park, As noted earlier you can also dive at two submerged rifts, Silfra and Davsgj, but this is only for experienced divers and youll need dry suit certification as well as apply for a dive permit. You can go on a 2-hour intimate tour of only 1-2 people on each sled, carried by adorable Siberian husky dogs that love nothing more than running on powdery snow. Are you wondering if the world has gone crazy and people need a reality check? before you set out each day,and Id also take a look and bookmark the Iceland, Although this article is geared towards those who are either planning to take day trips or drive themselves, this post can help give you some ideas for the types of activity options and destinations you want to look for in a tour itinerary. Snowmobiling & Other Fun Snow Activities, If you are coming to Iceland primarily for winter sports or snow activities, Id recommend checking out offered multi-day treks or highly active winter trips with professional local guides that include activities like long-distance snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice climbing, hikes on glaciers, and skiing. If you don't see the confirmation e-mail, please check your spam folder. 18 Tips & Tricks for Visiting Iceland in Winter (October-April)
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