Is it your dream to see colorful northern lights and how they seem to dance in the sky? Then this special winter break for 5 days is the best way to catch them and experience this amazing natural phenomenon. This Iceland northern lights self-drive tour gives you the opportunity to visit Iceland in winter colors.
Price from 1063 EUR per person
You will also explore the highlights of the south coast and go hunting for the aurora in the evenings. Also, you will visit Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and the famous Þingvellir national park and Geysir spouting spring. Along the way, you will see charming villages and picturesque waterfalls in a stunning landscape. Don’t let this unique opportunity pass, book your Iceland northern lights tour today!
Welcome to your Iceland Northern Lights self-drive holiday! After landing at Keflavík International Airport you will collect your rental vehicle. You are now ready to begin your Iceland adventure! If your flight arrives in the morning, you can make a stop at the famous Blue Lagoon and relax in the milky blue waters (optional, needs to be booked in advance). Afterwards, drive towards Reykjavík and from there you will make your way to your cosy accommodation near the Golden Circle. Here you will stay for the next three nights. On the way, you can stop at Hellisheiðarvirkjun Geothermal Plant and enjoy their Geothermal Energy Exhibition. Here you can learn more about how Iceland harnesses reusable energy. In the evening, if conditions are good, we recommend going out to look for the northern lights. Since your accommodation is located away from any major light pollution, you may not need to go far to witness this natural phenomenon.
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Grímsnes, Golden Circle
In the countryside along the Golden Circle, the overnight stop after Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.
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Superior
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Haukadalur, Golden Circle
Right across from the Geysir geothermal area on the Golden Circle, a short drive from Gullfoss.
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Reykholt, Golden Circle
A hotel in Reykholt in the Biskupstungur area of the Golden Circle, a short drive from Gullfoss, Geysir and Friðheimar.
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Flúðir, Golden Circle
In the farming village of Flúðir in South Iceland, close to the Secret Lagoon and a short drive from Gullfoss.
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Iceland
The Reykjanes Peninsula is a UNESCO Global Geopark in southwest Iceland, about 40 minutes from Reykjavík and directly adjacent to Keflavík International Airport, making it the first landscape most visitors to Iceland drive through. It is where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises above sea level, marking the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and the entire peninsula is a young, geologically active landscape of lava fields, volcanic craters, geothermal springs, and sea cliffs. Since 2021 the peninsula has experienced 12 volcanic eruptions in a period geologists have called the Reykjanes Fires, the first eruptions in the region in 800 years, and visits to recent lava fields have become one of Iceland's most distinctive travel experiences. The Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland's most visited attractions, is located here.
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Region
Iceland
Hellisheiðarvirkjun is one of the largest geothermal power plants in the world, sitting on the Hengill volcanic ridge just 20 minutes from Reykjavik. It powers and heats much of the capital region, and its on-site exhibition gives visitors a genuinely interesting look at how Iceland turns volcanic energy into everyday life.
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Iceland
The Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most visited tourist attraction and one of the most recognizable geothermal spas in the world, set in a black lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula about 20 minutes from Keflavík International Airport and 45 minutes from Reykjavík. Its milky-blue color comes from silica dissolved in the geothermal water, which precipitates to the surface as the water cools and scatters light in the blue wavelengths. The water is maintained at 37 to 39 degrees Celsius year-round and is rich in silica, sulfur, and algae. The lagoon was not designed. It formed accidentally in 1976 when wastewater from the adjacent Svartsengi geothermal power plant began flooding a nearby lava field. A power plant employee with psoriasis bathed in it and found it relieved his condition; word spread, and by 1987 the site had been developed for public bathing. The formal spa facilities opened in 1999.
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Iceland
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are one of the most sought-after natural experiences in Iceland. Iceland's high latitude, low light pollution, and long winter nights make it one of the best places in the world to see them, though a sighting always depends on a combination of clear skies, solar activity, and a little patience.
Today you will explore the famous Golden Circle. First up is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO heritage site. Enjoy exploring this historic area and we recommend a short walk up to Öxarárfoss waterfall which is particularly beautiful during winter. Those who are looking for something a bit more adventurous can add a snorkeling tour in the crystal clear Lake Silfra on this day (optional). Afterwards, drive to Geysir sprouting spring where you will witness the eruption of Strokkur geyser. To complete the Golden Circle, drive to Gullfoss waterfall. Here you can enjoy a traditional Icelandic meat soup to warm up while enjoying the beautiful landscape that surrounds you. Spend the afternoon exploring the areas surrounding the Golden Circle. Other highlights in this area include Flúðir, a village known for its geothermal greenhouses, and Kerið, a volcanic crater. You’ll stay the night at the same accommodation as the night before. In the evening, if conditions are good, we recommend going on a hunt for the Northern Lights.
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Superior
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Grímsnes, Golden Circle
In the countryside along the Golden Circle, the overnight stop after Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.
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Superior
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Haukadalur, Golden Circle
Right across from the Geysir geothermal area on the Golden Circle, a short drive from Gullfoss.
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Classic
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Reykholt, Golden Circle
A hotel in Reykholt in the Biskupstungur area of the Golden Circle, a short drive from Gullfoss, Geysir and Friðheimar.
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Classic
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Flúðir, Golden Circle
In the farming village of Flúðir in South Iceland, close to the Secret Lagoon and a short drive from Gullfoss.
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Iceland
Þingvellir National Park is Iceland's first national park and its only UNESCO World Heritage Site, sitting 47 kilometers east of Reykjavik at the first stop on the Golden Circle. It is the site of the Alþingi, Iceland's parliament, which first convened here in 930 AD, making it the oldest continuously operating parliament in the world. The park also straddles the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, one of the few places on earth where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge can be seen and walked above sea level.
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Iceland
Gullfoss, meaning Golden Falls, is one of Iceland's most powerful and visited waterfalls, dropping 32 meters in two dramatic tiers into the narrow Gullfossgjúfur canyon on the Golden Circle route. Fed by glacial meltwater from Langjökull glacier, it carries an average of 140 cubic meters of water per second in summer, producing a roar and a cloud of mist that can be heard and felt long before the falls come into view.
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Iceland
The Geysir geothermal area in the Haukadalur valley of South Iceland is one of the three main stops on the Golden Circle and home to the hot spring that gave the English language the word geyser. The Great Geysir has been erupting intermittently for thousands of years and at its peak could blast water up to 70 meters into the air, but it is now largely dormant, erupting unpredictably and rarely. Its neighbor Strokkur, whose name means the Churn, erupts reliably every 5 to 10 minutes to heights of 15 to 40 meters and is the reason visitors gather here. The wider geothermal field contains dozens of hot springs, bubbling mud pools, fumaroles, and smaller geysers, making it worth exploring beyond just waiting for Strokkur. The site is free to visit year-round.
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Iceland
Kerið is one of Iceland's most striking volcanic craters, a 6,500-year-old caldera filled with vivid aquamarine water and ringed by steep red and black volcanic rock. It sits right off Route 35 on the Golden Circle route, making it one of the easiest natural wonders in Iceland to add to a day trip.
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Iceland
The Secret Lagoon, known in Icelandic as Gamla Laugin or the Old Pool, is Iceland's oldest swimming pool, established in 1891 in the geothermal area of Hverahólmi near the village of Flúðir in South Iceland. The pool is fed entirely by natural hot springs and maintained at 38 to 40 degrees Celsius year-round without chemical treatment. A small geyser called Litli Geysir erupts every few minutes beside the pool. The lagoon closed from the late 1940s until 2014, when it was renovated and reopened.
Another day, another adventure! Today you will explore the South coast of Iceland. Start by driving to Seljalandsfoss waterfall, known for being the waterfall you can walk behind. Next up is another beautiful waterfall, Skógafoss. In this area, you can add a snowmobile tour on a glacier or a horseback riding tour on the friendly Icelandic horse (optional). Continue on to the town of Vík. Nearby you will find the black sand beach of Reynisfjara and the Dyrhólaey stone arch that stretches into the sea. After exploring these famous sights it’s time to head back. Return to your Golden Circle accommodation for another overnight stay.
Suggested hotels, or similar
HOTEL
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Superior
Region
Grímsnes, Golden Circle
In the countryside along the Golden Circle, the overnight stop after Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.
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Tier
Superior
Region
Haukadalur, Golden Circle
Right across from the Geysir geothermal area on the Golden Circle, a short drive from Gullfoss.
HOTEL
Tier
Classic
Region
Reykholt, Golden Circle
A hotel in Reykholt in the Biskupstungur area of the Golden Circle, a short drive from Gullfoss, Geysir and Friðheimar.
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Tier
Classic
Region
Flúðir, Golden Circle
In the farming village of Flúðir in South Iceland, close to the Secret Lagoon and a short drive from Gullfoss.
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Region
Iceland
Seljalandsfoss is a 60-meter waterfall on Iceland's South Coast, fed by meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull glacier flowing down the Seljalandsá river. It is one of the first major waterfalls visitors encounter heading east from Reykjavík along the Ring Road, about 120 kilometers from the capital. What makes it unusual among Iceland's waterfalls is a path that runs around the base of the cliff and directly behind the falls, allowing visitors to stand inside the curtain of water and look back out through it. The walk takes about 10 minutes and the cavern behind the falls is large enough to move around comfortably, though the path becomes extremely slippery and is closed in winter when ice makes it dangerous. The waterfall faces west and catches sunset light particularly well in the late afternoon. A second waterfall, Gljúfrabúi, is hidden inside a narrow gorge two minutes drive east and is worth the small detour.
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Iceland
Skógafoss is one of Iceland's largest and most visited waterfalls, dropping 60 meters over a 25-meter wide curtain of water on the South Coast near the village of Skógar. The sheer volume of spray it produces means that on clear days, single and double rainbows are almost guaranteed, making it one of the most photogenic spots in the country.
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Iceland
Reynisfjara is Iceland's most famous black sand beach, sitting on the South Coast just west of the village of Vík í Mýrdal, about 180 kilometers from Reykjavik. The beach is framed by a wall of hexagonal basalt columns and the three offshore Reynisdrangar sea stacks, which folklore says are trolls turned to stone by the rising sun. It is regularly cited as one of the most dramatic non-tropical beaches in the world, and is equally well known for its powerful and unpredictable sneaker waves, which can surge far up the beach without warning.
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Iceland
Dyrhólaey, meaning Door Hill Island, is a 120-meter volcanic promontory on Iceland's South Coast about 10 kilometers west of Vík. It is best known for its massive natural rock arch, wide enough for small boats to pass through, which was carved by wave action over thousands of years. The promontory is a protected nature reserve and one of the most accessible puffin-watching sites in Iceland, with colonies nesting on the clifftops from May through August. From the top, views extend across Reynisfjara black sand beach, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
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Iceland
Vík í Mýrdal is Iceland's southernmost village, sitting on the South Coast about 180 kilometers from Reykjavik. With a population of around 300, it is a small but well-serviced settlement, the main overnight stop on the South Coast route between Reykjavik and Jökulsárlón. Reynisfjara black sand beach and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks are 10 minutes west; the Mýrdalsjökull glacier covering Katla volcano dominates the landscape to the north. The hilltop Víkurkirkja church, with its distinctive red roof, is the most photographed building in the village and sits high enough to serve as a designated evacuation point if Katla erupts.
When you are ready to say goodbye to your beautiful Golden Circle accommodation, head back to Reykjavík where you will return your rental car. Enjoy an afternoon exploring some of the highlights of the city. These include the Hallgrímskirkja church, Harpa music & conference center, the Sun Voyager sculpture and the National Museum of Reykjavík. You can also visit the Whales of Iceland exhibition and the Aurora Reykjavík Northern Lights Center, where you can learn more about the Northern Lights. Alternatively, you can enjoy an activity from Reykjavík, such as a helicopter tour or a walking tour (not included). In the evening, you can have dinner in one of the gourmet restaurants in Reykjavík. Stay for your last night in Reykjavík before departure.
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A short walk from the centre of Reykjavik. Our Classic option in the city: simpler rooms than Saga, same easy access on foot.
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Reykjavik city centre
Central Reykjavik, walking distance to Laugavegur and the harbour. Our usual Superior choice in the city when guests want to be able to leave the hotel and be somewhere on foot.
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Iceland
Hallgrímskirkja is Reykjavík's most recognizable building and Iceland's tallest church at 74 meters, dominating the city skyline from its hilltop position above Skólavörðustígur. It is a Lutheran parish church named after the 17th-century Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson, author of the Passion Hymns. Designed by state architect Guðjón Samúelsson in 1937, it took 41 years to complete, with construction running from 1945 to 1986. The distinctive stepped concrete facade was directly inspired by the hexagonal basalt column formations found at Svartifoss waterfall and across Iceland's volcanic landscape. A tower elevator open to visitors daily gives panoramic views over Reykjavík and, on clear days, across Faxaflói Bay toward Snæfellsjökull. In front of the church stands a statue of Leif Eiríksson, a gift from the United States in 1930 to mark the Alþingi's 1,000th anniversary.
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Iceland
Harpa is Reykjavik's concert hall and conference center, sitting on the waterfront at the edge of the Old Harbor. Its glass facade, designed by artist Ólafur Elíasson and Henning Larsen Architects, has made it one of the most photographed buildings in Iceland since it opened in 2011. The public areas are free to enter, and the building is home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera.
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Region
Iceland
Reykjavík is the capital and biggest city of Iceland with a population of approximately 124,000. It is the northernmost capital in the world. Despite its small size, you can find many attractions and museums, making Reykjavik a popular destination.
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Region
Iceland
The National Museum of Iceland, Þjóðminjasafn Íslands, is the main repository of Icelandic cultural and historical heritage, located at Suðurgata 41 in Reykjavík, a short walk from the University of Iceland and Tjörnin lake. Founded in 1863, it has been at its current address since 1950. The permanent exhibition, Making of a Nation, presents around 2,000 objects in chronological order from the Viking Age settlement of Iceland through the medieval period, the Reformation, and into the 20th century. Among the highlights are a small bronze figurine believed to depict Thor, a replica Viking ship bow, and the Valþjófsstaður door, a pine church door from 1150 AD intricately carved with a Lion-Knight legend and runic inscriptions, the only carved Icelandic door with runic script in existence. A free audio guide is available in nine languages.
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Iceland
The Sun Voyager, known in Icelandic as Sólfar, is a polished steel sculpture on the Reykjavik waterfront that has become one of the most recognizable images of Iceland. Often mistaken for a Viking ship, it was actually described by its creator as a dreamboat, representing the promise of undiscovered territory and the freedom to explore.
It’s sad to admit but your Iceland Northern Lights tour is coming to an end. If your flight leaves in the afternoon you still have time to do some last minute sightseeing or shopping on the Laugavegur shopping street. If you could not visit the Blue Lagoon on your arrival day we can arrange that visit today. Finally, you will be picked up at your accommodation and transferred to Keflavík International Airport in time for your flight. We wish you safe travels back home and hope to see you again in Iceland. Thank you for travelling with Iceland Unlimited!
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Iceland
Laugavegur is the main street of central Reykjavik and the busiest in Iceland, running through the historic heart of the city from Hlemmur square to Lækjartorg. It is lined with Icelandic design shops, wool boutiques, restaurants, cafés, galleries, and bars, and forms the spine of Reykjavik's nightlife. The lower section is pedestrianized. The name translates as Wash Road, a reference to the route women once walked to reach the hot springs of Laugardalur with their laundry.
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Iceland
Laugardalslaug is the largest public geothermal swimming pool in Reykjavík, located in Laugardalur valley about five minutes from the city center. Opened in 1968, it was built on the natural hot springs that gave Reykjavík its name, Reykja meaning smoky and vík meaning bay, and the nearby street Laugavegur, meaning the way of the water, marks the old route people took from the city center to do their laundry here. Today the complex has a 50-meter outdoor pool, an indoor pool, multiple hot tubs at varying temperatures, a saltwater hot tub, a steam room, two waterslides, and a children's paddling pool. It attracts almost two million visitors a year and is considered the most authentic way for visitors to experience everyday Icelandic pool culture.
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Region
Iceland
Reykjavík is the capital and biggest city of Iceland with a population of approximately 124,000. It is the northernmost capital in the world. Despite its small size, you can find many attractions and museums, making Reykjavik a popular destination.
Let your personal travel consultant know what other activities catch your eye and we’ll add them to your custom-made trip itinerary.
We handpick accommodations to ensure memorable stays for every type of traveler.
Our Superior accommodations feature spacious private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, offering the choice of a relaxing bath or a refreshing shower, along with a private toilet to ensure maximum comfort and privacy. These rooms represent the best available lodging options, found within prestigious 4-star hotels or the finest, highest-quality lodges across each region. In Reykjavik, all Superior accommodations are centrally located, placing you within easy reach of the city's key attractions, shopping areas, and vibrant dining and cultural scenes. These accommodations provide an elevated experience with superior comfort, thoughtful amenities, and attentive service designed to make your stay truly memorable. To enhance your visit, a complimentary breakfast is included each morning, helping you start your day well-nourished and ready to explore.
Experience a higher level of comfort with our carefully selected Classic accommodations, each offering private facilities including a shower and toilet for your convenience and privacy. These lodges fall under the 3-star hotel category, providing a perfect blend of quality and value. Most properties boast an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy a variety of meals without needing to venture far. In Reykjavik, all Classic accommodations are ideally situated in central locations, giving you easy access to the city's main attractions, shopping districts, and vibrant cultural spots. This category represents a significant upgrade in both comfort and service compared to budget options, making it an excellent choice for travelers seeking a cozy yet affordable stay. To make your mornings hassle-free, a delicious breakfast is included with your stay.
Our luxury accommodations feature exquisite suites and premium rooms within top-tier lodges and resorts, offering an elegant and sophisticated ambiance. Designed with refined decor and upscale touches, these accommodations provide a seamless blend of style, comfort, and exclusivity. Personalized services cater to your every need, ensuring a truly indulgent and tailored experience. In Reykjavik, all luxury accommodations are centrally located, placing you at the heart of the city’s vibrant cultural scene, fine dining, shopping, and key attractions. Whether you’re seeking a tranquil retreat or an immersive urban experience, these upscale lodgings deliver the perfect base. Classy, elegant, and supremely comfortable, our luxury options strive to provide a first-class stay marked by exceptional amenities, impeccable service, and attention to detail. Every aspect is carefully crafted to make your visit not just memorable, but extraordinary.
Prepare for your adventure with these essential tips and information for a smooth journey.
No. The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are visible from late August to mid-April, primarily on clear, dark nights. They are most active in the winter months, away from city lights.
Iceland is part of the Schengen Area. EU/EEA, US, UK, and Canadian citizens can enter without a visa for short stays (up to 90 days). Other nationalities should check with the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration or their local embassy.
All travel arrangements should be booked at least 48 hours in advance. For holiday packages and custom-made tours, we strongly recommend you book with a few weeks/months notice. For larger groups we recommend you book with a few months’ notice.
The currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, even for small purchases. ATMs are easily accessible throughout the country.
Iceland Unlimited aims to answer all e-mails within 24 hours. You can also reach us by phone. Our main number is +354 415 0600
