Home / Multi-Day Tours / South Iceland / Iceland Winter Tour – South and West For 10 days
The Iceland winter holidays version of our Snæfellsnes and south coast tour. Ten adventurous days in the land of ice and fire. Snæfellsnes being one of the most spectacular places in Iceland combined with the rough landscapes of the south creates a combination not to be missed.
This Iceland winter tour package gives an opportunity to see the perfect scope shaped mountain Kirkjufell, fishing villages of the west, the Vatnajökull national park and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, just to name a few.
On your way, you will have a great opportunity to get acquainted with Icelandic sagas and you will see all the major natural attractions including volcanoes, geysers, and waterfalls. If you are lucky, you might also witness the magical northern lights during the long and cold, yet peaceful Icelandic winter nights.
If you are interested in receiving more information about this tour, please click on the “Request a quote” widget on the left side of the page. A quick form will open up where you will provide us with more information about your travel expectations. You will then be connected with your specialized travel agent who will assist you throughout the planning a provide a fully detailed quote.
Please note that this itinerary can be adjusted and customized to meet your travel needs and preferences. The package can also be offered as a privately guided tour if a self-drive option is not what you had in mind for your Iceland experience.
NL-10
Oct - Apr
Self-Drive
10 days / 9 nights
South & West Iceland
Welcome to your Iceland winter holidays! After you have cleared customs, you will be transferred to your hotel in Reykjavik. If you arrive around noon, it is possible to stop at the Blue Lagoon before continuing to the capital. After you have checked in to your hotel and received your travel documents, we would like to have an optional private information meeting during office hours at our headquarters. After the meeting, you’ll have free time in Reykjavik to explore and enjoy the northernmost capital of the world. Overnight in downtown Reykjavík.
Today, a representative from our car rental company will be picking you up in the morning, taking you to their headquarters, where you will sign the rental agreement and receive your rental car. You should then be ready to leave town and head to the Snæfellsnes peninsula. In the town of Stykkishólmur, the largest town in the area, you will find the dark and magnificent Norwegian House (built in 1832 as the first double story timber house in Iceland), which is now the folk museum with rather interesting objects. On your way around the peninsula, you will find a number of stunning natural attractions such as Arnarstapi, the small church in Buðir, the shark museum in Bjarnarhöfn, Kirkjufell mountain and the Eldborg crater.
It is also possible to go on a guided tour to a lava cave called Vatnshellir which is located in the Snæfellsjökull National Park and is 8000 years old. In the evening, if the skies are clear, and it’s chilly outside you should definitely go out and search for the northern lights, – and this goes for all the nights ahead of you. Most hotels in Iceland offer wake-up-calls during the night, should these mystical forces of nature choose to appear in the wee hours. Stay the night in the area.
Reykjavík
Snæfellsnes area
~248 km / 154 miles
After breakfast and packing, start your day by visiting the attractions you missed out on yesterday if any. Then, start making your way back south again. If you’re up for a small detour, we recommend that you check out the volcanic crater Grábrók, Hraunfossar waterfalls, Deildartunguhver (the largest hot spring in Europe) and finally the settlement centre in Borgarnes. Today, it is also possible to visit Iceland´s second largest glacier Langjökull. and join an “Into The Glacier” tour. This truly is a unique experience where you witness the glacier´s beauty from the inside! Stay overnight in the area for a good night’s sleep.
Snæfellsnes area
Borgarnes area
~270 km / 167 miles
Drive south towards Mosfellssveit, and then off to the your Þingvellir National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich with its incredible natural beauty, history and where you can see how the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are diverging. Continue on to the famous Geyser geothermal fields and witness the great spouting spring, namesake of every other spouting spring in the world. Close by you’ll find Gullfoss (Golden Falls), recently voted one of 10 most beautiful waterfalls in the world. In the area, you will find lunch stops where you should definitely stop for a traditional Icelandic meal. We strongly recommend the Icelandic lamb soup. Then, make your way towards the south coast and drive through lush farmlands, but be sure to make a stop at Kerið, a volcanic crater displaying its crystal clear water. Stay the night in the Selfoss area.
Borgarnes area
Selfoss area
~287 km / 179 miles
Today you are continuing down to the beautiful South coast of Iceland. Drive east to the picturesque waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Close to Skógafoss, you will find the Skógar museum, where you can get a glimpse of how Icelanders used to live in the old days. Next stop is Mýrdalsjökull glacier where you can join a guided glacier hike or a snowmobiling tour. Drive further along the south shore to the village of Vík. Once there, visit the black volcanic beach of Reynisfjara with a view of the Reynisdrangar ocean cliffs. This is the perfect opportunity for a nice afternoon/evening walk. Take extra care though, as the waves are strong and have caused serious and fatal accidents. You stay the night in the Vík/ Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.
Selfoss area
Vík / Kirkjubæjarklaustur area
~203 km / 126 miles
When ready to leave the Vík/Kirkjubæjarklaustur area behind, continue to Skaftafell, a part of the Vatnajökull National Park. On your way, make sure not to miss the amazing Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, just outside the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. The canyon reaches down to 100m in depth, and has the striking length of 2km, with the Fjaðrá river flowing through it. Skaftafell is a site of immense beauty and variations. There you’ll find many different hiking routes. We recommend a light hike to Svartifoss waterfall, that features pitch black hexagonal basalt columns and a rugged canyon.
Continue east to the amazing Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and enjoy the floating icebergs in this crown jewel of Icelandic nature. This is your turning point unless you would like to continue on to the village of Höfn for a nice dinner, as it is dubbed “the lobster capital of Iceland” – before turning back). This night you will be staying in the area of Kirkjubæjarklaustur/Jökulsárlón.
Vík / Kirkjubæjarklaustur area
Vík / Kirkjubæjarklaustur area
~260 km / 161 miles
In Kirkjubæjarklaustur, where Iceland’s first monastery was built in 1186, there are several sights to be seen, for example, the Systrafoss waterfall and Kirkjugólf (The church Floor) – although never a church floor, in reality, it is an 80m of columnar basalt, eroded and shaped by glaciers and waves. On your way back west, nature lovers will want to make another stop by the village of Vík in Mýrdalur, which is Iceland´s most southerly village. It is the only seaside settlement in Iceland left without a harbour, due to natural circumstances. When in Vík, you can expect a lot of rain, snow, wind and/or fog, as the average precipitation there is the highest in the whole of Iceland. Because of this, rainbows are also more frequent and vivid in this area than anywhere else.
In the afternoon you can join a horseback riding tour where you will meet the Icelandic horse. This is the only breed of horse in Iceland and it displays two gaits in addition to the typically walk, trot, and canter/gallop commonly displayed by other breeds. Overnight in the night in the area of Hella/Selfoss.
Vík / Kirkjubæjarklaustur area
Hella / Selfoss area
~167 km / 104 miles
Today you will discover the geothermal wonders of Reykjanes peninsula with its endless lava fields and black beaches. You will find several geothermal areas around, and you should definitely visit the Krýsvík area. Here you have the chance to visit the geothermal area in Krýsuvik with boiling mud pools and colourful mountains. A well-maintained path winds through the bubbling and hissing field and information boards explain the geology of this geothermal area. This geothermal field is situated in the middle of the fissure zone in the mid-Atlantic ridge which traverses Iceland. In the afternoon, you may choose to make a stop at the Blue Lagoon (optional) and relax after a few exciting days on the road. Then, drive back to Reykjavík where you drop off your rental car and stay at a downtown hotel.
Hella / Selfoss area
Reykjavík
~241 km / 150 miles
Enjoy a free day in the capital. You might want to visit some of Reykjavik’s many art and culture museums and exhibitions. To name a couple, there is the National Museum and Saga museum, which traces Iceland’s Viking history. If you are lucky with the weather you might enjoy a stroll around the city and some of Reykjavík sightseeing spots and landmarks, such as the Hallgrímskirkja church, Harpa concert hall, The Sun Voyager sculpture by the sea and some more. You could also join a guided walking tour in the old town and hear stories of Reykjavík in the olden days. Don´t forget to grab yourself a hot dog at the infamous hot dog stand “The Town’s Best”, and if it happens to be a weekend, make sure to check out Reykjavík’s flea market Kolaportið.
If you are not the city type, or would simply like to experience a final adventure in Iceland, there are various day tours to choose from which we would be happy to book for you. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at one of Reykjavík many gourmet restaurants. Stay the night at the same hotel as the night before.
It is time to leave! We hope you have had a wonderful time experiencing the Icelandic winter. You will be transferred to the International Airport Keflavík. We wish you a nice journey back home, and hopefully, we will be seeing you again someday!
Budget accommodations include shared facilities in guest houses, country hotels, farmhouses, etc. In some cases, the rooms might be equipped with a TV and a washbasin. The in-room amenities are limited and basic but they all adhere to a high standard of cleanliness.
Breakfast is included.
Comfort accommodations offer access to private facilities (shower and toilet). This type of lodges belongs to the 3-star hotel category. Most of these properties have an in-house restaurant. This section offers an upgrade in comfort and service compared to the budget category. Breakfast is included.
Quality accommodations offer private rooms with en-suite shower/bath and toilet. These rooms are the best available accommodations in 4-star hotels or the highest quality lodges in each region. Luxury accommodations - the highest class of lodges, suites, and penthouses - are available upon request. Breakfast is included.
Type: Compact
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 2
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: Intermediate Wagon
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: SUV Economy
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 3
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: SUV Full Size Intermediate
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: SUV Full Size
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: SUV Full Size Luxury
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
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.
The Blue Lagoon is a famous geothermal spa located in Reykjanes peninsula nearby the International Airport of Iceland. It was formed during an operation at the nearby geothermal power plant. Reservations in advance are necessary for those who are planning a visit.
The Aurora is a natural phenomenon caused by electrically charged particles, mainly electrons and protons ejected from the sun colliding with atoms of oxygen and nitrogen causing them to emit light that is visible to us. These hypnotic lights are known as Aurora Borealis, Polar Lights or Northern Lights in the arctic north and Aurora Australis (southern lights) around the south pole. The color of the Aurora has to do with the type of gas that these particles collide with, oxygen produces green light at low altitudes and red at high altitudes. Nitrogen produces purple Aurora. The green color is the most common and red can only be seen at the strongest of geomagnetic storms. The full understanding of the physical processes that cause the aurora are still a mystery but we know the fundamental causes of the Aurora is the interaction of solar wind with the Earth‘s magnetosphere.
There are three basic requirements for seeing the northern lights. Solar activity, darkness and clear skies. This means that you cannot see the northern lights during summer, they are still happening, there's even a phenomenon called daylight aurora, but our eyes cannot detect them as sunlight drowns out the Aurora. So the darker the better. Going out of the city is not a requirement, the Aurora can often be spotted within city limits in Iceland, however to best enjoy them going away from city lights enhances the experience. Also people should not use mobile phones if they are looking for the northern lights, as the light from the screen will make it harder for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. It‘s always a good idea to take warm clothes on your Aurora excursions as Iceland can get very cold in the winter, that means wool undergarments, warm mid layer and a windproof shell.
Stykkishólmur is the largest town in Snæfellsnes Peninsula and also the gateway to the Westfjords via the ferry Baldur. It is a center of services and commerce for this region and it is based on tourism and on the fishing industry.
Bjarnarhöfn is the region leading producer of hákarl (fermented shark meat), a traditional Icelandic dish. The Shark Museum at Bjarnarhöfn farm, on the northern side of Snæfellsnes peninsula, is where visitors can get a down-home taste of it.
Kirkjufell is a stunning 463 m high mountain on the north coast of Snæfellsnes peninsula in Iceland. It is located near Grundarfjörður village.
Arnarstapi is a small fishing village at the foot of Stapafell mountain, between Hellnar village and Breiðavík farms, on the southern side of Snæfellsnes, Iceland. It is famous for its extraordinary columnar basalt and rock formations.
Búðakirkja Church is a famous black wooden Church built up in 1703. This fascinating building sits alone in the Búðahraun lava field.
Grábrók Crater is the larger of three craters in a volcanic fissure belonging to the volcanic system of Ljosufjoll. Grábrók is located in the fjord of Borgarfjörður in West Iceland.
Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls coming from underneath Hallmundarhraun, a lava field formed by an eruption of the volcano situated under the glacier Langjökull. The waterfalls pour into the Hvítá river. Hraunfossar is located near Húsafell and Reykholt.
Deildartunguhver Hot Spring is the largest hot spring in Europe. It provides all hot water for the neighbouring villages.
Þingvellir National Park is the most important historic and geological sites in Iceland. The area is part of a fissure zone running through Iceland, being situated on the tectonic plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Major events in the history of Iceland have taken place at Þingvellir and today the entire area is a protected national treasure.
Gullfoss, also called the Golden Waterfall, is one of the most iconic gems of the likewise named Golden Circle. The waterfall is located in the upper part of the River Hvíta. Gullfoss is actually two separate waterfalls, the upper one has a drop of 11 meters and the lower one 21 meters.
Geysir is the famous hot spring area located in the Haukadalur valley. The main attraction is known as Strokkur, which erupts energetically at regular intervals of 10 minutes or so its boiling waterjets can reach as high as 30 meters.
Kerið is a volcanic crater lake located in the area called Grímsnes in the South of Iceland, along the famous Golden Circle route. The crater walls are steep and often covered with Icelandic moss. The inside of the crater is a lake whose water is aquamarine colored due to the minerals from the soil. The crater is 55 meters deep and about 3000 years old.
Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous and visited waterfalls in Iceland. It located along the South Coast of the Country right by the road n. 1. The waterfall is part of the Seljalands river that originated from the famous volcano glacier Eyjafjallajökull. The waterfall is approximately 60-meter high and it is famous for its path that leads visitor behind its powerful water flow.
Skógafoss is a waterfall located on the Skógá river on the South Coast of Iceland. This picture-perfect waterfall descends 60 meters from the cliffs. Before pouring down the cliffs becoming the famous waterfall, the river flows through the Skógárgil gorge.
Skogár Folk Museum is located next to the Skógafoss waterfall, in south Iceland. It consists of a cultural heritage collection of folk craft artifacts and examples of typical Icelandic turf farmhouses.
Please visit the museum's webpage for further information. https://www.skogasafn.is/
Sólheimajökull glacier is the southwestern outlet of the Mýrdalsjökull icecap. It is about 8 km long and 1-2 km wide. It is popular for exciting tours such as glacier hikes and ice climbing.
Reynisfjara is a famous black sand beach in the South of Iceland, just next to the village of Vik. Black sand, lava formations, and basalt columns make it a popular stop for all visitors.
Reynisdrangar cliffs are towering basalt-type rock formations situated near the shore of Reynisfjara black sand beach, on the South Coast of Iceland. The folk legend wants them to be the rocky representation of two trolls turned into stone after being caught by the sunlight after dawn.
Kirkjubæjarklaustur is home to Iceland’s first monastery, built in 1186. In the area of the village there are many of the South Coast's interesting attractions such as the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon and Kirkjugolf- the church floor.
Svartifoss, or the Black Fall, is a beautiful waterfall in Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. It falls off dark lava columns. The hike to the waterfall takes approximately 45 minutes
Jökulsárlón is a large glacial lake located in the Southeast of Iceland on the edge of the Vatnajökull National Park. The Lagoon developed into a lake after the glacier started receding from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The lake can be seen from Route 1 between Höfn and Skaftafell. The lagoon offers outstanding views of the ice cap and it is one of the most spectacular and loved, natural destinations in all Iceland.
Höfn is an Icelandic fishing town located in the southeastern part of the Country. The town, the second largest in the southeastern part of Iceland, offers scenic views of Vatnajökull (the largest ice cap in Europe by volume). The main economic activities in Höfn are fishing and tourism. The location is also well known for its culinary tradition with lobster being the most acclaimed specialty of the area.
Eldhraun is a lava field in the southern highlands of Iceland. It was created by a great volcano eruption known as Skaftareldar.
Vík is the southernmost village in Iceland, located on the ring road (Road number 1), featuring the impressive and popular black sand beach.
Kirkjugólf Basalt Tiles or "the Church floor" is an 80 square meter expanse of columnar basalt stone slabs which have eroded over time. The hexagonal ‘tiles’ look as if they were man-made.
Systrafoss Waterfall, or The sisters' falls, is located in the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. It has named after the nuns who lived in the convent at the village.
Seltún is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, a highly active geothermal area. Seltún consists of boiling mud pools and colourful mountains.
The Blue Lagoon is a famous geothermal spa located in Reykjanes peninsula nearby the International Airport of Iceland. It was formed during an operation at the nearby geothermal power plant. Reservations in advance are necessary for those who are planning a visit.
The Reykjanes peninsula is located on a drift zone, between two continents, the North American and Eurasian plate. It is a unique area where you can see different elements of the drift zone; very active geothermal energy, lava fields and other natural phenomenon. The Blue Lagoon and Keflavik international airport are also located in the area.
Gunnuhver is an active geothermal area. It is located within the Reykjanes UNESCO Geo park and there you can find mud pools, boiling hot springs and steam coming up from the ground.
Gunnuhver is named after a female ghost named Gunna and she had caused great disturbance in the area until a priest set a trap for her and she fell into the spring.
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.
Hallgrímskirkja Church is most certainly Reykjavík´s best-known landmark. The white concrete Church whose image is printed in many postcards, dominates the city. As a matter of fact its tower can be seen from almost every corner of Reykjavík. Its distinctive and futuristic exterior made the Church one of the most visited spots in Reykjavík.
Harpa is the famous concert hall and conference center located in Reykjavik. The building features a distinctive and original colored glass facade inspired by the basalt landscape of Iceland. Its unique architecture makes it one of Reykjavik most loved landmarks.
The Kolaportið flea market is located in the old harbour area just a few minute walk from the city center. It is an indoor market that opens every weekend. It is located in a large industrial building and it is features an authentic display of secondhand clothes, toys, jewellery and much more. A realReykjavik Institution and the perfect place to find a bargain.
Solfar Sculpture, also known as the Sun Voyager, is the famous steel sculpture created by artist Jón Gunnar Árnason. The art piece is located next to the Sæbraut road in downtown Reykjavík. Its shape reminds of a ship floating on air, facing the ocean.
This sublime museum displays artifacts from the settlement to the modern age of Iceland history. The exhibition gives you an excellent and enlightening overview of Iceland's history and culture. The museum functions as the center for the preservation of Iceland´s national heritage. It counts about 300,000 artifacts and nearly four million photographs in its collation.
