Destination Guide

Iceland

Fire and ice in equal measure — geysers, glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls and the Aurora Borealis dancing over black-sand beaches.

Best months
Feb (auroras) · Jun – Sep (light)
Climate now
Sub-arctic · windy
Currency
ISK / EUR
Languages
English & Icelandic
Visa (SA)
Schengen visa
Flight time
16 – 24 hours
Time zone
GMT

Why visit Iceland

Why we run this trip twice a year in opposite seasons?

The Northern Lights

From late Aug through April — solar storms permitting. Our February tour is timed for peak aurora activity, with chase guides and clear-night flexibility.

Waterfalls everywhere

Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss (you can walk behind it), Dettifoss (Europe’s most powerful), Gullfoss. They’re everywhere — and they’re enormous.

The Golden Circle

Thingvellir (where the continents are pulling apart), Geysir (the original geyser), Gullfoss. All in one easy day from Reykjavik.

Black sand beaches

Reynisfjara, with its basalt columns and ocean stacks. Photogenic at every season, dangerous in any swell.

Glacier hikes

Walk on Sólheimajökull or Vatnajökull (Europe’s largest glacier). Ice caves in winter. Crampons provided, no experience needed.

Reykjavik

The world’s northernmost capital — design-forward, foodie, gay-friendly, geothermally heated. The Sky Lagoon is the new Blue Lagoon.

Available tours in Iceland

One scheduled tour a year — timed for the Northern Lights.

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When to go

Iceland is two very different countries in summer and winter.

Jan
-2° · auroras
Feb
auroras · ice caves
Mar
auroras
Apr
shoulder
May
warming
Jun
midnight sun
Jul
warmest · 15°
Aug
prime
Sep
prime · early auroras
Oct
cooling
Nov
dark · auroras
Dec
festive · dark
Prime — ideal for all activities
Good — shoulder season, fewer crowds
Do not recommend — weather or seasonal limits
Prime · Feb (auroras) · Jun – Sep (light)

February: maximum darkness for auroras, ice caves at their best, snow scenery. Summer: midnight sun, all roads open, puffins on the coast.

Good · Jan · Mar · Oct – Nov

Cheaper, quieter, still aurora-possible. Some highland routes closed in winter. Shoulder months reward flexibility.

Do not recommend · None really

There’s no bad month — but match it to your purpose. Summer for landscapes; winter for lights and ice caves.

What Iceland is known for

The signature experiences this country is famous for.

A
Aurora Borealis

Sep–Apr. Best viewed away from city lights, on clear cold nights.

G
Golden Circle

Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss — Iceland 101 in one day.

V
Vatnajökull

Europe’s largest glacier — hike on it, sail past icebergs at Jökulsárlón.

W
Waterfalls

Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss (walk behind), Dettifoss, Gullfoss.

R
Reynisfjara & Jökulsárlón

Black-sand beach with basalt columns. Photogenic, dangerous swell. Jökulsárlón, glacial lagoon with black sands and floating icebergs, also known as Diamond Beach.

B
Blue Lagoon

Geothermal lagoon near the airport. Touristy but lovely.

H
Húsavík

North coast — Europe’s whale-watching capital.

K
Reykjavik

World’s northernmost capital. Tiny, walkable, design-forward.

How to travel Iceland

Two signature ways we travel Iceland.

Small-Group Tour

Iconic Iceland & Northern Lights

Our 8-day winter tour timed for aurora season — geysers, ice caves, black sand beaches and aurora chasing. Max 14 guests, February departure.

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Bespoke

Self-drive Ring Road

Drive Iceland’s Ring Road at your own pace — 1,332 km, 7-12 days. We plan the route, book the hotels, leave the wheel to you.

Design my trip →

Did you know?

A few things about Iceland most visitors don’t expect.

01
Almost everyone is named after their dad.

Icelanders use patronymics — Jón’s son Magnús is Magnús Jónsson; Jón’s daughter Sigríður is Sigríður Jónsdóttir. The phone book is alphabetical by first name.

02
There are no trains.

During summer, cars and buses are your mode of transport between regions. Many roads close during winter.

03
The world’s oldest functioning parliament met here.

At Thingvellir, from 930 AD. The Althing predates every other still-functioning parliament. The location is also where the European and North American tectonic plates meet.

Photo gallery

Iceland through our travellers’ lenses.

Imagining your own Iceland?

Two very different countries — one extraordinary island.

Our February group tour is the Northern Lights window. For summer Ring Road trips or the Westfjords in midnight sun — bespoke is the way.

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