Top10 Winter Things to Do in Iceland for First-Time Visitors

Plan the perfect Iceland winter trip for your first visit with must-see sights, icy adventures, and seasonal highlights.

Iceland has stayed in my heart forever because of its wild, breathtaking nature and the wonderful people I met along the way. I spent a full month living there, and in that time I was lucky enough to see so much of the country.

During my teacher work-exchange program, I worked at a hotel, and they encouraged me to join as many excursions as possible so I could later tell guests what each experience was really like. And honestly… that was the perfect assignment for me!

February in Iceland is unpredictable and quite cold, but it also showed me a completely different side of the country. Snow-covered mountain peaks looked magical, and the Blue Lagoon seemed even bluer, glowing against the white winter landscape.

Winter in Iceland was incredibly beautiful. There were no crowds, none of the peak-season madness, just peaceful scenery and crips, quiet air. I truly hope I get to return to Iceland again soon.

Top Things to Do in Iceland in the Winter

Explore Reykjavik

A trip around Iceland can easily start in the lovely city of Reykjavik. This small capital, which is often praised as one of the world’s most eco-friendly and safest cities, has a surprisingly big heart.

Wandering the streets of downtown Reykjavik is such a treat. The colourful houses, quirky boutiques, and the little side alleys covered in street art make exploring feel like a treasure hunt.

Reykjavik is also known, somewhat unexpectedly, for its lively nightlife. However, I pesonally fell in love with the city’s cozy and diverse cafe scene.

And as I mentioned in my Radisson Blu Saga Hotel post, Iceland’s national culinary team consistently ranks at the top of international competitions, so it’s absolutely worth trying at leas one fancy restaurant while you’re in town.

Best of all, Reykjavik is truly one of the safest capital cities you could ever visit.

The city’s most famous landmark is Hallgrímskirkja, a striking church whose tower offers sweeping views over reykjavik and the surrounding landscape. You can ride up to the bell tower for a small fee, and the view is definitely worth it.

Tour the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is easily the most popular sightseeing route among visitors in Iceland, and for a good reason. Along this loop you get to experience several of the country’s most iconic natural wonders in just one trip.

My own tour almost ended before it even began. A heavy snowstorm rolled in, and for a moment it looked like our little minibus would have to turn back. Luckily we pushed on, because the entire day ended up being absolutely worth every heartbeat of worry.

Our fort stop was Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here, you can literally walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, or even dive between them in crystal-clear water.

Þingvellir also holds huge historical significance, as it was once the center of Icelandic governance. Many of the most important events in Iceland’s history took place right here.

Our next stop was the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall. It’s beautiful in summer but in winter it’s downright magical. From the viewpoint it looks as if the entire waterfall simply drops straight into the earth and disappears underground.

We ended the loop in the Haukadalur geothermal area, home to Iceland’s famous geysers. The two main ones are Stokkur and Geysir.

Stokkur is very much alive, erupting every 5-10 minutes the delight of everyone waiting with cameras ready. Geysir, on the other hand, erupts rarely these days.

The are is also dotted with steaming hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and fumaroles, that we also saw on our trip to Hawaii’s Big Island and at Lassen Volcanic Park back home in California. These are some of those places where the earth feels very much awake under your feet.

Relax in the Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon is easily one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, if not the most famous of them all.

It’s a geothermal spa where the water is heated by the earth’s natural energy. Even though it looks like a hot spring, it’s actually a man-made lagoon. Iceland has several of the unique geothermal spas, but the Blue Lagoon is by far the most iconic.

From Reykjavik, the drive takes just under an hour, and from Keflavík Airport a little over thirty minutes. That makes it the perfect last stop before heading home, especially if you have an evening flight.

The lagoon sits in the middle of a black lava field, which makes its bright turquoise water look even more magical. Its milky color comes from silica, a mineral naturally found in the water.

The mineral-rich water us said to help with various skin conditions, or at the very least, it’s incredibly soothing for the skin.

Throughout the lagoon, you’ll find bowls of pale, mineral-rich mud that you can spread on your face or body as a little spa treatment. Just remember to remove your jewellery before getting in as the minerals can be surprisingly harsh on metals.

Hygiene is taken seriously here, so everyone is required to shower before entering the lagoon.

It’s worth booking your Blue Lagoon tickets as soon as you know you’re traveling to Iceland. Tourism has absolutely exploded in recent years, and the lagoon is sold out almost all the time (especially at summer).

If, for some reason, you can’t get tickets, don’t worry; you can always head to the slightly less famous Secret Lagoon instead. Its’ a wonderful alternative to the Blue Lagoon and far less crowded.

Step Inside a Waterfall

I spent one full day exploring Iceland’s south coast, and honestly, you could easily fill several days there. There’s so much to see and do. I would’ve loved more time on the beaches or to head out on longer hikes, but in just one day I still managed to see some incredible spots.

The most impressive waterfall was definitely Skógafoss. The sun cast a perfect rainbow across its mist, and of all the waterfalls I’ve seen in Iceland, this one felt the most powerful.

Another must-see waterfall is Seljalandsfoss. It may not be quite as dramatic as Skógafoss, but it’s special in its own way; you can actually walk behind it.

Yes, you literally step inside the waterfall, and there’s no staying dry. Bring a raincoat or at least an extra layer you don’t mind soaking. It’s absolutely worth it.

Stroll on the Black Sand Beach

From the waterfalls, my journey continued to the little village of Vík, and then to its famous black-sand beach, Reynisfjara. Black-sand beach form in volcanic regions, and we’ve visited similar ones before on Hawaii’s Big Island and even back home in California.

I was secretly hoping to spot some puffins, but they stayed hidden this time. Instead, I found myself mesmerised by the dramatic black sand and the striking basalt sea stacks rising from the ocean, Reynisdrangar.

According to an old saga, trolls once tried to drag a ship ashore here. But when daylight broke, they turned to stone, creating the towering columns we see today.

The basalt formations along the shoreline were incredible too. They reminded me of the ones at California’s Devils Postpile National Monument, where we hiked a few years ago.

Hike on a Glacier

Along Iceland’s south coast, you can see two different glaciers: Sólheimajökull and Eyjafjallajökull. I had a chance to hike on the latter and it was an amazing experience.

Beneath this glacier lies a volcano, one that famously erupted in 2010 and threw all of Europe’s air travel into chaos. Massive ash clouds spread across the world, grounding tens of thousands of flights. Parts of the glacier melted as well, causing flooding in the surrounding areas.

Visit the Skógar Museum

This wonderfully idyllic little museum is well worth a visit if you’re anywhere nearby. Skógar Regional Museum first opened its doors back in 1949, and its exhibits offer a fantastic look at Iceland’s history, especially its agricultural roots.

The museum became particularly well-known thanks to its long time curator, Þórður Tómasson, who personally guided visitors through the collections. I was lucky enough to meet him during my visit, though he has since retired.

You can find more information about Skógar Museum’s exhibitions and opening hours on their official website.

They actually have these charming turf-roofed houses in Northern Norway as well. On our last trip up there, we even got to stay in one, and it was every bit as cozy and storybook-like as it looks

Ride the Icelandic Horses

Every horse lover has to try riding Icelandic horses at least once in a life time.

The great thing is that Icelandic horse treks are perfect even for total beginners. The horses are small, sturdy, and incredibly smooth to ride, so it’s much easier to stay balanced than on larger breeds. And then there’s their special extra gait, the tölt, which you won’t experience on any other horse in the world.

Icelandic horse are a carefully protected breed. If a horse leaves the country, it’s never allowed back. This is how Iceland ensures no diseases are brought in and the bloodline stays pure.

We went on a two-hour ride with these fuzzy little charmers, and it was so much fun. We got to try all the different gaits, which was such a great surprise.

I’ll admit, I hesitated a but when they handed us those bulky overalls for the ride, but it took about two minutes for me to realize why they were absolutely necessary. Winter in Iceland is cold, of course, but the suits also protected our clothes from getting completely splattered with mud. our route took us through little streams and soggy meadows.

What I loved most was that this wasn’t just a slow plod along a straight, flat trail. The scenery and the terrain kept changing, making the whole adventure so much more exciting.

Go Whale Watching

Iceland is an amazing place to spot whales if that’s something on your bucket list. When booking a whale-watching tour, though, it’s smart to keep an eye on the weather forecast. My first tour was canceled due to strong winds.

Winter isn’t exactly peak whale-watching season, but they are still out there. We managed to see several. Our two-hour tour even stretched into nearly four hours as we searched for the whales.

I have to give the tour operator huge credit; they truly did everything they could to give everyone their money’s worth. Sometimes the whales just don’t show up, and that’s no one’s fault.

I get seasick pretty easily on small boats, so I spent the whole four hours sitting like a statue in the bow, staring at the horizon. Thankfully they handed out warm overalls to everyone, because unlike others, I couldn’t retreat into the warm cabin.

But I was so happy I stuck it out, and I came home with some great whale photos. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to see whales again in Hawaii and back home in Monterey, California.

See the northern lights

Although the Northern Lights appear all year around, winter is the perfect time to see them because there are so many dark hours in a day. You need a dark and clear sky to spot them, and it’s best to head away from the city lights.

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees for when the Northern Lights will appear, so any tour operator who promises otherwise, is’t being truthful. But there’s no better place than Iceland at winter for Northern Lights hunting, and if you’re lucky, you’ll discover that they’re even more magical than in the photos.

Where to Stay on Your Trip to Iceland

Iceland has plenty of great places to stay, and the best choice really depends on how you plan to get around. If you won’t have a car, the easiest option is to choose a hotel right in downtown Reykjavik. You’ll be close to restaurants, shops, and pick-up points for tours and buses, which makes exploring the city and beyond super convenient.

During my time in Iceland, I actually spent a period working at a Radisson hotel as part of a professional teacher exchange program. That meant I got to know the Reykjavik’s Radissons really well, and I can honestly recommend the Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel, which is right in the heart of the city.

If you want something a little more unique but still central, Alda Hotel Reykjavik is a great choice. It’s very popular and even has a sauna, which is perfect after a long day of sightseeing in Icelandic weather.

For a slightly more affordable but still comfortable option, Hotel Frón is another good pick. It’s within easy walking distance of the main downtown attractions, making ti a solid choice for many travelers.

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There is, of course, much more to see in Iceland beyond the highlights mentioned above. But these will give you a great start, and they just happen to be some of the country’s most famous must-see spots.

Most guided tours pick travelers up directly from hotels all around Reykjavik, so joining an excursion couldn’t be easier. Renting a car and driving yourself is also very straightforward if you prefer exploring on your own.

Iceland truly is an incredible destination for anyone who loves nature!

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