Iceland Winter Tours | The Best Of The Best 2023

There is a ridiculous range of activities and tours you can experience in Iceland in winter. Let me narrow it down to the very best you can find.

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The Best Iceland Winter Tours

If you haven’t really looked into all the Iceland winter tours you can get up to then I assure you, this list will blow your mind. Visitors to Iceland are blessed with a mindboggling array of incredible activities all over the country, especially in the winter months.

If you have already got a pretty good idea of what you want to get up to then don’t click away too soon! I have taken all of the tours that Iceland has to offer in the winter and narrowed them down to the very best, the #1, the creme of the crop!

So, have a read, check out my recommendations and find out how to really maximise your Iceland vacation. Don’t forget to book your airport shuttle first so that you can get on with the important job of having fun!

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Golden Circle Tours

I had to start with the most popular activity in the whole of Iceland. The Golden Circle is literally the path most trodden by any and all tourists that visit Iceland, and for good reason. The route consists of three of the most spectacular sights in the south: Thingvellir national park, Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.

What makes this route so incredibly popular is its outstanding national beauty that really encompasses all that is incredible about Iceland and it’s relatively close proximity to Reykjavik. This means that tour costs stay reasonable as transport costs are kept down.

In my opinion, this is the perfect 1st-day activity for anyone looking for a winter tour from Reykjavik and is visiting Iceland in winter. AND if you want to make your first day as memorable as it can possibly be then I highly recommend coupling your Golden Circle tour with a visit to the Secret Lagoon. It isn’t significantly more money and you get to end the day in one of the best geothermal baths in the whole of Iceland.

For the best Golden Circle tour in Iceland click here and for the Golden Circle tour starting with a visit to the Secret Lagoon click here.

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Silfra Fissure Snorkelling & Diving Tour

This is one incredible tour that is often overlooked by many people visiting Thingvellir National Park. You may end up going to Thingvellir, seeing the Silfra fissure (it looks like a clear narrow stream from above) and leaving without ever knowing what actually lurks beneath those crystal blue waters.

I’ll tell you – 100m of perfectly clear underwater visibility in between two tectonic plates that are actively drifting apart. This is the only place in the world that you can dive or snorkel between two continents.

Not only that, the fissure is said to contain the clearest natural water and visibility anywhere in the world.

I have recommended a tour that uses dry suits which means that you really don’t have to worry about the very low water temperature. Also, if you are already planning a Golden Circle tour and you are thinking about snorkelling the Silfra fissure then I recommend combining the two to save money.

If you are thinking about diving the Silfra fissure then there are certain diving qualifications you will need to have. Have a look here for more information about whether you qualify.

For the best snorkelling experience at the Silfra fissure click here and for a Golden Circle and Silfra fissure combo, click here.

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The Northern Lights

Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is one of the things that is just a given. You could potentially pass on snowmobiling on a glacier or grabbing a helicopter tour into the mountains if you were on an incredibly strict budget, but you can’t pass on an opportunity to see the Aurora Borealis.

This is one of the easiest and best places to see it in the whole world and is one of the best tours you can do in Iceland in the winter.

There is a good argument that you could see the Northern Lights without having to pay the money for a tour, however, the tour companies know exactly where to go to get the minimum amount of light pollution and the best chance of seeing them.

Furthermore, if you are a photographer and you are looking to get some stunning images of the Northern Lights then the tour guides will take you to the best spots for great composition, including some incredible backdrops and landscapes.

For the best Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik click here.

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Snowmobiling On A Glacier

This is one of the most fun things we did on our Iceland holiday and it is well worth it, especially for couples and small groups. It’s also a fantastic tour to get on in the winter as nearly all of the routes and glaciers are open, so your choices are a lot higher.

Zooming along over a massive never-ending sheet of ice, high up in the mountains is an experience you will never forget, trust me. It is one of the best ways to experience the true remoteness of some of Iceland’s terrain and have a serious amount of fun at the same time!

Snowmobiling In Iceland - With Mountaineers Of Iceland! - Langjökull Glacier!

The best news of all is that one of the best glaciers to snowmobile on is very accessible from Reykjavik, so you don’t even need to travel that far to get there.

They actually pick up from Gullfoss waterfall as well, so if you are just finishing a tour of the Golden Circle then you save quite a lot of money going snowmobiling from Gulfoss, rather than being picked up in Reykjavik.

I have written a complete guide to snowmobiling in Iceland so if you want more information on age requirements, difficulty levels and all of your best options then check it out.

For the very best snowmobile tour in Iceland click here and for the same snowmobile experience coupled with an ice cave AND the secret lagoon click here.

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Whale Watching Tour

The best place to go whale watching in Iceland has to be in Husavik in the north, a small yet incredibly beautiful fishing town. However, this is where the choice becomes a little difficult.

Tours from Husavik do not run all the way through the winter, as the roads to the North get cut off when the weather gets too bad.

If this is the case then your only option would be Reykjavik in the south. However, there are a lot fewer species of whale to see in south Iceland so you have to accept that it will not be as fruitful as in the north. Check out our entire guide to whale watching in Reykjavik here or watch our video below about exactly what you can expect!

Saying that, the weather can get very choppy in the north in the winter so you could end up travelling all the way there to have your whale-watching tour cancelled.

Whale Watching In Reykjavik On A Yacht! - Sea Trips Amelia Rose

Firstly you have to decide whether whale watching is up there in your must-do’s for Iceland.

If it is then I recommend making the journey to Husavik to maximise your chances of seeing the best whale-watching sights that Iceland has to offer. If you are 50-50 then I would not recommend taking a whale watching tour in the winter.

For the best whale watching in Husavik click here. Remember to check road conditions if you are driving in the winter as roads can become blocked.

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Glacier Hiking & Climbing Tour

There are a number of different winter glacier tours in Iceland that do not involve the actual climbing up the ice. However, I really feel that if you are fit and adventurous enough to be considering a glacier hiking tour then I know you’ll love the idea of doing some ice climbing.

It’ll allow you to experience extreme Iceland and not just be sitting in a heated coach looking through the window.

In this tour, you’ll grab a shuttle up to the glacier after being fitted with all of your specialist ice climbing gear. Then you’ll have a quick lesson on the best techniques for climbing the ice and then you’ll be off.

Not many people will be able to say they have climbed up walls of ice and if you are already the adventurous type or an avid climber then this is a great option to make your trip to Iceland a little more physical.

For the best glacier hike and climb in Iceland click here.

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Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is by far the most famous of all of the geothermal hot springs and lagoons in Iceland. Its huge blue pools and incredible facilities make it an absolute dream of a place to visit.

There is a bar, facial counter, sauna, tables and steam rooms all of which you can swim to so don’t worry about going in the winter as the only time you’ll be cold is when you get out for good!

You will get the option to get a bathrobe with your entry for an additional fee. I recommend doing so as it is much nicer to walk around in something warm, especially in the winter months.

If you don’t have your own vehicle then grab a bus ticket here and sort out entry tickets here. 

You can also pair the Blue Lagoon up with a Golden Circle tour just like the Secret Lagoon. If you are going to be going to the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle then why not save some money and pair them up?

Click here to book a combined ticket for the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle and Kerid Crater!

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Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach

Diamond Beach is roughly 5 hours by car from Reykjavik so if you are going for a short trip then you might not think it is worth it.

However, there is a reason why so many people make the long journey through the south-east. Diamond Beach is a one of kind experience that really takes your breath away.

Huge chunks of ice fall off of the glacier in the huge Jokulsarlon lagoon and slowly break up into smaller pieces. These pieces then make their way out to sea and wash up on the jet black sand of Diamond Beach.

The thousands of sparkling ice diamonds in contrast to the black of the sand is truly mesmerising.

I recommend going to Diamond Beach by hire car as it is much cheaper. However, if you do not have access to this then there is a fantastic day tour to the area. See Our entire guide to renting a 4×4 in Iceland here.

The southeast coast has some of the most famous and most beautiful coastal landscapes and waterfalls in the whole of Iceland so if you’re thinking about exploring more of the southeast then definitely check out the multi-day tour that encompasses the whole lot.

For the best 1-day Diamond Beach excursion click here. For a complete 2 day tour of the southeast, including Diamond Beach, click here.

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Ice Cave Tour

Every year, when the temperature rises slightly in the summer, the glaciers melt a little. This creates brand new magical caverns and caves underneath the majestic sheets of ice.

This means when it comes to the winter, experts go out and try to find these new and incredible caves for people to walk in.

I highly recommend jumping on a natural ice cave tour and not one that is permanent. The natural caves are just that little more magical I think.

One of the best multi-tour experiences you can do is to snowmobile on a glacier, visit a remote ice cave and then finish in the Secret Lagoon. I actually think it’s the best 1-day tour I have ever seen in the whole of Iceland.

For the best ice cave tour in Iceland click here. For the incredible snowmobile, ice cave and Secret Lagoon tour click here.

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Helicopter Tour

Don’t scroll past because you think that it will be entirely unaffordable. Compared to the other Iceland tours in this list, a budget helicopter tour is actually on the same sort of price point.

There are obviously some very long whole day helicopter tours that will run into the thousands of dollars but there is one that flies from Reykjavik and lands in the mountains to give you an incredible panoramic view of the south coast.

I have written an entire guide to helicopter tours in Iceland if you want to check it out. However, if you are wanting to have a look at the best and cheapest helicopter tour you can get your mitts on then have a look here.

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Reykjavik Food & Beer Tours

If you’re like me then maybe you want to try real authentic food and beer from every country you visit.

It can be difficult to do this on your own as you don’t know the best places in town or there’s a language barrier that prevents you from asking that you want something a bit more local. That’s where these 2 little gems come in!

If you are already planning to visit Reykjavik in winter then why not spend 4 hours walking the streets and visiting restaurants and shops to try 13 different local dishes from the best places in town. If you are a culinary enthusiast then this is the tour for you.

Or if you’re more into spirits then jump in and taste the unique spirits of Iceland.

For the best Reykjavik food tour click here and for the best Reykjavik spirits tour click here.

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Recommended Packing List

It gets pretty cold in Iceland so we have compiled a list of products that you’re going to need to take if you want to make the most out of your trip! Take a look and remember, amazon have deals on all the time so make sure to go through the links to see the current price.

This windproof/waterproof jacket is absolutely perfect for keeping the cold out and staying warm when you are visiting such cold places. If you only have a warm waterproof jacket I would seriously consider upgrading to windproof as it makes even more difference than the fleece lining in my opinion. See our recommendation here.

If you’re looking for some decent waterproof trousers then take a look at these. They are windproof and waterproof but also insulated which means that you may get away with only wearing these and not having to have an additional layer underneath. They also do a very good job of not looking too much like waterproof trousers. Have a look to see what I mean here.

If you’re planning on doing some serious hiking then we recommend you take a look at these Columbia walking boots. They come in loads of different colours and we think that they are really stylish. The most important thing however is that there are comfortable, waterproof and resilient which these are! There is nothing worse than sore feet preventing you from making the most out of your trip so don’t put it down to chance. Check them out in more detail here.

If you get particularly cold then you are going to want to take a look at these fleece-lined full-body thermals. If you couple these with decent clothing over the top then the coldest of people should be warm in the coldest of places. Have a look at colours and sizes here.

If you’re looking for a pair of warm gloves then check out these waterproof/windproof/thermal gloves. When you’re looking for decent gloves then fashion should not be your main priority. I don’t know about you but cold hands are the pinnacle of annoyance! These absolutely get the job done and you don’t have to take them off to use your phone which is a godsend. Take a more detailed look here.

If you are worried about getting cold feet (and you should be) then take a look at these brilliant thermal socks by Hot Feet. They should keep your feet warm in the cold conditions you will be facing, as long as you have decent footwear as well! You get 8 pairs which are also really good for the price. Take a look in more detail here.

You absolutely need to have a warm hat when you are visiting cold places so take a look at this gorgeous fleece-lined cable knit beanie. It’s a timeless style and will absolutely keep your ears and head warm for your trip! Take a look at different colours here.

If you’re not a massive fan of fleece-lined hats (Jade isn’t) then earmuffs are the way forward. These vegan earmuffs look amazing and come in varying sizes whilst also looking really cute. I personally like the brown faux leather look but there are lots of different colours available. Take a look here.

It goes without question that you’re going to need a jumper. This gorgeous knitted jumper will keep you warm whilst also looking the part (people love the knitted look in the cold!). There are a few colours to choose from the reviews talk for themselves! Take a look here.

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Saving Money On Iceland Winter Tours

We all know that Iceland tours can cost a pretty penny, therefore saving money whilst planning them is a must. Luckily there are a few things you can do to keep the cost down straight away. Try planning out exactly what winter tours you want to arrange in Iceland before you start booking.

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Combining Tours

Combining tours in Iceland is a great start to saving money. You will be amazed at the number of strange combinations of tours you can get in Iceland.

This will end up saving you considerable money as a large percentage of the tour cost is transport. If you can visit multiple places and do multiple activities in the same rough area then the transport fees will be kept at a minimum.

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Hire Vehicle

Consider renting a hire vehicle as many of the tours have multiple pickup zones. For example, the snowmobile tours pick up from either Reykjavik or Gullfoss. It is around an additional $50 each to be picked up from Reykjavik. If there is more than one of you travelling then it is much cheaper to hire a vehicle and make your way to a cheaper pickup point. And you get the added benefit of being able to arrange an epic road trip if you want!

You can also check prices and availability using the search box below.

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Packed Lunch

Many of these tours stop for lunch breaks or snacks throughout the tours. They will always stop outside a restaurant or cafe for convenience. However, Iceland is not the cheapest place in the world for eating out so save yourself some money by preparing a packed lunch before your outing.

Anywhere else in the world I might not recommend this due to the hassle but you will be amazed at the money you will save.

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Tipping

Tipping is not expected at all in Iceland so do not feel like you have to shell out at the end of the tour to your friendly guide. It isn’t considered rude to tip in Iceland so if you really want to then feel free but you could save yourself some money with no guilt.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is There A Good Selection Of Iceland Winter Tours?

Yes, the only activities that are not as good in winter are puffin watching (considering they are not there in the winter) and whale watching, due to the weather and whale migrations.

What Are The Best Iceland Winter Tours?

In my opinion, combining a Golden Circle tour with the snowmobiling, ice cave and Secret Lagoon tour is probably the best combination of tours you can do in Iceland.

Are Iceland Winter Tours Quieter Than In The Summer?

The winter in Iceland is much quieter than the summer however this can mean that tour operators just run fewer tours and they are as crowded. What is definitely true is that the locations will be considerably less busy in the winter than in summer.

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