Iceland is an outdoor destination year-round, but the thaw and extended sunshine make it the perfect time for a road trip along the Golden Circle or out to the less-visited Westfjords, which can be especially difficult to reach in winter. 

With the end of winter comes the return of wildlife, including mating and nesting puffins. Lest you forget, Iceland is an island, and the waters surrounding it teem with whales in the summertime, making cruises a great day trip when your legs need a rest. While the Northern Lights are tough to spot, the Midnight Sun is an equally impressive phenomenon. 

If you can’t make it to Iceland until the weather turns cold again, that’s more than all right. With all the outdoor adventures to be had in the snow, a winter trip to Iceland is like visiting the North Pole at Christmastime. You can even spend a night under the stars watching the Northern Lights dance. 

There’s not a bad time to visit Iceland.

Where to stay

ION Luxury Adventure Hotel

Whether you are seeking a quiet, soulful soak beneath the Northern Lights, a challenging trek across an ancient glacier or a day of fly-fishing in plentiful icy rivers – at ION Adventure Hotel, these are only a wish away. ION’s location by the “Golden Circle” route makes it the perfect base from which to explore Iceland’s rich heritage, hardy flora and fauna, and myriad opportunities for extreme adventure. Close to Thingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), ION provides easy access to all the essential attractions of “the land of fire and ice”. 

ION takes good care of you upon your return after a day of adventures. Our rooms, Silfra Restaurant, award-winning Northern Lights bar, the awesome Lava Spa and the magnificent landscape that stretches out to the horizon wherever you look provides calm and good service so you can recharge, reflect and rejoice. ION recently was granted the acclaimed Boutique Hotel Awards in the sustainability category.

Buubble

Forget the city, forget work and enjoy watching the aurora borealis dance for you. There is, of course, no guarantee you will see the lights, but if they show up you will have a magical night.

The bubble structure is kept inflated by a slight over-pressure from a noiseless ventilation system. It permanently renews the air inside 2-7 times the volume per hour, and this way it prevents humidity. The system has heating elements with thermostat so the bubble stays warm all winter.

Experience includes: One day in a bubble; double bed; shared service house with two water toilets and showers, and a self-service kitchen. This is not like a normal hotel. No food included. The bubble is located in a forest and kept warm with air blowers. You need to bring your own basic amenities such as towels, tissue, shower soap, etc.

Canopy by Hilton, Reykjavik City Centre

Set across six connected houses, the hotel joins a neighborhood rich with history, color and life. Staff will introduce you to the area with a local treat at check-in and provide bikes. Make restaurant, bar and retail discoveries on Laugavegur Street, or visit Hallgrímskirkja Church and snap a perfect pic of the city from 73 meters up.

Silica

Set in the heart of a stunning lava landscape, Silica Hotel is a just 10-minute walk from the Blue Lagoon. The hotel offers its own private bathing lagoon, which is available for hotel guests every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The hotel has won several design awards. Built in harmony with the surrounding landscape, it offers an oasis of calm, relaxation, and healing. The hotel has 35 bright and spacious double/twin rooms. All rooms offer private facilities and a veranda, with breathtaking views of the surrounding lava fields.

Is the land of fire and ice calling you? Set-up a time that works best for you for us to start that conversation.