Winter Northern Lights in 5 Days

Aurora hunting, ice caves and winter wonder.

HomeItinerariesWinter Northern Lights in 5 Days

Chasing winter magic

Winter turns Iceland into a land of snow, ice caves and dancing Northern Lights, all within reach of the south.

Five days balances aurora hunting with the Golden Circle, the south coast and a glittering blue ice cave.

Length: 5 days  ·  Best season: November to March  ·  Good for: Couples, photographers, winter lovers  ·  Start and end: Reykjavik to the south coast and back

Day by day

A suggested route you can follow at your own pace.

1

Reykjavik

Settle in, soak in a geothermal pool and watch for aurora after dark.

Stops: Reykjavik

2

Golden Circle

Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss in their winter coats.

Stops: Thingvellir · Geysir · Gullfoss

3

South coast

Frozen waterfalls and the black beach at Reynisfjara, overnighting near Vik.

Stops: Seljalandsfoss · Skogafoss · Reynisfjara · Vik

4

Ice cave and glacier lagoon

A guided blue ice cave near Jokulsarlon, with icebergs on the lagoon.

Stops: Jokulsarlon · Diamond Beach · Vatnajokull National Park

5

Return and soak

Drive back to Reykjavik with a final hot spring soak and aurora chance.

Stops: Reykjavik · Blue Lagoon

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How to book this trip

Build it your way, with local operators through Bókun.

We can help you turn this itinerary into a booked trip, pairing a rental car or transfers with day tours and activities from trusted Icelandic operators through Bokun. Tell us your dates and we will tailor the route to you.

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Good to know

Quick answers for planning.

When can I see Northern Lights in Iceland?

From late September to mid April, with the long dark nights of winter offering plenty of chances on clear evenings.

Can I visit an ice cave in winter?

Yes, natural blue ice caves are a winter experience from about November to March, visited with a guide near Jokulsarlon.

Is winter driving in Iceland difficult?

It needs care, more time and attention to the forecast. Many winter visitors join guided tours to relax and leave the driving to others.

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