Author: Max Naylor
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Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in Iceland: Your Guide
Iceland is known for its active geology – it’s sitting right on top of a geothermal hotspot after all. That means hot springs, geysers, and of course, volcanoes (but you probably already knew that)!
Another product of Iceland’s geology you won’t want to miss is the famous black sand beach known as Reynisfjara. But there’s not just one “black sand beach” in Iceland – in fact there are dozens!
So where can you see them? And why are they black anyway?
- See Iceland’s black sand beaches on an affordable self-drive tour.
All about Reynisfjara black sand beach
Probably the best-known black sand beach in Iceland is Reynisfjara. This beach is located on the south coast, a couple of minutes’ drive from the village of Vík.
As with all black sand beaches in Iceland, its sand is made up of volcanic rocks that have been slowly ground down over thousands of years.
Reynisfjara beach stands out from the others thanks to a few unique features. First, there are the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. You can see these 3 sharp pillars of rock from both Vík and the Reynisfjara beach itself.
According to Icelandic folklore, the sea stacks were formed when two trolls were dragging a three-mast ship ashore. As the sun came up, the trolls and the ship turned to stone and have been standing there ever since.
Another feature of Reynisfjara beach is the tides and currents. Powerful sneaker waves can reach quite far onto the shore. When visiting the beach, make sure you follow the signs to stay safe.
Something else that draws you in at Reynisfjara are the long cliffs that line the beach. They’re made up of black hexagonal basalt columns – leftovers from a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago.
And if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you may well recognize Reynisfjara as the location of Eastwatch-by-the-sea, the Night Watch fortress located at the end of the Wall.
Breiðamerkursandur: The “diamond beach”
In recent years, the Breiðamerkursandur beach in southeast Iceland has become a popular stop-off.
Sitting within the Vatnajökull National Park, the beach is easily accessible off the Ring Road (AKA Route 1). More precisely, the beach is located right next to where the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon drains into the sea.
Breiðamerkursandur is sometimes called the “diamond beach”, and for good reason. Polished “diamonds” of glacial ice wash up on the shore, glistening against the pitch-black sand.
The sight is truly awesome (in the original sense of the word), and makes for some great pictures! If you’re into photography, pay a visit and experiment with capturing the ice diamonds from different angles.
Imagine going there after dark, with the Northern Lights dancing across the sky and reflecting off the icebergs. Now that’s an experience you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.
- See the Northern Lights on an Iceland winter tour.
- Blog: Northern Lights in Iceland – All about Aurora Borealis.
More black sand beaches in Iceland
Being a volcanic island smack bang in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Iceland has its fair share of dramatic coastline. This is a country shaped by raw natural forces, and it shows.
And although Reynisfjara and Breiðamerkursandur are some of the most spectacular black sand beaches in Iceland, there are plenty more dotted around the country.
Below we’ve rounded up some of our favorites for you, all of which are easily accessible by car:
- Arnarstapi – This is a must-see stop on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Arnarstapi is famous for its arch-shaped rock, which will at some point collapse into the sea. Check it out before it disappears!
- Djúpalónssandur – Towards the end of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, this beach was once home to a fleet of fishing boats. On the beach you can still see the four lifting stones that fishermen used to test their strength.
- Lóndrangar – Not far from Djúpalónssandur, this is more of a craggy cliff than a beach. Still well worth a visit though for its 3 impressive sea stacks.
- Sólheimasandur – This beach just off the Ring Road in South Iceland is famous for its plane wreck from the 70s. The American Navy plane ran out of fuel and crash-landed on the beach, where it’s been lying ever since.
- Úlfseyjarsandur – A stone’s throw from Djúpivogur village center in southeast Iceland, this black sand beach has dramatic views out onto the Atlantic Ocean.
You might have figured it out by now, but sandur means “sand” in Icelandic. The word for “beach” is fjara or strönd. On a map, look out for place names ending in these words to find even more cool coastal spots.
Are all beaches in Iceland black?
The short answer is no! Whilst black beaches are certainly common in most parts of the country, there are yellow and red beaches too. These are formed from ground-down seashells, like elsewhere in the world, or different types of rock.
One of the most striking examples is the Rauðisandur beach in the Westfjords. It’s just as well the beach is red, as the name means “Red Sand”.
Perhaps the most unconventional beach in Iceland is Nauthólsvík in Reykjavík. There the seawater is heated so you can swim in it all year round – and it has an amazing hot tub!
But the really odd thing about the Nauthólsvík beach is the sand itself. The sand isn’t local to the area – in fact a few decades ago, it wasn’t there at all.
The beach’s yellow sand is harvested from other parts of the country and topped up every couple of years. This makes sure the beach maintains its tropical feel year after year.
- Visit Nauthólsvík beach on a multi-day tour from Reykjavík.
When it comes to black sand beaches and other spectacular coastal scenery, Iceland undoubtedly delivers.
The best thing is, you have so many options. Pretty much wherever you are in the country, you’re not far from a stunning beach.
That said, the south coast and Snæfellsnes peninsula pack in the most black sand beaches. On a self-drive tour, you can easily access these parts of the country and complete your Iceland beach bucket list.
Ready to plan a different kind of beach vacation? Take a look at our self-drive tour itineraries!
Ice Caves and Lava Caves in Iceland: Your Guide
Ice, lava, regular… no matter how you like your caves, Iceland’s got ’em in spades. There’s not too many places in the world where you can see all these different kinds of caves together. So if you love cave exploring, get yourself over to Iceland!
Seeing an ice cave in Iceland is an unforgettable experience. How many times have you actually stood inside a glacier, with nothing but clear, blue ice above your head?
- Check out these Iceland winter vacation packages.
And if you want to see a lava cave, Iceland has you covered. These hollow tubes of volcanic rock allow you to stand where there once was molten lava flowing at high speed.
For the low-down on which ice caves and lava caves in Iceland to visit, keep on reading.
All about Iceland’s ice caves
How are the ice caves in Iceland formed?
All of Iceland’s natural ice caves have one thing in common (apart from being magical): they form deep underneath the glacial ice.
In the springtime, ice melts and drains into rivers that run underneath the glacier. As the winter approaches and the melting stops, these rivers run dry, leaving behind a void that freezes over.
This natural process creates extremely smooth, clear-blue ice tunnels. Some of them are big enough for you to walk inside!
The exact size and location of the ice caves change from year to year. With that in mind, you definitely need a guide if you want to see them.
There are also a small number of year-round ice caves that form around hot springs under the glacier. They’re generally not safe to visit due to the constant melting of ice.
Where are there ice caves in Iceland?
Iceland’s (and Europe’s) largest glacier, Vatnajökull, is big enough that ice caves form reliably winter after winter. This means it’s your best bet if you want to see glacial ice up close.
Most ice cave tours in Iceland start on the southeast coast near the Vatnajökull glacier. The Skaftafell National Park, not far from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, is a logical starting point.
Skaftafell National Park is around a 4- to 5-hour drive from Reykjavík. This means you’d be best off staying in a nearby town like Höfn, to make sure you have the time and energy to fully enjoy the experience!
Alternatively, you can join a Katla ice cave tour from Vík on the south coast, which is around a 3-hour drive from Reykjavík.
How can I see Iceland’s ice caves?
In wintertime, there are day tours available to Iceland’s ice caves. These are the only way to see them – venturing solo is not an option here. Plus, why wouldn’t you want the knowledge of a local guide who knows where all the best glacier ice caves are?
Because of how the ice caves in Iceland are formed, and for safety reasons, you can only visit them in deep winter from November to March.
Visiting Iceland in winter is great though, and not just because the ice caves are open! You can hunt down the Northern Lights, see snow-capped mountains, and watch new icebergs being born at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
Can I hike on a glacier in Iceland?
Absolutely! Glacier hiking is a pretty one-off experience. You’ll be driven onto the glacier in a specially equipped super jeep (with humongous tires).
Your experienced guide will provide you with all the necessary gear, like safety helmets, crampons, and ice axes. After being given a quick tutorial on how to use the gear, you’ll head onto the glacier.
Once you’re there, you’ll be able to peer into deep crevasses and see mysterious ice formations.
What are the best lava caves in Iceland?
Iceland literally sits on a volcanic hotspot, straddling the faultline where the European and North American plates are slowly drifting apart. This means that wherever you are in Iceland, nature’s forces are at work beneath your feet!
You can see signs of this wherever you are in the country. Even driving from the airport to Reykjavík, you’ll pass through the enormous lava field of the Reykjanes peninsula (and the Fagradalsfjall volcano).
Lava caves and lava tunnels are another sign of the forces at work in underground Iceland. They were left behind by now-dormant volcanoes. The hexagonal columns of rock that line the walls are still clean and sharp, almost like they turned solid only yesterday.
How are lava caves formed in Iceland?
When a volcano erupts in Iceland, it’s because of a buildup of magma close to the earth’s surface. This molten rock collects in an existing weakness in the ground, called a fault. Eventually when the pressure gets too great, the magma breaches the surface as liquid lava.
This liquid lava finds its way through the crust via channels called lava tubes. These branch off from the magma chamber, which is basically a big boiling cauldron of earth.
When the eruption stops, it leaves behind this underground network of channels and chambers. This is what you’ll see – and walk inside – when you go on a lava cave tour in Iceland.
Where are the lava caves in Iceland?
Iceland has dozens of lava caves, but amongst the most famous are Surtshellir, Stefánshellir, and Víðgelmir. These are all in West Iceland, not far from the town of Borgarnes and the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
In South Iceland, there’s Raufarhólshellir and Þríhnúkagígur, both within driving distance of Reykjavík and Selfoss. In fact, there are day tours to Raufarhólshellir directly from Reykjavík, meaning it’s possible to see a lava cave even if you’re not driving yourself.
As you might have noticed from some of the names above, the Icelandic word hellir (HET-lir) means “cave”!
How can I see Iceland’s lava caves?
Unless you are an experienced caver, the only way to see Iceland’s lava caves is on a guided tour. This is the safest and most accessible option, and the one we recommend.
There are day tours to both Raufarhólshellir and Þríhnúkagígur led by experienced local guides. You’ll also be provided with all the necessary gear you need to enjoy the caves safely.
You should be prepared for a short hike to some caves, and of course inside them too. Make sure you’re wearing good hiking boots and bring a waterproof jacket. An extra thermal layer is a good idea too, as it can be cold inside!
With Iceland Tours, you have the option to add ice cave and lava cave tours to your travel plan. Take a look at our activities page to see what caving tours are available and when!
When you’re ready to book your Iceland cave adventure, why not browse through our vacation packages?
How Many Days Do You Need in Iceland in Winter?
Iceland is a truly awesome destination for winter adventures. Frozen waterfalls, bubbling hot springs, and a chance to chase the Northern Lights. You’ll leave spellbound by these magical landscapes, with the pics to show for it!
But how do you know how many days to spend in Iceland in winter? The short answer: the longer you stay in Iceland, the more epic your adventure will be. That said, a winter trip to Iceland in 3 to 4 days is totally doable.
- Check out these Iceland winter vacation packages.
- Wondering what to take to Iceland? Check out our winter packing list.
You’re probably wondering exactly how many days in Iceland in winter is enough.
A short trip will probably just about whet your appetite and leave you wanting to come back ASAP. If you want to take it slower and have more time to soak up each destination, 7 to 9 days is a great itinerary length.
We get that you might not have that long to spend in Iceland, so this guide will give you ideas for both short and long itineraries, and everything in between. Scroll down for all the inspo.
Winter Iceland in 3–4 days: Golden Circle highlights
If you’ve only got a few vacation days left to use at the end of the year, a 3–4 day itinerary is definitely an option. It’s perfect if you just fancy a long weekend in Iceland.
With an Iceland 3-day winter itinerary, you’ve got enough time to soak in the Blue Lagoon, hit the capital Reykjavík and do the Golden Circle tour. This classic self-drive route covers 3 of Iceland’s must-see nature spots:
- Þingvellir National Park – See where the European and North American tectonic plates are drifting apart, and the site of Iceland’s Viking-age parliament.
- Geysir – Check out the famous hot spring that gave us the word “geyser”, and its active younger brother Strokkur.
- Gullfoss – This epic waterfall often freezes over in winter, creating icicles taller than church spires.
Get a clear night on your 3-day trip and you could catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. If aurora hunting is top of your list though, you’ll have a greater chance of seeing them with a slightly longer stay.
On a 4-day trip, you have the option to base yourself in Reykjavík and skip the driving. From there, you can go on tours led by a local guide and do some day exploring. Follow the Golden Circle route, or head further afield if you want.
Here’s one suggestion for an Iceland itinerary for 4 days in winter.
4-day winter Iceland itinerary
Day 1 – If your flight lands early enough, dip into the warming Blue Lagoon on the way to Reykjavík. When you arrive in town, get a view of the snowy city from the Hallgrímskirkja church tower or Perlan viewing deck. Afterward, warm up with a hot chocolate and slice of Icelandic cake at a local café.
Day 2 – Head to the bus terminal and join a guided tour of the Golden Circle. You’ll stop at Þingvellir National Park, before heading to the Geysir hot spring and Gullfoss waterfall. In the evening, go on a Northern Lights tour (if the sky is clear).
Day 3 (Option 1) – Start your day with a dip in one of Reykjavík’s swimming pools (even better when the weather is freezing – trust us!). Then hit the city’s culture scene. Why not explore the museums and art galleries, or go to a live gig at a local bar?
Day 3 (Option 2) – Squeeze in some more nature with a day trip to the south coast. See the spectacular Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls and the sleepy village of Vík. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, go on an ice cave tour in a super jeep with Into the Glacier.
Day 4 – Transfer to Keflavík Airport and return home. If you didn’t get a chance to stop at the Blue Lagoon on your way into town, you could add a stop on your last day depending on your flight time.
Winter Iceland in 5–7 days: Slow down and see more
A winter trip to Iceland is a real magical adventure. Whilst 3–4 days will allow you to see the main highlights, adding a couple of days to your trip is an absolute game-changer!
On a 5-day winter itinerary in Iceland, you can explore the Golden Circle and waterfalls of South Iceland on a self-drive tour. Set your own pace, crank up the tunes, and stop off whenever you like.
Spending 7 days in Iceland in winter means you can go further along the south coast, as far as the jaw-dropping Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. You could also venture west to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, with a glacier of its own and epic coastal scenery.
Because you’ll have the extra time, you can spend longer at each stop and make the most of it. What’s more, you’ll be able to travel further away from Reykjavík and stay in the Icelandic countryside.
But maybe the best reason to add a few extra days is to boost your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Although the Icelandic weather changes fast, you’re more likely to get one or two cloudless nights the longer you stay.
- Browse these Northern Lights tours.
- Blog: Northern Lights in Iceland – All about aurora borealis.
Here’s one option for a 6-day winter itinerary in Iceland.
6-day winter Iceland itinerary
Day 1 – Pick up your rental car at the airport and head straight for Reykjavík. Iceland’s capital is full of cool cafés, buzzing nightlife spots, and unique dining experiences. Take a dip in the local swimming pool, before grabbing street food at one of the city’s food halls.
Day 2 – Head out of the city and straight to Geysir, where you can see the Strokkur geyser erupt. Then continue to the Gullfoss waterfall which can freeze completely solid in the winter. Afterward, why not warm up in the waters of Gamla laugin (the Secret Lagoon) in Flúðir?
Day 3 – After waking up in Selfoss, head to the nearby Seljalandsfoss waterfall. You can actually walk behind this one! Then follow the coastal road to the extremely grammable Skógafoss. Finally, stop off in the cute village of Vík with its fantastic black sand beach.
Day 4 – Spend the morning exploring Þingvellir National Park. This magical place was the site of Iceland’s first parliament, the Alþingi. Then head up to Hraunsfossar and Barnafoss, where two waterfalls converge. Finally, check out Deildartunguhver, where you can see water actually boiling in the ground.
Day 5 – On your final full day, drive to the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland. Check out the black sand beaches and unusual coastline features, like sea stacks. Visit the iconic Kirkjufell mountain (above) and the cascading waterfall just a stone’s throw away.
Day 6 – Wake up in Reykjavík and have breakfast before leaving the city. Drive your rental car back to Keflavík Airport. If you have time, you might also be able to fit in a visit to the Blue Lagoon on the way to the airport.
Winter Iceland in 8–10 days: Circle the whole Ring Road
On an 8–10 day tour, you’re gonna have time to see pretty much the whole country. The main road around the island is known as the Ring Road, or Route 1. Follow it and you can’t go wrong – you’re guaranteed amazing views the whole way round.
On an Iceland 8-day winter itinerary, you have time to explore the north of the country. There you’ll find Akureyri, the biggest town in the north (below). Further east is Lake Mývatn, which is a hotspot of geothermal activity.
Then you can swing round the east coast, passing through the atmospheric East Fjords. Keep following the Ring Road and you’ll end up at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Now you’re on the south coast with its legendary waterfalls and black sand beaches.
You’ll also have enough time to fit in the Golden Circle and spend a night or two in Reykjavík, rounding out your Iceland travel experience.
On an Iceland itinerary for 10 days in winter, you have even more time. This means you can head off the Ring Road to the Snæfellsnes peninsula for some more glacier action.
Here’s an idea for an 8-day self-drive itinerary.
8-day winter Iceland itinerary
Day 1 – Land at Keflavík Airport and pick up your rental car. Drive through the lava field of the Reykjanes peninsula to the capital, Reykjavík. Why not grab a bite to eat or sip on a local drink on your first evening in the city?
Day 2 – Today you’ll head north to the town of Akureyri. The journey is as exciting as the destination. On the way, check out the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls. And stop at the Deildartunguhver hot spring to stand in the warm (slightly smelly) steam!
Day 3 – Head over to Lake Mývatn. On the way from Akureyri, stop off at the Goðafoss waterfall (above). When you arrive at the lake, check out the Dimmuborgir hot spring caves or hike the Hverfjall crater. Warm up afterward in the soothing waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths.
Day 4 – You’ll hit the hay in the town of Egilsstaðir tonight. On your way there from Mývatn, see boiling mud pools at the Námaskarð hot spring. And drive through the out-of-this-world lava field near Krafla.
Day 5 – Venture through the East Fjords, stopping at its unique villages like Fáskrúðsfjörður, where all the street signs are in French. See the collection of giant stone eggs (yes, really!) in Djúpivogur. That evening, hunker down in the harbor town of Höfn.
Day 6 – Today you’re gonna see ice in all its forms. As you follow the Ring Road south, Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, will watch over you. Your first stop is at Jökulsárlón, where you can see baby icebergs drifting out to sea. Skaftafell National Park is next up, with its amazing Svartifoss waterfall set against hexagonal columns of lava.
Day 7 – This morning you’ll wake up in the village of Vík on the south coast. After breakfast, head to the Reynisfjara black sand beach. As you approach Reykjavík, you’ll turn off onto the Golden Circle route, where you can see the Strokkur geyser and ice-studded Gullfoss waterfall.
Day 8 – After seeing more waterfalls and forms of ice than you knew existed, you’ll wake up in Reykjavík. Depending on your flight time, you might be able to squeeze in a dip in the Blue Lagoon before returning your rental car at the airport.
What can you do in Iceland in winter?
Hopefully now you’re brimming with ideas about what you want to see when visiting Iceland in winter. You might be wondering about some other bucket-list experiences and whether you’ll be able to fit them in.
If you’ve never visited Iceland in winter, keep in mind the shorter hours of daylight. If you build them into your plan, you can make the most of every single daylight hour there is.
Our top tip is to hit the road before the sun rises. That way when you get to the awesome attraction you want to see, the sun will already be up. This also gives you more time to get to your next stop before the sun goes down.
Below we’ve listed some of the most popular things to do in Iceland in winter, and how long you’ll need to spend in the country to fit them in:
- Ice caving – Recommended itinerary: 4 days, guided. To see the ice caves, you’ll need to join a guided tour (going solo is definitely not an option). This makes it a perfect activity to slot into a 4-day Reykjavík-based itinerary.
- Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon – Recommended itinerary: 5 days+. The Jökulsárlón lagoon is in southeast Iceland, so you’ll need to spend a bit longer in the country if you want to see it.
- Northern Lights – Recommended itinerary: 4 days+. Forecasting the Icelandic weather is a dark art, but predicting the Northern Lights is even harder. A longer stay in Iceland will give you a much better chance of seeing nature’s light show.
- Icelandic horses – Recommended itinerary: 4 days+. You can spot cute Icelandic horses all over the country from your car window. On a longer itinerary you could ride an Icelandic horse if you like.
- Waterfalls – Recommended itinerary: Any! Iceland is bursting at the seams with waterfalls. Even on a 3-day trip, you can see the epic Gullfoss. Add an extra day and you get Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss too. It’s really your call, but basically more days = more waterfalls.
No matter how many days you have to spend in Iceland in wintertime, you’re not gonna be disappointed. That said, there’s no getting round the fact that a longer trip means you can pack in a lot more.
Short trip or long, you’ll want to be back in the Land of Fire and Ice as soon as you can anyway.
With Iceland Tours, you have the freedom to travel however you like. Take a self-drive tour and go your own way. Or join the gang on a guided group tour. The choice is yours!
Ready for more inspiration? Check out our Iceland winter vacation packages, with affordable itineraries from 3 days.
