South Iceland Winter Wellness with Ice Caving

Once you touch down in Iceland, you’ll collect your rental car from Keflavík Airport and drive to Reykjavík. The rest of the day is yours to explore the Icelandic capital. The city’s old town, modern harbor district, and main street, Laugavegur, are good places to start. Here you’ll find plenty of enticing shops, bars, and restaurants. 

Plus, if there are clear skies, it’s also worth looking out for the Northern Lights. Imagine what a welcome to Iceland that would be!

Discover the must-see natural attractions dotted along Iceland’s stunning south coast before joining a guided ice cave tour. 

Get ready to exchange the buzz of Reykjavík for the mind-blowing landscapes of South Iceland this morning. On your way to Vík, you can stop off at some of the country’s star attractions, including two iconic waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. And why not also soak up some local culture at Skógar’s folk museum before arriving in Vík? 

Now the super adventurous part of your day begins! In Vík, you’ll join a group tour and ride in a 4×4 jeep to Kötlujökull glacier. Strap on your crampons and follow the lead of your expert guide as you hike across the surface of the glacier.

Soon you’ll be learning about the glacier from your guide and marveling at the striking features inside these ice caves. The cave’s dazzling blue ice is made all the more eye-catching by layers of black volcanic ash.

Tour: Katla Ice Cave (Under the Volcano) Tour (included)
Duration: 3 hours
Included: Super jeep ride, guided visit to a natural ice cave, crampons, safety equipment, guidance in English
Not included: Meals and refreshments
Minimum age: 6 years

Take the wheel and journey along the wild south coast, where you can explore Iceland’s largest national park and admire a glacier lagoon. 

Today you’ll have the freedom to discover Vatnajökull National Park at your own pace. The perfect way to get up close and personal with nature here is to head out on a short hike. And there are countless trails for you to follow: you’re spoiled for choice!

As you drive along the coastline, make sure to visit Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, home to jaw-dropping scenery. 

Park up near the lagoon and watch glittering icebergs bobbing in the glacier-blue waters. You can even walk between icebergs that have floated up onto the shores of the lagoon. 

Later, round off the afternoon with a trip to Seljavallalaug. Tucked away in a hidden valley, it’s one of Iceland’s oldest geothermal swimming pools. A soak here is the perfect way to soothe your muscles after a hike.

Combine sightseeing and relaxation today as you visit two of the Golden Circle’s famous attractions and unwind at an Icelandic spa. 

This morning hop into your car and drive to the geothermal area at Geysir, one of the most popular sights along the Golden Circle route. 

Geysir may be the namesake of the world’s geysers, but it’s only active every few years. It’s actually the nearby Strokkur geyser that you’re most likely to see erupting during your visit. A 65-feet (20-meter) high column of boiling water spurts from it around every 5–10 minutes. So have your camera ready! 

Gullfoss waterfall, or ‘Golden Falls’, is another must-see natural wonder on today’s itinerary. Don’t miss the chance to pause here and take in the impressive scale of these thundering falls. 

Then head to Fontana Geothermal Baths in Laugarvatn, where it’s time for a different kind of geothermal experience. Unwind as you bathe in the naturally-warm waters and make your way around the spa’s series of steam rooms and interconnected pools.

Tour: Fontana Geothermal Baths (included)
Duration: Flexible
Included: Admission to Fontana Geothermal Baths (includes access to the pools, steam baths, and sauna)
Not included: Bathrobe, towel, swimwear, meals and refreshments

Begin your day with time spent exploring Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, followed by an afternoon of R&R at the Blue Lagoon. 

On your way back to Reykjavík, don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of UNESCO-listed Þingvellir National Park. 

As well as enjoying wintry scenes in the park, you’ll be able to see where the North American and European tectonic plates are drifting apart. The site of the world’s first parliament, Alþingi, can also found here and is well worth a visit. 

Spend the rest of the day luxuriating in the Blue Lagoon, surely Iceland’s most renowned geothermal pool. 

In the lagoon’s milky blue waters, you’ll be surrounded by lava fields that stretch as far as the eye can see. And with the Comfort admission package (included in your tour), you’ll get a drink from the in-lagoon bar and a silica mud mask.

Tour: Blue Lagoon Comfort Admission (included)
Duration: Flexible
Included: Comfort admission to Blue Lagoon (includes towel, silica mud mask, 1 drink of your choice)
Not included: Meals and refreshments
Minimum age: 2 years

After an adventure to remember, it’s time to leave the Land of Fire and Ice behind. Head to Keflavík Airport to drop off your rental car and fly home. 

Or add an extra night or two in Reykjavík to your itinerary and pack even more into your winter getaway.