Iceland Active Winter Wellness

You’ve arrived in the Land of Fire and Ice and it’s time for your wintry adventure to begin. Collect your rental car from Keflavík Airport, drive to Reykjavík, and get settled into your hotel.

Then head out into the city and soak up the atmosphere. You could wander Laugavegur, the main street, and stop for a drink or bite to eat at a local café or restaurant. Or take a relaxing dip in a local swimming pool to recharge after your journey.

If your flight lands in the morning, you might have time for one of the optional activities below.

Extra activities

Option 1: Sky Lagoon

Relax in the clear, warm waters of the Sky Lagoon as you take in the panoramic views of the North Atlantic ocean. Indulge in the luxurious 7-step ritual, which includes a salt skin rub, sauna, and rain room.

Tour: Sky Lagoon Pure Pass (optional)
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Included: Sky Lagoon admission, complete 7-step Ritual, public changing facilities, towel
Not included: Meals and refreshments
Minimum age: 12 years

Option 2: FlyOver Iceland Ride

Hang with in front of a 20-meter (65-foot) wraparound screen your feet dangling and get whisked away on a journey around Iceland. The stunning visuals are combined with wind, mist, and smells of Icelandic nature for a multisensory experience.

Tour: FlyOver Iceland Experience (optional)
Duration: 35 minutes
Included: Entrance ticket to FlyOver Iceland
Not included: Meals and refreshments
Minimum age: 14 years

Option 3: Perlan Wonders of Iceland & Northern Lights Show

Jump into the immersive Wonders of Iceland experience, inspired by the country’s incredible natural beauty. Walk through a real ice cave, get up close to a reconstructed bird cliff, and feel the power of Iceland’s volcanoes through technology.

Then make your way to the planetarium for Áróra, an interactive video about the Northern Lights. You’ll learn about the science behind the aurora and the cultural significance that has surrounded them for hundreds of years.

Tour: Wonders of Iceland & Northern Lights Planetarium Show (optional)
Duration: 3 hours
Included: Access to Wonders of Iceland exhibition, Áróra Northern Lights Film, view from the 360°Observation deck
Not included: Meals and refreshments
Minimum age: 1 year

This morning, make your way out of the city to Iceland’s south coast. Here you’ll come across two of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. You can even walk behind the plume of Seljalandsfoss!

In the afternoon, you’ll join a special ice cave expedition from the village of Vík. Hop aboard a super jeep and let your experienced driver-guide whisk you off to the edge of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Now it’s time to gear up (equipment provided) for your hike across the glacier surface!

Once you arrive at the ice cave, you’ll be able to peer and even walk inside. You’ll be blown away by the ice cave’s mesmerizing walls, which appear to glow blue. 

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

Continue along the south coast to Vatnajökull National Park, home to Iceland’s largest glacier. This slice of the country is studded with natural gems. You could take a short hike to the Svartifoss waterfall, set against a backdrop of hexagonal lava columns. 

Then stop at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where you can watch icebergs drifting slowly out to sea. Some of them wash ashore at nearby Breiðamerkursandur, also known as ‘Diamond Beach’. The sight of the clear-blue ice glistening against the jet-black sand is truly stunning.

In the evening, you’ll head back to Vík for a sound night’s sleep.

Extra activities

Skaftafell Glacier Walk

Get the chance to experience the ice up close, as you go on a glacier walk on the Skaftafell glacier. Admire the out-of-this-world formations and deep crevasses in the glacier surface.

Tour: Blue Ice Experience from Skaftafell (optional)
Duration: 1.5–2 hours
Included: Glacier gear, safety equipment, guidance in English
Not included: Parking charge, meals and refreshments
Minimum age: 10 years

Your trip to Iceland wouldn’t be complete without touring the famous Golden Circle. Today you’ll see two of the legendary natural attractions on this popular route: Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. 

At Geysir, you’ll witness the powerful Strokkur geyser erupting into the air every few minutes. The surrounding Haukadalur valley is also dotted with boiling hot springs and steaming vents.

A short drive away you’ll find the Gullfoss waterfall, also known as the ‘Golden Falls’. One of Iceland’s most majestic cascades, it’s named for the yellow-tinged waters that flow over it.

After a day of sightseeing, relax at the Fontana Geothermal Baths on the shores of Laugarvatn lake (admission included). If you’re feeling brave, you can dip your toes into the chilly waters of the lake before warming up in the naturally heated ‘hot pots’.

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
Minimum age: 5 years

After a restful night’s sleep, thanks to your spa experience, you’ll head to Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park. This history-laden site is the cradle of Icelandic democracy, where the parliament would meet in Viking times. 

The area also has great geological significance: here you can see where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. This is the only place on Earth where you can actually walk this boundary.

In the afternoon, head west toward the Borgarfjörður area. This is Iceland’s largest bay, home to thousands of small islands. You’ll find the star attractions here slightly inland though. Stop at the Deildartunguhver hot spring, perhaps taking a dip in the Krauma baths (optional upgrade).

Then check out by the Barnafoss and Hraunfossar waterfalls, whose brilliant blue waters are fed by a lava field.

Extra activities

Krauma Geothermal Baths

Bathe in the ever-fresh waters of Krauma geothermal baths and enjoy the view over the lush valley. The source for the 5 hot pools is the nearby Deildartunguhver hot spring.

Tour: Krauma Geothermal Baths (optional)
Duration: Flexible
Included: Admission to Krauma geothermal baths
Not included: Towels, meals and refreshments

Today you’ll explore the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland. It’s sometimes called ‘Iceland in Miniature’ thanks to its incredibly varied scenery. The peninsula is also dotted with charming fishing villages, including the main town of Stykkishólmur.

Follow the road to the far end of the peninsula and you’ll end up at Snæfellsjökull National Park. Here you’ll find glaciers, lava fields, and yellow and red beaches. There are also otherworldly rock formations along the cliffs, including the Arnarstapi sea stacks.

It’s in the national park that today’s main activity takes place. Descend a spiral staircase into the Vatnshellir lava tube. This stunning cavern was formed 8,000 years ago during a volcanic eruption, and now you can walk where lava once flowed.

Tour: Vatnshellir Cave Tour (included)
Duration: 45 minutes
Included: Helmet, flashlight, guidance in English
Not included: Meals and refreshments
Minimum age: 5 years

Head back to Reykjavík for a day of urban discovery. You could check out the city’s many museums and galleries, including the Settlement Exhibition with its excavated Viking longhouse. Or spend day exploring the old town’s streets, which are lined with traditional multicolored houses.

Once you’ve had a chance to experience the city, make your way to the Blue Lagoon spa (admission included). There you can relax in its bright blue waters, while enjoying a free drink and silica mud mask.

In the evening, it’s time to return to Reykjavík. Before returning to your hotel, why not have dinner at one of the city’s food halls (not included)? 

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

Your last day in Iceland is here. Depending on your flight time, you might be able to squeeze in some more wandering around Reykjavík in the morning.

When it’s time to leave, return your rental car at Keflavík Airport. Go back home with memories of an epic trip, and the photos to prove it!