Day 1-2
Day 1: Arrival at Keflavik Airport
Welcome to Iceland! After landing at Keflavík International Airport, collect your rental car or hop on a transfer bus to Reykjavik. We would always recommend driving a car as you can do all activities at your own pace. Of course driving in Winter might be a bit of a challenge for some people but be assured that all cars that are offered in Iceland in the winter season have spikes on the tires for a better grip on the streets. You still have to drive very carefully and depending on the weather conditions it can get very bad on the streets. But the weather changes very quickly in Iceland so sometimes you have blue skies, the next second you have a snowstorm so bad you can’t see anymore and soon after you have blue skies again. So keeping that in mind, choose which transportation is the better option for you. There are a lot of Day tours with tour operators you can choose from.
Once you arrive in Reykjavik, settle into your accommodation. Spend the evening exploring the compact and walkable downtown. Start at Hallgrímskirkja Church, the tallest church in Iceland with its striking modern design and Stroll along Laugavegur Street, lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants.
For dinner, enjoy Icelandic specialties at a local restaurant—try plokkfiskur (fish stew) or a fresh lamb dish. Keep an eye on the skies, as the Northern Lights sometimes make an appearance over the city.
Day 2: Golden Circle
Today, embark on the classic Golden Circle route, a must-do experience. Start early to make the most of daylight. The Golden Circle includes three main stops:
- Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park: Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Stroll through the Almannagjá Gorge, where Iceland’s first parliament was established in 930 AD. In winter, the snow-covered landscape is magical.
- Geysir Geothermal Area: Witness the power of Iceland’s geothermal activity at this hot spring field. The main attraction, Strokkur, erupts every 5-10 minutes, sending steaming water up to 20 meters into the air.
- Gullfoss Waterfall: One of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, Gullfoss roars with icy grandeur in winter. The double cascade and surrounding snow create a dramatic scene.
Optional: End the day with a guided Northern Lights tour. Many companies offer tours tailored to weather and aurora forecasts, giving you the best chance to see this natural wonder. Otherwise you can just go outside and check for the northern lights regularly. There is an app we used which was very accurate. It is called Aurora App. It shows you the chances to see the northern lights for each day and sends you a push notification when you should get outside if there are no clouds covering the sky.
Stay overnight near the Golden Circle like Selfoss.
