If you like the sound of jaw-dropping natural wonders and a thriving cultural scene, then you’ll love Iceland.

Known as the “Land of Fire and Ice”, this compact Nordic nation is home to towering volcanoes, dazzling glacier lagoons, and expansive lava fields. Along with steaming geysers and bubbling mud pools, you’ll also find a number of hot springs at just the right temperature for bathing.

Iceland’s vast land and seascapes are also home to a variety of wildlife. You could go looking for whales on a boat trip, see seals basking on the shore, or enjoy watching puffins on the sea cliffs.

It’s not all about the spectacular scenery and opportunities for wildlife watching though. In fact, even without the captivating natural landscapes surrounding it, the capital makes for a memorable city break.

Visit Reykjavík and you’ll encounter quirky museums and a mouth-watering foodie scene. There are even more cultural experiences waiting for you in the charming towns and villages dotted throughout Iceland’s countryside.

The main route around Iceland, known as the “Ring Road”, is 1,332 kilometres (828 miles) long. And while it’s possible to drive it in as little as 24 hours, this is definitely not recommended.

Instead, it’s best to give yourself at least 1 week in Iceland to make the round trip. Although, 10 days is even better as you’ll have plenty of time for sightseeing along the way.

Or you could spend 2-3 weeks in Iceland. This will let you enjoy an even more leisurely pace, with lots of time for detouring off the Ring Road to uncover hidden gems.

Find out how long it takes to drive around Iceland on our experts’ blog.

Iceland’s relatively small size means you can travel around the entire country in just a few days if you choose. But if you really want to get to know the country, we recommend allowing time to tour its distinct regions at a leisurely pace.

Indeed, this breathtaking island nation is packed with top spots and off-the-beaten-path treasures. So if you don’t have time to explore them all you can always come back on a return trip.

These are Iceland’s regions:

• • Reykjanes peninsula
• • South Iceland
• • West Iceland
• • Westfjords
• • North Iceland
• • East Iceland
• • Central highlands
   

Here are a few of the best places to go in Iceland:

• • Reykjavík – The country’s capital city and exciting cultural hub
• • Blue Lagoon – Iceland’s most iconic geothermal pool
• • Golden Circle – A sightseeing route that combines 3 top attractions in South Iceland
• • Diamond Circle – Similar to the Golden Circle, but this route is quieter and located in the north
• • Snæfellsnes peninsula – Home to Kirkjufell, one of Iceland’s most iconic mountains
• • Diamond Beach – A ribbon of black volcanic sand scattered with glittering chunks of ice
   

Browse these top Iceland vacation packages and get inspiration on where to travel in Iceland.

When you visit Iceland with Nordic Visitor, you can choose from a range of expert-curated 3 to 21-day itineraries. So there’s something to suit most timeframes, but with so much to see and do you’ll want to spend as long as you can here.

Anything from 1 to 3 weeks tends to be a good length of time for a trip to Iceland. This is because the longer you have, the deeper you’ll be able to delve into the sights and sounds of this incredible country.

With 7 days in Iceland, you’ll be able to take in a lot on an express Ring Road itinerary. Or instead, take things at a more relaxed pace and choose to explore a couple of regions in more depth.

For instance, you could tour the attractions along the Golden Circle driving route from Reykjavík, before uncovering the natural wonders of Iceland’s south coast. You could also head west to explore the Snæfellsnes peninsula, home to Iceland’s oldest national park. Or visit the wildlife haven of the Westfjords, home to puffins and Arctic foxes.

If you have time for a 2-week or 3-week break in Iceland, you’ll be able to enjoy a leisurely trip with plenty of time to stop in each place along the way. This makes 2 to 3 weeks perfect if you’re seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences in Iceland.

That said, if you don’t have weeks to spare, you’ll still have a memorable getaway with as few as 3 or 4 days in Iceland. This length of visit is ideal if you’re arriving on an Iceland stopover, or if you'd prefer a short break. You can tour Reykjavík’s attractions, bathe in the Blue Lagoon, or even chase the northern lights in winter.

You’ll find recommended itineraries and advice for how many days you need to spend in Iceland in this blog. But if you’re not sure what trip duration is best, you can get in touch with us.

Deciding when to visit Iceland depends on when you can travel, and the things you’d like to experience on your trip. Thankfully, Iceland is a great year-round destination, so you’re guaranteed to make lifelong memories no matter when you visit.

To take advantage of the year’s best weather, travel between April and September on a summer tour of Iceland.

The days are at their longest at the height of summer – June, July and August – when you’ll encounter a phenomenon known as the “midnight sun”. So come during these months if you want to maximise the time you spend outdoors, soaking up the scenery.

It’s also good to know that you can experience Nordic Visitor summer itineraries during the “shoulder season”. This includes April, May and September.

Choose to visit at this time and you’ll still benefit from mild weather and plenty of daylight hours. Plus, there’s the added bonus of being able to enjoy popular attractions when there are fewer visitors around.

These are some of the top things you can do in Iceland during summer:

• • Hiking in beautiful scenery
• • Exploring the highlands
• • Enjoying off-the-beaten-path adventures
• • Going to art and music festivals
• • Wildlife watching

On the other hand, you can relish a different kind of adventure on an Iceland winter tour, from October to March. Imagine marvelling at waterfalls encased in ice, or trying activities like snowmobiling by day. Then, come evening, chasing the aurora under winter’s dark skies.

An added bonus of travelling at this time of year is that you can join the locals in their joyous Christmas and New Year festivities. Plus, in December, January and February, you’re more likely to be treated to the mesmerising sight of Iceland’s volcanic landscapes dusted in snow.

Here are some recommended winter activities in Iceland:

• • Hunting for the northern lights
• • Celebrating Christmas or New Year
• • Ice caving in a glacier
• • Snowmobiling
   

For more in-depth information about the best time to visit Iceland, make sure to read this guide and check out when to travel.

The best time for a northern lights tour in Iceland is in winter, from October to April.

At this time of year, the skies are at their darkest so you’ll see the flickering lights of the aurora more clearly. What’s more, winter’s longer nights will give you a higher chance of spotting the northern lights.

Check out these handy guides to find out more about the aurora borealis:

• • Best times and places to see the northern lights in Iceland
• • Top 5 northern lights hotels in Iceland
• • What are the northern lights? The aurora borealis explained
   

If you’re a citizen of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand or the Schengen Area, you don’t need to apply for a visa to visit Iceland. But to enter the country, you must have a passport that’s valid for at least another 3 months from your date of travel.

If you’re arriving in Iceland from another country, you may need a Schengen visa. This type of visa allows you to visit and stay in the Schengen Area member countries for up to 90 days.

You can find out more about visa requirements and getting to Iceland in our travel guide.

The cost of your Iceland vacation package includes a detailed itinerary, pre-booked accommodation, and any excursions included in your tour.

The price of your trip package can vary based on the following:

• Time of year
• The price of some trips is different depending on whether you are travelling during high or low season. Check out each tour’s monthly comparison chart where we’ve highlighted the best price for you.
• Type of accommodation
• On some trips you’ll be able to select from a couple of levels of accommodation. This is perfect if you’re celebrating a special occasion and want to treat yourself to a more luxurious travel experience.
• Optional Extras
• When you book your trip online, you can choose to add extra nights, guided excursions or accommodation upgrades to your itinerary. The prices for these will be clearly listed in your final tour costing.
• Car rental
• If you’ve opted for a self-drive tour, your tour price will include car rental, unlimited mileage, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), basic liability insurance coverage, authorisation for 2 drivers, and in-car Wi-Fi. Your travel consultant will also provide a hand-marked route map for you in your welcome package. Plus, you can choose to upgrade your rental car model when you book online.
   

Get the cost of the tour you’re interested in by selecting the “Find Your Price” button on the trip page. This will take you to the availability calendar and monthly price graph.

From here, choose the start date that suits you and select the level of accommodation you’d like. On a self-drive trip, this is when you will be able to select your preferred type of car rental.

After hitting the “Proceed to Booking” button, you can opt to add extra nights and optional excursions to your tour.

Planning a trip to Iceland is simple when you choose Nordic Visitor. All you need to do is decide what time of year you’d like to travel and the sort of experience you want to have, and we’ll take care of the rest.

When you book a Nordic Visitor package, you’ll have your own dedicated travel consultant to answer any questions you might have. Plus, they’ll take the hassle out of planning a trip to Iceland by booking your accommodation and any tour inclusions, such as car rental, on your behalf.

Begin making your Iceland travel dreams a reality by selecting the travel style that’s right for you:

• • Self-drive tours – Best for going at your own pace on a road trip where you can to stop whenever you like
• • Small group tours – Best for joining a guided group of like-minded adventurers (a great choice for travelling solo)
• • Multi-day tours – Best for combining time at leisure with a variety of guided excursions
• • Privately guided tours – Best for having the undivided attention of a knowledgeable local guide
   

To learn more and get plenty of trip inspiration, read this ultimate guide to Iceland travel.

Absolutely, you can easily tailor Nordic Visitor Iceland trip packages when you book online. For instance, you could extend your stay with additional nights, choose to upgrade your room type, or add optional excursions to your itinerary.

On the other hand, if you’d like to create a bespoke Iceland tour, please get in touch with your dedicated travel consultant. Based in Reykjavík, they’ll use their insider know-how to craft a travel experience that’s perfectly tailored to your needs.

What’s more, you can choose from a range of themed tours or work with your travel consultant to customise your trip based on your interests.

For example, let us know if you’re a history buff or photography enthusiast and we’ll include specific personal recommendations in your itinerary. And, if you’re travelling on a privately guided trip, we’ll do our best to match you up with a guide who’s knowledgeable in these areas.

It’s also possible to tailor Iceland small group tours by adding extra nights at the start or end of the guided portion of your trip.

Yes, when you’re travelling to Iceland with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have a variety of seasonal packages to choose from. With a range of summer and winter itineraries, each with a choice of start dates, you can select the one that works for you.

When booking your trip online, you’ll be able to select your preferred arrival date from the tour’s availability calendar.

Self-drive, multi-day and privately guided tours are the most flexible – you can normally begin these on any day that’s available on the calendar. Meanwhile, if you opt for a guided small group package, you’ll be able to choose from a number of scheduled departures.

We recommend checking what flights are available before booking your Nordic Visitor trip to Iceland. That said, it’s best to hold off on buying flights until your travel consultant sends you an email to confirm your tour package.

Waiting to purchase your flights means you’ll be able to select the journey times that work best around your personalised itinerary. Plus, if you have any queries at this stage, you’ll be able to ask your dedicated travel consultant for advice.

The weather in Iceland varies a lot between the summer and winter seasons. You can also experience different conditions from one day to the next. To make the most of your time in the Land of Fire and Ice, it’s best to pack so you’re prepared for everything.

No matter the season, we recommend bringing warm and waterproof layers. You’ll also want to make sure that you have a comfortable pair of hiking shoes for those unforgettable outdoor adventures.

Check out this year-round packing list for Iceland:

• Walking boots or shoes with good grip
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Walking boots or shoes with good grip
• Insulated jacket
• Woollen or fleece jumpers
• Thermal base layers
• Warm hat, scarf and gloves
• Warm hiking socks
• Rucksack
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Quick-drying travel towel
   

Read this blog for season-specific tips and advice about what you should wear in Iceland.