Iceland is open: volcano update

Menu
Þingvellir National Park in South Iceland

Golden Circle Express - Winter

Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights

(3 days / 2 nights)

View Photos View Map

Visit Iceland's best-known sights

This 3-day tour will be an ideal winter getaway to get a taste of Iceland. Your days will be packed with excursions and adventures and at night you can look out for the spectacular northern lights. Explore the vibrant Reykjavík, chase waterfalls, see spurting geysers and walk through volcanic landscapes, all in the tranquility of winter. You’ll enjoy leisure time on your own as well as guided tours, taking advantage of local expertise and advice.


Interested in a similar small group tour instead?
Interested in a similar tour but as a self-drive package?

3 days / 2 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 156252 ISK

— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
  • Quality and value for your money
  • Local experts in Iceland and trusted suppliers
  • Customisable and personal tour options
  • Carbon offsetting included

Read more

— Cancellation Protection

  • Rebook your tour on one occasion, or
  • Cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund and travel credit

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Get a taste of Iceland’s culture and see some of the top sights
  • Hunt for the spectacular northern lights on a guided tour
  • Experience the vibrant capital of Iceland, Reykjavík
  • Travel around the iconic Golden Circle route
  • Feel the power of the thundering waterfall, Gullfoss
  • Marvel at eruptions at the Geysir geothermal area
  • Bathe in the healing waters of the Blue Lagoon
  • Explore the historic and scenic Þingvellir National Park
  • Hassle-free travel experience with pre-booked accommodation and activities

Travel style

Multi-Day Tours i

Interest

City Break i, Northern Lights i

Season

Sep - Mar

Attractions

Just a few of the majestic sights you’ll take in during your trip.

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: Welcome to Reykjavík & Northern Lights

    On arrival at Keflavik International Airport, you will be greeted by a professional driver who will take you to your accommodation in Reykjavík. After settling in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the charming capital city. You can stroll along the main street, Laugavegur, which offers an excellent array of restaurants, cafés, and bars if you want to have a taste of Iceland.

    Tonight, enjoy a dinner at your leisure before joining a northern lights* excursion. An experienced guide will drive your group to an optimal spot to witness this majestic sight.

    Spend the next two nights in Reykjavík.

    *Please note that northern lights are a natural sight and cannot be guaranteed.

    Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 2: Exploring the Golden Circle

    Today you visit some of Iceland’s most famous attractions with a small guided group tour of the classic “Golden Circle” route in South Iceland. You will start the day heading to Hveragerði where the bus will make a short stop before continuing on your journey.

    One of the many highlights you’ll see today is the impressive Kerið Crater. Other attractions include the magical two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall and the spouting hot springs of Geysir. While Geysir lies dormant, its neighbour Strokkur erupts every few minutes, gushing steam and water high into the air.

    The last stop of the day is Þingvellir National Park, a place of great historical and geological significance. It is also one of Iceland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Þingvellir is the site of the country’s first parliament and is located along the edge of the great rift between the Eurasian and American tectonic plates.

    Spend the night in Reykjavík.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 3: Blue Lagoon & Departure Flight

    Today is your last day on your short Iceland getaway. If you have a flight in the afternoon or evening, you’ll enjoy a relaxing time at the Blue Lagoon before your departure. It is famous for its healing mineral-rich waters surrounded by jet-black lava fields and will make for a perfect way to end your trip. A private driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the spa. They will wait 2.5 hours and then drive you to Keflavík International Airport with plenty of time before your flight. 

    Note: If your flight is in the morning, we’ll change your travel itinerary accordingly and move the Blue Lagoon visit to your arrival day including the private transfer to and from the airport, spa and your hotel.

    Attractions See Activities for this day

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

Essential information

Everything you need to know about this tour before you book

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this multi-day tour in Iceland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Iceland Travel Guide.

On a multi-day tour, Nordic Visitor books your accommodation and excursions for a self-guided travel experience. That means you’ll enjoy some free time to explore on your own as well as planned, guided day tours. 

Each activity is run by a different tour operator, so you’ll get to meet a few local guides throughout your trip. 

You can rest assured that Nordic Visitor only works with a small number of handpicked suppliers that meet our high standards. The activities you’ll participate in are all extremely well rated so you’re sure to have a memorable time.

During your tour, we’re with you every step of the way. On arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, map and detailed Iceland Travel Guide. Plus, you’ll always be able to reach us on your trip by calling our 24/7 helpline.

Yes, when you book your Iceland tour with Nordic Visitor, you always get airport transfers to and from Keflavík Airport included. This will be a private, shared or bus transfer, depending on your itinerary. Please check the details of your tour to confirm.

If you add extra nights to your stay before or after the scheduled trip, we’ll rearrange your transfers to fit your new itinerary.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your travel consultant if you have any specific requests about optional activities or services.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.

Due to the nature of this tour and activities included, it’s not recommended for families with young children. That said, it is suitable for well-travelled, active children of 12 years or older. If in doubt, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

On your multi-day tour, you’ll stay in accommodation that’s been hand-picked by our local Iceland travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.

During the booking process, you can choose from single, double or triple rooms. Please note that in Iceland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

During your tour, there will always be a Reykjavík-based travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

If you’re arriving from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Iceland. 

Visiting from another country? You can find the complete list of countries whose nationals require a visa to enter Iceland on the website of Iceland’s Directorate of Immigration. If you do require a visa, they maintain a list of local embassies that can assist you with the process. 

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Iceland. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it. 

Read more about visas, airports and airlines in the getting to Iceland section of our travel guide.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.

Only you can pick the best time to visit Iceland for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore, what you want to see in Iceland and any events you might like to attend.

In summer, June to August, you’ll have milder temperatures and longer daylight hours, compared to the winter. This is ideal for outdoor excursions and sightseeing. 

If you’d like to experience the top attractions with fewer visitors around then you could book your summer trip in May or September. These shoulder season months have more tour and attraction availability.

The winter months are also popular, but generally quieter, apart from the Christmas holiday season. This is the ideal time to try to spot the northern lights.

Find out what annual Icelandic events and festivals are on in our travel guide. Or read more about the best time to visit Iceland on our blog.

Because of its northerly location close to the Arctic Circle, Iceland has limited daylight in winter. 

Around Christmastime, from early December until late January, you can expect an average of 4–5 hours of daylight. These extended hours of darkness give you a higher chance of seeing the northern lights.

Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Iceland.

Yes! Wintertime is the right season to visit Iceland if you want to see the northern lights (or aurora borealis). You can experience the northern lights between October and March, with peak visibility from December through February. 

To improve your chances of seeing them, this package includes a northern lights excursion. This way you’ll go hunting for the aurora with your guide.

Please note that as the northern lights are a natural phenomenon, sightings cannot be guaranteed. It all depends on the conditions and cloud cover on the night.

Read our Iceland northern lights guide to learn more.

The winter climate in Iceland is generally mild compared to other Northern European countries. That said, the temperature can drop below freezing at times. And the Atlantic winds can make it feel colder than it is. 

You can expect average temperatures between 4°C (39°F) and -1°C (30°F). Throughout winter (October to April), the weather conditions are very changeable, so you could experience rain, snow, sun and cold winds. 

For more information on the local climate, read this guide to Iceland weather conditions

Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. Your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit.

Your scheduled journey to the Blue Lagoon is by bus, with up to 70 travellers. When you arrive in Iceland, you’ll receive vouchers with all your transfer details.

Children must be at least 2 years old to visit the Blue Lagoon. And it’s mandatory for children aged 2 to 8 to wear inflatable armbands while in the lagoon. These are provided free of charge. 

Please note that only 2 children under the age of 10 can be admitted into the lagoon per guardian.

Iceland’s winters are chilly although not as cold as you may expect. As you’ll probably spend a lot of time outdoors, we recommend bringing plenty of layers to stay warm and dry.

Here is a recommended winter packing list for your trip to Iceland:

  • Durable insulated jacket, which should be waterproof
  • Robust walking boots with a good grip
  • Mid-layers such as a fleece or woollen jumper
  • A few pairs of warm hiking socks
  • Hat, gloves and scarf
  • Swimwear for visiting geothermal pools or spas
  • Backpack for daily adventures
  • Electronic equipment such as smartphone, external powerpack, and travel adapters
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen for exploring in the snow or glacier excursions
  • And don’t forget your camera!
     

For more information, check out this Iceland packing list.

Breakfast at your Iceland accommodations is always included when you travel with Nordic Visitor.  For the rest of your meals, the amount of spending money you need will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to. 

That said, we recommend budgeting between 2,000–3,000 ISK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 3,000–6,000 ISK. Meanwhile, at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 7,000 ISK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel. 

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

You can get in touch with our Iceland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Iceland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll email you copies of your travel documents.

When you arrive in Iceland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Iceland Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Keflavík?

After picking up your luggage, you will be greeted by a driver holding a sign with your name in the arrivals hall. The driver will hand over your welcome package with hard copies of your travel documents. You’ll then be driven to your hotel in Reykjavík.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2 PM and 4 PM. 

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel so you can start exploring before check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching your transfer to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Icelandic Króna (ISK), the official currency of Iceland. 

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate as issued by the Central Bank of Iceland. This means conversions from ISK to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Reviews

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

Thank you Nordic Visitor!

I really appreciated every aspect of this trip. I was travelling solo and I felt completely taken care off. All documents were printed off for me, which was super helpful. The welcome packet was very informative. Each driver was extremely nice. Thank you for everything!

Beyond impressed!

I am beyond impressed with Nordic Visitor and all of the services we received! Everyone from the airport pick up to the tour guides were professional, very friendly and knowledgeable. Our travel consultant Guðrún was exceptional! They were very friendly, communicative and helped make this trip stress free! Everything was handled above and beyond and exceeded my expectations. Baldwin was an awesome and expert tour guide for the northern lights tour portion. His knowledge and passion made sure we had an unforgettable experience seeing them. I will definitely recommend this company to anyone I know looking to visit.

Great service

Excellent website, very responsive and friendly agents. I don't usually book 'package' holidays but it was a joy not to have to do all the research and have such great service.

It was all very easy

It was very easy to book. Received all information quickly. Pick up from the airport was easy, great hotel. Everyone was very friendly and accommodating, especially when our flight back got delayed one day due to bad weather.

So impressed

Communication was on point! To us, that was so important because we had never been to Iceland and had no idea what to expect. Everything was extremely organised and easy to follow. I am so impressed with what this company did for us - great hotel with a great location, perfectly organised printed itinerary on arrival (it was sent well before the trip via email, as well), and a refund for when one of the planned tours did not workout. It was greatly appreciated.

Wonderful

It was wonderful that Nordic Visitor took care of everything for me, all I had to do was show up! I loved both the tours I was booked on. The guides were wonderful. I enjoyed my time with them and learned so much!

Accommodation

Relax in a top city hotel or guesthouse that is highly rated by visitors and handpicked by local travel experts.

Look forward to sleeping soundly in Iceland. The accommodation you’ll stay in is conveniently located in Reykjavík for pickups for your day trips. Rest assured that you’ll stay in one of the best possible properties, as we only choose accommodation that has received excellent reviews from previous customers.

Comfort Plus

In this category, you’ll stay in standard rooms in good quality 3-star hotels. Or, you'll spend the night in similar rooms in rura..

View

Superior

With Superior accommodation, you’ll enjoy standard rooms in 4-star hotels or boutique guesthouses. You might also stay in superior..

View

Price per person from

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 156252 ISK

Monthly price comparison

Our best price per person when booking for two.

2024
2025

OTHER SUGGESTED TOURS

Iceland
Best seller
Multi-Day Tours
5 days / 4 nights
December

A New Year’s to Remember

Northern Lights, Super Jeeps and NYE Party

375442ISK

Eur

Iceland
Multi-Day Tours
5 days / 4 nights
December

A Christmas to Remember

Super Jeeps, Glaciers & Blue Lagoon

320538ISK

Eur

Iceland
Best seller
Multi-Day Tours
6 days / 5 nights
4.9
Sep - Mar

Best of South Iceland - Winter

Golden Circle, South Coast & Blue Lagoon

266230ISK

Eur

Iceland
Best seller
Multi-Day Tours
4 days / 3 nights
4.8
Sep - Mar

Golden Circle Classic - Winter

Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights

185742ISK

Eur

We are here to help

Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.

here to help