Luxury Iceland Tours & Travel

Where can you see the northern lights in Iceland?

Due to its far northern location, Iceland is one of the world’s premier destinations for spotting the elusive – and beautiful – Aurora Borealis, better known as the Northern Lights. This natural phenomenon can occur any time between September and April, but the deeper you go into winter – with its longer, darker, nights – the greater your chances. The general rule of thumb is to get as far away from urban light pollution as possible – for instance in the Thingvellir National Park around 45 minutes outside of Reykjavik, or from Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon in the south of the island.

What are some of the most surreal places in Iceland?

With its glacial, lunar-like landscape, Iceland is utterly unique, with a landscape visually unlike anywhere else on the planet. A trip to Iceland takes in a series of quite remarkable natural features, such as the aforementioned Gulfoss Falls, the magical natural hot springs of the Blue Lagoon, and incredible spurting geysers such as Strokkur in the Golden Circle. In addition, we’d recommend taking in the ethereal Lava Fields of Eldhraun, the Black Sand Beach of Reynisfjara, or the tumbling falls of Seljalansfoss, which you can walk right behind.

How many days should I spend in Iceland?

For such a spectacular destination, Iceland is pleasingly compact. It’s typically a shorter visit than other destinations. The main highlights – including the best of the Golden Circle, the Blue Lagoon, and the Reykjanes Peninsula – can be covered as a day trips from Reykjavik in 3-4 days. Add in some time to explore the capital – well worth doing for its local life, lively bars, and unique cuisine – and we’d typically recommend a first-time tour of around 5-6 days: perfect for a short escape from the eastern US, Canada, or northern Europe. A truncated version of the same could be crammed into a weekend getaway or stopover jaunt of around 3-4 days.

Can you travel round Iceland without a hire car?

Whilst self-drive trips to Iceland are popular, we often recommend our clients travel with a private driver. This option is included in most of our luxury Iceland suggested itineraries. Hiring a car does give you great freedom, however with a private driver you will also have the same freedom, but with the added bonus of an Iceland expert guide all to yourself.

On the popular sightseeing routes in Iceland, for example the Golden Circle, many visitors arrive by coach to see the amazing geysers, waterfalls and areas of natural beauty. Another benefit of a private driver is that you’ll be able to visit at less busy times and have the landscapes more to yourself.