4-Day Northern Lights Weekend Getaway in Iceland

After a fantastic start to your holiday, you will spend your second day getting further out of the city and exploring the Golden Circle sightseeing route on a guided tour. One of the most famous trails in the country, it has three iconic sites that show the diversity of Iceland.

Since you're on a guided tour, expect a more immersive experience as you visit each location. You'll learn about the attractions' history and most exciting trivia. You're also free to ask your guide questions if anything piques your interest.

First to see on your itinerary is the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site on the island, Thingvellir National Park. Not only is it the birthplace of modern democracy in the country, but it boasts a landscape of beautiful waterways, forests, and lava fields.

While here, you can opt into a snorkeling tour, in which you are equipped with a drysuit and guided through a crystal clear stream in the Silfra ravine. Snorkeling participants must be comfortable in the water and able to swim.

The second attraction of the Golden Circle sightseeing route is Strokkur, a geyser that ejects steaming water to great heights of around 66 feet (20 meters). It is located in the Geysir geothermal area, home to many vibrantly colored hot springs and fumaroles.

Finally, you'll reach a powerful, two-tiered waterfall thundering in an ancient valley, Gullfoss waterfall. The cascade is a beautiful sight to behold in winter when snow and ice formations surround it.

If you elect to do so when booking, you can choose to add a snowmobiling trip after your time at Gullfoss waterfall. You'll set off to the nearby Langjokull glacier and zoom across its gleaming, beautiful surface.

The third choice of the tour is a ride on an Icelandic horse, where you'll explore the serene countryside of South Iceland like the first settlers.

In the evening, if you didn't get a chance to see the northern lights the night before, you will have another opportunity tonight before heading back to your accommodation in Reykjavik.

On the third day of your winter vacation, your adventure brings you to the South Coast of Iceland, home to many of the country’s most diverse and stunning attractions, surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean.

The South Coast boasts two incredible waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and Skogafoss Waterfall. Both face out to the ocean and stand at an impressive 197 feet (60 meters) tall, though they differ in every other way.

Seljalandsfoss waterfall is narrow, with a massive cavern behind it, carved by the ocean centuries ago. Tourists can walk on this cavern to view and photograph the water curtain from behind or at any angle they prefer.

Skogafoss waterfall, however, is much more powerful and has fascinating folklore of hidden treasure. You can view its cascade from a flat valley on the bottom or hike toward the top cliff.

To make your visit to Skogafoss waterfall extra special, beautiful rainbows are familiar sights above the waterfall’s water curtain on a sunny day.

Behind this waterfall are the glaciers of Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull, both of which conceal notorious volcanoes. If you choose to, when booking, join a glacier hiking tour and scale the magnificent outlet of Solheimajokull glacier for some spectacular views.

The glacier hike includes gear and equipment to keep you safe while exploring the beautiful terrain. Your guide is also ready to assist you during the adventure.

Further along the South Coast, you’ll come to Reynisfjara, a beautiful black sand beach with dramatic, powerful waves, towering sea stacks, and great views over the enormous rock arch of Dyrholaey.

Here, you’ll turn back and return along the South Coast route back to the capital. If the sky turns dark, keep a keen eye out for the auroras. Of course, you are welcome to add on another northern lights tour if you are eager for another hunt.

Tonight, you’ll return to your accommodation in Reykjavik.