Winter travel in Iceland is like stepping into a winter wonderland, but it requires some planning regarding travelling plans and that you pack properly. Winter travel in Iceland is not only scenic with its snowy landscapes, but also offers unique activities like Northern Lights viewing, glacier hiking, and ice cave exploration. Below is our recommendation how to prepare for a safe, warm, and awe-inspiring Icelandic winter adventure.

Dress accordingly

Icelandic weather can be quite unpredictable, especially in winter when you can experience sunshine, snow, rain and wind all in one day. Prepare by dressing accordingly with warm base layers, insulated jackets and waterproof/windproof outer shells.  Always have thermal mittens, caps and scarfs with you.

For the adventurous ones if you want to go hiking, glacier walks or Northern Lights hunting you should bring with you winter boots, microspikes ( it can be quite slippery if there is ice under the snow), headlamp or flashlight is quite important to have due to limited hours of daylight during the winter time. We recommend to have thermal bottles which you can fill up with hot water, hot chocolate or coffee at Landhotel before you go on your adventurous day trip.  We can prepare lunchboxes for you if you order them the night before.

Save Driving

If you are travelling independently by renting a car always make sure your rental car is equipped with winter tires and choose 4×4 vehicle at all times.

It is essential to check road conditions every day since the weather can be quite unpredictable.  You should always check the website https://umferdin.is/en for road conditions and https://www.vedur.is for weather conditions.  The main key is to be prepared and stay flexible due to changes in weather conditions.

We recommend to all travellers to visit the website  www.savetravel.is for more information about travelling in Iceland.

Landhotel your accommodation

Landhotel is perfect for winter travellers to stay at due to its location and short distances from main attractions in heart of South Iceland.  You can go on your short daytrips and reach those attractions within an hour or two so you can enjoy them in daylight during the winter months.

At Landhotel you don´t have to go Northern Lights hunting because the Northern Lights stream over the hotel when the conditions are good. You stay in the warmth of the hotel and when they appear the only thing you have to do is to put your warm clothes on and walk outside to see these spectacular lights.  We even have wake-up calls if they do appear after midnight and of course you can follow them on our website or in the Aurora App since we do have live cameras on our rooftop.

Winter tours

Popular tours like glacier hikes or ice cave tours can be booked through our portal at https://landhotel.tourdesk.is/Tour.  We recommend to book early to secure spot on those popular tours.

Winter in Iceland offers an unparalleled opportunity for breathtaking experiences, but adequate preparation is essential. By equipping yourself with appropriate gear, staying informed about the weather conditions, and maintaining a flexible itinerary, you can immerse yourself in the stunning scenery, from the majestic snow-capped mountains and enchanting frozen waterfalls to the awe-inspiring Northern Lights. Thoughtful preparation will not only enhance your safety but also transform your Icelandic winter adventure into a truly memorable journey.