3 bonus reasons to go to Iceland in the Winter
You can have the ultimate ice cave adventure. If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping inside a crystal blue ice cave, the winter months are for you. While glacier hiking can be done year-round, the incredible ice caves inside the glaciers can only be visited in the winter. Ice caves form naturally from wind and melted ice, have a short lifespan and are constantly changing, so you can have a unique experience each year. At the start of the season, adventure guides carefully scope the glaciers to discover and tag new spots, which are sure to disappear with the approach of summer.
The combined glacier hike and ice cave excursion we did with Arctic Adventures on Vatnajökull glacier was absolutely a highlight of our trip. The experience of stepping from a stark white landscape to a stunning blue frozen wave was unforgettable. Be aware that ice caves and glacier hikes are not to be navigated alone, you must sign up with a tour agency. It only took our guide pointing out a hidden arctic puddle.
Beat the crowds. Iceland’s tourism industry has been ballooning since 2008, driven initially by post-crash prices and then expedited as word got out about the country’s magical (and very Instagrammable) landscape. Unsurprisingly, Iceland’s warmest months - June, July, August - are also its busiest times for tourists. We all know how much of a bummer it is to show up to a gorgeous spot, only to find it crawling with tourists. We definitely noticed the ease of traveling in the winter in terms of crowd control - parking spots were plenty, we were often the only car on the road, and there were very few lines. With the exception of a few “hot spots,” we were amazed by often we got the feeling we were the only ones there! You'll also find winter is a bit easier on your wallet. Now that Iceland is such a popular destination, flight discounts are mostly limited to the darkest and coldest times of the year (November-February). We were thrilled to land a great deal through Scott’s Cheap Flights.
Embrace the Icelandic soaking scene. Iceland’s hot water baths are a quintessential aspect of the local culture. There are natural geothermal pools, public pools, saunas and hot tubs fed by natural springs around every corner, some more secret than others. The winter months are a great time to explore when the crowds are thinner and you’re most in need of a cozy dip. In addition to the ever-popular Blue Lagoon (an easy drive from the airport), don’t miss Secret Lagoon, the Reykjadalur Thermal River or the Laugarvatn Fontana. And make the most of your evenings by booking a place with a hot tub (booking.com and airbnb give you the option of searching for this as part of your criteria)! Given the early winter sunsets, we loved having the chance to unwind outside while keeping a lookout for the northern lights. It was also unreal to be in a bathing suit, surrounded by snow, while plotting our plan of attack for the next day.