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Kirkjufellsfoss, Iceland

Iceland

A volcanic masterpiece

Iceland tailor-made holidays

Introduction

Iceland holidays literally burst with natural attractions; active volcanoes, geysers and thermal pools hint at the explosive force here whilst great glaciers continue to carve and sculpt the dramatic landscape and the Northern Lights put on a surreal show in the skies above.

Reykjavik, the world's most northerly capital, is a cultural powerhouse, with art galleries, museums and a coffee culture to rival anywhere. At night the city jumps to a vibrant music scene whilst on weekends the locals maintain the tradition of the runtur, the legendary Icelandic pub-crawl.

Outside the capital, the Blue Lagoon, set amidst a black lava field in the heart of the volcanic wilderness is a popular attraction for people who want to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the mineral-rich waters.

To see the main sights take a tour of the Golden Circle, which encompasses the gushing pools of Geysir, the giant double waterfall of Gulfoss and the rugged rift valley at Pingvellir, site of the ancient parliament, the Althing.

The more adventurous should travel to the western fjords to stand on Europe's most westerly point and see sea birds in vast numbers. Cruise to the Westman Islands to find puffins though. Walkers should take the opportunity to trek on Vatnajokull, Europe's largest ice cap, although a skidoo safari here or dogsled trips on the icecaps at Myrdalsjokull are marginally less taxing.

 

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At a glance

Flying time from UK
2½ hours

Time zone
GMT ±0

Currency
Icelandic krona (Ikr) = 100 aurar

Language
Icelandic

Travel advice
Check the FCDO for visa & travel advice

See Iceland travel guide

Special offers in Iceland

Godafoss waterfall at sunset, Iceland

No-fly Iceland & Ireland on Celebrity Apex

12-day ocean cruise from £2,025 pp

Special
cruise offer

Save up to 75% off second guest & onboard spend
Book by: 25 March 2024

Sail from Southampton to contrast the dramatic landscapes of Iceland with the warm Celtic welcome in Cork on board Celebrity Apex.

Northwest Passage, Canada

The Northwest Passage on Silver Wind

28-day luxury cruise from £34,320 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Save up o 20%
Book by: 12 April 2024

Connect with your inner adventurer on this epic Arctic voyage, following in the bow wake of Roald Amundsen as you sail the Northwest Passage, deep into the Canadian Arctic.

Top itineraries in Iceland

Seljalandsfoss, Iceland

Highlights of Iceland Self-Drive

10-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,535 pp

Explore the best of Iceland on an action packed road trip around its circumference. Expect everything from the classics of Reykjavik and the Golden Circle to the off-the-beaten-track wonders of the Eastfjord and the south-coast waterfalls.

Northern Lights, Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

Romantic Iceland & the Northern Lights

5-day tailor-made holiday from £1,400 pp incl. flights

From the drama of the Golden Circle to visiting a geothermal spa and spotting the Northern Lights from an outdoor hot tub, this is Iceland at its enchanting best.

Puffins at Svalbard

North Iceland Odyssey

7-day tailor-made holiday from £1,405 pp

Combine Reykjavik's city buzz and the icons of the Golden Circle with the lesser-visited gems of Northern Iceland. After an included soak in the Blue Lagoon, an epic road trip will see you among mighty waterfalls, lakes and fjords.

Gullfoss, Iceland

Reykjavik Summer Adventure

4-day tailor-made break from £1,200 pp incl. flights

This action-packed summer break to Iceland's charming capital, combines the Golden Circle and an whale watching tour with three nights accommodation at a comfortable, four-star city centre hotel.

See all itinerary ideas

What our clients say about our Iceland holidays

  • I have written to Francesca Brown this morning to thank her for her patience and helpful advice. We had a great trip, everything went smoothly and without her input and hard work it would have been a somewhat stressful undertaking. She was brilliant.

    Sarah S

  • I have already emailed my Wexas consultant to give personal thanks. A fantastic trip, everything booked for us ran like clockwork, recommendations were spot on. Will certainly recommend to family and friends.

    Kirsty K

  • Everything went swimmingly - all transfers turned up on time and the tours were just sublime - very happy

    Ian I

Top places to stay in Iceland

Hotel Skuggi, Reykjavik

Hotel Skuggi, Reykjavik

Contemporary hotel

Located within easy reach of all of Reykjavik’s popular sites and city centre, the Hotel Skuggi offers comfortable rooms, a restaurant and an abundance of excursions and tours in the surrounding area.

Hotel Siglo

Siglo Hotel, Siglufjordur

Contemporary hotel

Located in the heart of a cultural marina, Siglo Hotel is situated in Siglufjordur, a historic fishing town and commands views of the majestic mountain circle and quaint village

Hotel Husafell

Hotel Husafell, West Iceland

Contemporary hotel

Surrounded by Iceland’s natural wonders: glaciers, lava caves, geothermal spas, waterfalls and the Northern Lights, Hotel Husafell commands a prime location in West Iceland and offers comfortable accommodation, traditional cuisine and an array of activities to satisfy any adventurer

Hotel Katla, Hofdabrekka, Iceland (3)

Hotel Katla, Vik

Traditional hotel

An ideal option for those taking a road trip along Iceland’s spectacular south coast, with outdoor hot tubs and a delicious on-site restaurant.

See all places to stay

Where to go in Iceland

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a capital city with the feel of a small town. Brightly painted houses of corrugated iron dominate the city skyline and skyscrapers are virtually unheard of here. The buildings cluster around the Tjornin Lake, a spot that's at once tranquil and the bustling heart of the city.

South Iceland

Southern Iceland still resonates in the international consciousness as the home of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, famous for the spectacular 2011 eruptions that grounded planes across Europe. The largest eruption of recent years, this event served as a reminder of Iceland's turbulent past and drew t…

Siglufjorour, Northern Iceland

North Iceland

The north has its own version of the popular Golden Circle route, known as the Diamond Circle; the main difference between this and the route in the south is that the Diamond circle circumvents the crowds.

Westfjords, Iceland

West Fjords

The West Fjords, where arctic foxes roam beneath the Northern Lights, have been heralded as one of the most spectacular and isolated landscapes in Europe.

See all places

When to go to Iceland

Average temperature (℃)
Average rainfall (mm)
  • 20
  • 10
  • 0
  • -10
  • 120
  • 90
  • 60
  • 30
  • 0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Max temp Min temp Rainfall

Weather in Iceland is very unpredictable. Blue and sunny days can turn grey and foggy in a very short time, so if you're trekking, be prepared for all types of weather and take a map and a compass. The high season runs between June and August when, at times, it's light for 24 hours of the day, which improves the local mood no end. Warmer weather opens up mountain roads and trails that are closed during the winter months and Icelanders leave the towns and head from the countryside homes and lakeside cabins. The winter months, October to April, are dark and can be bitterly cold. Heavy snow closes interior roads and blizzards and whiteouts can …

See regional weather

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    Of course, when it comes to summer holidays, many people have their perennial favourites. However, it can be very rewarding to try alternative destinations that are more off-the-beaten-track. Here, we explore four options for your summer getaway.

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    How to photograph the Northern Lights

    Photographing the Northern Lights is a challenging, yet rewarding experience. Here we take a look at the how's, where's, why's and when's to give you the very best chance of returning from your Aurora adventures with a series of pictures to be proud of.

  • Tromso in summer

    Best places to see the Midnight Sun 2020-2021

    If you want to bask in 24-hour sunlight, follow our guide to the best places to experience the Midnight Sun around the world.

See all articles

Meet our Iceland experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0618

Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0618 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

Expert advice & support

Visit us in our London office

Let our travel specialists curate the perfect holiday:

  • Inspirational ideas based on experience
  • Established for over 50 years
  • Tailor a holiday to your precise requirements
  • Personalised quotes and documentation

Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

  • Dedicated personal consultants
  • Free airport lounges on qualifying bookings
  • Care and guidance pre, post and during holiday
  • Full financial security: ABTA & ATOL protected