Iceland’s Winter Tour: Explore North & South Highlights

Experience Iceland’s Elements in Winter: A Journey Through Its Serene Landscape

Iceland in winter is something else. Snow quiets the landscape, the light turns otherworldly, and the whole country feels like it belongs to you. This privately guided journey through both North and South Iceland pairs genuine adventure with real comfort — glacier walks, geothermal pools, and the northern lights, all without cutting corners.

It starts in Reykjavík, where a private food tour gets you past the tourist traps and into the kitchens and stories that actually define Icelandic eating. From there, head south to frozen waterfalls, shimmering ice caves, and snow-covered highlands that stretch further than you’d expect. On clear nights, the northern lights do their thing above the glacier-capped mountains.

Then it’s north to Deplar Farm, tucked away in the Arctic and built around the idea that wilderness and comfort aren’t opposites. Heli-skiing, snowshoeing, geothermal pools under an open sky — take your pick. The whole thing wraps up at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, where mineral-rich water and unhurried spa time give you exactly the ending a trip like this deserves.

Days 1-5
Settling into the South Coast

You’ll settle in first at The Reykjavík EDITION — time to decompress before a Private Food & Wine Walk pulls you into Icelandic food culture in a way that no museum exhibit ever could.

Out on the south coast, winter strips away the summer crowds and leaves something better. Nights split between Hótel Umi and Hótel Jökulsárlón, both sitting in the shadow of vast glacier plains, give you a proper base for what the region offers this time of year.

Waterfalls, black sand beaches, sea cliffs, old farmsteads — all of it looks different under winter light, sharper somehow. One day heads into the southern highlands, where wide snow-filled valleys carry a stillness that’s hard to describe until you’re standing in it. A guided ice cave experience takes you inside the glacier itself, and for those who want to push further, a helicopter-access ice cave upgrade is on the table.

Evenings are for slowing down. When conditions are right, you’ll head out under the stars to look for the northern lights — and if they show up, there’s nothing quite like watching them move above the ice.

Days 6-8
Arctic Wellness, Winter Activities & Northern Lights

A short flight north from Reykjavík drops you into a different world — deep valleys, snow-heavy peaks, and the quiet of the Tröllaskagi Peninsula. Deplar Farm sits at the heart of it, where Nordic luxury and raw landscape exist side by side without either one winning.

Days here are yours to shape. Expert hosts can point you toward heli-skiing off serious peaks, snowmobiling across untouched terrain, or cross-country skiing through empty valleys. Rather take it slower? Snowshoeing and fat biking on fresh snow are genuinely good options. Come evening, an outdoor fire, a warm drink, and the northern lights overhead — that’s a hard combination to beat.

In December, Deplar Farm leans into Icelandic festive traditions: candlelit dinners, the smell of the season, a certain cosiness that the Icelanders do better than most. Between activities, the geothermal pools and spa are there when you need them.

Deplar Farm gets the balance right — wild enough to feel like you’re actually in Iceland, comfortable enough that you never want to leave. That’s the Nordic winter in a nutshell.

Days 9-11
Winter Wellness at The Retreat

Back south, a private guide meets you at the airport for the drive across the Reykjanes Peninsula. Steam rises from frozen ground, the Atlantic hammers lava cliffs, and the whole scene sets you up perfectly for what’s coming.

The final nights are spent at The Retreat, where the silence of winter surrounds you and the lagoon’s mineral-rich water is right there whenever you want it. The architecture sits naturally in the volcanic landscape — nothing about it feels forced.

These last days can go either way: full immersion in the spa and lagoon, or half-day trips with your guide if you’re not ready to stop moving. The Lava Tunnel is close by — a walk down into illuminated lava formations that puts Iceland’s geology in perspective fast. Either way, the final stretch lands gently, which is exactly what you want after nine days like these.

Highlights of the Elements of Iceland Winter Journey

Accommodation options:

Premium: Primarily four-star hotels, equipped with quality amenities, stylish rooms, and excellent locales for easy access to attractions.
Luxury: A blend of four- and five-star accommodations, delivering superior amenities, exceptional service, and often fine dining and wellness facilities on-site.
Exclusive accommodation & private lodges: Typically five-star accommodations with unparalleled luxury, personal service, and amenities like private pools and gourmet dining options.

Ready to make this your dream trip?