Your Iceland travel agency

Yes, Iceland has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, along with excellent, modern healthcare services, making it a safe destination. All of this means it often tops the rankings of the Global Peace Index.

Thanks to the country’s nickname, the Land of Fire and Ice, you’ve probably already guessed that Iceland has volcanoes (and glaciers). So occasional eruptions are part of life here – which is why Icelandic authorities are so well-practised at handling them. Scientists track seismic and volcanic activity around the clock, so they usually have a good sense of what’s coming, and when.

Your part? Stick to marked hiking trails around volcanic sites, and follow local guidance at all times. It’s the simplest way to stay safe.

Here’s the bit that should put your mind at ease: travel with us, and you’ll have a dedicated travel consultant keeping an eye on things for you – any eruption or tremor, they’ll let you know. Plus, our helpline’s there round the clock, every day of your trip.

For more information, read our blog: Is Iceland safe to visit?

Icelandic is the official language of Iceland. It’s a North Germanic language, similar to Old Norse, and has changed very little since Viking times.

But, when you visit, you’ll easily get by with English, as most locals speak it fluently, and many are multilingual in other Nordic or European languages too.

If you’d like to learn a few local words and phrases, here are some to start with:

• Já = Yes
• Nei = No
• Góðan daginn / Góðan dag = good day
• Gott kvöld = Good evening
• Hæ / Halló = Hi / Hello
• Bless = Goodbye
• Takk = Thank you

The best time to visit Iceland depends on what you want to see and do.

Summer, from May to September, brings milder temperatures and longer daylight hours, giving you more time to explore. It’s also when remote regions like the Westfjords and central highlands are accessible, since their mountain roads close in winter due to difficult driving conditions. Iceland summer tours are ideal if you want to spend time outdoors, spot wildlife like puffins and whales, or go hiking.

Winter, from October to April, is best if you want to see the northern lights, since the longer nights give you more hours of darkness to spot the aurora. Visit Iceland in winter, and you’ll see the landscape draped in frost and snow. If you enjoy a festive atmosphere, you may want to time your trip for Christmas or New Year.

For more advice on when to go, check out these guides:

• Best time to visit Iceland
• Iceland in summer
• Iceland in winter

Winter is really your best bet. On a northern lights tour in Iceland between September and April, the nights are dark enough for the aurora to really shine and flicker overhead.

For the best chance of seeing them clearly, head away from the light pollution of towns and cities. The darker your surroundings, the more vivid the colours will be.

Read these guides for more information about the aurora borealis:

• What are the northern lights?
• How to see the aurora borealis
• Best times and places to see the northern lights in Iceland
• Top aurora hotels in Iceland

There’s a lot to see in Iceland, so how long you stay depends on how much time you have.

For a short break, Reykjavík and its surroundings are a good choice. In 4 days, you can visit the capital’s museums, shops, galleries and restaurants, along with thermal pools and, at Christmastime, festive markets.

You could also visit some of Iceland’s top sights along the Golden Circle route. These include stops like the Gullfoss waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, and the Geysir geothermal area, home to the hot spring Strokkur. This can be done as a day trip from Reykjavík, or over a few days.

With a week, you can explore more of South Iceland, including its black sand beaches and glaciers. This is also a good chance to bathe in the mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon.

West Iceland is another option. Here you can look for the northern lights in the remote Westfjords, or visit the Snæfellsnes peninsula, often called “Iceland in miniature.” At just 90 kilometres (56 miles) long, it packs in volcanoes, lava fields, waterfalls, hot springs and fishing villages.

If you have 10 days to 2 weeks, you can see even more of the country by travelling the Ring Road in East Iceland and North Iceland. This takes you east to admire fjords and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where icebergs float in blue water. Then, head north to Akureyri and Lake Mývatn, mud pools and craters. You can even warm up afterwards at the Mývatn Nature Baths.

In general, the more time you have, the more of Iceland you’ll experience. Check out our blog for more inspiration on how many days to spend in Iceland.

Iceland may be small, but it packs a punch with its wild scenery, intriguing culture and mind-boggling natural wonders. Here are some of the top things to do in Iceland:

• Marvel at waterfalls
• Hike in national parks
• Dip in hot springs and pools
• Hunt for the northern lights
• Walk along black sand beaches
• Taste Icelandic cuisine
• Admire glacier lagoons
• Venture into ice caves or lava tunnels
• Learn about Icelandic legends
• Look for whales and puffins
• See geothermal wonders and volcanoes
• Go horse riding

Read more on our blog about the best Iceland tours to add to your itinerary.

The best way to explore Iceland depends on what you want to do and how much flexibility you’re looking for.

Iceland self-drive packages are a good choice if you want to travel independently and set your own pace. On a road trip, you can take your time at top sights, head off the beaten track, and adjust your timings to fit in extra excursions or restaurants.

If you’d prefer to travel with a guide, our small group tours of Iceland let you learn from a local expert, who will take you to each attraction and share their knowledge along the way. Groups are capped at 16 guests in a minibus, giving you a more relaxed, personal experience than a large coach tour. This option is popular with solo travellers and with anyone who’d rather not drive.

For something more exclusive, our privately guided tours of Iceland offer a local guide just for you, whether you’re travelling alone, with friends, or with family.

Another option is an Iceland multi-day package: a city stay with handpicked accommodation and daily activities arranged for you, including guided excursions, plus free days to explore on your own.

If you’d like help deciding which travel style suits you best, get in touch with our team in Reykjavík.

We’re Icelandic, through and through. Nordic Visitor was founded in Reykjavik, back in 2002. Our headquarters is based right here, and between us, we’ve covered pretty much every corner of the country.

When you book with us, you’ll get your own dedicated travel consultant. Someone who knows Iceland inside out and puts that knowledge straight into your trip. We’ll share our own favourite spots, and shape your itinerary around what matters to you.

Find out more about Nordic Visitor and our local travel experts.

When you take a trip to Iceland with Nordic Visitor, you always get the following included in your travel package:

• All accommodation
• Daily breakfast
• Airport transfers
• Local transport specified in the itinerary (for example, this may be a rental car, private transport, or minibus)
• Activities specified in the itinerary (with the chance to add optional excursions)
• Entrance fees to attractions specified in the itinerary
• Your own personalised itinerary and our exclusive travel guide with local attractions and practical travel information
• 24/7 helpline during your trip for support when you need it
• All taxes and service fees – no hidden charges

Of course. Secure your trip with a 20% deposit, and you’ll get our Cancellation Protection for free. This way, you’re covered if your plans change.

Need to cancel? No problem, your payment is protected.

What about changing dates? We’ll rearrange your entire tour for you, saving you the hassle of contacting multiple suppliers.

Read our Book With Confidence terms to learn more about what’s included and how it works.

Travelling without Cancellation Protection? Check out our usual booking terms.

Save time and let us handle all the details (even the ones you haven’t thought of yet).

Our travel consultants design routes that flow smoothly from one stop to the next. They book accommodation partners they trust. They include the highlights everyone wants to see and the hidden spots most people miss. But most importantly? They do it so you don’t have to.

When you book with us, you’ll also have round-the-clock help during your trip. Need support? We’re there. Plans shift? We handle the changes.

Fortunately, if you’re arriving from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you will not need a visa to visit Iceland. You must have a valid passport with at least 3 months left before it expires.

If you’re visiting from outside of these countries, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter Iceland. This is a short-stay visa that permits you to travel to member countries of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days.

Read more about getting to Iceland in our travel guide.

We handpick every hotel and guesthouse on your Iceland trip, based on our team’s in-depth local knowledge.

Each property is chosen for its quality, location and character, and is highly rated by previous visitors. Because our Iceland travel team is based locally, we have close relationships with our accommodation partners and visit them regularly, so we know exactly what to expect from each one.

This means you can count on comfortable, well-located places to stay throughout your trip.

All of our Iceland tours are designed with care, drawing on local insight and first-hand knowledge, but they’re yours to shape.

You can stay longer, upgrade your accommodation, and add more activities when you book online. Snorkel between two continents at Silfra. Ride an Icelandic horse across the countryside. Snowmobile on a glacier. The list goes on (not quite endlessly, but almost).

If you’d like to personalise things further, your dedicated travel consultant can help – whether you’re drawn to the northern lights, hiking, photography, wildlife, or a specific place that holds special meaning for you.

Visiting Iceland with kids? Your consultant will make sure the whole family loves the itinerary, from activities to accommodation. Celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary? We’ll help you add romantic touches to make your trip even more special.

You can customise most tours to suit you. Small group tours are the exception – you’ll follow a set itinerary while with the group – but you can always add extra nights at the start or end of your trip.

Yes, each tour has an online calendar showing which start dates are available.

You can start most tours on any day you like. But for some travel styles (like small groups), you’ll have a list of scheduled departures to choose from. Either way, you can pick what works for you.

Flights aren’t included in our packages. This gives you the flexibility to use airline miles, take advantage of seasonal sales, or choose airlines and routes that work best for you.

Check flight options ahead of time to get a sense of availability and prices, but wait to book until after your tour is confirmed.

Once you get the go-ahead email from your travel consultant, you’ll know your exact travel dates. Then you can book the best flights for your trip.

Need help? Just ask your travel consultant. They’ll guide you every step of the way.

Iceland’s climate is cool year-round due to its northerly location, and weather conditions can change quickly. Since you’ll likely spend a lot of time outdoors, it’s best to pack for a range of conditions.

Here’s our recommended packing list for Iceland:

• Walking boots or shoes with good grip
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Insulated jacket
• Woollen or fleece jumpers
• Thermal base layers
• Warm hat, scarf and gloves
• Warm hiking socks
• Rucksack
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Quick-drying travel towel

You can read more about what to wear in Iceland on our blog.