Classic holidays in Iceland

Iceland is a peaceful country, with one of the lowest crime rates in the world. It’s a safe destination to visit and renowned for being a visitor-friendly country with helpful, English speaking locals.

The country does have active volcanoes but eruptions only occur once every four years. There is also seismic activity, but it is only on a minor scale.

In the case of unexpected events, your dedicated travel consultant will keep you safe and informed during your tour.

For the latest travel advice and tips to stay safe, have a look at the Foreign Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Iceland advice page.

The cost of taking a trip to Iceland can depend on the time you visit, the attractions you want to experience and how many days you intend to spend there. Long city breaks will cost significantly less than 2 or 3 week trips, but to enjoy Iceland unrushed we recommend visiting for as long as you can.

The high season can be more expensive than the rest of the year, due to increased room rates and the likelihood that you will want to book more excursions. This is because certain activities, such as guided 4x4 trips into the Icelandic Highlands, only take place in the summer months. What's more, because Iceland is a small country it tends to import certain foodstuffs, which raises the overall sale price.

However, depending on the tour you choose, a lot of extras and activities will be included. All Nordic Visitor packages in Iceland include:

• Stays in approved hotels
• Tasty breakfasts
• A personalised itinerary
• Connections to and from Keflavík International Airport
• Full insurance protection

Self-drive tours include your rental car and driving insurance, and guided and private packages can include attraction entrance fees and other meals, depending on the itinerary.

For more information about visiting Iceland and what to expect, read our handy Iceland information page.

Iceland is a popular holiday destination, and lauded as a must-visit country, full of beautiful attractions by the likes of Condé Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure.

A small but welcoming country, Iceland has friendly, English speaking locals, charming towns and warm hospitality. The driving routes are some of the best in the world and are dotted with awe-inspiring natural attractions.

Everyone will find something to love about Iceland, whether it be the stunning mountainous scenery or the abundant opportunities to enjoy dramatic sea views.

For more inspiration, check out this guide to Iceland travel or read our experts' roundup of the best places in Iceland.

The best travel style to suit you depends on what experience you want and the attractions you’re keen to visit.

Want to sit back, relax and let a licensed local guide lead the way? Then have a look at our small group tours, where you explore with like-minded travellers. This is a popular option for solo guests who want to visit incredible sightseeing locations but with someone else to drive and share their local Iceland insights. It’s also a great option for those who don’t feel comfortable driving in wintry conditions.

If privacy is important to you, and you want the opportunity to drive around Iceland, then a self-drive tour is an ideal option. You’ll get to travel at your own pace and choose when you want to stop for photos at viewpoints. Plus, you’ll be provided with a set route and an annotated map to help guide you on your journey.

Private tours let you explore at your own pace and enjoy the benefits that come with having a personal guide to show you around Iceland and take you to their favourite spots. This is an ideal way for small parties and families to see Iceland as it provides both flexible timing and privacy.

When planning a trip to Iceland, we recommend you start by deciding which of the country's must-see attractions you want to explore. Once you have these, you can work on the best time to visit, booking attraction tickets, finding excursions, researching hotels and everything else that comes with organising a holiday.

However, if you want to enjoy exploring Iceland without the hassle and extra work, then check out our expertly crafted packages, where all of your travel in Iceland, accommodation, attractions and daily itineraries are arranged for you. Upon arrival, you’re provided with all of your documents and a detailed travel guide, with our attraction, area and restaurant recommendations.

As well as this, you can travel in confidence knowing that we only work with trusted suppliers, and help is always a phone call away whatever the time of day.

Taking a holiday in Iceland will be unforgettable, whichever season you decide to visit. It’s beautiful all year round, but depending on the activities and attractions you’re keen to experience, you may want to visit during specific times.

The Northern lights are a popular draw and if it’s on your list, then we advise you to come to Iceland between September and March. Iceland’s winter months have longer nights, meaning more time to search for the aurora borealis. Visiting during this season can also means you might also enjoy festive celebrations and winter activities like snowmobiling.

If you want to experience the midnight sun, milder days and more opportunities for outdoor exploring, then a summer holiday would be ideal for you. You’ll find that the days last much longer and you can fit more activities in. Summer visits also mean better visibility with clearer days and better driving conditions.

Another reason to visit during the warmer months is that Iceland’s interior highlands are only accessible during the summer season.

Don’t discount the quieter “low season” months either, as it’s typically less busy at the attractions and so you’ll be able to spend more time at each area you visit.

Check out our detailed Iceland weather guide and find out the best time to visit Iceland in our comprehensive guide.

We recommend you visit Iceland during the winter season between October and March for the best northern lights viewing conditions. Why? During the winter months, the nights are dark enough to see the colourful lights “dance”. Increase your chances by staying up late, and visiting a secluded area away from the light pollution of the towns and cities.

Yes, English is widely spoken in Iceland so you won’t have trouble communicating with the locals. However, if you want to learn some of the local language and phrases, we’ve noted the most useful ones for you below:

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

For more phrases in Icelandic, see our language guide.

While holiday insurance is not compulsory to enter Iceland, you may want travel coverage to protect yourself and to meet all contingencies.

In line with EU laws on Package Travel, Nordic Visitor has full insurance protection that protects all of our customers, unlike the ATOL scheme which mostly covers the UK and Europe-based travel companies.

For more information about financial protection, see our Booking Terms and Conditions.

Yes, you can choose your ideal arrival date. We have a wide range of arrival options to choose from and all of our tours are available to book online, so once you've found your favourite tour, you can choose your perfect dates.

All our getaways are created with you in mind, and our travel specialists use their vast knowledge of Iceland to design your itinerary. They know all the best attractions and special hidden gems in Iceland you’ll want on your trip. However, if there’s an area you’re keen to visit or you want to extend your stay, we'd be delighted to organise this for you.

The number of customisations available will depend on the type of package. For instance, private and self-drive tours are some of the most flexible meaning you can sightsee at your own pace. As well as this, you’ll be able to travel further for our hidden gem recommendations.

Another popular and customisable travel option is a multi-day trip. You’ll enjoy the best of independent travel on these packages as you discover Reykjavík however you like, but get to join expert-led excursions that will take you to sightseeing locations and recommended attractions like the Blue Lagoon.

Small group activities are pre-booked in advance to guarantee you an excellent rate. These packages can be tailored with extra days before or after your journey, and depending on the itinerary, you can also add on optional excursions like walking food tours and snorkelling in Þingvellir National Park.

It’s our mission to help you make your Iceland dreams come true so whether you want to take a 4x4 adventure of the Icelandic highlands or sail the glacier-studded lagoons, we have a holiday for you. For any customisations, contact your dedicated travel consultant.

Nordic Visitor does not arrange flights to or from Iceland as it is usually cheaper for you to book your flights directly. This also allows you to collect your favourite airline’s ‘air-mile’ points or ‘frequent flyer’ bonuses. For flight information and prices, we advise you either contact the airline directly or search online. If you need timing recommendations for your tour and ideas on the best time to arrive or leave, our travel consultants can help.

We advise you book your Iceland package to secure your preferred dates before purchasing your flights. Of course, you can check over flights so that you have a better idea on prices and the dates for flying. When you arrange your tour first, you get introduced to your dedicated travel consultant, and you will receive all of your journey details, meaning you can make a more informed choice when organising flights. If you have any questions, you can always contact us for advice.

Iceland’s weather is as changeable as its landscape, so with this in mind, we advise that you prepare yourself and pack sensibly. Whether summer or winter, we recommend that you bring insulated clothing, waterproofs and plenty of warm layers. Also, if the Blue Lagoon spa experience is on your list, then remember to bring swimwear and sandals. For a more in-depth list on what to bring, read our packing guide or see below:

• Gloves, scarves and thermal socks
• A lightweight jacket or wool sweater
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Sensible footwear with good grip
• A swimsuit and quick-dry towel
• Sunscreen and insect repellent in the summer months
• An insulated coat, thermal layers and long johns in the winter months
• A flask for hot drinks