Golden Circle in Winter (Iceland) - tips + map + photos (2023)

FAQs

Can you do Golden Circle in winter? ›

Easily accessible from Reykjavik in both winter and summer, the Golden Circle is a major tourist route that strings together some of the country's most iconic sights, from the sprawling Thingvellir National Park to the thundering Gullfoss waterfall and the Great Geysir's steaming spout.

Yes, the Golden Circle is safe to undertake during the winter, provided you know what to expect from the weather and road conditions.

The whole Golden Circle route can easily be done in one day, as the classic journey covers around 230 kilometres (140 miles to you and me). You can actually drive the route in just over 3 hours. But, of course, you need to factor in time to enjoy the attractions, take photos and stay fuelled as well.

The Golden Circle in January becomes a true winter wonderland. This world-famous sightseeing route connects Iceland's most impressive sites. Visit Thingvellir National Park, where you'll witness the tearing apart of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

While technically driving the golden circle is only 3 hours round-trip, the reality is a 6-8 hour day depending on how long you spend at each stop. If you want to experience some of Iceland's stunning landscapes but don't have a lot of time (for example, a one-day layover), the Golden Circle is a wonderful option.

Should I Drive the Ring Road in Winter? You can drive the Ring Road in winter, but we don't recommend it. Iceland's Ring Road is a nickname for Route 1 which loops around the island at a length of 1,332 kilometers (828 miles).

December is a terrific time to be in Iceland. Reykjavik is covered in both snow and christmas decorations making it an beautiful winter wonderland. Icelanders also go all out with fireworks and celebrations for NYE. In addition, It's also one of the best times of year to see the northern lights.

Yes there is quite a bit of walking. The tour calls for getting off and on the bus to tour various points of interest. You will be required to walk up hills in order to get a better view of the natural wonders.

Yes, Iceland is worth visiting in winter. Many of the country's most famous sights—from the Blue Lagoon to Jökulsárlón, from the Golden Circle to Vatnajökull National Park—are still accessible. And what's more, you'll see them in all their fabulous winter glory.

When it comes to visiting the Golden Circle in Iceland, there's no need for a tour! Our self-drive itinerary will take you to all the best spots to see...

Do you need a 4x4 for Golden Circle? ›

The Golden circle is all paved, and no need for 4X4.

South Iceland's famous Golden Circle, spanning a route between the iconic Thingvellir National Park, geothermal geysers and Gullfoss waterfall, is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.

In winter, you should wear insulating layers as well as waterproof and windproof shells. A pair of rain or even snow trousers will be useful to enjoy the great outdoors at this time of year.

January is one of the best months for experiencing many of Iceland's top attractions, such as ice caving, glacier hiking, and aurora hunting. There's no shortage of fun tours to engage in Iceland in January.

As you've surely gathered by now, the Golden Circle attractions are designed for tourists and offer all of the basic amenities, including bathrooms. There are public bathrooms available at all three of the Golden Circle attractions.

Where is the Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon? The Golden Circle is in southwest Iceland, just outside of the city of Reykjavik. The round trip has approximately 250 kilometers from Reykjavik. Blue Lagoon is on the other side, as you would be heading to the Keflavik International airport.

The popularity is largely down to the easy accessibility of the route from the capital, and the fact that many of Iceland's top attractions can be found along the route. We definitely recommend the Golden Circle to anyone visiting Iceland.

How fast should I drive in snow? If you have to drive in snow and ice, reduce your speed by half. For example, if you normally drive 60 miles per hour on a highway, reduce your speed to 30 miles per hour.

Can I drive in Iceland with a US license? ›

All driving licenses issued from the U.S.A, Canada, and the European Economic Area (EEA) are valid in Iceland. Driving licenses from anywhere else are accepted if they fulfill these requirements: A license number. The license holder's photograph.

If you visit Iceland in the coldest months, usually November, December, January, February, and March, you'll need a pair of these waterproof snow boots. Besides snow boots, you could also bring some waterproof hiking shoes. They won't keep your feet as warm.

The best way to dress for Iceland in December is to wear layers. You want to be able to peel a layer off when it's warm and put another back on when it gets cold again. If you're going out for the day, then you should probably bring an extra layer with you too.

January-May, from 08:00-21:00 1 June-20 August, from 07:00-24:00 21 August-January, from 08:00-22:00 Christmas Eve, from 08:00-16:00 New Years Eve, from 08:00-18:00 The closing time of the lagoon changes from season to season. But guests must always exit the water 30 minutes before closure.

The classic Golden Circle tour consists of Iceland's three most popular tourist attractions: Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park.

We would definitely recommend a visit to Kerið Crater. It isn't expensive and the views are absolutely worth it. It's not every day that you get a chance to visit this unique crater landscape.

Waterproof Trousers or Ski Pants

You'll need warm ski pants or waterproof trousers to avoid getting wet. Tip: Don't wear jeans in Iceland winter – if they get wet they'll freeze.

We highly recommend the South Coast of Iceland or West Iceland. Both these areas are accessible from Reykjavík and are packed with impressive sights. You could even combine these two regions to see as much as possible!

Winter. The Icelandic winter is relatively mild for its latitude, owing to maritime influence and proximity to the warm currents of the North Atlantic Gyre. The southerly lowlands of the island average around 0 °C (32 °F) in winter, while the north averages around −10 °C (14 °F).

How far is it from Reykjavik to the Golden Circle? ›

How Far Is the Golden Circle From Reykjavik? It's a fast and easy drive to Iceland's Golden Circle, just 25 miles (47 kilometers) east of Reykjavik. This is the distance to the closest attraction, Thingvellir National Park.

The Golden Circle gives you access to three of Iceland's most impressive sites in as little as one day. Even if you're unable to stay in Iceland for a long trip, you can still have a life-changing experience. On the other hand, the Ring Road will allow you to leave no stone unturned when you visit Iceland.

Conversely, if you intend to stick to the ring road – there are plenty of reasons to do so – then even in winter you won't necessarily need a 4x4. The road is well surfaced and well maintained, making a 2WD car perfectly adequate. Extra grip won't really make a lot of difference to the driving experience.

You absolutely need a 4x4 vehicle in Iceland in January if you'll be travelling to areas that experience frequent winter weather, even if the roads are paved and well-maintained. These include the Ring Road, Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Glacier Lagoon.

DO I NEED AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVING LICENCE? An international driving licence is not required in Iceland, providing you have a valid driving licence from your home country with a licence number, photograph and valid date. The licence needs to be in Latin letters.

September through March is the peak season for northern lights viewing because the nights are longest. Just make sure you're on the lookout between dusk and dawn because they can occur at any time.

The best month to see the northern lights in Iceland is December, as it's the month when the nights are longest and darkest. As a result, you have the opportunity to see the aurora borealis from the hours of 15:30 in the afternoon to 11:30 in the morning.

The best time to see the Northern Lights is during the winter, between September and April, when dark and long nights have taken over from the bright summernights in Iceland.

If you're visiting in the wintertime and plan on doing lots of outdoor adventures, it's probably worth bringing along snow pants (like these for women and these for men), which are waterproof and will provide better insulation than regular rainproof pants.

What shoes should I wear in Iceland? ›

If you are coming to Iceland outside of winter, and are not planning to take long hikes, glacier walks or trips into a lava or ice cave, you should be happy in trainers, sneakers, or other flat-levelled, closed-toe shoes for most tours.

Wellies (gum boots)

If you only pack one pair of shoes to wear in Iceland, make it a pair of wellies. If you're visiting Iceland in January, it's going to be WET and the snow could be halfway up your shin at times. Get yourself a good pair of gum boots to keep your feet dry and warm when out and about.

December and January typically experience the most snowfall, with an average 1-inch accumulation, though sometimes up to two inches or more during these periods.

A minimum of 1 week in Iceland is ideal, but visiting for up to 2 or even 3 weeks will allow you to see more of this beautiful country in the same trip. Staying for less than 7 days in Iceland is still doable, but there's no doubt you'll want to come back again to see and do more.

English is taught as a second language in Iceland and almost every Icelander speaks the language fluently. And more so, most Icelanders speak several other languages including Danish, German, Spanish and French and welcome the opportunity to practice their language skills.

February is also one of the wettest months in Iceland, with an average rainfall of 3.3 inches (83 millimeters). Nights are long and dark, and there are still limited hours of daylight during February. Each day, however, gains an extra nine minutes of light.

Just about any time of the year is a good time to visit Iceland, but February is especially magical. The weather is milder than you think, it's prime time to see the Northern Lights and much of the country is caked in the beautiful snow.

Can you see whales and dolphins in January in Iceland? Yes! You can see many different species of whales and dolphins all year round in Iceland, however many adults go to warm waters to breed during the winter so there are fewer here. You can come whale watching with us on our yachts!

Although there are some higher altitude points when you drive the Golden Circle from Reykjavik we found the road mostly clearer and easier in November than the ring road across the south, so it's worth considering even in the winter.

What is Iceland like in winter? Being so far north, Iceland in winter is typically cold and dark. It's also mesmerizingly beautiful—with snow-covered mountains, gorgeous pale wintry light, and the opportunity for ice adventures.

How can I spend 4 days in Iceland in winter? ›

All the sights on the Golden Circle route, which the exception of Kerið crater, are free to visit. A self-drive tour gives you the freedom to explore on your own time and even avoid the crowds of bus tours.

For those of you scared to drive the Ring Road in winter, it's honestly not that bad. Reading reviews I was worried to drive in Iceland in winter, but in all honesty, it was fairly easy. The roads are well paved and when it snows the plows are out. There are not many cars on the road and gas stations are all over.

A larger vehicle is better outside the main roads and during winter. If you decide to travel to places away from the main roads, you are much better off hiring a midsize car, preferably an SUV or a 4WD car like VW Tiguan, Toyota Raf, Dacia Duster, or Suzuki Vitara.

If you're visiting in December, we recommend sticking to the Golden Circle or Ring Road route as they are well maintained and safer to drive overall. But even on the more accessible routes around South Iceland and Snaefellsnes, the roads can still be snowy and slippery, so always drive cautiously.

Overall, the best time to visit the Blue Lagoon is during the winter, between November and February. The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is open year-round, but the best time to visit is when you can enjoy the warm water. During these months, temperatures average between 33 and 35 degrees.

At these times, you're likely to leave the shorts in your suitcase. Instead wear a warm jacket and bring a hat, scarf and gloves just in case. During the winter, we recommend wearing additional layers than during the day. That includes an extra fleece and thermal leggings to keep you warm.

An average trip to Iceland cost for travellers that want to vacation in Iceland is approximately $90-290 USD per person per day. This means that the cost of 7 days in Iceland is around $630 to $2030 USD excluding airfare.

A minimum of 1 week in Iceland is ideal, but visiting for up to 2 or even 3 weeks will allow you to see more of this beautiful country in the same trip. Staying for less than 7 days in Iceland is still doable, but there's no doubt you'll want to come back again to see and do more.

You absolutely need a 4x4 vehicle in Iceland in January if you'll be travelling to areas that experience frequent winter weather, even if the roads are paved and well-maintained. These include the Ring Road, Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Glacier Lagoon.

Is the secret lagoon part of the Golden Circle? ›

Thankfully, the Secret Lagoon in the village of Flúðir is located within the Golden Circle area. The lagoon is Iceland's oldest swimming pool, filled with water trickling in from an adjacent geothermal area, which, as an added bonus, has another geyser.