Home / Multi-Day Tours / Reykjavík / Iceland Northern Lights Tour for 5 Days
Is it your dream to see colorful northern lights and how they seem to dance in the sky? Then this special winter break for 5 days is the best way to catch them and experience this amazing natural phenomenon. This Iceland northern lights self-drive tour gives you the opportunity to visit Iceland in winter colors.
You will also explore the highlights of the south coast and go hunting for the aurora in the evenings. Also, you will visit Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and the famous Þingvellir national park and Geysir spouting spring. Along the way, you will see charming villages and picturesque waterfalls in a stunning landscape. Don’t let this unique opportunity pass, book your Iceland northern lights tour today!
If you are interested in receiving more information about this tour, please click on the “Request a quote” widget on the left side of the page. A quick form will open up where you will provide us with more information about your travel expectations. You will then be connected with your specialized travel agent who will assist you throughout the planning a provide a fully detailed quote.
Please note that this itinerary can be adjusted and customized to meet your travel needs and preferences. The package can also be offered as a privately guided tour if a self-drive option is not what you had in mind for your Iceland experience.
NL-11
Oct - Apr
Self-Drive
5 days / 4 nights
South Iceland
Welcome to your Iceland Northern Lights self-drive holiday! After landing at Keflavík International Airport you will collect your rental vehicle. You are now ready to begin your Iceland adventure! If your flight arrives in the morning, you can make a stop at the famous Blue Lagoon and relax in the milky blue waters (optional, needs to be booked in advance). Afterwards, drive towards Reykjavík and from there you will make your way to your cosy accommodation near the Golden Circle. Here you will stay for the next three nights.
On the way, you can stop at Hellisheiðarvirkjun Geothermal Plant and enjoy their Geothermal Energy Exhibition. Here you can learn more about how Iceland harnesses reusable energy. In the evening, if conditions are good, we recommend going out to look for the northern lights. Since your accommodation is located away from any major light pollution, you may not need to go far to witness this natural phenomenon.
Upon landing
The Golden Circle area
~ 135 km / 84 miles
Today you will explore the famous Golden Circle. First up is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO heritage site. Enjoy exploring this historic area and we recommend a short walk up to Öxarárfoss waterfall which is particularly beautiful during winter. Those who are looking for something a bit more adventurous can add a snorkeling tour in the crystal clear Lake Silfra on this day (optional). Afterwards, drive to Geysir sprouting spring where you will witness the eruption of Strokkur geyser. To complete the Golden Circle, drive to Gullfoss waterfall. Here you can enjoy a traditional Icelandic meat soup to warm up while enjoying the beautiful landscape that surrounds you.
Spend the afternoon exploring the areas surrounding the Golden Circle. Other highlights in this area include Flúðir, a village known for its geothermal greenhouses, and Kerið, a volcanic crater. You’ll stay the night at the same accommodation as the night before. In the evening, if conditions are good, we recommend going on a hunt for the Northern Lights.
The Golden Circle area
The Golden Circle area
~ 279 km / 174 miles
Another day, another adventure! Today you will explore the South coast of Iceland. Start by driving to Seljalandsfoss waterfall, known for being the waterfall you can walk behind. Next up is another beautiful waterfall, Skógafoss. In this area, you can add a snowmobile tour on a glacier or a horseback riding tour on the friendly Icelandic horse (optional). Continue on to the town of Vík. Nearby you will find the black sand beach of Reynisfjara and the Dyrhólaey stone arch that stretches into the sea.
After exploring these famous sights it’s time to head back. Return to your Golden Circle accommodation for another overnight stay.
The Golden Circle area
The Golden Circle area
~ 186 km / 115 miles
When you are ready to say goodbye to your beautiful Golden Circle accommodation, head back to Reykjavík where you will return your rental car. Enjoy an afternoon exploring some of the highlights of the city. These include the Hallgrímskirkja church, Harpa music & conference center, the Sun Voyager sculpture and the National Museum of Reykjavík. You can also visit the Whales of Iceland exhibition and the Aurora Reykjavík Northern Lights Center, where you can learn more about the Northern Lights.
Alternatively, you can enjoy an activity from Reykjavík, such as a helicopter tour or a walking tour (not included). In the evening, you can have dinner in one of the gourmet restaurants in Reykjavik. Stay for your last night in Reykjavik before departure.
The Golden Circle area
Reykjavík
~ 95 km / 59 miles
It’s sad to admit but your Iceland Northern Lights tour is coming to an end. If your flight leaves in the afternoon you still have time to do some last minute sightseeing or shopping on the Laugavegur shopping street. If you could not visit the Blue Lagoon on your arrival day we can arrange that visit today.
Finally, you will be picked up at your accommodation and transferred to Keflavík International Airport in time for your flight. We wish you safe travels back home and hope to see you again in Iceland. Thank you for travelling with Iceland Unlimited!
Budget accommodations include shared facilities in guest houses, country hotels, farmhouses, etc. In some cases, the rooms might be equipped with a TV and a washbasin. The in-room amenities are limited and basic but they all adhere to a high standard of cleanliness.
Breakfast is included.
Comfort accommodations offer access to private facilities (shower and toilet). This type of lodges belongs to the 3-star hotel category. Most of these properties have an in-house restaurant. This section offers an upgrade in comfort and service compared to the budget category. Breakfast is included.
Quality accommodations offer private rooms with en-suite shower/bath and toilet. These rooms are the best available accommodations in 4-star hotels or the highest quality lodges in each region. Luxury accommodations - the highest class of lodges, suites, and penthouses - are available upon request. Breakfast is included.
Type: Intermediate Wagon
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: SUV Economy
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 3
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: SUV Full Size Intermediate
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: SUV Full Size
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: SUV Full Size Luxury
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
The Reykjanes peninsula is located on a drift zone, between two continents, the North American and Eurasian plate. It is a unique area where you can see different elements of the drift zone; very active geothermal energy, lava fields and other natural phenomenon. The Blue Lagoon and Keflavik international airport are also located in the area.
Hellisheiði power station is the third-largest geothermal power station in the world, located in southwest Iceland. The plant has a geothermal energy exhibition and offers presentations on sustainable energy as well as educational tours.
The Blue Lagoon is a famous geothermal spa located in Reykjanes peninsula nearby the International Airport of Iceland. It was formed during an operation at the nearby geothermal power plant. Reservations in advance are necessary for those who are planning a visit.
The Aurora is a natural phenomenon caused by electrically charged particles, mainly electrons and protons ejected from the sun colliding with atoms of oxygen and nitrogen causing them to emit light that is visible to us. These hypnotic lights are known as Aurora Borealis, Polar Lights or Northern Lights in the arctic north and Aurora Australis (southern lights) around the south pole. The color of the Aurora has to do with the type of gas that these particles collide with, oxygen produces green light at low altitudes and red at high altitudes. Nitrogen produces purple Aurora. The green color is the most common and red can only be seen at the strongest of geomagnetic storms. The full understanding of the physical processes that cause the aurora are still a mystery but we know the fundamental causes of the Aurora is the interaction of solar wind with the Earth‘s magnetosphere.
There are three basic requirements for seeing the northern lights. Solar activity, darkness and clear skies. This means that you cannot see the northern lights during summer, they are still happening, there's even a phenomenon called daylight aurora, but our eyes cannot detect them as sunlight drowns out the Aurora. So the darker the better. Going out of the city is not a requirement, the Aurora can often be spotted within city limits in Iceland, however to best enjoy them going away from city lights enhances the experience. Also people should not use mobile phones if they are looking for the northern lights, as the light from the screen will make it harder for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. It‘s always a good idea to take warm clothes on your Aurora excursions as Iceland can get very cold in the winter, that means wool undergarments, warm mid layer and a windproof shell.
Þingvellir National Park is the most important historic and geological sites in Iceland. The area is part of a fissure zone running through Iceland, being situated on the tectonic plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Major events in the history of Iceland have taken place at Þingvellir and today the entire area is a protected national treasure.
Gullfoss, also called the Golden Waterfall, is one of the most iconic gems of the likewise named Golden Circle. The waterfall is located in the upper part of the River Hvíta. Gullfoss is actually two separate waterfalls, the upper one has a drop of 11 meters and the lower one 21 meters.
Geysir is the famous hot spring area located in the Haukadalur valley. The main attraction is known as Strokkur, which erupts energetically at regular intervals of 10 minutes or so its boiling waterjets can reach as high as 30 meters.
Kerið is a volcanic crater lake located in the area called Grímsnes in the South of Iceland, along the famous Golden Circle route. The crater walls are steep and often covered with Icelandic moss. The inside of the crater is a lake whose water is aquamarine colored due to the minerals from the soil. The crater is 55 meters deep and about 3000 years old.
The Secret Lagoon was created in 1891. This geothermal pool is the oldest one in Iceland! It opened to the public in 2005 and it offers showers, a bar & an eating area. It is conveniently located in the Golden Circle area.
Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous and visited waterfalls in Iceland. It located along the South Coast of the Country right by the road n. 1. The waterfall is part of the Seljalands river that originated from the famous volcano glacier Eyjafjallajökull. The waterfall is approximately 60-meter high and it is famous for its path that leads visitor behind its powerful water flow.
Skógafoss is a waterfall located on the Skógá river on the South Coast of Iceland. This picture-perfect waterfall descends 60 meters from the cliffs. Before pouring down the cliffs becoming the famous waterfall, the river flows through the Skógárgil gorge.
Reynisfjara is a famous black sand beach in the South of Iceland, just next to the village of Vik. Black sand, lava formations, and basalt columns make it a popular stop for all visitors.
Reynisdrangar cliffs are towering basalt-type rock formations situated near the shore of Reynisfjara black sand beach, on the South Coast of Iceland. The folk legend wants them to be the rocky representation of two trolls turned into stone after being caught by the sunlight after dawn.
The famous promontory named Dyrhólaey is located in the south coast of Iceland. From this peninsula, that once was a volcanic island, the views are stunning. Glacier, lava columns, the open sea. The highlight of this area is the lava arch that is standing in the ocean. Dyrhólaey is also well known for its puffin colonies during the summertime.
Vík is the southernmost village in Iceland, located on the ring road (Road number 1), featuring the impressive and popular black sand beach.
Hallgrímskirkja Church is most certainly Reykjavík´s best-known landmark. The white concrete Church whose image is printed in many postcards, dominates the city. As a matter of fact its tower can be seen from almost every corner of Reykjavík. Its distinctive and futuristic exterior made the Church one of the most visited spots in Reykjavík.
Harpa is the famous concert hall and conference center located in Reykjavik. The building features a distinctive and original colored glass facade inspired by the basalt landscape of Iceland. Its unique architecture makes it one of Reykjavik most loved landmarks.
Reykjavík is the capital and biggest city of Iceland with a population of approximately 124,000. It is the northernmost capital in the world. Despite its small size, you can find many attractions and museums, making Reykjavik a popular destination.
This sublime museum displays artifacts from the settlement to the modern age of Iceland history. The exhibition gives you an excellent and enlightening overview of Iceland's history and culture. The museum functions as the center for the preservation of Iceland´s national heritage. It counts about 300,000 artifacts and nearly four million photographs in its collation.
Solfar Sculpture, also known as the Sun Voyager, is the famous steel sculpture created by artist Jón Gunnar Árnason. The art piece is located next to the Sæbraut road in downtown Reykjavík. Its shape reminds of a ship floating on air, facing the ocean.
Laugavegur is the main shopping street in Reykjavik and it is located in the heart of the city. Its name means literally „wash road“ as this was once the route to the hot springs where many Icelanders took their clothes to launder. Today it is a vibrant and innovative street filled with designer ateliers, tourist gift shops, bars, and restaurants.
Reykjavik's largest swimming pool with many facilities such as a 50m outdoor pool, outdoor children’s pool and paddling pool, two waterslides, several hot tubs, steam bath, gym and mini golf course. It is located at Laugardalur valley.
Reykjavík is the capital and biggest city of Iceland with a population of approximately 124,000. It is the northernmost capital in the world. Despite its small size, you can find many attractions and museums, making Reykjavik a popular destination.
