7 DAY TOUR – SOUTHERN + NORTHERN ICELAND IN WINTER

Southern + Northern Iceland  7 days sightseeing and cultural trip in winter time
Welcome to Iceland in winter. Many people think that one can only travel in Iceland in the summer, but that is certainly not true. We want to destroy this myth by offering this trip and showing you how interesting and cosy a week in wintertime Iceland can be!

Day 1 / Arrival. Reykjavik
Arrival at the Keflavik International Airport. Flybus shuttle to the accommodations you have booked in Reykjavík. Free time. Stay the night in Reykjavík.

Day 2 / Golden Circle: Thingvellir-Geysir-Gullfoss
Day trip to Iceland‘s most popular day tour, the Golden Circle: Thingvellir-Geysir –Gullfoss or free time in Reykjavík. Optional activities: concert or opera at the Harpa Concert Hall (depending on what is on at the time of your visit), dinner at one of the recommended restaurants that serve traditional Icelandic dishes. Restaurants Lækjarbrekka, Fiskfélagið /Fish Company, Við Tjörnina are all Höfnin popular choices.
Another alternative would be to visit the cultural centre as well as the museums and galleries abundant in this relatively small city. Make sure to buy some souvenirs for those back home; indulge in some shopping in Icelandic designers’ shops.

Day 3 / Akureyri
Flight from the Reykjavik Domestic Airport to the “Capital of the North,“ Akureyri. The flight only takes about an hour. Pick up your rental car at Akureyri Airport and spend the rest of the day in Akureyri. Stay the night in Akureyri.
Entertainment alternatives for the day:
• Walking tour around the city. A beautiful view of the whole Eyjafjörður Fjord opens up as you climb the stairs up to the Akureyrikirkja Church.
• There are plenty of museums to visit in Akureyri, e.g. the Akureyri Museum, the Art Museum, writer Jón Sveinsson’s Memorial Museum (also known as Nonni´s House), the Aviation Museum, the Motorcycle Museum and the Industry Museum
• We recommend mountain skiing for lovers of sport and active leisure. Akureyri is Iceland’s ski resort. You can try slalom skiing in the Hlidarfjall Ski Resort, which is 10 km away from Akureyri.
• Santa’s House! Santa’s House is a really charming Christmas shop open all year round! It is a good place for buying Icelandic souvenirs.
• Visit the HOF Cultural and Conference Centre.
• Do not miss the chance to visit the Akureyri Swimming Pool.

Day 4 / Mývatn
Visit the Mývatn region. Drive to Lake Mývatn by rental car, stopping by the wonderful and historically significant Godafoss Waterfall (Waterfall of the Gods) on the way.
Explore the Mývatn region including the amazing Dimmuborgir lava labyrinth. In December, the 13 Icelandic Santa Clauses (Yule Lads) visit Dimmuborgir. These Santa Clauses bring joy to both young and old. Guests get to enjoy hot chocolate, ginger biscuits and smoked lamb, cooked according to old-time recipes.

A visit to a local restaurant in the Mývatn region is highly recommended. Try out the local food, e.g., trout caught in Lake Myvatn, bread baked in Myvatn‘s hot soil, wonderful feta cheese made from the milk of local cows, and lamb, the taste of which will linger on your tongue. Stay the night in the Mývatn region.

Day 5 / Mývatn leisure
A day dedicated to your leisure. On this day we recommend you visit the Námaskarð region and see the active fumaroles. It is a spectacular view that attracts crowds of tourists.
The Leirbotn Geothermal Power Station lies a few kilometres away. It was built in the area of the Krafla Caldera Volcano and the Víti Crater (formed by a massive eruption in the Krafla Volcano in 1724).
One can relax and warm up in the Jardbödin Lagoon in Mývatn. It‘s similar to the famous Blue Lagoon near Reykjavík, only smaller. If the sky is clear and starlit, you may be lucky enough to see the Aurora.
We recommend booking an Aurora Tour in Mývatn because there is a very great chance that you will get to enjoy this spectacular sight. Stay the night in the Mývatn region.

Day 6 / Akureyri-Reykjavik
Drive 95 km back to Akureyri. Flight to Reykjavík. Free time. We recommend spending the rest of the day in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, where you can find everything from restaurants and jewellery shops to museums and cafes.
• You may want to visit the Volcano House, which has an interesting geological exposition and video hall. It also has the Cinema House, a place where you can watch a film in cosy surroundings, have coffee and relax.
• You can also visit the Aurora Reykjavik, i.e., the Northern Lights Centre, and the Viking Maritime Museum. You may be interested in walking along the harbour and shore and going on one of the many tours on offer. Stay the night in Reykjavík.

Day 7 / Keflavik
Flybus shuttle to the Keflavik International Airport and the return flight home.