You’ve probably heard about the spectacular beauty of Iceland. After spending a week roadtripping around the country, I’m convinced that it’s the most condensed concentration on natural beauty that I’ll ever see. Iceland is a relatively small island, but every corner is crammed with swoon-worthy sights. 80% of the landscape doesn’t even look like it belongs on this planet. Here are my favorite 25 pictures that will put visiting Iceland in winter on your bucket list.
We were incredibly lucky to have this ice cave in the Vatnajökull glacier to ourselves for a few short minutes. The blue light filtering through the ice was incredible. We visited as part of a snowmobiling and ice caving tour that left from the Jökulsárlón lagoon. It was one of my favorite things to do in Iceland – read about our adventure here.
Ice caving in Iceland
This one looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. The ice caves are only accessible during the winter and were flooded for most of January, so our visit to Iceland in March was perfect.
The entrance to this ice cave looms at the base of the Vatnajökull glacier under the pink skies of sunset.
Iceland’s West Fjords
Sunset over the water from Borgarnes was the perfect way to end our first day in Iceland. The pinks and purples on the snow-covered mountains were spectacular. Don’t miss the fjord region on your visit.
The Northern Lights in Iceland
Seeing the Northern Lights has been on my bucket list for the longest time. We got incredibly lucky and saw them on four different nights on our trip to Iceland. We relentlessly refreshed cloud tracking maps hoping and hoping for clear nights, and on this evening driving along the Ring Road, we appeared to be in the only pocket of clear sky in the whole country. Want tips to snap photos like this? Check out my Amateur’s Guide to Photographing the Northern Lights.
A tripod and a slow exposure are key to getting good Northern Lights pictures, but don’t forget to enjoy the show yourself while snapping pictures.
We stayed across the road from the famous Geysir area one night and were treated to some spectacular Northern Lights. The geyser Strokkur erupted several times as we watched the dazzling show in the sky. It was an incredible Iceland experience. The hotel was my favorite place to stay in Iceland, so check out a non-sponsored review of our hotel here.
The Northern Lights weren’t as bright when we passed by this lesser-known, but still beautiful waterfall called Foss á Siðu, but they make for a perfect backdrop.
Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
This zebra striped iceberg floating in the Jökulsárlón lagoon was my favorite. The black stripes come from volcanic ash deposited by long-ago eruptions.
I could’ve spent an entire day just taking pictures of Jökulsárlón.
Jökulsárlón is just as magical at dusk.
Diamond Beach
After the icebergs leave Jökulsárlón, some of them make it out to sea. Others get washed up on the shore at Diamond Beach. The black sand there is covered with blue ice boulders that have been pushed in by the relentless waves. It’s a stunning scene.
Gljúfrabúi, Iceland’s “secret” waterfall
Gljúfrabúi, the “secret” waterfall hidden behind a rock ledge peeks out through the opening carved out by the stream flowing away. In order to see the whole waterfall, you have to wade through the water to enter the cavern or climb up the front of the rock wall. Gljúfrabúi is accessible in winter for the most part. Read about exploring it here.
Getting to see all of Gljúfrabúi is worth getting a little wet.
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. You can walk behind it along the edge of the cavern in the rock wall during the warmer months, but the rear area is chained off during the winter.
Iceland’s plane crash beach
In 1973, a US Navy plane crash landed on this stretch of black lava desert – don’t worry, all crew members survived – and the wreckage has sat here exposed to the elements ever since. It’s about a 4km walk from the Ring Road, but it’s an eerily beautiful sight. This picture wasn’t black and white – it’s still in true color. The winter sky was perfectly grey that day making for some dramatic photography.
The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s top attractions. It’s not the ultimate experience, but it’s still a lot of fun. I enjoyed the swim-up bar and the relaxing artificial cave. If you visit the Blue Lagoon in the winter, make sure to explore the whole lagoon to find the warmer spots as the water temperature does vary a bit. Check out this post to read about our time at the Blue Lagoon.
Horseback riding on Vik’s black sand beach
The adorable Icelandic horses can be spotted all over the country, and what better way to get up close and personal with them than by taking a horseback ride? I think we found the best spot possible when we stumbled across riding stables in Vik. Trotting along the black sand beach with the iconic Reynisdrangar rock formations just offshore was incredible. Read about our horseback riding in Iceland experience here.
Iceland’s Golden Circle
The Geysir area is covered with steaming pools and geysers that give it an unearthly feel. Though the famous Geysir rarely erupts any more, the smaller geyser, Strokkur, right next to it shoots water into the air every few minutes. Visiting the Golden Circle in winter is especially gorgeous as the colder air makes the steam even more dramatic. Here’s a guide to a winter visit.
The snow and ice surrounding Gullfoss in winter make it somehow more beautiful.
This road, part of the popular Golden Circle route winds through the Icelandic country side. I love this picture because it gives a sense of the vast, snowy expanses that you encounter in Iceland in the winter.
This waterfall, found in the Þingvellir National Park tumbles down into the rift valley formed by the North American and Eurasian continental plates separating.
This broad flat valley formed by the continental rift was also the site of the first Viking parliaments, giving it both geological and historical significance.
Don’t pass up the opportunity to see the beautiful Icelandic horses while you’re visiting. You’ll want to spend hours photographing them.
What would you most like to see on a visit to Iceland?
Looking for an itinerary that encompasses all of these photo spots? Look no further. Here’s my perfect 6-day southern Iceland roadtrip itinerary.
Read more about Iceland here:
Kris is a girl whose suitcase never rests. Follow her adventures around the United States, abroad, and to her beloved Disney parks. Traveling the world, camera in hand, and sharing all of her best adventures is her ultimate dream.
These photos are incredible! Seriously some of the best I’ve seen on a blog in a while 🙂 it’s on my mum and I’s to do list! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks so much! I visited with my mom, too and we had a blast. I hope you get to see it soon.
These photos are stunning. I have been wanting to go to Iceland for awhile but can never seem to work it into my travel plans. I can’t decide whether to see it during winter or summer, I hate the cold but have lived in northern Canada so I can bear it, just don’t like it haha
Thanks! The weather there really wasn’t that bad, so don’t let that deter you. It was oddly warmer than it was back home in Michigan the whole time we were there. We flew out of Toronto, and it was about 35F in Reykjavik when we left and 17F when we landed in Toronto. The whole first week back, I kept saying that I wanted to go back to Iceland where it was warm. Whether you pick winter or summer though, you really can’t go wrong.
Haha fair enough. I lived in the Yukon for a year, and it was usually warmer there than it was back in Toronto. I think we assume its colder in the north just cause its north but it’s a different kind of cold.
Every photo is more gorgeous than the last! I’ve already been dying to go to Iceland but thanks to these photos I want to be there NOW!
Thank you! That’s how I felt when I was there. Every day seemed to somehow top the next.
Goodness, these pictures are stunning! It seems like you managed to see and do a lot. I’m very inspired to visit Iceland one day. I would love to see the Northern Lights.
Thanks! The Northern Lights were the main reason we decided to go in the winter. I’ve had seeing those on my bucket list since before the phrase “bucket list” was even a thing. They’re so worth sitting out in the cold for a while.
I am off to Iceland later this month 😄! Thank you for these photos and inspiration, I can’t wait to get there!
Have fun! You’ll have a blast, I’m sure. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone return and say that Iceland disappointed them.
I have no doubt we will love it 😄
UGH! I’ve been wanting to travel to Iceland for a while now, and this post is so not helping haha! Might just have to book a ticket and go for it! Love your photos as well 🙂
Eryn, Diaries From The Window Seat
https://www.diariesfromthewindowseat.com/
You totally should! It’s one of my favorite trips I’ve ever taken. I need to make another visit in the summer so I can see and do even more.
Iceland (specifically, the Blue Lagoon) has been at the top of my bucket list for such a long time! Your photos are so beautiful, definitely makes me wanna go even more now! 😀
Thank you! I hope you get a chance to visit soon. Iceland is one of the most incredible places I’ve ever seen.
Simply beautiful. I am desperate to go!
How can one small place have such beautiful wonders? I need to get in that lagoon!
It’s a mystery to me! It doesn’t seem possible to pack that much stunning scenery into such a small space. It’s less than half of the size of my home state, Michigan, and manages to pack in at least 50x the scenery.
Jökulsárlón is just gorgeous to visit any time of the year as can been seen in your lovely pictures and almost in any weather, almost! 🙂 You can read more about the lagoon here:
http://www.rent.is/blog/jokulsarlon—the-glacier-lake
Safe travels!
Ummmm so these photos are AMAZING – I definitely wouldn’t say you are an ‘amateur’ photographer by any means! Just got back from Iceland and loved reliving it a bit through you photos.
Xx
http://www.EleonoreEverywhere.com
Thank you! I hope you had a fantastic time. I’m dying to go back for another visit already.
These pictures are amazing! It truly makes me yearn to visit Iceland (even though it’s been on my list for YEARS!). I absolutely love the pictures of the waterfalls and ice sculptures. You really captured the beauty of this amazing island!
Thank you! I hope you get a chance to visit soon.
I seriously could sit and look at your Iceland pictures all day long. Seeing the Northern lights is on my must-do list this year and your pictures of your adventure are absolutely stunning. I especially love the zebra iceberg – I’ve never seen anything like that before!
Thanks! I loved that one iceberg so much. The stripes of ash made it so beautiful.
I mean I knew I wanted to visit Iceland anyway but this just makes me want it 1000x more!! I always seem to be flying over it but have yet to actually take the time to know it. Definitely worth stopping at!
Best,
Rebecca
http://bexpeditions.com/
Flying past it was the first way I saw Iceland too! It’s an awesome place to visit, especially since it’s easy to do stopovers now.
I’m so incredibly jelly of your trip. I went in December and it was nothing but clouds and wind and snow and sleet :9 i still saw some cool stuff, but I only saw blue sky on one day. I did manage to see the Northern Lights but they were sooooo weak. I guess I’ll have to go back!
Oh, that’s so disappointing. We got incredibly lucky with the weather the week we were there, but I heard that there was a major blizzard just a few days after we left. I’m glad you got a chance to see the Northern Lights even if they were faint, though. That was tops on my bucket list for the trip.
These photos are taking my breath away! Each photo is absolutely stunning and is so unique. How long were you in Iceland for?
Thank you! We were there for 6 days.
It looks beautiful! I’ve been wanting to visit Iceland, ever since I heard about the cheap airplane tickets. Thanks for sharing
Thank you! It’s definitely a great place to fly to cheaply, but just be prepared to spend a LOT on food and everything else. Things are really expensive once you make it.
These photos are absolutely amazing!! I’ve always wanted to visit Iceland and these pictures just add to my wanderlust. How incredible! Such natural beauty.
Thank you! The amount of natural beauty really is mind-blowing.
I’m sold! These photos are gorgeous. You’ve really captured the beauty of Iceland, better than most travel magazines!
Yes I want to see the Northern Lights… That would be fun and experience sleeping in an igloo.
WOW yep this definitely makes me what to go back to Iceland! I loved your picture of the zebra glacier! And the northern lights! ahhh so bummed that we didnt see the northern lights!
Iceland is already on my bucket list but you convinced me to visit it in winter. Awesome post!
Such great photos. The scenery is breath taking but my favourite pictures are of the horses. 😂 They are so cute. Like you said, I would be photographing them all day.
Did you find it to touristy. I am so divided as I know it is so beautiful but with the the expense and crowds it’s a place I have to really think about.
Love the pictures! I just came back as well! So photogenic!
Hi, I’m going to Iceland this January and wondered if you could recommend any tours? We will only have 3 days/ 4 nights all in Reykjavik and probably don’t want to be driving so will be taking tours from the capital. I want to see as much as possible but know we are limited by time. Any thoughts?
We didn’t take any tours out of Reykjavik because we rented a car, but I know there are tons available. Getting a bus to the Blue Lagoon is supposed to be really easy, and there are definitely tours to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Golden Circle, and all the way to Vik or Jokulsarlon. There are also boat tours that you can take to see whales, puffins, and the Northern Lights. There are driving Northern Lights tours, but our snowmobiling guide said that they’re kind of a waste. My little brother flew into Reykjavik the night before we did and he was able to see the lights right from the city by walking to a park along the harbor. I can’t really recommend any specific tour companies since I didn’t do any of the Reykjavik ones, unfortunately. I have a couple of Iceland boards on my Pinterest account that have some good suggestions from other travel bloggers though. Whatever you end up doing, I hope you have a fantastic time! It’s a spectacular country.
Great article to come across, I’m headed there in Novemeber. This has been very helpful thanks.
Wow I am so jealous now! I can’t wait to go to Iceland for road trip! Looks like you’ve seen everything the country has to offer! Love your photos!
I went to Iceland November of last year and I’m basically reliving the experience through your photos. Thanks for sharing!
We visited Iceland last winter and we loved it, the Northern lights and geothermal pool – it was great fun
Great post and photos. The photo of Gljúfrabúi is fasinating.