Iceland
The Land of Fire and Ice — Northern Lights, geysers and the Blue Lagoon
Best Deal of Iceland
Overview
Things To Do
Deals
Travel Guide
Iceland is one of Europe's most spectacular and unique holiday destinations, located in the North Atlantic just three hours from the UK. Known as the Land of Fire and Ice, this volcanic island combines dramatic glaciers, active geysers, thundering waterfalls and otherworldly landscapes with charming capital Reykjavík. From the geothermal Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle to the Northern Lights and Vatnajökull's ice caves, Iceland delivers extraordinary scenery year-round. Visitors can hike on glaciers at Sólheimajökull, snorkel between tectonic plates at Silfra, watch whales at Húsavík, and explore the black-sand beaches of Reynisfjara and the spectacular Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. With a sub-Arctic climate, midnight sun in summer and Northern Lights in winter, Iceland is ideal for adventure holidays, couples holidays, winter sun escapes (in a unique sense) and Nordic city breaks. Johnson Holidays offers ATOL-protected Iceland holidays and Icelandic package holidays from multiple UK airports.
✨ Why Visit Iceland
- The Northern Lights from late September to mid-April — Iceland sits directly under the Aurora oval, with clear sightings possible from Reykjavík itself on dark nights.
- The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa — the 38°C silica-rich milky-blue lagoon at Grindavík is one of the world's most photographed natural spas.
- The Golden Circle — the 300km loop covers Þingvellir UNESCO National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and the 32m Gullfoss waterfall in one day.
- A 3-hour flight from the UK — easyJet, Jet2, British Airways, Icelandair and Wizz Air fly direct from over 10 UK airports into Keflavík (KEF).
- 24-hour summer daylight — the midnight sun from late May to late July delivers hiking and driving conditions impossible elsewhere.
- Europe's whale-watching capital at Húsavík — 23 cetacean species recorded, with 98% sighting success rates from June to August.
? What Makes Iceland Special
Unlike anywhere else in Europe, Iceland sits on the boundary of two tectonic plates (the North American and Eurasian), with active volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and ice caves all within a day's drive of the capital Reykjavík. Unlike the Norwegian fjords or the Scottish Highlands, Iceland's volcanic landscape feels genuinely otherworldly — black-sand beaches, geothermal pools, lava fields and Vatnajökull glacier (Europe's largest at 8,100 km²) shape an experience no other Nordic country quite matches. And unlike most adventure destinations, Iceland pairs that wild geography with cosmopolitan Reykjavík (Nordic cuisine, design boutiques and Harpa Concert Hall), making it equally rewarding for short city breaks and longer Ring Road road-trips. The combination of Northern Lights, the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle and Europe's most dramatic natural scenery makes Iceland the continent's most distinctive destination.
? Key Areas to Explore
- Reykjavík — The world's northernmost capital, with the Hallgrímskirkja church, Harpa Concert Hall, the colourful old town and the Sun Voyager sculpture.
- Reykjanes Peninsula — The volcanic peninsula housing Keflavík Airport, the Blue Lagoon and the active Fagradalsfjall volcano (last erupted 2024).
- Golden Circle — The 300km tourist loop covering Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.
- South Coast — The volcanic coastline of waterfalls (Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss), black-sand beaches (Reynisfjara) and glaciers (Sólheimajökull, Vatnajökull).
- Vatnajökull National Park — Europe's largest national park, with Vatnajökull glacier, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the Diamond Beach.
- Vík í Mýrdal — Iceland's southernmost village, gateway to Reynisfjara black-sand beach and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.
- Akureyri — Iceland's "northern capital", with the gateway to Lake Mývatn, the Dettifoss waterfall and the Westfjords.
- Húsavík — Europe's whale-watching capital on the north-east coast, with 23 cetacean species recorded.
- The Westfjords — Iceland's remote, mountainous north-west with the Dynjandi waterfall and the puffin cliffs of Látrabjarg.
- The Highlands (interior) — Accessible only in summer, with the colourful rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar and the Þórsmörk valley.
A volcanic North Atlantic island that pairs the Northern Lights with geothermal spas, glaciers, waterfalls and a midnight sun — broken down by category below.
?️ Nature & Outdoor Activities
- Drive the 1,332km Ring Road (Route 1) circumnavigating the entire island
- Walk on Sólheimajökull glacier with crampons and ice axes
- Snorkel between tectonic plates at Silfra (Þingvellir National Park)
- Chase the Northern Lights from late September to mid-April
- Hike to the Fagradalsfjall volcano (Reykjanes, 40 minutes from Reykjavík)
?️ Beaches
- Reynisfjara — black-volcanic-sand beach with basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks
- Diamond Beach — black sand scattered with iceberg fragments from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- Rauðasandur — pink-and-red sand beach in the Westfjords
- Djúpalónssandur — black pebble beach on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
?️ Food & Drink
- Order lamb soup (kjötsúpa) at Saegreifinn (Sea Baron) on Reykjavík harbour
- Try fish stew (plokkfiskur) at Café Loki opposite Hallgrímskirkja
- Sample skyr (Iceland's traditional yoghurt-cheese) at any Reykjavík café
- Order Icelandic hot dog (pylsa) at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (Reykjavík, since 1937)
- Sip Brennivín (Iceland's caraway aquavit, nicknamed "Black Death") at any traditional Reykjavík bar
? Nightlife & Entertainment
- Reykjavík bar crawl through Laugavegur and Bankastræti
- Live music at Harpa Concert Hall (Reykjavík harbourfront)
- Geothermal pool evenings at Laugardalslaug or Sky Lagoon
- Reykjavík Jazz Festival (August) and Iceland Airwaves Festival (November)
- Late drinks at the Lebowski Bar (Reykjavík, Big Lebowski-themed)
? Instagram-Worthy Spots
- The 32m Gullfoss waterfall in full winter ice
- Reynisfjara's basalt columns and black sand
- The Diamond Beach iceberg fragments at sunrise
- The Aurora Borealis over Kirkjufell mountain (Snæfellsnes)
- The Strokkur geyser eruption every 6–8 minutes
Best Value Deals
? All-Inclusive Holidays
Iceland's all-inclusive market is virtually non-existent — the destination runs on B&B city stays, half-board countryside hotels and self-drive packages rather than mass-market AI. Hotel Rangá (south Iceland, Northern Lights-focused), Fosshotel Reykjavík and Hilton Reykjavík Nordica lead the polished half-board rankings. Icelandair Hotels and Fosshotels run the strongest mid-market chain across the country. Shoulder-season weeks with UK flights typically open from £549pp in September or April, climbing to £1,499pp at Christmas-New Year and the February-half-term Northern Lights peak.
???? Family Holidays
Iceland works for families with older children who can handle longer drives and adventure-led activity — the Blue Lagoon (with the family-aimed Sky Lagoon as an alternative), the Whales of Iceland museum in Reykjavík and the Golden Circle's geysers, waterfalls and tectonic-plate walks all suit school-age kids. The 1,332km Ring Road needs at least 7 nights for a family loop. Hotel Rangá and Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon lead the family-aimed countryside inventory; Reykjavík's Hilton Nordica handles family city-break stays.
? Luxury Holidays
Iceland's luxury inventory is small but distinctive. The Retreat at Blue Lagoon (Forbes 5-Star, with private lagoon access and the underground spa) is the headline address. ION Adventure Hotel (Þingvellir, designed-around-Northern-Lights) and Hotel Húsafell (with private hot tubs and the on-site Vatnshellir lava cave) round out the boutique-luxury inventory. The Reykjavík Edition (Marriott Edition Collection, opened 2021) anchors the city-luxury option. Private Aurora-hunting helicopter tours from Reykjavík deliver the headline luxury experience.
⏰ Last-Minute Deals
Iceland's strong year-round demand (Northern Lights from October to April, midnight sun in June and July, road-trip season July to early September) means late-availability stock is limited. The strongest discounts surface in early-to-mid January (after New Year) and from mid-April to mid-May — discounts of 15–20% inside three weeks of departure are realistic on Fosshotel and Icelandair Hotels properties. Reykjavík stays open year-round; the Ring Road interior closes from October to May due to snow.
Why book with us:
? Low deposits from £49pp
? Flexible payment plans with balance due 6 weeks before travel
?️ ATOL Protected — your money and flights are safeguarded
✅ Free amendment window on selected packages
? UK-based customer support, 8am–11pm every day
? Best Time to Visit Iceland
Iceland runs two distinct travel seasons. Late September to mid-April is the Northern Lights window, with peak Aurora activity from late October to mid-March; daytime temperatures sit at -1°C to 4°C, with limited daylight (4–7 hours in December). Late May to early September is the summer driving-and-hiking season, with 12°C to 16°C highs, the midnight sun from late May to late July, and all roads (including the F-roads into the highlands) open. June and July are the warmest months but also the busiest; September and early October balance lower visitor numbers with the start of the Aurora season. Christmas-New Year delivers Reykjavík's festive markets and atmospheric snow scenes at premium hotel rates.
? Where to Stay
- Families: Hotel Rangá (south Iceland), Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, Hilton Reykjavík Nordica
- Couples: ION Adventure Hotel (Þingvellir), Hotel Húsafell (west Iceland), The Reykjavík Edition
- Luxury travellers: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon (Forbes 5-Star), ION Adventure Hotel, Deplar Farm (north Iceland boutique)
- Aurora hunters: Hotel Rangá (south, Aurora-alert service), Fosshotel Mývatn (north), ION Adventure Hotel
- City-break travellers: The Reykjavík Edition, Hilton Reykjavík Nordica, Canopy by Hilton Reykjavík City Centre
? Getting Around
A hire car is essential for exploring beyond Reykjavík — Iceland has no inter-city railway. Hertz, Sixt, Europcar and the local Blue Car Rental rent cars from Keflavík Airport (KEF) from €60 a day for compact vehicles, rising to €150+ for 4x4 SUVs needed for F-road interior driving (summer only). The 50km transfer from KEF to Reykjavík takes 45 minutes — the Flybus runs every 30 minutes for €31 single. Within Reykjavík, the city is fully walkable. For day tours from Reykjavík, Reykjavík Excursions and Gray Line run scheduled coaches to the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle and the south-coast waterfalls for €60–120pp. Air Iceland Connect flies domestic to Akureyri, Egilsstaðir and Ísafjörður for €100–180 single.
? Travel Tips
- Iceland runs Greenwich Mean Time year-round — same time as the UK in winter, one hour behind from late March to late October when the UK observes BST.
- The currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK); the euro and pound are not generally accepted, but cards are accepted everywhere — Iceland is one of the most cashless countries in the world.
- Iceland's VAT is 24% (reduced 11% on food and hotel accommodation), included in displayed prices.
- Plug type is European Type F (Schuko, two-pin) at 230V — bring a universal European adapter.
- Tap water is exceptionally clean and pure — among the best in the world; never buy bottled.
- Iceland is expensive — pints €10–12, dinner mains €30–45, supermarket basics 40–60% above UK prices. Self-catering and packed lunches save significant budget.
- The Northern Lights are unpredictable — book at least 4–5 nights to maximise sighting chances, ideally in rural locations away from light pollution.
- Iceland's weather changes every 10 minutes — pack waterproof outer layers, fleece mid-layers and proper hiking boots year-round.
- The Reynisfjara black-sand beach has dangerous sneaker waves — never turn your back on the sea.
- The Blue Lagoon books out 2–3 weeks ahead in summer and peak Aurora months — reserve through the official Blue Lagoon Iceland website.
- The Ring Road takes 7–10 days for a full loop — shorter visits should focus on the south coast (Golden Circle, Vík and Jökulsárlón) for the highest-impact route.
- F-roads (interior gravel roads) are 4x4-only and open only from late June to early September — never drive a 2WD off the paved Ring Road.
- Tipping is not expected in Iceland — service is included by law and locals rarely tip.
Map Of Iceland
Top Experiences
Soak in the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa
The milky-blue silica-rich 38°C geothermal lagoon sits 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport; €70 entry, with silica face masks included. Pre-booking essential.
Drive the Golden Circle route
The 300km loop covers Þingvellir UNESCO National Park, the Geysir hot-spring area and the 32m Gullfoss waterfall; allow 8 hours by hire car.
Chase the Northern Lights
The Aurora Borealis is visible from late September to mid-April on clear, dark nights; €80–120pp for guided tours from Reykjavík with cloud-cover refunds.
Walk on a glacier at Sólheimajökull
A 3-hour guided ice-walk on Sólheimajökull glacier tongue runs €100pp, with crampons and ice axes included; daily 10am and 2pm departures year-round.
Whale watching from Húsavík
Europe's whale-watching capital, with 23 cetacean species recorded; €70pp for 3-hour boat trips with 98% sighting success rate from June to August.
Snorkel between tectonic plates at Silfra
The 60m glacial-water fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates offers 100m underwater visibility; €130pp guided, dry-suit included.
Top Hotels In Iceland
Travel Information
Everything You Need To Know Before You Jet Off To Iceland.
Other Hotels In Iceland
Browse Our Wider Selection Of Hotels