Iceland travel advice
Natural connections
Natural connections
Emmanuelle Bluman from our Iceland based supplier Alkemia offers some Iceland travel tips for connecting with the unique landscape:
“Most of what you'll experience you won't have anywhere else because Iceland is a volcanic land almost on the Arctic Circle. In winter, you have the Northern Lights -, in summer the Midnight Sun. You have geysers, smoke, solfatares [aka fumaroles – geothermal openings in the Earth's crust that emit gases from inside the planet], places where basically the ground is boiling under your feet! Untouched and wild places like none that exist in the rest of Europe - no houses, just hiking paths.... And not forgetting bathing in natural hot water pools!”
Our Iceland Holidays
Northern Lights photography holiday in Iceland, coast & ice
Photographic trip in the stunning west and southeast Iceland
From
£3150 to £3250
10 days
ex flights
Iceland holiday, small group
Delve into the ancient land of Vikings and volcanoes
From
£2830 to £3360
10 days
ex flights
Highlights of Iceland self drive holiday
Amazing self-drive to discover the best of Iceland
From
£1300 to £5000
10 days
ex flights
Northern Lights & orca photography holiday, Iceland
Incredible photographic trip in stunning West Iceland
From
£2450 to £2500
7 days
ex flights
Iceland cruise, Circumnavigation
An unforgettable journey around the island of fire and ice
From
£1679 to £1759
10 days
ex flights
Northern lights and whale watching cruise in Iceland
A cruise and coach journey to see whales & northern lights
From
£1875
7 days
ex flights
West Greenland photography tour
Incredible photographic adventure in stunning West Greenland
From
£4250
10 days
ex flights
Iceland summer small group holiday
Visiting Iceland is an other-worldly experience.
From
£3245 to £3255
10 days
inc UK flights
Grand Tour of Iceland
Explore the landscapes and geographical phenomena of Iceland
From
£5899
15 days
inc UK flights
West Iceland self drive holiday
Amazing time in the wilderness exploring fjords in Iceland
From
€1500 to €5000
10 days
ex flights
Myvatn Marathon running holiday, Iceland
Combine a visit of natural sites and a famous run race
From
£1200
5 days
ex flights
Iceland photography holiday and Northern Lights
Photograph Iceland's stunning landscapes and Northern Lights
From
£2600
8 days
ex flights
Iceland northern lights and snowshoeing holiday
Hiking in snowshoes and bathing under the northern lights
From
£2300
8 days
ex flights
Iceland small group tours
See glaciers, geysers and geothermal hot springs in Iceland
From
£940 to £1015
5 days
ex flights
Iceland birding and photography tour
Amazing time in the wilderness close to birdlife
From
£4070
12 days
ex flights
Laugavegur Trail trekking holiday in Iceland
Few trekking routes can match the striking vistas on offer here
From
£2499 to £2679
8 days
inc UK flights
Iceland horse riding holiday
Riding, Hiking, Bathing and Whale watching in Iceland
From
£1185
6 days
ex flights
Iceland Highlands photography tour, waterfalls & canyons
Incredible photographic expedition into Iceland's wilderness
From
£3100
13 days
ex flights
Greenland voyage cruise and northern lights
The world's longest fjord & spectacular Aurora Borealis
From
€3300 to €3700
8 days
ex flights
Northern Lights tour in Iceland
Springs, waterfalls, volcanoes and Europe’s biggest glacier!
From
£828 to £1350
6 days
ex flights
Iceland family holiday
Refreshing summer holiday to explore Iceland's rugged beauty
From
£2275
7 days
ex flights
Northern Lights small group holiday with expert astronomer
View the Northern Lights with an expert astronomer
From
£1340 to £1450
4 days
inc UK flights
Arctic cruise to Greenland and Iceland
Explore the stunning natural beauty of Greenland and Iceland
From
£4935
14 days
ex flights
Horse riding holiday in Iceland
Ride in a hidden nature reserve surrounded by glaciers.
From
£1215
6 days
ex flights
Iceland self drive holiday, whale watching & horse riding
2 days horse back riding and self drive to discover Iceland
From
£1500 to £3000
7 days
ex flights
Northern Lights photography tour, waterfalls & landscapes in Iceland
Incredible Winter photography trip to Iceland's remote North
From
£2800 to £2900
8 days
ex flights
Toasty dips
Toasty dips
Tom Wilkinson of supplier Exodus sings the praises of hot dips in his Iceland travel tips:
“Thermal baths are a key part of Icelandic culture - a very social thing to do, where friends meet, chat and unwind. Where else would you be floating about in 30 degree water, face covered in therapeutic mud, in an outdoor pool with little flecks of snow settling on your nose and ice in your hair?!”
Hot culture
Hot culture
Laura Greenman of our supplier Magnetic North offers recommendations on Iceland's superb cultural scene – musicians like Bjork and Sigur Ros, artist Ólafur Elíasson, writers Arnaldur Indridason and Nobel Prize winner Halldor Kiljan Laxness - which can sometimes be overlooked in the rush to see Iceland's natural wonders:
“Iceland's cultural impact is staggering when you consider the size of its population. Artists, musicians, writers, film-makers - Iceland has a rich cultural mix often inspired by the landscapes and wildness of its natural beauty, that has had a far-reaching impact around the world. Reading a chilling crime thriller brings to life some of the atmosphere of the island!”
Our top Iceland Holiday
Northern Lights photography holiday in Iceland, coast & ice
Photographic trip in the stunning west and southeast Iceland
From
£3150 to £3250
10 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 1 Feb, 15 Feb, 30 Sep, 10 Oct, 20 Oct
2020: 9 Feb, 21 Feb, 1 Mar, 30 Sep, 30 Oct
2019: 1 Feb, 15 Feb, 30 Sep, 10 Oct, 20 Oct
2020: 9 Feb, 21 Feb, 1 Mar, 30 Sep, 30 Oct
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Iceland or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
Health & safety in Iceland
HEALTH
SAFETY
Iceland tips from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Iceland travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Iceland travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
Be aware that you need good equipment to photograph the Northern Lights, but it is still a memorable event without photos - and others will share photos with you
- Valerie Oakley
"Most of the walking is not easy (rock piles, sand, pebbles, very deep moss, up/down). I am not complaining - it was great."
- Ardath Walcott
“Be prepared for long days on photographic breaks! Up at 4am for sunrise shoots on the beach in freezing winds, through an action-packed day shooting glaciers, to night quests for the Northern Lights, in bed around 2 am. Bring at LEAST 6 layers of thermal clothing, and the chemical hand-warmers were a salvation when standing around at night, just waiting for the Lights to appear.”- Suzanne de Pelsenaire
“No need to take out lots of cash as can pay by card. Add a day or two in Reykjavik onto your holiday.” - Rebecca
“Be prepared for long days on photographic breaks! Up at 4am for sunrise shoots on the beach in freezing winds, through an action-packed day shooting glaciers, to night quests for the Northern Lights, in bed around 2 am. Bring at LEAST 6 layers of thermal clothing, and the chemical hand-warmers were a salvation when standing around at night, just waiting for the Lights to appear.”- Suzanne de Pelsenaire
“No need to take out lots of cash as can pay by card. Add a day or two in Reykjavik onto your holiday.” - Rebecca
Most of the walking is not easy (rock piles, sand, pebbles, very deep moss, up/down). I am not complaining - it was great.
- Ardath Walcott
"Be aware that you need good equipment to photograph the Northern Lights, but it is still a memorable event without photos - and others will share photos with you" - Valerie Oakley
“Travel light as you are moving around. I wore my walking boots all the time and didn't really need another pair of shoes. And no need to take a skirt or dress - just spare trousers and layers.” - Gillian Girling
“Prepare real winter clothes to protect yourself not only just the cold weather but also the wind. I thought that I brought enough but next time I will bring more wind-proof jackets and pants.” - Chada Ruangtoowagoon
“Although our guide said he has 100% rate for seeing the Northern Lights, it's always good to think about other activities and excursions to avoid disappointment.” - Si-Ling Pang
“Travel light as you are moving around. I wore my walking boots all the time and didn't really need another pair of shoes. And no need to take a skirt or dress - just spare trousers and layers.” - Gillian Girling
“Prepare real winter clothes to protect yourself not only just the cold weather but also the wind. I thought that I brought enough but next time I will bring more wind-proof jackets and pants.” - Chada Ruangtoowagoon
“Although our guide said he has 100% rate for seeing the Northern Lights, it's always good to think about other activities and excursions to avoid disappointment.” - Si-Ling Pang
More about Iceland
Summer is the best time to visit Iceland for midnight sun and migrating whales. The Northern Lights are at their best in March, September and October...
Iceland's landscape could double for a Tolkien fantasy, and its culture is fed by this unique geography. This travel guide explores a place that is truly unique...
The Westfjords and Snaefellsnes score in the 'wildest' stakes, while the Golden Circle is an enclave of geysers, glaciers, hot springs and history...
Whale pods, wild photography and wilder landscapes provide plenty of daytime activities, with the Northern Lights thrilling travellers during long winter nights...
Iceland's landscapes hit you with an onslaught of natural wonders, from waterfalls to fjords, uninhabited peninsulas to glacier topped volcanoes...
Iceland has been shaped by nature's powerful forces and the Northern Lights add their dramatic paintbrush to its already colossal canvas...
With its lunar-like terrain, black beaches, steep volcanoes and glacial lagoons, Iceland could have been designed for a photography holiday.
Iceland's remote location, its wild landscapes and its folklore weave their way through its books, poems and music, now as much as ever...
Iceland's capital Reykjavik is home to colourful homes and modernist architecture, with the sea and the mountains as its nearest natural neighbours...
Self driving in Iceland lets you follow nature, not crowds. In summer, follow the midnight sun. In winter, head for the hills to spot the Northern Lights...
With tourist numbers swamping local residents, we look at overtourism and explore how travellers can visit Iceland without contributing to this problem...
Booking a holiday to Iceland, rather than travelling independently is more enjoyable for you and beneficial to the country, its environment and people...
Iceland doesn't offer many activities especially aimed at children, but its magical appeal is so evident it doesn't have to...
Avoiding places clogged with day trippers, and months when visitor numbers shoot up like a spouting geyser, is the responsible way to visit Iceland...
Despite being hugely controversial, whaling still occurs. We look at the justifications for whaling and what visitors to Iceland can do in response...
Find all of our Iceland guides in one place for more information on the different types of holidays such as walking or cruising in Iceland...
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Moyan Brenn] [Natural connections: Stig Nygaard]
[Toasty tips (Blue Lagoon): Ting W. Chang]
[Hot culture (Ólafur Elíasson installation): Gunnar Bothner-By]
[Health and safety (Reykjavik): Giuseppe Milo]
[Reviews introduction (Mosfellsdalur): Stig Nygaard]
[Review 1 - Valerie Oakley: Greenland Travel]
[Review 2 - Ardath Walcott: USAFE AFAFRICA]
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