Where to go in Iceland in winter: south or north? Here’s our comparison of the two regions during the various months with the main attractions and travel conditions.
But if you have the time, we recommend you do both!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
North or South Iceland in winter: the best destination
Before going into more detail about the differences, here’s our summary:
For maximum attractions and activities, we recommend visiting the south of Iceland.
For a trip with wide open spaces, fewer tourists and more stable weather conditions.
South Iceland in winter: summary
- Many popular attractions such as the Golden Circle, waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, and the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón.
- This is the region to visit ice caves and see glaciers.
- The capital Reykjavik with its museums and festivals
- Many guided activities are available to discover the landscape in a different way.
Northern Iceland in winter: summary
- Wide open spaces with Lake Myvatn, the Hverir geothermal zone and the Godafos waterfall. Fewer iconic attractions to see, but complete black-and-white landscapes!
- To the north are the ski resorts
- The northern town of Akureyri hosts annual festivals and winter events
- Conditions are often much better for seeing the aurora (less light pollution, clearer skies).
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1. The most beautiful landscapes
Landscapes of southern Iceland in winter
There are many places in South Iceland that remain accessible and fascinating.
Among the main attractions you have:
- Reykjavik and its museums
- The Golden Circle with its geyser, Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir fissures
- The Seljalandsfoss and Skofagoss waterfalls, even if you can’t walk behind the former in winter.
- The famous Jokulsarlon lagoon with icebergs floating out to sea, and the diamond beach where these icebergs run aground.
- You’re also a 2-hour drive from the Silver Circle, with its lava tube open in winter, and the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
- And activities around the glaciers: see the activities section
Landscapes of northern Iceland in winter
Many places are less accessible in winter in Iceland.
This is our favorite region in summer, because the landscapes are post-apocalyptic. But covered in pristine white snow (snowfalls are heavier in the north), it doesn’t give the same impression.
Among the main attractions you have:
- Lake Myvatn
- Dimmuborgir lava field
- Stukustadir’s pseudo-craters
- Godafoss waterfall
- The Hverir geothermal zone
- Dettifoss waterfall (only accessible with Super jeep)
- The fishing village of Husavik
- The town of Akureyri with its colourful houses and harbour
Winner
Clearly, in winter, the south offers a greater diversity of landscapes and places to visit.
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2. Conditions: crowds, accessibility
Travel conditions in the South in winter
The south is more accessible than the north in winter, and there are more attractions. As a result, there are also many more people in southern Iceland.
During the day, you won’t find yourself alone at the most famous attractions!
In terms of roads, the Ring Road (Route 1) along the south coast is generally well maintained and less likely to be closed due to winter conditions than roads in the north. The same goes for access roads to the Golden Circle.
Travel conditions in the North in winter
Northern Iceland is less crowded in winter, offering a more tranquil experience, for example at sites around Lake Mývatn.
Northern roads, especially those leading to remote areas, are more likely to be temporarily closed due to heavy snow and winter conditions. But Route 1 was also quickly cleared.
Winner
It all depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want to get away from the crowds and find yourself alone in front of wide-open spaces, choose the north. If you want the quickest roads and trails, head south.
WHERE TO STAY IN Iceland
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Iceland (coming soon)
- Where to sleep in Reykjavik (coming soon)
- Best 5-star hotels (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the South Coast (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Golden Circle (coming soon)
- Where to sleep on the Snaefellsnes peninsula
3. Activities
If you’re looking for a different kind of outdoor experience, there’s plenty to do in Iceland in winter too.
South Iceland:
- visit the ice caves that form temporarily in glaciers, some blue, others black… see options
- Glacier hikes – see options
- Snowmobiling on the Langjökull glacier – see availability
- Snorkeling or diving in the Silfra fissure – see options
- Icelandic horseback excursions
- Hot-spring sessions, the best-known in the south is the Blue Lagoon – book your tickets now!
Northern Iceland:
- Ski resorts close to Akureyri
- Icelandic horseback riding
- Whale-watching outing – see options
- Snowmobile on Lake Myvatn – see availability
- Sled dogs
- Hot spring sessions (but fewer options than in the south), e.g. at the Myvatn Nature Baths, book your tickets now.
Gagante
South Iceland has a more varied range of activities to enjoy the Icelandic landscape in winter.
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4. Aurora borealis
North and South Iceland have their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to the Northern Lights. In any case, nothing is guaranteed, so take your chances.
Northern Iceland’s aurora borealis viewing advantages
- less precipitation and cloud cover, increasing the chances of clear skies and better observation
- proximity to the Arctic Circle, which slightly extends the hours of darkness on winter nights
- isolated, sparsely populated areas with darker skies and less light pollution
Northern Iceland’s aurora borealis viewing advantages
It’s possible to see the northern lights from southern Iceland, but conditions are a little less optimal (more light pollution and often cloudy skies).
But there are advantages
- superb locations facing north, ideal for photographing the aurora: Skogafoss, Jokulsalron, Kirkjufellsfoss…
- A wide choice of organized tours to see the aurora from Reykiavik: by minibus, superjeep or boat.
5. Weather: north vs. south
The weather shouldn’t be your main criterion when choosing, as conditions change all the time, and you don’t come to Iceland to sunbathe. But here’s some general information.
Temperatures
- Average winter temperature in the South: 0-2°C (32-35°F)
- Average winter temperature in the North: -10°C (14°F)
Precipitation
- in winter, in the South = 155m
- in winter, in the north: 95mm
Hours of daylight
- in the South: the shortest days are at the end of December and beginning of January, with 4 hours of daylight, but the days quickly lengthen to 9 hours of daylight by the end of winter.
- in the North: the days are still a little shorter in January, but the country isn’t huge, so the difference isn’t that great.
Overall, the main differences are that northern Iceland experiences significantly colder temperatures, less precipitation and slightly fewer daylight hours during the winter months than the southern regions of the country.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO iceland IN WINTER
- Best of
Iceland’s winter landscapes
Best things to do in Iceland in winter
The most beautiful waterfalls
Ice caves
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Getting around (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Iceland
Winter driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland in winter
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days (to come)
- The must-dos
Reykjavik in winter
Golden Circle in winter
South coast in winter
Snaefellsnes in winter
Silver Circle in winter (coming soon)
Lake Myvatn in winter
Eastern Fjords in winter
Seljalandsfoss in winter
Jokulsarlon in winter
