Reykjavik · Seltjarnarnes · Thingvellir · Haukadalur · Gullfoss · Fludir · Seljalandsfoss · Skogar · Vik
3 days in Reykjavik: northern lights, Golden Circle & South Coast waterfalls
Photo by Nicolas J Leclercq on Unsplash
A winter Reykjavik itinerary built around the northern lights season: downtown landmarks and a dark-sky aurora watch, the classic Golden Circle, and the South Coast's waterfalls and black sand beach.
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- Day 19 am – 11 pm · 5 stops
- 9 am 1Hallgrimskirkja tower viewReykjavik
Reykjavik's landmark church, 74.5 m tall with a facade echoing basalt lava columns, built 1945-1986. Take the elevator to the tower for a full panorama over the colourful downtown rooftops.
12 min walk · 900 m - 10:45 am 2Harpa Concert Hall on the harbourReykjavik
The glass-facade concert hall on the old harbour, designed by Henning Larsen Architects with artist Olafur Eliasson. Free to walk into; the faceted glass catches the low winter light beautifully.
6 min walk · 500 m - 12 pm 3Hot dog lunch at Baejarins Beztu PylsurReykjavik
Reykjavik's famous harbourside hot-dog stand. Order one with everything: pylsur with remoulade, ketchup, sweet mustard, fried and raw onion.
8 min by train or taxi · 2.6 km - 1 pm 4Sun Voyager on the shore walkReykjavik
The steel dreamboat sculpture on Saebraut, facing out over Faxafloi Bay toward Mount Esja. A classic foreground for winter sunset photos, and a fallback aurora-viewing spot on very strong nights.
10 min by train or taxi · 6.2 km - 9 pm 5Northern lights watch at Grotta LighthouseSeltjarnarnes
The darkest easy aurora spot in the capital, on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula facing north over the sea away from city glow. Check the Icelandic Met Office aurora and cloud forecast first, dress very warm, and time your visit for low tide: the causeway to the lighthouse floods at high tide.
- Day 29 am – 5 pm · 4 stops
- 9 am 6Thingvellir National ParkThingvellir
UNESCO-listed rift valley where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet, and the site of Iceland's ancient parliament. Walk the Almannagja gorge between the plates, and in winter watch for icy paths.
41 min by train or taxi · 41 km - 11:30 am 7Strokkur geyser at GeysirHaukadalur
The reliably active geyser in the Haukadalur geothermal field, erupting every five to ten minutes. The original Geysir beside it is mostly dormant now; stay on the marked paths around the boiling springs.
13 min by train or taxi · 8.3 km - 1 pm 8Gullfoss waterfallGullfoss
The two-tiered Golden Waterfall, where the Hvita river plunges into a dramatic canyon. In winter the canyon walls build up ice formations and the upper paths can be closed, so use the maintained viewpoints.
23 min by train or taxi · 23 km - 3 pm 9Soak at the Secret Lagoon, FludirFludir
Iceland's oldest swimming pool, a natural geothermal lagoon at Fludir and a quieter alternative to the Blue Lagoon after a Golden Circle day. Book ahead in winter; bring a swimsuit and expect to shower before entering.
- Day 39 am – 3:30 pm · 4 stops
- 9 am 10Walk behind SeljalandsfossSeljalandsfoss
The south coast waterfall with a path that leads right behind the falling water. In winter the path can be icy and the behind-the-falls route sometimes closed, so wear crampons or grippers and check conditions.
26 min by train or taxi · 26 km - 10:45 am 11Skogafoss waterfallSkogar
A wide, powerful curtain of water right beside the Ring Road. Walk to its misty base, then climb the staircase beside it for the view over the coast from the top.
26 min by train or taxi · 26 km - 1 pm 12Reynisfjara black sand beachVik
Volcanic black sand, basalt sea stacks and the basalt-column cave at the foot of Reynisfjall. Heed the sneaker-wave warnings: never turn your back on the sea here, and keep well back from the waterline.
8 min by train or taxi · 4.2 km - 2:45 pm 13Dyrholaey viewpointVik
The promontory headland west of Vik with its lighthouse and the rock arch below, looking east over Reynisfjara's black beach and west along the coast. Best in the low winter light, before the short November afternoon fades.