Fun-Filled 3-Day Northern Lights Winter Stopover in Reykjavik with the Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon

Spend your first day in Iceland exploring the best attractions in Reykjavik and enjoying a northern lights hunting tour.

On arrival at Keflavik International Airport, you'll board a shuttle bus to take you into downtown Reykjavik. You'll pass the lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula on the way, giving you an excellent first look at this beautiful country. 

You can check into your accommodation to drop off your luggage. When ready, you'll spend the rest of the day exploring Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital. Its population is about 120,000 people, but it's the largest settlement in Iceland and has plenty to keep visitors occupied.

Start by walking down the Laugavegur shopping street. There are numerous restaurants, bars, cafes, and boutique stores here. You could start looking for the perfect souvenir while warming up with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa.

Continue walking around the city to see more of its best sights. The Old Harbor provides a beautiful sea view and a look at the striking Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center. 

You could also choose to visit a museum — Reykjavik is home to several fantastic art galleries, including the Einar Jonsson Museum and Sculpture Garden. Wander through the garden and look at the beautiful sculptures. 

Another remarkable museum experience is going to Perlan (The Pearl), a unique glass-domed museum with 360° views and an ice-cave exhibit.

Looking for great views of the city? Then head to Hallgrimskirkja Church, an iconic church with panoramic city views from its tower.

If you want to take Instagrammable pictures, go to the Sun Voyager (Solfar) Sculpture. It’s a striking Viking-inspired sculpture by the waterfront.

After all this, you can relax at the Tjornin (The Pond) and take a peaceful stroll at a scenic city-center lake.

If you prefer to do as the locals do, you could head to the nearest swimming pool for a few laps and then a long soak in the geothermal waters of a hot tub. Even in the winter, Icelanders flock to the swimming pools, with many preferring to do so in cold weather. They claim there's nothing better than soaking in the warm waters with the cold winter air in your lungs.

You can also go to Austurvollur Square, a central square where locals gather, home to Parliament House and the statue of Jon Sigurdsson (the leader of Iceland’s independence movement).

In the evening, you can hop aboard a bus or a boat and spend the night searching for the elusive but beautiful northern lights. After a fantastic tour, you'll return to your accommodation in the city center for a good night's rest.

On the second day, you’ll go on a small-group tour of Iceland's best-loved sights - the Golden Circle.

After breakfast in Reykjavik, you'll board a minibus and meet the expert local guide leading you on the day's adventure. When everyone in the group has joined, you'll travel out of the city to the first attraction of the day, the historic Thingvellir National Park.

Iceland's parliament, the Althingi, was founded in this national park over 1,000 years ago when Viking settlers came to settle disputes and create new laws. The park also has fascinating geography. It's situated in a rift valley between two tectonic plates that are drifting apart. 

Usually, this type of rift isn't visible above ground — Iceland is the only place in the world where you can see the rift above sea level. Your guide will tell you about the area's geology as you explore. 

If you want to add more excitement to your trip, you can go snorkeling in the Silfra fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.  Swim in the crystal-clear glacial meltwater and enjoy the view. You need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

From Thingvellir, you'll continue to the Geysir geothermal area, home of hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and erupting glaciers. You'll get the chance to take some fantastic pictures as you watch the Strokkur geyser shooting hot water up into the sky. It erupts every few minutes, meaning you'll have plenty of chances to capture the perfect shot.

Next is the beautiful Gullfoss waterfall in the glacial river Hvita. The rumbling sound created as the river tumbles down two tiers into an ancient canyon is unforgettable, and you'll feel the mist of the cascade on your face from one of two viewing platforms.

Another optional tour for today is an exciting snowmobiling tour on top of the Langjokull glacier, one of Iceland's largest. If you've booked this extra, you'll board another minibus from Gullfoss and enjoy a thrilling ride over the ice cap.

You can take a horseback-riding tour instead if you want a more relaxing afternoon. Icelandic horses are known for their friendly temperaments and smaller size. They're perfect for beginners and experienced riders alike — ride through the Icelandic countryside and enjoy the view.

After a busy day, you'll return to Reykjavik for another night in your accommodation.