Exploring Iceland with Holiday Tours

A Journey Through Iceland with Holiday Tours

Tours aren’t for everyone, with visions of being herded like cattle from tourist spot to tourist spot often coming to mind. But some tour companies get it right, finding the balance between exploring by yourself, keeping you safe, and sharing stories, knowledge, and tips. Holiday Tours find that sweet spot: whether you’re on the Golden Circle tour, learning about your surroundings in the toasty minivan before exploring the sights, or on the South Coast and Glacier Hike tour, where the guide safely navigates the glacier while offering tidbits on Iceland’s fascinating history and landscape. 

What we loved about Holiday Tours

Our tried-and-tested experience culminates in a new-found appreciation of guided tours. The tours were well organised, the minivans were comfortable and warm, and the guides’ genuinely impressive knowledge was the backing track to the beautiful views along the way. When the guide isn’t telling you all about Iceland’s unique history and topography, they’ll play earworm Icelandic music.

We also loved that…

• No stop felt too rushed or too long. It was the right amount of time to explore by yourself.
• The minivan is nice and warm, which is perfect after being out in the (literally) Arctic conditions in winter.
• There’s Wi-Fi in the minivan, although the views are much more exciting than scrolling – nevertheless, it is handy. 
• They only do small group tours or private tours. 
• The guides make the most of all weather conditions, which can be unpredictable in Iceland. 

Is 3 days in Iceland enough?

Despite being a small island, there’s a lot to see. You could fill up your days with hikes, waterfalls, lava fields, and boat trips for months, but a 3-day trip is still ample time to see the highlights if you plan it right. 

Iceland is a popular short-trip destination, being just 2 hours and 40 minutes from many UK airports and around 6 hours from the US. 

The best way to make the most of it is to join a guided tour. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and deciding what to do can be overwhelming. Let a tour guide take the reins – Holiday Tours’ guides have years of experience showing off Iceland’s best bits, and they know the best times to see them, too. The stops are planned accordingly to maximise good weather windows and visit during the quietest times possible. For example, our guide took us to the glacier at around lunchtime, which meant we practically had it to ourselves. 

How we’d spend 3 days in Iceland:

Day 1: Explore Reykjavik 

Day 2: Golden Circle or Snaefellsnes 

Day 3: Save the best ‘til last for the Glacier Hike and South Coast

Bonus: Fit in a Northern Lights tour if the weather allows

Gullfoss, Golden Circle Tour

What is the best time to visit Iceland?

Iceland is an island of extremes. Wintertime sees short snippets of sunlight, around 4 hours per day, while summer brings long, bright days with up to 24 hours of sunlight. 

There are really only two seasons in Iceland – winter and summer – with spring being considered more of a ‘thaw’ season. While spring – late March to May – and autumn – late September and October – aren’t distinct seasons in Iceland, they’re both still beautiful times to visit, with fewer crowds and a kaleidoscope of colours. And, as the shoulder seasons, they’re generally more affordable. 

With snow-covered mountains, unique winter activities, and a greater chance of seeing the Northern Lights, winter in Iceland is an otherworldly experience. The sun hangs low in the sky for a few precious hours, casting a blueish glow over the snowy landscape. For those who don’t often experience this kind of winter wonderland, it’s particularly magical. 

However, summer is the best time to visit for hiking. Extended hours of sunlight mean plenty of time to fit in long, gorgeous hikes through the highlands. And while some snow-or-ice-based activities are reserved for colder months, you can still go on glacier hikes during summer. Longer daylight hours and calmer weather conditions mean you have plenty of time out on the glacier, too. 

Good – objectively good, that is – weather is never a guarantee in Iceland. Snowstorms can set you off your tracks as late as April, and rain can lash down in July. But the times of year have their own charms, so we think it’s best to consider what activities you’d like to do and use this to help make your decision.

Guided tours help make the most of the unpredictable Icelandic weather, expertly navigating snowstorms, or adding an extra, unplanned stop if the weather allows. Holiday Tours’ guides truly endeavour to make everyone’s experience spectacular, so they’ll often add stops. They always know the best places to go in the area – often with no one around.  

Reynisfjara, South Coast Tour/Glacier Hike and South Coast Tour

Are guided tours in Iceland worth it?

For maximising your experience in Iceland, guided tours are absolutely worth it. Expert guides know the best times to visit locations so it’s as quiet as possible – particularly appreciated in the busy summer months. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about the culture and get tips from locals – our guides finished off the tour with tips on their favourite things to do, restaurants, and recommendations for Reykjavík.

Guided tours can also be a safety measure. For example, glaciers are unpredictable, shapeshifting things, and unless you have years of experience navigating glaciers, you must always go with a guide. Our guide – Michal – was excellent, with 9 years in the game. His knowledge of where to walk, where not to walk, and other precautions, gave us a fresh appreciation for safely exploring the glacier. His enthusiasm was also infectious – despite exploring glaciers for 9 years, he was just as excited as the rest of us. The only way you’d ever know it wasn’t his first rodeo is by the information about the glacier and the environment. 

Sólheimajökull Glacier, Glacier Hike and South Coast Tour

Why book a guided tour in Iceland?

• If you’re interested in learning about Iceland’s unique history and geography from a local expert
• If you want to explore Iceland’s most iconic sights
• If you’re travelling solo – generally, 50% of the groups are solo travellers
• If you don’t want to hire a car
• If you have a limited time in Iceland
• If you like relaxing, zoning out, and letting someone else plan the schedule
• If you want to hike the glaciers

Do you need a Northern Lights tour in Iceland?

If you have your own car rental, you can try your luck at driving out to a dark area to catch the Northern Lights. However – after trying, testing, and failing this – we recommend booking a Northern Lights tour. Professional weather monitors and expert guidance are no match for the usual weather apps, and going with a guide is the best way to maximise your chance of seeing the phenomenon. Plus, they can help you get incredible pictures. 

Holiday Tours offer a free retry, so if you don’t catch them the first time, you can always give it another go. They make the experience as cosy as possible, with warm blankets, hot chocolate, and Icelandic goodies. The guides are also full of knowledge about the science behind the Aurora Borealis. 

The best time to see the Northern Lights is December and January. 

What to expect when driving in Iceland

Public transport is limited in Iceland – there are some bus networks that ramp up during summer – so many visitors choose to rent a car. Driving in unpredictable weather can be daunting but with good snow tyres and a sturdy 4WD vehicle, it can be a great experience. Nordic Car Rental are experts at navigating Iceland’s terrain, with an office just five minutes from Keflavík Airport – you can book with them via Enjoy Travel. 

If you plan on renting a car, we still recommend a tour. A guided tour is much more than transport – it’s an opportunity to learn from local experts and see things you might have missed otherwise. Plus, a guide is needed for the Glacier Hike. However, if you’d prefer to drive yourself, Holiday Tours offer a meet-on-location Glacier Hike experience.