iceland-october

Given its Arctic Circle location and related climate, you can be forgiven if you thought that Iceland was a summer month only kind of place. Nothing, however, can be further from the truth with many attractions and tours geared specifically towards the winter months.

It is worth noting that most roads are not blocked until November so most of the country will be accessible to you.

Campervan Rental Iceland

One of the best way to see the delights of Iceland in the winter is to hire a campervan and head out on the road. Not only will you be able to see more of the country, especially if you have a 4 x4 campervan, but you will have a true feeling of freedom. To that end, visiting https://www.campervanreykjavik.com/ and browsing their selection is an excellent place to start your winter Iceland adventure.

To get the big picture on hiring campervans, it is a good idea to find a comparison site to discover the top companies in Iceland about campervan rental. This allows you to make an informed choice.

Now you have your transport and accommodation where to go and what to do.

The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis

The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights is a phenomenon you have to see. The whole of the sky lights up as charged particles from the sun strike atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere. The effect has inspired people for as long as people have existed.

October is the perfect time to come and see the Northern Lights. The days are shorter and the nights longer. Although there are no guarantees you will see the Northern Lights, visibility is high in October and locations are announced in the weather forecast.

Generally, you get the best view of the Northern Lights in places where there is little light pollution. That said you can see the lights from places in Reykjavik, the country’s capital city as well.

Reykjavik City Tours

Reykjavik is a fantastic city and one where most begin their Iceland adventure. Like most cities, it is a fusion of the historic and the new. There are a number of tours you can partake in to take you to the most vibrant parts of the city and let you undertake activities such as whale watching.

A walking tour of the city is recommended as you will see historic Iceland. This will often include the most amazing places the city has to offer, such as:

  • Hallgrímskirkja Church
  • Einar Jónsson Museum
  • Þingholt
  • The Pond
  • The Parliament Building
  • The Old Reykjavík Harbor

Most tours last about two and a half hours and take you to places frequented by locals as well as the tourist spots.

As well as walking and boat tours, you can also go whale watching from Reykjavik. Seeing these amazing creatures do their thing is worth a visit to Iceland alone.

The city is known for its vibrant nightlife and hip Scandinavian lifestyle. Spending a few days in the city is recommended before moving on.

South Iceland

Many undertake activities and visit places in South Iceland in October. One of the favourites is The Golden Circle. You can visit Geysir and see exploding mud pits and water blasted hundreds of feet into the air. Also, take in Gullfoss waterfall, which is an amazing piece of nature. Water cascades over two levels and falls hundreds of feet into a crevice, and visit Thingvellir, possibly the home of the world’s first parliament.

Not far from the capital is the world-famous, Blue Lagoon. This is a natural hot spring, and the waters are a constant 102.2°F which is perfect bathing temperature. The milky waters are teeming with minerals and other goodness. Don’t be put off if the weather is gloomy, this will only enhance your Blue Lagoon experience. When bathing, you may rub shoulders with celebrities who are often spotted here.

Glacier Hiking

Iceland offers amazing opportunities to hike. Few places in the world offer lava fields, volcanoes, and glaciers to get your hiking blood pumping. There are lots of tours that take you to glaciers all over the country and are pitched at various levels. No matter your experience, you will find an awe-inspiring tour for you.

Some are all-day affairs, some are last half a day, and if you are a seasoned hiker, you can follow routes that take a few days to walk. It is also possible to take guided hiking tours that last up to a week.

Taking a hiking tour brings you into contact with this remarkable land. It is a great way to appreciate the volcanic nature of Iceland and get a greater understanding of the world you live in. If you get a chance to go hiking in Iceland, you should not turn the opportunity down.

Iceland is a remarkable country, and one visit is never enough. Try and get out and see it soon.