For Holidays to the Arctic Iceland is one of the Arctic’s most distinct and stunning locations. Whether you’re looking to relax in a unique hotel or discover incredible wildlife, Iceland offers an all-year-round destination with plenty of adventures!
Whatever type of getaway you’re after, you’ll almost certainly find it in Iceland. Our Arctic travel experts have put together this guide to making the most of your holiday in Iceland helping you to explore the history, hike the mountains, and observe the northern lights during your holiday to the Arctic.
Discover the northern lights with a holiday to the Arctic
Iceland is arguably the most popular Northern Lights destination and it’s easy to see why. The northern lights is a very popular reason for holidays to the Arctic, with the dark nights in winter allowing the perfect conditions for this occurrence. That is why at Arctic Direct, we recommend visiting between the months of September and April as the darker the nights offer a better chance of seeing the auroras.
There are many ways to view the northern lights in Iceland including taking a guided tour, experiencing a northern lights boat tour and in some cases, even from your own accommodation. In all our packages, accommodation such as a glass igloo has been especially set up for visitors to watch them from their very own bed.
Whale watching Iceland holidays
If you were interested in vising Iceland during the warmer months, then whale watching is a great way to keep you entertained during your trip. The combination of warm and cold currents, calmer winds and longer periods of sunlight creates the perfect environment for whales. Although its best to bear in mind that the likelihood of seeing the whales cannot be predicted, whale watching between the months of April to October will give you the highest chance.
Discover over 24 species of whales, including dolphins, orcas, humpback, and blue whales in the Icelandic oceans. There are multiple harbours in Iceland that offer excursions and tours that give you the chance to explore whale watching. If you would like more information about whale watching in Iceland, visit our blog.
Discover the Midnight sun
Also known as ‘Polar Day’, the midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs in many countries in the Arctic. Due to the country’s northern latitude, for a period for Iceland from the beginning of June to the end of July, the country experiences 24 hours of daylight.
People in Iceland always celebrate and make the most of the long period of daylight. For many tourists, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore some of Iceland’s famous experiences including mountain hiking, snowmobiles, whale watching and attending some of the many festivals that take place during the midnight summer period.
Glacier hiking Holidays to the Arctic
If you want to explore impressive landscapes and mountains in Iceland, then you should consider going on a glacier hiking tour. Glacier hiking in Iceland can be enjoyed throughout the year, however, if you want to explore the ice caves this is only possible during the winter months.
Glacier hikes are perfect for those looking to keep active during their holidays. Choose from many ways to take part in glacier hiking, such as riding a snowmobile on top of the glacier or choosing to go ice climbing if you’re wanting to add a little bit more excitement. For the less adventurous, taking a simple walking tour is a great option to stay active and delve into the Iceland surroundings.
Are you planning to take a holiday to the Arctic soon? If you do have any questions, you can contact one of travel experts or call us.
