What are the chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland during January?

The long dark winter nights and typically clear skies make January one of the prime months for Northern Lights viewing in Iceland. Recent TourRadar travelers reported successful sightings with one noting "We saw Aurora on three occasions and our group members all joined the Northern Lights Academy presentations." For optimal viewing head away from Reykjavik's light pollution to locations like Kirkjubæjarklaustur near Vatnajökull National Park where properties such as Fosshotel Núpar offer specialized northern lights programs.

Which regions of Iceland are best to visit in January?

The South Coast and Golden Circle remain accessible and rewarding during January with winter transforming these landscapes. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula draws visitors for its diverse terrain while the Vatnajökull region becomes a hub for ice cave explorations. A recent visitor noted "The Vatnajökull National Park region in January offered complete darkness ideal for Northern Lights viewing." Base yourself at Fosshotel Núpar in the south or Hotel Hamar in the west to explore these winter wonderlands.

What are the best activities to do in Iceland during January?

The winter season opens up distinctive experiences across Iceland. Visitors can explore the ice caves of Vatnajökull search for the Northern Lights and trek across Sólheimajökull glacier. As shared by a TourRadar traveler "We got to explore the wonderland of ice sculptures water cauldrons ridges and deep crevasses on the breath-taking Sólheimajökull glacier." The geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle route remain accessible. Hotel Stracta in Hella serves as a strategic base for these winter adventures.

What accommodation options are available in January?

Winter itineraries typically feature stays at quality establishments including Hotel Klettur in Reykjavík and Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon in more remote areas. According to a TourRadar visitor: "The hotels were wonderful especially Fosshotel with its panoramic views of the glaciers and potential Northern Lights viewing from your room."

What are the typical costs for tours in Iceland during January?

Multi-day tours in January range from 850 to 4000 USD. While this off-peak period can offer some savings specialized activities maintain consistent pricing throughout the year with ice cave tours at around 308 USD. Many hotels like Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon include winter perks such as Northern Lights wake-up calls in their rates.

How crowded are tourist attractions in Iceland during January?

January's low season status means fewer visitors at key sites including the Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon. Travelers report more peaceful experiences at destinations like Thingvellir National Park and the Geysir geothermal area. Whether staying at Hotel Klettur in Reykjavik or Fosshotel Núpar in the countryside visitors can experience Iceland's winter landscape without peak-season crowds.

Iceland Tours in January 2027

10 best Iceland trips in January 2027

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Nature & Wildlife
8 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
4.4 (22 traveler reviews)
"Great tour company and guide/driver, would highly recommend. Tour gave a great overview of Iceland."
Petrina, traveled in July
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogar,Vik,Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon,Hof,Djupivogur,Egilsstadir,Myvatn,Dimmuborgir,Mount Namaskard,Godafoss,Akureyri,Borgarnes,Snæfellsnes,Djupalonssandur,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Kirkjufell Mountain,Stykkisholmur,Borgarfjörður,Reykholt,Hraunfossar+22 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Troll Expeditions
From
US$2,688per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Jan, 2027
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2 Jan, 2027
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Nature & Wildlife
6 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
4.0 (5 traveler reviews)
"Excellent tour operator that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone interested in an adventure in Iceland!"
Hong, traveled in December
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss, Seljaland,Skogafoss,Solheimajokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon,Faskrudsfjordur,Egilsstadir,Mount Namaskard,Hverfjall Volcano,Myvatn,Godafoss,Akureyri,Blonduos,Borgarnes+15 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Troll Expeditions
From
US$2,284per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Jan, 2027
10+ spaces left
2 Jan, 2027
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Northern Lights
Premium Iceland in Winter
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Fludir, Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon,Borgarfjörður+2 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Premium
From
US$4,545per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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3 Jan, 2027
8 spaces left
10 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
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$Iceland Fire and Ice (Classic ( Until 3 Mar \'27), Winter) Tour$
$Iceland Fire and Ice (Classic ( Until 3 Mar \'27), Winter) - 14 destinations$
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Adventure & Adrenaline
Iceland Fire and Ice (Classic ( Until 3 Mar '27), Winter)
5.0 (5 traveler reviews)
"You will meet some of the nicest people in the world and also see some of the greatest sites to explore on earth."
Matthew, traveled in April
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Efstidalur, Geysir,Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogar,Reynisfjara,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Vatnajokull National Park,Vik,Reykjanesfólkvangur Reserve,Blue Lagoon+9 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
From
US$1,791per person
Price based on Shared Room
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20 Jan, 2027
9 spaces left
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Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
Northern Lights
5 Days Land of Northern Lights
4.5 (176 traveler reviews)
"Was awesome 🙌🏽. Had fun!!!"
Fiona, traveled in January
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Hella, Eyjafjallajokull,Seljaland,Skogar,Solheimajokull,Myrdalsjokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Geysir,Gullfoss,Thingvellir National Park+9 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
GJ Travel
5% Off
From $1,296
US$1,231per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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5 Jan, 2027
10+ spaces left
7 Jan, 2027
10+ spaces left
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Northern Lights
Iceland (Winter): Geysers & Glaciers
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Secret Lagoon,Geysir,Skaftafell,Reynisfjara,Hraunfossar,Snæfellsnes,Arnarstapi,Stykkisholmur+7 more
Age Range
Ages 18-32
Regions
Thingvellir National ParkJokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Topdeck
5% Off
From
US$2,669per person
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2 Jan, 2027
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23 Jan, 2027
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Northern Lights
Geluxe: Winter in Iceland: Otherworldly Landscapes & Northern Lights
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Hella, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir,Gullfoss,Secret Lagoon,Snæfellsnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Djupalonssandur,Arnarstapi+6 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
5% Off
From
US$3,799per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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18 Jan, 2027
5 spaces left
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Northern Lights
4 Days in Reykjavík Winter Package
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"We fell in love with the stunning beauty all around us there. I might add, now I know what everyone's talking about with their soup comments...YES THE SOUP WAS DELICIOUS!!!"
Maralee, traveled in March
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Kerid Volcano, Gullfoss, Geysir,Thingvellir National Park,Hvolsvollur,Vik,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Seljaland,Borgarnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Djupalonssandur,Arnarstapi,Reykjanesviti+11 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
BusTravel Iceland
5% Off
From
US$434per person
Price based on Shared Room
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1 Jan, 2027
10+ spaces left
2 Jan, 2027
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Handpicked adventures loved by our team
TourRadar Curated
Northern Lights
8 Days Northern Lights Exploration
4.7 (102 traveler reviews)
"There were so many tours to choose from, so pleased I went with GJ Tours… the smaller group, itinerary, and exceptional tour guide/drive, Thor."
Erin, traveled in November
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Grábrók Volcano, Hraunfossar, Reykholt,Borgarnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Grundarfjordur,Thingvellir National Park,Geysir,Gullfoss,Hella,Eyjafjallajokull,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Skaftafell,Vik,Seljaland,Blue Lagoon+16 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
GJ Travel
10% Off
From $2,835
US$2,551per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Jan, 2027
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8 Jan, 2027
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Northern Lights
Geluxe: Winter in Iceland: Waterfalls & Aurora Nights
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Seljaland, Skogar, Hella,Thingvellir National Park,Geysir,Gullfoss,Secret Lagoon+4 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
10% Off
From
US$2,799per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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18 Jan, 2027
5 spaces left
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Northern Lights
Iceland Winter Getaway - 5 days
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss,Skogafoss,Vik+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
15% Off
From $2,665
US$2,265per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Jan, 2027
6 spaces left
2 Jan, 2027
6 spaces left
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Northern Lights
Iceland Winter Express - 4 days
1.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Borgarfjörður, Reykholt, Hraunfossar,Djupalonssandur,Skogafoss,Eyjafjallajokull,Myrdalsjokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Hof,Jokulsarlon,Vatnajokull National Park,Skaftafell+10 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
15% Off
From $2,070
US$1,760per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Jan, 2027
10+ spaces left
2 Jan, 2027
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
10 Days Self-drive | In-Depth Iceland Ring Road Tour (Winter)
5.0 (4 traveler reviews)
"Every question I had beforehand and during the trip was quickly responded to. Highlights were zodiac tour of lagoon, glacier hike and puffins."
Ann, traveled in May
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykholt, Borgarnes, Snæfellsnes, Arnarstapi,Kirkjufell Mountain,Hvitserkur,Akureyri,Godafoss,Myvatn,Dettifoss,Egilsstadir,Bakkagerdi,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Hof,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Reynisfjara,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Solheimajokull,Hella,Hvolsvollur,Thingvellir National Park,Gullfoss,Geysir,Kerid Volcano,Reykjavik,Blue Lagoon+24 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Iceland Ring Road
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% Off
From $3,089
US$2,780per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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4 Jan, 2027
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5 Jan, 2027
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
8 Days Self-drive | Around Iceland Ring Road Tour (Winter)
4.8 (6 traveler reviews)
"It was a tremendous amount of help to have an itinerary to follow. Iceland is definetly a country worth visiting and experience."
John, traveled in May
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykholt, Borgarnes, Hvitserkur, Akureyri,Godafoss,Myvatn,Hverarönd,Dettifoss,Egilsstadir,Borgarfjörður,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Hof,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Reynisfjara,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Solheimajokull,Hella,Hvolsvollur,Thingvellir National Park,Gullfoss,Geysir,Kerid Volcano,Reykjavik,Blue Lagoon+22 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Iceland Ring Road
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% Off
From $2,676
US$2,408per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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4 Jan, 2027
10+ spaces left
5 Jan, 2027
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Northern Lights
Iceland Winter Adventure
4.7 (21 traveler reviews)
"It was all we had hoped for."
Jan, traveled in November
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Akranes, Akureyri, Hrísey, Godafoss,Myvatn,Dettifoss,Egilsstadir,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Vik,Thingvellir National Park,Gullfoss,Geysir+9 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Country Region
Iceland Ring Road
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
10% Off
From
US$4,100per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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23 Jan, 2027
10+ spaces left
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