Archives: Blogs

Late Summer in Iceland: Big Days Out, Hot Springs and Fewer Crowds

Late summer in Iceland is a great time to visit. August is winding down, September is around the corner and the busiest part of the summer is behind us. There’s still plenty of daylight to get out and explore, but the evenings are getting darker, the landscape is starting to change colour and there’s a little more space to enjoy it all.

For us, this is when Iceland gets really good.
And there’s one combination we particularly like: spend the day exploring, then get into hot water.
Waterfalls, geysers and volcanoes first. Geothermal pools afterwards.

Simple.

Give the Golden Circle a Little Twist

You’ve probably heard of the Golden Circle. There’s a reason almost everyone visiting Iceland wants to see it.
Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and Strokkur erupting every few minutes are the classics. They’re worth seeing.
But the Golden Circle doesn’t have to be just about ticking off the big three.
You can go a little deeper into Iceland’s geothermal side, visit two erupting geysers, Strokkur and Eilífur, and see how Icelanders have been using the heat beneath their feet to bake bread underground.Then there’s Kerið.
It’s a volcanic crater filled with blue-green water, surrounded by red volcanic rock. You can walk around the rim and down towards the lake, and it’s one of those places that makes Iceland’s geology a lot easier to understand, then, after a day of exploring, it’s time for the good part.

Hvammsvík: Hot Springs, Mountains and the Atlantic

If you like your wellness a little wild, Hvammsvík Hot Springs is hard to beat.
It’s tucked away on the edge of Hvalfjörður, around 45 minutes from Reykjavík. There are eight geothermal pools spread along the shoreline, with mountains on one side and the Atlantic on the other.
The sea actually flows into some of the pools as the tide changes, so the experience is never exactly the same twice.

And yes, you can jump into the Atlantic.

It’s cold.

Very cold.

But the hot pool waiting for you afterwards makes a convincing argument for giving it a go.

Combine Hvammsvík with the Golden Circle, and you’ve got a pretty good Icelandic day: geysers, waterfalls and geothermal landscapes followed by a couple of hours doing very little at all.

Sky Lagoon: The City Version

You don’t have to travel far from Reykjavík to get into geothermal water.

Sky Lagoon sits right on the Atlantic, just outside the city centre. It’s more polished than Hvammsvík, but that’s part of the appeal.
The infinity-style geothermal lagoon looks straight out across the ocean, and the seven-step Skjól Ritual adds cold water, sauna, mist, body scrub and steam to the experience.

Our suggestion?
Do the Golden Circle and Kerið during the day. Sky Lagoon afterwards.
You’ll sleep well.

Blue Lagoon: Famous for a Reason

Yes, you’ve seen it on Instagram.

And yes, Blue Lagoon really is that blue.
The warm geothermal seawater sits in the middle of a black lava field and contains naturally occurring silica, algae and minerals.
It’s become one of Iceland’s most famous experiences, but there’s still something slightly surreal about floating around in warm, milky-blue water while surrounded by lava.
Pair it with the Golden Circle and Kerið, and you get many of Iceland’s greatest hits in one day.

Not bad for a Tuesday.

Why Late Summer?

Late August and September sit in a sweet spot between Iceland’s summer and autumn seasons.

There’s still enough daylight for proper days out, but the nights are getting darker again. By late August, there’s even a chance of catching the first Northern Lights of the season if it’s dark enough, the skies are clear and the aurora is active.The countryside also starts changing. Greens give way to yellows, reds and browns, the air gets a little crisper and Iceland begins to feel different from high summer.

Bring a good jacket.

Then find some hot water.

Choose Your Late Summer Adventure

Golden Circle Geothermal Wonderland
Go beyond the classic Golden Circle with two geysers, geothermal landscapes and Icelandic bread baked using heat from the ground.

https://nicetravel.is/iceland-tours/geothermal-wonderland-small-group-tour-golden-circle-two-geysers-geothermal-bakery/

Golden Circle Geothermal Wonderland & Hvammsvík Hot Springs
A day of waterfalls, geysers and geothermal landscapes followed by eight hot springs overlooking Hvalfjörður.

https://nicetravel.is/iceland-tours/golden-circle-hvamssvik-hot-spring-whale-fjord/

Golden Circle, Sky Lagoon & Kerið Volcanic Crater
Explore Iceland’s classic Golden Circle and Kerið before finishing the day in geothermal water overlooking the North Atlantic.

https://nicetravel.is/iceland-tours/sky-lagoon-iceland-golden-circle/

Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Kerið Volcano
The Golden Circle, a volcanic crater and Iceland’s most famous geothermal lagoon in one day, with all admissions included.

https://nicetravel.is/iceland-tours/golden-circle-blue-lagoon-and-kerid-crater/

Adventure First. Hot Springs Afterwards.

You don’t have to choose between seeing Iceland and slowing down.

Do both.

Get outside. See the waterfalls. Wait for the geyser to erupt. Walk around a volcanic crater. Feel the wind, probably get rained on at some point, and then spend the end of the day sitting in naturally heated water.

That’s late summer in Iceland.

Experience Iceland. The Nice Way.

 

Iceland’s South Coast is home to some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes, and nowhere is that more evident than around Vík í Mýrdal and the world-famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Shaped by volcanic eruptions, powerful Atlantic waves and centuries of natural forces, this extraordinary coastline has become one of Iceland’s most photographed destinations—and now one of Hollywood’s most breathtaking filming regions.

Christopher Nolan chose Iceland’s South Coast as one of the spectacular filming locations for The Odyssey, using the region’s volcanic landscapes, endless black sand beaches and dramatic coastline to bring Homer’s legendary journey to life. If you’re searching for the landscapes featured in The Odyssey, Reynisfjara and the Vík region are among the highlights you won’t want to miss.

Reynisfjara – Iceland’s Most Famous Black Sand Beach

Located just 10 minutes from the village of Vík, Reynisfjara is consistently ranked among the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Its jet-black volcanic sand, towering basalt columns, powerful Atlantic waves and the iconic Reynisdrangar sea stacks create a landscape unlike anywhere else on Earth. Whether you’re visiting Iceland because of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey or simply exploring the country’s incredible natural wonders, Reynisfjara is one of the absolute highlights of the South Coast.

Explore the Landscapes Around Vík

The landscapes surrounding Vík are among the most spectacular in Iceland and have become famous worldwide for both their natural beauty and their appearance in major film productions.

While some filming locations used in The Odyssey are spread across the wider South Coast region, a visit to Reynisfjara offers visitors the opportunity to experience the same dramatic volcanic scenery that made this part of Iceland the perfect backdrop for the film.

Nearby you’ll also find:

• Dyrhólaey – One of Iceland’s finest viewpoints overlooking Reynisfjara and the Atlantic Ocean.
• Skógafoss – One of Iceland’s largest and most spectacular waterfalls.
• Seljalandsfoss – The famous waterfall where visitors can walk behind the cascading water.
• Sólheimajökull Glacier – A popular glacier known for its rugged ice formations.
• Vík Village – A picturesque coastal village with cafés, restaurants, local shops and the iconic hilltop church.

Experience The Odyssey Landscapes with NiceTravel

Many travelers discover Iceland after watching movies filmed here, and The Odyssey is already inspiring visitors from around the world to experience these incredible landscapes in person.

Many of NiceTravel’s South Coast tours include stops at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Vík, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, allowing you to experience some of the most iconic scenery seen in the same South Coast region featured in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey—all with an expert local guide.

Please note: While The Odyssey was filmed across several locations on Iceland’s South Coast, individual tour itineraries visit selected highlights of the region.

Visitor Tips

• Allow 30–60 minutes to explore Reynisfjara.
• Stay well away from the shoreline, as the beach is famous for its powerful and unpredictable sneaker waves.
• Visit early in the morning or later in the evening for the best photography conditions.
• Combine Reynisfjara with Vík and Dyrhólaey for the ultimate South Coast experience.

Related Tours

• South Coast Adventure | Waterfalls, Glacier & Black Beach
• 2-Day Highlights of Iceland Tour Package | Intro to the Land of Ice and Fire
• 2-Day South Coast Tour | Blue Ice Cave, Jokulsarlon, Black Beach & Waterfalls
• 2-Day Summer South Coast Tour | Glacier Lagoon, Canyon & Glacier Hike
• 2-Day Summer South Coast Tour | Waterfalls, Black Beach & Optional Glacial
• 3-Day Winter Wonderland Tour | Golden Circle, South Coast, Hot Springs & Ice Cave
• 3-Day South Coast Tour | Golden Circle, Ice Cave, Jokulsarlon & Waterfalls
• 3-Day Ice & Fire Package | South Coast, Golden Circle & Spa
• 3-Day Highlights of Iceland Tour Package | Waterfalls, Glaciers & Lava Caving
• 3-Day Summer Tour | The Golden Circle, South Coast & Optional Glacial Safari
• 3-Day Tour | The Golden Circle, South Coast, Glacier Lagoon & Glacier Hike
• 4-Day South and West Package | Adventure & Nature
• 4-Day Winter Package | Stunning South Coast & West Iceland
• 5-Day Winter Package | Golden Circle, South and West Coast of Iceland
• 5-Day Ice & Fire Summer Package | West & South Iceland
• Ring road tours around Iceland

FAQ

1. Where is Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach?

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is located on Iceland’s South Coast, about 10 km (6 miles) west of the village of Vík í Mýrdal. It is one of Iceland’s most famous natural attractions and is included on several of Nice Travel’s South Coast tours.

2. Was The Odyssey filmed at Reynisfjara?

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey was filmed across several locations on Iceland’s South Coast, with Reynisfjara and the surrounding volcanic landscapes sharing the same dramatic scenery seen throughout the film. Nice Travel’s South Coast tours visit Reynisfjara and several of the region’s most iconic attractions, allowing visitors to experience the spectacular landscapes that made this part of Iceland a favourite filming destination.

3. How far is Reynisfjara from Reykjavík?

Reynisfjara is approximately 180 km (112 miles) from Reykjavík, with a drive of around 2.5 to 3 hours each way. If you prefer not to drive, Nice Travel offers comfortable day tours and multi day tours that include Reynisfjara and other South Coast highlights.

4. How much time should I spend at Reynisfjara?

Most visitors spend between 30 and 60 minutes exploring the beach and taking photos. On a guided tour with Nice Travel, you’ll have enough time to enjoy the scenery while also visiting waterfalls, glaciers and other nearby attractions.

5. Can I visit Reynisfjara in winter?

Yes. Reynisfjara is open all year and looks spectacular in every season. Winter weather in Iceland can be unpredictable, so many visitors choose a guided tour with Nice Travel and experienced local drivers who are familiar with Iceland’s road and weather conditions.

6. Why is the sand at Reynisfjara black?

The black sand is made from volcanic basalt that has been broken down by the Atlantic Ocean over thousands of years. A local guide on a Nice Travel tour can also explain the geology and fascinating history behind this unique landscape.

7. Is Reynisfjara safe to visit?

Yes, as long as you follow the safety signs and keep well away from the shoreline. Reynisfjara is famous for its powerful sneaker waves. On a guided tour, your Nice Travel guide will explain the safety rules before you explore the beach.

8. What are the Reynisdrangar sea stacks?

The Reynisdrangar sea stacks are towering basalt rock formations just offshore from Reynisfjara. According to Icelandic folklore, they are trolls that were turned to stone by the rising sun. They are one of the highlights on every Nice Travel South Coast tour.

9. What else can I see near Reynisfjara?

Many of Iceland’s most famous attractions are nearby, including Vík, Dyrhólaey, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss and Sólheimajökull Glacier. Nice Travel combines these iconic sights into carefully planned South Coast tours, making it easy to experience them in a single trip.

10. Can I visit Reynisfjara on a guided tour?

Absolutely. Reynisfjara is included on several Nice Travel tours, from South Coast day tours to multi day adventures that also visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach and other spectacular destinations. Travelling with a local guide lets you relax and enjoy the scenery while learning more about Iceland’s nature, history and culture.

11. Can you swim at Reynisfjara?

No. Reynisfjara is known for dangerous sneaker waves, strong currents and rapidly changing sea conditions. Visitors should never enter the water and must remain well away from the shoreline.

Let’s get one thing out of the way: nobody can promise you the Northern Lights. Anyone who does is selling you something. The aurora is a wild, capricious, gloriously uncooperative phenomenon that answers to the Sun and the weather and absolutely nobody’s holiday itinerary.

But here’s the good news — Iceland is one of the best places on the entire planet to tilt the odds dramatically in your favor. Sitting right beneath the auroral oval (the ring around the magnetic pole where the lights are strongest), with vast stretches of dark, empty countryside and very little light pollution, the whole island is essentially a front-row seat. You just need to know when to show up, where to look, and how to read the sky like a local.

So grab a hot chocolate, and let’s turn you into an aurora hunter.

First, what are the Northern Lights?

The short, romantic version: it’s the Sun sneezing, and the sky catching it beautifully.

The slightly longer version: the Sun constantly hurls charged particles into space on the solar wind. When a big burst of them — often from a solar flare or a coronal mass ejection — collides with Earth’s magnetic field, those particles get funneled toward the poles and slam into gas molecules high in our atmosphere. The gases light up like a cosmic neon sign. Oxygen gives you the classic greens (and rare, high-altitude reds); nitrogen adds purples and pinks.

The result is a curtain of light that ripples, sways, and occasionally explodes across the entire sky. It is, frankly, one of the few natural sights that consistently makes grown adults gasp out loud.

When to go: the season that actually matters

This is the single most important thing to understand, so here it is in plain terms: you cannot see the Northern Lights in the Icelandic summer.

It’s not that the aurora takes a holiday — it’s that the sky never gets dark enough. From roughly May to late August, Iceland basks in the famous midnight sun, and no amount of solar activity will show up against a bright sky. (This is also, incidentally, why our August 2026 solar eclipse is such a treat — but that’s another blog.)

The aurora season runs from late August through mid-April, when nights are long and dark. Within that window, though, not all months are created equal:

• Late September–October and February–March are the sweet spots. Around the spring and autumn equinoxes, geomagnetic activity tends to run noticeably higher — roughly twice as active as midsummer or midwinter — thanks to a quirk of physics called the Russell–McPherron effect, where Earth’s magnetic field lines up more favorably with the solar wind. These months also give you a kinder balance of dark skies and tolerable weather.
• November–January offers the longest, darkest nights — up to 19–20 hours of darkness around the winter solstice — which means more hours of hunting. The trade-off is harsher weather and more cloud, plus it’s peak season, so book accommodation well ahead.

And there’s a special bonus right now: the Sun is near the peak of its 11-year activity cycle (Solar Cycle 25), which crested around 2025 and is still carrying elevated activity into 2026. In practice that means more frequent, more intense displays than a typical year — and the next comparable window won’t come around until the mid-2030s. If you’ve ever thought “someday,” this is the someday.

The best time of night

The aurora is a night-owl. The prime viewing window is generally 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM, with activity often peaking around 10:30 PM to 1:00 AM. That said, a strong display can light up the sky the moment it’s fully dark and keep going until dawn. Patience is the aurora hunter’s true superpower — dress warmly and be willing to wait.

Where to look

The golden rule: get away from artificial light, and get under a clear patch of sky. Beyond that, here are some reliable spots.

Near Reykjavík (great if you’re short on time):

• Grótta Lighthouse on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula — a local favorite, just minutes from the city center.
• Öskjuhlíð Hill — a wooded hill near the city that blocks some of the urban glow.
• Þingvellir National Park — about 45 minutes out, with dark skies and dramatic rift-valley scenery to frame your photos.

Further afield (darker skies, better odds):

• The Westfjords and North Iceland enjoy longer hours of darkness and some of the most remote, light-pollution-free skies in the country.
• Vík and the South Coast — pair the aurora with black-sand beaches and waterfalls.
• Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon — auroras reflected in a lagoon full of floating icebergs is the stuff of postcards (and very good Instagram).

How to read the forecast like a local

This is the part most casual guides skip, and it’s the most useful thing you’ll learn. Iceland has a secret weapon: the Icelandic Met Office aurora forecast at en.vedur.is, which cleverly combines two things on one screen — predicted aurora strength and a cloud-cover map. Because the real enemy of aurora hunting isn’t weak solar activity; it’s clouds.

A few terms worth knowing:

• Kp index — a 0–9 scale of geomagnetic activity. At Iceland’s high latitude, Kp 2 or higher is often enough to see something. Kp 5+ can mean a genuinely spectacular show. (For reference, the famous May 2024 storm hit Kp 9 — the strongest in over two decades.)
• Cloud cover — on the Vedur map, clear skies show up as white/green-free zones. The trick is to cross-reference: if activity is decent and your area is clear, go. If you’re clouded in, look for the nearest clear patch and be willing to drive 30–60 minutes toward it.
• The Bz reading (for the data nerds) — when this number goes negative, it’s like a door opening in Earth’s magnetic field. Negative Bz + decent solar wind speed = good signs.

The single best tip: check the forecast in the evening, around 9 PM — not at lunchtime. Icelandic weather changes with breathtaking speed. A hopeless-looking afternoon can clear into a perfect night within an hour, and a flawless forecast can cloud over just as fast. Stay flexible, stay ready to move.

A few hard-won practical tips

• Dress like you mean it. You’ll be standing still, outdoors, at night, in Iceland. Thermal layers, a windproof outer shell, hat, gloves, and warm boots. The cold is what sends most people back to the car before the lights actually appear.
• Let your eyes adjust. Give yourself 15–20 minutes away from any light — including your phone screen — to develop proper night vision. Faint auroras hide from impatient eyes.
• Cameras see more than you do. A modern phone on night mode or a camera on a tripod (long exposure, a few seconds) will often reveal greens and structure your eyes can barely register. Don’t be discouraged by a faint glow overhead — point a camera at it and be amazed.
• The aurora can be subtle. People often expect a Hollywood explosion of color and walk past a real one thinking it’s a wispy grey cloud. If a “cloud” looks oddly stationary or faintly green, look again — that’s it.

The smart way to do it

You can absolutely chase the lights independently — rent a car, bookmark Vedur, and head into the dark with a thermos and a sense of adventure. But there’s a real case for going with a local guide, especially on a tight schedule: guides watch the forecasts obsessively, know which back road will be clear when the coast is socked in, and will happily drive you an hour across the island to the one patch of open sky. That local knowledge is often the difference between a magical night and a cold, cloudy disappointment.

However you do it, remember the aurora rewards the persistent. Give yourself several nights if you can, keep your expectations honest and your layers thick, and when those green ribbons finally come rippling across the sky, you’ll understand exactly why people travel across the world to stand in the freezing dark and look up.

Ready to chase the lights? Get in touch with Nicetravel and let’s build a trip that puts you under Iceland’s darkest, most aurora-friendly skies — at exactly the right time of year.

Mark your calendars, set your alarms, and start polishing your “I was there” face. On August 12, 2026, Iceland is about to do something it hasn’t done in over 70 years and won’t do again for nearly two centuries: stand directly beneath the Moon’s shadow as the Sun blinks out in the middle of a summer afternoon.

This is a total solar eclipse — not the kind where the Sun looks slightly nibbled, but the kind where day becomes twilight, the temperature drops, the stars come out, and a small portion of humanity loses its collective composure. If you’ve never seen one, no description does it justice. If you have, you already know why people chase these things across the globe.

The good news? This time, the eclipse is coming to us.

A genuinely rare visitor

Let’s put the rarity in perspective. The last total solar eclipse visible from Iceland was on June 30, 1954. The next one after 2026? You’ll have to wait until the year 2196. So unless you’re reading this with extraordinary genes and a very good skincare routine, August 12, 2026 is the only chance you’ll get in your lifetime to see this happen on Icelandic soil.

This is also the first total solar eclipse over mainland Europe since 1999, and it carves a dramatic, almost theatrical path: beginning over the Arctic wilderness of Siberian Russia, arcing up and over the top of the world near the North Pole, brushing eastern Greenland, sweeping across western Iceland, and finally bowing out over northern Spain and a sliver of Portugal. Iceland and Spain are the two places where most of the world’s eclipse-chasers will gather — and Iceland gets the early, golden-hour seat.

The when and where (this part matters)

Here’s the catch with total eclipses: you have to be standing inside the path of totality — the narrow ribbon where the Moon completely covers the Sun. Step outside it, even slightly, and you’ll only get a partial eclipse, which is a bit like being invited to a feast and handed the menu.

In Iceland, that path crosses the westernmost edge of the country. The action begins in the late afternoon / early evening, with totality sweeping across the land starting around 17:43 local time. Because the Icelandic summer sun doesn’t actually set until nearly 10pm, the whole spectacle plays out in beautiful low, golden light rather than the middle of the day.

The Moon’s shadow makes its first landfall at Straumnes Lighthouse in the remote Hornstrandir region of the Westfjords, then races south at a frankly absurd 3,400 km/h (about 2,110 mph). A few highlights along the path:

• Látrabjarg (Westfjords): The longest totality on the Icelandic mainland — about 2 minutes and 13 seconds. This dramatic clifftop, already famous for its puffins and sweeping Atlantic views, is expected to draw a serious crowd.
• Ísafjörður: The largest town in the Westfjords, with roughly 1 minute 31 seconds of totality — a great option if you’d like a roof over your head and a hot meal nearby.
• Snæfellsnes peninsula & Reykjavík: The shadow sweeps down across the famously photogenic Snæfellsnes and over the capital region.
• Reykjanes peninsula: A spectacular finale. The towns of Garður and Sandgerði enjoy the longest totality in the south at just over 1 minute 40 seconds, while Keflavík International Airport gets 1m 38s, and guests soaking at the Blue Lagoon can watch the sky go dark from the warm geothermal water for about 1m 36s. Yes, really.

The very last scrap of the Moon’s shadow leaves the mainland at Reykjanestá Lighthouse at 17:50:07, having spent a grand total of around seven minutes crossing the country. Blink and — well, please don’t blink.

What you’ll actually see

For the brief minutes of totality, the experience is genuinely otherworldly. Day fades to an eerie twilight. The Sun’s ghostly outer atmosphere — the corona — flares out around the black disc of the Moon like a silver crown. And because it gets dark enough, you may catch a small planetary party in the sky: Venus glowing in the southwest, Jupiter and Mercury in the west, and possibly Mars lurking low in the northwest. A few bright stars will pop out too — the Sun sits in the constellation Leo, so its brightest star, Regulus, may appear just to the side.

And here’s a uniquely Icelandic possibility: along the Reykjanes peninsula, where volcanic eruptions have become something of a recurring local event, you might just witness a total solar eclipse and glowing lava at the same time. There is no other place on Earth offering that particular combination. (And yes — visiting is perfectly safe even when an eruption is ongoing.)

A very important safety word

We’ll say this plainly, because it matters: never look directly at the Sun during the partial phases without proper, certified solar eclipse glasses or filters. Regular sunglasses do nothing. Looking through a camera, phone, or binoculars without a proper solar filter is worse than doing nothing.

The only moment it’s safe to look with the naked eye is during the few precious minutes of total coverage, when the Sun’s disc is completely hidden. The instant the first sliver of sunlight returns, the glasses go back on. Plan ahead, get certified glasses early (they sell out), and protect those eyes — you’ll want them in working order for 2196.

Why you should plan now

Here’s the thing about a once-in-multiple-lifetimes event: everyone wants in. Accommodation in the Westfjords and along the Reykjanes peninsula will fill up fast, roads will be busier than usual, and the best viewing spots will draw crowds from all over the world. Iceland is about to host one of the great astronomical gatherings of the decade.

The smart move is to decide where you want to be — clifftop drama at Látrabjarg, the cozy charm of Ísafjörður, the steaming waters of the Blue Lagoon, or a hand-picked spot somewhere along the path — and lock in your plans early. The weather, as always in Iceland, will do whatever it likes, so flexibility and a good guide are worth their weight in gold.

That’s where we come in. Whether you’re an eclipse-chasing veteran or someone who just realized this is a big deal, this is one of those rare days that rewards being in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. Let us help you get there.

The Sun goes out for two minutes on August 12, 2026. Don’t spend them stuck in the wrong spot.

Ready to plan your eclipse adventure? Get in touch with Nicetravel and let’s find you the private tour to stand when the lights go out.