Iceland Holidays

Iceland is a country located in the North Atlantic Ocean, with Reykjavik being its capital city. It has an incredibly varied landscape consisting of volcanoes, geysers, glaciers, hot springs, and lava fields among others. Iceland experiences a cool, temperate maritime climate, with cooler summers and winters. A unique feature of this country is that daylight can last well into the night in the summer months.

Many jetsetters are drawn to Iceland due to its stunning natural scenery and landscapes. One of the top tourist attractions in the country is the aurora borealis, or the northern lights, which can typically be seen during winter outside the city. The country’s nickname of ‘the Land of Ice and Fire’ gives another hint as to why tourists are so eager to visit—many want to see the fascinating combination of glaciers and volcanoes that adorn the land.

Iceland is a great destination for every type of holidaymaker to visit. Whether you are seeking family friendly Iceland holidays or Iceland family holiday packages, there is plenty to do, such as whale watching Iceland trips and horse-riding. If you are after romantic getaways Reykjavik style or couples’ holidays to Iceland, you will love a trip to the geothermal pools and an Iceland hot springs holiday. Solo explorers and those booking group trips to Iceland from Ireland will enjoy the array of tours available, from black sand beach Iceland tours to Aurora Borealis Iceland packages.

Flights depart from Dublin to Reykjavik Keflavik regularly. The estimated flight time is around 2 hours 45 minutes. It is approximately a 45-minute drive from the airport into Reykjavik city centre, making Reykjavik city breaks from Dublin incredibly convenient.

To learn more about things to do in Iceland, the best time to go, and local info, speak to our expert team to find your perfect Iceland trip package.

 

Pro Tip: The "Cloud-Free" Secret

Most people search for cheap Northern Lights trips, but here is what the data does not tell you: Do not just book for one night. Because demand is so high, tours sell out quickly. My expert advice as a travel agent is to book a trip for at least 3 nights. If the sky is cloudy on night one, most good tour operators will let you go again the next night for free! This gives you the best chance to see the lights without spending extra money.

 

Hear From Our Happy Jetsetters

"I booked our holiday through Budget Travel one week prior to our departure date. Travelled last week in July. Same rate online as over the phone, therefore, I was able to speak to an agent to have any questions answered and she made the booking for me. Confirmation was done via email and just needed to print off hotel voucher and transfer vouchers. Would recommend and use Budget Travel again."

• Mrs Daly, Kerry (Rated 5/5 stars)

"Very simple process to book online. First time using Budget Travel online. Will book again."

• Mary O (Rated 5/5 stars)

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit Iceland for Northern Lights?

To experience the best cheap Northern Lights trips, you should visit between late September and late March. The nights are longest and darkest during these winter months, giving you the greatest chance to see the spectacular Aurora Borealis.

What to do in Reykjavik on a budget, and how to see the Northern Lights cheaply?

Reykjavik offers plenty of free or low-cost attractions, such as walking tours, visiting the iconic Hallgrimskirkja church, and exploring the old harbour. To see the Northern Lights on a budget, consider booking affordable Blue Lagoon holiday packages that include transport, or take advantage of our Iceland holidays from Dublin that bundle your flights, hotel, and tours to save you money.

Is Iceland good for family holidays, and where to stay in Reykjavik?

Absolutely! Iceland is incredibly safe and offers fantastic family friendly Iceland holidays. Kids will love the interactive museums and whale watching tours. When deciding where to stay, the downtown Reykjavik area (Midborg) is highly recommended. It keeps you close to the main sights, affordable dining, and easy pick-up points for your cheap Iceland holidays from Ireland tours.

Things to do in Iceland 

Attractions  

• See the beautiful northern lights glow in the sky during the winter months.
• Take a dip in the geothermal baths dotted around the country.
• Explore one of the many hiking trails or mountainous areas the country has to offer.
• Visit one of Iceland’s black beaches, such as Reynisfjara – a black sand beach surrounded by black basalt cliffs.

Nightlife

Nightlife isn’t typically the first thing that springs to mind when people think of Iceland, but Reykjavik is actually home to a number of bars that are perfect for enjoying an evening drink in. One of the most popular spots for a night out in Reykjavik is Laugavegur as it is filled with restaurants and bars, some of which are even themed!

Dining Out

Much of Icelandic cuisine consists of fresh produce that has been grown locally in geothermal greenhouses around the country. Fish and meat dishes are very popular in Iceland, in particular lamb and various white fish. There is a great range of restaurants in Iceland, from fine-dining establishments to more budget friendly options so there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes and budget.

For Families  

Iceland is a great destination for a fun and educational holiday. There are many tours available which will take you around to show you the sights and areas of natural beauty, while also teaching you about how they came to be formed and about the country in general. Kids will love the whale and puffin watching tours in particular, which allows them to see these amazing animals up close in a safe and humane way. The puffin tours have an age limit of 10 years old, but if your child is too young there’s still a chance to see puffins around the South Coast and the Westfjords.

Beaches

While Iceland is not the destination for a traditional beach holiday, a visit to one of Iceland’s black beaches is a must. These are black sand beaches surrounded by cliffs made of black basalt where the Atlantic Ocean washes ashore with great force and the wind is extremely powerful. Reynisfjara beach in particular has become a popular tourist destination not only because of its beauty, but also due to it being featured in many movies and TV shows including Game of Thrones and Star Wars.

Shopping 

The majority of major shopping destinations in Iceland can be found in Reykjavik, where the main street Laugavegur can be found. This street is lined with boutiques and various other stores where a range of goods can be bought. If you’re looking for authentic Icelandic goods, smaller shops can be found hidden throughout the country such as Thorvaldsens Bazar, Reykjavik’s oldest shop, where you can buy goods such as handicrafts.

Food and Fun Festival

Taking place annually in late February/early March, the Food and Fun Festival sees chefs come from all over the world to Reykjavik to make tasty dishes out of Icelandic ingredients, which are then sold in some of the finest restaurants in the city for a set price.

Best Time to Go

The best time to visit Iceland depends on what you want to do on your holiday. If you want to see the northern lights, its recommended that you visit during winter, between February and March or September and October in particular. Just be prepared to wrap up warm, as temperatures are often freezing – sometimes reaching as low as –30*C! In June and July temperatures will be warmer, and visitors could get to experience the midnight sun, when the sun doesn’t set until 12am and rises again around 3am.

Local Info

Currency

The currency used in Iceland is the Icelandic krona.

Time Zone   

There is no time difference between Ireland and Iceland.

Getting around  

Many tourists choose to rent a car on their holiday to Iceland as this gives them the freedom to go wherever they want when they want. Taking the bus is also a viable option, with a number of companies offering bus tours around the whole country.