Compare Iceland holidays

A package holiday in Iceland may not be the obvious choice for a short break, but with Reykjavík only a three-hour flight from the UK, weekend breaks here make a lot of sense.

In just a few hours, you could be dipping your toes in the warm, soothing silica of the Blue Lagoon, admiring the brilliant façade of the Harpa concert hall, glimpsing the shimmering glory of the Northern Lights, or heading out onto Iceland’s coastal waters for a spot of whale or puffin watching.

Also within easy reach are the famous Golden Circle of Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir and Thingvellir National Park, a trio of true natural wonders.

Beyond its natural assets, Iceland has plenty to satisfy your cultural cravings. In Reykjavík, the country’s tiny but thriving capital city, you’ll find art galleries, photography museums, live music venues and a well-developed café and restaurant scene, as well as independent boutiques galore.

Further afield, in Akureyri, Iceland’s northern second city, a burgeoning arts scene is beginning to lure visitors keen for a taste of something different.

Holidays in Iceland can be made or ruined by the weather, and each season has its advantages and disadvantages. With summer comes much warmer temperatures – around 13C – and the magical light of the midnight sun.

Your chances of ticking off seeing the Northern Lights are much greater during the winter months, which is also the time for the best snow and ice-laden views around the country which will really take your breath away (as will the sub-zero temperatures!).

You’ll find cheap Iceland deals during the winter months from October to March, when colder weather and shorter days mean there are fewer tourists visiting, and hotel and car hire prices are significantly lower. This is also the best time to bag one of Iceland’s renowned aurora-spotting package deals.

Midnight Sun Run: Spend the summer solstice cheering on – or running alongside - 2,500 competitors as they take advantage of Iceland’s midnight sun to run around Reykjavík for the Midnight Sun Run. Distances range from 5 kilometres (3 miles) to a half marathon, but all are welcome to take a dip in the Laugardalur baths afterwards.

• Currency: Króna (kr)
  
  
• Capital city: Reykjavík
  
  
• Language: Icelandic
  
  
• Key phrase to learn: Hjálp ég er villtur (Help, I am lost!)
  
  
• Time difference: Same as UK
  
  
• Average flight time: Three hours
  
  
• International phone code: +354
  
  
• Emergency services number: 112
  
  
• Public holidays: New Year's Day (January 1), Maundy Thursday (Thursday before Easter Sunday), Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday), Easter Monday (Monday after Easter Sunday), First Day of Summer (Thursday after April 18), May Day (May 1), Ascension Day (40 days after Easter), Whit Monday (seventh Monday after Easter), Independence Day (June 17), Commerce Day (first Monday in August), Christmas Eve (December 24), Christmas Day (December 25), St Stephen's Day (December 26).
  
  
• Link to FCO travel advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iceland