Hellllo travelers 
I want to add Iceland to my winter plans because I recently read that the northern lights are especially strong in 2025-2026 because of the solar cycle, with the next big peak coming in 2036. I don’t have the patience to wait another decade… so pls share your tips with me!
In particular, do you recommend that we go with a guided tour or is self-guided better? My husband has a European driving license so we won’t have a problem in that regards.
I agree - why wait a decade - sounds like a great adventure! I’ve only been to Iceland on a guided tour, so will share from that perspective. My Wife and I loved it, mainly because Iceland is so much more than the Northern Lights (I agree that’s the drawcard though!), and our guide really helped bring the whole place to life. From regularly sharing re-tellings of the great Icelandic Sagas, to going deep into the early settlers in this incredible and barren land to, of course, sharing the best tips on how to see the Northern Lights. Even in Winter, it’s tricky and most people need to work for it.
The lights usually come out VERY late at night (or VERY early in the morning). One of the things I loved the most about our guide was that she stayed up each night and checked on whether the lights were coming out and - if they did - she arranged for our rooms to be called so we could be woken up. It let us stay warm without the worry of missing something fantastic.
We got everything we wanted and more from the guided tour. There were perhaps a couple of spots where we might have stayed longer if we were on our own, but that was very much the exception and it was far outweighed by the cool stories and ‘local’ insights we would have missed without it.
If you really want flexibility but to still have the support, one of the options we looked at but didn’t go with was a self-drive package. This way you benefit from the planning of the tour company but still have the flexibility to do your own thing a bit more.
Have fun!
Hey @wander_tara !
From my own experience, I really enjoyed the guided tour in Iceland. Having a local tour guide with you explaining all the folklore and geology was fantastic. We drove by bus from spot to spot, giving you time to sit back and relax while enjoying the scenery. Nothing about our tour was rushed, so we got to see plenty. On some days, we were making such good time that the guide managed to show us a little bit more than the itinerary.
The tour guide was also a great help in explaining the Northern Lights. Waking us up to see them if you fell asleep in your cabin. So we got to see them multiple evenings! 
So I am not sure if one is better than the other, I guess it is more about what your preference in travel style?
Woww @Garry and @roann. Thank you for sharing your experience, both your trips sound incredible! May I ask which tour/operator you chose and which airport you flew into? Did either of you go to the Blue Lagoon, and if so, did you have enough time there to unwind? I’m even more excited now!
The tour I did was the following: Land of the Northern Lights - 5 days by On The Go Tours with 176 Tour Reviews (Code: LOTNL) - TourRadar
I know there is another local tour operator, GJ Travel, that provides a few different Iceland tours to look at. All Tours & Trips by GJ Travel in 2025/2026 - TourRadar
What a cool itinerary, thanks @roann! What’s does the code LOTNL mean?
I went to Iceland in February/March 2022, and we did a self-drive trip. I LOVED seeing the country like this because it really felt like you were exploring an alien planet all on your own. Iceland is an extremely approachable destination for self-drive trips, with perfectly paved and well-maintained roads everywhere (as long as they’re not covered with ice lol). But going at this time can be a bit challenging, as the weather can be super unpredictable, and road closures happen frequently, so being flexible with your travel plans is key. Also, you need to be comfortable with driving in these conditions. I’ve experienced Canadian winters my whole life, so it wasn’t too challenging for me, but just make sure you’re prepared for some icy and snowy roads. Be sure to check out this up-to-date road map, which will let you know about road conditions and closures!
I went to Iceland not on a tour, stayed mostly in the capital and booked a day trip but honestly I regretted it. Hearing what other people did I feel like I missed out on quite a bit 
