Iceland 2026 solar eclipse short break

On arrival at Keflavik International Airport, pick up your hire car and drive to Hotel Ranga, where you’ll be based for the duration of your trip. The journey should take approximately two hours. This log cabin-style countryside retreat enjoys a delightfully peaceful and secluded setting on Iceland’s South Coast, just off the Ring Road. Expect warm, cosy vibes, delicious food, excellent service and comfortable, timber-clad accommodation with access to outdoor hot tubs. This evening, you’ll be treated to a delicious welcome dinner at the on-site restaurant, which specialises in modern Icelandic cuisine prepared using the finest quality and freshest local produce. Then, it’s time for a good night’s rest ahead of a big day tomorrow. 

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel this morning before setting off towards your chosen viewing point for the 2026 total solar eclipse. For your convenience, we have included a packed lunch. As the Hotel Ranga lies just outside the path of totality, you’ll need to drive west to find an optimal viewing location for this momentous event. The closest option is either Reykjavik or the Reykjanes Peninsula, which you can reach in around an hour-and-a-half, although the totality phase of the solar eclipse will only last a minute or so here. For the best viewing conditions, we recommend a longer drive up to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, which will experience over two minutes of totality as the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun.

It’s anticipated that the eclipse will begin at 16:47 GMT, reaching total darkness at around 17:48 GMT, but as the roads in Iceland will be significantly busier than usual on this day, we strongly suggest setting off early and allowing yourself plenty of time to reach your chosen viewing location. Do bear in mind that clear skies are needed for the best view of the solar eclipse, so a little luck regarding the weather conditions will be required on the day. Touch wood, you’ll return to the Hotel Ranga in the evening having experienced this exceptionally rare and awe-inspiring astronomical event. 

Fresh from the excitement of the solar eclipse, you have the whole day free to explore some of Iceland’s most renowned natural wonders – either on the South Coast, or in the Golden Circle region. If you opt to explore the South Coast (where the Hotel Ranga is located), the must-see sights include Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Skogafoss waterfall, Reynisfjara black sand beach and the picturesque village of Vik, all of which are within an hour’s drive of the hotel. If you set off early enough, you could even go as far as the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, although this would require a three-and-a-half hour drive each way from the Hotel Ranga.

Should you decide to focus your explorations on the Golden Circle region instead, the highlights are Thingvellir National Park (where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet along a dramatic rift valley), Geysir Geothermal Area (where you’ll find explosive geysers, boiling mudpots and steaming fumaroles) and the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. There are also several geothermal lagoons in the Golden Circle region, including Laugarvatn Fontana, the Secret Lagoon (Iceland’s oldest geothermal pool) and the brand-new Laugaras Lagoon. However you decide to plan your day, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of Iceland’s mesmerising natural beauty. 

Enjoy one final breakfast at the Hotel Ranga this morning before driving back to Keflavik International Airport, where you’ll drop off your hire car. If you have time, you may wish to make a stop en route at the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s most iconic geothermal lagoon – a fantastic way to round off your Icelandic adventure.