Iceland 2026 solar eclipse luxury experience

On arrival at Keflavik International Airport, pick up your hire car and make the scenic drive to Hotel Grimsborgir, where you’ll be based for the duration of your trip. This high-end countryside property consists of a mix of stylish rooms and suites housed in timber-clad, lodge-style buildings, together with a central restaurant, bar and reception area. Every room at Hotel Grimsborgir has access to a communal or private outdoor hot tub and a terrace. It’s beautifully positioned in the heart of Iceland’s famed Golden Circle region, within striking distance of several standout natural attractions and just a short drive from the town of Selfoss, where you’ll find an eclectic food hall in a former dairy factory.

Once you’ve settled into your accommodation, the rest of the day is yours to relax and, if time allows, get an initial feel for this spectacular corner of the country. In the evening, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at the on-site restaurant, which serves both Icelandic and international dishes alongside a selection of fine wines, local beer and superb cocktails. 

Enjoy a hearty breakfast this morning as you prepare for a full day exploring the Golden Circle – a region that offers a snapshot of Iceland’s otherworldly natural wonders. Travelling clockwise, your first stop will be Thingvellir National Park, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates diverge along a dramatic rift valley. You can easily pass a good hour or two making your way around the area’s numerous boardwalks and trails. Besides its geological splendour, Thingellir is also the site where the Althing, one of the oldest parliaments in the world, was founded in 930 AD.

From here, continue to Geysir Geothermal Area, where the Earth’s crust is punctuated by boiling mudpots, steaming fumaroles and explosive geysers – most notably Strokkur, which erupts over 20 metres into the air every few minutes. Then, make your way to perhaps the most impressive landmark in the Golden Circle region, Gullfoss waterfall. This thundering, two-tiered cascade tumbles majestically into a rocky gorge and creates a widespread sea of spray. Often, a vivid rainbow shines above Gullfoss, making it a photographer’s dream. Besides these three big hitters, there are several other attractions well worth checking out in the Golden Circle region, including Kerid Crater (an ancient volcanic cone filled with an emerald-hued lake) and the Secret Lagoon (the oldest geothermal pool in Iceland). This evening, dine at leisure back at the hotel or perhaps in nearby Selfoss. 

Today is the big day, as you’ll have the opportunity to witness the 2026 total solar eclipse. As the Hotel Grimsborgir is not located within the path of totality, you’ll need to drive west to reach an optimal viewing point for when the eclipse takes place. We have included a packed lunch on this day. As the roads in Iceland will be much busier than usual, we highly recommend setting off early and allowing yourself plenty of time to get to your chosen viewing spot. It’s anticipated that the eclipse will begin at 16:47 GMT, reaching total darkness at around 17:48 GMT as the Moon passes directly between the Sun and the Earth, plunging the sky into darkness as the stars and planets come into view.

The closest areas within the path of totality are Reykjavik and the Reykjanes Peninsula, which you’ll be able to reach by car in just over an hour (depending on traffic conditions). However, the totality phase of the solar eclipse will last just a minute here. So, if you’re prepared to drive a little further, the best viewing location is on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, which will experience over two minutes of totality. It’s also one of the most awe-inspiring regions in Iceland, with everything from black sand beaches to glacier-capped volcanoes, so it’s well worth getting there early to explore the epic landscapes before you get ready for the main event. Do bear in mind that clear skies are needed for the best view of the solar eclipse, so a slice of good fortune will be needed on the day. With a little luck, you’ll return to your hotel filled with awe having experienced this extraordinary phenomenon. 

Today we recommend exploring Iceland’s stunning South Coast, a region that’s home to some of the country’s most recognisable landmarks. Among these are Seljalandsfoss (a waterfall which you can walk behind), Skogafoss (one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls, which you can walk to the top of) and the eerily beautiful Reynisfjara black sand beach, which also features impressive basalt columns and the striking Reynisdrangar sea stacks. Just beyond Reynisfjara, meanwhile, is the village of Vik, which makes an ideal pitstop for lunch. The red-and-white church which sits above the village, with views of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks in the distance (on a clear day), is a postcard-worthy vantage point.

If time allows, you might also be tempted to take a small diversion off the Ring Road for a dip in Seljavallalaug, a geothermally heated pool tucked away in a mountain valley – reachable via a short hike from the parking lot. With no set agenda, it’s completely up to you how you decide to plot your route today. All of the aforementioned highlights are within a two-hour drive of Hotel Grimsborgir, so you can easily get a good feel for the South Coast in a single day.

Having had a taste of Iceland’s spellbinding natural beauty, today presents an opportunity to explore its delightful capital city. Reykjavik is just under an hour’s drive from Hotel Grimsborgir, and as the downtown area is rather compact, you can easily cover many of the top sights in a day. A good place to start your explorations is Hallgrimskirkja, the distinctive, rocket-shaped Lutheran church that towers over the city. For wonderful panoramic views overlooking Reykjavik and the mountains beyond, it’s worth paying a small fee to take the lift up to the top. Be sure to stop by Brauð & Co bakery for one of their famous snúður (cinnamon rolls) and take a stroll down Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur, two streets brimming with bars, restaurants, souvenir stores and colourful murals.

Then, down at the waterfront, check out the gleaming Harpa concert hall and the Sun Voyager monument. If museums are your thing, you’ll find a handful of excellent ones in Reykjavik, including the glass-domed Perlan (which offers a fascinating insight into Iceland’s natural history through the centuries), the National Museum of Iceland and the The Settlement Exhibition, as well as some more niche options including the Icelandic Punk Museum and the Icelandic Phallological Museum. When you fancy a bite to eat, there’s no shortage of choice, as Reykjavik offers a multitude of fabulous restaurants, cosy cafes and buzzing food halls. And, you might also fancy heading just outside the city to visit the Sky Lagoon, one of Iceland's standout geothermal spas, with an infinity pool overlooking the sea, a swim-up bar and the option of a signature seven-step Icelandic wellness ritual. 

Enjoy one last breakfast at Hotel Grimsborgir before driving back to Keflavik International Airport where you’ll drop off your hire car. If the timings allow, you might be tempted to stop off at the Blue Lagoon on the way back to the airport, rounding off your trip with a soak in Iceland’s most renowned geothermal lagoon.