When it comes to going on the ultimate Frozen 2 inspired vacation, nothing can beat Iceland.  Iceland was the inspiration behind the design of Ahtohallan and everywhere you go, you can see it.  Just immersing yourself in the culture and the landscape is enough to feel like you’ve stepped into the movie.  So with that said, today I’m recommending the ultimate 3-day Frozen 2 Iceland itinerary taking you to some of the exact same locations that the Disney team visited.

DAY 1: Explore Skógafoss & Black Sand Beach

The first thing you’ll want to do upon landing in Reykjavik is to rent yourself a car!  I recommend using a reputable rental car company like Hertz (which is who we used for our trip) to ensure you get great customer service. When it comes to driving in Iceland in the winter, literally anything can happen. You don’t want to go cheap with your rental car choices here.  (For more helpful driving tips, you may want to check out my post on Driving in Iceland in the Winter.)  Once you’ve gotten your vehicle, you’re ready to begin your adventure!

Skógafoss

First thing on the agenda is to head straight to Skógafoss Falls. There was a nod to this incredible natural beauty when the Frozen 2 gang arrives to the barrier to the Enchanted Forest.

It takes about 2.5 hours to drive here from Keflavik International Airport (if weather conditions are optimal). Once you arrive, you’ll need to park and walk a short distance to reach the falls. Take your time and really soak in one of Iceland’s top waterfalls. See how close you can get to it before you get wet!

Black Sand Beach

Next up is Reynisfjara Beach (aka the Black Sand Beach).  This stop is only 11 minutes from Skógafoss.  Not only is the Black Sand Beach famous in its own right but it is also home to the dramatic scene in Frozen 2 where Elsa tries to run across the sea in her quest to get to Ahtohallan. Depending on the weather, you may want to bring blankets out and sit on the beach a while to really soak in this experience. 

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Spend the Night in Vik

Reynisfjara is very close to the town of Vik which is where I would recommend eating dinner and spending the night. You have the choice between spending the next 3 nights here in Vik or moving up the coast and staying close to the next day’s excursion.

A couple of recommended hotels include:

• Black Beach Suites – Vik, Iceland
• Hotel Kria – Vik, Iceland
• Vik Cottages – Vik, Iceland

 

DAY 2: Visit a Blue Ice Cave & Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

One of the most mesmerizing aspects of Elsa’s character is her ability to create ice out of virtually nothing. In fact, her connection to ice (and magic) is what drives the story. When the voice that she follows in Frozen 2 draws her to the ice cave on Ahtohallan, well, I don’t know about you, but I instantly wanted to see something like that in real life – and in Iceland, you can.  

Blue Ice Tour

If you visit Iceland from Oct – Mar, you will have the chance to go on a “Blue Ice Cave” adventure.  There are several glaciers in Iceland that over hundreds of years, have created blue ice within them.  It’s essential that you go with a tour company to see the blue ice as it can actually be quite dangerous.  Each year when the ice melts and then refreezes in the winter, new caverns form.  Expert guides will be able to safely show your group to where this year’s best caverns are. I recommend using Glacier Adventures for this. They are extremely professional and go to great lengths to ensure your safety.  You can visit the ice caves or you can add a glacier trek to your reservation and do both!

If you don’t want to drive all the way up to Glacier Adventures to take off for your excursion, there are also a few tour companies that leave from the Vik area.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach

Depending on which option you choose, your excursion could last anywhere from a half-day to a full-day.  If there is still time when you finish, I recommend keeping the ice theme going and driving up to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach.  You’ll see how ice from the Jökulsárlón Glacier can break off and enter into the lagoon, which then feeds out into the ocean leaving ice that looks like diamonds along the beach.  It’s incredibly beautiful and will definitely bring out your inner Elsa.

Spend the Night near Diamond Beach

Depending on how your day plays out, you may choose to spend the night closer to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach. There aren’t any main cities in this area but there are a few lodging options in Hof. A couple of options include (in order of cost):

• Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon – Fagurholsmyri, Iceland
• Nónhamar Cabins – Hof, Iceland
• Adventure Hotel Hof – Fagurholsmyri, Iceland

 

DAY 3: Horseback Ride like Elsa

All princesses are in need of a sidekick and it was AWESOME to see Elsa finally get hers in Nokk. Choosing a horse for Elsa’s water spirit was the perfect homage to Iceland given how important Icelandic horses are to the country. For those unaware, Iceland has a rare breed of horse that can only be found on their island! These horses are known for their long hair which keeps them warm in the freezing winter months. 

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While horseback riding in winter may not sound like the most fun activity, getting a chance to ride one of these majestic creatures will definitely connect you to Elsa in ways you didn’t know were possible.  Of course, I highly recommend wearing extra warm attire for the outing.  If dressed appropriately, this could be one of the highlights of your trip!

A few horseback riding tours I recommend include:

Spend the Night near Reykjavik

Depending on when you’ve booked your return flight, you’ll definitely want to start making your way back toward Reykjavik. You have a few options for accommodations here. You can either find something in the city or you can choose a hotel closer to the airport.

A couple of options I recommend include:

• Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre – Reykjavik, Iceland
• Exeter Hotel by Keahotels – Reykjavik, Iceland
• Northern Light Inn – Grindavik, Iceland
• Hotel Berg – Reykjanesbær, Iceland

 

BONUS: Hunt for the Northern Lights

One of the coolest things to do in Iceland is hunt for the Northern Lights. These are also a through-line in Frozen 2 at various moments.  The chances of seeing the Northern Lights are always 50/50, which is why for this itinerary, I’m suggesting that every night you try and see them.  You don’t need to take an official tour to see the Northern Lights but it can help. To see the Northern Lights, you’ll need to drive out into the country a bit until you are in an area where there are no lights. Any sort of light will automatically make seeing the Northern Lights difficult. If the sky is clear of clouds, then you simply just wait. If by the 3rd day you still haven’t seen the Northern Lights, I definitely recommend taking a tour.

If you want an extra special experience, I recommend extending your trip by a day and spending a night under the stars in a Buubble. This was by far one of the most memorable things I’ve ever done. You’ll want to drive back to Reykjavik to return your rental car and meet the travel company.

For more on how Iceland inspired the making of Frozen 2, check out my post on Places in Iceland that Inspired Frozen 2.

Hope you found this helpful!  If 3-days doesn’t feel long enough to explore everything that Iceland has to offer, definitely check out our more detailed 6-Day Itinerary.  You’ll see a few overlapping activities included there but also lots of additional ideas for the ultimate winter adventure.  And as always, check back often for more Disney-inspired travel ideas!

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