Rettir is the Icelandic sheep round-up, and it takes place all over the country from early September to mid-October. The rettir are open to everyone.

Watch a rettir

The rettir are open to everyone. Visit Iceland describes the rettir as a way to learn how to catch a sheep and manoeuvre it into the right corral. Children can take an active part in the rettir and help.

An Icelandic calendar of all the rettir in Iceland is published each year. The calendar covers rettir across Iceland.

Go to a rettarball

Rettarball is the name of the party held after the rettir. The rettarball has live music. Everybody is invited to the rettarball.

See a horse round-up in the north

Stodrettir are the Icelandic horse round-ups. They are a tradition mostly exclusive to the north of Iceland.

Stodrettir usually take place by the end of September or the beginning of October. The most famous Icelandic horse round-up is the Laufskalarett, in the Hjaltadalur valley in Skagafjordur.

Look for the northern lights

The Icelandic Meteorological Office publishes an aurora forecast for Iceland, and the northern lights need dark and clear skies to be seen. Use the Aurora Forecast to help plan your trip.

Drive the Ring Road while it is maintained in every season

Route 1, the Ring Road, is fully paved and is maintained in every season and all weather conditions. Single-lane bridges still remain on Route 1.

Mountain roads in Iceland are designated with an F prefix and require a suitable vehicle. Highland F-roads are closed for much of the year. Vegagerdin decides opening dates road by road, with snow cover as the most important factor.

Closer to the capital, the Golden Circle loop is often driven from Reykjavik out to Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss and back, and Golden Circle day tours from Reykjavik run year round.

Check conditions before a long day out

Weather and road conditions in Iceland differ from what most visitors are used to and can change fast. Use the Road Conditions to help plan your trip.

Comparing day trips from Reykjavik

You can compare day trips from Reykjavik to see the current options.