Golf in Iceland
Golf in the land of fire and ice, on volcanic coastlines and lava fields under a sun that never sets. The courses that matter, the famous Arctic Open, the short season and how to plan a midnight golf trip.
Photograph: Brautarholt Golf Club, Henrik Bjursten, via Google
Why golf in Iceland
Iceland is the most novel golf trip in Europe, and a surprisingly serious one. The country has more than sixty courses for a population the size of a mid sized city, and the best of them are laid out over raw volcanic coastline, black lava fields and clifftops above the North Atlantic, with glaciers and snow capped peaks on the horizon. The turf is firm and links like, the wind is a constant companion, and the settings are unlike anywhere else in the game.
The real draw is the light. Sitting just below the Arctic Circle, Iceland gets around twenty four hours of usable daylight at the height of summer, so you can tee off at midnight and play a full round in broad daylight. Pair a day or two of golf with the Blue Lagoon, the waterfalls and the Golden Circle, and Iceland becomes a bucket list golf and adventure trip rolled into one, an easy few hours' flight from both Europe and the east coast of North America.
The regions
Reykjavik and the southwest
The heart of Icelandic golf, with Brautarholt, Keilir, Korpa and Hlidavollur all within forty minutes of the capital, the easiest base for a short trip near the airport and the Blue Lagoon.
Akureyri and the north
The northern capital and home of the Arctic Open, where the midnight sun is at its most dramatic and Jadarsvollur ranks among the best inland courses in the country.
The Westman Islands and beyond
Vestmannaeyjar, a clifftop course in a volcanic crater off the south coast, plus a scattering of remote village courses that reward the adventurous on a touring trip.
The courses that matter
Brautarholt
Often ranked the best course in Iceland, an eighteen hole layout on a peninsula about thirty minutes from central Reykjavik, with several holes set directly above the Atlantic and views to the Snaefellsjokull glacier on a clear day.
Keilir
One of the top ranked courses in the country, with a front nine threading black lava fields and a back nine running along the shore, all within easy reach of the capital and the Keflavik airport.
Akureyri, Jadarsvollur
The home of the Arctic Open, a mature, tree lined and well bunkered course in a sheltered northern valley, where June rounds tee off through the night under the midnight sun.
Westman Islands, Vestmannaeyjar
One of the most dramatic settings in golf, laid out in a natural volcanic amphitheatre on an island off the south coast, ringed by cliffs and sea birds and reached by a short ferry or flight.
Korpa, Reykjavik Golf Club
The capital's own club at Korpulfsstadir, an eighteen hole parkland and coastal course within the city limits, the most convenient round for a Reykjavik city base.
Hlidavollur
A well regarded course just outside Reykjavik in Mosfellsbaer, a popular and accessible round that rounds out a southwest itinerary near the capital.
Course details and rankings verified June 2026. Iceland's season is short and many courses open only from late spring to early autumn. Always confirm opening dates, visitor access and fees directly before booking.
When to go
| Season | Conditions | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| June and July | Around 24 hours of daylight, midnight golf, mildest weather | Peak season, the reason to come, book well ahead |
| Late May and August to September | Long days but darker nights, cooler and wetter | Good shoulder golf with fewer crowds |
| October to April | Short days, cold, most courses closed | Not a golf season, come for the northern lights instead |
Midnight golf is generally possible from about June 1 to mid July. The Arctic Open at Akureyri is played in late June. Iceland's weather changes in minutes in any season, so pack warm, waterproof and windproof layers.
Indicative costs
| Item | Indicative 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marquee green fee | Around 13,000 to 16,000 ISK | Roughly €90 to €110, midnight slots may add a small supplement |
| A long weekend, all in | Around €1,500 to €2,500 per person | 3 to 4 nights, 2 to 3 rounds, hotel, hire car, excluding flights |
| A week with touring | Around €2,500 to €4,000 per person | Golf plus the Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon and the north, excluding flights |
Indicative third party figures for the 2026 season, shown to set expectations only. Iceland is an expensive country, so hotels and food drive the budget more than green fees. We are a guide, not an operator, and never quote our own pricing. Always confirm directly before booking.
Getting there and around
Almost every trip starts at Keflavik International Airport, around forty five minutes from Reykjavik and well served by direct flights from across Europe and the east coast of North America. The southwest courses, the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle are all within easy reach of the capital, making Reykjavik the natural base for a first trip. To reach Akureyri and the Arctic Open in the north, take a short domestic flight or the scenic drive along the ring road. A hire car is essential for touring, since the courses and the landscapes are spread out and public transport is limited outside the capital.
Where to stay
Reykjavik has the widest choice of hotels and the best restaurants, and works as a base for the southwest courses and day trips. For the north, the town of Akureyri has comfortable hotels close to Jadarsvollur and the midnight sun golf. Many golfers combine a few nights in the capital with a night or two in the country to take in the waterfalls, the volcanoes and the hot springs between rounds. Book ahead for the short summer season, when demand is high across the island, and let one planner line up the golf, the touring and the transfers.
Plan your Iceland golf trip
Tell us the courses you want and roughly when. One concierge costs the whole trip to the head and replies within one working day, with no obligation.
Iceland golf questions
When is the best time to play golf in Iceland?
The season is short, running roughly from late May to September, with June and July the peak. Iceland sits just below the Arctic Circle, so there are around 24 hours of usable daylight in midsummer and midnight golf is possible from about June 1 to mid July. Outside that window many courses close.
What is the Arctic Open?
The Arctic Open is Iceland's most famous tournament, played each June at Akureyri Golf Club in the north, where rounds can tee off through the night under the midnight sun. It is a bucket list event, pairing serious links style golf with the novelty of playing at 2am in full daylight.
How much does golf in Iceland cost in 2026?
As an indicative guide for 2026, green fees at the leading courses run roughly 13,000 to 16,000 krona, around €90 to €110, with midnight tee times carrying a small supplement at some clubs. Iceland is an expensive country, so hotels and food add up faster than the green fees. Confirm directly before booking.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Midnight golf openings, Arctic Open dates and the booking windows worth moving on first. Every other week.