Creative retreats in Iceland

Q: How do I book a creative retreat?

Fixed-date retreats are reserved through Bokun; custom and group retreats start with a short enquiry so we can tailor the details.

Photography, writing, painting and music, set in wide quiet landscapes with warm water waiting at the end of every day.

Where the light does the work

Room to look closely and make

Iceland has drawn writers, painters and photographers north for generations. The light is long and ever changing, the horizons are wide, and the quiet is real. A creative retreat keeps you in one inspiring setting, with daily sessions, free time outdoors and warm soaks to close the day. For the full island wide guide, see our creative retreats in Iceland guide on Travel Iceland.

Photography

Photography retreats

Landscape, aurora and midnight sun tuition with guides who track the clearest skies and the best light, for every level.

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Writing

Writing retreats

Quiet rooms, big horizons and gentle craft sessions in a country with more published authors per person than anywhere on earth.

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Painting

Painting & art retreats

Plein air painting, sketching and mixed media in front of glaciers, lava fields and the open Atlantic, with guidance throughout.

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Music & craft

Music & craft retreats

Songwriting, sound and maker retreats, from knitting circles to collaborative jams, in calm settings where nature sets the pace.

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A day on a creative retreat

What it looks like

Morning

A focused session on the mat, the page or behind the lens, then a nourishing local breakfast.

Midday

Out into the landscape to gather material, or free time to work and rest at your own pace.

Afternoon

A review, a critique or a quiet making session, then a warm soak as the light softens.

Evening

A shared seasonal dinner and easy nights under big skies, with the aurora in season.

Where focus comes easily

The Eastfjords, almost to yourself

The busiest retreats cluster near Reykjavik, but the quiet Eastfjords give you something rarer: deep stillness, wide light and space to concentrate, with Hotel Breiddalsvik as a calm base. Pair your days of making with warm water from our hot springs map, or add gentle movement with a yoga retreat.

Good to know

Creative retreat questions

Do I need to be experienced?

No. Our creative retreats welcome every level, with as much or as little guidance as you like. The aim is to enjoy the work and make something you are proud of.

Which creative practices can I choose?

Photography, writing, painting and art, and music and craft. If you have a group with a particular focus, we can build a programme around it.

When is the best time to come?

Summer brings the midnight sun and long bright evenings, while autumn and winter add the northern lights and dramatic light for photography. The shoulder seasons are quiet, with the landscape often almost to yourself.

How do I book?

Fixed date retreats are reserved through Bokun; custom and group retreats start with a short enquiry so we can tailor the details.

Ready when you are

Plan your creative retreat

Tell us your practice and what you have in mind, and we will craft the rest, or explore the full guide on Travel Iceland.

Enquire about a retreat See the full guide