An Inspiring Gathering for Writers

The Iceland Writers Retreat is held once a year, in April, for authors, writers, and book enthusiasts.

Workshops and Panels:

Participants of the Iceland Writers Retreat can attend up to nine two-hour writing workshops, each with a maximum of 15 participants, led by our featured authors. 

You’ll be able to choose from over 20 workshops on offer. Sign up early or choose the IWR Voyage or IWR Write packages to get the best availability. (See our registration page for more details on our packages and what they include.)

There are enriching experiences throughout the week such as a panel discussion with Icelandic authors, literary tours, a faculty reading, and a Q&A panel on the final morning.

Previous Retreats
Roaming Icelandic horses are observed by writers at the Iceland Writers Retreat where book enthusiasts and professional writers meet.

Explore Iceland:

Your registration fee includes an exclusive full-day outing to see some inspiring Iceland. We have specially curated these excursions for our literary community. The tours:

  • Are led by Icelandic writers
  • Feature additional talks/readings about Icelandic literature
  • Include a talk and tour of the former home of Nobel Prize-winning author Halldór Laxness
  • Include lunch and snacks

Our Bespoke Literary Day Tours

Reynisfjara black sand beach as seen from above

South Coast Sagas Tour

For our 2025 edition of the Iceland Writers Retreat, we are offering a new tour of the South Coast, stopping in Hella before continuing on the coastal road, through the Markarfljót valley to the southernmost village of Vík. The route threads through some of Iceland’s most remarkable landscapes where glacier-topped mountains press ever closer to the coastline and give rise to a succession of increasingly dramatic scenes.

One choice (of 3) for participants of IWR standard and IWR Voyage. (IWR Write, which includes 9 workshop, does not have
a day tour.)

IWR 2023 day 3_051 © Roman G

Iceland's Cultural Treasures – Reykjavík City Tour

This trip showcases some of the best highlights Iceland’s capital has to offer, including a special visit to view the preserved manuscripts of the Icelandic Sagas (not usually open to the public) and stops at the National Museum, Árbæjarsafn open-air folk museum, and the brand new Icelandic Lava Show, the first exhibition in the world where you get to see real, liquid lava close up (and safely!).

One choice (of 3) for participants of IWR standard and IWR Voyage. (IWR Write, which includes 9 workshop, does not have
a day tour.)

Attend Iceland Writers Retreat, an event to improve writing skills alongside professional writers and celebrated authors.

Literary Golden Circle Tour

A unique variation on Iceland’s most popular excursion that includes stops at Geyser geothermal fields, Gullfoss waterfall, and the UNESCO-listed Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir), as well as a visit to Iceland’s ancient seat of learning, Skálholt. 

One choice (of 3) for participants of IWR standard and IWR Voyage. (IWR Write, which includes 9 workshop, does not have
a day tour.)

Reykjavik Literary Walking Tour

During the retreat, all participants are invited to join a literary walking tour of Reykjavik.

The Venue

In 2025, all workshops, readings, panels, and meals will be held at the Fosshotel Reykjavík. We've secured several rooms at the special conference rate for participants who wish to book accommodation at the venue.

Please visit our registration page for details on the 2025 hotel venue and conference rate. We will share our unique booking link with participants upon registration.

A large white building with a tall tower in the background.

Stay Longer!

Our optional, two-day “Relax & Write” extension gives you free time during the days to take additional tours, walk through town, shop for souvenirs, or write in a local café. The group will then gather in the evenings for dinner together. At the second dinner, we’ll have an open mic night where you’ll have an opportunity (if you wish) to share some of your own work with your fellow participants.

Be Social (but only if you want!):

Your participation in the Iceland Writers Retreat includes:

  • a three-course welcome dinner (and faculty reading)
  • buffet lunches on workshop days
  • refreshments during session breaks
  • cocktail receptions at interesting locations around town
  • a pub night with readings by local authors and great live music

Bring a Friend:

You can sign up to bring someone with you!

Our partner fee includes:

  • welcome drink and dinner
  • all receptions
  • the literary walking tour of Reykjavík
  • the pub night
  • one of our bespoke day tours
The Icelandic Sagas are legendary. Joins us in Iceland for a writing retreat that is inspired by Iceland's rich literary history. See the sagas up close on our literature tours.
Attend Iceland Writers Retreat, an event to improve writing skills alongside professional writers and celebrated authors.
Iceland's rich literary history is best explored on a walking tour of Iceland's historic buildings and landmarks.
A picture of Iceland waterfall in blue and green color
Professional writers learning from the experiences of published authors at the Iceland Writers Retreat in Iceland.
Elnathan John is a Nigerian author, Civitella Ranieri Fellow, and has been a faculty member of the Iceland Writers Retreat. His short stories, Bayan Layi and Flying, were shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Writing. John's first novel, Born on a Tuesday, won a Betty Trask Award and was shortlisted for the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature, Africa's largest literary award. His second book, Be(com)ing Nigerian, A Guide, a collection of satirical pieces, was published in 2019. His third book is a graphic novel published by Cassava Republic Press in 2019. The book is illustrated by Alaba Onajin. He writes a weekly satirical column for the Sunday Trust Newspaper. He's been published in The Economist, The Guardian, Per Contra, Hazlitt, ZAM Magazine, Evergreen Review, and Chimurenga's The Chronic.