An Inspiring Retreat Gathering for Writers and Readers

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

Workshops and Panels:

If you are attending the Iceland Writers Retreat, you can attend up to five two-hour writing workshops (each with max. 15 participants) led by our featured authors. You’ll be able to choose from over twenty workshops on offer. Sign up early to get the best availability.

If you are attending the Iceland Readers Retreat, you’ll attend a book talk by our visiting featured IRR author, a panel discussion with Icelandic authors, and an additional book talk/class with our featured author. You’ll also attend two all-day literary tours (see below).

Everyone can attend a reading by all faculty and a Q&A panel on the final morning.

Previous Retreats

Explore Iceland:

Your registration fee includes an exclusive full-day outing to see some inspiring Iceland. We have designed these unique excursions. 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
Roaming Icelandic horses are observed by writers at the Iceland Writers Retreat where book enthusiasts and professional writers meet.
Attend a writing retreat in one of the world's most beautiful settings, Iceland. Get inspired by Icelandic nature at the golden circle, and by the professional writers who teach our workshops.

Literary Themed 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. For Readers Retreat participants and one choice (of 3) for Writers Retreat participants.

Attend the Iceland Readers Retreat alongside striking Icelandic landscapes in Borgarfjörður, professional writers and authors.

Literary Borgarfjörður

This trip travels west to the Borgarfjörður region, the setting of the famous Egil’s Saga, as well as numerous other Icelandic sagas. We’ll circle the picturesque Hvalfjörður “Whale” fjord and visit the cultural center Reykholt, where chieftain and writer Snorri Sturluson lived in the 13th century. Natural wonders on this tour include Europe’s largest hot spring, Deildartunguhver, and the waterfalls Barnafoss (“Children’s Falls”) and Hraunfossar (“Lava Falls”). One choice (of 3) for Writers Retreat participants.

Book enthusiasts explore literary history in Iceland and view the old sagas on literary city tours that inspire your writing curiosity.

One of a Kind 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 - to be confirmed for 2024; if not then there will be a talk on the Sagas) 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!). For Readers Retreat participants and one choice (of 3) for Writers Retreat participants.

Reykjavik city tours let you join writers, book enthusiasts and literary fans for fun walking tours in Reykjavik during the Iceland Writers Retreat

Reykjavik Literary Walking Tour

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

The Venue

All workshops, readings, panels, and meals will be at the Fosshotel Reykjavík. We have 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 conference rate.

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

Stay Longer!

Our optional, two-day “Relax, Read & 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 and Iceland Readers Retreat also 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, and a pub night with reading by local authors and great live music.

Bring a Friend:

You can sign up to bring someone with you: Our partner fee includes the welcome drink and dinner, all receptions, the literary walking tour of Reykjavík, the pub night, and one of our 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.
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.