Active Christmas Adventure with Blue Lagoon

5 days / 4 nights
Snow falling over Reykjavík
Gullfoss in winter light
Person in misty waters at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland ©bluelagoon
The entrance to the Katla ice cave
A jeep with bright headlights drives at night with the northern lights on show
icicles and waterfall tumbling down rock face with snow on the ground
A jeep with bright headlights drives at night with the northern lights on show
icicles and waterfall tumbling down rock face with snow on the ground
Snow falling over Reykjavík
Gullfoss in winter light
Person in misty waters at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland ©bluelagoon

Chase the Aurora, tour the iconic Golden Circle, and soak up festive vibes in Reykjavík this Christmas

This winter, whisk yourself off to Iceland for a Christmas to remember. From your base in Reykjavík, you’ll enjoy thrilling wintry activities and take a trip to the Blue Lagoon. Then on Christmas Eve, celebrate with a delicious festive meal that’s included in your tour package.

Experience the magic of Christmastime in Reykjavík for yourself. In December, the Icelandic capital is draped in fairy lights and dotted with festive markets. And at night you could glimpse the Northern Lights, nature’s most spectacular light show.

Plus, you can marvel at some of the country’s most iconic natural wonders when you tour the Golden Circle and scenic south coast. Here tumbling waterfalls and impressive geysers await you.

Then prepare for wintry adventures in the countryside. You could snowmobile over a glacier and roam an ancient lava tunnel when you add these optional activities to your itinerary (not included).

The perfect way to unwind alongside all of these exciting excursions? A leisurely Christmas Eve, with time spent bathing in the warm, geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon followed by an afternoon strolling around Reykjavík.

Departures

  • 22 December
Travel styleMulti-day
Trip length5 days / 4 nights
VibeFestive
SeasonChristmas
(22 Dec only)
TransportBus
Starts fromReykjavík
Tour codeCB16

On this tour you will...

  • Celebrate Christmas with a festive meal in Reykjavík

  • Wander the capital’s Christmas markets, decked in twinkling lights

  • Get up close to majestic waterfalls and glaciers on Iceland’s south coast

  • Tour the famous Golden Circle route and hunt for the Northern Lights

  • Have the chance to snowmobile over a glacier (optional, not included)

  • Unwind in the warm, silica-rich waters of the iconic Blue Lagoon

Top attractions

A man floating in the Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon

The Tjörnin pond in Reykjavík in summer

Downtown Reykjavík

The Gullfoss waterfall in summertime

Gullfoss

Þingvellir National Park, Iceland, in autumn colors

Þingvellir National Park

The Strokkur geyser erupting in winter against a sunset

Geysir and Strokkur

The Seljalandsfoss waterfall covered in icicles

Seljalandsfoss

A rainbow over the Skógafoss waterfall on a sunny day

Skógafoss

Why book a multi-day trip with Iceland Tours?

  • Stay at the same place in Reykjavík for your whole trip

  • Travel on comfortable buses with free Wi-Fi

  • Effortlessly customize your trip with extra activities

  • 24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland

  • Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit

Your 5-day bus itinerary

Your 5-day bus itinerary
Staying inReykjavík

22 December

Transfer from Keflavík International Airport to your hotel in Reykjavík (included).

Arrive in Reykjavík, and you’ll see twinkling Christmas lights and perhaps even snow-dusted streets. This afternoon you’ll have time to explore the city for yourself. 

Strolling around the capital’s charming Christmas markets is one of the best ways to soak up Reykjavík’s festive atmosphere. This is also a good time to scope out the shops, bars, and restaurants along Laugavegur, the main street.

In the evening

Come evening, it’s time to chase the mesmerizing Northern Lights. You’ll be whisked off to an ideal spot in the countryside, away from the city lights. Also known as the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights are a mind-blowing natural phenomenon. So it’s worth keeping in mind that sightings can’t be guaranteed and are weather-dependent. 

If you don’t see them tonight, you’ll have the chance to join another excursion to see the Aurora for free later on in your trip!

You also have the option to upgrade to a small group excursion for a more intimate experience, or even a trip via super jeep or boat if you’re feeling adventurous!

Highlights

The Tjörnin pond in Reykjavík in summer

Downtown Reykjavík

Included experiences, upgrade options & extra activities

A woman watching the Northern Lights on the edge of a lakeIncluded

Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour

northern-lights-by-boat-copyright-special-tours.jpgUpgrade

Upgrade - Northern Lights by Boat

Yellow and purple Northern Lights illuminating the sea near Seltjarnarnes in ReykjavikUpgrade

Upgrade - Northern Lights Small Group Tour

The Sun Voyager sculpture with Northern Lights, ReykjavikUpgrade

Upgrade - Northern Lights Super Jeep Tour

Riders on FlyOver Iceland above a virtual waterfallExtra

FlyOver Iceland

Perlan on a sunny summer’s dayExtra

Perlan Museum Wonders of Iceland & Northern Lights Show

Staying inReykjavík

23 December

Today you’ll explore the south coast, a region dotted with breathtaking natural attractions. 

First, you’ll get up close to Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, 2 of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. At Seljalandsfoss, you’ll even get the chance to walk behind the curtain of water. To stay dry, we recommend bringing a waterproof jacket.

Up next is the iconic Reynisfjara black sand beach, near the charming village of Vík. Its dark sand is made up of volcanic rocks that have been ground down over thousands of years. As you explore it, look for the towering Reynisdrangar sea stacks and the basalt columns that line the beach.

During your visit, please follow the signs and don’t get too close to the shore. Reynisfjara’s powerful currents can be dangerous.

Before you head back to Reykjavík, you’ll stop by the beautiful Sólheimajökull glacier and walk up to a lake formed by the melting ice.

Staying inReykjavík

24 December

Today is Christmas Eve, the main day of celebration for Icelanders over the festive season. Now’s the time to relax after yesterday’s adventure and get into the Christmas mood!

In the morning

Visit the Blue Lagoon, where you can unwind in silica-rich, turquoise waters. Enjoy a drink as you luxuriate in the geothermal pool. And gaze out at the surrounding lava field that stretches as far as the eye can see.

In the evening

Enjoy a festive Christmas Eve dinner at a restaurant in Reykjavík (included). 

Staying inReykjavík

25 December

The Golden Circle needs little introduction: it is home to some of the most stunning and famous sights in Iceland.

You will see the hot spring Strokkur shoot a column of water up to 30 meters (98 feet) into the air every 4–8 minutes. It is a thrilling experience that never gets old. You will stop to admire the magnificent Gullfoss (Golden Falls) waterfall, created where the river Hvítá tumbles and plunges into a crevice some 32 meters (105 feet) deep.

This tour also includes the historical and geological wonder, Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart at a rate of a few centimeters per year.

Included experience

Included with your package is a visit to the idyllic Friðheimar greenhouse cultivation center. Here you and your group will learn about the magic behind growing delicious, pesticide-free tomatoes and cucumbers with the aid of the geothermal heat that Iceland has in abundance.

Alternatively, you can upgrade to a different adventure on this day. All experiences include a Golden Circle tour, so you won’t miss out on this classic touring route.

26 December

Transfer from Reykjavík to Keflavík International Airport (included).

After an unforgettable festive vacation in Iceland, it’s time to bid the country farewell and return home.

What’s included?

Comfort accommodation every night

Continental breakfast every day

Airport transfer

Christmas Eve buffet dinner

Northern Lights guided bus tour

South Shore Adventure guided bus tour

Blue Lagoon Comfort admission (includes towel rental, silica mud mask, 1 drink)

Golden Circle & Friðheimar guided bus tour

24/7 emergency helpline when you’re in Iceland

VAT, taxes & service fees

Flights to Iceland

Food & drink, unless otherwise stated

Attraction entrance fees, unless otherwise stated

Personal travel insurance

Don’t take our word for it

See what hundreds of fellow travelers have to say about their trips with Iceland Tours.

Read customer reviews

FAQs about our multi-day trips

Throughout your multi-day trip with Iceland Tours, you’ll be based in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík or Akureyri the capital of the North. From here, you can join guided tours into the surrounding countryside to soak up the mind-blowing scenery. Your package will include at least one day trip, and depending on the length of your tour package you can opt to add more.

It’s worth bearing in mind that you won’t have the same guide throughout your trip. In fact, on each escorted group day trip from Reykjavík or Akureyri, you’ll get to meet a new guide and new fellow travelers.

What’s more, spending each night in the same accommodation means you don’t need to worry about unpacking and repacking during your trip. It also gives you the chance to experience more of the city’s restaurants, food halls, and bars. And you’ll have time to browse the local shops and visiting the city’s attractions.

When you opt for a multi-day package, you won’t be traveling with the same guide and group throughout your trip. This means that number of fellow travelers you meet on your guided excursions will vary depending on the activity.

For instance, if you’re going on an ice cave tour, your group could include a just a handful people. Meanwhile, a tour of the Golden Circle by bus will often be a larger group as you’ll likely be traveling by coach. And you’ll find evening Northern Lights tours are usually by coach too, although you have the option to upgrade to a small group, super jeep, or boat tour.

Depending on the excursion, your bus could be either a minibus or coach. Most buses will have free onboard Wi-Fi and charging points for your phone. Larger buses also have overhead compartments for stowing your bag and jacket.

It’s good to know that although there’s no restroom on the bus, your guide will make sure to include regular breaks throughout the journey.

Yes, all of these multi-day trips include airport transfers by bus from Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík on arrival and departure.

On each morning of your trip, you’ll get a tasty continental breakfast at your accommodation. In most places, this is served buffet-style in a communal dining room.

With most packages, lunch and dinner are not included so you’re free to choose from all of the options available. In Reykjavík and Akureyri, you’ll be spoiled for choice when deciding where to eat.

Some festive packages include special meals. Check the ‘What’s included?’ section for the individual package to find out exactly what you’ll get.

If your package features longer day tours, you’ll find that the guide will factor in lunch and restroom stops. But it’s still good to come prepared by packing a few snacks and plenty of water. And if you prefer, you could bring a picnic lunch rather than eat out.

Absolutely! You can customize your package by:

  • Picking your level of accommodation (Budget, Comfort, or Quality)
  • Extending your stay with extra nights in Reykjavík at the start or end of your trip
  • Adding optional activities, such as a food tour or glacier hike

Because a multi-day trip is made up of different excursions every day, you won’t always be with the same group. That said, Iceland is small enough that you might just bump into someone from the day before!

If you’re looking for the kind of experience where you can hang with the same group and make new friends, we also offer guided group tours of Iceland. These are led by local experts who will take you and your travel buddies all over the country.

Enter your dates and the number of people in your group on the tour package page. Here you can also choose your accommodation level.

At checkout, you can customize your trip with extra days and activities. Afterwards, follow the steps to finalize your booking and you’ll get a confirmation from us via email.

There’s one more thing that’s great to know: all it takes is a 5% deposit to secure your booking today.

Christmas is a popular time of year to travel to Iceland, so departures can sell out quickly. It’s a good idea to book a few months in advance to make sure you’re able to secure your dates.

This means you only need to focus on getting ready for your trip and the holidays!

Once you’ve booked your vacation package, you can go ahead and book your flights. So you can get the best choice and price, flights aren’t included with packages from Iceland Tours.

December is the darkest month of the year in Iceland, so you have a great chance of spotting the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis.

To see them, you’ll also need clear skies and a high level of solar activity. You’ll boost your chance of seeing them if you go out to the countryside, away from the city lights. These packages all include a Northern Lights tour in a suitable location.

Hungry to learn more about the aurora? Find out the best places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.

The average temperature in Reykjavík in December is around 1°C (33°F), which might be a bit warmer than you expected.

In the countryside, it tends to be a few degrees colder than in town, so make sure you wrap up warm when you’re exploring Iceland’s nature.

Find out more about what to expect from Iceland’s weather and climate.

There’s a good chance of snow in Iceland in December, which means if you’re lucky you could have a white Christmas! On average, there’s 61 mm (2.4 in) of snowfall in Reykjavík in December.

December is one of Iceland’s colder weather months, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and pack smart so you stay warm and comfortable.

Here’s a suggested Iceland Christmas packing list:

  • Warm winter coat
  • Hat, scarf, and gloves
  • Thermal underlayers
  • Jumpers and fleeces
  • Waterproof outer layer
  • Sturdy walking boots
  • Swimwear (for pools and hot springs)
  • Your favorite Christmas outfit!

Make sure you leave some room in your suitcase for gifts for friends and family too! Get more tips and tricks in this Iceland winter packing guide.

There’s an incredible amount you can do on a multi-day vacation from Iceland Tours. Here’s some ideas to spark inspiration:

Because you’ll be based in Reykjavík for your whole trip, most excursions will take you to the south or west of Iceland. Be sure to check out this guide to the best things to see and do near Reykjavík.

If you want to see North Iceland, East Iceland, or the Westfjords, you might want to consider a self-drive or guided group tour. These are also great options if the Ring Road is on your must-do list.

For even more inspo, explore these awesome things to do in Iceland.

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