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.
Then prepare for wintry adventures in the countryside. Think snowmobiling over a glacier and exploring ice caves near a volcano. Plus, you can marvel at some of the country’s most iconic natural wonders when you tour the Golden Circle. Here tumbling waterfalls and impressive geysers await you.
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
On this tour you will...
Celebrate Christmas with a festive meal in Reykjavík
Wander the capital’s Christmas markets, decked in twinkling lights
See dazzling formations when you explore an ice cave
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
Blue Lagoon
Downtown Reykjavík
Gullfoss
Þingvellir National Park
Geysir and Strokkur
Seljalandsfoss
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
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
Downtown Reykjavík
Included experiences, upgrade options & extra activities
IncludedNorthern Lights Guided Bus Tour
UpgradeUpgrade - Northern Lights by Boat
UpgradeUpgrade - Northern Lights Small Group Tour
UpgradeUpgrade - Northern Lights Super Jeep Tour
ExtraFlyOver Iceland
ExtraPerlan Museum Wonders of Iceland & Northern Lights Show
23 December
Get ready to discover dazzling ice caves with an expert guide. Today’s small group excursion will take you to the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which covers Katla volcano.
This morning, your guide will collect you from Reykjavík for the drive to Vik. And if daylight allows, you’ll have the chance to stop off at Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. Once you arrive in Vik, you’ll ride in a super jeep to the base of the glacier.
Now the real adventure begins! Strap on a pair of crampons and follow your guide as you hike across the glacier to reach the ice caves. The caves here are particularly striking thanks to the layers of black volcanic ash you can see in the blue ice.
After spending time exploring the caves and learning from your knowledgeable guide, you’ll head back to the vehicle for the return trip to Reykjavík. On the drive back, you can watch the winter sunset
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).
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
Katla Ice Cave – Under the Volcano 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
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.
