Discover the magic of Iceland’s natural wonders over Christmas
Spend 6 days in Iceland this Christmas, soaking up the festive atmosphere and getting a taste of the country’s mind-blowing nature. This package includes a Christmas Eve dinner and admission to the famous Blue Lagoon spa.
On this trip, you’ll be based in charming Reykjavík. Spend a morning exploring the quaint streets of the old town with a seasoned guide and sampling local delicacies. And on your first night, you’ll get the chance to hunt down the Northern Lights.
There’s also plenty of time for you to dive into adventure. You’ll zoom over to an ice cave in a super jeep, roam an ancient lava tunnel, and see some of Iceland’s most loved natural attractions.
This package offers the perfect mix of outdoor activities and R&R. So get ready to make this a Christmas to remember!
Departures
- 21 December
On this tour you will...
Head into the countryside to hunt for the Northern Lights on an evening excursion
Kick the festivities off on Christmas Eve with a tasty dinner, like the Icelanders do
Spend Christmas Day unwinding in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon
Tour the must-see Golden Circle, brimming with incredible natural wonders
Explore mighty waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches along the scenic south coast
Top attractions
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 6-day bus & Blue Lagoon itinerary
21 December
Transfer from Keflavík International Airport to your hotel in Reykjavík (included).
Welcome to Iceland at Christmastime! Immerse yourself in Reykjavík’s festive atmosphere as you explore the city, decked out in lights and decorations. Spend the afternoon roaming the city center, stopping by Christmas markets and boutiques to pick up locally made gifts.
In the evening, join a Northern Lights expedition in the countryside. You’ll escape the bright lights of the city to a spot that’s ideal for seeing the Aurora. If skies are clear and solar activity is high, you might just get to see them dance overhead.
If luck isn’t with you tonight, you can go on another Northern Lights excursion 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
Included experiences, upgrade options & extra activities
22 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.
23 December
If you’re a nature lover, today you’re in for a treat! You’ll get to explore Iceland’s south coast, home to some of the country’s most breathtaking natural sights.
First up are the mighty Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, both towering at 60 meters (197 feet). At Seljalandsfoss, you’ll even get the chance to walk behind its powerful plume by following the marked footpath. We recommend bringing a waterproof jacket if you don’t want to get wet.
Next, you’ll head to the charming village of Vík, where you can walk along Iceland’s most famous black sand beach, Reynisfjara. Look out for the massive Reynisdrangar rock formations and the basalt columns that line the beach.
During your visit, make sure to keep a safe distance from the shore and follow the signs. Reynisfjara is known for its powerful tides and currents.
On your way back to Reykjavík, your final stop is the beautiful Sólheimajökull glacier. Here you’ll walk to a lake fed by the melting ice.
24 December
Today is Christmas Eve, when Icelanders kick off their festivities. So it’s time to get into the holiday spirit and join the celebrations!
In the morning
First up today is a guided Christmas walk. Meet your local guide in the heart of downtown Reykjavík and learn about the history and architecture of the city. All whilst you enjoy the cozy festive atmosphere.
You’ll also get to taste local delicacies, including hákarl (fermented shark) and harðfiskur (air-dried fish). These can be an acquired taste, so luckily more palatable festive treats are also on the menu.
This tour includes admission to the Settlement Exhibition museum. Here you can learn about the discovery of Iceland and the lives of its earliest settlers, as well as see an excavated Viking longhouse.
In the afternoon, you’ll have a few hours to spend as you like before the evening’s festivities.
In the evening
Enjoy a festive Christmas Eve dinner at a restaurant in Reykjavík (included).
25 December
What better way to spend Christmas Day than unwinding in the tranquil waters of the Blue Lagoon? Luckily for you, this is where you’re heading today.
Set in the moonlike lava fields of the Reykjanes peninsula, the Blue Lagoon offers a bathing experience like no other. As part of your package you receive Comfort admission, which includes the spa’s famous silica mud mask. You also get a complimentary drink from the in-lagoon bar.
Return to your hotel in the afternoon refreshed and relaxed.
26 December
Transfer from Reykjavík to Keflavík International Airport (included).
After a Christmas break filled with adventure, culture, and relaxation, it’s time to head back home. You’ll leave with a reel full of photos and memories to treasure.
What’s included?
Comfort accommodation every night
Continental breakfast every day
Airport transfer
Northern Lights guided bus tour
Golden Circle & Friðheimar guided bus tour
South Shore Adventure guided bus tour
Christmas Eve walking tour of Reykjavík
Christmas Eve buffet dinner
Blue Lagoon Comfort admission (includes towel rental, silica mud mask, 1 drink)
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.
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
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:
- Roam the black sands of Reynisfjara beach on a south coast tour
- Venture under a glacier on a guided ice cave tour
- Complete the Golden Circle, including Gullfoss waterfall
- Explore ‘Iceland in Miniature’ on the Snæfellsnes peninsula
- Join a glacier hike across thousand-year-old pack ice
- Go whale watching from Reykjavík and spot the gentle giants
- Follow in the footsteps of Vikings at Þingvellir National Park
- Marvel at natural hot springs, like the Strokkur geyser
- Unwind in the soothing waters of the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon
- Hunt down the Northern Lights on a magical winter tour
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.