Christmas vacation packages in Iceland

Christmas is a good time to visit Iceland. December brings the darkest skies of the year, which gives you the best conditions for Northern Lights sightings. Reykjavík is decorated with lights through the holiday period, and the country's natural attractions -- frozen waterfalls, geothermal pools, and glaciers -- are all accessible. Read this blog on winter must-sees and must-dos for more ideas for your Iceland Christmas trip.

In Iceland, Christmas is a big deal. Icelanders gather with friends and family across an extended holiday starting on 24 December.

You can take part in lots of the traditions for yourself! Tuck into a traditional Icelandic Christmas dinner and learn all about the legend of the Yule Lads. Or just simply soak up the cozy festive atmosphere.

Learn more about Icelandic Christmas traditions on our blog.

There’s plenty to do in Iceland at all times of year, and there’s even more going on at Christmas. Here’s some things you could get up to:

• Join a Northern Lights winter tour in the Icelandic countryside
• Wander the streets of Reykjavík and soak up the festive atmosphere
• Shop for special gifts on the city’s main street, Laugavegur
• See the sights of the Golden Circle in their winter costume
• Explore Þingvellir National Park,where Iceland's parliament was established in 930 AD
• Go ice skating on the frozen pond in Reykjavík city center
• Take a relaxing dip in the Blue Lagoon spa as the snow falls around you
• Spot frosted waterfalls along Iceland’s spectacular south coast
• Witness steam rise from the ground out of bubbling hot springs
• Discover the legend of Iceland’s Santa Clauses, the Yule Lads

For more Iceland winter travel inspo, see these blog posts on things to do in Iceland in December and January.

Many of Iceland’s famous landmarks are open all year round, even during the holidays! This means you can see pearls like Gullfoss waterfall or Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon whenever you like.

Some indoor attractions may have seasonal closures, so it’s worth checking opening hours if you plan to visit museums or galleries, for example.

If you book with Iceland Tours, we’ll arrange an Iceland Christmas trip that takes opening hours into account, so you can get the most out of your time in Iceland.

Another option is to go on an Iceland winter trip in October, November, early December, January, or February. You’ll get a different experience depending on exactly when you go, but there’s no doubt Iceland is spectacular all winter long.

Iceland is worth visiting at any point through the winter months. Learn more by reading our blog on how many days you need in Iceland in winter.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Check out the Iceland Christmas tours on this page to get started. Choose from guided tours or multi-day tours by bus. Once you’ve found the package for you, follow the steps on the tour page to complete your booking.

You can secure your vacation with as little as a 5% deposit, but you also have the option to pay in full if you want. After that, you’ll receive a confirmation from us and all your travel documents once we’ve taken care of all the arrangements.

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)

Learn more with our Iceland winter packing guide.