Spend Christmas in Iceland and glimpse waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, and more
Celebrate Christmas somewhere different this year! On this 6-day tour of Iceland by bus, you’ll see the natural delights of the Golden Circle in their winter splendor. And you can taste your way through Christmas in Iceland with dinner included on 3 nights.
Once you’ve seen the Golden Circle, you’ll follow Iceland’s jaw-dropping south coast, with its epic waterfalls, pristine black sand beaches, and gigantic glaciers. You’ll also stop by the Jökulárslón glacial lagoon, where you see watch icebergs drift out to sea.
Also included in this package is a guided Northern Lights hunting tour. How magical would it be if you were lucky enough to see them at Christmas?
What’s more, you get admission to the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s world-famous geothermal spa.
This tour is operated by a partner of Iceland Tours.
On this tour you will...
Spend Christmas Eve marveling at mindblowing sights on the Golden Circle
Celebrate the festive season with a delicious Christmas dinner at your hotel
Head into the countryside to hunt for mesmerising displays of the Northern Lights
Stroll along the black sands of Reynisfjara beach and maybe even walk behind a waterfall
See vast lava fields at Eldhraun and watch icebergs drift out sea at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
Learn about Icelandic traditions and folklore on a guided tour of Reykjavík
Top attractions
Downtown Reykjavík
Gullfoss
Þingvellir National Park
Geysir and Strokkur
Skógafoss
Seljalandsfoss
Eldhraun lava field
Skaftafell
Vatnajökull Glacier & National Park
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Blue Lagoon
Why book a guided group trip with Iceland Tours?
Pick from wide range of departure dates
Expert local guidance in English
Small and big group options available
24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland
Secure your booking with just a 20% deposit
Handpicked local accommodation options
Your 6-day guided group itinerary
Transfer from Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík (included).
If you’re arriving earlier in the day, you might consider adding a day tour. We’d be happy to make suggestions based on your interests. Just make sure you are back at the hotel in time for tonight’s walking tour.
One of our favorite activities after a long flight is to visit one of the neighborhood geothermal pools. It is so refreshing to relax in the warm water, breathing in the fresh Icelandic air. It’s a wonderful way to get to see Icelandic daily life and maybe meet a few locals. It’s also nice to take a stroll in the old city center, perhaps visiting one of the museums or relaxing with a cup of coffee in a cozy café.
Early this evening you will enjoy a walking tour in downtown Reykjavík. One of our local guides who is an expert in Icelandic traditions and folklore will meet you at your hotel. Enjoy Reykjavík’s twinkling lights and festive decorations as your guide tells you about holiday traditions.
Today is St. Thorlak’s Day, a day when stores are open late into the evening and Icelanders enjoy last minute shopping and greeting friends throughout the day and evening. You’ll surely enjoy this cheerful backdrop for your walking tour.
Dinner this evening is at your leisure. Reykjavík offers a multitude of restaurants and/or coffee-houses, making dinner a wonderful way to get better acquainted with Iceland’s capital.
Please note: If you have added extra nights in Reykjavík before your tour, your tour starts with the evening walking tour on Day 1 according to the standard “Winter Wonders of Iceland Group Adventure” itinerary.
Highlights
Downtown Reykjavík
Extra activities
ExtraFlyOver Iceland
Start your adventure by visiting the fascinating Aurora Reykjavík Northern Lights Center. You’ll get a great introduction to the Northern Lights, how they’re formed, and the folklore surrounding them. You’ll also get tips about how to capture the Northern Lights on film. You can also get assistance from the staff in adjusting your camera’s settings for Northern Lights photos.
Depart Reykjavík and head onwards to Þingvellir (Thingvellir National Park), a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the world’s oldest parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake. This place makes us Icelanders enormously proud of our heritage, and your guide will show you some of the amazing sites here. You might even have a rare chance to walk between two continents!
Continue on to the geothermal fields of Geysir with bubbling mud pools and the high-spouting Strokkur hot spring. Last but not least, you’ll visit the dramatic two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall, a spectacular sight in winter when frozen mid-cascade. Stop at Skálholt, Iceland’s capital during the Middle Ages, now a culture center with a beautiful church.
During the day you will also visit the town of Laugarvatn. The town is built around three hot springs, and the residents have cleverly harnessed the hot springs for heating, greenhouses and even cooking. You’ll visit a unique outdoor geothermal bakery where sweet Icelandic rye bread is baked in hot sands. You’ll have the chance to taste some of the freshly baked bread, hot from the ground. It’s especially delicious slathered in sweet Icelandic butter.
Tonight, enjoy a Christmas Eve buffet dinner at your hotel. If weather conditions are right, your guide will take you on a northern lights hunt on foot in the area outside your hotel tonight, or on the evening of Day 3 or 4.
Gleðileg jól! Merry Christmas!
Drive along the South Shore, an area of Iceland that is especially beautiful to view in the winter. This is one of the main farm regions of the country, and the road will pass by typical Icelandic farms, often with Icelandic horses roaming in the fields.
This part of Iceland is home to the wonderful LAVA Center, an interactive, high-tech educational exhibition depicting volcanic activity, earthquakes, and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. Enjoy both the exhibit and viewing an interesting film about Icelandic volcanoes at the Center’s cinema.
Continue onwards. If the skies are clear you might see the area’s two most famous volcanoes in the distance: Mount Hekla (last eruption 2000) and Eyjafjallajökull (last eruption 2010). You might also possibly catch a glimpse of the Westman Islands archipelago off the coast of Iceland.
Stop at the spectacular Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. If trail conditions are right, you might be able to walk behind the ribbon-like Seljalandsfoss falls. Skógafoss is a beautifully shaped waterfall that makes a perfect backdrop for a selfie. It has an interesting history geologically, and it just may also be hiding some buried treasure from the Middle Ages.
Head onwards, passing Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, to visit Reynisfjara beach. Take a walk on the black sand, admiring the extraordinary rock formations and thundering waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Cross Eldhraun, a vast lava field created from a very destructive 18th-century eruption as you head into Southeast Iceland. The snows of winter make this landscape into something very mysterious.
Celebrate Christmas with a festive Christmas dinner at your hotel. You’ll also receive a gift to commemorate your Christmas visit to Iceland.
Today you will be in a world of glaciers! You’ll be visiting the southern area of Vatnajökull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. The total park area covers almost 14% of Iceland, making it the largest national park in Western Europe! Drive through vast sand plains created by glacial outwash as you head east.
Visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where you’ll enjoy the breathtaking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180-meter (591-foot) deep glacial lagoon. Make sure that camera is charged and ready! Nearby is the dramatic beauty of Fellsfjara (aka Diamond Beach), named for the shrinking icebergs that settle on the black sands before drifting out to sea.
Next, you’ll view Svínafellsjökull, one of the most beautiful glacial tongues that are slowly creeping down from Vatnajökull. Visit the national park’s famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty dominated by several magnificent glaciers.
After your amazing day, your group will return to your hotel where you’ll have dinner.
Head back along the beautiful South Coast, enjoying a different view of the winter landscapes. Visit the village of Hveragerði, which is one of the few settlements in the world located directly in the middle of a geothermal area. Hveragerði is often called “The Flower Village” because of its many flower greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs.
Turn onto a southern coastal road and follow alongside the shoreline with its breathtaking sea waves, passing through a deserted community that once was a flourishing center for the region.
The trip then takes you through the surreal landscapes of the Reykjanes peninsula, where you can enjoy a dip in the famous Blue Lagoon, a unique wonder of nature with pleasantly warm, mineral-rich water in the middle of a black lava field.
Return to Reykjavík, where your guide will bid you farewell at the hotel.
Shared airport transfer to Keflavík Airport for your return flight (included).
Breakfast at your hotel. Please note that this might be a light breakfast if you are taking an early morning departure flight.
We recommend you depart from your hotel no later than three hours before your departure flight. We wish you a pleasant trip back to your homeland and hope to see you in Iceland again!
What’s included?
Quality accommodation every night
Continental breakfast every day
Christmas Eve buffet dinner (Day 2)
Festive dinner (Day 3)
Two-course dinner in the countryside featuring local cuisine (Day 4)
Airport transfer
Local transport with guidance in English
Christmas Eve walking tour of Reykjavík
Admission to Aurora Reykjavík
Visit to geothermal bakery and rye bread tasting
Admission to Lava Center
Visit to a local horse farm, including traditional Icelandic refreshments
Blue Lagoon Comfort admission (includes towel rental, silica mud mask, 1 drink)
Christmas treats from Icelandic Yule lads
Guided Northern Lights tour on foot
24/7 emergency helpline when you’re in Iceland
Carbon offsetting of your tour
VAT, taxes & service fees
Flights to Iceland
Food & drink, unless otherwise stated
Attraction entrance fees, unless otherwise stated
Personal travel insurance
Stay in well-located hotels and guesthouses that are highly rated by visitors and handpicked by experts.
You’ll stay at the following hotels or similar:
- Day 1 – Hotel Klettur
- Day 2 – Stracta Hotel Hella
- Day 3 – Hotel Klaustur
- Day 4 – Hotel Klaustur
- Day 5 – Hotel skuggi
FAQs about our guided group trips
On this type of tour, you’ll travel around Iceland by bus with the same driver-guide for the length of your trip. Guided group tours are a great way to make like-minded friends, as you’ll spend time with the same travelers for your whole vacation.
You’ll get to stay in accommodation around the country, and some tours include a few evening meals too. After a day’s exploring, you’ll go back to your private room and meet your guide and group the next morning to continue your trip.
All of our guided group tours start and finish in Reykjavík.
There are 2 group sizes available:
- Small group: Up to 16 people
- Big group: Up to 36 people
Small groups offer a more intimate travel experience, whereas big groups are more wallet-friendly.
You’ll likely be with people from a whole mix of backgrounds, from different countries and of different ages. Your guide will entertain you with fun facts and jokes as you journey around Iceland. It’s almost guaranteed you’ll be laughing along with your group!
There will most probably be a mix of solo travelers, couples, and small groups of friends and family.
The luggage restrictions on this guided group tour are as follows:
- 1 suitcase or large bag per person for clothes and overnight items
- 1 day bag for essential items, like a camera, extra clothes, and valuables
Each day your luggage will be loaded onto the bus. In the evening, you’ll take all your bags with you to your room.
Our guided group tours have fixed start dates and itineraries. While it’s not possible to customize the actual tour, you can tailor your trip with extra days and activities before or afterwards.
For example, you could add a couple more days in Reykjavík at the end of your trip. Fill these with day tours or exciting activities like ice caving and snowmobiling.
On a guided group tour, you’ll learn a lot about Icelandic history, nature, and culture from experienced tour guides. You’ll find their passion for the country infectious and gain a perspective on life in Iceland from these travel experts.
Guided group tours also mean you don’t need to worry about driving yourself on unfamiliar roads. They’re a fantastic way to explore Iceland if you want to meet like-minded travelers too.
That said, guided tours are by no means the only way to experience Iceland. If you’d prefer something more customizable, you could go for a multi-day tour by bus. Or if you want to set your own pace on a road trip, it’s hard to beat a self-drive tour.
Another option is a privately guided tour. This combines the experience of a locally guided tour with the intimacy of traveling in your own private group.
On an Iceland guided tour, you can expect to travel by bus in a small or large party. You can choose your preferred group size when you book.
Iceland small group tours are more intimate, whereas large group tours are more wallet-friendly. The maximum number of people in a small group is 16, and 36 in a large group.
Your driver-guide will lead the entire trip, which includes stays in the Icelandic countryside. Each day you’ll explore a new part of Iceland and enjoy commentary from your guide between stops.
As you’ll be with the same group of people throughout your trip, you’ll have the chance to socialize with fellow travelers and make friends (maybe even for life). There’s nothing like diving into Iceland’s epic nature for a bonding experience!
There’s plenty to enjoy on a guided tour of Iceland. The great thing about them is that you can access locations you never would have known about. And you can travel to seemingly out-of-reach regions, like the Icelandic highlands.
Here’s just some of what you could get up to on an Iceland group tour:
- Chase the Northern Lights in a remote countryside spot
- Tour the legendary Ring Road route
- See bubbling hot springs on the Golden Circle
- Explore ice cave country in Vatnajökull National Park
- Hop between stunning waterfalls on a south coast tour
- Follow in the footsteps of Vikings at Þingvellir National Park
- Watch an active geyser, Strokkur, erupt before you
- Admire freshly calved icebergs drift gently out to sea
- Roam the black sands of Reynisfjara beach
- Soak up culture and nightlife in downtown Reykjavík
- Dive into the country's food scene at Iceland's best restaurants.
Need more inspiration? Check out this Iceland Travel Guide.
All of the guided Iceland vacation packages featured here include local transport, accommodation, breakfast, airport transfers, and activities. Some also include dinners in the countryside, so check the specific package for details.
You can customize your guided trip with extra days in Reykjavík at the start or end of your vacation. Use these to pack in day tours or an evening Northern Lights tour. You could even pay a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon.
In general, tipping is not as commonplace in Iceland as in some other countries. While tour guides would never expect to be tipped, they would receive them gratefully.
You can start planning your Iceland adventure right on this page. Browse the guided vacation packages above until you find the one for you.
Next, check departure dates on the tour page. Guided group tours have fixed dates and durations, although you can extend your trip with extra days in Reykjavík if you like. This would be your chance to add activities, like exploring an ice cave or bathing in hot springs.
After that, simply follow the checkout instructions to complete your booking. You’ll receive a confirmation email straight away, followed by your travel documents closer to your departure date.
You can check dates on the individual tour pages. Guided tours are available in a small or large group, with separate departure dates for each.
There are weekly or fortnightly departures throughout the popular summer and winter seasons. Make sure you book in advance as spaces can sell out quick.
Because guided group tours have fixed departure dates, it’s a good idea to book your vacation package before your flights. Once you’ve received the confirmation from Iceland Tours, you’re clear to book with your preferred airline.
That said, you might want to do a rough check for flights before you book your package to get a feel for what’s available.
Iceland is well connected to Europe and North America with daily direct flights to lots of major cities.
When visiting Iceland, it pays to pack smart and be prepared. The weather is changeable and conditions are likely to be different to what you’re used to at home.
Here’s an Iceland packing list that’s good for all seasons:
- Warm, waterproof coat
- Toasty inner layers
- Hat, scarf, and gloves
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Sunglasses
- Moisturizer and lip balm
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 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.
No worries! Iceland Tours is already offsetting the carbon footprint of your tour package. We've teamed up with an environmental fund in Iceland to cover the carbon offset for all our tours.
Carbon offsetting for international flights is not included, but we suggest checking with your airline or through a local environmental fund for options.
