What key sites can I visit in Iceland during December?

Winter tours in Iceland focus on the country's most notable cold-weather attractions. The Golden Circle route takes visitors to Thingvellir National Park Geysir's steaming vents and Gullfoss waterfall. Along the South Coast you'll find the cascading Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and nearby Diamond Beach offer views of floating icebergs. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "Each place was more beautiful than the last - the natural beauty is outstanding. The ice caves in Vatnajökull Jökulsárlón lagoon and waterfalls were absolutely magical in winter conditions." Accommodations typically include stays at properties like Fosshotel Baron in Reykjavik and Hotel Höfn near the glacier lagoon.

What are the weather conditions like in Iceland during December?

Reykjavik sees temperatures between -2°C to 4°C (28°F to 39°F) in December while North Iceland near Akureyri experiences colder conditions. Snow is common particularly around Mývatn and Húsafell. Strong winds can occur throughout the country. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The weather was challenging but worth it - we experienced everything from heavy snow at Gullfoss waterfall to clear skies perfect for Northern Lights viewing from Hotel Eyjafjallajökull."

What are the best places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland during December?

Dark December skies create ideal viewing conditions around Lake Mývatn the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the South Coast near Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Hotels like Eyjafjallajökull and Fosshotel Nupar provide viewing spots away from city light pollution. According to a TourRadar traveler: "We saw spectacular Northern Lights two nights in a row from our hotel in Kirkjubæjarklaustur - the dark December skies made them even more vivid."

What winter activities are available at the Golden Circle in December?

The Golden Circle's winter offerings include snowmobile rides on Langjökull glacier visits to the active Strokkur geyser and walks around the partially frozen Gullfoss waterfall. Guests at Fosshotel Baron can reach these sites easily. One TourRadar traveler shared: "Seeing Gullfoss partially frozen in December was absolutely magical and the snowmobile tour added an extra adventure element."

What type of accommodation is available during December tours?

December tours feature 3-star hotels equipped with private bathrooms and heating systems across Iceland. Popular options include Fosshotel Baron in Reykjavík Hotel Höfn near Vatnajökull and Fosshotel Nupar in the south. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The hotels were well-heated and strategically located for northern lights viewing with the Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon offering particularly stunning views of the auroras."

What special Christmas activities happen in Iceland during December?

December brings distinctive holiday traditions to Iceland. Visitors can meet the Yule Lads in Dimmuborgir browse Christmas markets in Reykjavik and see holiday light displays throughout the city. Local restaurants and hotels serve traditional Christmas buffets known as jólahlaðborð. As shared by a TourRadar traveler: "The Christmas atmosphere in Reykjavik was magical with festive lights making the short December days much brighter."

Iceland Tours in December 2026

10 best Iceland trips in December 2026

View Map
Explorer
7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Winter)
4.8 (6 traveler reviews)
"Iceland is incredible and the sights included in the tour were amazing. It's much less expensive to book directly with the lagoons and other attractions."
Mallory, traveled in September
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Borgarnes, Snæfellsnes, Arnarstapi,Hellnar,Kirkjufell Mountain,Reykholt,Thingvellir National Park,Gullfoss,Geysir,Kerid Volcano,Hella,Hvolsvollur,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Solheimajokull,Myrdalsjokull,Hof,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Reykjavik+18 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
5% Off
From $2,051
US$1,949per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
Explorer
6 Days Self-drive | Reykjavik, Golden Circle and South Iceland Tour (Winter)
4.8 (5 traveler reviews)
"We were very tired after but did feel we got to see so much of Iceland. We will definitely use TourRadar again for our next adventure."
Thomas, traveled in May
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik,Thingvellir National Park,Gullfoss,Geysir,Kerid Volcano,Hella,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Solheimajokull,Hof,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Vik+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
5% Off
From $1,693
US$1,608per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
Explorer
8 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
4.4 (22 traveler reviews)
"What a great trip, weather could have been better but we still enjoyed it. Good selection of passengers, we made some friends for life."
Petrina, traveled in July
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogar,Vik,Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon,Hof,Djupivogur,Egilsstadir,Myvatn,Dimmuborgir,Mount Namaskard,Godafoss,Akureyri,Borgarnes,Snæfellsnes,Djupalonssandur,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Kirkjufell Mountain,Stykkisholmur,Borgarfjörður,Reykholt,Hraunfossar+22 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Troll Expeditions
5% Off
From
US$2,688per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
Explorer
6 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
4.0 (5 traveler reviews)
"The experience was awesome! So many things to see, so many different experiences."
Walter, traveled in January
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss, Seljaland,Skogafoss,Solheimajokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon,Faskrudsfjordur,Egilsstadir,Mount Namaskard,Hverfjall Volcano,Myvatn,Godafoss,Akureyri,Blonduos,Borgarnes+15 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Troll Expeditions
5% Off
From
US$2,284per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
$Iceland Fire and Ice (Classic ( Until 3 Mar \'27), Winter) Tour$
$Iceland Fire and Ice (Classic ( Until 3 Mar \'27), Winter) - 14 destinations$
View Map
Explorer
Iceland Fire and Ice (Classic ( Until 3 Mar '27), Winter)
5.0 (5 traveler reviews)
"You will meet some of the nicest people in the world and also see some of the greatest sites to explore on earth."
Matthew, traveled in April
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Efstidalur, Geysir,Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogar,Reynisfjara,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Vatnajokull National Park,Vik,Reykjanesfólkvangur Reserve,Blue Lagoon+9 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
3% Off
From $1,885
US$1,825per person
Price based on Shared Room
5 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
12 Dec, 2026
8 spaces left
View tour
View Map
Northern Lights
Geluxe: Winter in Iceland: Otherworldly Landscapes & Northern Lights
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Hella, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir,Gullfoss,Secret Lagoon,Snæfellsnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Djupalonssandur,Arnarstapi+6 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
3% Off
From
US$3,699per person
Price based on Private Double Room
28 Dec, 2026
8 spaces left
View tour
View Map
Explorer
Iceland (Winter): Geysers & Glaciers
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Secret Lagoon,Geysir,Skaftafell,Reynisfjara,Hraunfossar,Snæfellsnes,Arnarstapi,Stykkisholmur+7 more
Age Range
Ages 18-32
Regions
Thingvellir National ParkJokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Topdeck
3% Off
From
US$2,669per person
Price based on Private Double Room
12 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
26 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
Explorer
4 Days in Reykjavík Winter Package
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"We fell in love with the stunning beauty all around us there. I might add, now I know what everyone's talking about with their soup comments...YES THE SOUP WAS DELICIOUS!!!"
Maralee, traveled in March
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Kerid Volcano, Gullfoss, Geysir,Thingvellir National Park,Hvolsvollur,Vik,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Seljaland,Borgarnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Djupalonssandur,Arnarstapi,Reykjanesviti+11 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
BusTravel Iceland
3% Off
From
US$440per person
Price based on Shared Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
Explorer
Premium Iceland in Winter
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Fludir, Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon,Borgarfjörður+2 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Premium
3% Off
From
US$4,995per person
Price based on Private Double Room
6 Dec, 2026
9 spaces left
10 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
Explorer
Geluxe: Winter in Iceland: Waterfalls & Aurora Nights
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Seljaland, Skogar, Hella,Thingvellir National Park,Geysir,Gullfoss,Secret Lagoon+4 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
3% Off
From
US$2,699per person
Price based on Private Double Room
28 Dec, 2026
8 spaces left
View tour
View Map
Explorer
Iceland Winter Express - 4 days
1.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Borgarfjörður, Reykholt, Hraunfossar,Djupalonssandur,Skogafoss,Eyjafjallajokull,Myrdalsjokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Hof,Jokulsarlon,Vatnajokull National Park,Skaftafell+10 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
20% Off
From $1,990
US$1,592per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
3 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
Explorer
5 Days Land of Northern Lights
4.5 (176 traveler reviews)
"An amazing tour; The guide is so knowledgeable about Iceland and it's culture."
Eugene, traveled in December
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Hella, Eyjafjallajokull,Seljaland,Skogar,Solheimajokull,Myrdalsjokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Geysir,Gullfoss,Thingvellir National Park+9 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
GJ Travel
20% Off
From
US$1,313per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
3 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
Explorer
7 Day - Iceland Ring Road & Snæfellsnes Peninsula Small-Group Tour
4.7 (75 traveler reviews)
"An amazingly beautiful country shown to us. The itinerary was comprehensive and we had plenty to see and do."
Sally-Beatson, traveled in January
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogar,Reynisfjara,Vik,Myrdalsjokull,Jokulsarlon,Fjadrargljufur,Hofn,Djupivogur,Egilsstadir,Borgarfjörður,Dettifoss,Myvatn,Dimmuborgir,Skutustadagigar,Godafoss,Akureyri,Hvitserkur,Laugarbakki,Snæfellsnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Djupalonssandur,Arnarstapi+24 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Operated in
English
Operator
BusTravel Iceland
20% Off
From
US$2,238per person
Price based on Private Single Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
3 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
Northern Lights
5-Day Northern Lights Hunt & Glacier Lagoon Tour
4.9 (29 traveler reviews)
"The tour was great! He had funny stories to share and knew a lot about Iceland."
Michele, traveled in January
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss, Vik,Fludir,Geysir,Skaftafell,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Selfoss,Blue Lagoon,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Seljaland+10 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Snaeland Travel
10% Off
From $1,125
US$1,013per person
Price based on Private Double Room
3 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
6 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
View tour
View Map
Explorer
Land of the Northern Lights - 5 days
4.4 (182 traveler reviews)
"We got to see so may wonderful parts of Iceland. We can't wait to go back again."
Barbara, traveled in March
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Hella, Eyjafjallajokull, Skogafoss,Solheimajokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Geysir,Gullfoss,Thingvellir National Park+6 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
30% Off
From $1,835
US$1,285per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
6 spaces left
3 Dec, 2026
6 spaces left
View tour