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

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Explorer
7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Winter)
4.8 (6 traveler reviews)
"The nightly accommodations were clean and comfortable, and breakfast was plentiful at each hotel."
Ellen, traveled in August
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Borgarnes, Arnarstapi,Kirkjufell Mountain,Reykholt,Thingvellir National Park,Geysir,Gullfoss,Kerid Volcano,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Hvolsvollur,Reykjavik+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
From
US$1,750per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
6 Days Self-drive | Reykjavik, Golden Circle and South Iceland Tour (Winter)
4.8 (5 traveler reviews)
"Really loved how this made the trip so much more effortless. Did not have any surprises with booking, rentals or check-in."
Jose, traveled in March
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik,Thingvellir National Park,Geysir,Gullfoss,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Jokulsarlon,Kirkjubaejarklaustur+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
From
US$1,413per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
6 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
4.0 (3 traveler reviews)
"Excellent tour operator that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone interested in an adventure in Iceland!"
Hong, traveled in December
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
From
US$2,284per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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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
30% Off
From $4,995
US$3,497per person
Price based on Shared Room
6 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
10 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Festival & Events
5-Day Iceland New Year’s Festival & Winter Wonders
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss,Reykjanesviti,Blue Lagoon+2 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
STM Tours LLC
10% Off
From $2,025
US$1,822per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
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$Iceland Fire and Ice (Classic ( Until 3 Mar \'27), Winter) Tour$
$Iceland Fire and Ice (Classic ( Until 3 Mar \'27), Winter) - 10 destinations$
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Explorer
Iceland Fire and Ice (Classic ( Until 3 Mar '27), Winter)
5.0 (4 traveler reviews)
"I loved my trip to Iceland. I had the best birthday ever during the trip!"
Natasha, traveled in January
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Efstidalur, Geysir,Gullfoss,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Reynisfjara,Vik,Blue Lagoon+5 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Country Region
South Iceland
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
32% Off
From $2,325
US$1,570per person
Price based on Shared Room
5 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
30 Dec, 2026
8 spaces left
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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
10% Off
From $2,689
US$2,420per person
Price based on Shared Room
12 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
26 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Northern Lights
Geluxe: Winter in Iceland: Otherworldly Landscapes & Northern Lights
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Hella, Skogar, Thingvellir National Park,Secret Lagoon,Geysir,Gullfoss,Snæfellsnes,Arnarstapi+5 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
South Iceland
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
10% Off
From
US$3,699per person
Price based on Shared Room
28 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Geluxe: Winter in Iceland: Waterfalls & Aurora Nights
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Hella, Skogar, Thingvellir National Park,Secret Lagoon,Geysir,Gullfoss+3 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
South Iceland
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
10% Off
From
US$2,699per person
Price based on Shared Room
28 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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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
10% Off
From
US$439per person
Price based on Shared Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
8 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
4.4 (21 traveler reviews)
"Was a fabulous 8 days!!!"
Brenda, traveled in February
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss, Geysir,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Solheimajokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon,Djupivogur,Faskrudsfjordur,Egilsstadir,Mount Namaskard,Myvatn,Dimmuborgir,Hverfjall Volcano,Akureyri,Blonduos,Borgarnes,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Arnarstapi,Djupalonssandur,Kirkjufell Mountain,Stykkisholmur,Reykholt,Hraunfossar+24 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Troll Expeditions
10% Off
From
US$2,688per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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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
25% Off
From $1,985
US$1,489per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
3 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
Explorer
5 Days Land of Northern Lights
4.5 (167 traveler reviews)
"Intense and well thought out program, excellent."
Mário, traveled in September
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Reykjanesviti, Gunnuhver, Blue Lagoon, Hella,Seljaland,Eyjafjallajokull,Skogafoss,Solheimajokull,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
25% Off
From
US$1,276per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
3 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
7 Day - Iceland Ring Road & Snæfellsnes Peninsula Small-Group Tour
4.7 (68 traveler reviews)
"Accommodation and route and sites all fabulous."
Evelynne, traveled in October
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Hvolsvollur,Seljaland,Skogar,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Vik,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Hofn,Djupivogur,Egilsstadir,Dettifoss,Mount Namaskard,Dimmuborgir,Myvatn,Skutustadagigar,Godafoss,Akureyri,Blonduos,Hvitserkur,Laugarbakki,Grábrók Volcano,Hraunfossar,Reykholt,Borgarnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Djupalonssandur,Arnarstapi,Snæfellsnes+30 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Operated in
English
Operator
BusTravel Iceland
18% Off
From $2,234
US$1,832per person
Price based on Shared Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
3 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Explorer
Land of the Northern Lights - 5 days
4.4 (178 traveler reviews)
"The Northern Lights were spectacular. Very well organized and full of activities without overloading the guests."
Maher, traveled in February
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Hella, Eyjafjallajokull, Seljaland,Reynisfjara,Skogafoss,Gullfoss+3 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
35% Off
From $1,850
US$1,203per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
6 spaces left
3 Dec, 2026
6 spaces left
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