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)
"Iceland's beauty speaks for itself. THAT KIND OF SERVICE IS EVERYTHING."
Chelsea, traveled in November
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$1,739per 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)
"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,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$1,404per person
Price based on Private Double 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)
"A well organised tour and a very good nature presented it in a good way."
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
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
6 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
4.0 (3 traveler reviews)
"Gilvy was really kind and a fun guide!!"
Kathleen, 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
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
10% Off
From $5,090
US$4,581per 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 $2,013
US$1,812per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
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$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)
"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,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Reynisfjara,Vik,Blue Lagoon+5 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Country Region
South Iceland
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
25% Off
From $2,325
US$1,744per 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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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$436per person
Price based on Shared Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 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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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
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)
"Everything was good and well organized as always."
Victoria, traveled in February
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$1,268per 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)
"Totally enjoyed the tour. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and keen to show us amazing places."
Regina, traveled in September
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 $2,221
US$1,821per 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)
"I saw mountains, volcanoes, glaciers, Black Sand Beach, Blue Lagoon, geyers, waterfalls, and the Northern Lights!"
Kerry, 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 $1,840
US$1,196per person
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
6 spaces left
3 Dec, 2026
6 spaces left
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