What are the typical temperatures and daylight hours in Nordic/Scandinavia during December?

December in Nordic/Scandinavia brings distinctly short days and winter temperatures. Iceland sees about 4-5 hours of daylight with temperatures from -5°C to +5°C (23-41°F). Parts of Finland and northern Sweden experience the polar night when the sun doesn't rise at all. Temperatures in Stockholm stay around 0°C (32°F) while Copenhagen runs slightly milder at 2-6°C (35-43°F). A TourRadar traveler noted "In November sunlight hours were very short with sunset around 4pm." Places like Hotel Cabin in Reykjavík provide warm shelter from the winter elements with proper heating and insulation.

What are the best places to see the Northern Lights in Nordic/Scandinavia during December?

Several locations offer good chances to spot the Northern Lights in December. Finnish Lapland near Rovaniemi and the Arctic Snow Hotel's glass igloos provide clear viewing spots. In Iceland going beyond Reykjavik to Lake Myvatn or Kirkjubæjarklaustur increases your chances. TourRadar travelers note "The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings will be dependent on weather conditions." The areas around Lulea in northern Sweden and Iceland's Snaefellsnes Peninsula also serve as reliable viewing locations on clear nights.

What unique winter activities can I experience in Nordic/Scandinavia during December?

December fills the region with distinctive winter experiences. Visitors can hike Solheimajökull glacier explore ice caves at Breiðamerkurjökull or chase the Northern Lights. One TourRadar traveler shared "We were fortunate enough to see the Northern Lights 2x" during their Iceland tour. The Arctic Snow Hotel offers glass igloo stays while Santa's Village welcomes visitors in Rovaniemi Finland. Other activities include traditional Finnish saunas walks through snow-covered Thingvellir National Park and visits to winter waterfalls like Gullfoss and Skógafoss.

What are the Christmas markets and winter festivals like in Nordic/Scandinavia during December?

Christmas markets bring local traditions to life across Nordic cities in December. Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen sets up market stalls under festive lights. Stockholm's Gamla Stan fills with vendors selling crafts and warming glögg. Helsinki's Senate Square showcases Finnish Christmas treats and handicrafts. The Skansen Christmas Market keeps Swedish winter traditions alive while Oslo's markets feature Nordic crafts and seasonal foods. Most markets operate daily through the Christmas season.

What makes December a special time to visit Nordic/Scandinavia compared to other months?

December combines natural wonders and cultural traditions unique to winter. Snow blankets the landscape while Northern Lights dance above creating perfect photo opportunities. TourRadar travelers note "Iceland's otherworldly aura seems to heighten at the winter months." Visitors can meet Santa in Rovaniemi browse Christmas markets or sleep under stars in glass igloos at the Arctic SnowHotel. The extended darkness provides more chances to see the Northern Lights while Swedish Lucia celebrations and Finnish Independence Day add cultural depth to any visit.

What accommodation options are available in Nordic/Scandinavia during December?

Winter accommodations range from unique to practical across the region. Finland's Arctic SnowHotel offers glass igloos for Northern Lights viewing. Iceland features hotels like Hotel Höfn and Hotel Katla perfect for winter storm watching. TourRadar travelers confirm "The accommodation is very good always clean warm and comfortable." City options include The Square Hotel in Copenhagen and Profil Hotels Central in Stockholm while remote locations offer guesthouses with winter comforts like saunas and fireplaces.

Nordic / Scandinavia Tours in December 2026

10 best Nordic / Scandinavia trips in December 2026

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Northern Lights
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Finland Sweden Norway
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
From
US$5,330per person
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Price based on Shared Room
5 Dec, 2026
2 spaces left
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City & Culture
Best of Scandinavia (Winter)
4.9 (118 reviews)
"The whole experience felt effortless, turning every stop into a rich and immersive adventure."
Jasmin, traveled in March
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Denmark Norway Sweden
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
From
US$2,050per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
3 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
10 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
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Northern Lights
Winter Scandinavia and Northern Lights Small Group Tour
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Denmark Norway Sweden
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Firebird Tours
From
US$6,208per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
6 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Nature & Wildlife
10 Days Complete Iceland Winter | Ring-Road, Snæfellsnes, Northern Lights & Roundtrip airport transfer (Group Tour)
3.0 (1 review)
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir,Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Solheimajokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon,Egilsstadir,Dettifoss,Myvatn,Mount Namaskard,Dimmuborgir,Godafoss,Akureyri,Borgarfjörður,Snæfellsnes,Djupalonssandur,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Kirkjufell Mountain,Reykholt,Hraunfossar,Keflavik+23 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% Off
From $4,679
US$4,211per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
Scandinavia – 13 Days Copenhagen to Helsinki
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Denmark Norway Sweden Finland
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Bucket List Group Travel LLC
10% Off
From
US$4,590per person
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Price based on Shared Room
5 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
12 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Nature & Wildlife
8 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
4.4 (22 reviews)
"Fabulous 8 day winter tour round Iceland, packed with adventures and plenty of photo stops."
Celia, traveled in February
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
10% Off
From
US$2,688per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
6 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
4.0 (5 reviews)
"Gilvy was really kind and a fun guide!!"
Kathleen, traveled in January
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Vik,Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon,Vatnajokull National Park,Djupivogur,Myvatn,Dimmuborgir,Mount Namaskard,Godafoss,Akureyri+13 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Troll Expeditions
10% Off
From
US$2,284per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
Capitals of the North
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Denmark Norway Sweden Finland
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia
10% Off
From
US$2,928per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
6 Days Self-drive | Reykjavik, Golden Circle and South Iceland Tour (Winter)
4.8 (5 reviews)
"All the tours and hotels were all nicely arranged and everything ran on time, which was awesome."
Trisha, traveled in July
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
10% Off
From $1,678
US$1,510per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Winter)
4.8 (6 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
10% Off
From $2,440
US$2,196per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
From Copenhagen to Helsinki
3.6 (77 reviews)
"Great itinerary, excellent hotels, and a well-managed tour with stops at multiple locations."
MURARI, traveled in August
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Denmark Norway Sweden Finland
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
10% Off
From
US$2,222per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
10 Days Self-drive | In-Depth Iceland Ring Road Tour (Winter)
5.0 (4 reviews)
"Every question I had beforehand and during the trip was quickly responded to. Highlights were zodiac tour of lagoon, glacier hike and puffins."
Ann, traveled in May
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykholt, Borgarnes, Snæfellsnes, Arnarstapi,Kirkjufell Mountain,Hvitserkur,Akureyri,Godafoss,Myvatn,Dettifoss,Egilsstadir,Bakkagerdi,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Hof,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Reynisfjara,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Solheimajokull,Hella,Hvolsvollur,Thingvellir National Park,Gullfoss,Geysir,Kerid Volcano,Reykjavik,Blue Lagoon+24 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Iceland Ring Road
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% Off
From $3,102
US$2,792per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
Absolute North
3.8 (40 reviews)
"The tour is worth the money, the system is very organized and well planned."
Cecilia, traveled in May
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Denmark Norway Sweden Finland Estonia
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
10% Off
From
US$2,458per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
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Adventure & Adrenaline
Lapland Winter Adventure
4.6 (5 reviews)
"Excellent from start to finish, such a smooth payment plan and travel experience."
Ann-Claire, traveled in December
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Kalix
Age Range
Ages 6+
Country Region
Lapland
Operated in
English
Operator
Carisa Travel Group
10% Off
From
US$4,055per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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City & Culture
Capitals of Scandinavia
3.8 (5 reviews)
"The be my guest lunch was off the beaten track and was sensational."
Marilyn, traveled in August
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Denmark Norway Sweden Finland Estonia
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
15% Off
From $3,050
US$2,593per person
Sign up to unlock savings
Price based on Private Double Room
13 Dec, 2026
1 space left
27 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Length

min. 2 days

max. 18+ days

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Solo Travelers

Must-see places

Reykjavik Thingvellir National Park Gullfoss Geysir Skogafoss Reynisfjara Jokulsarlon Seljaland Vik Oslo

Experiences & Attractions

Northern Lights Viewing Geyser Visit Reynisfjara Beach Visit Reindeer Experience Waterfall Visit Husky Experience Aurora Safari Jökulsárlón Lagoon Tour Thingvellir National Park Visit Glacier National Park Visit

Start & ending city

Reykjavik Keflavik Rovaniemi Copenhagen Ivalo

Reykjavik Rovaniemi Keflavik Ivalo Copenhagen

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Claire

Expert in Nordic / Scandinavia at TourRadar

Claire is one of our seasoned Nordic / Scandinavia Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Nordic / Scandinavia tours answered!

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