Iceland Vacation In December
If you are looking for a great place to visit in December, Iceland could be the perfect destination for you. When visiting Iceland you will encounter stunning scenery, different and interesting people and a rich history that goes back over 700 years.
Iceland is famous for its beautiful landscapes, geothermal pools, and Northern Lights. Do you want to visit Iceland in the winter? It’s a magnificent spot during the summer months, but it becomes truly unique for your holidays in December. Pack your bags: it is time for a winter get-away! While many tourists flock to tropical locales, the other half of the year offers some spectacular sights that are less crowded and much colder. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a budget trip or an extravagant holiday, Iceland could be for you. Your time is precious, so use this holiday to visit some of the stunning and possibly lesser-known locations in Iceland.
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Iceland Vacation In December
Iceland is a truly magical place with astonishing natural beauty and unique geology. It is famous for its big waterfalls, hot springs and glaciers, and offers exciting activities like horse riding, golfing and snowmobile tours. Any traveler visiting Iceland will be treated to breathtaking panoramic views along the way, as well as thousands of interesting stories of the country’s many legends, folk tales and folk songs.
While this may seem a little bleak, the high festive spirits around the country at Christmas time combat any seasonal blues.
Most well-known sites and many tours are still accessible in Iceland in December, and some activities, like ice caving and northern lights hunting, are at their peak.
While the climate is cold, the snow and ice transform the island into something new, something ethereal. That said, there are a few things to note to make your trip as safe as possible.
Continue reading for all you need to know about Iceland in December, starting with what to do in Iceland in December.
Best Time To Visit Iceland In December
Christmas in Iceland
As a primarily Lutheran country, Iceland has developed unique and wonderful traditions around Christmas time. December is widely considered to be the second-best time to visit Iceland because of the explosion of Yuletide joy.
In Icelandic and related Scandinavian languages, the holiday is called ‘Jol,’ which echoes English’s yule. Christmas in Iceland is a celebration of light, as the days start getting longer after the winter solstice. “Gledileg jol!” echoes down the streets of Reykjavik, a warm greeting to passersby.
Iceland formally converted to Christianity in 1000 AD at a session of the Althingi. Still, heathen practices persisted even after its formal adoption—and were sanctioned by the law if “practiced in secret.” Even today, Asatru, the Old Norse religion, makes up around 1% of the religious population.
The Christmas celebrations in Iceland take place during Advent, and they weave together both Lutheranism and Paganism. The festival officially starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve, when the Christmas trees are lit across the country.
In the capital, the great Oslo Christmas Tree (yes, it’s from Norway) is lit at Austurvollur (“The Eastern Field”), and the event is very popular. If you attend this, you’ll see the first of the Icelandic Yule Lads!
These 13 brothers, who made a comeback in Iceland in the 1930s thanks to poet Johannes ur Kotlum, now dress up in full Santa regalia. Originally, they were frightening, ugly, and mischievous trolls. They’re sneaky but not necessarily frightening (this depends on your outlook: one troll slams your doors, one steals milk from your cows, and another peeps into your windows. One even steals candles made from lard, presumably to stave off starvation).
Before Johannes ur Kotlum’s poem formally laid out 13 Yule lads, the lads were continually changing – and the list did include a few zombie-like maniacs, like Lungnaslettir (Lung Splatter), who carried his lungs in front of his chest and beat children with them.
Their mother, a giantess called Gryla, is the terrifying part of the story. She’s a cannibal, alongside her third husband, Leppaludi, who is several centuries older than her and more likable. Gryla descends the mountain every Christmas to kidnap and eat naughty children (and, possibly, grown adults).
Gryla has an enormous black cat, the Yule Cat, which also eats children, but only those who aren’t given clothes for Christmas. In recent years, the stories have softened because parents were concerned that these characters were too cruel and frightening for their children.
Below you can hear Icelandic singer Bjork sing a Christmas Song about the Yule Cat in true Icelandic fashion.
Nowadays, these figures add to the fun of Advent, which continues until December 23.
Restaurants in Iceland serve wildly popular “Christmas buffets” to which families and co-workers flock. Shops stay open until 10 p.m. from December 15 until December 23. Even bars host Christmas concerts and shows.
Note that some shops, restaurants, and tours may be closed or have limited opening hours at some point. Closures mainly occur between December 24 to December 26 and December 31 and January 1. Icelanders hold the biggest Christmas gatherings and exchange gifts on Christmas eve.
Those who want to enjoy the season outside the capital region could head to Obyggdasetur islands, the Wilderness Center. They host ‘Nostalgia of Christmas’ tours throughout December, where you can learn about the festival’s history in Iceland while enjoying homemade Icelandic Christmas food.
New Year’s Eve in Iceland
Similarly, New Year’s Eve in Iceland is a huge event. In Reykjavik, it’s arguably the city’s most lively and exciting night of the year.
At the turn of the year, thousands upon thousands of people take to the streets to watch one of the largest firework shows in Iceland. Locals buy fireworks in bulk from the Icelandic Search and Rescue organization (to fund them!) and set them off pretty much wherever they want to.
Besides Christmas and New Year, visitors coming to Iceland may be interested in two other cultural events. Every year on the Winter Solstice (December 21), the Imagine Peace Tower on Videy Island is relit until December 31. It’s possible to take a ferry over to the island to watch this ceremony.
This ceremony is sometimes attended by Yoko Ono, who conceived the idea in memory of Jon Lennon. The tower base has ‘Peace’ written on it in 24 languages, and the pillar of light can appear up to four kilometers in the air on clear nights.
On New Year’s Eve, Reykjavik also hosts a 10-kilometer run. The event is hugely popular among locals, and participants often dress up in costumes to win prizes. The race starts and finishes at Harpa.
Winter Solstice in Iceland
Besides Christmas and New Year, visitors coming to Iceland may be interested in the Winter Solstice. Every year on December 21, the Imagine Peace Tower on Videy Island is relit until December 31. It’s possible to take a ferry over to the island to watch this ceremony.
This ceremony is sometimes attended by Yoko Ono, who conceived the idea in memory of John Lennon. The tower base has ‘Peace’ written on it in 24 languages, and the pillar of light can appear up to 2.5 miles (four kilometers) in the air on clear nights.
Best Things to Do in Iceland in December
It may be cold out, and many of the roads are closed, but there are still plenty of things to do in Iceland in December.
Things to Do in Reykjavik in December
There are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik with the Christmas season in December. Also, many tours still run, meaning there’s still quite a lot to do inside and outside the city.
Christmas in Reykjavik
Christmas in Reykjavik is one of the biggest highlights of December in Iceland. To make the most of your vacation, check the Visit Reykjavik website for Christmas opening hours of various shops, restaurants, and other venues in Iceland from November onward.
To fully immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit, you should head to the town of Hafnarfjordur, which is in the greater Reykjavik area. This settlement has deep ties to folklore and tradition, and its residents go all out. The hip town center turns into a fairytale Christmas village during the season.
However, the best place to feel the Christmas spirit is at the Arbaejarsafn Open Air Museum, part of the greater Reykjavik City Museum. This museum is usually open only during summer, but it’s also open on weekends in December, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The area features the turf houses and churches of old Iceland, with staged areas showing how Icelanders of various economic backgrounds traditionally celebrated. Christmas in Iceland has always been an important holiday, and the festivities in Hafnarfjordur will help you learn about Iceland’s past while enjoying a hot cup of cocoa.
There’s also an adorable gift shop in Hafnarfjordur that sells Christmas goodies and confections. You can see how tallow candles are made (considered an excellent gift because they provided light throughout winter—but let’s not forget, they were also used as bait for Candle Stealer) in the stable. And when you get hungry, you can try the Christmas dinner staples: smoked lamb (hangikjot) and leaf bread (laufabraud), which is not made of leaves.
Iceland Places To Visit
1. Blue Lagoon
Home to a lot of hot springs, hot pools, and hot pots, the Iceland winter is an ideal time to take a dip and rejuvenate yourself. And of all the places, the Blue Lagoon is the best one to visit. True to its name, the geothermal spa sea water here looks too blue only during the winters, which only enhances the beauty of this place.
Timings: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day
Location: Nordurljosavegur 9, 240 Grindavík, Iceland
2. Northern Lights
There is no doubt that being the darkest month of the year, December is the best time to look for the gorgeous Aurora Borealis. With the sunlight being there only for four hours, there is plenty of time to hunt the dancing lights in a clear dark sky. This experience will not only leave you in awe but also completely captivated. This is one of the must things to do in Reykjavik in December.
Best Place To See Aurora Borealis In Iceland:
- Grótta Lighthouse or Klambratún Park in Reykjavik
- Rent a car and drive to a place which has a clear dark sky
- Take a northern lights tour with experienced guides
3. Blue Ice Caves
Winter in Iceland is exactly when ice caving begins to become almost perfect, and exploring them is just the experience you need to make the most of your holiday. With an expert guided tour, you can discover some of the best and ‘too true to be beautiful’ looking caves during your trip.
Cost: $170 depending on the tour you book
Best Places To See Ice Caves In Iceland: Jökulsárlón, Skaftafell Nature Reserve, Vatnajökull, and more.
4. Gullfoss Waterfall
Located in Southwest Iceland, the Gullfoss Waterfall in the south is a treat for the eyes. The splendid views of the golden water against the mountains is breathtaking and the cafe offering hot soups here only adds onto the experience, making it a magical moment.
Timings: Open for 24 hours
Location: White River, Blaskogabyggd 801, Iceland
5. Capturing Memories
While December might have only four hours of daylight, it offers an amazing amount of light in the noon that are perfect for capturing good pictures. The natural light acts as a great backdrop for highlighting the beauty of Iceland, and we can vouch that you will not come back home with a zillion memories captured on your lens.
6. Sightseeing Tour
Apart from Gullfoss and Blue Lagoon, Iceland is home to a lot of stunning places and a sightseeing tour is the best way to make sure you don’t miss out on witnessing any marvel. From cathedrals to waterfalls and national parks to villages, there are a lot of places to visit in Iceland in December.
Best Places To See In Iceland: Hallgrímskirkja, Vatnajokull National Park, Pingvellir, Jokulsarlon, Harpa, and more.
7. Hotel Rangá
While there are many hotels in Iceland, there is none that offers an experience like Hotel Ranga. From comfy stay to fine dining by the riverside, this hotel also boasts an opportunity to witness the northern lights from here. And to top it all, there are also a lot of adventures and activities to indulge in.
Price: $335 to $930 (double-sharing)
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5
Location: Suðurlandsvegur, 851 Hella, Iceland
8. Snowmobile Ride
Of all the things to do in Iceland in December, snowmobiling on the glaciers is an experience worth living. While you might not come across too much snow, the thrill of speeding on the ice for almost an hour is perfect for doing some sightseeing and indulging in adventure at the same time. Skiing in Iceland in December is another thing you can do.
Cost: $237 and above
Duration: 4 hours and above depending on the tour you book
9. Grillmarkadurinn
Iceland has a lot of great places to eat and drink, and Grillmarkadurinn is surely a haven for foodies. It offers the best of grilled meats, fishes, and vegetables in downtown Reykjavik along with some sizzling cocktails that are perfect to lift your mood up for experiencing the nightlife in the city.
Timings:
- 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM from Monday to Friday
- 5:30 PM to 11:30 PM from Saturday to Sunday
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5
Location: Laekjargata 2a, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
10. Icelandic Music At Harpa
If your heart beats to good music, then Harpa – the dazzling concert hall in Iceland is the place to visit. With classic music being played by renowned artists and bands, this place makes your winter holiday even more enchanting.
Location: Austurbakki 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
11. Whale Spotting
Winter in Iceland might not be the best time to spot wildlife, but is definitely a great time to witness the 23 types of whales like mink and humpback. You can take any regular Iceland winter tours that leaves around 1 in the noon from Reykjavik and witness some of the never-seen-before marine creatures.
Cost: $55 in winters
12. Dog Sledding
As unique as it sounds, dog sledding is a one-of-its-kind experience in Iceland. With this unique way of transportation, you will not only fall in love with the dogs, but also the beauty of the snow around.
Cost: $34 to $422
Duration: 1 hour to 9 hours depending on the tour you book
13. Reykjavik For New Year’s Celebrations
The new year celebrations in Iceland are an extraordinary sight. With lavish dinners & parties to fireworks show, the whole city is well lit up and definitely a place worth visiting to kick-start your new beginnings.
Best Party Places In Iceland: Austur Nightclub, Slippbarinn, and more.
14. Shopping
A blend of rural and urban culture, Reykjavik is certainly the best shopping hub in Iceland. From boutiques in Laugavegur to the oldest handicrafts shop – Thorvaldsens Bazar, there are a plethora of options for Shopaholics to pamper themselves with.
Best Places To Shop In Iceland: Handknitting Association of Iceland, Nordic Store, and more.
15. Horse Riding
Horse riding in Iceland is not an ordinary experience. It is undoubtedly the best way to get in touch with nature. With a variety of tours available, you can easily get on an Icelandic horse and take a tour of the famous tourist attractions in Iceland.
Cost: $76 to $284 depending on the tour you book
Duration: 1 hour to 9 hours
