Perfect 6-Day Christmas Vacation Package in Iceland with Optional Tours from Keflavik Airport
Description
Summary
Description
Experience the perfect Icelandic vacation by spending six days exploring the highlights of the land of fire and ice, with optional trips to the Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, South Coast, and more. Travelers who want to maximize their chances of seeing the beautiful northern lights while enjoying an action-packed getaway will love the itinerary of this winter vacation package.
Traveling to Iceland in winter can be tricky if you aren't used to driving in wintery conditions. Booking this package means you don't need to worry about this, as we'll organize all your accommodation, transportation, and airport transfers for you.
We'll also save you time planning your route, ensuring you see Iceland's best bits without the stress of organizing it yourself.
This package includes a detailed itinerary to give you clear information and details about each attraction you visit. You'll also have expert guides on hand to keep you safe at each destination, and you can phone a personal travel agent 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if you have any questions or problems.
In addition, you don't have to worry about booking your accommodations because it's already included here. You'll spend all your nights in central Reykjavik, where you can avoid the hassle of transferring your luggage to different locations.
If your plans change at the last minute, you can cancel the trip for free up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure and receive a full refund.
For six days, Reykjavik will serve as your base city. Considered the world's northernmost capital city, Reykjavik offers every visitor an exciting sightseeing and cultural experience. It transforms into a winter wonderland with the festive Christmas celebrations in December.
In the city, you'll see charming streets lined with unique shops, excellent restaurants, and beautiful landmarks. Some attractions to check out include the Hallgrimskirkja church, Harpa Concert Hall, and the Perlan Museum.
To spice up your winter holiday in Iceland, you can pack some of your days with optional sightseeing and activity tours.
If you book a Golden Circle tour, you'll get to visit some of Iceland's most iconic landmarks. Marvel at the Gullfoss waterfall, watch boiling water erupting from the Strokkur geyser, and wonder at the beauty of the Thingvellir National Park.
Meanwhile, you can add guided tours on the South Coast and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula on other days. In these regions, you can see waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, beaches, and more diverse landscapes.
To make your vacation even more special, every night on this vacation, you have the opportunity to witness the northern lights. You can even ride a boat or a super jeep to hunt for this spectacular winter highlight.
Make the most of your winter trip in Iceland by booking this six-day vacation in Reykjavik, complete with optional thrilling activities. Check availability now by choosing a date.
Included
Map
Attractions
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Iceland with Blue Lagoon Option
Welcome to Iceland! Enjoy your first day in the land of fire and ice by exploring Reykjavik and adding some optional activities.
When your flight lands at the Keflavik International Airport, you'll collect your luggage and board the pre-booked shuttle bus to Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital.
Before reaching Reykjavik, you can make a stop at the Blue Lagoon, the most popular geothermal spa in Iceland. If you add a comfort or premium entrance package to your booking, you can enjoy a relaxing thermal bath for a few hours.
The Blue Lagoon is most known for its milky-blue waters, rich in minerals like silica and sulfur. While bathing in the pool, you can access excellent facilities like an in-water bar, saunas, changing rooms, and more.
After your time in the Blue Lagoon and upon arrival in Reykjavik, you may have time to spend a few hours sightseeing once you've checked into your accommodation.
Reykjavik has a small population but is a vibrant, bustling city with plenty to entertain visitors. You'll find several excellent art galleries and fascinating museums to teach you about Icelandic culture and history.
You can also visit the Hallgrimskirkja church, one of the country's highest buildings, for a sweeping view over the city's rooftops. The church’s tower reaches 240 feet (74.5 meters).
Head to the city's coastline to see the Sun Voyager sculpture, then go to the Old Harbor to look at the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center. Harpa features hundreds of glass panels and serves as one of the city’s architectural marvels.
When you're ready for dinner, try some traditional Icelandic food in one of the city's world-class restaurants and head to a pub for a drink with some locals.
After a beautiful evening spent, you'll return to your accommodation in downtown Reykjavik for a good night's sleep. Don’t forget to gaze upon the winter skies for a chance to see the northern lights.
Day 2 - Exploring Reykjavik with Optional Culture and Helicopter Tours
On day two of your Christmas season vacation in Iceland, you'll wake up to a beautiful view of Reykjavik, possibly blanketed in snow.
This day gives you the freedom to craft your itinerary as you wish, allowing you to delve into the city's highlights at your own pace.
Reykjavik invites you to explore its streets. Wander through its charming neighborhoods, where colorful buildings and cozy cafes line the streets. Immerse yourself in Icelandic culture, perhaps by visiting local museums, tasting authentic cuisine, or chatting with friendly locals.
If you want a more informed and entertaining tour of Reykjavik, joining a walking tour is your best option. With the help of a local guide, you'll learn more about Iceland's culture and history while visiting some famous landmarks.
For those craving an adrenaline rush, consider adding an optional activity tour to your day.
Whale watching promises the chance to witness the gentle giants of Iceland roaming the North Atlantic's surface. You'll embark on a boat adventure led by experienced guides who know the best areas to locate these sea creatures.
With luck in hand, you don't have to wait long to see humpback whales and dolphins as they swim and feed freely in their natural habitat.
Alternatively, take to the skies on a helicopter tour, revealing Iceland's awe-inspiring landscapes from a whole new perspective. You will Soar above Reykjavik, volcanic craters, mountains, and the dramatic coastline.
Your pilot will provide fascinating insights into the geological wonders below, making this a truly unique and immersive experience.
As daylight transitions into the night skies, prepare for an extraordinary evening as you can join a guided northern lights excursion. Iceland's northern lights, a natural phenomenon of dancing colors in the night sky, are breathtaking to see while surrounded by snowy landscapes.
Opt for a comfortable bus tour, a serene boat voyage, or an exhilarating super jeep adventure, all led by experienced guides who know the prime spots far from city lights.
As the day's excitement ends, you'll return to your cozy Reykjavik accommodation.
Day 3 - Discovering Reykjavik and Optional Golden Circle Tour
The third day of your winter vacation in Iceland opens with exciting opportunities. Like the rest of your six-day trip, you can personalize this day with optional tours.
One of your best optional activities to book is a guided tour of the Golden Circle, the country's most famous sightseeing route. It features three of the most visited natural attractions of Iceland outside Reykjavik.
The first site you'll come to is the Thingvellir National Park. This beautiful valley is located directly between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, both of which can be seen as you walk through the rift valleys, forests, and lava landscapes.
Besides being a geological marvel, Thingvellir is also historically significant to Icelanders. It is home to the first and oldest parliament of the country, called Althing.
Next, you'll come to the Haukadalur valley, home to the famous Geysir geothermal area. Geysir itself is inactive these days, but the nearby Strokkur geyser erupts every five to 10 minutes. On average, Strokkur's show reaches 66 feet (20 meters).
There are plenty of bubbling hot springs to marvel over on your visit to the geothermal valley.
The third attraction in the Golden Circle is Gullfoss, the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland. Though beautiful throughout the year, it's particularly stunning in winter when icicles cling to the rocks surrounding it.
Gullfoss waterfall features a two-tiered cascade with a combined height of 105 feet (32 meters). The area has many viewing platforms where you can fully enjoy its glacial waters before plunging into a canyon.
During your trip in the Golden Circle, an experienced guide will accompany your group. They will share exciting information, trivia, and folklore about each attraction on the itinerary.
You'll return to your accommodation in Reykjavik in the evening. If you still have the energy, feel free to roam around downtown to get a taste of the city's nightlife.
Day 4 - More Time in Reykjavik and Optional South Coast Tour
On day four of your Christmas season visit to Iceland, you'll have another chance to explore Reykjavik and add thrilling activities to your itinerary.
If you've explored the Golden Circle previously, perhaps another sightseeing in the countryside is what you're looking for. This time, you can embark on a guided excursion to the South Coast.
The South Coast is a region known for its natural landscapes framed by powerful waves of the North Atlantic Ocean. You'll see waterfalls, glaciers, coastal villages, snowy valleys, and black sand beaches here.
You'll start the day by meeting the expert local guide leading you on this excursion. Board the bus and start the journey out of Reykjavik. You'll follow the Ring Road along the South Coast, stopping at various points of interest.
Your first stop is the magnificent Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which sits in front of a vast cavern. From this small cave, you can view the 200-foot (60-meter) water curtain of Seljalandsfoss from behind. Just remember to walk cautiously because the path can be slippery in winter.
You'll then head to the nearby Skogafoss waterfall, which is the same height as Seljalandsfoss but far broader. You can view its cold waters from its top cliff or the flat valley at its bottom. On a sunny day, rainbows are familiar sights above the waterfall.
Your route will continue along the coastline, passing the Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers on your left and the stunning Atlantic Ocean on your right. Then, the adventure reaches the Reynisfjara black sand beach. It's the perfect place to see the volcanic sands Iceland is known for. If it's snowy, the sand will contrast beautifully with the white ice and snow.
You might recognize the beach, as it has appeared in various films and TV shows, including Game of Thrones and Star Wars: Rogue One. Snap a few photos of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks before you return to the bus.
Before returning to your hotel in Reykjavik, you'll stop at Vik village, the southernmost settlement in mainland Iceland.
On your way back to Reykjavik, don't forget to look up at the winter skies for a chance to see the northern lights.
Day 5 - More Reykjavik Highlights and Optional Snaefellsnes Peninsula Tour
Enjoy free time sightseeing in Reykjavik, or add a day trip to the magnificent Snaefellsnes Peninsula on your last full day in Iceland.
If you opt for the Snaefellsnes tour, you'll enjoy a convenient pick-up from your hotel or at a designated bus stop in the city center. A local guide will lead the sightseeing excursion, providing you with exciting trivia and excellent assistance. Feel free to ask them about anything about Iceland you're curious about.
Locals often call the Snaefellsnes Peninsula "Iceland in miniature" because it has a variety of different natural attractions. Anything you can visit in Iceland, you can also see in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, including glaciers, volcanoes, mountains, beaches, and more.
You'll visit the stunning Djupalonssandur beach (home to the historic lifting stones) and the "arrowhead" mountain from Game of Thrones (known more accurately as the Kirkjufell mountain). You'll also see a glacier-capped stratovolcano at the Snaefellsjokull National Park.
The Snaefellsjokull volcano is visible throughout the Snafellsnes Peninsula. It's even visible from Reykjavik on a clear day. You'll quickly understand why its dramatic presence has inspired many artists, including Jules Verne, who used it as a setting in his novel A Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Other attractions you might visit in Snaefellsnes include Arnarstapi village, Londrangar basalt cliffs, and Budir black church.
The day trip to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is optional in your vacation package, but if you'd prefer to stay in Reykjavik, you can book a free day in the city instead.
You'll find plenty of sightseeing opportunities in the city. Visit one of the city's best art galleries, such as the Einar Jonsson Museum and Sculpture Garden or the National Gallery.
Whatever you decide to do, your final full day in Iceland will be one to remember. You'll spend the last night in your accommodation in Reykjavik before your flight home tomorrow.
Day 6 - Farewell to Iceland with Optional Museum Visits
Your departure day from Iceland marks the end of a delightful six-day Christmas season vacation, a journey filled with breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences.
The plan for this day depends on your flight schedule, ensuring that your last moments in Iceland are as enjoyable as the entire trip.
For those with early departures, your morning will begin with catching your pre-booked airport transfer from Reykjavik to the Keflavik International Airport. As you journey to the airport, you'll have a final opportunity to soak in the rugged beauty of Iceland's scenery, reflecting on the incredible memories you've made during your stay.
If your flight departs later in the day, you can make the most of your remaining time in Reykjavik by visiting some of the city's immersive museums. You can add entrance tickets to these museums during the booking process.
The Wonders of Iceland exhibit at the Perlan Museum offers a captivating exploration of the country's geological marvels. It features interactive displays that bring Iceland's natural wonders to life, from ice caves to volcanoes and auroras.
Alternatively, the Whales of Iceland Museum offers an up-close encounter with life-sized whale models, perfect for those fascinated by marine life.
Lastly, FlyOver Iceland takes you on a virtual flight above Iceland's most stunning landscapes, providing a thrilling and immersive experience.
For those with ample time to spare, consider a visit to the Sky Lagoon, a perfect way to conclude your winter holiday in Iceland. This geothermal bathing experience offers relaxation in a breathtaking setting, with soothing warm waters against a backdrop of Iceland's stunning coastal views. It's the most relaxing way to bid farewell to this captivating land.
After all your optional tours, make sure to board your bus transfer to the airport in good time to catch your flight home.
We look forward to welcoming you back on your next Icelandic adventure. Until then, safe travels, and see you soon in Iceland.
What to bring
Good to know
The northern lights are a natural phenomenon. This itinerary is designed to maximize your chances to see them.
Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the winter. We recommend bringing shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers, which you can purchase in many supermarkets and gas stations around Iceland.
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