The 14 Best Iceland Christmas Tours

1.Akureyri: Goðafoss, Laufas & The Christmas House Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 173 reviews · 4 hours · from $117Our pick

Travel from Akureyri by minibus to Goðafoss, Laufás, and the Christmas House. Your English-speaking local guide, often praised guides such as Jon, Inga, or Lilja, adds Icelandic stories and humor. Expect a short, well-paced outing with hotel or cruise-port pickup, included Laufás admission, and time for photos and browsing.

“The sites of Iceland were breathtaking. The waterfall was stunning, learned a lot and the heritage housing and church site. Christmas house was disappointing…super cute items but wayyyyyyy overpriced. Santa would be displeased to learn that they were trying to profit of of him in this manner. They would have sold much more if the prices were more reasonable. Our guide and driver Jon was fantastic. He was knowledgeable, kind, patient, helpful and very funny. Recommend highly but keep expectations in check for Christmas House.”

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2.Half-Day Combo Tour to Goðafoss, Laufas and The Christmas House

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 146 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $127

Travel from Akureyri to Goðafoss, the Laufás turf houses and the Christmas House on a four-hour English-language outing. The tour includes transfers, admission to Laufás and a short Akureyri drive. Guides such as Jon, Graham and Lilja are praised for local stories, humor and clear commentary.

“Our tour guide and driver Jon was amazing. He was punctual, informative and funny. We had such a great time learning about Iceland. This tour is a must. Waterfalls were great, and Christmas house was cute. The waffles were delicious.”

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3.Reykjavik: New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 54 reviews · 2 hours · from $182

Leave Reykjavik’s Old Harbor at 11 pm aboard a comfortable Special Tours boat. Cruise into Faxaflói Bay, watch fireworks erupt across the city, and raise a glass of champagne at midnight. You can watch from the indoor saloon or open deck. Warm overalls and a bar are included, with return around 12:30 am.

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4.Akureyri: Goðafoss, Christmas House, and Forest Lagoon Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 35 reviews · 4 hours · from $149

Start with Goðafoss and its place in Icelandic history, then visit the playful Christmas House before soaking in Forest Lagoon’s geothermal pools. Your English-speaking guide, including guides such as Joanna, Graham, Lilja, or Ingimundur, also gives you a short tour of Akureyri. Pickup, admission, Wi-Fi, and return transport are included.

“Ingi was the most amazing tour guide we could have asked for .he went above and beyond all day for us and then we went to see the northern lights on a tour later on with him and it was a dream come true I couldn’t recommend him enough . We love you ingi !!”

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5.Reykjavik: New Years Fireworks Midnight Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 24 reviews · 2 hours · from $170

You board the Amelia Rose at Ægisgarður 5b for a 10:30 PM cruise into Faxaflói bay. An English-speaking guide, onboard bar, Wi-Fi, three panoramic decks, and a complimentary glass of Champagne frame your midnight view of Reykjavik’s fireworks. The yacht returns about 12:30 AM. Dress warmly, since the best views are outside.

“t Everything was perfect, very good service and management. The best! Thank you 😊”

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6.From Reykjavik: New Years Fireworks by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 20 reviews · 2 hours · from $150

Sail from Reykjavik’s harbor aboard the Arctic Rose at 10:30 PM for a two-hour New Year’s Eve cruise. An English-speaking guide, three observation decks, warm blankets, Wi-Fi, restrooms, and a complimentary glass of Champagne are included. You will watch fireworks over Reykjavik and nearby towns from Faxaflói bay, then return about 12:30 AM.

“Amazing evening for nye plus added bonus of seeing northern lights”

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7.The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 19 reviews · 3 hours · from $173

Walk central Reykjavik with a local guide such as Palli, Paul, or Einar while tasting smoked lamb, laufabrauð, gravlax, reindeer paté, herring, and Christmas drinks. The tour includes a stop at the Little Christmas Store, lively Icelandic folklore, and a locally inspired gift. Tell the operator about allergies before booking.

“Op deze 1e kerstdag met een leuke groep mensen deze tour gedaan. Onze gids Palli was een geweldige gids. Een echte Viking en een geweldige verhalen verteller. In de restaurants regelde hij alles. Restaurants waren ook heel goed en wij hebben IJslandse gerechten geproefd en deze vielen niet tegen. Kortom, een aanrader.”

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8.Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 18 reviews · 2 hours · from $74

Join Your Friend in Reykjavik for a two-hour English walking tour through downtown’s Christmas lights and folklore. Your guide introduces you to Iceland’s 13 Yule Lads, troll Grýla, the Christmas Cat, holiday foods, book traditions, markets, and Litla Jólabúðin. The walk ends at Hallgrímskirkja and runs only in December.

“Guide sympa, lumières féeriques, jolie ville pour passer Noël.”

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9.Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Walk central Reykjavik with a local guide and learn about Icelandic Christmas customs, the Yule Lads, the Christmas Cat, books, music, and holiday food. The route runs from Ingólfstorg to Hallgrímskirkja, with stops at festive squares, shops, and a warm drink break on some departures. Guides may include Stefan, Ester, Einar, or Barti.

“Ester E. Is a fabulous tour guide! I really do feel like I have a friend in Reyjkavik !!! So knowledgeable and funny. She made you feel like family”

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10.Reykjavík: New Year’s Eve Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $140

Spend 1.5 hours aboard a comfortable motor yacht off Reykjavik. Search for the Northern Lights near Videy Island and Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace monument, then move toward shore for the city’s huge midnight fireworks display. English and Icelandic guides lead the cruise, with champagne served at midnight.

“An intimate way to spend NYE in Reykjavik... capped at 35 people on a luxury yacht, we got Earth's fireworks (Northern Lights) and the just insane fireworks show the citizens of Reykjavik put on every New Year's Eve! If visiting Reykjavik during the New Year's holiday, I definitely recommend taking this cruise!”

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11.Winter Combo Godafoss Christmas House and The Forest Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 4 hours 20 minutes (approx.) · from $161Top rated

Travel from Akureyri to snow-covered Godafoss, browse the Christmas House, and spend an hour at Forest Lagoon with fjord views. The small-group tour runs in English, costs $161.35 per person, includes lagoon entry and Wi-Fi, and may be led by guides such as Lilja or Joanna.

“This was a great value for money trip. Our tour guide Lilja was amazing. She was very knowledgable friendly & helpful. We wanted to sit outside with our lunch at waterfall & she helped us clear snow off table & chairs. Thank you Lilja you helped make our trips more special.”

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12.Reykjavik: Christmas Walking Tour with Icelandic Traditions

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 8 reviews · 2 hours · from $66Best value

Walk central Reykjavik with a local English-speaking guide, learning about the 13 Icelandic Yule Lads, their troll mother Grýla, and the Christmas Cat. You’ll visit Ingólfur Square, Austurvöllur, a book store, Laugavegur, and Hallgrímskirkja, with possible food samples and shopping discounts.

“Tour met onze gids Robyn was top. Zij gaf ons een goed beeld van IJsland. Na afloop nog diverse hapjes aangeboden gekregen.”

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13.Reykjavik: Christmas Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5 reviews · 3 hours · from $173

Walk central Reykjavik with an English-speaking guide such as Palli, tasting smoked lamb, laufabrauð, reindeer pâté, gravlax, herring, and Christmas drinks. You will also visit the Little Christmas Store, learn the stories behind each dish, and receive a locally inspired gift. Warm clothing and comfortable shoes are essential.

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14.Goðafoss Waterfall, Santa Claus House and Forest Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 5 hours · from $176

Spend five hours exploring northeastern Iceland with an English-speaking guide. Visit Goðafoss, the Santa Claus House in Akureyri, and Forest Lagoon. Transportation and hotel pickup are included, but the lagoon entry fee is extra. Guide Marcus has been praised for his warm humor, local insight, and flexible pacing.

“Our tour guide, Marcus was very polite, funny and professional, full of useful information about his home town, speaking with such passion and trying to point out the best spots for us. He picked us up on time and drove us to our designated spots, allowing us to have plenty of time to freely explore, we weren't rushed at all, which makes all the difference. As it was just the two of us on this tour, it made it more special. Marcus stopped off for us to take pictures of Akureyri which was nice and drove us back to the hotel at the end of our day. Thankyou again Marcus,…”

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