Best 5-Day Christmas and New Year Winter Vacation Package in Iceland

Welcome to Iceland! It's time to start your journey around this volcanic island's incredibly diverse natural wonders.

Upon landing at the Keflavik International Airport, you'll start by locating your shuttle or bus outside the arrivals hall. This pre-booked airport transfer makes the start of your Icelandic journey more convenient and hassle-free.

To reach Reykjavik, you'll take a short bus drive through the charred and blackened lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula. In winter, the fields can be covered in thick layers of snow.

On your way to Reykjavik, you could take a detour with a dip at the Blue Lagoon. It is often seen as the perfect way to start your trip to Iceland by relaxing and rejuvenating in the mineral-rich healing waters of the lagoon after a long day of traveling.

Situated amid a volcanic landscape, the Blue Lagoon is an amazing attraction worth visiting. Its regenerative water features silica and sulfur, benefiting people with various skin ailments.

With a temperature averaging 98 to 102 F (37 to 39 C), the Blue Lagoon offers a comfortable and relaxing feeling in both the swimming and bathing areas.

If you choose to add the Blue Lagoon on this day of your visit, it will be booked for a time based on your flights. However, if there's no time to visit on this day, you can simply add this to another day of your visit. Your travel consultant will be able to arrange this for you.

Afterward, you'll arrive in Reykjavik to check in to your accommodation and freshen up before heading out into the city. Once you're ready, and have enough time, check out some of the best attractions, such as the Hallgrimskirkja church, the Perlan observation deck, and Reykjavik harbor.

Make time to walk around the city center streets and explore the vibrant and bustling cafes, restaurants, galleries, museums, and numerous boutique shops.

You'll then retire for the evening in your Reykjavik accommodation, with plenty of rest for your next day of sightseeing.

Your first full day in Iceland gives you great opportunities to explore Reykjavik or the countryside. You have a wide selection of guided tours to join today if you want to make your day extra special.

If you want to check off three of the most popular natural attractions of Iceland from your bucketlist, the best activity to book today is a sightseeing tour in the Golden Circle. This scenic route can be you great introduction to Iceland's diverse landscapes.

Your first stop on this route will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Thingvellir National Park. Sitting in the middle of two tectonic plates, Thingvellir is a beautiful and diverse location of canyons, forestry, numerous waterfalls, and the largest natural lake in Iceland, Thingvallavatn.

The place offers interesting and intriguing information about the history of the world's first parliament (Althingi in 930 AD), the rich geological imprints on the terrain, and their cultural impact.

Your next stop is the strange and delightful Geysir geothermal area. It is known for its variety of steaming vents, bubbling hot pots, spouting geysers, and natural hot springs that attract countless travelers to Iceland.

Here, you'll find most visitors surrounding the powerful hot spring, Strokkur, which will erupt boiling water up to nearly 66 feet (20 meters) every five to 10 minutes, giving you plenty of time to get the perfect shot.

Your last stop of the Golden Circle will take you to the mighty Gullfoss waterfall. This gigantic waterfall is fed by the meltwater of the nearby glacier Langjokull down the Hvita river before plummeting 105 feet (32 meters) over two cascading steps into the deep cavern below.

After a great time in the Golden Circle, your guide will take you back to the Icelandic capital. In the evening, don't miss your chance to head to Ingolfstorg Square to have a glimpse of how locals celebrate the Christmas season.

Following your adventurous day, you'll rest for the night in your accommodation in Reykjavik.

On day three of your winter vacation in Iceland, you can explore Reykjavik further or take another guided tour in the countryside.

If you stay in Reykjavik, you can join cultural tours such as walking or food tours. The walking tour takes you across downtown to see the city's best landmarks and historical places. The food tour gives you a taste of the local cuisine, with inclusive food sampling for delicacies like skyr and lamb.

Both excursions are led by local guides who will provide exciting insights and stories about the land of fire and ice.

If you would rather see more of the country’s breathtaking nature, you can join an optional guided tour on the South Coast.

After pick-up from your hotel or at a bus stop in Reykjavik, the adventure takes you to the South Coast. This region is known for its beautiful landscapes, made better by their proximity to a stunning coastline of the North Atlantic Ocean.

On the South Coast, you can expect your day to be filled with chasing waterfalls. Iceland has over 10,000 waterfalls and you’ll see some of the most majestic in the southern region.

You will visit Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfall, which are both 197 feet (60 meters) tall. However, besides their height, they are entirely different from each other.

Seljalandsfoss offers an immersive viewing experience because of the cave behind its water curtain. Meanwhile, Skogafoss has a broader cascade of 82 feet (25 meters).

Another highlight of the South Coast is the Reynisfjara black sand beach. This volcanic setting is blessed with the picturesque basalt sea stacks of Reynisdrangar.

You'll also see some large darkened caverns dotted along the shoreline, making it a great yet eerie place to visit. Make sure to keep your distance from the powerful waves that could suddenly sweep under your feet.

Before returning to Reykjavik, you’ll have a short stop in Vik, a fishing village near Reykjavik and the Vatnajokull National Park.

By the end of the day, you'll retire for the evening in your Reykjavik accommodation.

As you embark on another day of winter adventures in Iceland, the choice is yours to tailor your itinerary to your heart's desire. Whether you opt for exploration in Reykjavik or an excursion to the surrounding regions, Iceland offers many experiences to make your winter vacation truly unforgettable.

For those who've already explored the wonders of the Golden Circle and the South Coast in the previous days, a guided tour of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is what you can join today. A local guide leads this excursion, serving as your source of information and trivia on the trip.

Snaefellsnes is a picturesque area in West Iceland often called "Iceland in Miniature" due to its diverse and compact landscapes.

The journey takes you to enchanting places like the Arnarstapi village. Here, dramatic cliffs meet the crashing waves of the North Atlantic, creating a rugged yet mesmerizing scene.

Nearby, Djupalonssandur beach awaits with its black pebble shoreline and rich history. The remnants of a shipwreck add to the haunting charm of this place, making it a unique and intriguing stop on your journey.

The imposing Snaefellsjokull glacier is a true natural wonder, which you’ll see looming on the horizon. Often covered in clouds, this glacier-capped volcano has inspired generations of artists and writers like Jules Verne with his “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”

And then there's the iconic Kirkjufell mountain, a triangular-shaped peak that rises majestically from the surrounding landscape. It's no wonder this mountain is one of Iceland's most photographed landmarks.

After an exciting day in Snaefellsnes, the guide will drive you back to Reykjavik.

In the evening, you can still roam around Reykjavik or consider joining a northern lights hunting tour. Winter offers the best chances to witness the ethereal dance of the auroras because of the longer and darker nights.

Your options for the northern lights hunt include bus, boat, or super jeep tours, each providing a unique perspective on this natural spectacle.

Afterward, you’ll retire to your accommodation in Reykjavik.