Iceland itinerary — December 2026
For the Iceland trip (Reykjavík & the Golden Circle), December 2026 is one of the less comfortable months by weather. Daytime highs sit around 4°C / 39°F in Reykjavik. Plan around 5–7 days using Reykjavik as your base for the day trips.
In this order — about 5–7 days:
- Reykjavik5 nights
- Route noteReserve the longest intercity leg first and keep transfer days free of timed sights.
By TripSapien Research · Updated May 20, 2026
Reykjavik
Reykjavik in December
TempTemperature
38°F / 31°F
3.3°C / -0.8°C
RainPrecipitation
21d
4.8in · 122.1mm
LightDaylight
5.1h
Aurora season
Sea
39.6°F
4.2°C
December is the wettest and darkest month, with Christmas lights around Laugavegur and Austurvollur carrying the short daylight schedule.
City overview
Reykjavík is a small North Atlantic capital on Faxafloi Bay, with Mount Esja across the water and low corrugated-metal streets running from the Old Harbor to Laugavegur. The useful visitor frame is Midborg for Hallgrímskirkja, Tjornin, and nightlife, Vesturbaer and Grandi for harbor museums and seafood, and Laugardalur for pools, gardens, and family stops.
Food & drink
Reykjavík meals move between lamb soup, plokkfiskur, rye bread, skyr, langoustine, Arctic char, and hot dogs with remoulade and crispy onions. Kolaportid flea market, Baejarins Beztu Pylsur on Tryggvagata, Saegreifinn by the Old Harbor, and Laugavegur restaurants cover the most useful spread from casual fish soup to New Nordic tasting menus.
Events & festivals
- Dec 1 – Dec 23
Reykjavik Christmas Market
A festive Christmas market held in downtown Reykjavik featuring local crafts, food stalls, and holiday entertainment.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 1 – Dec 24
Yule Town at Ingólfstorg Square
A traditional Icelandic Christmas village setup with activities, performances, and seasonal treats in the city center.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 10 – Dec 20
Reykjavik Winter Lights Festival - December Edition
A special winter illumination event showcasing light installations and cultural performances around Reykjavik.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 15 – Dec 24
Harpa Concert Hall Christmas Concert Series
A series of classical and contemporary Christmas concerts held at Reykjavik's iconic Harpa Concert Hall.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 31
Reykjavik New Year's Eve Street Party
A large public celebration with live music, fireworks, and festivities in downtown Reykjavik to ring in the new year.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
Holidays & observances
- Dec 24Christmas EvePublic holiday
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 26Boxing DayPublic holiday
- Dec 31New Year's EvePublic holiday
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Hallgrímskirkja
- 2Harpa Concert Hall
- 3National Museum of Iceland
- 4Perlan
- 5The Settlement Exhibition 871 +/- 2
- 6Laugardalslaug
- 7Sun Voyager
- 8Tjornin and Reykjavík City Hall
- 9Old Harbor and Grandi
1Hallgrímskirkja
4.6★ · 27,993indoorOpen dailyState architect Gudjon Samuelsson designed the basalt-column church, and construction ran from 1945 to 1986 above Skolavorduholt hill. The tower looks down Skolavordustigur toward Laugavegur and gives the simplest overview of the old town grid.
Wikipedia
2Harpa Concert Hall
4.6★ · 9,102indoorOpen dailyHarpa opened on the harbor in 2011 with a glass facade by Henning Larsen Architects and Olafur Eliasson. The foyer is walkable from Laekjartorg and works as a weatherproof stop between the Old Harbor and Austurvollur.
Wikipedia
3National Museum of Iceland
4.5★ · 3,995indoorOpen dailyThe Sudurgata museum traces Iceland from Settlement Age objects to modern independence, with the Valbjofsstadur church door and medieval manuscripts among the core exhibits. It sits beside the University of Iceland, about 15 minutes on foot from Tjornin.
Wikipedia
Show 6 more sights
- 4Perlan
- 5The Settlement Exhibition 871 +/- 2
- 6Laugardalslaug
- 7Sun Voyager
- 8Tjornin and Reykjavík City Hall
- 9Old Harbor and Grandi
Neighborhoods
1Midborg and 101
The compact center feels low-rise and walkable, with Hallgrímskirkja, Laugavegur, Austurvollur, Tjornin, and late-night bars close enough to cross on foot in minutes.
2Old Harbor and Grandi
Grandi is Reykjavík working-waterfront district, with whale boats, fish restaurants, the Maritime Museum, Saga Museum, and converted warehouses along the harbor.
3Laugavegur and Skolavordustigur
The main shopping spine climbs from Laugavegur to Hallgrímskirkja, mixing Icelandic design shops, bookstores, record stores, cafes, and craft-souvenir stops.
4Vesturbaer
Vesturbaer is residential and local, with Vesturbaejarlaug pool, university streets, bakeries, and the harbor edge west of Tjornin.
5Laugardalur
Laugardalur is the family-and-sport valley, anchored by Laugardalslaug, the botanical garden, Reykjavík Zoo, football grounds, and open green space east of the center.
6Seltjarnarnes and Grótta
Seltjarnarnes is the western peninsula beyond the municipal core, where Grotta lighthouse, sea birds, and aurora viewpoints replace downtown streets.
Getting around
Central Reykjavík is walkable, while Straeto buses and the Klappid app cover Laugardalur, Perlan, domestic airport, and suburban stops. Taxis and tour pickups handle Blue Lagoon transfers, Golden Circle departures, and late-night moves when buses thin out.
Planning the Iceland route?
Add your dates and we'll pace all 1 cities — every place checked for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Don't-miss stops along the way
The Golden Circle
Iceland's most-driven day loop from Reykjavík — Þingvellir's rift valley, the erupting Strokkur geyser and the two-tier Gullfoss waterfall.
The Blue Lagoon
The milky-blue geothermal spa set in a black lava field between the airport and the city — the classic first or last stop of an Iceland trip.
Weather by month for the Iceland trip
In December, the Iceland trip runs daytime highs near 4°C / 39°F, with nights down to about -2°C / 28°F. Climate averages show about 15 rainy days. December is one of the less comfortable months by weather.
The most comfortable months across Reykjavík & the Golden Circle are July, August and June, based on average daytime temperatures and rainfall at every stop. December 2026 is a lower-comfort month.
Common questions about the Iceland trip
- When is the best time to do the Iceland trip?
- The most comfortable months in Reykjavik are July, August and June, based on average daytime temperatures and rainfall. December is one of the less comfortable months by weather — see the weather below for the climate averages in December 2026.
- How many days do you need for the Iceland trip?
- A comfortable Iceland trip runs about 5–7 days — roughly 5 nights in Reykjavik with day trips to the featured sights. Add a day if you want a slower pace or extra day trips.
- What's the route for the Iceland trip?
- The classic order is Reykjavík & the Golden Circle. The Golden Circle and The Blue Lagoon are the standout side-trips along the way. The city below has its own December weather, any available event listings, and a top-sights list, plus the featured day trips above.
Ready to plan the Iceland trip?
Turn this route into a day-by-day plan for December 2026, every stop checked for closures and booking needs on your exact dates.