You’re probably thinking that going to Iceland in the winter is nuts. We disagree! Winter is a magical season to visit, and not just for chasing the Northern Lights.
Last fall, we came across a hot flight deal that landed us in Reykjavik the week before Christmas. We clicked purchase before we could talk ourselves out of it. And yes, our friends thought we were nuts. There was a moment when we wondered if we were crazy, too, as we arrived in Iceland during a winter storm.
Here are some things you’ll want to know about traveling to Iceland during the winter months:
Why Go to Iceland in Winter
Improve Your Odds of Seeing The Aurora
If you’re hoping to see the Northern Lights, your chances are decent in the winter, although never guaranteed. The lights are visible between September and April. If staying in Reykjavik, there are a few spots in town where you can see the aurora, but for the best view you’ll want to get outside of the city to minimize light pollution. There are lots of tours available that provide transportation and even hot cocoa.
Experience Christmas Traditions
Experiencing Christmas in Iceland (or visiting during the holiday season) is magical. Leading up to Christmas, there are holiday markets across the country, including a small one in the heart of Reykjavik. Icelandic holiday traditions are much different than in the U.S. Some are sweet, others are scary.
By scary, we mean a giant Yule cat that eats people who don’t wear their gifted clothes. And there’s a troll named Gryla that kidnaps naughty and rude children and makes them into a stew. Then there are the 13 Yule Lads, who are more friendly than their mom, Gryla. Icelandic children leave shoes on their window sills. On the 13 nights leading up to Christmas, the Yule Lads leave gifts inside the shoes.
One sweet tradition is “Jolabokaflod” which roughly translates to “Christmas Book Flood.” The tradition is to give new books on Christmas Eve. After the gifts are opened, many people then spend the evening quietly reading, with a cup of cocoa.
Holiday celebrations start earlier in Iceland. After sundown on Christmas Eve (which comes early in December), bells ring out across the country to signify the start of Christmas. Christmas is known as “Yol” and it lasts 26 days from December 12th though January 6th.
KidTripster Tip: If visiting over Christmas or New Years, make a dining reservation in advance as only a few restaurants are open.
What to Do During the Winter in Iceland
Life doesn’t stop in the winter in Iceland. Neither does tourism. Reykjavik is bustling with activity. You’ll find plenty to do in this cute, walkable city. Getting around downtown is easy, as it’s mostly accessible by foot. Taxis are also available within the city.
Here are some ideas for what to do on a Reykjavik-based trip:
Take a Food Tour
We had the best experience on the Reykjavik Food Walk. The food tour was fun and informative. We met our guide at the designated meeting point, then set out on foot around Downtown Reykjavik. Over the course of a few hours, we stopped at five locations.
If you’ve researched Icelandic food at all, a couple things have probably popped up in your search – the Icelandic hot dog and fermented shark. Yep, you read that last one correctly! You’ll get to experience both of these things (if you dare) on the food tour.
KidTripster Tip: I suggest scheduling your tour around a mealtime, because you’ll fill up from all of the small bites. It’s also a good idea to do this experience early in your trip. You’ll learn about local dishes and places that you may want to dine at during your vacation.
Tours cost $73 for ages 4-12, and $119 for ages 13+. Book your tour in advance so you don’t miss out.
Go to the Perlan Museum
The Perlan isn’t your average museum. Inside is an ice cave. Regardless of the season or the forecast, you’re guaranteed to see Northern Lights here (in an extraordinary planetarium film). The Perlan’s a well-designed museum with a focus on nature. Visitors learn about glaciers and volcanoes, as well as Icelandic wildlife, history, and culture.
Be sure to head upstairs and get a 360 degree view of Reykjavik. While you’re there, grab a bite. It’s a great place for a snack or a meal. The museum’s close to downtown, but not really walking distance. We got there by taxi.
KidTripster Tip: Reykjavik is home to many museums, covering art, nature, and more. Visit Reykjavik has a comprehensive list of area museums. There’s something for everyone and everything.
Visit the World’s Only Penis Museum … Maybe
Speaking of everything … what you see at the Icelandic Phallological Museum, you won’t see anywhere else. It’s the world’s only museum dedicated to penises. The museum collects and showcases actual mammal phallases, and all things phallic.
Since its opening in 1997, the museum’s amassed a large collection of specimens from the tiny (rodents) to the large (whales). There’s even a collection of the phalluses of mythological creatures, like trolls. The museum relocated a few times due to its popularity and its large collection.
You can grab a beverage and bite here, too. If you like penis shaped waffles, you’re in luck. Admission costs $24. The museum’s open daily except for major holidays.
KidTripster Tip: While much of the museum is scientific, there are aspects of it that may make you or your kids uncomfortable. For example, there are photos of human penises, like the man with the world’s largest known penis. There are molds of famous penises, like those of the Icelandic handball team. The gift shop contains many penis shaped souvenirs, some of which are not family-friendly.
Become a Viking
One of the most unique and memorable things we did during our visit was a family photo shoot at Mink Viking. It wasn’t a typical photo session, though. We dressed as Vikings, and even wielded authentic weapons.
The photographer was knowledgeable about Vikings, having worked on Vikings, Game of Thrones, and other productions. The photo studio was located in a small apartment downtown and it was a private session for just our family. By the next day, we received dozens of digital images from the experience. These photos adorn our fridge and always get people talking.
FlyOver Iceland
You can see the entire country of Iceland without ever leaving Reykjavik. How convenient, right? Just buy yourself a ticket on FlyOver Iceland.
The pre-ride show tells the story of the island from volcanoes to glaciers, and from trolls to vikings. Then you get on the FlyOver Iceland ride, which is a seat that hangs suspended, in front of a high-tech screen. It’s a stunning display of scenery. Special effects like wind and mists make it feel like you’re almost there. This experience is similar to Disney’s Soarin’ Around the World, if you’re familiar.
We’ve experienced FlyOver in several locations in the U.S. and the Iceland location is really well done. Tickets start at about $42 per person. Look for deals online, like a kids fly free deal that allows kids 12 and under to ride for free with an adult. The entire experience lasts about 35 minutes.
Take a Hot Bath
Geothermal bathing is big in Iceland. There are a few options near Reykjavik.
Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, and for good reason. What you’ve seen on Instagram is pretty true to the actual experience. The environment is beautiful and relaxing. The geothermal seawater is rich in nourishing silica, algae, and minerals. Blue Lagoon packages include at least one drink, and a silica mud mask. The Blue Lagoon is about 45 minutes from Reyjavik, or 20 minutes from the airport.
There’s also Sky Lagoon which is an oceanside geothermal lagoon, less than 15 minutes from the city center. Visitors can participate in a complete Icelandic bathing ritual that involves hot baths, cold plunges, steam, mists, scrubs and more. An important note – children under 12 are not permitted at Sky Lagoon.
Costs for the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon vary depending on the package you choose. Basic day passes start at around $75. Both locations offer shuttle services at an additional cost.
Feel the Heat of Lava
Did you know that Iceland is one of the world’s most volcanically active regions? A uniquely Icelandic experience is the Lava Show. During the 45 minute experience, you’ll get a taste of a volcanic eruption. Real lava is heated to 2000 degrees in an indoor space. As the lava gets hot, so does the room. This is the only live lava show in the world. It’s fascinating to be so close to lava, but in a safe and controlled environment.
Buy your tickets in advance as the show does sell out. You can see the Lava Show in Reykjavik or in Vik. Tickets are $25 for kids 12 and under and $42 for adults.
See the Iconic Sites
Hallgrimskirkja Church
Hallgrimskirkja isn’t just a landmark in Reykjavik, it’s also the tallest church in the entire country. The tower stands almost 240 feet tall. The church is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Iceland.
From the top of the tower visitors get a panoramic view of Reykjavik. The church is typically open daily. Admission is required to take the elevator to the top. It costs about $10 for adults, and $2 for kids 16 and under.
Harpa
Harpa is one of Reykjavík’s most striking landmarks. This gorgeous building is a cultural center. Harpa’s also a tourist destination that has been visited by millions of people since opening in 2011. Check the calendar. There may be an event or performance taking place during your visit. The gift shop sells Icelandic made souvenirs.
Experience Iceland’s Natural Beauty
You’ll want to get outside of the city to see some of the beauty that is Iceland. Luckily many of the natural attractions are accessible year-round. The best way to experience things like the Golden Circle during the winter is via a tour.
Tours often pick up guests at hotels, or will have a designated meeting point near your hotel.
If you only have time for one tour, we’d recommend doing the famous Golden Circle. You can see some of the best of Iceland in just one day. Tours typically stop at Thingvellir National Park, where you can walk between continental plates. This area is not only geologically fascinating, but it also has a rich cultural and historical significance. Golden Circle day tours also stop at Gulfoss waterfall, one of the most powerful waterfalls in the country; as well as the Geysir Geothermal Area where geysers erupt right before your eyes. The Golden Circle tour is just one of many types of tours departing daily from downtown Reykjavik.
[ Related: Iceland Family Itinerary ]
What Else to Know about Winter in Iceland
Don’t Drive
Many visitors rent a car. While it’s relatively easy to navigate Iceland in the summer months, we don’t recommend it in the winter. Road conditions can be challenging in winter months due to snow, ice, wind, and limited daylight hours. We left the driving to the experts during our December visit.
Limited Daylight
One of the reasons we didn’t want to drive is because it’s really dark. It’s important to know that there are limited daylight hours in the height of winter. In December, there’s about 4-5 hours of daylight. The sun rises late, around 11:30 AM and sets early, around 3:30 PM.
Average Temperature
It may not be as cold here in the winter as you might think – at least in Reykjavik. Oddly enough it was colder back at home in Portland, Oregon than it was in Reykjavik when we visited.
During the months of December through February, the average temperature range is a low of 27 degrees and a high of 38 degrees. Depending on your activities, it may be much colder, or at least feel colder due to factors like wind.
Have Your Jacket Ready on Arrival
Our overnight flight from Portland, Oregon got us to the Keflavik Airport in the early morning hours. It was dark and cold when we arrived. Since there wasn’t a jet bridge, we deplaned onto the tarmac. The flight attendants advised that passengers put on their jackets before exiting the plane. That was good advice because the freezing overnight temperatures were an abrupt welcome to Iceland.
[ Related: Discovering the Hidden Side of Iceland ]
What to Pack for Winter in Iceland
People dress pretty casually and comfortably in Iceland. So pack for function over style, especially in the winter.
Layers
For a winter vacation, pack layers, including a thermal layer to wear under clothing. You’ll absolutely want a warm jacket. Hats and gloves are a must.
Proper Footwear
We found that ankle high waterproof boots worked well for most conditions. Our son kept topping his boots with snow. Fortunately, we packed a portable shoe dryer, which helped to dry out his boots overnight.
Having ice cleats to wear over your shoes or boots is helpful for safely navigating wintry conditions. Although some sidewalks in the city are heated and clear of ice, others were slippery. Ice cleats pack up easily, and provide vital traction when walking on ice.
Local Wool
If you need something, winter weather gear and sweaters (called lopapeysas in Iceland) are readily available. Iceland specializes in wool garments. In particular, you’ll see a lot of the traditional Icelandic wool sweater. Investing in a quality wool sweater or hat is a practical purchase that also doubles as a souvenir. Be sure to make sure you’re buying authentic Icelandic wool. To be considered an authentic Icelandic sweater, the product must be hand-made from 100% Icelandic sheep wool.
Check out our Iceland shopping list in KidTripster’s Amazon storefront. Full disclosure: we may receive a commission from any purchases you make, but at no extra cost to you.
Where to Stay in Reykjavik
While there are a lot of hotel choices here, from boutique to brand name, and from basic to luxury, we recommend focusing on where you want to be geographically. Staying in the heart of Reykjavik means you don’t need a car.
On two of our trips to Reykjavik, we stayed at the Kvosin Hotel. It’s a small boutique hotel, centrally located in the downtown area. Most main attractions are within a 15 minute walk of the hotel.
We like that the rooms can accommodate families and that the hotel is welcoming to children. Toys, books, and board games can be checked out at reception.
Rooms include a kitchenette, with coffee and tea in the room. “Bigger Rooms” include a lounge space.
Breakfast is available at the hotel, but generally not included with your room rate. If you choose to eat here, it offers a nice spread of Icelandic breakfast items.
KidTripster Tip: If traveling as a family, or with a group, we recommend reserving your Reykjavik accommodations as early as possible. There’s a limited number of rooms that can accommodate families.
