Where to go · REYKJAVIK CHRISTMAS TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 reykjavik christmas tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Leave Reykjavik’s Old Harbor at 11 pm aboard a comfortable boat, cruise into Faxaflói Bay, and watch fireworks spread across the city from the water. You’ll have an indoor saloon, open-air deck, bar, warm overalls, and a champagne toast, with non-alcoholic Prosecco also available.
Board the Amelia Rose at Ægisgarður 5b for a 10:30 PM New Year cruise across Faxaflói bay. You’ll watch fireworks over Reykjavik from three panoramic decks, enjoy a complimentary glass of Champagne, and return about 12:30 AM. The boat has a bar, Wi-Fi, English-speaking crew, and wheelchair access.
“t Everything was perfect, very good service and management. The best! Thank you 😊”
Board Sea Trips’ Arctic Rose in Reykjavik at 10:30 PM for a two-hour New Year’s Eve cruise on Faxaflói Bay. You’ll watch fireworks from three observation decks, toast midnight with Champagne, and enjoy coastline views from a traditional Icelandic-style whale-watching boat. English-speaking guides, blankets, Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks, and a restroom are provided.
“Amazing evening for nye plus added bonus of seeing northern lights”
Walk central Reykjavik with a local guide such as Palli, Paul, Einar, or Pauly, stopping for smoked lamb, laufabrauð, reindeer paté, gravlax, herring, Christmas drinks, and more. You will also visit the Little Christmas Store and hear Icelandic holiday tales. Tell the company about allergies before booking.
“Paul did an excellent job guiding our group around the city. He was very welcoming and and even took pictures of the group with all the Christmas decor around town (his idea!). The food was delicious.. smoked salmon and smoked reindeer were my favs. If you’re looking for an activity with great value and an entertaining guide don’t hesitate, book this one today! I’m tempted to do it again 🤣”
Join Your Friend in Reykjavik for a two-hour English walking tour through downtown Christmas lights and Icelandic folklore. Hear about the 13 Yule Lads, troll Grýla, and the Christmas Cat, visit markets, a bookshop, Little Christmas Store, and Hallgrímskirkja. Guide Bjornvain has earned praise for his humor and friendly style. Dress in warm layers.
“Guide sympa, lumières féeriques, jolie ville pour passer Noël.”
Walk central Reykjavík with a local guide and learn about Icelandic Christmas customs, the Yule Lads, the Christmas Cat, books, music, and Norse beliefs. You’ll visit Ingólfstorg, Austurvöllur, shops, and Hallgrímskirkja. Guides have included Stefán, Ester, Einar, and Barti, with hot chocolate and treats sometimes included.
“Got to be really honest about this one...it was extremely disappointing. We booked based on the description that we'd get to see/tour the Christmas markets and have that experience. Aside from our guide being 15 mins late (which is an eternity when the temps are in the negative degrees), he began his introduction simply stating because it was NYE, the Christmas markets were all closed and pretty much everything in the description of the tour would not be happening, but he'd be doing his best to give us something. Though, we did like the guide, our question is this: if they knew the markets would be closed on the 31st…”
Join Harpa Yachts for a 1.5-hour New Year’s Eve motor yacht cruise from Reykjavík. You’ll search for the Northern Lights near Videy Island and its Imagine Peace monument, then move closer to shore for the city’s midnight fireworks. An English- or Icelandic-speaking guide leads the outing, 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!”
Start at Hallgrímskirkja at 10:30 a.m. for a 90-minute Christmas walk through central Reykjavík. Your guide, possibly Lalli, shares Icelandic Christmas myths and traditions while you visit the church, Einar Jónsson’s sculpture garden, and Alþingi. The small group is capped at 15 people.
“Lalli was a great tour guide made it really funny and interesting, loved it! Would definitely recommend x”
Board Special Tours’ 11:00 pm New Year’s Eve boat in Reykjavik harbor for a 90-minute view of the city’s fireworks from Faxaflói Bay. You’ll have indoor seating, open decking, coveralls, a professional guide, onboard commentary, and one glass of Champagne. The boat returns downtown after midnight.
“Memorable 2022/2023. Being on deck with the elements during the display was fantastic! Commentator very funny and staff friendly;)”
Walk central Reykjavik with an English-speaking local guide such as Páll or Helgi, stopping for Christmas foods, pastries, drinks, and Icelandic holiday treats. You will visit Laugavegur, two Christmas shops, seasonal stalls, and an ice rink. The small group is capped at 12, and the generous tastings add up to a full meal.
“The guide canceled this tour and I have not been given a refund Please process the refund immediately Thank you”
Board at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour at 10:30 pm for a two-hour New Year’s Eve bay cruise. You’ll have indoor seating, an open upper deck, blankets, a restroom, Wi-Fi, and a bar, plus one glass of champagne. The boat may remain in the harbor, where the full coastline becomes your fireworks viewing platform.
“This was quite an old boat and the decorations / party stuff for NYE was a little skimpy (one party hat, NYE napkin amd one glowstick) around like a table for 6 people. However the crew were friendly and it did the job because not only did we have the fireworks we also had the northern lights come and do us a dance! Which was spectacular. So nothing posh or special but to be fair I did book the cheapest boat so possibly got what I paid for....but did the job for what we wanted.”
Walk central Reykjavik with a local English-speaking guide and learn why Iceland has 13 Yule Lads, a child-eating troll, and a fearsome Christmas Cat. You’ll see holiday stalls, the ice rink, Austurvöllur, Laugavegur, and Hallgrímskirkja, with a bookshop stop and possible food samples.
“Tour was wonderful and the guide was excellent! She was well informed and friendly. Very happy to have started our holiday in Iceland with this tour!”
Join Palli or another local guide for a three-hour walk through Reykjavik’s Christmas traditions. Taste smoked lamb, laufabrauð, reindeer paté, gravlax, pickled herring, and festive drinks, then visit the Little Christmas Store for a locally inspired gift. Warm clothes and comfortable shoes are essential.
Walk central Reykjavik with a private guide, learning about the 13 Icelandic Santas, the Christmas Cat, local music, books, and holiday customs. The route runs from central squares to Hallgrímskirkja and includes coffee, tea, or hot cocoa with a pastry. Guides such as Stefan tailor the pace to your group.
“Our tour guide was absolutely wonderful. She explained Christmas traditions, Icelandic culture and history. We stopped by a beautiful Christmas shop and lovely local coffee shop. I’m confident all of these tours provided by this company are done well.”
Board at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour at 10:30 pm for a 2.5-hour cruise through Faxaflói Bay. From three panoramic decks, you’ll see Harpa, the city skyline, nearby islands, and midnight fireworks. A Champagne toast, Wi-Fi, and a possible aurora sighting add to the night, but outdoor viewing means preparing for wind and cold.
“There is no place to observe the new year's fireworks without standing outside in the wind and freezing cold. There was very little space to stand or sit inside the boat Highly recommend avoiding this activity.”
Pick a market, a sleigh, a stage or a river.
