Despite its northerly latitude, Iceland isn’t as cold as you might think. In fact, you’ll find that the average temperature in December and January is just below freezing.

So although you’re likely to encounter snow on a winter trip to Iceland, it might not hang around at lower elevations for more than a few days. On the other hand, join a winter excursion into the countryside and you’ll find plenty of snow and ice in the mountains.

For instance, you could try snowmobiling, tour ice caves, or photograph natural gems such as Gullfoss waterfall surrounded by sparkling white scenery. Discover more ways to enjoy the snow during your trip to Iceland.

December and January are two of the best months to see the aurora in Iceland.

This is because the northern lights are only visible when the sky is dark, meaning the ideal time to see them is at night. With December and January being mid-winter in Iceland, you’ll find that nights are at their longest.

Visit at this time of year and you’ll have more opportunities to see this mesmerising light show. Although it’s worth remembering that the aurora is a natural phenomenon, so sightings can’t be guaranteed.

Choose one of these Iceland northern lights tours and you’ll be able to chase the aurora borealis on excursions led by an expert tour guide. They know all the best spots to look for the northern lights.

For more in-depth information, read this guide to the northern lights.

Iceland is a wonderful road trip destination at any time of the year. But it’s good to know that driving here in December and January may be more challenging than during the summer months. This is because you’re likely to encounter snow and ice, and the weather can be unpredictable.

To make driving in winter conditions a more comfortable experience, we suggest renting a 4x4 vehicle for your trip. And remember, if you need assistance during your trip you can call our 24/7 helpline. For instance, we’ll reroute your itinerary if a road is closed due to bad weather.

For more information and links to helpful local resources for your trip, read this guide to winter driving in Iceland.

Please note, if you haven’t driven on snow and ice before then Nordic Visitor doesn’t recommend a long self-drive tour at this time of year. Instead, you could opt to sit back, relax and let someone else do the driving on an Iceland multi-day trip.

There are just a few start dates available for these special Christmas and New Year’s Eve itineraries. On each tour’s web page you can see the current availability and pick an arrival date on its calendar.

You can begin Nordic Visitor’s New Year’s Eve packages on a few dates leading up to 31 December. Meanwhile, the Christmas and New Year trip is available on a handful of dates just before 25 December.

If you’d like to spend the festive season in Iceland, make sure to secure your place before they’re gone.

Yes, you can personalise your Iceland New Year holiday by extending your stay or adding extra guided day tours.

On these expert-led activities, you could chase the northern lights, ride a snowmobile on a glacier, or tour the countryside in a super jeep. You might also like to treat yourself by upgrading to our superior standard of accommodation in Iceland.

If you have something specific in mind, don’t hesitate to mention it to your Reykjavík-based travel expert. They’ll use their local knowledge to answer your questions and make your festive celebrations in Iceland extra special.

It’s good to check flight availability before booking your trip. But we recommend waiting until you hear from your dedicated travel consultant before purchasing your flights.

They will let you know when your tour arrangements have been made. Once you’ve heard from them, you can go ahead and make your travel plans for getting to and from Iceland.

The weather in Iceland can be changeable, particularly over the winter months. And while Iceland’s maritime climate keeps the temperature hovering around freezing at this time of year, it can be a windy destination. So you’ll want to take plenty of warm clothing as the wind chill can make it feel colder than it is.

For your time sightseeing in Reykjavík, we recommend adding these items to your suitcase:

• Waterproof jacket
• Layers for cool weather
• Shoes or boots with good grip
• Smart clothing and footwear for dining out
• Daybag for carrying your valuables
• Northern Europe plug adapter (“C” or “F”)
   

Here’s a list of suggestions for what to pack if you’ll be exploring the Icelandic countryside in winter:

• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Warm, insulated jacket
• Lightweight baselayers
• Comfortable walking boots
• Wool socks
• Cosy hat, scarf and gloves
• Small rucksack for your daily essentials
• Reusable water bottle
   

To capture those special moments as you discover the Land of Fire and Ice, you might also want to bring:

• Camera
• Waterproof camera bag
• Charging cable and spare batteries
• Travel tripod
   

Plus, don’t forget your swimwear if you’d like to take a dip in Iceland’s hot springs and geothermal pools. For more information, you can read this handy packing guide for Iceland.

For your Icelandic New Year’s Eve celebrations, we recommend packing a smart outfit and shoes to wear to the party. But you should also bring an insulated coat and a warm pair of winter boots to the venue. These will keep you cosy while you watch the fireworks at the community bonfire.

If you plan to continue the party after the countdown to the New Year, then feel free to have fun with your outfit. In fact, the more sparkles the better – you’ll fit right into the city’s renowned nightlife.

For more packing advice, read this blog for seasonal tips on what to wear in Iceland.