Iceland for the Holidays: A 6-Day Itinerary

We took a nonstop, redeye flight from Dulles (IAD) to Reykjavík (KEF), arriving around 6:30 am. After clearing customs and picking up our rental car, we drove to Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel near downtown Reykjavík—a smooth, easy drive, and we got to see the volcano erupting along the way!

Pro tip: Choose a hotel with free parking and request an early check-in. Standard check-in was 3 pm, but we checked in around 10 am, which was perfect after the overnight flight.

After a nap, we visited the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church. You can take an elevator to the top for panoramic city views—just dress warmly! The church is walking distance from downtown shops and cafés, where we found Brauð & Co—they had the BEST cinnamon rolls, definitely a must-try!

That evening, we headed to Sky Lagoon. Set right on the water, it was the perfect place to unwind, and your ticket includes a 7-step ritual, which makes the experience extra special. Since we arrived on Thanksgiving, we got to celebrate a little differently. We didn’t have traditional turkey, but enjoyed a delicious local dinner at Kröns—one of our most memorable holiday meals yet!

We joined Troll Expeditions for an unforgettable Golden Circle adventure. The highlight for me was standing in front of a massive frozen waterfall—absolutely STUNNING. We also visited erupting geysers, which were far more impressive than I expected.

We also snorkeled the Silfra Fissure, a crack between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. From the surface it doesn’t look like much, but once in the water, the clarity is unreal—you can see over 100 meters ahead in pure glacial water (and even take a sip!).

Since we went in November, the air and water were freezing, but floating between two continents was an adventure I’ll never forget.

We ended the day at Sushi Social, recommended by our guide. Though pricey, the sushi was fresh, tasty, and a perfect way to finish such a memorable day.

We booked a 2-day tour to explore southeast Iceland. We were initially unsure about a multi-day tour—but it exceeded our expectations. The professional driver made the 5-hour journey from Reykjavík stress-free, especially with snowy, windy conditions.

The highlight was visiting an ice cave: we rode in massive off-road trucks and hiked up the glacier to step inside—truly incredible. We also loved Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon—I’d imagined we were just going to see another black sand beach, but seeing huge icebergs washed ashore made it feel magical.

Pro tip: If your budget allows, keep your hotel in Reykjavík for the entire trip, especially if your hotel offers free parking. It’s just one extra night, but you can leave most luggage behind, keep your rental car, and skip the hassle of checking in again.

We explored the Lava Tunnel on a guided tour, but walking through underground lava formations felt extraterrestrial. Some areas are uneven, so good shoes and balance are key—one person on our tour turned back due to the unstable surfaces.

In the evening, we attended a Lava Show, where we saw real molten lava up close and felt its heat—both informative and exciting. Our last dinner in Reykjavík was a tasting menu at Fiskmarkaðurinn (Fish Market). I had heard Icelandic food was just “okay,” but I was pleasantly surprised—expensive, but absolutely worth it.

Pro tip: We had initially booked a Northern Lights tour but canceled due to cloud coverage. We tracked the aurora on vedur.is and found clear skies on day five. We saw the lights easily off the road near the Reykjavík lighthouse, which had plenty of parking. No tour or waiting needed—timing and flexibility made all the difference.

On our last day, we had planned to visit the Blue Lagoon, but it was closed due to volcanic activity. With an evening flight, we opted for the Perlan Museum instead. It was a great way to pass the time, and the revolving restaurant offered panoramic views of Reykjavík—perfect for a final glimpse of the beautiful city before heading home!