We went on an 8-hour Golden Circle tour by bus from Reykjavik. Are you curious about what you can see along the Golden Circle in December? Keep on reading!
Iceland’s Golden Circle is a popular route between 3 of Iceland’s most visited attractions. Starting in Reykjavik, you’ll drive into the southern uplands and back, visiting Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. Many tour routes take in extra attractions along the way, depending on the tour. You could visit a geothermal greenhouse on one trip, or a natural hot water spring with another.
1) Volcanic Crater Lake Kerið
Kerið Volcano Crater is 3000 years old and has a small lake at the bottom. The rocks surrounding the crater are in red, orange, black, and green if the snow doesn’t cover them. Walk around the crater for some beautiful views. We walked up during sunrise with the moon still shining on the other side!
2) Gullfoss Waterfall
We continue to one of Iceland’s most iconic features at the Gullfoss Waterfall (“Golden Falls“) where we can see the glacial River Hvítá plummeting down into a 32-meter deep crevice. As it was frozen we couldn’t walk to the edge of the waterfall but during the summer months, this is possible!
Fun Fact: From this viewpoint, you can admire the Langjökull glacier.
Fun Fact: In the summer you can also raft the Hvita River.
Freezing Fact: It was -15°C when these photos were taken!
3) Icelandic Horses
Stop along the way to visit Icelandic Horse farms and have some fun taking photos with these horses!
4) Geysir
Continue to the spectacular Geysir area to see some geysers. You’ll find 2 geysers in Strokkur: Great Geysir and Strokkur Geysir. The Great Geysir is the oldest documented geyser in European literature, and is over 10,000 years old! It is inactive now so you won’t see any action from this geysir. The Strokkur Geysir spits steaming water 30 meters into the air every 5-10 minutes! As you walk through the surrounding Haukadalur Valley, you can admire many hot springs, smaller geysers, and bubbling mud pots.
5) Þingvellir National Park.
Enter Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart at a rate of a few centimeters per year. Þingvellir is also the birthplace of the Rock of Law, the first Viking parliament (and the world’s first parliament!)
Fun Fact: Þingvellir (pronounced ‘Thingvellir’) is Iceland’s first National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake.
You can snorkel between the tectonic plates at Silfra, one of the world’s top 10 dive sites!
Langjökull glacier
Spot the second-biggest Glacier of Iceland in the distance if you didn’t spot it when you were at Gullfoss Waterfall!
Game of Thrones Film Location
Game of Thrones has scenes filmed in Iceland. One of the scenes is the hike to the high Eyrie filmed in the Almannagjá gorge (the walk of Aria & the hound, the battle between Brienne of Tarth & the hound, the walk of Sansa & Littlefinger).
Fun Fact: The valley is the only place in the world where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is visible on land or the cliff that’s the corner of the North American continent.
Want to do this trip as well?
Frequently Asked Questions Iceland General (FAQ)
✈️ Traveling in December to Iceland?
As you schedule tours and sightseeing, remember that December is when the daylight hours are the shortest. The winter solstice also means you get the longest hours of nighttime throughout the year, which is perfect for northern lights hunting.
December is one of the coldest months of the year in Iceland. Iceland is also very windy during this month. However, the weather in Reykjavik in December is usually more temperate because of the shelter from the wind provided by the city’s buildings.
💲Is Iceland a budget-friendly destination?
Iceland itself is not the most budget-friendly destination. There is no way around it: Iceland is an expensive country. Even if there are ways to save a few Icelandic Króna, you should set your budget expectations accordingly. Food and drinks are above European prices.
Budget tip: We brought some pre-packed food in our luggage, such as pasta, sauces in a plastic bag, cornflakes, etc.
❄️ Weather in December in Iceland
In the winter, the temperature generally hovers around freezing, ranging between -1°C and 4°C.
Snowfall is common in December. While the rest of the country might be covered in snow, Reykjavik won’t be. The capital’s climate is warmer than the rest of the country, and it tends only to be covered in snow sporadically between January and April. Many streets in Reykjavik are heated underneath, melting the snow and preventing it from becoming icy and slippery.
🧳 What to pack for Iceland (Winter edition)
Make sure you have warm headwear and gloves, thermal undergarments, windproof and waterproof outer layers, and warm clothes in between. You’ll also need hiking boots if you’re planning to do some exploring or hiking. Use my ultimate winter packing list to make it easy.
Frequently Asked Questions Iceland Road Trip (FAQ)
🛎️ Where to Stay in Reykjavik in December
Reykjavik is the top choice to enjoy the festivities in Iceland in December. The weather can affect the roads to North and East Iceland and the Westfjords, making the capital and South Iceland the two best options. We stayed in a cozy apartment in the center of Reykjavik!
🕒 How many days do you need for a road trip in Iceland?
The ideal length of your trip to Iceland depends on what you want to see and do. My brother did a road trip of 3 weeks, and we discovered the south with the capital city in one week.
🚙 Can you take a road trip in Iceland (December)?
Driving in Iceland during winter is only recommended for experienced and confident drivers, as the roads are often icy. Therefore, if you plan on renting a car in Reykjavik, it’s highly recommended that you choose a rental car with four-wheel drive. If you want to drive out of the capital and into the country, it’s essential.
If you’ve never driven in snowy or icy conditions before or aren’t comfortable doing so, it may be worth skipping a rental car and instead taking tours around the country, letting more experienced drivers take the wheel. Hopping onto a tour is undoubtedly the easiest, safest, and most stress-free option. That’s what we did!
🛟 Is it safe to take a road trip through Iceland?
Yes, Iceland is safe for travelers. Always stay vigilant for pickpockets, scams, or snowstorms.
A must do tour when visiting Iceland!
Totally agree that you can’t miss Golden Circle when in Iceland Matt!
Great overview what to expect along the tour:)
Thanks Alison! 😀