Reykjavik Gets About 4 Hours of Daylight in December. 8 Ways to Plan Around It

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Around the winter solstice, Reykjavik gets only about four hours of daylight. The sun rises around 11:20 a.m. and sets around 3:30 p.m., and it never climbs far above the horizon. For travelers planning a trip to Iceland in December, that number shapes everything: how far you can drive, which tours make sense, and how you spend the long evenings.

It is not as bleak as it sounds. The low sun produces hours of soft twilight before sunrise and after sunset, the northern lights come out in the dark, and Iceland’s pools, restaurants, and holiday traditions turn the long nights into part of the appeal. The 2026 solstice falls on December 21, and daylight starts to lengthen slowly after that.

Here are eight ways to plan a December trip around the dark.

8 Ways to Plan Iceland in December

1. Build Every Day Around the Middle of the Day

With sunrise near 11 a.m. and sunset around 3:30 p.m., your best hours for outdoor sightseeing fall in a short window. Plan the day’s main stop, a waterfall, a black sand beach, or a hike, for late morning through early afternoon.

Use the dark morning hours for breakfast, driving to your first stop, or museum visits. Use the evening for dinner, pools, and northern lights. Do not try to fit three distant sights into one day.

2. Use the Long Twilight for Photos

Because the sun stays low, December days in Iceland come with extended twilight. The sky often glows pink, orange, and purple for an hour or more before sunrise and after sunset. Photographers love it.

Plan to be at a scenic spot during the twilight hours. Even overcast days can produce moody blue light. Bring a tripod for low-light shots.

3. Choose Day Tours That Start Later

Many tour operators adjust schedules in winter. Golden Circle tours, which visit Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall, often start around 8 or 9 a.m. and drive in darkness to reach the first stop near sunrise. South Coast tours to Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and Reynisfjara beach follow a similar pattern.

Look for tours that make sense with the light, and accept that part of the day will be spent driving in darkness.

4. Keep Road Trips Short and Check Conditions

Driving in Iceland in December can be challenging. Roads can be icy, snowy, and windy, and some mountain roads close for the season. The Ring Road, which circles the island, is about 830 miles long and not realistic to complete safely in a short December trip.

Stick to shorter routes, like the Golden Circle and the South Coast. Check road conditions on the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration’s website, road.is, and weather alerts on vedur.is. Register travel plans on safetravel.is. Rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle with winter tires, and do not drive in storms.

5. Chase the Northern Lights at Night

Iceland’s long nights make December a prime time for northern lights, though they depend on solar activity and clear skies. The aurora season generally runs from September to April.

Check the aurora forecast on vedur.is, which shows cloud cover and aurora activity. Join a guided northern lights tour, which can drive to clear skies, or drive outside Reykjavik to a dark spot. Dress warmly; standing outside on a December night can be bitterly cold.

6. Book Ice Cave Tours

Natural ice caves form in glaciers like Vatnajokull in winter, typically from about November to March. They are only safe with experienced guides, who check conditions and choose caves daily.

Tours start from the south coast near Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, a long drive from Reykjavik. Many visitors stay near the area overnight. Book in advance and be prepared for weather cancellations.

7. Use Geothermal Pools in the Dark

Iceland’s geothermal pools are a big part of winter life. Locals soak in public pools year-round, often in the dark, with steam rising into the cold air.

Reykjavik has several public pools, such as Laugardalslaug, with hot tubs and swimming pools at affordable prices. Spa lagoons like Sky Lagoon near Reykjavik offer a more upscale experience. The Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula has been affected at times by nearby volcanic activity, so check its status before booking.

8. Plan Around Christmas and New Year’s

Iceland celebrates Christmas with unique traditions. The 13 Yule Lads, mischievous figures from Icelandic folklore, arrive one by one in the 13 nights before Christmas, starting December 12. Children leave shoes in windows to receive small gifts.

Christmas Eve is the main celebration, beginning at 6 p.m. Many shops and restaurants close early on December 24 and stay closed on December 25. New Year’s Eve brings bonfires and fireworks across Reykjavik, with residents setting off fireworks around midnight.

Check opening hours and book holiday meals in advance.

How Daylight Changes Across the Month

Daylight in Reykjavik keeps shrinking through the first three weeks of December. In early December, you get a little under five hours. Around the solstice on December 21, it bottoms out at roughly four hours and seven minutes. By New Year’s, you are only gaining a few minutes per day. Farther north, Akureyri gets about three hours of direct daylight around the solstice, partly because surrounding mountains block the low sun.

Twilight stretches each end of the day. Civil twilight, when there is enough light to see without artificial lighting, adds roughly an hour on each side. That is why December days in Iceland feel longer than four hours if you plan to be outside from about 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A Sample Five-Day December Itinerary

• Day one: arrive at Keflavik, rest, and soak at a Reykjavik pool in the evening.
• Day two: Golden Circle by tour or car, with Thingvellir at sunrise, then Geysir and Gullfoss, back by dark.
• Day three: drive the South Coast to Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and Reynisfjara, staying overnight near Vik.
• Day four: continue to Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach, with an ice cave tour if conditions allow.
• Day five: return toward Reykjavik, with a northern lights tour that night if the forecast is good.

Leave at least one buffer day in case storms close roads or cancel tours. Weather causes frequent changes in December.

What December Weather Is Like

Reykjavik’s average temperature in December hovers around freezing, often between the high 20s and mid-30s Fahrenheit. Wind is the bigger factor, and storms can bring heavy snow, rain, and gale-force winds.

Northern Iceland, around Akureyri, is colder and gets even less daylight. The weather can change quickly, so stay flexible.

Driving Safely in the Dark

If you rent a car, remember that much of your driving will happen in darkness or twilight, on roads that are often narrow, with few lights and occasional single-lane bridges. Drive slower than the posted limit in poor conditions, watch for wind warnings that can push vehicles off the road, and never stop on the shoulder to photograph the northern lights. Pull into a proper parking area instead. Fuel up whenever you can outside Reykjavik, and carry snacks, water, and warm clothing in case you are stuck waiting out a closure.

Packing for the Dark and Cold

• Waterproof, insulated jacket and pants.
• Thermal base layers.
• Waterproof boots with good traction.
• Hat, gloves, and scarf.
• Microspikes for icy paths.
• Headlamp or flashlight.
• Swimsuit for pools.

Reykjavik in December

Reykjavik’s downtown glows with holiday lights in December. Laugavegur, the main shopping street, is decorated, and the Hallgrimskirkja church overlooks the city. Christmas markets, concerts, and events fill the calendar.

The city’s food scene includes Icelandic lamb, fish, and holiday dishes. Hot chocolate and pastries are popular in cafes.

What a December Trip Costs

Iceland is expensive in any season, and December is no exception, though it can be slightly cheaper than summer outside the Christmas and New Year’s weeks. Hotel rooms in Reykjavik often run roughly $150 to $350 a night, and rental four-wheel-drive vehicles with winter tires cost more than standard cars. Guided Golden Circle and South Coast day tours commonly cost around $100 to $200 per person, while ice cave tours and multi-day trips cost more. Restaurant meals are pricey, so many visitors buy groceries at supermarkets like Bonus and Kronan for breakfasts and lunches. Holiday weeks see higher prices and fuller hotels.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Planning the full Ring Road in a week of December daylight.
• Driving without checking road.is and weather warnings.
• Wading toward the water at Reynisfjara, where sneaker waves have killed visitors.
• Assuming the Blue Lagoon or other attractions are open without checking current status.
• Forgetting a swimsuit, which you will need for pools and lagoons.

The Bottom Line

Four hours of daylight sounds limiting, but December in Iceland can be magical. Plan around the light, keep drives short, chase the aurora, soak in pools, and join the holiday traditions. You will see a side of Iceland few summer visitors get to experience.