Home / Multi-Day Tours / Reykjavík / Iceland New Year’s Eve Trip – 5 Days
Spend the start of the New Year in Iceland! The citizens of the northernmost capital of the world celebrate New Year’s Eve in style and in the sky, there is a magical display the Northern Lights. Combine a great and special time in the Northern most capital of the world with a visit of some beautiful natural highlights in the countryside of Iceland.
If you would like to get more information about this tour, please click on the “Request a quote” widget on the left side of the page. A quick form will open up where you will provide us with more information about your travel expectations. You will then be connected with your specialized travel agent who will assist you throughout the planning a provide a fully detailed quote.
Please note that this itinerary can be adjusted and customized to meet your travel needs and preferences. The package can also be offered as a privately guided tour if a self-drive option is not what you had in mind for your Iceland experience.
NC-01
New Year's
Guided Group Tours
5 days / 4 nights
South Iceland
Once you arrive at Keflavik International Airport, our chauffeur will welcome you and will transfer you to your hotel in the heart of Reykjavik. Explore the pearls of the city like Harpa Concert Hall, Hallgrímskirkja Church, and the Laugavegur shopping street. We recommend visiting the Northern Lights Centre in the old harbor area where you can learn more about the science behind this amazing phenomenon.
In the evening you will join a Northern Lights tour by minibus (maximum 18 persons) that will take you into the beautiful countryside, unpolluted my electric light, where you will chase these natural wonders around the crisp arctic sky. You stay for the next five nights in comfortable accommodation in the heart of Reykjavik.
Today you will visit some of Iceland’s most popular attractions along the classic “Golden Circle” route. First, you will visit the fascinating Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can walk between tectonic plates. You will also see the fountain geyser Strokkur (Icelandic for “churn”) erupting every 4 to 8 minutes and you will visit Gullfoss, the “golden waterfall”, which is often covered in ice during wintertime.
This tour takes place in a minibus and on top of visiting the mentioned “must see places”, you will also bathe in a natural hot pool. The name of this charming location is “Secret Lagoon”, it was made in 1891 and is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. This unique pool is the perfect alternative to the more popular Blue Lagoon. The pool is located in an active geothermal area, so the water is naturally heated. After your adventure, you will be returned to Reykjavík. Enjoy a free evening at leisure.
Today you will embark on a guided tour to the South coast of Iceland. First, you will see the wonderful Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Later, you will be driven to Skógar where you’ll find the picture-perfect Skógafoss waterfall. Your next stop will be at the famous black sand beach Reynisfjarar with picturesque basalt column formations. Finally, you will return to Reykjavík, where you can enjoy the evening in town.
Today you have a free day in Reykjavik. Enjoy and absorb the beauty of the city which glows at this time of the year. You will not be bored in the Northernmost capital city: you can visit some of the landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center and Sun Voyager Sculpture. If you want to add some more adventure, we can also book an ATV tour or a horseback riding tour for you.
In the evening, we recommend a nice dinner (optional). It is also possible to join a guided tour to a local bonfire, a real “New Year´s tradition” (optional). The custom of having bonfires on New Year’s Eve in Iceland dates to the 18th century and the locals gather around the many bonfires set-up all over the city, celebrating and singing. Experience the outstanding and spectacular firework show at midnight. One of the best (but also most crowded places) is at the Hallgrims Church. After the fireworks show, you can experience the world-famous and thrilling Reykjavik nightlife.
Sadly, your Iceland New Year vacation has come to an end. You will be picked up close to your accommodation and transferred to Keflavik International Airport in time for your flight back home. Have a safe and enjoyable trip back home and we hope to see you again in Iceland!
Comfort accommodations offer access to private facilities (shower and toilet). This type of lodges belongs to the 3-star hotel category. Most of these properties have an in-house restaurant. This section offers an upgrade in comfort and service compared to the budget category. Breakfast is included.
Quality accommodations offer private rooms with en-suite shower/bath and toilet. These rooms are the best available accommodations in 4-star hotels or the highest quality lodges in each region. Luxury accommodations - the highest class of lodges, suites, and penthouses - are available upon request. Breakfast is included.
Hallgrímskirkja Church is most certainly Reykjavík´s best-known landmark. The white concrete Church whose image is printed in many postcards, dominates the city. As a matter of fact its tower can be seen from almost every corner of Reykjavík. Its distinctive and futuristic exterior made the Church one of the most visited spots in Reykjavík.
Harpa is the famous concert hall and conference center located in Reykjavik. The building features a distinctive and original colored glass facade inspired by the basalt landscape of Iceland. Its unique architecture makes it one of Reykjavik most loved landmarks.
Laugavegur is the main shopping street in Reykjavik and it is located in the heart of the city. Its name means literally „wash road“ as this was once the route to the hot springs where many Icelanders took their clothes to launder. Today it is a vibrant and innovative street filled with designer ateliers, tourist gift shops, bars, and restaurants.
The Aurora is a natural phenomenon caused by electrically charged particles, mainly electrons and protons ejected from the sun colliding with atoms of oxygen and nitrogen causing them to emit light that is visible to us. These hypnotic lights are known as Aurora Borealis, Polar Lights or Northern Lights in the arctic north and Aurora Australis (southern lights) around the south pole. The color of the Aurora has to do with the type of gas that these particles collide with, oxygen produces green light at low altitudes and red at high altitudes. Nitrogen produces purple Aurora. The green color is the most common and red can only be seen at the strongest of geomagnetic storms. The full understanding of the physical processes that cause the aurora are still a mystery but we know the fundamental causes of the Aurora is the interaction of solar wind with the Earth‘s magnetosphere.
There are three basic requirements for seeing the northern lights. Solar activity, darkness and clear skies. This means that you cannot see the northern lights during summer, they are still happening, there's even a phenomenon called daylight aurora, but our eyes cannot detect them as sunlight drowns out the Aurora. So the darker the better. Going out of the city is not a requirement, the Aurora can often be spotted within city limits in Iceland, however to best enjoy them going away from city lights enhances the experience. Also people should not use mobile phones if they are looking for the northern lights, as the light from the screen will make it harder for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. It‘s always a good idea to take warm clothes on your Aurora excursions as Iceland can get very cold in the winter, that means wool undergarments, warm mid layer and a windproof shell.
Þingvellir National Park is the most important historic and geological sites in Iceland. The area is part of a fissure zone running through Iceland, being situated on the tectonic plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Major events in the history of Iceland have taken place at Þingvellir and today the entire area is a protected national treasure.
Gullfoss, also called the Golden Waterfall, is one of the most iconic gems of the likewise named Golden Circle. The waterfall is located in the upper part of the River Hvíta. Gullfoss is actually two separate waterfalls, the upper one has a drop of 11 meters and the lower one 21 meters.
Geysir is the famous hot spring area located in the Haukadalur valley. The main attraction is known as Strokkur, which erupts energetically at regular intervals of 10 minutes or so its boiling waterjets can reach as high as 30 meters.
The Secret Lagoon was created in 1891. This geothermal pool is the oldest one in Iceland! It opened to the public in 2005 and it offers showers, a bar & an eating area. It is conveniently located in the Golden Circle area.
Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous and visited waterfalls in Iceland. It located along the South Coast of the Country right by the road n. 1. The waterfall is part of the Seljalands river that originated from the famous volcano glacier Eyjafjallajökull. The waterfall is approximately 60-meter high and it is famous for its path that leads visitor behind its powerful water flow.
Skógafoss is a waterfall located on the Skógá river on the South Coast of Iceland. This picture-perfect waterfall descends 60 meters from the cliffs. Before pouring down the cliffs becoming the famous waterfall, the river flows through the Skógárgil gorge.
Reynisfjara is a famous black sand beach in the South of Iceland, just next to the village of Vik. Black sand, lava formations, and basalt columns make it a popular stop for all visitors.
Reynisdrangar cliffs are towering basalt-type rock formations situated near the shore of Reynisfjara black sand beach, on the South Coast of Iceland. The folk legend wants them to be the rocky representation of two trolls turned into stone after being caught by the sunlight after dawn.
The famous promontory named Dyrhólaey is located in the south coast of Iceland. From this peninsula, that once was a volcanic island, the views are stunning. Glacier, lava columns, the open sea. The highlight of this area is the lava arch that is standing in the ocean. Dyrhólaey is also well known for its puffin colonies during the summertime.
Lighting bonfires is an Icelandic tradition that has lasted for decades. Bonfires are lit on New Year's Eve, where people gather together to celebrate the end of the year.
