Iceland · Iceland
December
Darkest nights, Christmas in Reykjavik, epic New Year bonfires — and aurora every clear night.
Best match
#9 of 12 months
There are better months for Iceland — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
2°C
Low
-2°C
Rain
78mm
Sun
2.2hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How December scores in Iceland
Weather
Below average
Value
Good
Crowds
Very good
Events
Excellent
Atmosphere
Outstanding
What you gain in December
- ↑Reykjavik Christmas: festive markets, 13 Icelandic Yule Lads visiting through December, cosy bar and restaurant scene
- ↑New Year's Eve bonfire-and-fireworks tradition unlike anywhere in Europe — entire city lights up simultaneously at midnight
- ↑Aurora borealis on virtually every clear night — darkest month gives maximum sighting potential
What you sacrifice
- ↓Christmas and New Year weeks drive prices up sharply — not the budget-friendly rates of October–November
- ↓Only 2.2 hours of sunshine at the solstice: the darkest you will ever experience anywhere in Europe
- ↓Popular New Year accommodation books out months in advance; last-minute options limited
How December compares to September (best month)
| Factor | December | September ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 3 | 6 |
| Value | 6 | 6 |
| Crowds | 7 | 7 |
December in other destinations
Lisbon (14.4°C)Barcelona (13.8°C)Tokyo (12°C)Bali (30.3°C)Santorini (14.5°C)Paris (6.9°C)New York (5.1°C)Marrakech (18.1°C)Amsterdam (6.4°C)Maldives (30°C)Rome (11.7°C)Bangkok (30.4°C)Istanbul (9.4°C)Vienna (3°C)Seoul (3.7°C)Dubrovnik (11.6°C)Rio de Janeiro (29.5°C)Kyoto (11.3°C)Phuket (31.8°C)Cape Town (25.6°C)Prague (3°C)Amalfi Coast (13°C)Mexico City (21°C)Medellín (28°C)Fiji (30°C)London (8°C)Sydney (26°C)Tulum (28°C)Dubai (25°C)Singapore (30°C)Hoi An (24°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Iceland, not across destinations. Methodology →