5 Good Reasons To Celebrate Christmas In Iceland
What if you took advantage of the holiday season to experience the magic of polar landscapes? With its volcanoes and glaciers, Iceland is one of the most spectacular destinations during this time of the year. We have listed 5 good reasons for you to celebrate Christmas in Iceland.
To experience a white Christmas
If you dream of a white Christmas and want to have a snowball fight on Christmas Eve, Iceland is the perfect destination for a winter, or even polar, adventure! December is the time of year with the least amount of sunshine, and there's a very good chance the island will be covered in its snowy blanket, although it's not 100% guaranteed.
You might also be lucky enough to catch the Northern Lights when the sky is clear.
To experience Christmas and its traditions in Iceland, note that it's not necessary to go there on December 25th. Indeed, the country celebrates throughout the Advent period, which is the 4 Sundays before Christmas! For an entire month, the capital Reykjavik lights up and is adorned with numerous decorations. Concerts and small Christmas markets also set up in the streets. The most famous are found in the city center, at Ingólfstorg and Hafnarfjörður.
Not far from the capital, the Árbær Open Air Museum offers you a glimpse into Icelandic Christmas traditions, and it's not uncommon to spot... elves!
To discover different traditions
In Iceland, the most important character during the holidays is not Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas! At this time of year, children look forward to 13 cheerful Yule Lads or Jólasveinar who play pranks in homes and bring sweets or small gifts in stockings hung by the window ledge. But of course, one must have been good, because naughty children only receive old potatoes!
These thirteen Icelandic elves descend each year from the blue mountains of Bláfjöll, between December 12 and 24. One arrives each day, and each plays tricks such as stealing food, slamming doors, and blowing out candles...
Icelanders also have various culinary traditions, including treats and cakes they enjoy at Christmas as well as during the Advent period:
=> the Sara biscuit, a kind of almond macaroon filled with chocolate cream and glazed with chocolate.
=> Gingerbread.
=> Laufabrauð or "leaf bread," a bread as thin as a crepe intricately patterned before being fried.
To admire spectacular landscapes
Iceland is renowned for its wild landscapes, waterfalls, breathtaking glaciers, and black sand beaches. To explore its wonders during your trip, don't just stick to Reykjavík but also plan to visit the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Dubbed "little Iceland," this region encapsulates the island's geological marvels.
There, you can admire the Gerduberg cliffs with their black basalt columns, the stunning Mount Kirkjufell (an ancient cone-shaped volcano) and its beautiful waterfalls, the black sand beach of Djupalonssandur, and the Snæfellsjökull glacier.
To discover the local legends
Stories and legends are still very much alive in Iceland and abound with mythical creatures such as trolls and elves. Even today, one in two Icelanders believes in the existence of huldufólk, "the hidden people," which encompasses the various creatures of their folklore.
Icelanders particularly say that the famous Reynisdrangar rock formation in Vík is actually made up of trolls turned into stones. At Fossatun, the Troll Path invites you to immerse yourself in this folklore, with striking statues that spring up amidst the rocks.
5- To get back into shape after the holidays
After the emotions and feasts of the holidays, thermal baths are another great reason to visit Iceland. The country's most iconic site is undoubtedly the Blue Lagoon, a vast pool located on the Reykjanes Peninsula. In addition to its milky water rich in mineral salts, this wellness haven offers several areas for relaxation: steam rooms and saunas with panoramic views of the lava fields!
North of Reykjavik, the Krauma spa combines well-being with environmental respect. Its pools are naturally heated by boiling water sources and then cooled by the pure water from the glacier. The baths at the center are also built from natural materials and are 100% eco-friendly.
