Christmas is an important family holiday in Iceland. People like to spend the holidays at home, with family, reading, eating and relaxing. Most businesses close down for the holidays, including most stores and museums, although some restaurants remain open.
Read more: Five ideas for activities during Christmas to experience the Icelandic holiday spirit
Shops: You can expect shops, restaurants, bars, museums, and other attractions to close at noon or early afternoon on December 24 and remain closed on Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26) as well as New Year‘s Day (January 1).
On Christmas Eve, most businesses close early, between 12 pm and 2 pm, as this is the day Icelanders enjoy their Christmas dinners and open gifts. This is also the case on New Year‘s Eve.
Public transport: Strætó, the public transit operates on December 245h and 25th, but with a restricted schedule. The last buses will depart between 15 and 16 on December 24, and on December 25 buses will resume a regular Sunday schedule. The Sunday schedule will also be in effect on January 1.
Taxi: All taxi companies offer their services are available during the holidays, but there is an extra charge for journeys on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve.
Swimming pools: The public swimming pools close during the holidays, however, Laugardalslaug, Vesturbæjarlaug and Árbæjarlaug swimming pools will be open on December 26 between 12:00 and 18:00.
The Blue Lagoon will remain open every day, but with shortened holiday trading hours: Keep in mind that during the holidays you need to reserve a spot at the lagoon.
Read more: 5 of the best swimming pools in Reykjavík and the capital region
Museums: Most all museums are closed during the holidays. However, a few do maintain restricted opening hours. The National Museum is open on Christmas day, December 25 10:00-14:00, but is closed on December 26. It open 10:00-14:00 on December 31 and January 1,.
The Reykjavík Maritime Museum is closed on December 25, but open on December 26, 12:00-17:00. The Reykjavík park and zoo, is open on December 25 10:00-12:00, December 26 10:00-17:00 and on January 1 10:00-17:00.
The National Gallery is closed during December 24-26, 31 as well as January 1, but The Reykjavík Art Museum is closed on December 25, but open on December 26 and January 1, 13:00-17:00.
The Volcano House is open 10:00-18:00 on December 25 and 10:00-22:00 on December 26 and January 1 and the Saga Museum is open on December 25 from 12:00 to 18:00, December 26 10:00-18:00 and on January 1, 12:00-18:00.
Christmas is an important family holiday in Iceland. People like to spend the holidays at home, with family, reading, eating and relaxing. Most businesses close down for the holidays, including most stores and museums, although some restaurants remain open.
Read more: Five ideas for activities during Christmas to experience the Icelandic holiday spirit
Shops: You can expect shops, restaurants, bars, museums, and other attractions to close at noon or early afternoon on December 24 and remain closed on Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26) as well as New Year‘s Day (January 1).
On Christmas Eve, most businesses close early, between 12 pm and 2 pm, as this is the day Icelanders enjoy their Christmas dinners and open gifts. This is also the case on New Year‘s Eve.
Public transport: Strætó, the public transit operates on December 245h and 25th, but with a restricted schedule. The last buses will depart between 15 and 16 on December 24, and on December 25 buses will resume a regular Sunday schedule. The Sunday schedule will also be in effect on January 1.
Taxi: All taxi companies offer their services are available during the holidays, but there is an extra charge for journeys on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve.
Swimming pools: The public swimming pools close during the holidays, however, Laugardalslaug, Vesturbæjarlaug and Árbæjarlaug swimming pools will be open on December 26 between 12:00 and 18:00.
The Blue Lagoon will remain open every day, but with shortened holiday trading hours: Keep in mind that during the holidays you need to reserve a spot at the lagoon.
Read more: 5 of the best swimming pools in Reykjavík and the capital region
Museums: Most all museums are closed during the holidays. However, a few do maintain restricted opening hours. The National Museum is open on Christmas day, December 25 10:00-14:00, but is closed on December 26. It open 10:00-14:00 on December 31 and January 1,.
The Reykjavík Maritime Museum is closed on December 25, but open on December 26, 12:00-17:00. The Reykjavík park and zoo, is open on December 25 10:00-12:00, December 26 10:00-17:00 and on January 1 10:00-17:00.
The National Gallery is closed during December 24-26, 31 as well as January 1, but The Reykjavík Art Museum is closed on December 25, but open on December 26 and January 1, 13:00-17:00.
The Volcano House is open 10:00-18:00 on December 25 and 10:00-22:00 on December 26 and January 1 and the Saga Museum is open on December 25 from 12:00 to 18:00, December 26 10:00-18:00 and on January 1, 12:00-18:00.
