Goðafoss, Laufas & The Christmas House Private Combo Tour
Three of North Iceland's most captivating landmarks, explored at your own pace on a private guided tour.
This private Goðafoss combo tour brings together Iceland's legendary Waterfall of the Gods, a centuries-old turf farmhouse museum, and a year-round Christmas House that enchants visitors of all ages. Designed for those who want depth and flexibility, the four-hour private experience covers historical, natural, and cultural highlights in one seamless journey through North Iceland.
Goðafoss stands as one of Iceland's most historically significant waterfalls, set within the glacial river Skjálfandafljót. According to legend, the chieftain Þorgeir threw his pagan idols into these cascading waters after Iceland's conversion to Christianity around the year 1000, giving the waterfall its enduring name: Waterfall of the Gods.
Laufás, positioned along the estuary of the river Fnjóská in Eyjafjörður, offers a rare window into Icelandic rural life from the Middle Ages through the early twentieth century. The preserved turf-clad farmhouse, which served as a vicarage for centuries and was last inhabited in 1936, now operates as a museum under the protection of the National Museum's Historic Building Collection since 1948.
The Christmas House adds a whimsical counterpoint to the tour's historical weight. Open every day of the year, it welcomes guests with a log fire, seasonal scents, and a garden full of hidden surprises, including the mythical troll mother Gryla concealed in her cave. The tour concludes with a sightseeing drive through Akureyri, North Iceland's capital city.
Tour Highlights
Stand before Goðafoss, one of Iceland's most storied and spectacular waterfalls, set in the glacial river Skjálfandafljót.
Discover the legend of chieftain Þorgeir and Iceland's conversion to Christianity at the Waterfall of the Gods.
Explore the Laufás turf farmhouse, a well-preserved medieval vicarage that now serves as an open-air museum with artifacts from across North Iceland.
Visit the charming Laufás church, featuring a pulpit dating to 1698 and a nave built in 1865, reflecting the quiet ambition of earlier Icelandic communities.
Experience the year-round Christmas House, a fairy-tale destination complete with a log fire, festive scents, and hidden garden secrets for all ages.
Enjoy the comfort and flexibility of a fully private tour, tailored exclusively to your group with no strangers sharing your vehicle or guide.
Conclude the experience with a guided sightseeing drive through Akureyri, the vibrant capital of North Iceland.
Itinerary
Your private tour begins with a pickup in Akureyri. Your guide will introduce the day's route and provide historical context as you travel toward your first stop along the Ring Road.
Arrive at the banks of the Skjálfandafljót river and take in the sweeping cascade of Goðafoss. Your guide will recount the saga of Þorgeir and Iceland's pivotal shift to Christianity around the year 1000, lending weight to the dramatic scenery before you.
Travel to Eyjafjörður to visit the Laufás estate. Walk through the restored timber-and-turf farmhouse, built between 1860 and 1877, and examine artifacts gathered from the farm and surrounding properties that document life in rural Iceland through the early twentieth century.
Step into the adjacent Laufás church, a modest yet striking building dating to 1865. The interior houses a finely crafted wooden pulpit from 1698, one of the oldest such pieces still in place in a rural Icelandic church.
Visit this distinctive year-round attraction, where a log fire, festive music, and seasonal aromas create an immersive atmosphere. Search the garden for hidden curiosities and look for Gryla, the mythical troll mother, concealed within her cave.
On the return journey, your guide leads a sightseeing tour through Akureyri's key landmarks before dropping you back at your accommodation or agreed meeting point.
What Is Included
Included
- Private guided transportation for your group
- Professional local guide throughout the tour
- Visit to Goðafoss waterfall
- Visit to Laufás Museum and Church
- Visit to the Christmas House
- Akureyri sightseeing drive
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Akureyri
Not Included
- Museum entrance fees at Laufás
- Christmas House admission (if applicable)
- Meals and beverages
- Gratuities for your guide
- Personal travel insurance
Important Information
Reserve Your Private Tour
Secure your private guided experience covering Goðafoss, Laufás, and the Christmas House. Spaces are limited for private groups, so early booking is recommended, especially during peak travel seasons.
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