Akureyri: Goðafoss, Laufas & The Christmas House Combo Tour

Goðafoss is the star here, a broad, thundering waterfall tied to one of Iceland’s best-known conversion stories. You also get two very different cultural stops: Laufás, where turf-roofed farm buildings show how Icelanders once lived, and a cheerful Christmas shop with a hidden troll mother in a cave.

I like the strong mix of nature and local culture, and I like that guides such as Jon, Inga, Lilja, and Graham add stories about Icelandic customs instead of simply pointing out the views. The main thing to weigh is time. Four hours covers a lot, so you may wish for longer at Laufás or the Christmas House, and the advertised small group size may not apply on every departure.

Key points to know before booking

• Goðafoss gets the best scenic time: You have about 40 minutes for walking, photos, and views of the waterfall.
• Laufás gives the tour its historical depth: Explore old turf-clad buildings, household objects, and a small traditional church.
• The Christmas House is festive all year: Expect ornaments, holiday music, a log fire, Icelandic folklore, and shopping.
• Local guiding is a major strength: Jon, Inga, Lilja, and Graham have all been praised for humor, clear explanations, and good pacing.
• The $117 price can make sense for cruise visitors: Hotel or port pickup, transport, a guide, and the Laufás admission are included.
• Allow for a busy schedule: The stops are worthwhile, but several people wanted more time at Laufás and the Christmas House.

Why this Akureyri tour works so well

This is a compact outing with a smart three-part design. Goðafoss gives you Iceland’s raw scenery, Laufás explains everyday life in earlier centuries, and the Christmas House adds a playful, family-friendly stop. You are not spending four hours looking at waterfalls alone, nor are you being marched through one museum after another.

The route also makes good use of the countryside around Akureyri. The first drive takes about 40 minutes, followed by another 40-minute ride toward Laufás. Your guide fills those stretches with stories about local people, legends, humor, and traditions. That matters in northern Iceland, where the drive itself can otherwise feel like dead time.

At $117 per person, the tour is not a bargain-basement outing, but the price includes pickup and drop-off, a minibus or coach, a live English-speaking guide, and admission to the Laufás heritage site and museum. Refreshments are not included, so bring water and a snack if you need one.

For cruise passengers, the value can be especially good. One person found this tour roughly half the price of a similar cruise excursion, though cruise and local tour prices can change. The direct port pickup also saves you the trouble of arranging transport in an unfamiliar town.

Goðafoss: the natural showstopper

The first major stop is Goðafoss, set on the glacial river Skjálfandafljót. The name means waterfall of the gods, and the story behind it gives the place more weight than a simple photo stop.

According to Icelandic tradition, chieftain Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði helped settle the country’s religious change from pagan beliefs to Christianity around the year 1000. After Christianity was adopted, he is said to have thrown statues of the old gods into the falls. The legend explains the name and gives your guide an easy way to connect the view with Iceland’s past.

You have about 40 minutes here. That is enough for a good look and a set of photographs, but it is not an open-ended visit. Some departures have felt the stop was perfectly paced, while others wanted another 30 minutes. I would keep your walking efficient: follow the guide’s instructions, take your main pictures early, then spend the remaining time enjoying the falls rather than searching for the perfect angle.

Goðafoss is particularly useful for families and cruise passengers because it delivers a major Iceland sight without a long hike or a full-day commitment. You can see the water from established viewing areas, though the ground and weather can still be uneven and changeable. Wear shoes with a firm grip and bring a waterproof layer.

The guide’s commentary adds value here. Jon has been singled out for mixing local history with humor, while other guides have made a point of explaining the area and answering questions. A good guide helps you notice more than the water itself: the shape of the river, the force of the glacial flow, and the way the waterfall sits within the surrounding countryside.

Laufás and the old turf-built farm

After Goðafoss, the tour heads to Laufás, a former wealthy vicarage near the estuary of the Fnjóská River in Eyjafjörður. This is the stop that gives the outing its clearest picture of older Icelandic life.

The farm buildings combine timber construction with thick turf roofs and walls. The older buildings date back to medieval times, while the current structures were built between 1860 and 1877. From outside, the connected buildings may look simple. Inside, the rooms and passages show how a farm household used every bit of sheltered space.

You can see objects from Laufás and nearby farms, helping you understand how people lived through the early 20th century. The focus is practical rather than grand. You learn about rooms, work, storage, and the limits imposed by Iceland’s weather. I find that more useful than a museum filled only with fine objects, because the site shows how a home actually functioned.

The small church is another worthwhile part of the visit. It has a pulpit dating from 1698 and offers a modest example of a traditional Icelandic church. It is not a grand cathedral, and that is the point. The quiet scale fits the farm and helps you picture religious life in a rural community.

The scheduled visit lasts about 50 minutes, including guided and self-guided time. That sounds generous, but the site contains several rooms and passages. Some people have wanted more time here, especially after enjoying the turf houses. If Laufás is your main interest, stay close to the guide’s opening explanation, then use every free minute to explore rather than browsing slowly in one room.

The site is also a strong reason to choose this tour over a simple waterfall transfer. Goðafoss may be the most dramatic stop, but Laufás gives you a better sense of the people who shaped this part of Iceland.

The Christmas House in every season

The final main stop is the Magical House of Christmas, a year-round attraction designed to feel like a Christmas storybook. It is an unusual choice for a northern Iceland tour, but it works well for families and anyone who enjoys seasonal decorations.

Inside, you can expect holiday songs, festive scents, and a log fire even if you visit during summer. The shop is packed with Christmas items, and the garden adds to the playful setting. You should also look for Gryla, the troll mother of Icelandic Yule lads, hidden in her cave. That detail gives children a small mission and connects the attraction with Icelandic folklore.

The scheduled visit is about 40 minutes, with free time for photos and shopping. Here the tour becomes more personal. If you love Christmas decorations, the stop may be a highlight. If you are not interested in holiday merchandise, it can feel less essential than the waterfall or turf houses.

The shop’s prices have also disappointed some people. Several items have been described as expensive, so I would treat shopping as optional rather than part of the tour’s value. You can enjoy the setting, folklore, and atmosphere without buying anything.

Time can be an issue in both directions. Some people have wanted longer at the Christmas House, while others would have preferred to skip it or give that time to Laufás. If you are traveling with children, the Christmas stop may be exactly what keeps the outing fun. If your main aim is history, use your energy at the turf farm and view the Christmas House as a short change of pace.

The short Akureyri sightseeing finish

After the Christmas House, the ride back to Akureyri takes about 10 minutes, followed by a short sightseeing portion in town. The tour then drops you at one of several hotels, guesthouses, the harbor cruise terminal, or Akureyri Airport.

The port drop-off is useful if you are visiting from a ship. You can also be dropped in town and continue exploring, which one cruise passenger found convenient. Confirm your preferred drop-off when booking, especially if your ship has a firm departure schedule.

Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure. Wait in your hotel lobby, outside your accommodation, or outside the cruise ship as instructed. The list of pickup points is broad and includes Hof Cultural and Conference Centre, Hótel Kea, Icelandair Hotel Akureyri, Akureyri Backpackers, Akureyri Airport, and many local guesthouses.

Guides, vehicles, and group size

The guide can shape this experience more than any single stop. Jon has received especially strong praise for his humor, historical explanations, careful driving, and clear instructions. Inga has been appreciated for her knowledge of Icelandic people and culture, while Lilja’s local connection to Akureyri added a useful sense of place. Graham has also been praised for providing a smooth, personal outing.

The experience is offered in English, with a small-group limit of up to 15 participants. That is the stated format, but group size may vary. One person reported being placed on a large bus despite expecting a small group, so I would confirm the vehicle and departure size if a quiet, intimate outing is important to you.

Most feedback on transport has been positive. The buses have been described as clean, spacious, and comfortable. There have been minor issues, including a microphone problem and a front seat with no adjustment, but these were exceptions rather than the central concern.

The busy schedule is the more consistent consideration. The tour does a good job of moving along, but you will need to follow the timetable. Guides have generally been praised for giving enough time while keeping the group on schedule, which is particularly important for cruise passengers.

Who should book this four-hour outing?

I would recommend it to families who want a mix of scenery, folklore, history, and something lighthearted. Children may enjoy the Christmas House and the story of Gryla, while adults get the stronger cultural content at Laufás and Goðafoss.

It also suits cruise passengers who want a practical half-day excursion close to Akureyri. Pickup and return at the harbor reduce stress, and the tour is short enough to fit around a ship visit. Still, confirm the return plan and leave a sensible buffer before all-aboard time.

This is less suitable if you want a slow photographic visit to Goðafoss, a long museum session, or a full day in the countryside. You get three distinct stops, but none is treated as a leisurely standalone visit.

The tour carries a 4.4 out of 5 rating from 173 ratings, with the strongest praise focused on the waterfall, the guides, and the mix of stops. The weaker points are also clear: the Christmas House can feel commercial, and the time at Laufás may seem short.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an efficient introduction to the Akureyri area and value a guide who adds local stories to the drive. Goðafoss and Laufás are the solid reasons to go, while the Christmas House is a bonus that will appeal most to families and Christmas enthusiasts.

At $117, the package is reasonable when you need transport, a guide, port or hotel pickup, and admission to Laufás. I would choose it over a cruise excursion if the schedule matches and you confirm the group size.

Skip it if you dislike shops, want more time at each stop, or would rather build a private day around Goðafoss and the historic farm. For most first-time visitors with only four hours, though, this is a well-shaped way to see nature, old Icelandic life, folklore, and a bit of Akureyri in one outing.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including transportation between Akureyri, Goðafoss, Laufás, the Christmas House, and the town return.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from listed hotels, guesthouses, Akureyri Airport, the harbor cruise terminal, and other designated locations.

Is pickup available at the Akureyri cruise terminal?

Yes. Akureyri Harbor Cruise Terminal is included among the pickup and drop-off locations.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is the Laufás entrance fee included?

Yes. Admission to the Laufás heritage site and museum is included in the tour price.

Is food or drink included?

No. Refreshments are not included, so plan to bring or buy anything you need separately.

Can I cancel the tour?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.