Reykjavik: Helicopter Tour & Mountain Summit Landing

Summary

Helicopter over Reykjavik city then land on a wild Icelandic summit

You’ll lift off right from Reykjavik with a local pilot, fly past landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa before landing on a real mountain summit near the city. There’s time to breathe in icy air and take photos before flying back — it’s quick but honestly unforgettable.

What’s the experience like?

The thing I didn’t expect about this Reykjavik helicopter tour was how fast the city dropped away beneath us — one minute we were shuffling onto the heli-pad at Nordurflug’s base, helmets half-crooked, next thing I know Hallgrímskirkja is just a tiny Lego piece. Our pilot, Jón, kept chatting about the weather (he said it changes its mind every five minutes in Iceland — he wasn’t kidding), but I was mostly distracted by my own hands gripping the seat. The glass made everything look sharper: Harpa’s angles, Perlan’s weird dome glinting in the sun. Reykjavík looked so small from up there. It made me laugh for some reason.

We skimmed over rooftops and then suddenly we were out above open land — mossy patches, bits of snow still clinging to Mount Esja. The flight itself isn’t long (Jón said 15 minutes or so), but it felt like time stretched out differently up there. When we landed on the summit — not sure which one exactly, Jón picked based on wind that day — the air hit me cold and clean. It smelled like stone and something metallic, maybe just my nerves. My boots crunched on frost while everyone took turns posing for photos; I just stood there for a second trying to memorize the view back toward Reykjavik. It’s weirdly quiet up there except for our laughter and the wind.

I tried to say thank you in Icelandic when we got back in (Takk fyrir? Not sure if I nailed it). Jón grinned anyway. The return flight felt even quicker, maybe because I knew what to expect now — or maybe because I was already thinking about how different everything looks from above. If you’re thinking about a day trip from Reykjavik that’s not another bus ride, this is it. Still thinking about that cold air on my face.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Helicopter tour and mountain landing

• Start at Nordurflug´s Base
• Fly over Hallgrimskirkja
• Fly over Perlan
• Fly over Harpa
• Land on mountain summit near Reykjavik
• Fly back to Nordurflug´s Base

Top questions

How long does the Reykjavik helicopter tour last?

The total duration is 30-45 minutes, including around 15-20 minutes of flight time and 15 minutes on the mountain summit.

Is hotel pickup included for this helicopter tour?

No, you start and end at Nordurflug's base in Reykjavik; public transport options are nearby.

Which landmarks do you see during the flight?

You’ll see Hallgrímskirkja, Perlan, Harpa Concert Hall, and views over Mount Esja from above.

Is this helicopter tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible for this tour.

Can infants join the helicopter tour?

Yes, infants can join; they must sit on an adult’s lap or use specialized infant seats provided by the operator.

Does the landing spot change depending on weather?

Yes, your pilot will choose the safest available summit near Reykjavik based on current weather conditions.

How many people fit in each helicopter?

This depends on aircraft size and weight limits; passengers over 120kg may need to purchase an extra half seat for balance.

What’s included

Your experience includes a guided helicopter flight with a professional local pilot from Nordurflug’s base in Reykjavik, all necessary safety equipment, wheelchair accessibility throughout, and a real landing atop one of the summits near Mount Esja before returning to the city by air.