Things to do in Reykjavik
Elding Whale Watching Reykjavik11 optionsBlue Lagoon Tours17 optionsDay Trips from Reykjavik18 optionsHorse Riding Reykjavik15 optionsFood Tour Reykjavik21 optionsIce Cave Tour from Reykjavik18 optionsReykjavik Airport Transfer14 optionsSnowmobile Reykjavik11 optionsReykjavik Walking Tour44 optionsSecret Lagoon Tours11 optionsReykjavik Volcano Tour12 optionsBoat Tour Northern Lights Reykjavik26 options
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Reykjavik: Whale Watching Faxaflói Bay & Minke WhalesYou board a heated boat at Reykjavik's Old Harbour and sail into Faxaflói Bay for 2.5 to 3.5 hours hunting Minke and Humpback whales, dolphins and porpoises. The boat has indoor cabins, a bar, and flotation overalls included; if no whales show, you get a free return ticket. You see Mount Esja and Harpa on the way out and back, and the tour ends where it started.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see whales from Reykjavik without arranging your own boat or spending the day uncertain about timing — the fixed schedule and included gear mean you show up warm and ready, and the free re-ride if sightings are poor removes the gamble.
Gullfoss: Ice cave tour by monster truck with local guideYou’ll ride a massive monster truck from Gullfoss up to Langjökull glacier with a local guide who shares stories along the way. Explore an actual ice cave lined with volcanic ash, feel the cold air on your face, and see Iceland’s wild highlands from inside panoramic windows — moments you’ll remember long after you’re home.
Horseback riding near Reykjavík: Private Icelandic horse toursPrivate horseback riding near Reykjavík on Icelandic horses, with roughly one hour in the saddle tailored to your riding level. A small farm 20 minutes from downtown keeps groups intimate; the guide meets you at the stable, prepares you and your horse, then heads out into the local countryside. Helmet, gloves, and a guide in English are included; warm overalls provided in winter. You can arrive on your own, book a Friday offer without pickup, or add hotel pickup to your booking.Is it for me?Book this if you want a small-group experience where the guide knows your riding level and adjusts the day to match it — the farm's size and private format mean you're not one of twenty riders following the same trail at the same pace. If you prefer to skip the logistics of getting to the stable, add pickup from your Reykjavík hotel at checkout.
Reykjavik Helicopter Tour: Reykjanes Volcanic Landscapes & Blue LagoonYou board a helicopter at Reykjavik's Nordurflug base and spend an hour flying over the Reykjanes Peninsula's volcanic terrain, passing the Seltún geothermal field, two crater lakes, black-sand beaches and the Blue Lagoon with a professional pilot. No ground stops — it's pure flight time with window views the whole way. Book this if you want the peninsula's scale and drama without spending a day driving and hiking.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Reykjanes Peninsula's volcanic scale and geothermal features without spending hours on the ground — the flight covers the main sights in an hour and shows you the landscape from a perspective you can't get any other way.
Reykjavik: Northern Lights ATV Quad Tour & StargazingYou ride an ATV through Icelandic backcountry at night, positioned at Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell where Northern Lights are most likely to appear. While waiting for the aurora, you stargaze and hunt for shooting stars. Hotel pickup is included; riding gear, helmets and gloves are provided. The tour only runs when clear skies are forecast, and you'll need a valid driver's license and warm clothes.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to hunt the Northern Lights without arranging your own transport or worrying about finding the best viewing spot—the guide handles the route and timing, and you just show up with a driver's license and warm clothes.
South Coast Iceland Tour: Waterfalls & Black Sand BeachesA private 10-hour tour of Iceland's south coast departing from Reykjavik, with hotel pickup and a professional driver-guide in English. You visit Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, see the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic landscape, walk Reynisfjara black sand beach, and stop at Dyrholaey's rock formations. The tour runs private after the first booking of five travelers, meaning no shared groups join your vehicle once you've booked.Is it for me?Book this tour if you speak English comfortably and want a guide's commentary on the landscape and sites as you travel—the driver provides live narration throughout the day. It suits travelers who prefer a private vehicle and flexible pacing over a fixed group schedule, since the tour runs private once your booking closes and no additional passengers join.
Snæfellsnes 2-Day Tour: Lava Cave, Kirkjufell & Northern LightsIf you want to see Iceland’s wild side—lava caves, waterfalls, seal colonies, and maybe even the Northern Lights—this two-day Snæfellsnes tour packs it all in with real local flavor and stories you won’t find in guidebooks.
Reykjavik: Icelandic Horse Riding & Whale Watching Day TripYou ride Icelandic horses through moorland and lava fields for 2.5 hours, return for hot drinks, then board a high-speed boat to hunt whales in Faxaflói Bay. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included; lunch is on your own. If no whales appear, you get a free return ticket.Is it for me?Book this if you want two distinct Icelandic experiences in one day without arranging separate transport, guides, or timing — the fixed itinerary handles the logistics and the free return ticket removes the sting if the whales don't show on your first try.
Reykjavik: Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon Private Day TripYou're picked up from your Reykjavik hotel and driven through the Golden Circle route, stopping at Thingvellir's tectonic plates, Strokkur geyser, Gullfoss waterfall, and Kerið crater. The tour stays small and private even when multiple bookings fall on the same day, so you move at your own pace. You finish at the Blue Lagoon (entry paid separately) and return to your hotel by evening. A professional guide handles photography throughout.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Iceland's two most famous sights in one day without renting a car or navigating the route yourself—the private format and hotel pickup handle the logistics, leaving you to focus on the landscape.
ATV Riding near Reykjavik: Volcanic Springs & Lava FieldsRide an ATV through volcanic terrain near Reykjavik, operating your own quad bike across lava fields, past the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant, and up Hengill Mountain to see geothermal steam rising from the ground. A professional guide teaches you safety and operation before departure, provides all protective gear, and leads the group to a final walk down to Volcanic Springs, where you can soak in the natural hot water. The adventure runs 3.5 hours with pickup and drop-off included; you choose to ride solo or share an ATV with a passenger.Is it for me?Book solo if you want to control the bike and navigate the terrain at your own pace; book the two-rider option if you prefer a passenger seat while someone else operates the ATV.
Reykjavik: Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights with PickupYou soak in geothermal water with a mud mask and towel included, have a few hours free in Reykjavik for dinner, then hunt the Northern Lights with a local guide on a separate evening departure. Hotel pickup is optional both times, and you return around midnight. The tour is carbon neutral and includes WiFi on both transfers.Is it for me?Book this if you want both Iceland's most famous thermal bath and a genuine shot at the Northern Lights without arranging two separate bookings and transport — the fixed schedule and included pickups mean you show up and the day unfolds on its own timeline.
Horseback Riding near Reykjavik: Private Lake Hafravatn TourA private horseback riding tour departing from a small farm 20 minutes from downtown Reykjavik, where you ride to Lake Hafravatn with a local guide who tailors the pace to your experience level. The guide meets you at the stable, prepares you and the horse, then leads a ride lasting roughly two hours across scenic fields and toward nearby mountains. Total time from arrival to departure is around three hours. Minimum age is 12; riders must weigh under 105kg and be able to mount and dismount without assistance.Is it for me?Book this if you want hands-on riding instruction and the chance to build real skills in the saddle, not just a ride past scenery—the guide's focus on technique and your individual pace means you'll leave understanding how to actually ride, not just having sat on a horse.
Reykjadalur Horseback Riding: Icelandic Horses Hot SpringsHorseback riding through Reykjadalur (Hot Spring Valley) in Iceland on Icelandic horses, suitable for all riding levels and ages 10 and up. The two-hour ride moves through geothermal terrain where steam drifts across lush hills and streams flow through the valley. A live English-speaking guide leads the group; helmet, riding gear and rain wear are provided, along with coffee or tea.Is it for me?You ride the horse yourself for the full two hours—this is not a guided tour where you watch from a vehicle. If you want to be in the saddle and moving through the landscape under your own direction (within the guide's route), this suits you; if you prefer to stay on the ground or have someone else handle the riding, look for a different activity.
Hallgrímskirkja to Parliament: Self-Guided Audio Walk ReykjavikA self-guided audio walking tour of Reykjavik that starts at Hallgrímskirkja church and ends at the parliament house, covering roughly 4 kilometers through the city center. The VoiceMap app syncs to your phone's GPS and plays narration automatically at each stop, then works entirely offline; the walk takes 1.5 to 2 hours without pausing, but you set the pace. Audio available in English and French.Is it for me?Start at Hallgrímskirkja in the city center, so you don't need a car or transport to begin—the walk unfolds from there on foot. The offline app means you're not dependent on a data connection or a guide's schedule, which works well if you're staying elsewhere in Reykjavik and want to explore at your own pace without joining a group.
Eyjafjallajökull Super Jeep Tour: Thorsmork & SeljalandsfossYou’ll ride in a monster super jeep with an expert local guide, circle behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall (yes, you’ll get wet), wander through Stakkholtsgjá canyon’s hidden corners, and stand at the edge of Eyjafjallajökull glacier—plus hotel pickup makes it all easy. If you want to see Iceland’s wild side without crowds or hassle, this is the way to do it.
Reykjavik Helicopter Tour: Volcanoes & Reykjanes PeninsulaA private helicopter tour from Reykjavik that flies over the lava fields and craters of Reykjanes volcano—including eruption sites from 2021, 2022 and 2023—then passes the colorful houses of downtown Reykjavik, Hallgrímskirkja Church, and coastal cliffs where millions of birds nest. The flight lasts 40 to 50 minutes and includes a live English-speaking guide. Note that active lava flow is not guaranteed, as volcanic activity is a natural phenomenon.Is it for me?This is a private tour, so you fly alone or with your group rather than sharing the helicopter with strangers—a difference that matters if you want to set the pace of questions and conversation, or if you need flexibility around timing. Book it if you have a free afternoon in Reykjavik and want to see the scale and extent of the recent eruptions without spending a full day driving to the peninsula and back.
Golden Circle Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour from ReykjavikThis self-guided audio driving tour covers Iceland's Golden Circle route starting from Reykjavik, with GPS-triggered stories about Viking history, Norse mythology, and the geology of tectonic plates. You download the app in advance, follow the route on your phone, and listen to audio automatically as you drive—pausing, stopping, or backtracking whenever you choose. One purchase covers everyone in the car; entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.Is it for me?Book this if you're renting a car in Reykjavik and want to explore the Golden Circle without a crowded bus or fixed schedule—the audio fills the drive with history and mythology while you decide how long to linger at each stop. It's built for families or small groups traveling together in one vehicle who'd rather navigate on their own terms than follow a guide's itinerary.
Reykjavik: Imagine Peace Tower Evening Tour & Viðey FerryYou’ll cross from Reykjavik by ferry as dusk falls, walking with a local guide across Viðey Island’s quiet paths toward the Imagine Peace Tower. Along the way you’ll hear stories about Icelandic history and Lennon’s tribute, then stand beneath that beam of light with a warm drink in hand. It’s peaceful, thought-provoking — something that lingers after you leave.
Reykjavik Street Food Walking Tour & LandmarksYou walk through Reykjavik's neighborhoods with a long-time local guide, stopping at carefully chosen restaurants and street food spots including the famous hot dog stand, a lamb soup restaurant, and views of Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa. Meals are included throughout the day, and groups stay small enough that you're not part of a crowd. The pace is built around eating and conversation, not rushing between photo stops.Is it for me?Book this if you want to eat real food at places locals actually go, rather than tourist versions of Icelandic cuisine — the small groups and full-time guides are what make that possible in a city where most food tours run larger and faster.
Reykjavik Food Tour: 5 Tastings & Secret Dish DowntownYou taste five different Icelandic dishes at separate stops through downtown Reykjavik, walking past Hallgrímskirkja and down Laugavegur between each one. The tour includes a mystery secret dish revealed on the day, hot chocolate, Icelandic Marriage Cake, and stories about the food and the neighborhoods. You finish in the evening after roughly three hours of walking and eating, knowing what locals actually eat instead of what tourists are told to try.Is it for me?Right for anyone with an afternoon in Reykjavik who wants to taste what locals actually eat without arranging five separate restaurants — the guide handles the stops, the timing, and the stories, so you just show up and eat.
