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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Akurey Puffins Iceland: Boat circles the nesting colonyYou board a specially designed boat in Reykjavik, cruise fifteen minutes to Akurey Island, and spend time watching puffins nest and dive while an expert guide explains what you're seeing. The boat circles the island with engines off so you can hear the seabirds themselves. You get binoculars, a knowledgeable crew, and multiple daily departure times to choose from — no need to arrange your own transport or timing.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see puffins during nesting season without arranging your own boat or guide — the fixed departure times and expert commentary are what turn a boat ride into an actual understanding of what you're watching.
Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike Reykjavik: Fresh Lava & Local GuidesYou're driven across the Reykjanes Peninsula to walk across lava formed in 2025, guided by locals who lived through the eruptions. The five-mile hike includes 300 meters of elevation gain on uneven volcanic ground. You also visit Seltún's geothermal pools and Kleifarvatn lake if you book pickup from Reykjavík. Expect moderate fitness, layered clothing, and a full day out—that's what fits all three stops and the drive into one experience.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to walk across Iceland's newest lava and hear firsthand stories from locals who lived through the eruptions. Expect a moderate hike on uneven ground with about 300 meters of elevation gain—that's what gets you close enough to see how the volcano has reshaped the landscape in real time.
Reykjavik: Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike & South Coast WaterfallsYou hike on Sólheimajökull Glacier with full safety equipment and a certified guide, walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and explore Reynisfjara's black sand beach and sea stacks — all in one day trip from Reykjavik with transport, gear, and small-group pacing included.Is it for me?Book this if you want to experience Iceland's South Coast highlights and glacier ice in a single day without arranging your own transport, equipment, or safety briefing — the guided format and included gear are what make it possible to do all three in one trip.
Reykjavik: Golden Circle & Kerid Crater Afternoon TourYou get picked up from Reykjavik in the afternoon, visit three of Iceland's most recognizable natural sites with a professional guide, and return without arranging transport or timing the stops yourself. Strokkur erupts on schedule, Gullfoss delivers the scale, and Thingvellir shows you where two continents meet. The 10:30 departure includes Kerid Crater; later times are shorter and skip it.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want the Golden Circle's main attractions without arranging their own transport or timing, and who don't mind an afternoon departure. The 10:30 start is the only one that fits Kerid Crater into the route; later times are shorter and skip it, so choose based on whether you want all four stops or just three.
Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour from Old HarbourYou board at Reykjavik's Old Harbour and sail into Faxaflói Bay for 2.5 to 3.5 hours searching for humpback and minke whales, dolphins and porpoises with a professional crew. You get a heated cabin, warm overalls, free WiFi and a hot drink on return; if no whales appear, you get a free re-booking ticket. Arrive 30 minutes early and bring a camera and warm layers.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see whales from Reykjavik without arranging your own transport or timing — the crew handles the route and the search, and the heated cabin means you're comfortable whether the weather cooperates or not.
Golden Circle, Bruarfoss & Kerid Crater from ReykjavikYou get picked up from a designated Reykjavik bus stop and spend the day in a small minibus with an English-speaking guide visiting four major Golden Circle sites plus two waterfalls most tours skip. The route includes entry to Þingvellir National Park, stops at Gullfoss and Bruarfoss waterfalls, the geothermal area around Geysir, and Kerid volcanic crater. Wi-Fi and Icelandic music are on the bus; you return to downtown by early evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Golden Circle sights plus two waterfalls most tours skip, without arranging your own transport or timing the stops yourself — the small minibus and fixed schedule handle all of that, and the guide knows where the light hits best.
Iceland Ring Road Tour: Glaciers, Waterfalls & Whale WatchingThis is a 6-day guided tour around Iceland's Ring Road departing from Reykjavik, visiting the Golden Circle, South Coast waterfalls, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, East Fjords, Lake Mývatn, and returning via Borgarfjörður. The tour includes five nights' accommodation, professional guide, national park fees, glacier hiking or ice cave exploration, whale watching in Eyjafjörður, and geothermal bathing at Mývatn Nature Baths. Solo travelers are paired in twin rooms unless you book a single room upgrade; children from age 6 are welcome, though moderate fitness is required for the glacier hike and hiking sections. The operator may alter the itinerary due to weather.Is it for me?The tour is led in English with live commentary, so you'll follow the guide and the day's narrative comfortably if that's your language. If you're traveling solo, you'll be paired in a shared twin room unless you upgrade to a single room at checkout; the group stays small, and the moderate fitness requirement applies mainly to the glacier hike and longer walking sections—contact the operator if you're unsure whether the activity level suits you.
ATV quad biking Reykjavik: Twin Peaks adventure with pickupA 2.5-hour ATV quad biking adventure from Reykjavik that takes you up Reykjavik Peak and Lava Fields Mountain on fully automatic bikes. Pickup and drop-off from Reykjavik are included; a professional guide leads the ride in English and provides all safety gear, helmets, gloves, overalls and rain protection. The route crosses Hafravatn Lake, lava fields and steep slopes, ending with panoramic views of Faxaflói bay, Esja mountain, the Reykjanes peninsula and the Blue Mountains.Is it for me?Book the single-rider option if you want your own bike and full control of the throttle on steep terrain; choose the shared option if you'd rather split the cost and ride with another participant on the same quad.
Reykjavik: Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Lagoon 2-Day TourYou drive the South Coast in a heated minibus, stop at five major waterfalls and two glaciers, spend a night in a hotel with a private bathroom, then take a superjeep into Vatnajokull to explore the Blue Ice Cave before returning to Reykjavik. Breakfast, guide, transport, and all activity fees are included; you just need to arrange luggage storage and wear the right clothes for the cold and wet.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Iceland's major South Coast waterfalls, glaciers, and the Blue Ice Cave in one trip without arranging transport, accommodation, or timing yourself—the two-day structure and included overnight stay are what make all these stops possible without backtracking to Reykjavik each night.
Reykjavik: Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach South Coast Day TourYou get picked up in Reykjavik and driven to five waterfalls and two glacier sites, including a walk behind Seljalandsfoss and time on Diamond Beach among icebergs. Dinner happens in Vik village. Transport, guide, vehicle and parking are all included; you bring warm clothes and expect to be out for most of the day.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Reykjavik without a rental car who want to see the south coast's main glaciers and waterfalls in one push. Expect to be out most of the day — that's what fits five major stops and two lagoons into a single departure.
Reykjavik Folklore Walking Tour: Elves, Trolls & Ghost StoriesYou walk through Reykjavik's oldest neighborhoods and two historic cemeteries while a professional guide tells you about elves, trolls, ghosts and the Icelandic creatures that shaped the country's storytelling tradition. The guide covers specific folklore — the Deacon of Dark River, Grýla, the 13 Santas — and explains why these stories mattered during Iceland's long winters. You meet at Ingolfur Square and the whole walk takes around two hours in all weather.Is it for me?Right for travelers curious about Icelandic culture beyond the usual sights, or anyone who wants to understand why storytelling runs so deep in Iceland. Expect a steady two-hour walk through older parts of the city in all weather — that's what lets the guide move at a pace where the stories actually land.
Silfra Fissure Snorkeling in Thingvellir: Between two continentsSilfra Fissure snorkeling in Thingvellir National Park puts you in glacial water between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, with a PADI-certified guide, full thermal gear, and small groups of no more than six. The water comes from Langjökull Glacier and travels through lava before reaching the fissure, creating an underwater landscape found nowhere else. Your guide photographs you underwater at no extra cost, and hot chocolate and cookies warm you up after.Is it for me?Swim between two continents through Earth's clearest water, where volcanic rock walls frame a surreal passage that reveals the planet's geological forces in real time—a natural extension of your Golden Circle route.
Silfra Snorkeling from Reykjavik: Between Tectonic PlatesSnorkel in Silfra, a fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park near Reykjavik, with a certified guide, drysuit or wetsuit, and professional underwater photos included. The 45-minute drive from Reykjavik gets you to the site; you'll spend 30–40 minutes in the water with visibility over 100 meters, then warm up with hot chocolate. Small groups of up to six per guide mean personalized attention, and you can book different suit options within the same group.Is it for me?Book the morning departure if you want the clearest light for photos and prefer to snorkel early; the noon option suits a later start or a schedule that leaves your morning free. Both options include everything—the choice is timing, not what you get in the water.
Reykjavik: 3-Hour Whale Watching Cruise & Bay IslandsYou board at Reykjavik's Old Harbour and spend three hours on a professional yacht searching Faxaflói Bay for minke whales, humpbacks, orcas and dolphins. The crew handles spotting and navigation while you stand on heated observation decks wrapped in warm blankets, with hot drinks available if you need them. If nothing surfaces, you get a free return ticket good for three years instead of a refund.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Icelandic whales without arranging your own boat or timing — the fixed 3-hour schedule and professional crew handle the navigation and spotting, leaving you to watch the water and the islands pass.
Golden Circle Tour: Gullfoss, Strokkur & ThingvellirA small-group afternoon tour from Reykjavik covers the three landmarks of the Golden Circle — Thingvellir National Park, the Strokkur geyser and Gullfoss waterfall — in 6 hours with a live English-speaking guide, minibus transport and hotel pickup included. The group stays under 19 people per guide, and entry to Kerið crater is part of the package. Children from age 6 are welcome.Is it for me?You get the three Golden Circle landmarks and the time to stand at each one without driving yourself or navigating between stops — the small group and fixed schedule mean the afternoon holds together, and you're back in Reykjavik by 6 p.m.
Reykjavik: Whale Watching Boat Tour & Faxaflói BayYou board at Old Harbour in provided thermal gear, scan Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins with a guide who knows the water, warm up inside if needed with hot drinks, and return after 2.5 or 3.5 hours depending on which boat you chose. If no whales surface, your next trip is free.Is it for me?Pick this if you want the main whale-watching experience without arranging your own boat or worrying whether conditions will be right — the 90% sighting rate and the free return ticket mean you're not gambling on a single departure.
Golden Circle & Sky Lagoon from Reykjavik: 2 Hours in PoolsYou visit three Golden Circle landmarks — Thingvellir's tectonic rift, Strokkur geyser erupting every few minutes, and Gullfoss waterfall — plus the colorful Kerid crater, then finish with two hours soaking in Sky Lagoon's infinity pool with ocean views. Hotel pickup, all entry fees, minibus transport, and towel rental are included. The day runs from morning through evening, so plan to be out most of the daylight hours.Is it for me?A good fit if you want Iceland's most famous natural sights in one day without renting a car or planning stops yourself — the fixed itinerary and included transport handle all the logistics. Expect a full day out, which is what lets you move through four major landmarks and still have time to soak in the spa without rushing.
Iceland 8-Day Tour: Golden Circle, Glaciers & SnæfellsnesYou travel eight days in a small minibus with a professional English-speaking driver-guide, covering the Golden Circle, South Coast waterfalls and glaciers, Jökulsárlón lagoon with an ice cave tour, the East Fjords, North Iceland's volcanic zones and whale watching, and Snæfellsnes Peninsula. All transport, seven nights' accommodation with breakfast, a glacier hike with equipment, and entry to major sites are included. You return to Reykjavik on day eight in the afternoon.Is it for me?This tour suits travelers who want to see Iceland's full range—from tectonic plates to glacier lagoons to volcanic lava fields—without arranging transport, accommodation, or timing themselves. The eight-day structure and small group format mean you cover major sites at a sustainable pace rather than racing between them.
Reykjavik South Coast: Waterfalls, Black Sand & GlacierYou get picked up from your hotel and spend a full day in a small minibus hitting five major South Coast stops: two hidden waterfalls, two famous ones, the black sand beach at Reynisfjara with lunch included, and a close view of Sólheimajökull glacier. The guide handles the route and timing, so you don't have to rent a car or figure out where to stop. You're back in Reykjavik by evening.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Reykjavik without a rental car who want to see the South Coast's main sights in one day. The full-day format is what makes hitting five stops and a lunch break possible without rushing.
Reykjavik: Volcano Express Simulator & Harpa Hall EntryYou spend thirty minutes exploring live eruption footage, four volcanic films, an interactive map, and a live earthquake monitor before strapping into a motion seat for a ten-minute simulator ride with real heat effects and dynamic seating. The whole experience happens on floor K2 of Harpa Concert Hall in central Reykjavik, with shows departing every fifteen minutes — no long waits, no travel outside the city.Is it for me?Right for families, couples, and solo travelers who want a concentrated indoor experience of Iceland's volcanic activity without leaving central Reykjavik — the motion seat and heat effects do the work of making it feel real, so you don't need a guide or a long drive to get the point.
