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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Vestmannaeyjar: Small Group Boat Tour with Wildlife & Sea CavesYou’ll pull on your float suit at Vestmannaeyjar harbor before setting out in a small group boat tour past Elephant Rock and wild sea caves. Watch puffins swoop overhead, listen for seals or even whales if you’re lucky, and hear stories from your local guide as you ride the waves around these volcanic islands. It’s quick but leaves its mark.
Iceland Brewery Tour Reykjavik: 3 Bars & Craft BeersYou visit three craft beer bars in central Reykjavik, sample four Icelandic beers (or snaps) at each stop, and learn the actual history of Iceland's 74-year beer ban from a local guide. You'll get practical tips on where to eat and drink without overpaying, and finish with a sense of the city's bar scene instead of just a hangover.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to understand Reykjavik's bar scene and drinking culture without arranging three separate stops themselves. Expect to be out for an evening and to taste alcohol at each bar — that's what makes the history and the tips actually land.
Iceland South Coast: Waterfalls, Black Beach & Glacier TourYou’ll walk behind waterfalls at Seljalandsfoss, feel the power of Skógafoss up close, stand on Reynisfjara’s black sand beach with Atlantic winds swirling around you, and step onto Sólheimajökull glacier’s icy edge. With pickup included and a bilingual guide sharing stories along the way, every moment feels both wild and strangely personal.
Reykjavik KEF Airport Transfer: Private Ride with Local StoriesYou’ll step into Iceland with a friendly local greeting at Keflavik Airport and a private transfer to Reykjavik that’s more than just a ride. Your driver shares stories and tips as you pass lava fields and shifting skies, helps with luggage, adjusts for weather if needed, and makes sure you’re settled at your destination—leaving you feeling welcomed before your trip even begins.
Reykjavik: Glacier Lagoon & Fjaðrárgjúfur Canyon with Northern LightsYou get picked up from your Reykjavik hotel, driven to six major south-coast landmarks including Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, eat lunch in Vík, and hunt for Northern Lights on the return drive (Sept–Apr). A professional local guide handles the commentary and driving, so you focus on the views instead of the road. The minibus stays small — under twelve people — which means shorter stops don't feel rushed and you're not competing with a crowd for photos.Is it for me?A good fit if you want Iceland's south-coast highlights without renting a car or navigating the Ring Road yourself — the guide handles the driving and knows which stops reward a longer pause. Plan for a full day out, which is what lets you fit six major landmarks and a meal into one departure.
Reykjavik: Viking Horse Riding & Golden Circle Day TripYou’ll ride an Icelandic horse through wild lava fields near Reykjavik with a local guide, then explore Thingvellir’s ancient rift valley, watch Strokkur geyser erupt up close, and stand by Gullfoss waterfall’s thundering edge—all with pickup included. Expect laughter, windburned cheeks, and memories that stick around longer than you’d think.
Langjökull Glacier Snowmobiling and Secret Lagoon TourThis 10-hour activity from Reykjavík combines snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier with a soak in the Secret Lagoon's natural thermal spring. You drive through the Geysir hot spring area and past Gullfoss waterfall on the way, ride a snowmobile for an hour across the glacial landscape after a safety briefing, stop for lunch at a restaurant in South Iceland, and finish by soaking in the outdoor mineral-rich waters near Flúðir. Hotel pickup and drop-off, snowmobile gear, and lagoon admission are included; you need a valid driver's license to ride and should bring a bathing suit or rent one on-site.Is it for me?Book this if you want a small group—no more than ten—and a full day that mixes action with recovery: the snowmobile ride is exhilarating, and the thermal soak afterward lets your body settle into the landscape instead of rushing back to town.
Reykjavik: Puffin & Bird Watching RIB Boat Tour, Small GroupsYou arrive 30 minutes early at the Old Harbour, suit up in warm gear and binoculars, then ride a small RIB boat out to nesting islands where your guide points out puffins and other seabirds. The boat stays close but you remain aboard throughout. Tours run multiple times daily May through August, each lasting around two hours, with all safety equipment and local taxes included.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to see puffins without arranging their own boat or guide — the small-group format and fixed schedule mean you show up, get geared up, and spend your time watching birds instead of figuring out logistics.
Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike: Geologist-Led Lava Field WalkYou hike across lava fields formed in 2021 with a professional geologist explaining the rock beneath your feet. The round trip takes 3 to 4 hours total, including 1–1.5 hours each way to the crater viewpoint. Crampons, headlamps, transport from Reykjavik, and parking are all included. You return via a scenic drive through the Reykjanes Peninsula's geothermal and volcanic landmarks.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand how a volcano works, not just see one from a distance — the geologist's explanation of the rock beneath your feet is what makes the fresh lava fields make sense. Moderate to good fitness is required; it's not a casual stroll.
Reykjavík Food Tour: Icelandic Tastings & Local BrewsA four-hour food and drink tour of Reykjavík led by a local guide, stopping at carefully chosen eateries and breweries to taste traditional Icelandic cuisine, craft beers and cocktails. You'll walk past historic landmarks including the rainbow street and parliament, and the guide shares local history and insider tips throughout. Minimum age 18; water, coffee or tea, and all fees are included.Is it for me?Book this for your first morning or afternoon in Reykjavík if you want to eat like a local and understand the city through its food and beer scene without planning which restaurants to hit—the guide handles the route, the tastings are already arranged, and you move through the highlights while actually tasting them instead of just walking past.
Reykjavik: ATV Quad Tour with Mountain Views & Small GroupsYou get picked up from your Reykjavik hotel (or a nearby bus stop if downtown), driven to the basecamp, suited up in protective gear, and ride an ATV quad across lava fields and up to Hafrafell mountain for views of Reykjavik and the surrounding towns. The whole outing is about 2.5 hours. Your guide is local and the group stays under eight people, so it doesn't feel crowded. Just know that downtown pickups have restrictions, so you may start at a designated bus stop instead of your hotel door.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to ride an ATV across Icelandic terrain without arranging your own transport or gear—pickup is included and everything you need is provided. Plan for a full-day outing with the ride itself lasting about 2.5 hours, which is what lets you see the lava fields and mountain views without rushing.
Golden Circle half day tour: 6.5 hours, tectonic plates & geysersYou walk between tectonic plates at Thingvellir, watch Strokkur erupt every few minutes at the geothermal area, and stand in front of Gullfoss waterfall—all in 6.5 hours with a certified guide, small-group transport, and guaranteed return to your cruise ship. Pickup and drop-off at Reykjavik port are included.Is it for me?Right for cruise passengers with a few hours ashore who want to see Iceland's three most famous natural sites without arranging their own transport or timing. The 6.5-hour window is what makes all three stops possible and gets you back to the ship on schedule.
3-Day South Coast & Golden Circle Tour: Glacier hike and ice caveA 3-day tour of Iceland's South Coast and Golden Circle that includes a glacier hike on Vatnajökull, a guided visit to Katla ice cave, and a boat ride among icebergs at Jökulsárlón. Pickup from Reykjavik, two nights in 3-star hotels, English-speaking guide, and all glacier safety equipment are included. Minimum age is 13.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to walk on a glacier and explore an ice cave in one trip—most three-day South Coast tours offer one or the other, not both. The fixed itinerary and included guide mean you don't arrange the glacier logistics or the ice cave access yourself; the minibus picks you up and the timing holds the whole route together across three days.
Reykjavik: Golden Circle, South Coast & Blue Ice Cave 3-Day TourYou get picked up from your Reykjavik hotel and spend three days moving through Iceland's most famous natural sites: the Golden Circle on day one, the South Coast waterfalls and black sand beaches on day two, and the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon with a blue ice cave expedition on day three. The minibus includes Wi-Fi, your guide speaks English and knows the hidden stops, and breakfast is built in both mornings. You sleep two nights on the South Coast in private rooms with bathrooms, and all safety gear for the ice cave is provided. Plan for full days of driving and walking — that's what makes fitting all four regions into 72 hours possible.Is it for me?Right for travelers with three days in Reykjavik who want the Golden Circle, South Coast, and a glacier ice cave without arranging transport, accommodation, or guide separately — the fixed itinerary and included pickup mean you show up at your hotel and the rest is planned. Expect full days of driving and walking, which is what makes fitting four regions into 72 hours possible.
Reykjavik Keflavik Airport Transfer: Private Pickup & Local DriverYou’ll feel instantly at ease with a private transfer from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavik or back. Your local driver greets you inside arrivals, tracks your flight for any delays, helps with luggage, and brings you straight to your hotel door — no taxi lines or shuttle crowds. That first moment in Iceland becomes less about logistics and more about settling in.
Reykjavik: Hvítá Glacier River Rafting & Golden CircleYou paddle a glacier-fed river below one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls, with all gear supplied and a guide managing the current. The rapids are steady but not extreme, so you're active without being overwhelmed. You'll be wet and cold and working, which is exactly the point. Book this if you want to be in the landscape, not just looking at it.Is it for me?Choose this if you want a half-day activity that puts you directly into Iceland's landscape rather than observing it from a distance, and you're comfortable with cold water and steady physical work.
Landmannalaugar Hiking Tour: Haifoss Waterfall & Hot SpringsA 13-hour day tour of Iceland's Landmannalaugar highland region combines hiking, geothermal bathing and waterfall sightseeing in one route. You hike an optional two-hour trail through lava fields and multi-colored rhyolite hills, visit Haifoss and Granni waterfalls (the only day tour featuring both), see Hnausapollur volcanic crater lake formed 1200 years ago, and finish by soaking in natural hot springs before returning. The guide speaks English, pickup is included, and children from age 6 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see Haifoss and Granni waterfalls, hike Landmannalaugar, and soak in hot springs all in one day without arranging transport or a guide yourself—the optional hike means you control how much walking you do.
Reykjavik Whale Watching RIB Boat Tour: 2-Hour Small GroupYou arrive at the Old Harbour, get suited up in warm overalls and safety gear, then board a custom RIB boat with a small group and an expert guide. Two hours out to the whale feeding grounds in Faxaflói Bay, with a summer stop at puffin island Akurey, then back along the Reykjavik coast. Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional. If no whales appear, you get a free return ticket.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want a small-group whale watching experience without the crowds, and who don't mind that sightings aren't guaranteed—the free return ticket covers that risk. The two-hour format and optional hotel pickup make it easy to fit into a Reykjavik day without long logistics.
Reykjavik: Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon with Geysir & GullfossYou walk through a UNESCO rift valley where tectonic plates meet, watch a geyser erupt every few minutes, stand at the edge of Gullfoss waterfall, and finish the day soaking in geothermal water. The 9.5-hour tour includes an English-speaking guide, transport with Wi-Fi, Secret Lagoon entry, and an audio guide in multiple languages—so you move through four major sites without arranging logistics yourself.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want the Golden Circle's main sights plus a geothermal soak without arranging separate transport or pool bookings. The 9.5-hour pace means you move steadily through four major stops, which is what fits them all into one day and leaves time to actually rest in the water.
Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport Transfer: 45 minutes, WiFi includedYou board at Reykjavik's BSI Terminal and ride 45 minutes to Keflavik International Airport with WiFi, USB charging, and air conditioning included. The bus drops you at the terminal doors, so you walk straight to check-in without transferring again. Book your departure time to match your flight schedule, arrive 15 minutes early, and you're done with the logistics.Is it for me?Book this if you're flying out of Reykjavik and want to skip the rental car return or the negotiation with a taxi driver — the fixed price and scheduled departure mean you know exactly when you're leaving and what it costs.
