Things to do in Iceland
Elding Whale Watching Reykjavik11 optionsBlue Lagoon Tours17 optionsGlacier Walks11 optionsDay Trips from Reykjavik18 optionsHorse Riding Reykjavik15 optionsFood Tour Reykjavik21 optionsIce Cave Tour from Reykjavik18 optionsReykjavik Airport Transfer14 optionsSnowmobile Reykjavik11 optionsAkureyri Northern Lights Tour5 optionsReykjavik Walking Tour44 optionsSecret Lagoon Tours11 options
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Golden Circle: Superjeep Small-Group Tour & Glacier RideYou’ll feel Iceland’s wild energy on this Golden Circle day trip from Reykjavik—riding in a Superjeep with just a handful of fellow travelers, watching geysers erupt at Geysir, getting soaked by mist at Gullfoss waterfall, and bouncing over glacier trails near Langjökull with an expert local guide. Expect laughter, wide open spaces, and memories that stick long after you’re back in town.
Reykjavik: Silfra Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates & PhotosYou're picked up from Reykjavik, driven 45 minutes to Thingvellir National Park, and suited into a wetsuit for 30–40 minutes snorkeling in Silfra's glacial fissure between two tectonic plates. Your guide photographs the experience (40–100 images, free download), and you get hot chocolate after. Groups stay at six people per guide, which keeps the moment personal and unhurried.Is it for me?Book this if you want to snorkel in one of the world's clearest waters without arranging your own transport, equipment, or timing — the small group size and included guide mean you're not managing logistics while you're floating between two continents.
Reykjavik: Golden Circle Tour with Strokkur Geyser & GullfossYou get the three main Golden Circle stops — Strokkur geyser, Gullfoss waterfall, and Þingvellir National Park — in one day with a German-speaking guide, ice cream included, and timing that works for cruise passengers. The bus holds under twenty people, which keeps it from feeling like a cattle run, and the stops are long enough to actually see what you came for. Most of the day is travel time, so plan accordingly.Is it for me?Right for cruise passengers docking in Reykjavik who want the Golden Circle's main three stops without arranging transport — the timing is built around ship schedules. Expect significant bus time between stops, which is what makes fitting all of them into one day possible.
Ísafjörður & Dynjandi Waterfall: Westfjords Minibus TourYou’ll start in Ísafjörður’s colorful harbor before winding through wild Westfjords landscapes toward Dynjandi waterfall—the sound alone is unforgettable. Pause for photos at Holtsbryggja pier and keep an eye out for seals or seabirds along the way. With time to explore Flateyri village (and maybe taste fresh pastry), this tour feels both peaceful and full of surprises.
Ice climbing Skaftafell: Three hours on blue ice wallsYou hike on Falljökull glacier, climb an ice wall with crampons and an ice axe, and learn how the ice fractures and moves from a certified guide who handles all the technical setup. Gear, boots, and coffee are included. Groups stay small, and the whole experience takes about three hours on the ice itself.Is it for me?Right for travelers with moderate fitness who want to actually climb ice, not just walk on a glacier. The three hours on the ice is what gives you time to learn the technique and feel the climb — expect to work your forearms and leave with shaking hands in the best way.
Snowmobile tour on Langjökull Glacier with ice cave from GullfossA four-hour snowmobile tour on Langjökull Glacier departing from Gullfoss takes you across Iceland's second-largest ice cap with a certified guide, then into a custom-built ice cave carved into the glacier's interior. You ride the snowmobile yourself (two riders per machine, or solo for an extra fee), wear full thermal gear and safety equipment, and stop for photos of icy plateaus and volcanic peaks. Children from age 6 can join if accompanied by an adult; a valid driver's license is required to operate the snowmobile.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to ride a snowmobile yourself and explore a glacier interior—the one-hour ride and ice cave visit demand a valid driver's license and a comfort with operating the machine, which is what makes the full glacier experience possible in a single afternoon. Small groups and families with children from age 6 work well here, as long as each child has one adult alongside.
Husavik: Whale Watching Tour on Traditional Oak BoatYou’ll head out from Husavik on an old oak boat into Skjálfandi Bay, bundled in warm overalls with coffee or hot chocolate in hand. Watch for humpbacks, dolphins, maybe even blue whales if luck’s with you—and share quiet moments with your guide and fellow travelers while seabirds circle overhead.
Langjökull Glacier Snowmobile: Ride & Ice Tunnel InsideYou ride a snowmobile across Langjökull glacier, then spend an hour inside an ice tunnel carved into the glacier itself, with all gear and an English-speaking guide included. The tour takes roughly three hours from base camp, and transport from Húsafell is handled. Children 8 and up can join as passengers, and you need a valid driver's license only if you want to operate the snowmobile yourself.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see inside a glacier without technical climbing or mountaineering skills — the snowmobile and tunnel access handle both. Plan for a full morning or afternoon out, and bring a valid license if you want to operate the machine yourself; passengers and kids ride double with a licensed adult.
Reykjavik: Private Walking Tour with Hallgrímskirkja & HarpaYou’ll walk Reykjavik’s lively streets with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story—from Harpa’s shimmering glass to Hallgrímskirkja’s sweeping views. Expect small surprises: chatting with locals, tasting an iconic hot dog, or catching sunlight off Tjörnin lake. This private walking tour lets you set the pace and focus on what catches your eye.
Saga Museum Reykjavik: Viking History & Interactive ExhibitsYou enter the old harbour museum and move through 20 dioramas of Icelandic history at your own pace, guided by audio in your choice of seven languages. You'll encounter Viking settlers, medieval figures, and the impact of the Black Death rendered in physical detail. There's time to dress as a Viking and handle weapons if you want. The visit takes roughly 90 minutes to two hours, parking is free, and children under 6 don't pay.Is it for me?Right for anyone spending a day in Reykjavik who wants to understand Iceland's history without spending hours reading—the audio guide and self-paced format mean you absorb the story without feeling rushed, and the Viking dress-up moment works whether you're traveling solo or with kids.
Reykjavik: National Museum of Iceland Skip-the-Line TicketYou enter the National Museum of Iceland without waiting in line and move through the permanent "Making of a Nation" exhibition at your own pace, starting with a medieval settlement ship and ending at a modern airport. The museum is fully accessible, includes luggage lockers and Wi-Fi, and covers Icelandic history from settlement to the present day. Timed entry means you choose when you arrive instead of joining the queue.Is it for me?Choose this ticket if you want to see Iceland's national story without spending time in the entry queue—the timed slot is what makes that possible, and the self-paced exhibition means you can linger on the objects that matter to you.
Reykjavik Golden Circle & Northern Lights Day TripYou’ll trace ancient rifts at Thingvellir, feel Gullfoss’s spray on your cheeks, and stand under Iceland’s northern lights with a local guide leading every step. Expect earthy smells near Geysir, city pickup, and a few hours’ rest before heading out again—plus maybe a little mud on your jeans or hot chocolate in your mittens.
Reykjavik Midnight Sun ATV Adventure: 2.5HR Off-RoadYou ride a high-spec Can-Am ATV for two hours through Icelandic mountain trails while the sun circles the horizon without setting. The tour includes all protective gear, a professional guide, hotel pickup at 8pm, and access to the operator's advanced headquarters. Groups stay small, under twenty riders, and you'll reach peaks with views back over Reykjavik and the surrounding landscape. No experience required, but you do need a valid driver's license to ride.Is it for me?Book this if you want to experience Iceland's midnight sun phenomenon from a mountain peak without arranging your own transport or equipment — the fixed pickup time and included gear mean you show up ready to ride, and the small group size keeps the trails from feeling crowded.
Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik: Local Guide, 5 StopsA private Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik in a comfortable vehicle with a local certified guide who grew up in the area, visiting Þingvellir National Park, Geysir hot spring area, Gullfoss waterfall, Kerið volcanic crater and Faxi waterfall. The guide shares insider stories and stops at carefully selected photo locations along the route. Pickup is included, and the tour runs seven hours with admission to Kerið crater and parking fees covered.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see the five Golden Circle landmarks without driving yourself or joining a group of strangers. The private vehicle and local guide mean you move at your own pace, stop where the light is best, and hear stories about the landscape from someone who actually knows it — not a script read to twenty other people.
Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik: Meet Icelandic HorsesA guided Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik that visits Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall and Kerið volcanic crater, with a stop at a local horse farm to meet, pet and feed Icelandic horses using included candy. The tour runs eight hours with a live English guide and modern coach with Wi-Fi and onboard restroom. Pickup is included in one option; cruise passengers can book a dedicated departure timed to ship schedules.Is it for me?If you are arriving on a cruise ship, book the dedicated departure timed to your ship's schedule — the return time is planned around port departure, which is what makes a full Golden Circle tour possible inside a short port call. If you want to see Iceland's four most famous natural sites without renting a car or building an itinerary, the fixed route and included transport mean the day holds together without anyone arranging it.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon boat tour: South Iceland with icebergsA full-day guided tour of South Iceland's glacial coast, centered on a 30-minute boat ride through Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon among floating icebergs, with stops at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Diamond Beach, and views of Eyjafjallajökull volcano. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, transport by bus, and runs 14.5 hours with pickup from your hotel or the bus terminal—you choose at checkout. Dress warmly; the tour operates in cold weather year-round.Is it for me?Choose hotel pickup if you're staying nearby and want to start from your accommodation; the bus terminal option works if you're already in town or prefer to meet the group there. Either way, the fixed itinerary and included transport mean you spend the day watching the landscape unfold instead of navigating the South Coast roads yourself.
Geothermal pool Akureyri: Forest lagoon with drink includedYou get entry to two geothermal pools, a sauna with fjord views, a cold plunge, your first drink at the bar, a towel and locker. The larger pool has three swim-up bars; the smaller one is quieter. Plan two to three hours. Your admission covers everything except food and additional drinks.Is it for me?Book this if you want to soak in naturally heated water surrounded by forest and fjord views without arranging transport or bringing your own towel—the location near Akureyri and the included drink mean you can walk in and start relaxing within minutes.
Keflavik - Reykjavik: Private Airport Transfer with Local DriverYou’ll be met right at Keflavik airport by a local driver holding your name sign, then travel privately into Reykjavik city with space for all your bags or family needs. When it’s time to leave, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and get you back to the airport on time. It’s all handled quietly, so you can focus on arriving — or saying goodbye.
Silfra Fissure Scuba Dive Reykjavik: Between Tectonic PlatesYou dive four distinct sections of Silfra Fissure between two continental plates, reaching 22 meters depth with over 100-meter visibility. The tour includes all gear, park entry, a certified dive master, and transport from Reykjavik, with hot chocolate at the end. You'll need dry suit certification (minimum 10 logged dives) and solid fitness to carry heavy equipment, plus 24 hours before flying afterward.Is it for me?Book this if you hold a drysuit certification with at least 10 logged dives and want to experience one of the world's most singular dive sites without arranging your own transport, park entry, or equipment — the 6-hour structure and certified guide handle all the logistics so you show up ready to dive.
Landmannalaugar Day Trip from Reykjavik: 3 Hours in Colored MountainsYou're picked up from your hotel and driven into Iceland's highlands to hike among multicolored rhyolite mountains and soak in a natural hot pool. The guide leads a two-hour walk up Brennisteinsalda, but you can also explore at your own pace or skip the hike entirely and relax in the geothermal water. Lunch and all transport from Reykjavik are included, and the bus returns you to your hotel by evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Iceland's highlands and natural hot springs without renting a car or navigating rough mountain roads yourself — the group transport and fixed itinerary handle all the logistics, and the three hours in Landmannalaugar gives you time to hike, soak, or both.
