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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Jet Ski Tour Reykjavík Bay: Ride Your Own SkiA two-hour jet ski activity in Reykjavík Bay where you ride your own machine in a small group with expert guides, warm waterproof drysuits and all equipment provided. The tour departs from Gufunes, includes about one hour of riding time, and passes Puffin Island (May–Aug), Viðey Island and downtown Reykjavík views, with free riding between stops. Children from age 7 are welcome; pickup is included.Is it for me?Choose the single rider option if you want full control of the machine and your own space on the water; book the shared jet ski if you'd rather split the cost and ride with a partner on the same ski.
Golden Circle & Laugarás Lagoon Tour: 10-hour Small Group IcelandA 10-hour guided tour from Reykjavík visits Þingvellir National Park, where you walk between tectonic plates, then Geysir's erupting Strokkur geyser and Gullfoss waterfall before soaking in Laugarás Lagoon, Iceland's newest geothermal spa opening in August 2025. The tour includes Laugarás entry, towel and a complimentary drink; you choose between the Lerki or Birki ticket option at checkout, which determines your lagoon experience. Lunch is on your own at the Geysir visitor center.Is it for me?Choose the Lerki option if you want the full lagoon experience with all amenities, or the Birki option for a more streamlined visit—both end the day soaking in geothermal water instead of heading straight back to town. Small groups keep the stops from feeling crowded, and the 10-hour span means you see three of Iceland's most famous sites and still have time to unwind before the drive home.
Reykjavik: Private Northern Lights Tour with Photographer & Hot ChocolateYou’ll head out from Reykjavik with a local photographer who knows where to find the northern lights — and how to capture them for you. Expect warm hot chocolate, fresh cinnamon buns, tips for your own camera (if you want), and a real chance to watch the aurora swirl overhead. You might end up thinking about that silence under the stars long after you’re home.
Golden Circle & Northern Lights Day Tour: See Both in One DayYou’ll stand between continents at Thingvellir, feel Gullfoss spray on your face, watch geysers erupt at Geysir, then chase the Northern Lights with a local guide who knows all the best spots. You might not catch every detail on camera—but you’ll remember how Iceland feels long after you’re home.
Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon: Private Day Trip from ReykjavikYou’ll walk through ancient rift valleys at Thingvellir, feel mist on your face at Gullfoss waterfall, peer into the colorful Kerid Crater, then sink into the warmth of the Secret Lagoon—all with a local guide handling every detail. Expect small surprises and honest moments along the way.
Reykjanes Peninsula: Volcanoes, Blue Lagoon & Viking World Day TripYou’ll wander steaming volcanic fields near Reykjavik with a local guide, hear wild tales of trolls and Vikings, pause by a silent mountain lake, and end with an optional soak in the famous Blue Lagoon. This private day trip from Reykjavik includes transport and drop-off—just bring your curiosity (and maybe sturdy shoes).
Godafoss & Forest Lagoon tour: Small-group shore excursionThis small-group shore excursion departs from Akureyri port and visits Godafoss waterfall, the Laufás turf-house museum and Forest Lagoon geothermal baths in five hours, returning you to the ship on time. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide, transport by minibus, museum entry and port pickup; you choose a departure time that fits your cruise arrival. Meals and the Forest Lagoon bath entry are not included, so bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to soak.Is it for me?The five-hour route includes walking through the turf-house museum and standing at the waterfall, so wear sturdy shoes and layers for changing weather. If you plan to soak in the Forest Lagoon, bring swimwear and a towel, and budget the separate bath entry fee at the site.
Northern Lights Tour from Akureyri: Hunt with a Local GuideA Northern Lights hunt from Akureyri takes you by minibus from town into the dark countryside with a local guide who shares Icelandic stories along the way. The tour runs two to three hours and includes hotel pickup and drop-off; if the lights don't appear, you get a free retry the next evening (when a group tour is scheduled). Children from age three are welcome.Is it for me?The two- to three-hour window fits a free evening or an afternoon that clears by nightfall, leaving the rest of your day in Akureyri open. If you're arriving in town and want to hunt the lights the same night, this tour works; if you need a longer outing or a full-day commitment, this is a focused night hunt instead.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula tour: Mt. Kirkjufell small groupA guided small group tour of Snæfellsnes Peninsula departing from Reykjavik takes you through eight distinct stops—lava fields, Mt. Kirkjufell, black sand beaches, basalt cliffs, Arnarstapi village and seal colonies—over 11 hours in a comfortable vehicle with a local guide and hotel pickup included. The tour runs the full loop of the peninsula in a single day, which is what makes the variety possible; a self-drive version means choosing between stops instead of seeing them all.Is it for me?Small groups work best for this tour because the vehicle can stop at each of the eight locations without the schedule pressure of a full coach, and the guide can adjust timing based on light and wildlife. If you have a free day in Reykjavik and want to see the peninsula's full range—lava, mountain, beaches, cliffs, seals and village—without planning the route or driving yourself, this loop captures it all in one departure.
Private Northern Lights Tour from ReykjavikYou’ll head out from Reykjavik in a small group or private van, chasing clear skies with a local guide who knows where the northern lights hide. Expect laughter, spontaneous stops in snowy fields near Borgarnes, and quiet moments under shifting green skies. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off for an easy night you won’t forget.
ATV Riding Reykjavik: Lava Fields & Geothermal TourATV riding near Reykjavik puts you behind the wheel of your own buggy for 3.5 hours through lava fields, geothermal areas and the Blue Mountains, with a professional guide leading the route. You choose between driving solo or sharing the buggy with one other person. Pickup starts at 1 p.m. from the operator's base camp, where you get a safety briefing and free coffee before heading out. Helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask and rain gear are provided; a full valid driver's license is required to operate the buggy.Is it for me?Choose the single rider option if you want full control of the buggy the entire drive; pick the shared option if you'd rather split the experience and the cost with another person. Both routes cover the same terrain and stops—the difference is who's at the wheel.
Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss tour: Nature baths, small groupA small group tour from Akureyri covers Goðafoss waterfall, pseudo craters, Dimmuborgir's lava formations, Hverir's boiling mud and the Mývatn Nature Baths in a single eight-hour loop with a driver-guide and hotel pickup included. The tour visits four distinct geothermal and volcanic sites, though entry to the Nature Baths and bathing gear are separate bookings you arrange at checkout.Is it for me?Eight hours is long enough to hit four distinct sites without rushing, but short enough to leave your afternoon free — if you want a full day of geology and geothermal activity without an overnight, this loop holds it all. If you plan to soak in the Nature Baths, book that entry separately and bring your bathing gear; if you skip the bath, the tour still stops there and you see the grounds.
Akureyri Food Walk: 4-5 Tastings With a Local GuideA 2.5-hour food walk through Akureyri led by a local guide who stops at 4–5 neighborhood restaurants and hidden spots to taste Icelandic lamb, fresh fish, hot dogs and ice cream. The guide shares stories about the city and Icelandic culture while you eat your way through the places locals actually go, not the tourist circuit.Is it for me?The guide speaks English, so you'll follow the stories and context without translation. It suits anyone who wants to eat the way locals do instead of following a tourist menu, and works for families with children from age 4 onward.
Thorsmork by Super Jeep: Glacier Valley with Optional HikeThis day trip from Brú basecamp takes you by super jeep into Thorsmork, a valley between Mýrdalsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull and Tindfjallajökull glaciers in South Iceland. The journey itself is the adventure: rough roads and glacial river crossings are part of the route, and you choose whether to hike the trails once you arrive or stay in the vehicle. A local guide leads the day, lunch is included at Volcano Huts in Húsadalur Valley, and the group stays small.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to reach Thorsmork without renting a 4x4 yourself—the super jeep handles the glacial rivers and rough terrain, and the guide knows where to stop. If you are unsure whether you want to hike, the option to stay in the vehicle means you can decide once you arrive and see the trails.
Húsafell Canyon Baths hike: Geothermal pools from the highlandsThis hiking tour from Húsafell Activity Centre combines a guided walk through the Icelandic Highlands with a soak in the Húsafell Canyon Baths, a geothermal pool complex built into a remote canyon. The 2-hour outing includes transport from the activity centre, a local English-speaking guide, and entry to the pools; the hike passes Langifoss waterfall and a glacial stream, and you'll learn about Iceland's renewable energy and climate change's impact on the country's glaciers. The route adjusts for weather.Is it for me?Book this if you want an English-speaking guide leading you through highland hiking and geothermal soaking in one outing, rather than coordinating separate activities.
Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Northern LightsYou get hotel pickup, all three Golden Circle stops with a guide, entry to Kerið, a couple of hours soaking in the Blue Lagoon with a complimentary drink and face mask, a 90-minute dinner break in the city, and an evening Northern Lights hunt. The whole thing wraps around midnight.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Iceland's three most famous Golden Circle stops, soak in the Blue Lagoon, and hunt for the Northern Lights all in one day without arranging separate transport, tickets, or timing — the fixed itinerary and included pickups mean you just show up and let the day unfold.
Reykjavik Cruise Port to Hotel Private Transfer Meet & GreetYou’ll step off your cruise ship in Reykjavik and find your driver waiting—no lines or confusion. Settle into a warm van for a direct ride to your hotel with help for your bags and friendly local insight along the way. It’s quick, personal, and lets you start exploring without stress—sometimes it’s those first quiet moments that stay with you.Is it for me?Your driver is waiting at the port with your name on a sign—skip the taxi queue and head straight to your hotel without negotiating fares or waiting around.
Reykjavik: Northern Lights Coach Tour with Hot ChocolateYou’ll leave Reykjavik’s city lights behind on a northern lights coach tour with local guides who know where to find clear skies. Warm up with hot chocolate while waiting under Iceland’s winter stars, get tips on photographing the aurora borealis, and if you miss the show, you can try again another night—for free. There’s something quietly thrilling about chasing these lights together.
Langjökull Snowmobiling and Ice Cave Tour from ReykjavikA 10-hour snowmobiling and ice cave tour from Reykjavik combines a super jeep ride to Langjökull Glacier with one hour on a snowmobile (shared by two riders) and entry to a natural ice cave. All equipment, a professional English-speaking guide, and round-trip transport from Reykjavik are included; a valid driver's license is required to operate the snowmobile, and the tour is not suitable for children under 8.Is it for me?Book this if you want to ride a snowmobile across a glacier and explore an ice cave in one trip, with an English-speaking guide explaining what you see as you go.
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.
