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 & Kerid Crater Small-Group Day Tour from ReykjavikThis 8-hour small-group tour from Reykjavik covers the Golden Circle—Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall—plus Kerid Volcanic Crater, a 55-meter-deep crater with a lake at its base. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik are included, along with a live English-speaking guide. You can add an optional visit to the Geothermal Park & Bakery to taste geothermal-baked rye bread and see the geyser Eilífur. Groups stay small, making the experience more intimate than larger coach tours on the same route.Is it for me?Book this small-group tour if you want to cover all four main Golden Circle sights plus Kerid Crater in one structured day; add the Geothermal Park & Bakery option if you'd rather taste geothermal bread than spend extra hours elsewhere.
Dynjandi Waterfall Tour: 3.5-Hour Sightseeing in Western IcelandA 3.5-hour guided tour to Dynjandi waterfall in western Iceland includes round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide, and 90 minutes to walk the landscape around the falls. All fees and taxes are included. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the terrain suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see Dynjandi without arranging your own transport or worrying about navigation—the guide and vehicle handle the logistics, leaving you free to spend the time at the waterfall itself.
Icelandic Horseback Riding from Reykjavik: Laxnes FarmHorseback riding at Laxnes Farm near Reykjavik puts you on an Icelandic horse—a hardy, sure-footed breed—for a 3.5-hour ride in their natural surroundings. Pickup from Reykjavik is included, along with helmet and rain gear; a live English-speaking guide matches you to the right horse for your experience level. Morning and afternoon sessions are available.Is it for me?Morning departures leave you the afternoon free in Reykjavik; afternoon departures let you explore the city first.
Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike: Crampons & Ice FormationsYou gear up at basecamp with crampons, helmet, and ice axe, then spend an hour walking across Sólheimajökull's ice formations with a certified guide. You'll see crevasses, sinkholes, and moulins up close, learn how glaciers move and change, and take photos without the crowd. Coffee and tea are included when you return to basecamp.Is it for me?Book this if you want to actually walk on a glacier rather than view it from a distance, and you'd rather not figure out the logistics, gear, and safety protocols yourself—the small group and certified guide handle all of that.
Snæfellsnes Day Trip: Kirkjufell, Lava Fields & Farm LunchYou’ll hear seal calls at Ytri Tunga beach, feel volcanic rock under your boots in Berserkjahraun lava fields, and share homemade stew with locals on a working horse farm—all with pickup from Reykjavik and a small group guide who actually knows these stories. This isn’t just scenery; it’s Iceland you can taste and touch.
Glacier Hike and South Coast Tour from Reykjavik: Small GroupThis 12-hour glacier hike and South Coast tour from Reykjavik combines a guided walk on Sólheimajökull Glacier with stops at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls and Reynisfjara black sand beach. The small group stays under 18 people, and the minibus picks you up from designated Reykjavik bus stops, so you don't arrange transport or gear yourself. All necessary glacier equipment—harness, ice axe, helmet and crampons—is provided, and an English-speaking guide leads the whole day. Suitable for ages 8 and up; dress in warm layers under waterproof outer clothes and bring hiking boots with ankle support.Is it for me?Most South Coast tours run on a fixed schedule that crowds the stops and leaves little time on the ice. This one builds the whole day around the glacier hike itself—the minibus is transport to and from it, the waterfalls are the stops in between, and the guide stays with the same small group the whole time, so you're not switching vehicles or guides partway through.
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.
Ice Cave Tour from Vik: 45-60 minutes inside glacierYou walk to a glacier near Vik, strap on crampons and a headlamp, and spend 45 to 60 minutes exploring ice caves with a guide. Helmet and gear are included, kids 6+ can join, and the whole thing takes a few hours — no experience or special fitness level required. Book it if your Iceland time is tight and you don't want to skip the ice.Is it for me?Right for travelers with limited time in Iceland who don't want to skip ice caves — the tour runs just a few hours from Vik, which is what makes it fit into a packed itinerary. Plan for cold and steady footing on ice, but no climbing or technical skill required.
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.
