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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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.
ATV Riding on Black Lava Sands: South IcelandRide a quad bike across the black lava sands of South Iceland near Mýrdalsjökull glacier for approximately 2 hours, with one person driving and one as passenger per ATV. The route crosses small rivers, reaches the black beach with views back to the glacier and along the coast to Dyrhólaey, passes the famous aircraft wreck, and follows the mountain base on the return. An English-speaking guide leads the ride; no prior ATV experience is required, and all safety gear—helmet, balaclava, insulated cover-all—is provided. Children from age 8 are welcome, and groups with odd numbers require an additional local fee for single riders.Is it for me?Book this ride if you want to operate the ATV yourself—the two-hour route is designed for riders with no experience, and the guide handles the navigation while you focus on the terrain. If you prefer to ride as a passenger only, you can sit behind a driver and photograph the glacier, wreck and black sand without needing a license.
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.
Reykjavik: Golden Circle, South Coast & Blue Ice Cave 3-DayYou'll stand between tectonic plates at Thingvellir, hike across Vatnajökull glacier with a certified guide and full safety kit, explore a blue ice cave, and walk black sand beaches where icebergs wash ashore. Two nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast, English-speaking guide, and all equipment included. Pickup from designated Reykjavik bus stops; check your hotel's location before booking.Is it for me?This tour works well if you want Iceland's most famous sights and glacier experiences without arranging transport, guides, and equipment separately — the fixed itinerary and included gear mean you show up and the logistics are handled, though you'll need to check your hotel's bus stop location before booking and be flexible if weather shifts the day's order.
Reykjavik: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach Day TripYou get five of Iceland's most photographed South Coast landmarks in one day — Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and views of Eyjafjallajökull volcano — with a professional local guide handling the 12-hour route, two meal breaks, and transport from your Reykjavik hotel. No hiking or glacier gear needed, and the fixed itinerary means you're not deciding what to skip.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Reykjavik who want the South Coast's five main landmarks in one day without arranging transport or timing themselves — the fixed itinerary and guide handle all of that. Plan for a full 12 hours out, which is what makes fitting the glacier lagoon, Diamond Beach, two waterfalls, and a volcano into a single day possible.
Skaftafell Glacier Hike: Blue Ice Walk & VatnajökullYou meet a certified guide in Skaftafell, get fitted with crampons and helmet, and walk for two to three hours across Skaftafellsjökull's blue ice and crevasses. All gear is provided, the pace is easy, and no prior experience is needed. You learn how the glacier formed, why it's blue, and how it's changing — and you get the kind of close-up photos of ice formations that don't work from a distance.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to walk on a glacier without needing climbing skills or prior experience — the guide handles the safety and route, and all gear is provided, so you just show up with warm clothes and hiking boots.
Reykjavik: Northern Lights Cruise & City SkylineYou board a small heated boat in downtown Reykjavik and sail into Faxaflói bay for a 2-hour search for the Northern Lights, with views of the city's illuminated landmarks along the way. You can stay warm indoors with Wi-Fi and hot drinks, or watch from the outdoor platforms in borrowed overalls. If the aurora doesn't appear, you get free tickets to return another night—no refund, just a genuine second attempt.Is it for me?Book this if you want to search for the Northern Lights without arranging your own boat, timing, or navigation—the fixed schedule and included guarantee mean you can try twice if needed, and the heated cabin keeps you comfortable whether you're watching from inside or outside.
Blue Lagoon Reykjavik: Geothermal Soak & Transfers IncludedYou're picked up from your Reykjavik hotel or cruise port, driven 45 minutes through volcanic terrain to the Blue Lagoon, then left to soak in geothermal water at your own pace. The silica mask bar is in the water itself, your drink is included, and you choose when to return — anywhere from early afternoon to evening. Transport, entry, towel, and mask are all handled; you just show up and get in.Is it for me?Right for anyone staying in Reykjavik who wants to soak in the Blue Lagoon without arranging transport or entry separately — the pickup, drive, admission, and return time are all locked in, which leaves you free to just show up and soak.
Skaftafell Glacier Hike: 3-Hour Small Group Tour & Ice AxeYou hike onto Vatnajökull's outlet glacier with a certified guide, crampons and ice axe included, in a group of 12 or fewer. You see moulins and crevasses, learn how glaciers change, and finish with coffee and chocolate. The whole experience takes three hours, and you need no prior climbing experience—just the ability to walk steadily and dress for Iceland's weather.Is it for me?Book this if you want to walk on a glacier without climbing training or expensive gear rentals—the guide and equipment handle both, and the small group size means you're not part of a tour-bus experience.
Vatnajökull: Ice Cave Tour & Glacier Lagoon 4x4 JeepYou’ll meet your guide at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, climb into a rugged 4x4 jeep, and hike across Vatnajökull’s wild surface to reach a real ice cave—helmet and crampons included. Inside, you’ll feel the hush and glow of blue ice all around you. Expect laughter, cold fingers, and moments that stick with you long after you’ve left Iceland behind.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula Day Tour: Small Group, KirkjufellA small group day tour of Snæfellsnes Peninsula departing Reykjavik, visiting Kirkjufell, Arnarstapi, Djúpalónsandur and seal colonies at Ytri-Tunga, with hotel or bus stop pickup included and live English commentary throughout. The 12-hour itinerary covers both the famous landmarks and quieter stops off the main route, and pickup from central Reykjavik can take up to half an hour depending on your accommodation.Is it for me?Book this tour for a first or middle day in Iceland when you want to see Snæfellsnes without renting a car or planning the route yourself—the small group size and fixed schedule mean the day holds together, and the guide handles both the driving and the stories at each stop.
Silfra: Dive Between Tectonic Plates & Reykjavik PickupYou’ll slip into Silfra’s crystal-clear glacial water wearing a dry suit, guided by a local PADI instructor who knows every crack of this famous fissure. Feel the cold silence between tectonic plates, snap that classic photo touching two continents, then warm up with hot chocolate before heading back to Reykjavik. It’s strange how peaceful it all feels — you might find yourself thinking about that blue light long after.
Golden Circle & Silfra snorkeling tour: Between continentsThis 10-hour Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik combines sightseeing at Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir geothermal area with guided snorkeling in Silfra Fissure at Thingvellir National Park. A PADI-certified divemaster leads the snorkeling, a professional English-speaking guide handles the rest, and pickup from designated bus stops in Reykjavik is included. Drysuit, equipment and hot chocolate after the water are part of the package.Is it for me?The 10-hour full-day format bundles the three Golden Circle stops with Silfra snorkeling in one trip, but leaves no room to add other activities or take a longer break elsewhere.
South Coast Waterfalls Glacier Black Beach Tour: South IcelandThis small-group day tour explores South Iceland's south coast, visiting two major waterfalls, walking on Sólheimajökull Glacier (optional), and ending at Reynisfjara's black sand beach with basalt columns and sea stacks. A professional English-speaking guide leads the group in a minibus, with hotel pickup included and the full day lasting 10 to 13 hours depending on which stops you linger at. You choose at checkout whether to add the glacier hike — a 1.5-hour walk on the ice with all safety equipment provided — or keep the day focused on the waterfalls and beach.Is it for me?See multiple waterfalls, walk on Solheimajokull Glacier's ice, and explore black sand beach—your minibus and guide handle all transport and timing, with the glacier hike option letting you choose between ice walking or extra time at the beach.
Iceland: Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike Small Group & GearYou’ll walk across Sólheimajökull Glacier with a small group and certified guide, learning about ancient ice and Icelandic geology as you go. Hear local stories, see moulins up close, and feel the strange quiet of this frozen world under your boots. All safety gear is included—just bring sturdy boots and curiosity.
