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
Sort
Blue Lagoon Admission: Geothermal Spa in Lava FieldYou get entry to the geothermal Blue Lagoon with towel, bathrobe, and a drink included; optional premium upgrades add a silica mask and skincare gift. Choose between private or shared transfer from Keflavik Airport or Reykjavik city center, or arrange your own transport. Bring your own swimsuit or rent one on-site; the whole experience works for families with children over 2 years old and all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this if you want the Blue Lagoon without arranging transport from the airport or city—the optional transfer handles the logistics, and the included towel and drink mean you're not paying extra once you arrive. It works for families, solo travelers, and anyone who wants to soak in geothermal water without a guided tour or time pressure.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula tour: Kirkjufell, black sand & glacierA guided small-group tour of Iceland's Snæfellsnes Peninsula covers Kirkjufell Mountain, Snæfellsjökull National Park, lava fields, fishing villages and black sand beaches in a single day. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide, hotel pickup from central Reykjavik, and transportation by air-conditioned bus; it runs 11 hours and suits all fitness levels. Children from age 8 are welcome when accompanied by an adult.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're arriving in Reykjavik with a free day and want to see the Snæfellsnes Peninsula's main landmarks without renting a car or planning stops yourself—the guide, bus and timing are arranged, so you step off at each place ready to walk and look.
Reykjavik South Shore: Skógafoss, Glacier & Black Sand BeachYou're picked up from your Reykjavik hotel and spend the day on a minibus with a driver-guide and up to 18 other travelers, moving between five major sights: two waterfalls you can walk behind or near, a glacier you can approach on foot, a black sand beach with puffins in summer, and a headland with sea stacks. The tour handles transport, commentary, and timing; you bring waterproofs and decide where to eat. Return to Reykjavik by evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want Iceland's South Shore highlights in one day without renting a car or planning the route yourself — the fixed schedule and small-group format mean you see five major sights, get expert commentary, and avoid the logistics of driving unfamiliar roads in changeable weather.
South Iceland: Glaciers, Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach TourYou get picked up from your Reykjavik hotel and spend 10 hours on the South Coast hitting four major stops: walking behind Seljalandsfoss, climbing to the top of Skógafoss, touching Sólheimajökull Glacier, and standing on Reynisfjara's black sand beach. The guide handles the route and timing; you just show up with waterproof clothing and good shoes.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see South Iceland's main natural landmarks in one day without renting a car or planning the route yourself — the small group size and fixed itinerary mean you hit all four stops without the logistics.
Reykjavik: Katla Ice Cave & South Coast Waterfalls Super Jeep TourYou get hotel pickup from Reykjavik, stops at two major South Coast waterfalls with time to walk behind Seljalandsfoss, a Super Jeep ride across volcanic plains, and a guided visit inside the Katla Ice Cave with all safety equipment and a certified glacier guide. The whole day runs roughly 12 hours, and you return to Reykjavik in the evening. Book this if you want to see the glacier without renting a car and arranging your own guide — the fixed itinerary and transport take the logistics off your hands.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Katla Ice Cave and South Coast waterfalls without arranging your own transport, renting a car, or hiring a separate glacier guide — the fixed schedule and included gear mean you show up and the day unfolds around you.
Goðafoss Waterfall tour from Akureyri: 1 hour at the fallsA Goðafoss Waterfall tour from Akureyri port designed for cruise passengers, with a guaranteed return to your ship. You drive through Akureyri City to reach the waterfall on Ring Road 1, spend at least an hour at Goðafoss itself, and return to port. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or German; the vehicle has WiFi, reading material about the region and audio guides in multiple languages. Coffee, tea and an Icelandic treat are served at Hotel Goðafoss.Is it for me?Book this if your ship docks in Akureyri and you want an hour-plus at the waterfall itself—the tour departs and returns on a fixed schedule that syncs with cruise ship timing, so you're not coordinating with your captain.
Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour with Photos, Snacks & PickupYou’ll leave Reykjavik behind to hunt for the Northern Lights with a small group, bundled in warm jumpsuits and sharing hot chocolate under Iceland’s dark sky. A local guide helps with photos and stories while you wait for the aurora to appear—and if it doesn’t show up, they’ll bring you back again for another try.
Þórsmörk Super Jeep Tour: Glaciers & Volcanic RiversA 7-hour guided super jeep tour from Vik explores Þórsmörk, a valley ringed by three glaciers—Mýrdalsjökull, Tindfjallajökull and Eyjafjallajökull—with stops at Gígjökull glacier and volcanic canyons. Your English-speaking local guide shares knowledge of the 2010 eruption and the landscape that shaped it. The tour operates in all weather and suits all fitness levels; children from age 6 are welcome, and a minimum of four participants is required.Is it for me?The tour is in English, so you'll follow the guide's commentary without translation. If you speak English and want the geology and the local stories behind the 2010 eruption explained as you stand in front of the glacier, this guide delivers both.
Reykjavik: Northern Lights & Stargazing with Local GuideYou're picked up from your Reykjavik hotel and driven to clear skies for an aurora hunt with a local guide who reads Icelandic weather for a living. While waiting, you use a telescope to explore planets and deep space, sip hot chocolate, and get free photos if the lights appear. If they don't, you can rebook free within two years. The whole night takes 3 to 5 hours depending on conditions.Is it for me?Book this if you want to hunt the Northern Lights without arranging transport or worrying about cloud forecasts — the guides read the weather and drive you to the clearest skies, and the free rebook guarantee means you're not gambling on a single night.
Iceland South Coast Day Trip: Waterfalls, Glacier & Black BeachYou’ll feel Iceland’s wild side up close: walking behind Seljalandsfoss’ curtain of water, tasting salt on Reynisfjara’s black sand beach, and hearing Skógafoss thunder right next to you. With hotel pickup and a local guide handling all the driving (and stories), you can just lean into whatever weather Iceland throws at you.
Akureyri Whale Watching: Humpback & Minke in EyjafjordurYou board a boat in Hauganes and spend 2.5 to 3 hours watching humpback whales, minke whales, and dolphins in Eyjafjordur. The captain is a local fisherman who knows exactly where to find them — the tour operator has run this longer than anyone else in Iceland. You get light refreshments, live narration, and a 99% sighting rate from 2022. Book the time slot that fits your schedule and show up at the harbor.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see whales without guessing where they are or spending the day searching — the captain knows Eyjafjordur and the 99% sighting rate means you're almost certain to see them.
Vatnajökull Glacier Ice Cave Tour: 3-4 Hours, Blue IceYou board a super jeep at Jökulsárlón and drive 40 minutes onto Vatnajökull glacier to explore a natural ice cave. The walk on the glacier ranges from 1 to 4 kilometers depending on conditions that day. Helmet and crampons are provided, and your guide explains the glacier's geology and formation as you go. Plan for 3–4 hours total, and bring waterproof, warm clothing and hiking boots.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see an actual ice cave without needing mountaineering skills or prior glacier experience. Expect to walk 1–4 kilometers on the glacier itself, which is what lets you reach caves that are constantly changing with the seasons — no two tours are the same.
Vik: Katla Ice Cave Super Jeep Tour & Glacier HikeYou’ll ride a Super Jeep from Vik across surreal volcanic landscapes to reach Katla’s ever-changing ice cave with a local guide leading the way. Feel glacier air on your face, hear stories about volcanoes and shifting ice, and walk inside shimmering blue-and-black tunnels — it’s not what you expect, in all the best ways.
Golden Circle Day Tour: Gullfoss, Geysir & ThingvellirA nine-hour guided tour of Iceland's Golden Circle departing from Reykjavik with hotel pickup and small-group minibus transport. You visit Thingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian plates meet; the Geysir geothermal area in Haukadalur valley; Gullfoss waterfall in the Hvítá river canyon; and Kerid volcanic crater. The guide is live and speaks English, and the group stays small. Children from age 3 are welcome with an adult.Is it for me?Hotel pickup in Reykjavik means you don't need a rental car or navigate Icelandic roads yourself—the minibus collects you and returns you at the end of the day, so the route and timing are settled before you book. This works for anyone staying in the city without a vehicle.
South Iceland: Waterfalls, Black Beach & Volcano Day TripYou’ll hear Skógafoss before you see it, taste salt on Reynisfjara’s black sand air, and walk behind Seljalandsfoss’ curtain of water—all with a local guide handling every detail. This South Coast day trip packs volcano legends, glacier views and raw Icelandic weather into one unforgettable ride.
Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón: Small-Group VatnajökullA small-group ice cave tour from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon that takes you inside Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier, to walk among naturally formed crystal-blue ice formations. The tour runs 2.5 to 3 hours depending on weather and cave location, with groups limited to 12 travelers and all technical safety gear — helmets, crampons, headlights — included. Your guide is AIMG-certified and a Wilderness First Responder, and the company reads conditions each morning to select the safest cave for the day.Is it for me?You'll spend 2.5 to 3 hours inside the ice and walk among the formations without arranging transport or safety equipment yourself — the small-group size and photographer-friendly pace make it possible to capture the blue ice without feeling rushed or crowded.
Keflavik to Reykjavik: Private Airport Transfer with Local DriverYou’ll step off your flight at Keflavik Airport and spot your name held by a local driver who’ll help you settle into Iceland’s rhythm right away. Enjoy bottled water, Wi-Fi, and stories about lava fields as you travel direct to your hotel or cruise terminal in Reykjavik—with all logistics handled quietly in the background.
Golden Circle & Langjökull Snowmobiling Super-Jeep TourA guided Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik combines Super-Jeep transport through Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall with a snowmobile adventure across Langjökull glacier. The tour runs 8 to 10 hours with a professional English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, all safety equipment and gear included; two people share each snowmobile. Children from age 6 can join when accompanied by an adult, and a valid driver's license is required to operate a snowmobile.Is it for me?The guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the commentary and the route without translation. This works for anyone comfortable on a snowmobile as a driver or passenger—if you want to ride but not operate the machine, your partner can drive while you take in the glacier views.
Hvammsvík Hot Spring from Reykjavik: Geothermal soak & viewsYou get picked up in Reykjavik, driven through Icelandic coastline to Hvammsvík's natural hot springs, and given time to soak in the warm mineral water while looking out at cliffs and ocean. Entry and return transfer are included, plus Wi-Fi on the bus. You're back in the city by evening, refreshed and not exhausted.Is it for me?Book this if you want to soak in Iceland's natural geothermal water without arranging your own transport or worrying about timing — the fixed schedule and included pickup mean you step out of the city and into the springs without logistics getting in the way.
Reykjavik: RIB Whale Watching & Puffin Islands Small-Group BoatYou board a fast RIB from Reykjavik's Old Harbour and head straight into Faxaflói Bay with a marine biologist guide and eleven other passengers. Between May and August, you stop at puffin islands first, then search for whales at close range from a boat that can reach them faster than larger vessels. On the return, you get a panoramic view of the city's shoreline, including the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa. The whole trip takes roughly two hours, and if no whales appear, you receive a free ticket to try again.Is it for me?Book this if you want close-range whale watching without the size and slower pace of a traditional tour boat — the RIB's speed and manoeuvrability mean you cover more ground and get nearer to the animals, which is what increases your odds of a real sighting.
