Booking your plane ticket to Iceland is the first and VERY exciting step. But NOW the planning begins. First question: What do you want to see? Waterfalls, the Northern Lights, Volcanoes, Glaciers… Many people take at least one tour while in Iceland. But which are the best ones?
If you’re heading to Iceland, this post will help you discover the best tours!
Tours versus Self-Drive
While this post focuses on the best tours in Iceland, I want to be clear: Booking a tour isn’t 100% necessary. Iceland is a safe and easy-to-navigate country, even if you travel solo. Driving yourself is a wonderful and cost-effective option.
But there are MANY great reasons to take a tour:
- You’re short on time and want to see as much as possible!
- Driving isn’t an option for whatever reason.
- You want to discover harder-to-access sites.
- You love local insights and stories.
- You’re on vacation, so it’s time to relax and let someone else worry about the logistics.
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through my links (at no extra cost to you). I ONLY recommend companies and products that I have personally used, love, and trust.
Best Tours in Reykjavik
Free Walking Tour: Booking a free walking tour is my go-to tip for visiting any new city. Reykjavik is small enough that you probably won’t get lost, but a free walking tour is a great way to kick off your vacation.
I loved this free tour by City Walks and learned a lot about Iceland’s history, food, and culture. It was fascinating and fun! Honestly, it was one of the best free city tours I’ve taken.
Foodie Walking Tour Adventure: Icelandic food can get weird. Okay, not all of it! If you love lamb and fresh fish, you’ll be in heaven. But to survive Iceland’s harsh climate, the Icelanders ate some strange stuff, like fermented sharks.
You’ll get to try a few unique tastes if you are adventurous. But regardless of your eating style, there’ll be plenty of yummy things to eat.
Food tours are one of my favourite ways to discover a new city. And this tour doesn’t disappoint! Not only will you get to try some great Icelandic food, but you’ll also walk past many of Reykjavik’s highlights.
Best Boat Tours
Midnight Sun Whale Watching: This was one of the most magical experiences of my time in Iceland. Seeing whales at golden hour was so captivating that I forgot to take pictures!
A few cautions about taking whale watching tours in Iceland:
- Where are the Whales? While whales are spotted on 95% of all summer tours, there’s no guarantee that the whales will come out to play on your cruise. But if you don’t see whales, you’ll get a free voucher to try again.
- It could be chilly, even in the summer. However, warm overalls are provided, and indoor seating is available to escape the wind and the cold.
Northern Lights Cruise: Many visitors to Iceland dream of seeing the Northern Lights. But remember, not only do you have to visit at the right time of year (September – March), but a bit of luck is also required. Unfortunately, the Northern Lights are never guaranteed.
- Bus Tour: Probably your best way to see the Northern Lights is on a bus tour. The downside is the four hours of driving around in the middle of the night chasing them. Of course, if you dream of seeing and photographing them, a bus tour might be the way to go!
- Boat Cruise: While a boat cruise is my favourite, I’ll admit that I didn’t see any Northern Lights on my cruise. And getting a great photograph from a boat is much harder due to the ship’s movement. That said, the cruise was a lovely and relaxing experience that I won’t soon forget.
Best Thermal Spas in Iceland
I prefer the Sky Lagoon over the Blue Lagoon. But it’s unlikely that you’ll be disappointed by either, as they are both beautiful in their own unique way.
If I had to pick one, it would be the enchanting Sky Lagoon with its Seven-Step Ritual. The view from Sky Lagoon’s infinity pool and its huge windowed sauna are amazing! Spend a few hours here, and you’ll leave feeling supremely relaxed.
If you are staying in the Golden Circle, check out Fontana Geothermal Spa in Laugarvatn. It’s not as fancy as the more famous Blue Lagoon, but it’s less expensive and oh-so relaxing.
Golden Circle Tours
Golden Circle from Reykjavik: The Golden Circle Tour is one of the MOST popular day trips in Iceland. You’ll visit three classic sites:
- Gullfoss: One of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls.
- Geysir: Have your camera ready to capture a photo!
- Þingvellir: The site where the Vikings established their parliament in 930 AD, right at the meeting point of two tectonic plates.
I also love the addition of the Kerið crater to this tour and the idea of stopping for lunch at Friðheimar, a family-run farm famous for its tomato soup and quirky tomato-based desserts.
Golden Circle plus Sky Lagoon from Reykjavik: This is the same tour, with two hours at the Sky Lagoon included at the end. If there were ever a single perfect day in Iceland, this might be it.
South Coast Tour
South Iceland Waterfalls & Black Beaches: This Iceland tour is a full day of waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches.
There’s a bit of driving (1.5 hours) to the first spot as you leave Reykjavik for Iceland’s south coast. The day is interspersed with magical sites like Seljalandsfoss, a stunning waterfall that you can walk behind, and Reynisfjara, a black sand beach with dramatic sea stacks rising up from the ocean.
Snæfellsnes Penisula Tour
If I could only visit ONE area in Iceland, it would be the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The area is less popular than the Golden Circle and the South Coast because it is a bit further from Reykjavik. But this also makes it less crowded, and the landscape is beyond spectacular.
The area is named after the Snæfellsjökull, a glacier-capped volcano that looms over the peninsula.
You’ll also visit two of Iceland’s most photographed spots, Kirkjufell Mountain and Buðarkirkja, the black church. You’ll pass moss-covered lava fields along the way and stop at Djupalonssandur’s black sand beach. Take this tour if you want to see Iceland at its otherworldly best!
Bucket List Tours in Iceland
While I’ve been lucky to explore a lot of Iceland, there are still two tours that I want to cross off my bucket list.
Silfra Snorkelling: Imagine snorkelling through the crystal blue waters of the Silfra fissure, the water-filled gap between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The tour is offered year-round, and wetsuits and all snorkelling equipment are provided. Plus, free underwater photographs.
Red Lava Horse Riding Tour: The first time I visited Iceland, I fell in love with the horses. Although smaller in stature, they are no less majestic and have fabulous manes. I only wish my hair looked this good!
Fingers crossed that my next trip includes a riding tour. This one includes a pick-up from Reykjavik to the stable, where you’ll be with your very own Icelandic horse, who will take you on a 2-hour ride through the lava fields.
Where to Stay in Iceland?
I’ve stayed all over Iceland and am always looking for affordable stays. Here are my favourite spots, by region.
Keflavík
If you have an early morning flight, staying near the airport is a great idea. My two favourites are Keflavik Micro Suites and Blue Viking Guesthouse.
Reykjavík
Reykjavik has many options, but I’ve been going back to the same place for over a decade: Sunna Guesthouse. It’s not fancy, but it’s well-located and the best value in the city.
Golden Circle
If you’re going to stay in the Golden Circle, why not stay right across the street from Geysir? And have the opportunity to see it erupt without the crowds. I’ve stayed at the more upscale Hotel Geysir and its more affordable next door neighbour, Litli Geysir.
South Coast
Selfoss is the ideal spot for anyone leaving the Golden Circle and heading onto the South Coast. I recommend the Hotel South Coast, which has nice rooms and is close to good dining options. Vik is about an hour and a half further along the South Coast. Hótel Kría is amazing, plus it has a great location. 1908 Hostel and the Vik Inn are closer to the beach and more affordable.
Höfn is five hours from Selfoss and the closest town to Jökulsárlón, Iceland’s amazing iceberg lagoon. My favourite spot is the Old Airline Guesthouse.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
I LOVE this peninsula! Here are my favourite spots: The Old Post Office Guesthouse is in Grundarfjörður, with views of the magical Kirkjufell. On the southern side of the peninsula, check out Arnarstapi Hotel, which is within walking distance of the area’s dramatic sea cliffs.
Need more help planning your trip to Iceland? Check out Iceland on a Budget: Seven Tips to Save Money.
Snæfellsnes
