11 Best Tours In Reykjavik, Iceland - Updated 2024

best tours in reykjavik
Jinky
Jinky 
Updated
| 6 min read

Reykjavik, on the coast of Iceland, is the country’s capital and largest city. It’s home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history. The striking concrete Hallgrimskirkja Church and rotating Perlan glass dome offer sweeping views of the sea and nearby hills. Exemplifying the island’s volcanic activity is the geothermal Blue Lagoon spa, near the village of Grindavik. Reykjavík is believed to be the location of the first permanent settlement in Iceland. The city was founded in 1786 as an official trading town and grew steadily over the next decades, as it transformed into a regional and later national centre of commerce, population, and governmental activities. It is among the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities in the world and offers some great tours for visitors to explore the amazing capital.

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1. Aurora Borealis: Northern Lights Tour in Reykjavik (from USD 56.35)

Have you experienced the beauty and wonder of the Aurora Borealis? See if you can glimpse this sublime light display for yourself!

This tour is organized to increase your chances of seeing the phenomenon. But this tour doesn’t guarantee to see the Northern Lights in one place, that is why locations change every tour. See the Northern Lights dancing upon the Arctic Skyline! Enjoy a 3-hour tour led by an English-speaking guide, and get round-trip-transportation from your hotel in central Reykjavik.

Policy: Cancel up to 1 day in advance for full refund. If you do not see any of the lights the first time round, you are more than welcome to join the tour again free of charge!

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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour

Duration: 4.0 hour

649 reviews

2. Northern Lights boat trip from Reykjavik (39 USD)

best tours in reykjavik | northern lights boat trip from reykjavik

Reykjavik Sailors offers boat ride excursion solely for the purpose of experiencing Aurora Borealis. Unwind in one of the three outdoor viewing decks or get cozy in the spacious indoor saloon. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase on board so you can get yourself occupied and warm. If you need to book a pick-up service from your accommodation, be sure to book at least one hour before the tour’s departure to avoid any inconvenience. Overall, this trip is a perfect gift that anyone can give to their loved ones and even to one’s self. It definitely is a once in a lifetime experience because you can only see the Northern Lights in very few places around the world.

Northern Lights boat trip from Reykjavik

Website:

Duration: 2 hours

Price: 39 USD

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3. Reykjavik: Half-Day Food Tasting Tour (from USD 125.7)

Food! Food! Food!

This is one of the highlights of every vacation; to taste the sumptuous food that a particular city or place offers. This tour gives you the chance to explore the downtown of Reykjavik and experience the different foods that local people grew up eating and discover some delicious Icelandic lamb soup. Taste the food of Iceland on a walking tour of Reykjavik, and sample different dishes at 6 unique venues. Go inside famous restaurants and family-run businesses and learn more about Icelandic cuisine and try some authentic Icelandic “skyr”.

Policy: Cancel up to 1 day in advance for a full refund. Take note that this tour is suitable for guests of all ages and all dietary requirements. Tours are in small groups, so book early to avoid disappointment.

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Reykjavik: 3-Hour Foodie Adventure Walking Tour

Duration: 3.0 hour

804 reviews

4. Beer Tasting at Olgerdin Brewery from Reykjavik (74.26 USD)

Who doesn’t want to have a beer tasting from a brewery?

This tour gives you the chance to taste the beer of Reykjavik and discover the history of mead, a wine fermented with honey that dates back to the Vikings, and a shot of Brennivin, the country’s iconic liquor produced with potato mash and caraway seeds.

Beer Tasting at Olgerdin Brewery from Reykjavik

Address: Reykjavik

Price: 74.26 USD

Website:

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5. Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik (from USD 85.0)

Have you experienced watching whales and dolphins swimming around while your are sailing on a bay?

This boat cruise tour gives you the chance to see white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, humpback whales and harbor porpoises. A naturalist guide talks about the biology and behavior of these magnificent marine mammals while you look for signs of their presence. Learn about some of Iceland’s most majestic native wildlife from an on-board guide, and choose between a 3-5 hour whale watching cruise, or a 2.5 hour high-speed boat version.

Whale watching excursion from Reykjavik

Website:

Duration: 3 hours

Price: 40 USD

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Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from Reykjavik

Duration: 3 hours

527 reviews

6. Reykjavik City Walking Tour (from USD 51.0)

ReyKjavik City, Iceland
Source: Viator

Walking is a good form of exercise, especially if it’s part of a city tour where can enjoy seeing the beauty of the city.

For approximately 3 hours walking through Iceland’s capital, get to know the spirit of Reykjavik. Explore the city’s most important landmarks, like the Sun Voyager (Sólfar) sculpture, Harpa Concert Hall, the Old Harbour, the multicolored Þingholt houses and the Hallgrímskirkja Church and learn about the city’s culture, history, traditions and geology of Iceland. And of course, take photos for your memories of your vacation in Reykjavik.

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Reykjavik City Walking Tour

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

121 reviews

7. Into and above the glacier snowmobile excursion: Reykjavik to Husafell (335 USD)

best tours in reykjavik | into and above the glacier snowmobile excursion: reykjavik to husafell

If you’re staying near Reykjavik, an absolutely must-do activity is this snowmobile excursion that will take you to the peak of Langjokull Glacier. Through this activity, get ready to battle negative degree temperatures but be rewarded with a memorable experience and wonderful views from the top. Worry not though, because you’ll be dressed in full protective gear for the entire trip. You will start from Reykjavik but the ascend to the ice cap will commence from Husafell in Borgarfjordur. Then you will ride until you reach a man-made ice cave from where you’ll learn more interesting facts from your guide and then enjoy a thermal pool or hot tub afterward. There might not be enough words to describe how awesome this experience is so our best tip: pack up and see for yourself!

Into and above the glacier snowmobile excursion: Reykjavik to Husafell

Website:

Duration: full day

Price: 335 USD

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8. Secret Lagoon Early Access & Golden Circle (Full Day Tour) (from USD 107.28)

Have you heard of Iceland’s old swimming pool with natural hot spring?

Now you can have access and a tour and soak for 2 hours in the warm and relaxing thermal waters of the Secret Lagoon natural hot springs, located in the small village of Fludir and enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings. Bathe in the relaxing waters of the Secret Lagoon, Iceland’s oldest swimming pool. Visit Gullfoss Waterfall and see the amazing Geysir geothermal area. Drive through Bingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Policy: Cancel up to 1 day in advance for a full refund.

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From Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid, & Secret Lagoon Tour

Duration: 10.0 hour

3428 reviews

9. Silfra Rift snorkeling excursion from Reykjavik (145 USD)

best tours in reykjavik | silfra rift snorkeling excursion from reykjavik

This popular snorkeling excursion picks you up from your accommodation in the city to let you experience one of the best scuba diving spots on Earth – the Silfra Rift! Another option is to meet your guide at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Upon reaching your destination, be prepared for a dive of a lifetime where you’ll get to experience swimming between two continental plates. The snorkeling activity will get you through four different sections: the Big Crack, the Silfra Hall, the Silfra Cathedral with a depth of about 23 meters (75.4 feet), and out to the Silfra Lagoon. But before resurfacing, be sure to have a drink of the Silfra water to know why it is highly recommended. Enjoy!

Silfra Rift snorkeling excursion from Reykjavik

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Duration: half day

Price: 145 USD

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10. South of Iceland Full Day Tour from Reykjavik (from USD 90.7)

Explore the dramatic landscapes of the south of Iceland on a 10-hour tour from Reykjavik.

This tour includes pick-up and drop-off and a guided tour. A walk behind the waterfall at Seljalandsfoss; see the black sand beaches of the southern coast; go to Iceland’s southernmost village in Vik; visit the glacier snout of Sólheimajökull; marvel at a unique landscape of rivers waterfalls and glacial mountains; admire the stunning beauty of Skógafoss Waterfall. These are just the highlights of the tour!

Policy: Cancellation up to 1 day in advance for a full refund.

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From Reykjavik: South of Iceland Full-Day Trip

Duration: 10.0 hour

5990 reviews

11. Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava Fields (from USD 114.86)

Experience the trill of horseback riding on a lava field!

Pass through lava fields and along green hillsides, enjoying the beautiful surroundings as you ride, and make use of some of the best riding facilities in Iceland. Includes riding helmets, rubber boots, rain wear or a warm outfit during the ride, and English and Scandinavian-speaking guides.

Policy: Cancel up to 1 day in advance for a full refund. Please note that you cannot take any backpacks or bags with you on the ride but there are safety boxes at the Riding Center where you can store your valuables.

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From Reykjavík: Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava Fields

Duration: 2.0 to 4.0 hour

905 reviews

The city of exciting possibilities, unspoiled landscapes and natural wonders

Surrounded by nature and terrific adventure, Reykjavik is home to an impressive collection of people, interesting attractions and places of historic significance and natural wonder. It’s time to visit the phenomenal city of Reykjavik!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Mabuhay! Welcome to my page. My name is Jinky, from a country of 7,107 Islands, The Philippines! I started writing when I started exploring places and countries. I've traveled to the Philippines...Read more

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