Planning a trip to Iceland and not sure which tours are actually worth booking? This guide covers the best day tours from Reykjavik, from the Golden Circle to ice caves – so you can skip the research and book with confidence.
39+ Reykjavik Excursions Day Tours Away from the City
Reykjavik is a great base for exploring Iceland’s natural wonders. See Geysir, hot springs, waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, ice caves, and unique beaches. Whether you are interested in history, culture, or nature, Iceland and Reykjavik have something to offer everyone. Here are some of the best tours to consider from Reykjavik. Scroll by category below, or jump straight to the most booked tours
- Multi-Day Tours: If you’re looking to fully experience all that Iceland has to offer, then consider taking a multi-day tour.
- The Golden Circle: a popular “must-do tour for first time visitors” to see some of Iceland’s most famous natural wonders, such as the Geysir hot spring, Gullfoss waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park.
- The South Shore and the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: a tour that takes you along the south coast of Iceland, with stops at the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls and popular diamond beach Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
- The Blue Lagoon and Reykjanes Peninsula: swim in the famous Blue Lagoon and take a tour of the Reykjanes Peninsula, including stops at the Reykjanesviti lighthouse and the Krýsuvík geothermal area.
- The Vatnajökull Glacier National Park: explore the largest national park in Iceland and the park’s glaciers, ice caves, and valleys.
- The Snæfellsnes Peninsula: hike the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, known for its beautiful landscapes and the Snæfellsjökull volcano.
- Northern Lights Tours: leave the city lights to chase the aurora borealis, a natural phenomenon in Iceland between September and April.
- Boat Tours: whale watching, puffin watching, northern lights cruise there are many options when it comes to boat tours in Iceland.
- Adventure Tours: These tours are designed for visitors who want to experience Iceland’s rugged wilderness and outdoor activities. Activities like hiking, horseback riding, diving, and ice climbing are common.
Multi-day Tours in Iceland
“Want to see it all without the stress of planning? A multi-day guided tour is the best decision you’ll make for Iceland.”
Best for: Hassle-free all-inclusive travel • Ring Road explorers • Those without a rental car • 3–8 day itineraries
These tours allow visitors to explore the country’s diverse landscape and culture in depth. They typically include transportation, accommodation, and activities, and can range from a couple of days to a week or more. Some of the most popular types of multi-day tours in Iceland include:
- Circle tours: These tours take visitors on a journey around Iceland. They usually start and end in Reykjavik, and include visits to popular destinations such as the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and the Vatnajökull National Park.
- Glacier and ice cap tours: These tours take visitors to Iceland’s glaciers and ice caps. Places such as Vatnajökull, Langjökull, and Hofsjökull, where you can hike on the glaciers and learn about the geology and history of the ice caps.
- Adventure tours: These tours are designed for visitors who want to experience Iceland’s rugged wilderness and outdoor activities, such as hiking, horseback riding, and ice climbing.
- Cultural tours: These tours take visitors to the historic sites and cultural landmarks of Iceland. You can visit Thingvellir National Park, Akureyri, and other towns and villages.
Let the experts arrange your multi-day tour – check availability:
The Golden Circle Tours
“First time visitor to Iceland? – If you book only one tour The Golden Circle is the one!”
Best for: First-time visitors • Full-day from Reykjavik • All seasons • Families & couples
The Golden Circle is probably the most popular tour in Iceland that takes visitors to see some of the country’s most famous natural wonders. The tour typically includes the following three main stops:
- Thingvellir National Park: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the location of the first Icelandic parliament. It is also where the North American and European tectonic plates meet.
- Geysir Hot Spring: This geothermal area is home to the famous geyser, Strokkur. Which erupts every few minutes and can reach heights of up to 30 meters.
- Gullfoss Waterfall: This powerful waterfall is one of the most famous in Iceland and is often called the “Golden Waterfall”. This is due to the way the water catches the sunlight.
Golden Circle small group tours book up fast in the summer – check availability by clicking the tour below!
The South Shore and the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Tours
“The Pinterest perfect tour with jaw-dropping waterfall and Star Wars like black sandy beach”
Best for: Nature lovers • Waterfall chasers • Glacier & iceberg experiences • Photography enthusiasts • Full day
The South Shore of Iceland is known for its beautiful landscapes and scenic beauty. Some of the most popular South Shore tours from Reykjavik include:
- Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss: These two waterfalls are some of the most famous on the South Shore, and both offer unique and beautiful views. Seljalandsfoss you can walk behind. Skógafosswaterfall has a large drop.
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon: This is a large glacial lake that is filled with chunks of ice from the nearby Vatnajökull glacier. Visitors can take a boat tour of the lake to get up close to the icebergs.
- Reynisfjara black sand beach: This beach is known for its black sand and dramatic coastal views.
- Vatnajökull National Park: This is the largest national park in Iceland and home to Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier mass in Europe. Visitors can take a guided hike on the glacier or take a helicopter tour for a bird’s-eye view.
- Dyrhólaey and Vík: Dyrhólaey is a small promontory on the south coast with a lighthouse and a great spot for bird watching. Vík is a small village located on the south coast.
Most of these tours are full-day tours and are operated by bus or minivan, and include pick up and drop off from Reykjavik. Check availability by clicking the tour;
Blue Lagoon Tours
“The Blue Lagoon is touristy but genuinely worth it – it fills up so book ahead”
Best for: Relaxation seekers • Couples & honeymoons • Arrival or departure day add-on • All seasons
The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located about 45 minutes outside of Reykjavik, and about 25 minutes from Reykjavik airport. It’s known for its milky blue water and mineral-rich mud, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland.
Blue Lagoon offers 3 main packages:
- Comfort Blue Lagoon: This is the most basic option and includes admission to the Blue Lagoon and the use of the facilities such as the lagoon, sauna, steam room, and changing rooms. It also includes a silica mud mask, a towel to use, and the first drink of your choice.
- Premium Blue Lagoon: This option includes everything from the comfort admission. It also includes the use of a robe, two additional masks of your choice, and a glass of sparkling wine if dining at Lava restaurant.
- Luxury Blue Lagoon: 5 luxurious hours at the Retreat Spa. Enjoy a private changing suite and unlimited access to both the Blue Lagoon and the Retreat Lagoon.
The Blue Lagoon Tours are often combined with another visit, for example;
- Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle: This tour combines a visit to the Blue Lagoon with a visit to the Golden Circle. The Golden Circle includes a visit to the Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot spring, and the Gullfoss waterfall.
- Blue Lagoon and Reykjanes Peninsula: This tour combines a visit to the Blue Lagoon with a visit to the Reykjanes Peninsula. A tour with stops at the Reykjanesviti lighthouse and the Krýsuvík geothermal area.
The Blue Lagoon is a very popular destination and you need to book in advance – same day availability is very rare!
Vatnajökull Glacier National Park Tours
“Perfect destination for Ice climbing!”
Best for: Adventure seekers • Glacier hiking & ice climbing • Wildlife & landscape photography • Summer & winter
Vatnajökull Glacier National Park is a national park in Iceland that was established in 2008. It covers an area of 14,141 square kilometers. The park is named after Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe, which covers around 8% of the country.
The park features a diverse landscape including glaciers, ice caps, volcanic mountains, glacial rivers, and lakes, as well as a variety of plant and animal life. It is also home to some of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions, such as the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the Skaftafell nature reserve. The park is a popular destination for hiking, ice climbing, and skiing.
Check tour availability here;
Snæfellsnes Peninsula Tours
“Beautiful spot to view the Northern Lights and an active area for Puffins!”
Best for: Birdwatchers & puffin lovers • Jules Verne fans • Less crowded alternative to Golden Circle • Summer months
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is a peninsula located in the west of Iceland. It is known for its unique and diverse landscape, which includes volcanic mountains, glaciers, beaches, and fjords. The peninsula is also home to the Snæfellsjökull National Park, which features the Snæfellsjökull volcano, the highest peak on the peninsula.
The peninsula is famous for its rich birdlife, including Puffins, Gulls, and various species of ducks, and it’s a great spot for birdwatching. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, horseback riding, and fishing. Visitors can also take boat tours to see the nearby islands and fjords or go snorkeling and diving in the clear waters. The peninsula is also a great place to see the Northern Lights during the winter months.
Book ahead – check tour availability here:
Northern Lights Tours
“Northern Lights tours sell out fast in October and November — book this one early!”
Best for: Bucket list travelers • September through March visitors • Photographers • First-time aurora seekers
Iceland is a great place to see the Northern Lights due to its location near the Arctic Circle and the relatively low levels of light pollution. Northern Lights tours typically take place during the evening hours, when the lights are most visible. Visitors can choose from a variety of tour options including bus tours, boat tours, and even horseback riding tours.
Many tour operators also offer a variety of Northern Lights tour packages, ranging from a simple Northern Lights hunt to a multi-day tour package. The tour guides are knowledgeable and can provide information about the Northern Lights and the best viewing locations.
It’s worth noting that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and their appearance cannot be guaranteed. Tour operators usually provide the chance to re-book the tour if the lights are not visible on the first attempt. Always ask when you book the tour.
The Northern lights are once in a lifetime experience – the experts know where the best chance to see them are – check tour availability;
Boat Tours
“Nature at its best – from the water”
Best for: Wildlife lovers • Whale & puffin watching • Unique perspective on Iceland’s coastline • Families • Summer visitors
There are many different boat tours available in Iceland. These tours can take visitors on a variety of different excursions, including:
- Whale watching tours: These tours take visitors out to sea in search of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Visitors may also see seals, seabirds, and other marine life.
- Glacier tours: These tours take visitors to the edge of glaciers, where they can see the incredible ice formations up close and learn about the history and geology of the glaciers.
- Puffin watching tours: These tours take visitors to the nearby islands where puffins breed during summer months, visitors can see puffins in their natural habitat and learn about their behavior and ecology.
- Northern Lights Cruise: Hunt for the beautiful Northern Lights from the water.
These are just a few examples of the types of boat tours available in Reykjavik, Iceland. Check availability;
Adventure Tours
“Iceland is the perfect place for some unique, thrilling adventures!”
Best for: Active & thrill-seeking travelers • Small groups • Snowmobiling, ice climbing & super jeep fans • Those wanting off-the-beaten-path experiences
Adventure tours are designed for visitors who are looking for a more active and adventurous vacation. Some of the most popular adventure activities that are often included in adventure tours in Iceland include:
- Hiking: Iceland offers many hiking trails that take visitors through beautiful landscapes such as glaciers, waterfalls, and volcanic deserts. Some of the most popular hiking trails include the Laugavegur trail, the Fimmvörðuháls trail, and the Skaftafell nature reserve.
- Snowmobiling: Visitors can go on snowmobiling excursions on glaciers such as Vatnajökull and Langjökull, where they can experience the thrill of riding on top of the ice and snow.
- Super Jeep tours: these tours take visitors on a journey through Iceland’s rugged highlands, where they can see volcanic landscapes, hot springs, and geysers that are not accessible by regular vehicles.
- Ice climbing: Visitors can go ice climbing on glaciers such as Vatnajökull and Skaftafell, where they can learn the basics of ice climbing and climb the frozen walls of the glaciers.
- Horseback riding: Visitors can go horseback riding through Iceland’s countryside, where they can see the beautiful landscapes and learn about the history and culture of the area.
- Rock climbing: Visitors can go rock climbing on the volcanic rock formation, and learn the basics of rock climbing with a guide
- Diving: Explore Silfra snorkeling and diving tours.
These are just a few examples of the types of adventure activities that are available in Iceland. Adventure tours can range from one-day excursions to multi-day packages. Check tour availability:
Before You Book Any Iceland Tour — Ask Yourself…
These are the questions worth asking any tour operator before you commit — the good ones will answer every single one.
- What is included in the tour?
- How many people will join the tour, what is the maximum group size?
- What is the schedule or itinerary for the tour?
- Are there any age, fitness or health restrictions?
- Is transportation included and if not, what are the options to get to the starting point?
- Are there any additional costs or fees?
- What is the cancellation and refund policy?
- Are meals or refreshment included?
- What about a dress code, what should we wear?
Still not sure which tour is right for you? The Golden Circle is the best starting point for first-timers — check availability above. For questions about any tour, the operators on GetYourGuide and Viator both have excellent response times.