Iceland’s vast and rich landscape, natural beauties and plethora of outdoor activities make it one of the best places to visit in Europe, if not the world. From snorkeling in ice cold waters and exploring lava fields to witnessing the natural phenomena of the Northern Lights, you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the wondrous sights and experiences Iceland has to offer. The best way to do that is with organized tours. But with so many different tours in Iceland, how can you possibly know which ones are the best? Fear not, we have tried and tested more tours than we can handle in order to give you this list of the best tours in Iceland. We want to make sure your trip to Iceland is not only magical, but one you’ll never want to forget.
Note: All tours listed here are bookable through GetYourGuide – our no. 1 choice when it comes to booking guided tours and excursions. They have an excellent reputation, great customer service, competitive prices, and free 24-hour cancellation. You seriously can’t go wrong by booking your tours with them.
Northern Lights Bus Tour
Escape the light-polluted city of Reykjavík and enter Iceland’s darkest areas to witness the breathtaking Northern Lights on this four-hour Northern Lights Tour. As you marvel at the lights dancing across the sky, you’ll enjoy a nice hot chocolate drink and warm snack to help make this experience the icing on the cake. Since this phenomena occurs naturally, and is dependent on the right weather conditions, it’s not guaranteed you’ll see the Northern Lights, especially in the summer. The tour operators understand that witnessing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) is a true natural wonder and an unparalleled experience that must be crossed off of everyone’s “Must-Do Before I Die” list. Therefore, you won’t have to worry if you don’t see them because you can join another one of their Northern Lights tour free of charge. This alone makes this the best northern lights tour in Iceland.
Golden Circle Full-Day Grand Tour
Explore Iceland’s most popular attractions on this eight-hour tour along the famous Golden Circle. Be amazed as you watch water shoot over 90 feet in the air from the active hot spring of Strokkur and marvel at the mighty River Hvítá as it disappears into the crevices of the earth. But the fun and exploration doesn’t end there. Your journey through southwest Iceland continues as you explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site Thingvellir National Park, gaze in awe at the volcanic crater at Lake Kerio, pass through Icelandic farms, and be dumbfounded by the scenic landscape of Iceland. With so many jaw-dropping sights, it’s obvious that no trip to Iceland is complete without doing the Golden Circle Tour – easily one of the best day tours from Reykjavik!
Whale Watching Tour
Get acquainted with Iceland’s waters and aquatic life on the country’s largest whale-watching ship. Set sail on the Andrea to see some of the most magnificent water mammals in their natural habit. Ooh and ahh as you watch minke whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins and even humpback whales break through the water’s surface to reveal their majestic selves. Enjoy this two or three-hour relaxing tour and get more familiar with the diverse Nordic waters.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Tour
Take a scenic drive along Iceland’s southern coast to experience natural beauty at its best. Stroll behind the cascade of the powerful yet mesmerizing Seljalandsfoss waterfall, explore the site where James Bond’s Die Another Day and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider were filmed, be mesmerized by the breathtaking landscapes, and see first-hand one of the world’s largest ice glaciers. But more impressively, explore one of Iceland’s natural jewels, Jökulsárlón, and watch as huge chunks of ice and icebergs from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier float by you. From black sand beaches to a lake dotted with icebergs, you won’t want to miss out on one of the best sightseeing tours in Iceland, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Tour.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour
Have a limited time in Iceland but still want to experience Iceland’s diverse natural beauty while still seeing a glacier? Then the Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour is the perfect tour for you. Miniature Iceland, Snæfellsnes Peninsula is full of nature and natural wonders for you to marvel at. You’ll get to see and admire beautiful black sand beaches, breathtaking mountains such as Kirkjufell, lava fields and more. On this tour, you’ll even visit the seal colony at Ytri Tunga, several fishing villages and of course, discover how diverse Iceland’s landscape really is.
Iceland’s South Coast Full-Day Tour
Bask in the beauty that is Iceland’s south coast on a full-day scenic tour. Learn about the geology of Iceland and see the landscape for yourself. The Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls are fantastic, as is Eyjafjallajökull, the volcanic glacier. Then you’ll chow down on lunch in Vik, and check out Reynisfjara, a gorgeous black sand beach. Visiting Dyrhólaey is next on your itinerary, though at certain times in the year the land is preserved, thousands of puffins nest in Dyrhólaey in the summer. Before heading back to Reykjavik, you’ll go to Sólheimajökull glacier. This nine-hour tour is one of the best excursions in Iceland, full of action and chances to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava Fields
Experience the unique Icelandic horse while riding through the intriguing lava fields along the lush green hillsides. With the renown Ishestar Stable providing their horses and guides, you know you will be in great hands, and your horse will be healthy and happy! The mountainous terrain is breathtaking, the horses are friendly, the guides are experienced and the time you spend touring Iceland on horseback will be unforgettable. This is a tour everyone can and should enjoy. Whether you are an experienced rider or a beginner, you’ll be glad you added this horse riding adventure to your Iceland itinerary.
Landmannalaugar 4-Hour Hiking Experience
Strap on your hiking boots because it’s time to explore the highland of Iceland, specifically Landmannalaugar. If you think this four-hour hiking tour is no different from the other hikes you’ve done then you’re in for a huge surprise. With very little vegetation, Landmannalaugar is covered with colorful rocky mountains, a 60,000-year-old volcano, canyons, steaming hot springs, and clear blue lakes. Your reward for this hike isn’t just the amazing panoramic views of the Landmannalaugar Valley, but also the natural hot pool you’ll relax in after your hike, so don’t forget your swimwear :) This is a unique experience that no true hiker would pass up, it’s just too good to do so!
Half-Day Caving Tour in Leidarendi Cave
Lava fields, you’ve seen them all over Iceland, now it’s time to discover the impressive world that lies beneath them. As you crawl through the dark and mysterious underworld of this Icelandic lava tube, you’ll see impressive lava stalactites and different rock formations which were created from past volcanic eruptions. And if you choose to explore this fantastic cave during the winter, you’ll also see glistening ice sculptures of all sizes inside the cave! With a unique cave such as Leidarendi, that hasn’t changed in over 2,000 years, you know you’ll be in for a treat on one of the best tours in Iceland.
Silfra Fissure Snorkeling Half-Day Tour
Ever wanted to be in two places at once? Well this is your chance. Snorkel the amazing but really cold Silfra lava fissure where you can swim between the two slowly drifting continental plates, the American and European. The pristine and even drinkable water along with the colorful algaes are a bonus of this tour, but what makes this tour one of the best Iceland tours is the rare opportunity to snorkel in one of the top diving sites in the world with over 300 feet of visibility. Now if that is not amazing, I don’t know what is. This unique, exotic, and once in a lifetime underwater experience shouldn’t miss a spot on your list of things to do in Iceland.
These tours of Iceland are sure to make your trip there one to remember. Dive in, get out of your comfort zone, and be amazed by Iceland’s diverse natural beauty with the best tours in Iceland!
Nikoleta
All of those tour look amazing! If you only had three days in Iceland, which one would you pick?
Robin
They really are great! Iceland was such a fun time! If you can only pick one, I would vote for the Golden Circle tour because its the most popular. The waterfalls and glaciers on the South Coast tours are really beautiful too, so if you can, I would do that one too, then spend your third day exploring Reykjavik or on a half-day tour. Enjoy :)