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The 17 best iceland tours: northern lights, waterfalls & more.

Enjoy glacier hikes, whale watching cruises and the northern lights on these Iceland tours.

The Best Iceland Tours

Aerial drone view of Seljalandsfoss waterfall at sunset, Iceland

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With terrain shaped by volcanic eruptions and shifting tectonic plates and the surrounding waters filled with glaciers, icebergs and whales, Iceland is like no other place on Earth. It's also an ideal spot to observe a seasonal phenomenon above the Earth: the northern lights  (or aurora borealis).

The following Iceland tours, determined by U.S. News to be the best available thanks to expert input and traveler sentiment, provide ideal ways of experiencing all that this extraordinary place has to offer. All of these excursions are conducted by knowledgeable guides eager to share their insights into their country's special features.

Ice Lagoon Adventure Tours – Zodiac Boat Tour

Price: Adults from 14,900 Icelandic króna (about $108); kids from 8,900 króna (about $65) Duration: 75 minutes

Explore the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon – part of Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Europe's largest glacier – aboard an inflatable rigid boat on this expedition. In addition to icebergs and the glacial wall, you might also spot wildlife like seals and various bird species. Tourgoers consistently describe the guides as passionate and knowledgeable, and say photo opportunities abound. Trips are available from May through October several times a day, with departures in both the morning and the afternoon. The park containing the lagoon sits in the southeast part of the country, about 236 miles from Reykjavik . Ice Lagoon Adventure Tours also runs private excursions.

Check prices & availability on:

NiceTravel – Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Kerid Volcano

Price: Adults from $218; kids from $123 Duration: 11 hours

Visit the Golden Circle's top sights, including Thingvellir National Park and Gullfoss, plus a volcanic crater and a pristine lagoon on this daylong journey. The park is of both geological and historical significance as it straddles a fault line between two tectonic plates and was the site of a Viking parliament that ruled for hundreds of years starting in A.D. 930. Other highlights include Geysir, a hot spring that shoots plumes of vapor into the air; Gullfoss (aka the Golden Waterfall) over which water cascades down more than 100 feet into a narrow canyon; Kerid, a colorful red-earth volcanic crater; and a two-hour stop at the heated waters of the popular Blue Lagoon. Tour-takers invariably find the scenery spectacular and the guides friendly and informative, though a few found the bus to be too small for the number of people on the tour. Tours happen daily all year long. Pickup from various locations in Reykjavik occurs between 8:30 and 9 a.m. and minibuses return to the city around 8 p.m.

Reykjavik Sailors – Whale Watching

Price: Adults from 11,990 króna (about $87); kids from 5,995 króna (about $44) Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours

While April to October is considered peak season for whale watching off Iceland's coast, humpback, minke and orca whales, as well as porpoises and dolphins, inhabit the waters all year. Reykjavik Sailors, located on Reykjavik's Old Harbour, offers whale watching boat trips throughout the year. Tourgoers report spotting ample wildlife, and appreciate the knowledgeable, friendly guides.

Transportation from area hotels is available for an additional fee. Snacks and beverages are available aboard the boat, which features outdoor viewing platforms as well as heated indoor space. Reykjavik Sailors also operates tours of the northern lights, among other options.

Arctic Adventures – Crystal Ice Cave Tour Iceland

Price: Adults from about $161; kids from around $137 Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Take a ride in an off-roading vehicle from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon to the edge of the massive Vatnajökull glacier and then hike to a natural ice cave on this small-group excursion. The tour, which is limited to 14 travelers, also allows you to witness the result of calving – the process of icebergs breaking off of glaciers. Tourgoers frequently praise the capable and personable guides. Many reviewers called this the highlight of their trip to Iceland.

Trips depart from the lagoon daily from October to mid-April beginning at 9:20 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. While the hike to the cave is rated as easy, children younger than 6 are not allowed on this trip. All of the necessary safety equipment is included in the cost of the tour. Arctic Adventures conducts a variety of ice cave tours, glacier hikes and more.

The Best Iceland Tours

BusTravel Iceland – South Coast Waterfalls, Glacier & Black Sand Beach Tour

Price: Adults from 13,990 króna (about $103); kids from 6,995 króna (about $52) Duration: 10 hours

This daylong outing affords opportunities to explore the glaciers, volcanos and other distinctive features of Iceland's southern coast . Highlights include Skógafoss, a nearly 200-foot waterfall beside the Eyjafjallajökull volcano; the slightly taller Seljalandsfoss waterfall; Reynisfjara, a beach on the north Atlantic Ocean with black volcanic sand and basalt columns; a stop for lunch in the fishing village of Vik; and Sólheimajökull glacier. Tour-takers consistently call the scenery extraordinary and the guides informative, though they do warn that it is a long day.

Transportation from various Reykjavik locations is available for an additional charge. Pickups occur between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Prices do not cover any food and drink in Vik. Note: Reaching the glacier involves walking on uneven ground. BusTravel Iceland also leads tours exploring the Golden Circle, the northern lights and more.

Your Friend in Reykjavik – Walk With a Viking

Price: Adults from $45; kids from $29 Duration: 2 hours

See the sights of Reykjavik on this two-hour walking tour of the city's center. Highlights include Harpa (an incredible performance venue), Hallgrímskirkja church, the Parliament building and Reykjavik harbor, as well as the first Viking house. Tour-takers find this stroll to be a great way to get to know the city and recommend taking the tour on one of your first days in Iceland. Reviewers consistently describe the guides as great storytellers and eager to answer any questions.

Groups of up to 12 depart from Ingólfur Square daily at 10 a.m. and 1 and 5 p.m. Your Friend in Reykjavik offers a variety of tours, including food tours, cooking classes, adventure tours and more.

Troll Expeditions – Snorkeling in Silfra

Price: From 19,900 króna (about $145) Duration: 3 hours

Snorkel between tectonic plates in the only place where that's possible during this adventure. Located in Thingvellir National Park about a 30-mile drive northeast of Reykjavik, Silfra fissure lies in the space where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates have slowly moved apart. Its water, from the melted ice of the Langjökull glacier, is exceptionally clean, boasting visibility of about 330 feet. Snorkelers laud the attentive, professional guides as well as the one-of-a-kind experience.

Snorkeling trips are available year-round at least twice a day; start times vary depending on the season. Groups are limited to six people. There are age, weight and health restrictions for this tour; check with the company before you book to ensure you meet all the necessary requirements. Troll Expeditions also offers guided glacier hikes, day trips and multiday excursions around the country to the South Coast, Ring Road and more.

Wake Up Reykjavik – Reykjavik Food Tour

Price: Adults from 16,900 króna (about $123); kids from 9,900 króna (about $72) Duration: 3 hours

Sample an array of Icelandic cuisine on this walking tour of downtown Reykjavik. Try eight traditional dishes, including fish and grass-fed lamb, as well as ice cream and street food. (Vegetarians and those with allergies or other dietary restrictions can usually be accommodated.) Between stops, you'll stroll past notable sites, such as the Parliament building and city hall. Travelers praise the pace of the tour and the dishes featured. Reviewers also applauded guides for their humor and the depth of their knowledge about Iceland's history and culture.

Tours start outside Harpa concert hall every day beginning at 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wake Up Reykjavik also organizes day trips to the Golden Circle, the South Coast and more.

Adventure Vikings – Silfra Drysuit Snorkeling

Price: From 18,990 króna (about $138) Duration: 2 to 4.5 hours

Explore the pristine glacial waters between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates on this snorkeling tour in Silfra, one of the world's top dive sites. Part of Thingvellir National Park, Silfra fissure is the result of the two tectonic plates separating at a rate of about 2 centimeters per year. The fissure is filled with water from Langjökull glacier that's been filtered through lava fields, making it incredibly pure. Snorkelers rave about the Silfra fissure's beauty and praise the guides for their attention to safety.

The tour lasts up to 4.5 hours depending if round-trip transportation from Reykjavik is needed. Prices include use of snorkeling equipment. You can rent a wearable GoPro camera for an additional 6,900 króna (around $51). Tours are available year-round. Snorkelers must be at least 12 years old; groups have no more than six people per guide. Participants preferring to don a less restrictive (but also less warm) wetsuit instead of a dry suit have that option. There are height and weight requirements for this tour. Adventure Vikings also leads surfing and stand-up paddleboarding tours, among other outings.

The Best Iceland Tours

Special Tours – Northern Lights by Boat

Price: Adults from 12,990 króna (about $95); kids from 6,495 króna (about $48) Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Enjoy the unique opportunity to observe the northern lights from the ocean on this two- to three-hour boat ride. You'll depart from Old Harbour in Reykjavik and be in the perfect viewing location away from the city lights after about a 20-minute cruise. Along the way, guides regale passengers with stories, myths and scientific facts about the aurora borealis. Travelers praise the amazing views as well as the humorous, helpful guides. Others appreciated the company's backup plan: If the conditions aren't favorable for viewing the lights from the water, you can hunt for the lights by bus, or choose one of the company's other tours (such as a daytime whale watching excursion) at no charge.

Cruises are available nightly in the fall and winter. Departure times vary by time of year, but boats typically sail at 10 p.m. in September and mid-March to mid-April; they depart at 9 p.m. from October to mid-March. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board. The company also offers whale watching excursions, fishing trips and more.

ĺshestar – Lava Tour

Price: Adults from 15,900 króna (about $117); kids from 11,925 króna (about $87) Duration: 2 hours

Admire the green hillsides and lava fields just outside Reykjavik on this two-hour small-group horseback riding tour. The stables are located about 10 miles south of the city center; round-trip transportation is available if you don't have your own car. Travelers frequently describe riding an Icelandic horse as a fantastic experience, and they generally appreciate the professionalism of the staff who lead the outing.

Rides depart every day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The cost includes the use of helmets and boots, as well as post-ride coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Round-trip transportation from Reykjavik is available for an additional fee and starts an hour before the tour. Groups are limited to 20 participants; all must be at least 7 years old and weigh less than 240 pounds. No prior horseback riding experience is necessary. Longer, multiday trail rides, as well as private tours are also available.

BusTravel Iceland – Snaefellsnes Peninsula Tour

Price: Adults from 16,990 króna (about $125); kids from 8,495 króna (about $62) Duration: 11 hours

In addition to its tours of the southern coast, BusTravel Iceland offers a daylong tour of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, an area northwest of Reykjavik that boasts black sand beaches, lava fields, beautiful waterfalls , rock formations and more. Highlights include Berserkjahraun lava fields, which date back to a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago; the 1,520-foot Kirkjufell (aka Church Mountain); the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls; Snaefellsjökull National Park and the cliffs of Arnarstapi harbor, once a bustling fishing area. Travelers typically enjoy both the dramatic landscapes and the guides' commentary.

Tours last approximately 11 hours. Pickup from various Reykjavik locations is available for an additional fee. Tours are available daily starting at 8 and 9 a.m.

CityWalk Reykjavik – Free Walking Tour Reykjavik

Price: Free Duration: 2 hours

Stroll among the main attractions of downtown Reykjavik , including the statue of Jón Sigurðsson and the Harpa concert hall, on this approximately two-hour, 1.3-mile tour. Guides will regale you with stories concerning Icelandic history, as well as lore involving elves, Vikings and more, which tour-takers deem highly entertaining.

Walks start at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. every day at the Austurvöllur (the city's main square) and conclude at city hall. Bookings open up about five days in advance. While there's no fee for this tour, guides do appreciate tips. There are no age or group-size limits. CityWalk Reykjavik does offer a slightly longer, small-group tour for a fee.

Check availability on:

The Best Iceland Tours

GeoIceland – Premium Golden Circle Tour

Price: Adults from 18,900 króna (about $140); kids from 14,900 króna (about $110) Duration: 9 hours

Visit the rift between two tectonic plates, the powerful waterfall and the geothermal area comprising Iceland's famed Golden Circle and more on this daylong tour. In addition to the high cliffs of the rift valley in Thingvellir National Park, the often rainbow-adorned Gullfoss waterfall and the hot spring Geysir, this tour stops at the Kerid volcanic crater, as well as a tomato farm. Tour-takers frequently cite both the stunning scenery and the friendly, amusing guides as highlights of this journey.

Buses depart from the Aurora Reykjavik museum daily at 9 a.m. and return approximately nine hours later. Prices include admission to all attractions, but exclude lunch at the tomato farm's restaurant. GeoIceland also runs tours that depart from other cities in Iceland, including Akureyri and the Lake Mývatn area.

Iceland Everywhere Tours – Northern Lights Midnight Adventure Tour

Price: From 15,800 króna (around $115) Duration: 3 to 5 hours

Spend the night searching for the northern lights on this seasonal outing. During the trip, guides not only provide information about the aurora borealis, local history and Icelandic culture, but also assist participants with finding the right setting on their cameras or smartphones to capture the best images. Free professional photographs are also available if you'd prefer to simply admire the sky. Reviewers rave about the colorful lights and appreciate the small size of the group. Several travelers also called out the insightful guides as a highlight.

These minibus rides happen every night from September to mid-April starting at 9 p.m. and last from three to five hours. Transportation from area hotels is available. There is a maximum of 15 participants per each tour. Iceland Everywhere Tours also offers guided excursions to the South Coast and the Golden Circle.

Funky Iceland – The Funky Food & Beer Walk

Price: Adults from 18,000 króna (about $131); kids from 7,500 króna (about $55) Duration: 3 hours

Enjoy a culinary adventure on this three-hour walking tour of Reykjavik. The tour has five food stops featuring nine traditional Icelandic dishes, such as lamb stew, dried fish and fermented shark, as well as five locally crafted beers. Foodies tend to relish the savvy guides' insights into Icelandic culture and cuisine. Tours start outside the Hallgrímskirkja Church at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Groups range in size from two to eight people.

Icelandic Mountain Guides – Blue Ice Experience

Price: Adults from 18,999 króna (about $138); kids from 13,299 króna (about $97) Duration: 3.5 hours

Hike among the ice formations, crevasses and frozen ridges of the enormous Vatnajökull glacier on this small-group expedition. Outings of up to 15 people commence at the welcome center at Skaftafell (about 200 miles southeast of Reykjavik) and last about 3.5 hours, including up to 1.5 to two hours on the ice. Past participants consistently describe the scenery as stunning and the guides as professional and informative.

Tours are available multiple times a day, beginning at 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Children younger than 10 may not join the tour. Prices include the use of ice axes, harnesses and crampons. Icelandic Mountain Guides operates a variety of glacier walks, snowmobile tours and guided hikes.

You might also be interested in:

  • The Best Hotels in Reykjavik
  • The Northern Lights in Iceland: How to See Them
  • The Best Northern Lights Alaska Cruises for 2024 & Beyond
  • The Best Places to Visit in Europe
  • The Best International Travel Insurance

Tags: Iceland , Tours , Travel , Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

  • # 1 South Island, New Zealand
  • # 4 Bora Bora

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Iceland - Recommendation for tour companies in Iceland

Has anyone used a tour company in Iceland that they liked enough to recommend?

I went on several day tours with Reykjavik Excursions...while some trips were more fun/interesting than others, each was a positive experience. Iceland is very pricey - so be prepared for that (I think it was much more so when I went - which was before the financial crash).

https://www.re.is/

Iceland is really easy to do yourselves. I just got a flight and booked car hire and took Trip Advisor recommendations for accommodation. There is very little traffic, so driving is easy.

We used Nordic Saga on our first visit to Iceland. Our particular tour roughly followed Route 1 around the country and there were about 25 in our group. We stayed in everything from the Hilton in Reykjavik to the little tiny hotels in some of the smaller communities. All of our accommodations were clean and modern. The food each evening was excellent. Due to the small size of the country, there's not a lot of miles to travel per day, so we usually had a good amount of evening time to ourselves to explore. We never felt that we were on the bus for too long. There were also number of optional excursions such as whale watching, horseback riding, and snowmobiling, but this of course will vary from tour to tour.

http://nordicsaga.com/iceland-tours

Iceland is easy to get around, but my wife and like to take tours as we feel that we can get much more into our trip when someone else is guiding us. On future trips, we'll just do our own thing now that we've had a great overview to the country.

Thanks to all for your replies. My wife and I travel a lot in Europe both on our own and on RS tours. They each have their advantages depending on how much time you've got.

I cannot be more enthusiastic in my recommendation of Ymir and Hrefna at http://www.magicaliceland.is/ .

The tour listed on their site is a gourmet tour, but I took a different tour with Ymir in 2012, to Snaefellsness peninsula. I don't know if they are still offering various tours, but contact them and see if you aren't blown away by how committed they are to your having a wonderful time in Iceland.

It's true that you can see a lot of Iceland on your own, but Ymir knows places that you'd never find. He took us to a hot spring in the middle of nowhere. And there was no schedule; as long as we were willing to keep going, he was willing to keep driving.

Ymir and Hrefna have become Facebook friends, along with the two English gentlemen who shared the tour. It was like taking an excursion with friends and family.

Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor .

Thanks again for all the advice. We had a lot of trouble getting hotel reservations for August. Seems the travel agencies block book rooms at the most desirable hotels for the popular travel periods so the hotels have few rooms available for individuals to book. We got a booking at Guesthouse Odinn in Reykjavik but for the rest of the 2 week drive around the island we ended up booking a self-drive tour through Nordic Visitor.com. They will book hotels and a car for us. Booking process was clear and cordial, and their visitor information packet was quite good. Don't know which hotels we'll get yet, so I'll have to withhold judgement until all the pieces fall into place.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

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The 7 Best Tour Companies in Iceland

Kirkjufell mountain in Iceland under the Northern Lights

Iceland is an utterly unique country, with glaciers varying in color from white to blue to gray, waterfalls the size of skyscrapers plummeting down sheer rock cliffs, and bumpy lava fields covered in moss in every shade of green you can imagine. And you’ll hear fantastical tales from history and folklore from people who still believe that elves might exist.

It’s one of my favorite countries in the world, one I fell in love with the first time I visited. I’ve been back multiple times since then during various seasons.

But Iceland isn’t always easy to get around, especially in the off-season, when many bus routes shut down because of weather.

One of the ways to get around that problem is by joining an organized tour. You’ll get to experience places that can be inaccessible without a four-wheel drive, and you’ll have an expert local guide to help make the most of your visit.

I’ve put together a list of my favorite tour companies in Iceland, from short city walking tours to multiday adventure hikes. While joining a tour isn’t cheap (you’ll definitely pay more than if you were to explore the country independently ), you’ll also be able to enjoy your trip without any of the planning while simultaneously benefitting from having a local guide on hand to deepen your experience in this incredible place.

Here’s my list of the best tour companies in Iceland:  

1. CityWalk Reykjavik

A free walking tour is always a great way to introduce yourself to a new city, and the guides from CityWalk can give you a good overview of Reykjavik on this two-hour stroll. They run daily tours at 10:30am and 1:30pm, where they show you not only the city’s main attractions, but teach you about Icelandic history as well as share some lesser known and fun facts about Iceland’s capital.

The Reykjavik walking tours have been running since 2014, and the local guides incorporate an element of humor into their tours to make you laugh while you’re exploring. They’ll show you some more overlooked parts of town and also give you some tips for saving money in this expensive country.

Even though it’s technically a free tour, be sure to tip your guide what you think the tour was worth at the end (that’s how they earn a living).

2. Intrepid

Intrepid is my favorite multi-day tour company. I’ve been on tours with them a number of times in a number of places and always enjoy myself. They keep their groups small and work with local guides, and they don’t rush you from sight to sight.

Intrepid offers a number of options in Iceland, including the classic Ring Road trip (which Intrepid calls their Iceland Discovery Tour), where you circumnavigate the island and get to visit some of the best-known sights, from the glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón on the south coast to the volcanic lake at Mývatn in the north. They even offer tours that also include Greenland too.

What’s also great is that they offer four different tiers of tour “styles” so that you can choose the level and price that suits your needs. “Basix” is the cheapest option and includes the most basic level accommodation with not many extra inclusions, while “Premium” tours are the most expensive and luxurious, as you’ll stay in 4-star accommodations and have more activities and meals included. “Original” and “Comfort” tour styles are somewhere in between the two.

Intrepid’s Iceland tours start at $1,600 for their 5-day Iceland Express Tour and go up to $7,100 for the nine-day Premium Iceland Tour.

3. Arctic Adventures

The award-winning Arctic Adventures is one of the biggest tour companies in Iceland, offering a huge range of one-day and multi-day tours. They also offer self-driving tours, where they provide you with a rental car, pre-booked accommodation, a detailed itinerary, and the option to join some guided day tours along the way. It’s a great option if you want to remove some of the stress and hassle of planning your own trip, but prefer to travel independently.

Its one-day tour options include all the main Icelandic sightseeing activities, like ice caves, snorkeling, glacier tours, and the popular Golden Circle route to Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot springs, and Gullfoss Waterfall. They have multi-day trips as well, including trekking tours where you’ll hike across Iceland’s stunning scenery accompanied by an experienced adventure guide.

Arctic Adventures’ full-day trips range in price from around $140 to $280. Their multi-day trips start at $432 USD for a two-day adventure, to an eight-day tour of the Ring Road for $2,434 USD.

4. Icelandic Mountains Guides

For 25 years, Icelandic Mountain Guides has focused on true adventure travel for very small groups, offering one-day and multi-day tours as well as courses on wilderness first aid and mountaineering if you’re interested in gaining some technical outdoor skills.

Its multi-day tours include more unique routes, like a five-day backpacking trek from Núpsstaðaskógur to Skaftafell, or a ten-day expedition across the Highlands starting from the northern town of Akureyri. They even offer ski touring packages. Prices for multi-day tours range from $542 USD for a two-day tour on the southern coast to $4,032 USD for a nine-day glacier expedition.

It also runs one-day tours to ice caves and glacier walk experiences, among others, leaving from Reykjavík, along with similar one-day adventures on the Sólheimajökull glacier on the south coast if you’re in the area and can meet them there. Day tour prices range from $77 USD for an all-day guided lava hike to $256 USD for a snowmobiling adventure on the south coast.

Icelandic Mountain Guides has a genuine conservation focus and holds a twice-yearly event where guides spend time planting trees. All of its day tours are carbon neutral, with a mission to make its multi-day tours carbon neutral in the future.

5. Iceland Horizon

Iceland Horizon offers a huge variety of single-day tours leaving from Reykjavík, Akureyri, and Lake Mývatn. Tour offerings include everything from the classic Golden Circle route to more adventurous snowmobiling and snowshoeing tours.

They’re a good choice for travelers who want to see the main sights and do fun activities but who don’t have access to their own vehicle. They run their small-group tours (always under 19 people) from a mini-bus (which has Wi-Fi), making it a comfortable way to see the sights without having to bother with renting your own car.

Expect to pay around $140 USD per person for a day trip. They also offer tailor-made tours, where you’ll work together with one of their local guides to create an itinerary just for you (pricing greatly varies based on what you want for your personalized tour).

6. Ride with Locals

Ride with Locals is a motorcycle tour company that takes you to the middle of nowhere on trails you wouldn’t access any other way, meaning you’ll see volcanoes, craters, and mountains that very few visitors to Iceland do, making your Iceland experience particularly unique. Its trips last between three days and a week and generally head inland, rather than hugging the coast like most tours.

The motorcycles are KTM 690R and Husqvarna 701 dual sport bikes, and all guides are really experienced with riding through Iceland’s highlands. Some trips use sleeping bags in mountain huts for accommodations (and include all the meals), while others include hotel stays with breakfast.

Costs range between about $4,000 USD for a three-day trip to $7,400 USD for an advanced seven-day expedition. This includes motorbike hire, fuel, accommodation, and some meals. Tours range in difficulty level (noted on the website), but keep in mind that these are only for experienced motorcyclists.

7. Midgard Adventures

Based in Southern Iceland, Midgard Adventures is a family-owned company that offers all sorts of fun and adventurous tours. Off-roading with jeeps, fat bike tours, hiking, snowmobiling, and glacier walks are all on offer here with tours led by family friends and local guides. They have both single-day tours as well as multi-day tours that stretch from 2-7 days (including seasonally-exclusive tours such as mountain biking the highlands in the summer).

Midgard also has its own hotel in Hvolsöllur that you can base yourself from, complete with restaurant, bar, rooftop hot tub, and a sauna (Hvolsöllur is around 90 minutes southeast of Reykjavik).

Prices start around $265 USD for a day tour. While not cheap, Midgard tours are high-quality and tons of fun. You won’t find the same cookie-cutter experiences here.

BONUS: Get Your Guide

If you can’t find the perfect Iceland tour for your trip above, you’ll undoubtedly be able to find it on GetYourGuide . This tour marketplace allows local tour operators to list their offerings, meaning that there’s a huge variety of tours to choose from here, from food tours in Reykjavik to whale watching tours in Húsavík , to multi-day adventures around the country.

Look for the “GetYourGuide Certified” logo for tours that have been vetted by GetYourGuide themselves, though you can also read reviews from previous tour participants to make sure that you sign up for a quality tour. You can even book admission tickets for attractions (like to the countless hot springs that you’ll undoubtedly be visiting) too.

Known as both the Land of Elves and the Land of Fire and Ice, Iceland is a destination like no other. There’s a lot packed into this island , and joining a tour is a great way to maximize your time and experience here.

From challenging multi-day hikes through some of the most scenic landscapes you’ll ever see, to gently exploring a glacier lagoon by boat or visiting puffin colonies, to wandering the streets of the quirky capital of Reykjavik , there’s an Icelandic tour company for you!

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Iceland!

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Iceland!

Want to plan the perfect trip to Iceland? Check out my comprehensive guide to Iceland written for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need. You’ll find suggested itineraries, tips, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, and my favorite non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, transportation tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.

Book Your Trip to Iceland: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

  • Safety Wing (best for everyone)
  • Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
  • Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Iceland? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to Iceland for even more planning tips!

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The 5 Best Golden Circle Tours From Reykjavik [2024 Reviews]

There’s a ton to see in the unique island of Iceland, though one of the most consistently popular routes is the Golden Circle.

The Golden Circle is the most comprehensive route to take if you want to see all kinds of geothermal activity, volcanoes, waterfalls, an UNESCO world heritage site, and so much more!

While you can definitely take it yourself, if you want to make the most of your experience, we highly recommend taking a tour. The tours are put on by locals who know this area very well, and are incredibly knowledgeable about the culture and history.

So, without further ado, we bring you the top Golden Circle tours available!

Be sure to see our reviews of Northern Lights Tours , Whale Watching Tours and ATV Tours .

Best Golden Circle Tours in Iceland

Quick answer: the 5 best rated iceland golden circle tours for 2024.

  • Private Tour of the Golden Circle from Reykjavik
  • Private Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik
  • Golden Circle Private Tour
  • Golden Circle Iceland Tour
  • Private Golden Circle Tour by Superjeep from Reykjavik

Iceland Golden Circle Tour Reviews

1. private tour of the golden circle from reykjavik.

  • Duration: 7 to 8 hours
  • Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Departure Time: Variety available
  • Includes:  Hotel/port pickup and drop-off in the capital area, private driver/guide, pure Icelandic bottled water, 4G WiFi in vehicle, Thingvellir National Park entry

The first tour on our guide offers an incredible time for everyone, regardless of age or background. If you’re looking to really see some of the most impressive natural wonders and learn about local history, then do yourself a favor and check this one out.

The Private Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik has everything covered for a convenient and memorable experience.

Lasting anywhere from 7 to 8 hours depending on traffic and weather, you’ll start off early in the morning. Hotel pickup is offered, so there’s no need to book transportation. They’ll come to you, so just be ready in the hotel lobby when they indicate.

The private guide is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, telling you all about the area as you pass by. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

The comfortable transport also comes with high-speed 4G wi-fi onboard, so you’ll remain in contact with others who aren’t on the trip and can upload photos and videos in real-time.

As this is a customized experience, you will tell your guide what your specific interests are so they can tailor the tour to them. You’ll start off driving through the magnificent Thingvellir National Park, which is famously the site of the world’s first democratic parliament, back when Vikings ruled.

Make a stop at Geysir, where you may even get to see Strokkur erupting! Have your camera ready for this show of electric-blue spray! Gullfoss, which is one of the largest waterfalls in the world, is next. After the natural wonders, stop at Skálholt, where Iceland had its first Episcopal See in 1065.

At this point, you’ve surely worked up an appetite, so stop at the Fridheimar greenhouse for a tasty local lunch.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, other experiences you may enjoy:, 2. private golden circle tour from reykjavik.

  • Duration: 7 hours
  • Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
  • Departure Time: Check with tour operator
  • Includes:  Private transportation, air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, WiFi on board

No need to go renting a car and driving around the winding roads of Iceland to see all the beautiful nature it has to offer.

Instead be picked up from your accommodations and roam around in comfort, with a luxury 4WD vehicle complete with wi-fi, air conditioning, and bottled water. If that sounds like fun to you, check out the Private Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik .

Lasting around 7 hours, this tour packs in a whole lot of sightseeing and learning about this interesting culture!

After being picked up, you’ll start heading towards Thingvellir National Park. As you travel, your guide will offer an educational commentary about everything you pass by as well as the park.

Once you arrive, you’ll already have a pretty good idea about what it holds. However, seeing it in person is something else!

Head to the edge of the North American plate, where it sits on one side of a valley opposite the Eurasian plate and Þingvalla Lake. Check out the spot where Icelandic parliament initially assembled, as well as other prevalent historical landmarks.

Next, you’ll see two impressive natural wonders: the exploding geothermal Geysir, as well as the towering Gullfoss Waterfall and the nearby canyon. Further on, sits the gorgeous Faxi waterfall, as well as the impressive Kerid Crater.

You’ll have the chance to walk down into it if you’d like, to get a better glimpse of the lake that sits in the bottom.

After all that trekking around, take a load off at the Efsti-Dalur 2 farm, where you’ll even get to try out the process of making ice cream. It’s harder than you’d think!

3. Golden Circle Private Tour

  • Duration: 1 to 10 hours (variety available)
  • Departure Time:  Check with tour operator
  • Includes:  Bottled water, air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, fees and taxes

While there are plenty of Golden Circle tours you can take in Iceland, many of them involve big groups of people. One of the best ways to see the area is by taking a private tour, such as the Golden Circle Private Tour .

This way, you get the guide all to yourselves for any questions you may have, and get to personalize it according to your top interests.

This one in particular is one group fee, and you can have up to 5 travelers included. This makes it wonderful if you are traveling with little ones or just want you and your family to go. The air-conditioned vehicle is very comfortable and has more than enough room for everyone.

This tour is so convenient because you get to choose your start time, within reason, of course. After all, this tour lasts quite a while and you don’t want to be driving around in the middle of the night.

Not only that, but they’ll pick you up from your hotel accommodations so you don’t have to do any driving.

Head to the fabled Thingvellir National Park, where you’ll see an old parliament site which is quite possibly the most important in all of Iceland. Also within the park are the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, where you even get to see the fault line between them!

Depending on your interests, your guide will also take you to various stunning natural wonders. The Gullfoss Waterfall should be on your agenda for the day, which is crystal-clear and enormous! As you check it out, your guide will fill you in on its history and how it came to be.

Geysir geothermal hot spring area is also fantastic to see, where the Strokkur hot spring lets loose an enormous jet of boiling water to fall through the air!

4. Iceland Golden Circle Tour

  • Duration: 6 to 8 hours
  • Includes:  Bottled water, WiFi on board, private transportation, parking fees, coffee and/or tea

No matter the time of year, the Golden Circle Iceland Tour is always a good idea! One of the reasons why it’s such a popular one, is due to their staff.

With an incredible attention to detail, great communication that begins right after booking, and vast knowledge about the country, you’re bound to have a great time.

Hotel pickup is included, so there’s no need to plan ahead in order to meet up at some other point beforehand. Lasting anywhere from 6 to 8 hours, it’s important to have a comfortable mode of transportation as you won’t always be walking around.

There’s quite a bit of sitting in-between different sites, so you’ll appreciate the padded/spacious seats. Air conditioning, bottled water, and wi-fi are all included as well so you’ll always be able to stay in touch and share your adventuring on social media.

Overall, you don’t have to worry about ever being uncomfortable or thinking, “are we there yet?!”. Your first stop of the morning will be at the gorgeous Kerid Crater/Selfoss. This crater, depending on the season, sports an array of colorful shades like dark red and green.

Sitting at the bottom is a beautiful turquoise lake, to perfectly contrast the surrounding tones. In the wintertime it is a bit more barren, but still impressive!

You’ll then see the Haukadalur valley which holds 1 of the 5 existing geyser fields on the entire planet! A wide variety of landscapes decorate the place, surrounded by steam and various hot springs full of pure Icelandic water. Some shoot water up to a whopping 30 meters high every few minutes!

After all that trekking, take a break for some local eats like their famous kjötsupa meat soup made with lamb. On a cooler day, this soup just hits the spot and recharges your adventuring battery right up.

After this, check out the impressive Gullfoss Waterfall/Golden Falls. As one of the most famous landmarks in the country, it sits in the middle of a mountain range, on a cliff. Walk through the clouds of water for the best view of the falls at the natural observation deck.

5. Private Golden Circle Tour by Superjeep from Reykjavik

  • Duration: 8 to 9 hours
  • Departure Time: 8:30 am
  • Includes:  Private tour, freedom to customize, National Park fees, transport by Land Rover Defender 4×4 Super Jeep, Jeeps equipped with leather seats, WIFI, GPS

We would be remiss to make a guide consisting of the best Golden Circle tours and not include this next gem. The Private Golden Circle Tour by Superjeep from Reykjavik is unlike any other you’ll find out there.

While you’ll get to see many of the same landmarks, traveling in a Super Jeep and with this crew is something special! Start off the day with a pickup at your hotel or accommodations. When you step out of the lobby, you’ll surely be a bit impressed at the unique form of transportation!

These well-maintained Jeeps involve massive wheels that move easily over the rugged (and often icy) Icelandic terrain. This means that your safety will never be put at risk, nor your comfort. Not to mention, they just look plain awesome!

Lasting 8 to 9 hours, you’ll get to see the Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss Waterfall. We’ve already spoken quite a bit about these spots, so we won’t keep repeating the same thing.

Make sure to look out your windows and enjoy the views of rolling hills, rivers, and local wildlife. After you check out the Golden Circle’s main attractions, you’ll all make a stop for some local cuisine and have some time to relax.

After this, you’ll get to see a spot not many tourists see: the Langjökull ice cap! This is the second-largest ice cap in the country. Follow it up by seeing the small-but-pretty Faxi waterfall.

As this is all customizable, make sure to tell your guide about your specific interests and what you’d like to see most.

Iceland Travel Guide

There are many reasons the Land of Fire and Ice has seen an explosion in tourism since 2019. Not only can you see the Northern Lights, active volcanoes, glaciers, and puffins, you can also relax in a geothermal spa and even bake bread inside a pot buried underground.

What you decide to do in this fascinating country is your choice, but you should take the time to do some research before you go. This guide is here to inform you where you can go, what you can do, and how you can get there, because we want you to have the best vacation of your life in Iceland.

Airports & Entry

Most visitors to Iceland arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF). Although Iceland only has a population of 359 thousand people, in 2018 this busy airport handled 9.8 million passengers. Despite the number of visitors, there is only one terminal. You will find the check-in times minimal, with an average 20-minute waiting time at the security check.

Inside the terminal, you will find everything clearly signposted in English. Charging points for cellphones and laptops are provided in the waiting area along with free Wi-Fi.

Strollers are provided for children, and there is a dedicated kids’ play area. The usual selection of food outlets and shops are found on the upper floor of the main building. Manned information stands are located throughout the airport.

It is 30 miles from the airport to Reykjavik, the capital city. The speed limit is 55 mph, but the drive usually takes 50 minutes due to traffic. Shuttle bus services link KEF to the city, which you can book in advance online or pay for at the airport.

Some hotels offer airport collection, and you should ask about that when you book your room. You can, of course, jump in a taxi at the airport, but it will be extremely expensive compared to the airport bus service. Car rental is available at the airport, but it is advisable to book in advance.

Planning Tips

With so many exciting things to do and see in Iceland, you’re guaranteed to have a great holiday. However, things do not always go to plan, so here are 5 tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Tip #1: If you want to see the Aurora Borealis, go between September and March

It’s easier to view the Northern Lights when the sky is at its darkest. In Iceland, the nights are especially long between September and March, but the sky doesn’t grow dark enough to view this magical phenomenon during the summer months. However, do not plan a visit around a full moon, because its light can dampen the impact of this natural light display. The best days to go are around the time of a new moon.

Tip #2: Check out the SolarHam website

If you are especially interested in the Aurora Borealis and want to earn your Geek Badge, check out the SolarHam website. This techy site provides a 3-day geomagnetic forecast, which is useful for aurora hunters to select the best time to view the Northern Lights. The same site provides a satellite map of where the natural light show is right now, so you can look up if you’re near.

Tip #3: Take your time to enjoy all the attractions of Iceland

There’s so much to see in Iceland, it would be a crime not to explore and experience as much as you are able in the time you have. While you are there, do not miss the opportunity to see so many unforgettable natural phenomena in one place.

A great way to see all the national parks is with a horseback riding tour ! There is nowhere else on the planet where you can see active volcanoes, glaciers, and icebergs, all in one national park. A great way to explore is with an ATV tour of the park .

Tip #4: Book everything in advance, especially in winter

Tourism is on the rise in Iceland, and hotel rooms, tours, and attractions get fully-booked ahead of time.  Don’t miss out on seeing the Northern Lights from the best vantage point possible because all the tours were booked-up before you arrived. Many tours like the ones detailed above offer a 24-hour-in-advance free cancellation, so you take no financial risk booking. Ask about free cancellation when buying your ticket.

Tip #5: Impress your friends with quintessentially Icelandic souvenirs

The budget chain store Bonus stocks many unique Icelandic products, such as Omnom chocolate, Icelandic specialty teas, herbal sea salt blends, and licorice mixed with chocolate. At Bonus, you can pick up great, inexpensive gifts for your friends! Vinbuoin, the state-run liquor store, sells a fine selection of renowned Icelandic spirits, including Iceland’s signature tipple, Brennivin.

And if you like to sort through other folks’ debris for the hidden treasures, a special weekend market is held at Kolaportio in downtown Reykjavik where Icelanders come to sell off their unwanted goods when moving to a new house. You could find anything!

Restaurants & Eating Out

Because of Iceland’s geographical position and climate, vegetables and grains are rare in traditional foods, and many famous dishes focus on preserved seafood or meat. Also, food was scarce in yesteryears, so every part of an animal or fish was eaten. You’ll find many traditional meals involve fish or meat that is salted, smoked, dried, or fermented. Watch out for such culinary delights as baked sheep’s head and fermented shark.

Seafood restaurants are common throughout Iceland, and all serve “fish of the day”, which is usually salmon, monkfish, haddock, or cod. However, if you wish, you can seek out some of the more exotic options. Humar is a kind of lobster caught off the south coast of Iceland, renowned for its tender and tasty flesh.

It is served fried, baked or grilled, though it can also be found as a pizza topping! Plokkfishkur is a fish stew, made to the chef’s specific recipe but usually combining white fish with onions, potatoes, milk, and flour. Harofiskur is a snack you can buy in any grocery store. It is dried stockfish, eaten with butter or straight out of a bag.

Because it is difficult to grow wheat in Iceland, there are many traditional varieties of rye bread, like flatkaka, baked in thin disks on hot stones. One variety of rye bread you should try is rugbrauo, a sweet-tasting, dark bread.

The reason rugbrauo is so interesting for visitors to Iceland is that a common baking technique is to bury a dough-filled pot near one of the many hot springs, such as Fontana Hot Springs, and use geothermal heat to bake the bread. Rugbrauo baked that way is also called hyerabrauo (hot-spring bread).

Icelanders don’t only eat fish and rye bread. Sheep are the most common livestock in Iceland, so lamb is often on the menu. Sheep wander freely around the countryside, eating seaweed, grass, and berries, which tends to make lamb tender with a mild flavor.

Smoked lamb is called hangikjöt and is often served boiled during the winter holidays. Also watch out for varieties of meat you won’t see in most other countries, like puffin, horse, and whale. Despite international concern over puffins and whales, they are still commonly consumed in Iceland.

A meal on vacation isn’t complete without dessert. Popular local sweets include rugbrauosis (rye bread ice cream), pönnukökur (Icelandic pancakes), and snuour (cinnamon bread covered in caramel or chocolate). A dairy product unique to Iceland is skyr.

It is a kind of sour milk cheese eaten like yogurt and often sweetened and flavored with fruit or vanilla.

Nightlife & Entertainment

With long, cold nights throughout the winter, it’s no surprise Icelanders love their nightlife, and much of it is centered where most of the people live—Reykjavik. Because the capital is so small, most of the clubs and bars are within walking distance of one another. In fact, many are along one street, Laugavegur, the commercial artery of downtown.

Most social venues are informal and entrance fees rare. When Icelanders go out for the night, they tend to begin late, and many clubs and bars don’t get busy until after midnight. This is in part because alcohol in bars is expensive, so locals drink at home before setting out.

Many clubs and bars stay open as late as 5 am. Cocktail bars are a recent addition to Iceland’s nightlife, but with the booming tourist trade, they are rapidly expanding.

And don’t worry too much about safety at night. In 2019, the Institute for Economics and Peace in Sydney ranked Iceland the most peaceful nation on Earth for the 12 th year running. Crime rates in Reykjavik are probably lower than anywhere you have ever lived.

Getting Around

Iceland is a small country covering an area slightly smaller than Kentucky. If you wanted to drive from Reykjavik on the west coast to Faskruosfjorour on the east coast, the 425 miles route would take only 8½ hours.

However, because of its small population outside of the capital, you cannot rely on public transport to go sightseeing around the country or reach the best place to view the northern lights. This leaves you with two options: hiring a car or booking a coach tour, like the 3-day Golden Circle tour detailed above.

Within the capital and its immediate area, you do have more options: bus, taxi, bicycle, or walk. The public bus service is inexpensive and efficient, and you can ask for help to find the right bus from your hotel reception. Given that Reykjavik is so small a city, taxis are affordable.

If you want a little exercise, bicycle rentals are available in many hotels, and the city is crisscrossed by dedicated bicycle paths. If you decide to walk, make sure you wrap up well. The weather can deteriorate rapidly in Iceland.

Accommodations

Over the past few years, Iceland has seen a huge expansion in tourism. With a 378% increase since 2010, hotel rooms fill up quickly. Through Christmas and summer, hotels are usually fully booked. Since 228 of Iceland’s 359 thousand citizens live within the capital and its immediate hinterland, settlements throughout the rest of Iceland are small and rooms for visitors limited. Most hotels are in the capital.

You will probably find it most convenient to stay in Reykjavik. You will find a broad range of hotels there, it is near the airport, and many of the attractions along with most of the nightlife are found there or nearby. Many organized tours to other parts of Iceland and major tourist attractions set out from Reykjavik, such as most of the Northern Lights tours detailed above.

Within the downtown and central area of Reykjavik you will find a choice of luxury hotels, like the Hotel Borg downtown and The Icelandair Hotel Marina, overlooking the harbor. If you head a little more out of the center, you’ll find more affordable hostels, such as The Capital Inn and Bus Hostel Reykjavik .

There are some popular hotels outside of the capital near to tourist attractions, such as Hotel Skaftafell in the Vatnajökull National Park, which offers spectacular views of Iceland’s largest mountain, or Skyrhusid Guesthouse near Lake Jökulsarion in the south. Wherever you decide to stay, the important thing is to book in advance. If you don’t, you will miss out on the best rooms.

Iceland is not the place to go if you want year-round sunshine and dry weather. In fact, on 22 nd December there are only 4 hours of daylight, because that is the shortest day. That’s great if you want to see the Aurora Borealis, since it can only be seen during dark nights, but not so good for other sightseeing. In contrast, the longest day boasts 21 hours of daylight, 21 st June.

The “warm” summer period covers June, July, and August, with an average daily high of 55 0 F and a low of 46 0 F. Yes, 55 0 F is their summer high! Summers are short and cloudy. The winter period covers November through March, two months longer than summer, and is cold, wet, windy, and overcast, with frequent snow. The average daily high drops to 35 0 F in January with a low of 27 0 F.

If your main interest is the Northern Lights, you should go anytime September through March, because the sky is dark enough to view those fantastic electromagnetic displays. If the Aurora Borealis does not interest you, you’ll get the warmest weather and longer days from the end of June to mid-August.

Attractions

The Northern Lights are not the only unique and fascinating attraction in Iceland. The Land of Fire and Ice is the best place in the world to see and experience the majesty and power of two extremes in Nature: glaciers and volcanoes.

12 miles from KEF is the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Here you can laze in pools of hot, milky blue water heated by a lava flow. Nearby stands the Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant, which uses superheated water from the lava flow to generate electricity and also provide heat for a municipal water heating system.

There are geothermal spas like the Blu Lagoon throughout Iceland, so wherever you choose to stay, you can find one near you and experience the power of molten rock.

If you are there in the winter, be sure to see the migrating whales. To have the best chance of see them, that a whale watching tour . The boat captains know the best places to go to see them.

If ice and Arctic landscapes interest you, head 140 miles east from Reykjavik to Vatnajökull National Park , which is centered on Vatnajökull glacier and the surrounding beautiful landscape. This park covers 14% of Iceland and is filled with glacial rivers and active volcanoes. To fully see it, take a tour of the glaciers and be sure to see the ice caves .

Vatnajökull glacier empties into the glacial lake of Jökulsarion in the south, where you can see 100-feet-tall icebergs freshly broken away from the glacier. Jökulsarion served as a setting in several major Hollywood movies. On your drive back to Reykjavik, you can see two beautiful waterfalls around Skogar. The first, Skogafoss, is an impressive waterfall and a popular destination for Icelandic day-trippers.

18 miles west of Skogafoss is picturesque Seljalandsfoss waterfall . A path allows sightseers to pass behind the curtain of water as it falls into the crystal-clear plunge pool.

If it’s man-made cultural and historical attractions you seek, you’ll find plenty to do and see around Reykjavik. The capital’s earliest history stretches back to 874, but it only became a true city in 1785.

Around Reykjavik, you’ll find an interesting assortment of museums and tourist attractions, like the National Museum of Iceland and the Reykjavik Maritime Museum.

A famous landmark visitors flock to see is the Hallgrimskirkja Church, which is the largest church in Iceland. This unique structure was designed by a local architect to resemble the glaciers and mountains of Iceland.

Tour Guides

The Private Tour of the Golden Circle from Reykjavik is our Editors Choice for the best Golden Circle tour

Robert Baker

Related articles, the 5 best stonehenge tours from london [2024 reviews], the 5 best wine tours from florence [2024 reviews], the 7 best vatican tours ⛪ [2024 reviews], the 5 best seine river dinner cruises [2024 reviews].

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Iceland Tour Companies

Looking for an unforgettable Iceland tour? Book a fully-organized trip with the best tour companies in Iceland and let the tour operator take care of everything for you. Check out the tour details and read 167085 reviews from our customers to help you choose the perfect tour for you.

List of Iceland travel companies & tour operators with 167085 reviews

G Adventures

G Adventures

best iceland tour companies reddit

  • Excellent - 19,094 reviews for Iceland tours
Great attention to detail. Enthusiast tour leader. Loved the adventure!
Comprehensive, accommodating to individual needs and desires, exceliernyt tour leader who was informed, informative, capable, intuitive, conscientious, and smart. Also, just a nice person whose company you enjoyed. Thank you.

Arctic Adventures

Arctic Adventures

best iceland tour companies reddit

  • Excellent - 1,284 reviews for Iceland tours
This was our first small group tour experience. We wanted to see all of Iceland and have some unique experiences. Arctic Adventures totally delivered. Siggy, our guide was fantastic. Informative and funny, he provided us with a wealth of information about Iceland and Icelandic culture. Every day of the 6 day tour was a 5 star experience. Highlights for me were the glacier and the Wilderness
Excellent tour. A little more room on the bus and a smoother ride would be great.

Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations

  • Excellent - 631 reviews for Iceland tours
Active and was able to see many sites on the tour. Our guide Lana from insight was amazing.
We really enjoyed 10 days and met very nice people in the tour group. This was our first rip to Iceland. We would like to come back again to visit missed places. Very good experiences to learn history, culture, and see people, unique landscape, powerful waterfalls, hot springs, even horses and sheep. Iceland is simply great nature.

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel

  • Excellent - 11,704 reviews for Iceland tours
Absolutely a fantastic trip on every way. Great trip leader. Stefan!
Wonderful leader Stefan Johansson. Food was great, fellow travelers fun and interesting van was very comfortable. And we saw the Northern Lights!

Receptivo Aborigen Tours

Receptivo Aborigen Tours

best iceland tour companies reddit

  • Good - 92 reviews for Iceland tours
  • This operator has no Iceland reviews

Agate Travel

Agate Travel

  • Excellent - 280 reviews for Iceland tours

Troll Expeditions

Troll Expeditions

  • Excellent - 33 reviews for Iceland tours
Fabulous 8 day winter tour round Iceland, packed with adventures and plenty of photo stops. Our excellent guide John was very informative and kept everyone to a tight schedule so we could maximise how many stops we could take. We had a great time with a lovely group of people and I would definitely recommend it.
AMAZING TOUR!! Every stop is worth it, and no matter that weather wasn't great, Dorota made a great effort to take us everywhere safe, once in a lifetime experience!!

GJ Travel

  • Excellent - 307 reviews for Iceland tours
Our guide Martina was excellent, she was the highlight of the trip for me! Martina was so knowledgeable about Iceland and really enhanced my experience of the country. Highly recommend this tour!
Thor was an excellent guide! We really enjoyed the whole trip

Bucket List Group Travel LLC

Bucket List Group Travel LL…

  • Excellent - 15 reviews for Iceland tours

Intrepid Premium

Intrepid Premium

  • Excellent - 320 reviews for Iceland tours
Fantastic! really loved it

On The Go Tours

On The Go Tours

  • Excellent - 2,954 reviews for Iceland tours
Our guide, Martina, was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, caring and totally involved in all activities making the tour a truly memorable experience.
This was a masterful tour and I will never forget it

Wingbuddy

  • Excellent - 1,274 reviews for Iceland tours
Enjoyed the trip and arrangements very much. Will use Wingbuddy again.
I would like to add that to FlyBus Reykjavik Excursions were exceptional!! I highly recommend the!!

Iceland Travel

Iceland Travel

  • Excellent - 87 reviews for Iceland tours
Iceland has so much natural attractions to offer. My wife and I have traveled extensively and Iceland stands out.
Had an amazing trip through southern Iceland. Local guide and driver made it a very fun and authentic experience. For a shorter length trip it still felt like we saw a lot.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tou…

  • Excellent - 35 reviews for Iceland tours

journaway

  • Excellent - 75 reviews for Iceland tours
Die vielen Empfehlungen meiner Freund*innnen und Bekannten, haben nicht zuviel versprochen, ich bin begeistert von dem Support durch journaway und von der toll organisierten Reise!
Wir waren zum Ersten mal in Island und haben auch zum Ersten mal eine Reise über Journaway gebucht. Vom Hinflug bis hin zur Rückreise müssen wir wirklich sagen, dass alles wunderbar geklappt hat. Wir hatten nicht einmal ein Problem mit Buchungen o.ä. und können einfach nicht aufhören, über Island zu schwärmen. Wir sind wirklich begeistert von diesem Reiseanbieter und können eine solche Reise über Journaway nur jedem weiter empfehlen.

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10 Best Iceland Tour Operators 2024 [Unbiased & With Reviews]

10 best iceland tour operators 2024.

Are you planning to visit Iceland, but unsure which tour provider to select? Now, you no longer have to waste time searching the internet and filling out dozens of contact forms. Simply fill out ONE form, we’ll send it off to multiple tour providers and they’ll contact YOU! You’ll be able to compare rates and find the lowest cost tour for the most affordable trip abroad.

Get Free Quotes From 10 Best Iceland Tour Operators

Have you wanted to explore the magnificent landscapes in Iceland? Do you want to have a life-changing adventure with a top-rated Iceland tour operator ? Are you wondering how to find affordable and top-notch tours to Iceland?

Iceland is an island of remarkable landscapes where rivers run through the deserts while molten lava casually erupts from ice. The country is known for its contrasting scenes where the natural elements dance between poles during the long winters, and in summer, the sun never sets. Iceland is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise as a country perpetually covered in snow and the most volcanic-active region in the world. Also known as the land of myths and legends, you can find underground caves, glittering glaciers, and scenic national parks full of wild reindeer.

While it may seem like a candid task to find the best tour company to guide you during your trip abroad, finding and selecting the best tour company in Iceland can get very complicated. When you search for prospects, you will find pages upon pages of great possibilities to visit Iceland. All these options will also have different costs, tour packages, and expertise in the Iceland tourism industry. Devoting your time and hard-earned money to an agency without having all the information or doing thorough research can result in you having a disastrous Iceland tour.

TravellersQuest ‘s goal is for you to invest in a company that only gives you a safe, fun, and fulfilling trip abroad. Thankfully, we have a seamless solution to help you achieve your dream tour to Iceland, giving you more than you could have anticipated. Our research team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of best Iceland tour companies by comparing their prices, the quality of their tour packages, and their online reviews. We have therefore put together this great and reliable list of best tour companies in Iceland.

Here is an unbiased list of the Top 10 highly rated and professional tour providers in Iceland.

Table update Feb 15, 2024

Dive.Is is one of the best tour companies in Iceland that provides detailed and enjoyable diving tours and activities in Iceland’s pristine waters. Their aim is to fulfill the highest standards in diving tours, equipment, safety and environmental responsibility. Since 1997, they have continuously worked on becoming the leading dive center in Iceland while setting new standards for recreational diving and other activities. Your trip to Iceland will become a whole lot enjoyable with Dive.Is at your side.

 Dive.Is Best Iceland Tour Packages

The team at Dive.Is will amaze you with their tour packages that focus on personalized service and comfort. Start with their famous Diving Silfra Day Tour and swim in the crystal clear glacier waters. With high visibility, you will get a unique opportunity to admire one of the best underwater sceneries on Earth.

If you want to see marine life in action, consider taking their Gardur Ocean Diver Tour . On this shore dive, you will see massive kelp forests, colorful algae and a variety of marine life that call the ocean their home.

Also, you can go on a 2 day diving tour around Reykjavik . Explore 3 different dive sites in the Akranes region and explore the beautiful diversity that the North Atlantic has to offer.

Dive.Is Reviews

Dive.Is remains as the top tour operator in Iceland with tons of satisfied reviews from its customers. This company has 12,032 reviews on TripAdvisor and is ranked as #1 of 331 Outdoor Activities in Reykjavik. They were awarded the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. A past client of theirs wrote:

I did a drysuit dive on a blustery winter day. Henry was my guide and he was fantastic. I felt very taken care of the entire time. Henry and his team helped me… Emily B

Read all reviews of Dive.Is on TripAdvisor .

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Wake Up Reykjavik

Wake Up Reykjavik is a travel company dedicated to enhancing the experiences of visitors to Iceland by providing engaging local tours focused on exploring Reykjavik in a fun and immersive manner. Founded in 2014 by a team of locals, the company gained worldwide recognition for its superbly-crafted food tours that showcased Icelandic gastronomy.  With a commitment to showcasing authentic Icelandic culture and fostering connections among travelers, Wake Up Reykjavik has risen to become one of the highest-reviewed tour operators in Iceland.

Wake Up Reykjavik Best Iceland Tour Packages

Wake Up Reykjavik’s tour packages are a mix of fun activities, cultural immersion and delicious tasting food. Start with their popular Reykjavik Food Tour and enjoy special delicacies like Icelandic Lamb and Fresh Icelandic Fish. You will also visit popular landmarks while enjoying home-made Icelandic ice-cream made from a secret recipe.

Fulfill a life-long dream and go view the Northern Lights in their Northern Lights Tour . Experience this absolutely breathtaking natural phenomenon while sipping on hot chocolate with a local expert at your side.

Also, go on a Golden Circle Tour for a highlight of Icelandic nature at its best. You will see the Golden Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park, Kerið Volcanic Crater and many erupting geothermal geyser on this tour.

Wake Up Reykjavik Reviews

Wake Up Reykjavik has certainly turned some heads with their excellent service. This Icelandic travel agency has 10,654 reviews on TripAdvisor and is ranked as #1 of 546 Tours & Activities in Reykjavik. They also received the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. A past customer wrote:

Tómas was our guide for our food walk. He was very knowledgeable about Iceland and food. He was a great guide!! He went above and beyond… Swazigal

Read all reviews of Wake Up Reykjavik on TripAdvisor .

Troll Expeditions

Troll Expeditions

Founded in 2016 as a small tour company meant to share the spirit of adventure, Troll Expeditions has grown since then to become one of the highest-rated travel agencies in Iceland. As their customer pool grew year by year, they never stayed stagnant and continuously updated their tours, vehicles and services. The awesome tour guides working at Troll Expeditions all share a commitment to fun and professionalism. Together, they invite you to experience the wonders of Iceland with them.

Troll Expeditions Best Iceland Tour Packages

Whether you are a solo traveler or traveling with family and friends, Troll Expeditions has a wide selection of tour packages for you to choose from. For a breathtaking nature-trip, you can go on their Katla Volcano Ice Cave Tour . This 3-hour tour features a wonderful expedition into an ice cave made up of stunning ice formations of various color and shapes at the foot of the Katla Volcano.

Don’t miss out on a unique opportunity to go snorkeling in Silfra . This tour will let you explore a massive crack between Earth’s tectonic plates while you swim in one of the cleanest water sources on Earth.

If you have time to spare, you can go on their 8 days circuit trip around Iceland . Join Troll Expeditions on a minibus as they take you on all of the country’s popular destinations from Reykjavik to Golden Circle.

Troll Expeditions Reviews

Being one of the best Icelandic tour companies, Troll Expeditions’ services are admirable and near-flawless in execution. The company has over 8,000 reviews on TripAdvisor and is ranked as #1 of 32 Nature & Parks in Reykjavik. They also received the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023 for their unrelenting efforts. A satisfied customer said this about them:

Had the trip of a lifetime on the 8 day ring road tour around Iceland. Our local guide Jóhann made the experience unforgettable – he was knowledgeable, friendly… Alice

Read all reviews of Troll Expeditions on TripAdvisor .

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Glacier Adventure

Founded and operated by a small family in Iceland, Glacier Adventure provides specialized tours of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. This unique tour operator in Iceland offers a variety of services from glacier hikes to high peak tours. They operate both winter and summer tour experiences and always make sure that their travelers are well-taken care of. With a focus on safety and passion, they are dedicated to showcasing you the ever-changing beauty of Iceland’s glaciers.

Glacier Adventure Best Iceland Tour Packages

Glacier Adventure offers a wide variety of tour packages that you can choose according to your interests and liking. For a thrilling yet enchanting option, choose their Vatnajökull Glacier Walk . Maneuver around small cracks and crevices and admire the beautiful ice formations while learning about the glacier’s formation and history.

For an adventurous day in the icy wilderness, you can go on their Ice Climbing Tour . You will be equipped with crampons, ice picks and a professional tour guide will follow you as you climb the glacier.

Take a dip in icy waters on their Jökulsárlón Glacier Kayaking Tour . You will paddle around floating icebergs while seeing magnificent glaciers, ice caps and various kinds of seals and birds.

Glacier Adventure Reviews

Glacier Adventure is one of the best Icelandic tour operators with many years of experience in the field .The company has 1,482 reviews on TripAdvisor and is ranked as #1 of 18 Tours & Activities in Hofn. They earned the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023 through their unique services. A customer who recently visited them wrote:

This hike had to have been one of the highlights to our trip to Iceland. Our guide accidentally booked the hike and cave as opposed to just the cave and the hike on… Anna Maria C

Read all reviews of Glacier Adventure on TripAdvisor .

Adventure Vikings

Adventure Vikings

As a premier activity and adventure tour operator in Iceland, Adventure Vikings was established in 2010 with the sole purpose of bringing you tours of the diverse landscapes of Iceland. The company specializes in small group tours, providing participants with intimate and personalized experiences. Led by friendly and professional guides, the company ensures that their travelers have the best experience of Iceland’s stunning natural wonders. Adventure Vikings invites travelers to join them for an unforgettable journey through Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes.

Adventure Vikings Best Iceland Tour Packages

Tour packages from Adventure Vikings are well-known for their perfect blend of sight-seeing, activities and relaxation. Snorkel in a wetsuit in the crystal clear waters of Silfra. This company is the only one offering wet-suit options so that your experience of the exotic nature of this underwater fissure becomes even more thrilling!

Visit one of the most renowned attractions of the country in their Golden Circle tour package . You will discover unique wonders of Iceland by starting at the Thingvellir National Park. Explore Iceland’s volcanic attractions and finish with a relaxing bath at Sky Lagoon.

The company also offers a private hike of Reykjadalur . This is a geothermal area where you will be surrounded by beautiful natural wonders and you can even swim in the warm water rivers that flow there!

Adventure Vikings Reviews

Adventure Vikings has an impressive track record of many satisfactory reviews from its clients. This Icelandic tour operator has 2,126 reviews on TripAdvisor and is ranked as #2 of 54 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Reykjavik. They are also recipients of the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award of 2023. A satisfied customer wrote:

The view from the water of the sunset was just as incredible as the view of the underwater architecture! Dory and Louis were fantastic, ensuring we were safe and as dry, warm… Corey M

Read all reviews of Adventure Vikings on TripAdvisor .

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Your Day Tours

Your Day Tours

Your Day Tours  is a multi-award winning family-owned Iceland tour company based in Reykjavik. The company specializes in high-end travel tours of Iceland at affordable prices with the utmost safety precautions. The expeditions are offered in small groups, with a mission to show you all the hidden gems along with the best personal service so that your vacation in Iceland will be as memorable as possible. Your Day Tours’ guides are mostly family members with years of experience and they know their country inside out!

Your Day Tours Best Iceland Tour Packages

Your Day Tour offers high-quality package tours to Iceland, and they are well suited for any traveler, including families, couples, or individuals. Experience the South Coast of Iceland by taking their South Coast Day Tour and see the spectacular floating icebergs in Jokulsarlon and the Skaftafell National Park.

Take a tour to  Secret Lagoon  to see stunning sceneries that bring out the area’s true beauty on a well-conditioned and comfortable jeep. Many visitors flock to see this hotspot of geothermal activity every year!

For an amazing day of ever-changing landscapes, join their tour of  Thingvellir National Park  with a local expert guide to see ice caves, lava falls, and the spectacular continental rift created by drifting tectonic plates.

Your Day Tours Reviews

This small tour company in Iceland has taken the travel industry by storm through their well-crafted tour packages and customer pleasing services. With 5,941 reviews on TripAdvisor, they are ranked as #3 of 331 Outdoor Activities in Reykjavik. They were awarded the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. A recent customer of theirs wrote:

A great day. One to be remembered with some amazing sights. The weather was truly awful for driving but our guide, Thor, did a great job of keeping us safe… Sherry

Read all reviews of Your Day Tours on TripAdvisor .

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Hidden Iceland

Hidden Iceland

Hidden Iceland  is a boutique travel agency in Iceland that specializes in small group tours with personalized tour services. The company was established by young experts and they work with passionate and experienced guides who design well-crafted tours that are truly unforgettable. Their philosophy and goal is to be the most trusted and dependable tour company while also working to help local communities. Hidden Iceland believes their superior services will make your trip into an unforgettable experience no matter what you choose to do in Iceland.

Hidden Iceland Best Iceland Tour Packages

You can choose from many vacation tour packages with Hidden Iceland, and they will personalize any tour to fit what you are searching for. You can join any of their many Iceland Glacier Tours, but the most popular is the South Coast Fire and Ice Trip . This tour is action-packed, featuring the best parts of the south coast, including massive glaciers, waterfalls, volcanic black sandy beaches, and the world-famous volcanoes.

On the  Private Golden Circle Platinum Tour , you will hunt for the northern lights with a perfect combination of relaxation adventures featuring Iceland’s renowned Golden Circle area.

Travel to vibrant areas in the south of Iceland on their exclusive  UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour . You will discover vast lava fields, visible tectonic shifts, volcanoes, glaciers, archipelagos, and rock formations in this tour.

Hidden Iceland Reviews

Hidden Iceland is well-respected in the industry because of their stellar and updated services. As one of the top-rated tour companies in Iceland, they have 1,181 reviews on TripAdvisor and are ranked as #3 of 546 Tours & Activities in Reykjavik. They were recently awarded the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. A satisfied customer wrote:

Iceland blew my mind. Everything about it. The sunrises, the sunsets, the waterfalls, volcanos and glaciers. Each day of our 4 days got better… Ben C

Read all reviews of Hidden Iceland on TripAdvisor .

CityWalk Reykjavik

CityWalk Reykjavik

CityWalk Reykjavik  is a highly rated tour company established in 2014 that swiftly evolved into one of the best Icelandic tour companies that hosts thousands of visitors every month. They specialize in free classic tours and unique guided free walking tours in Reykjavík. The company is renowned and has been featured in international blogs and leading travel social media platforms. Furthermore, CityWalk Reykjavik is popular for their cost-effective service, professional guides, and quality tour packages in Iceland.  Join them for a life-changing vacation abroad!

CityWalk Reykjavik Best Iceland Tour Packages

Your trip to Iceland will only get better with any of CityWalk Reykjavik’s wonderful tour packages to Iceland for great adventures. Start with their Free Walking Tour of Reykjavik for a delightful day seeing city sights like the Parliament building, Harpa concert hall and many more. The guides will engage you in stories of elves, Vikings, music and culture.

The  Golden Circle Classic  is a best-selling tour that will allow you to see the iconic erupting geyser and hot springs, discover the mighty Gullfoss Waterfalls, and learn the ancient history of the Vikings. 

The company also offers tailor-made private tours that suit your needs and interests. You can choose the places you visit and the themes of the tours themselves.

CityWalk Reykjavik Reviews

As a leading free-walking tour operator in Iceland, the company’s tours and packages have been liked and praised by many. They have over 5,700 reviews on TripAdvisor and are ranked as #4 of 545 Tours & Activities in Reykjavik. They were awarded the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. A past customer wrote this about them:

Amazing tour! Mo was our guide today and the mix of history, culture, and comedy made this an awesome experience. Learned and laughed a lot… Charlotte C

Read all reviews of CityWak Reykjavik on TripAdvisor .

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Icelandic Mountain Guides

Believing that guiding is more of a way of life than just simple employment, a group of 4 passionate mountaineering guides launched Icelandic Mountain Guides in 1994. As a premier adventure tour operator in Iceland, the company is guided by a commitment to safety, expertise and environmental sustainability. Their team is made up of passionate individuals well-versed in a lifestyle of adventure and wilderness exploration. Together, they invite you on a once-in-a-lifetime trip of Iceland’s magical wonders.

Iceland Mountain Guides Best Iceland Tour Packages

You can choose from a wide selection of wonderfully-crafted tour packages that will ensure a hearty experience in Iceland. Adventure cannot get better than being able to go snowboarding on Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Their professional guides will ensure your safety as you mount your snowmobile up the glacier to admire the breathtaking panoramic views from atop.

Also go on their Blue Ice Glacier Hike for a mystical walking experience. You will go deep into the icy wonders of Skaftafell and explore the solitary icy wilderness.

You must not miss out on their Classic Laugavegur Trek which is one of the best hiking trails in the world. From geothermal hotspots to black sand deserts and majestic canyons, this tour is a delicious treat for the eyes, full of wonderful scenery and atmosphere.

Iceland Mountain Guides Reviews

As pioneers of glacier exploration and glacier walks, Iceland Mountain Guides has never let its customers down. This tour company in Iceland has 2,316 reviews on TripAdvisor and is ranked as #4 of 54 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Reykjavik. They also received the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. See what a recent client of theirs wrote about them:

Kaspar was great at taking us ice climbing on the glacier. The experience was a lot of fun and the setting is beautiful, even though a lot of the glacier was covered with snow… AliceC0202

Read all reviews of Iceland Mountain Guides on TripAdvisor .

Superjeep.is

Superjeep.is

Operating out of Reykjavik,  Superjeep.is  is arguably one of the best tour companies in Iceland, with professional guides and highly rated tour packages. With years of experience in the tourism industry, the company specializes in transport, offering 4×4 Land Rover Defender and Ford Excursion. They deliver the most affordable and safest tailor-made private tours and have been awarded the certificate of excellence by TripAdvisor for seven years in a row.

Superjeep.is Best Iceland Tour Packages

No matter which tour option you choose, you can be sure of traveling in style for a dream vacation in Iceland. Their  Northern Lights Superjeep Tour  takes you to experience a unique natural phenomenon in the world. Experience the wonders of the Icelandic nature in the night while sipping on hot chocolate and volcanic vodka.

For the best outdoors experience, take the Iceland  Private Golden Circle and Langjokull Glacier  tour and visit Thingvellir National Park, where the Icelandic parliament was created 1000 years ago.

Similarly, on their  South Coast Day Tour , Superjeep.is will take you to see Katla Ice Cave with its enchanting icy wonders and also discover blue ice that is over 800 years old on your trip.

Superjeep.is Reviews

Superjeep.is has 2,466 reviews on TripAdvisor making it one of the best and top-rated tour operators in Iceland. The company is ranked as #8 of 331 Outdoor Activities in Reykjavik and they have also received the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. A customer who recently went on their tours wrote:

These guys went out of their way to make sure we had the best possible experience. The driver was lovely and knowledgeable and the team were determined… Debbie O

Read all reviews of Superjeep.is on TripAdvisor .

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The best time to visit Iceland is between the months of September to March. This is the prime time if you want to see the breathtaking sights of the world-famous Northern Lights. Also, Iceland will have its festivities during this time allowing you a closer look into Icelandic culture.

Iceland’s most popular tours are the Northern Lights Tour with Photo Opportunity, the Reykjavik Food Tour provided by Wake Up Reykjavik, the Golden Circle round trip and the South Cost Full Day Tour.

Iceland is a vast country full of magical wonders and natural beauty. If you want a tour of all the popular attractions then 1 week is ideal. However, a trip of up to 3 weeks will truly let you soak in Icelandic culture and its breathtaking beauty all at once.

Iceland is the least-populated country in Europe and it has vast areas of wilderness that you will enjoy exploring. From the bustling hub in Reykjavik to the icy glaciers and ice caps of North Iceland, Iceland is known for its natural beauty and alluring wonders.

Popular food items in Iceland include the Icelandic Fish, Kleinur, Bragdarefur, Hakarl, Svid, Pylsa, Skyr, and Flatkaka Með Hangikjöti. Furthermore, Icelandic hot chocolate and volcanic vodka is a special treat for first-time visitors.

THE 10 BEST Iceland Tours & Excursions

Iceland tours.

  • Ports of Call Tours
  • Sightseeing Tours
  • Walking Tours
  • Up to 1 hour
  • 1 to 4 hours
  • 4 hours to 1 day
  • 5.0 of 5 bubbles
  • 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • Likely to Sell Out
  • Special Offers
  • The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

best iceland tour companies reddit

1. Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland

best iceland tour companies reddit

2. Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik

best iceland tour companies reddit

3. Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket and Kerid Volcanic Crater

best iceland tour companies reddit

4. #1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos

best iceland tour companies reddit

5. Silfra: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates - meet on location

best iceland tour companies reddit

6. The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik

best iceland tour companies reddit

7. Dynjandi Waterfall & Iceland Farm Visit Tour

best iceland tour companies reddit

8. 3,5-Hour Sightseeing Tour To Dynjandi Waterfall

best iceland tour companies reddit

9. Isafjordur Hop-on, Hop-off Cruise Ship Shuttle bus

best iceland tour companies reddit

10. Lake Myvatn, Hot-Springs & Godafoss Waterfall Tour from Akureyri

best iceland tour companies reddit

11. Golden Circle, Volcano Crater and Blue Lagoon Small-Group Tour

best iceland tour companies reddit

12. Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Full Day Tour from Reykjavik by Minibus

best iceland tour companies reddit

13. Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

best iceland tour companies reddit

14. Golden Circle Classic Day Tour from Reykjavik

best iceland tour companies reddit

15. Golden Circle Full Day Tour from Reykjavik by Minibus

best iceland tour companies reddit

16. South Iceland Glaciers, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach Day Tour from Reykjavik

best iceland tour companies reddit

17. Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach Tour

best iceland tour companies reddit

18. Katla Ice cave from Vik

best iceland tour companies reddit

19. Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Kerid Crater Tour from Reykjavik

best iceland tour companies reddit

20. Enchanted Northern Lights: Hot chocolate & Photos - Small Group!

best iceland tour companies reddit

21. New Volcano Eruption Area Helicopter Tour in Iceland

best iceland tour companies reddit

22. Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull

best iceland tour companies reddit

23. Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik

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24. Reykjavik Walking Tour - Walk with a Viking

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25. Golden Circle with Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Trip from Reykjavik

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26. Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour - Icelandic Traditional Food

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27. Puffin and Volcano Minibus Tour - Guided by Ebbi

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28. Whale Watching in Húsavík with Friends of Moby Dick

best iceland tour companies reddit

29. Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht Cruise

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30. Twin Peaks ATV Iceland Adventure from Reykjavik

What travelers are saying.

Andy S

Full Suitcase Travel Blog

13 Absolute Best Iceland Tours & Day Trips (All Seasons)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: September 12, 2023

13 Absolute Best Iceland Tours & Day Trips (All Seasons)

Visiting Iceland soon and planning to take guided tours, but are not sure which Iceland tours are best and worth your time the most? In this article, you’ll find our hand-picked selection of the best tours in Iceland . Whether you are making a short stopover in Reykjavik or are traveling around the whole country, this list should help you plan your trip. Find out!

If you are visiting Iceland for the first time, it might be difficult to decide where to go first. Therefore I made this selection of the very best and most popular day tours in Iceland:  best day trips from Reykjavik, most popular wildlife excursions, and also tours in the North of Iceland… It will give you a good idea of what Iceland’s must-see places are and what to expect. Most of these tours and guided trips are available the whole year round; some – are seasonal.

Good to know: Most tours in this selection can be done as a day trip from Reykjavik, but some tours depart from other locations. In this article, we focus on  the best Iceland tours for all seasons. If you are interested in winter tours ( Northern Lights in Iceland , ice caves, snowmobile tours, etc), check out our guide to the best winter tours and day trips from Reykjavik .

If you rather explore Iceland on a self-drive trip (recommended, definitely in summer), check our Iceland itinerary suggestions .  But even if you are exploring Iceland by car, you may still want to look into booking a whale-watching excursion, visiting the Blue Lagoon , Sky Lagoon , etc.

Most tours I selected here are bookable through GetYourGuide – our #1 choice when it comes to booking guided tours and excursions for our trips. The reason is simple – they have an excellent reputation, great customer service, competitive prices, and FREE 24 hr cancelation.

For each tour, I also give some practical details to help you plan your trip. Find out!

Did you know that… The most popular ‘tour’ booked in Iceland is the airport transfer to the city . With taxis charging ten times the price of the bus, I strongly recommend you book a bus transfer as well. Check here for more information about the best way to get to Reykjavik from Keflavik airport .

Best Tours in Iceland – OVERVIEW

  • Golden Circle
  • Blue Lagoon & other geothermal baths
  • South Coast
  • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  • Snæfellsnes Peninsula
  • Whale watching
  • Puffin tours
  • Silfra snorkeling tours
  • Icelandic horse riding
  • Glacier hiking
  • Lake Mývatn and Dettifoss Waterfall
  • Icelandic Highlands (summer only)
  • More great tours and day trips in Iceland: lava caves, snowmobiling, volcano…

TIP: We list the most popular tours in Iceland first, so if you are short on time, start with the top of this list and you’ll be sure to cover all the must-sees.

These are the best Iceland tours:

1. Golden Circle

Golden Circle is the no. 1 must-see place in Iceland. Whether you are visiting for a day or for two weeks, no trip to Iceland would be complete without visiting the Golden Circle.

Golden Circle is an area that comprises three famous landmarks – the Geysir area, Gullfoss waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park. Due to its proximity to Reykjavik, this is by far the most popular tour in Iceland.

You can visit Golden Circle by car, or you can opt for one of the many available guided tours from Reykjavik. Below are some of the very best options:

  • Golden Circle Full-Day Grand Tour with Kerid Crater from Reykjavik – the most popular Golden Circle tour
  • Full Day Premium Golden Circle Tour by Minibus – best small-group tour
  • Golden Circle Afternoon Tour – see the main highlights in half a day

All seasons Departs from Reykjavik

Iceland trip itinerary suggestions - from one day to two weeks

2. Blue Lagoon and other geothermal baths

The Blue Lagoon is an outdoor geothermal spa close to Reykjavik and Keflavik airport. It is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland and you really have to book tickets in advance . Blue Lagoon is located about 30-40 minutes drive from Reykjavik city center. So unless you have a car it’s best to book a bus transfer from Reykjavik .

TIP: Recently, a new geothermal pool was opened in Iceland, just next to the city. It’s called Sky Lagoon and looks absolutely amazing! You can easily visit from the city by booking this tour which includes bus transfer and entrance tickets . If you have a car, you can also easily drive there and just book the entrance tickets . Check it out – the views are incredible!

There’s also another less touristy (and cheaper) geothermal pool near Reykjavik – Secret Lagoon . Another great option is  Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths .

You can also visit these geothermal baths with a guided tour, usually in combination with the Golden Circle:

  • Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon Small Group Tour
  • Secret Lagoon Early Access & Golden Circle
  • Golden Circle and Fontana Wellness Tour

Blue Lagoon spa - the most popular excursion in Iceland

3. South Coast Tours

Iceland’s South Coast is another highlight that you must see. It is easily doable as a day trip from Reykjavik and is, therefore, a very popular trip. In fact, south coast tours are the most popular tours in Iceland.

You will visit the famous waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, Reynisfjara black sand beach and the nearby Vik village, Sólheimajökull glacier, and more.

Here are the best-rated south coast tours:

  • South of Iceland Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik – the most popular South Coast tour.
  • South Coast Classic: Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik . This popular tour is the best option for families: kids under 12 travel free and 12-15-year-olds pay half the price.
  • Iceland’s South Coast Day Tour by Minibus . This tour is a bit more expensive, but traveling with a small group has many benefits.

All seasons Departs from Reykjavik 

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do on the South Coast of Iceland

Skogafoss waterfall along Iceland's south coast

4. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the adjacent Diamond Beach is my favorite place in Iceland. However, it’s located quite far from Reykjavik. So it requires a full day trip with many hours of driving if you decide to visit it with a day tour.

I wouldn’t advise doing this trip in just one day unless you are really short on time. But if you only have a day to spare and want to see this stunning glacial lagoon, then yes, it is possible to visit Jokulsarlon as a day trip from Reykjavik.

In summer, the days are long and this trip will be very different than in winter, giving you more chances to admire the beautiful South Coast along the way. If you are visiting in winter, consider a 2-day tour instead. That way, you get to see the South Coast and possibly also visit an ice cave.

Despite the long drive, a day trip to Jokulsarlon is one of the most popular tours in Iceland and the customer reviews are great. Below are the best Jokulsarlon tours from Reykjavik:

  • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik – the most popular bus tour.
  • South Coast & Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon – small group tour.

Iceland winter wonderland - icebergs on Jokulsarlon beach in winter

5. Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Another long day trip from Reykjavik, a visit to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is an unforgettable experience. If you are looking for the best, must-do tours that you can do in Iceland in any season, this is one of those places that are absolutely worth your time.

Here are the best tours of Snaefellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavik:

  • Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full- Day Tour from Reykjavik – the most popular option.
  • Snaefellsnes Peninsula Premium Small Group Tour – the best small group tour.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Iceland tours - Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Now that we covered all the must-see places that you really should try to see in Iceland, below are more amazing tours that will make your trip even more special. Take a look!

6. Whale-watching tours

There are several places where you can go whale watching in Iceland. The most popular are Reykjavik and Husavik (North of Iceland), but there are some other great options as well.

Reykjavik whale-watching tours are available the whole year, but please note that the best time to see whales in Iceland is from April through September. The best place to see whales in Iceland is up North, with Husavik often called the whale-watching capital of Iceland.

Here are the best whale-watching tours in Iceland:

  • Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik . There are several options in Reykjavik, but this tour is the most popular and has the best ratings. It’s also one of the most affordable options that I found. This tour runs in all seasons.
  • Traditional Whale Watching Tour from Husavik – the best tour in Husavik. Summer only.
  • Original Big Whale Safari & Puffin Island Tour by RIB speedboat – a good option from Husavik for those who tend to get seasick on a regular boat and want to get closer to the whales.

Mid-March through November Departs from Reykjavik or from Husavik (1h15 drive from Akureyri)

Whale watching tour in Iceland

7. Puffin tours

No summer trip to Iceland would be complete without seeing the puffins. There are some land-based trips, but if you are looking to do tours, the best use of your time is to combine puffin tours with whale watching. Here are the best options:

  • Puffin Watching Boat Tour – the most popular option.
  • Combo: Puffin Cruise & Whale-Watching Tour – they also explicitly look for whales.
  • Small-Group Puffin Watching RIB Cruise – ideal for those who are short on time.

May till Mid August Departs from Reykjavik

  • Húsavík Whale Watching and Puffins
  • Húsavík: Big Whale Safari & Puffin Island Tour by RIB speed boat

April/May till August/October Departs from Husavik  (1h15 driving from Akureyri)

Iceland tours to see puffins

8. Silfra snorkeling tours

Silfra is one of the top diving sites in the world, but even if you don’t dive, you can explore the bright blue and crystal clear waters with incredible visibility of up to 100 meters.

  • Silfra Fissure Snorkeling – the most popular tour that includes pick-up in Reykjavik
  • Silfra Fissure Snorkeling Tour with Underwater Photos – the most popular tour that starts in Thingvellir National Park

All seasons Departs from Thingvellir NP or Reykjavik (optional at extra cost).

Best combination tours that include Silfra Snorkelling:

  • Golden Circle & Silfra Snorkeling
  • Reykjavik Combo Snorkel in Silfra Fissure & Lava Caving

Silfra snorkeling tours in Iceland

9. Icelandic horseback riding tours

Icelandic horses are rather small, but it would be a big insult to call them ponies. Riding an Icelandic horse is typically an Icelandic thing to do, especially if you do it in a beautiful location in the lava fields.

Most tours are meant for tourists with little or no experience in horse riding. It’s a family-friendly experience that anyone can join.

  • Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava Fields (3-4 hrs) – the most popular horseback riding tour near Reykjavik. Transfer optional.
  • Red Lava Horseback Riding – includes a pick-up from Reykjavik.

All seasons Departs from Reykjavik or from Hafnarfjordur (20 min drive from Reykjavik)

Horseback riding tour in Iceland

10. Glacier hiking & Ice caves

Glacier hiking is another great year-round excursion that you shouldn’t miss in Iceland.

These are the best glacier hiking tours from Reykjavik:

  • Glacier Hiking & South Coast
  • Glacier Hiking and Ice Climbing Tour
  • Small-Group South Coast Tour & Glacier Hike

These popular glacier hiking tours start directly at the glacier and are therefore a bit cheaper:

  • Sólheimajökull Glacier Guided Hike
  • Skaftafell Glacier Hike

All seasons, unless specified otherwise Departs from Reykjavik, Sólheimajökull Café (25 min drive from Vik ) or Skaftafell NP.

LEARN MORE: Complete guide to glacier hiking in Iceland

In addition to glacier hiking, you can also visit ice caves . While most ice cave tours only run in winter (+- November to March), there is one tour that is also available in summer. Please keep in mind that ice caves are a natural phenomenon and so the conditions change all the time and you never really know in advance what exactly you get to see.

Here are the best ice cave tours in Iceland:

  • Katla Ice Cave – the only natural ice cave that can be visited the whole year round AND you can visit it from Reykjavik as well!
  • Langjökull Glacier Ice Cave Tour – a man-made ice tunnel not far from Reykjavik that you can visit the whole year round.
  • Skaftafell: Ice Cave Tour & Glacier Hike .
  • Vatnajokull Glacier: Ice Caving and Glacier Hiking .

Departs from Skaftafell NP or from Vik, except Langjökull glacier or Katla ice cave which is also possible from Reykjavik.

Glacier hiking guides in Iceland

11. Lake Mývatn and Dettifoss Waterfall

One of the most beautiful and must-see places in the North of Iceland is the area around Lake Myvatn. You can visit it by car, or you can join a guided tour from Akureyri. There are also tours that combine Lake Myvatn with the Dettifoss waterfall.

  • Day Trip to Lake Mývatn and Dettifoss
  • Day Trip to Lake Mývatn And The Nature Baths
  • Myvatn Shore Excursion – perfect for those visiting Akureyri by cruise ship
  • Myvatn Nature Baths

All seasons Departs from Akureyri (North Iceland)

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Myvatn

Lake Myvatn - most popular day tour in Northern Iceland

12. Icelandic Highlands

If you visit Iceland in summer, don’t miss the chance to see the highlands of Iceland! It’s a whole other world and completely different than anything else you’ll see in Iceland. 

You do need a super-jeep to properly explore the highlands, so it’s ideal if you can visit with a guided tour. The most popular trips in the highlands include Thorsmork and Landmannalaugar.

Here are the best Icelandic highlands tours from Reykjavik:

  • Day Trip to Landmannalaugar
  • Thorsmork Volcano Hike Super Jeep & Hiking Tour

Recently, I made a 4-day trip Icelandic highlands trip with a private driver and it’s by far the most special trip EVER.

If you don’t have the time or the budget for a longer trip, check this one-day trip from Reykjavik that covers some of the most amazing places in the highlands: The Secret Circle . It’s organized by the same private guide that I traveled with and I can wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone looking for a very unique tour in Iceland!

Summer only Departs from Reykjavik

Haifoss waterfall in Iceland's highlands

13. Even more amazing day trips and tours in Iceland

There are so many more great tours and day trips that you can do in Iceland. Here are a few of the most popular options:

  • Lava Caving Small Group Tour .
  • Langjokull Glacier & Ice Cave . This is one of the best options if you want to visit a glacier ice cave in any season.
  • Glacier Snowmobiling on Langjokull Glacier . This tour starts at Gullfoss waterfall on the Golden Circle.
  • Golden Circle & Snowmobiling Tour . Similar tour to the above, but it departs from Reykjavik and also includes the Golden Circle.
  • Game of Thrones filming locations tour . P.S. If you are a fan, make sure to also check our selection of the best Game of Thrones tours in other European filming locations.
  • ATV Quad tours .
  • Helicopter tours .

All seasons, unless indicated otherwise Departs from Reykjavik, unless indicated otherwise 

TIP: One of the newest tours in Iceland at the moment is hiking to the eruption site of the Fagradalsfjall or Merdalir volcanos. The eruption at Fagradasfjall started in March 2021 and was going on for several months. A year later, in 2022, the Merdalir volcano erupted just nearby. In 2023, Fagradasfjall woke up again for a few days. Even if these volcanos aren’t active anymore, the lava flows are still very impressive and worth seeing.

You can hike there on your own, or you can go on one of the many tours . They pick you up in Reykjavik and guide you on a hike to the volcano. These recent volcano eruption sites are really worth seeing if visiting Iceland at the moment.

Best things to do in Iceland - Fagradalsfjall volcano

So this is our hand-picked selection of the very best tours in Iceland. There are of course many more options, also tours that combine several places, or multi-day tours… You can find the complete selection of the best tours in Iceland on the GetYourGuide website . It’s our one-stop shop for booking all our tours when we travel.

TIP: If you are looking for something more off the beaten path, a really special place that you can visit in a day, consider the Westman Islands . It can be done as a day trip from Reykjavik, with a tour , or from the South Coast.

READ ALSO: Best Half-Day Tours from Reykjavik

More tips for your trip to Iceland:

  • What to see:   Best Places to See in Iceland & Best Places on the South Coast of Iceland
  • Airport transfers:  How to Get to Reykjavik from Keflavik Airport
  • Budget:  How Expensive is Iceland
  • Accommodation:   Where to Stay in Iceland
  • Winter trip: Tips for Iceland in Winter
  • What to Wear in Iceland in Winter
  •   What to Pack for Iceland in Summer
  • Iceland Itinerary for 1 to 14 Days
  • Iceland Itinerary for 7 Days
  • 4 Days Iceland Itinerary
  • Complete Ring Road Trip

Reykjavik travel guides:

  • Best Things to Do in Reykjavik
  • Reykjavik 1-day Itinerary
  • Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting
  • Perlan, Wonders of Iceland
  • Where to Stay in Reykjavik

For more information and destination guides for Iceland, please check our Iceland travel guide . We’ve been to Iceland multiple times and have lots of articles and practical tips for your trip. Take a look!

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

Most popular guided tours, day trips and excursions in Iceland in spring, summer and autumn

Photo credits: personal collection, Shutterstock.com, Depositphotos.com, and also Pixabay.com.

You can also read this article in German : Beste Touren, Ausfüge, und Aktivitäten in Island .

Best guided tours and day trips in Iceland

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Tuesday 13th of August 2019

Hello Jurga, Extremely detailed, well-thought-out and useful information and suggestions!! Thank you so much for your time and effort. We (my wife and I) are trying to piece together the flights and campervan rental to visit this September roughly from the 10th to the 16/17th. Anyway, we are flying out to different locations and I would leave at 09:00h and she at 18:45h from KEF. I was wondering if you knew of any guided day tours leaving from (and returning to) KEF so my wife might make the most of those roughly 7-8 hours she would otherwise be sitting around the airport for. Alternatively we could look at paying a supplement for a second driver and she could drive herself somewhere for the day/lunch... but would rather not have to worry about any troubles with the vehicle or getting lost and missing the flight. A guided tour or bus tour with KEF as the starting/finishing point would be less stress. I'm looking online now but figured asking may be quicker than sifting through all the search results. Again many thanks for your wonderful website!! Saludos from Spain.

Wednesday 14th of August 2019

Hi Brad, there isn't much starting/ending from Keflavik, but here are three options for you:

1. Reykjaness Peninsula stopover tour - this is the only one that I found that starts and ends at Keflavik airport. It starts at 10.30AM if I see well and lasts 6 hours, so it could work. It's also a very nice and less known area that most tourists just start to slowly discover now.

2. You could drop your wife off at the Blue Lagoon (book tickets in advance!). There she can also have lunch, spa treatments, etc. if she wants to, and then take a bus to the airport (also book in advance) later that afternoon.

3. You leave her in Reykjavik where she can spend the day in town and maybe visit Perlan (we really enjoyed it) and then take a bus to Keflavik from BSI terminal (where she could also leave her luggage - there are lockers).

Hope this helps!

Thursday 1st of August 2019

All of your articles have been very helpful in planning my trip, thank you! You recommend the "Get your Guide" agency for several of your tours. Do they typically list available times only one month in advance? On some of the tours there seem to be no options from august through next year. Just trying to make sure I don't miss the boat (literally)!

Wednesday 7th of August 2019

Hi Beth, normally they list tours for the upcoming season (just as the companies that operate those tours), so it's very likely that some tours don't run in winter and are therefore not listed (e.g. whale watching tours in the North of Iceland stop after the summer, etc). What tour and for which travel dates are you looking for?

Diana Greer

Sunday 13th of May 2018

Can you book tours you suggested after you arrive or is it best to book in advance?

Yes, of course you can book them last minute, but depending on the season some tours may get fully booked. If you know already what you want to do and on which day, I'd say book upfront. If for whatever reason you decide you don't want to do a tour, you can normally cancel for free up to 24hrs in advance. Another big advantage of booking in advance online vs e.g. at a hotel is that you can read the customer reviews, compare prices and see what exactly is or isn't included, etc. And not have to waste your time on that while on holiday.

The Real CNC

Official News & Blogs

The Best Iceland Tour Companies

best Iceland tour companies

The best Iceland tour companies offer guided excursions led by local guides eager to share their insight into this wildly diverse country. From towering waterfalls and powerful volcanoes to ginormous glaciers and the northern lights, Iceland has something for every traveler. And while you can definitely rent a car and head out on your own, some tours are best left to the pros, especially in areas with rocky or muddy roads. More info: ventito.is

In the center of Iceland (known as the Highlands), there aren’t many paved roads, and those that exist often aren’t passable for the majority of rental cars. That’s why we recommend taking a tour with a company like Midgard, which leads hikers across this rugged landscape on multi-day treks that include all meals, luggage transportation between mountain huts, and expert guides. If you’re an intermediate to advanced hiker, we also recommend booking a trip with Deluxe Iceland. Their premium trips are top notch, with everything taken care of by an in-country team that includes guide, driver, and cook.

If you have a few more days to spend in Iceland, check out this trip that focuses on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland. It highlights some of the region’s most popular attractions, from the sideways waterfall Hraunfossar to the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park. Plus, it takes you to a glacier lagoon for a boat ride and to black sand beaches. It runs in winter too, though the whale watching activity won’t be available then.

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Learn how to easily plan your dream trip to Iceland with helpful guides and tips!

People riding horses in Iceland in an article about the best tours in Iceland

20 Best Tours In Iceland You Shouldn’t Miss

February 16, 2022 //  by  Iceland Trippers //   Leave a Comment

Looking for the best tours in Iceland? You have come to the right place!

Iceland is an amazing country full of waterfalls , rugged landscapes, and some breathtaking sights. In fact, there is so much to do in Iceland it can be overwhelming deciding what are the best Iceland day tours and the best Iceland guided tours.

We will go through the best tours in Iceland one by one so you can get to see the best of Iceland’s incredible natural wonders and make the most out of your trip.

Whether you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience such as whale watching, exploring an ice cave, seeing the spectacular Northern Lights, soaking in the Blue Lagoon , or you just want to enjoy the Icelandic scenery with a tour of The Golden Circle , we have covered them all. Don’t forget to check out our list of the best Ice caves in Iceland!

These Iceland guided tours will make your Icelandic experience even more unforgettable.

Whether you go in the winter or the summer , there is always something to see, and to make the best of your Iceland adventure make sure you are prepared and dress accordingly for the weather and terrain.

Get a FREE printable “Hidden Gems In Iceland” E-book by joining our private  Iceland Facebook Group  and sharing your photos and asking for tips and tricks.

Skogafoss waterfall in lush surroundings is one of the best  Iceland tour stops

Table of Contents

Best Day Tours In Iceland Worth The Cost

Reykjavik: golden circle full-day tour with kerid crater (8 hours).

No visit to Iceland would be complete without a tour of the delights of the Golden Circle. The Golden Circle is a tourist route in southern Iceland. It covers approximately 300 km and contains some of the most loved and well-visited tourist attractions.

On this Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater you get to see the best of southwest Iceland with someone else taking the driving strain.

Starting in Reykjavik, this tour takes in the spectacular Geysir area, the cascading Gullfoss Waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, and the active hot spring of Strokkur. And you will of course also see the volcanic crater at Lake Kerid.

This is a packed itinerary that lets you see a unique selection of what Iceland has to offer and of course, you get to enjoy and marvel at the passing scenery. If you still aren’t sure, we have a blog post that breaks down some of the Best Golden Circle Tours in Iceland!

Book Here: Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater

Here are a few more Golden Circle tours for you to also have a look at. They are some of the best Iceland tours, all with a slightly different itinerary.

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Northern Lights Combo

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full Day Tour

Reykjavik: Golden Circle Tour with Blue Lagoon Visit & Entry

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Northern Lights

Gushing Gullfoss waterfall on a snowy winter day.

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Day Trip (9.5 hours)

On this Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Day Trip you will tour the iconic Golden Circle before relaxing at Gamla Laugin, as it is known locally, the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. Located in Fludir, this beautiful hot spring is also known as the Secret Lagoon.

Fully renovated, it has an indoor changing area, lockers, showers, and food and drink are available to buy. Don’t forget to bring your swimwear and a towel and a water bottle as you will need to stay hydrated at the springs.

Along with the soak, you can walk along the springs and see a geyser.

Book Now: From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Day Trip

Woman soaking in the Secret Lagoon in Iceland.

Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel: Underground Expedition  (1 hour)

Only in Iceland can you explore an underground lava tunnel. This Lava Tunnel: Underground Expedition meets at Raufarhólshellir (30-minute drive from the capital), and you get to explore the longest and best-known lava tunnels in Iceland.

The tunnel is a work of nature, and you will see the incredible lava formations that are rarely seen outside of Iceland. The terrain can be rough and crampons are provided in winter. The surface is often uneven, and you will walk up and down steep stairs, so be aware.

You will experience the ever-changing colors, landscape, and geological features while getting all the history and information you need from the experienced guide.

This is one of the more unique Iceland tours and 100% worth it.

Book Now: Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel: Underground Expedition 

The amazing purple and red colors of the lava tunnel in Iceland.

From Reykjavik: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour (11 hours)

One of the top Iceland tours if you want to see the spectacular volcanic craters of Kirkjufell and Ljósufjöll, this Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour is packed full of beautiful scenery.

You will also get to visit the charming fishing villages of Grundarfjordur, Arnarstapi, and Hellnar as well as the black beaches of Djúpalónssandur. This is one of the best Iceland day tours that pack in a lot.

Departing from Reykjavik, this leisurely tour also takes in the majestic glacier of Snæfellsjökull. You will see volcanic peaks, golden and black beaches, sparkling fjords, fishing villages, and an amazing glacier. It’s a one-day Iceland experience that is well worth the money. 

Book Now: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour

Snaefellsnes Peninsula at sunrise with a waterfall in the foreground and Kirkjufell in the background.

Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava Fields (2 hours)

Horse riding through Lava fields? Only in Iceland!

With an optional pick-up in Reykjavik, this Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava Fields is one of those only in Iceland experiences. From the Íshestar Stables in Hafnarfjörður, you will experience a 1.2- to 2-hour horseback journey through lava fields and along beautiful green hillsides.

The horses are friendly and the riding paths excellent so you don’t need to be an experienced horse rider to enjoy this experience. The stables are a ten-minute drive from Reykjavík and are set in beautiful surroundings. The horses are well looked after and the staff takes pride in their job.

All equipment needed will be provided and there are lockers on site. There really is nothing like seeing incredible rock formations in the lava from the saddle of a horse. This is one of the best horseback riding tours in Iceland!

Since it is only two hours, this is one of the best Iceland day tours since you will have time to schedule more activities for the same day.

Book Now: Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava Fields

Horse riding is one of the best tours in iceland

Landmannalaugar 4-Hour Hiking Experience (5-14 hours)

One of the best ways to explore Iceland is on foot and this is one of the best Iceland-guided tours to do that. This Landmannalaugar 4-Hour Hiking Experience is a must for anyone who loves hiking.

This Iceland day tour allows you to enjoy the Southern Highland of Fjallabak, taking in the wonders of Iceland’s Landmannalaugar and Hekla Volcano area. Soothing hot springs, extraordinary colored mountain peaks, clear blue lakes, and an active volcano are included on this unique tour. You get to take in some of Iceland’s most unique destinations, all with the expert support of your guide.

The 4-hour hike starts off with lunch and you walk through lava fields to the Brennisteinsalda mountain, known for its colorful peak and steaming vents. You then start the descent through the Grænagil canyon, which is like nothing you have ever seen. 

Depending on the time and conditions you can also climb a 60,000-year-old volcano and bathe in hot natural pools.

Book Now: Landmannalaugar 4-Hour Hiking Experience

The colorful mountains on Brennisteinsalda mountain.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik (14 hours)

No trip to Iceland would be complete without a visit to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and this Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik is a great way to see it.

This tour is one of the best Iceland tours if you want to explore the dramatic landscape of the south of Iceland. You will be picked up from your hotel in Reykjavik then you will travel up the southern coast to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon .

The lagoon is an incredible sight; it’s the largest and deepest glacier lagoon in Iceland with some of the icebergs speckled blue and black, and thousands of years old.

During the summer season, you can go on a boat trip to get closer to the lagoon and surrounding area. You will also get to visit the nearby Diamond Beach, which is an incredible sight.

You then make the return trip to Reykjavik with a stop off at the beautiful Seljalandsfos waterfall, which you can walk behind, weather permitting, and there is an additional stop in Iceland’s southernmost village at Vik for dinner.

Book Now: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik

A group of people stand on the shores of the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon at sunset.

Reykjavik: Whale Watching Excursion (2-3 hours)

With so much to see in Iceland, we can often forget the incredible animal life that Iceland has to offer.

If you want to experience one of the best whale-watching tours in Iceland , we highly recommend this Whale Watching Excursion out of Reykjavik.

Your tour starts with a boat trip from Reykjavik harbor where you will start to see the rich marine life that Iceland’s waters have to offer.  From minke and humpback whales , harbor porpoises, and whale-beaked dolphins, there is a lot to see.

The peak whale watching season is April to October but you never know what you might catch a glimpse of.

The tour lasts between 2-3.5 hours depending on the time of year. An added bonus of this tour is the Icelandic scenery which looks so majestic from the water.

Book Now: Reykjavik: Whale Watching Excursion

Whale breaching during one of the best tours in Iceland.

Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure – Small Group Adventure (2-4 hours )

Looking for a unique and exotic underwater experience in the waters of Iceland’s Thingvellir Lake? This top-rated dive site has great visibility and is one of the great Iceland guided tours. Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure is an incredible experience.

This tour takes you from Reykjavik to the heart of Thingvellir National Park , a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. You can enjoy the stunning scenery on the way before taking an hour’s snorkeling experience with your guide.

You will swim over the divide between the American and European continental plates where the underwater views are breathtaking. It is one of the best places to see on your Iceland itinerary!

All required equipment will be provided, helping to make this one of the best snorkeling tours in Iceland .

Book Now Snorkelling in Silfra Fissure – Small Group Adventure

Underwater view of a snorkeler in the Silfra fissure.

South Iceland: Vatnajökull Glacier Blue Ice Cave Tour (3 hours)

One of the best tours in Iceland has to be a Glacier Blue Ice Cave Tour. And this South Iceland: Vatnajökull Glacier Blue Ice Cave Tour is a great one. The ice caves are formed by the water in the summer that runs down from the glacier forming an extraordinary natural phenomenon.

The position, structure, and condition of these caves changes yearly and your guide will make sure you get to explore the best magical blue ice cave on your tour.  

This tour meets at the cafe at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and then the caves are approximately a 20 to 30-minute drive to where you get to enjoy the scenery of the Vatnajökull National Park .

The walk to the ice caves is then approximately 5 -15 minutes, and you will get between one and one-and-a-half hours to explore inside.

This is one of the most unique and breathtaking ice cave tours in Iceland. With some of the best tour guides in Iceland, you will feel safe and well-informed.

Book Now Vatnajökull Glacier Blue Ice Cave Tour

Inside an ice cave in Iceland during winter.

Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik (4 hours)

If you are visiting Iceland during the winter months then you want to see the Northern Lights . That is why most people travel to Iceland during the winter. Obviously seeing the Northern lights is never guaranteed but if you do it will be a lasting memory.

If you are thinking of the best Iceland tours to take, the Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik is a good option.

You will spend an evening searching for the Northern Lights with an experienced guide. If you are lucky, you will catch this spectacular natural phenomenon.

This tour also includes a ticket to the Aurora Museum in Reykjavik. If you are looking for more, we have the 10 Best Northern Lights Tours In Iceland!

Book Now: Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik

Northern Lights dance across the night sky in Iceland.

Reykjavik: Panoramic Helicopter Flight with Summit Landing (45 minutes)

If you want the chance to see Reykjavik and the surrounding area from the sky, consider booking the epic Reykjavik: Panoramic Helicopter Flight with Summit Landing tour.

This is definitely not the cheapest Iceland tour, considering it is less than an hour, but it is worth it for the once-in-a-lifetime views! Make sure your camera batteries are charged because you will not want to miss out on photos you can get nowhere else.

You will meet at the Reykjavik Domestic Airport before heading up in a helicopter. The city of Reykjavik will be laid out before you when you land on a mountain summit.

Book Now: Reykjavik: Panoramic Helicopter Flight with Summit Landing

Aerial view of Reykjavik at golden hour, during one of the best tours in Iceland.

Vik: Mýrdalsjökull Snowmobile Adventure (2 hours)

If you are looking for one of the most thrilling Iceland tours, look no further than the Vik: Mýrdalsjökull Snowmobile Adventure ! This fun tour leaves from Vik on the South Coast and leads you up the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier.

All equipment is included, and you get a safety briefing before hopping on the snowmobiles, so you will be prepared to ride. At the top of the glacier, you will get the chance to stop and admire the amazing views!

All drivers must be at least 17 and have a valid driver’s license. This is one of the best glacier tours in Iceland because you get to experience it in a unique way.

Book Now: Vik: Mýrdalsjökull Snowmobile Adventure

A couple of snowmobiles riding across the snow.

Reykjavik: Icelandic Food Tour (3 hours)

Icelandic cuisine is interesting, to say the least! If you are brave enough to try some local delicacies, then book the Reykjavik: Icelandic Food Tour .

This walking tour will lead you through Reykjavik to four to six stops, including the city’s oldest restaurant , a food market, and a famous hot dog stand. You will get to try lamb soup, hot dogs, fermented shark, minke whale, rye bread ice cream, and more.

As you walk, your guide will teach you about Icelandic food and culture. They say eating local is a great way to learn about a country, and this tour proves that!

Bring your appetite as you enjoy one of the best guided tours of Iceland!

Book Now: Reykjavik: Icelandic Food Tour

A bowl of lamp soup on a restaurant table.

Reykjavík: Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon (10 hours)

An epic hike to the top of a volcano before unwinding in the famous Blue Lagoon? Yes, please!

Iceland is the land of fire and ice, so why not take time to appreciate some of the heat the island has to offer? The Reykjavík: Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon tour is perfect for anyone looking for some adventure.

You will start your journey by hiking the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykanes Peninsula. While the volcano is active and erupted in 2021, it is currently dormant. Even so, you will see fresh lava flows and possibly steam rising.

After a few hours of hiking this natural wonder, you will get the chance to soak in the Blue Lagoon. Your aching muscles will thank you!

This is one of the best Iceland tours from Reykjavik since both attractions are close to the capital.

Book Now: Reykjavík: Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon

The beautiful water of the Blue Lagoon with people soaking.

Best Multi-Day Tours Of Iceland

If you really want to make the best of Iceland then it may be that you want to embark on a multi-day tour. They are some of the best tours in Iceland and allow you to sit back while someone else does all the work. If you are not someone who likes planning, organizing and researching then leaving it all up to someone else might be the perfect option for you.

You will get to see some of the most incredible sights with the knowledge that an experienced guide is leading you.

You can get Iceland tours anywhere from 2 to 10 days, the most popular seeming to be 5 days or 3 days . If you are wanting one of the best excursions in Iceland, a multi-day tour might be for you.

These multi-day tours will allow you to combine a more leisurely trip with some extreme sightseeing, giving you the best of both worlds.

Choosing a tour depends on your budget , the time available to you, and the areas you want to see. We have listed some of the best and highly rated Iceland guided tours below. There is a tour for everyone so we are sure you will find one perfect for you. Whichever tour you decide, we know you will have the most incredible time, and we can’t wait to hear all about it.

Looking down at the town of Vik with yellow flowers in the foreground and the church and ocean in the distance.

Iceland: 2 Day Trip Along South Coast

If you want to book one of the best South Coast Iceland tours, check out Iceland: 2 Day Trip Along South Coast tour. This is one of the most popular areas in Iceland since there are so many waterfalls, glacier lagoons, and more.

This tour starts and ends in Reykjavik , making it super convenient. It is one of the best guided tours in Iceland since it is run by people who make the experience really enjoyable.

Notable places you visit include :  Gljufrabui, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss , and Kvernufoss waterfalls, Sólheimajökull glacier, Reynisfjara Beach, Vik, Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier. Don’t forget to check out our tips for Solheimajokull Glacier!

Book Now: Iceland: 2 Day Trip Along South Coast

Seljalandsfoss falling into a pool surrounded by snow.

Iceland: 3-Day Golden Circle, South Coast, & Glacier Tour

If you want a little longer of a tour, check out Iceland: 3-Day Golden Circle, South Coast, & Glacier Tour . Since it spans three days, you will not feel rushed as you traverse this beautiful country.

This tour hits some of the highlights of the Golden Circle and will leave you mesmerized. This tour is out of Reykjavik and includes a stay at a cute guesthouse.

Notable places you visit include: Thingvellir National Park, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Gullfoss waterfalls, Srokkur Geysir, Kerid, Reynisfjara Beach, Vik, Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier

Book Now: Iceland: 3-Day Golden Circle, South Coast, & Glacier Tour

Person overlooking the blue water and colorful dirt of Kerid Crater during their tour in Iceland.

Reykjavik: 4-Day South Coast, Golden Circle, and Snæfellsnes

If you want to see more than just the South Coast, book the Reykjavik: 4-Day South Coast, Golden Circle, and Snæfellsnes tour.

This tour includes highlights from the Golden Circle and South Coast while adding a day to explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula . Here you will see more iconic mountains, waterfalls, lava fields, and more.

Notable places you visit include:  Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, Hraðastaðir farm, Reynisfjara Beach, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Vatnajökull National Park, Kirkjufell, and Kirkjufellfoss Waterfall

Book Now: Reykjavik: 4-Day South Coast, Golden Circle, and Snæfellsnes

Man sitting on a block of ice at Iceland's glacier lagoon at sunset.

Iceland 6-Day Ring Road Adventure

The Ring Road is one of the best drives in Iceland with many amazing stops to see. The Iceland 6-Day Ring Road Adventure includes great guides and accommodation each night so you do not have to worry about a thing.

This is one of the best Ring Road tours in Iceland because it hits a lot of sights that other tours miss.

Notable places you visit include: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss Waterfall, Vik, Skaftafell, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, the East Fjords, Dettifoss Waterfall, Myvatn, and so much more

Book Now: Iceland 6-Day Ring Road Adventure

Powerful Dettifoss Waterfall crashing down to send up mist and a rainbow.

Reykjavik: Winter 8-Day Small Group Circle of Iceland Tour

If you have a lot of time in Iceland and a good budget, the Reykjavik: Winter 8-Day Small Group Circle of Iceland To ur might be for you!

This is one of the best winter tours in Iceland, allowing you to see the country when it is at its most epic and magical. Visiting during this season lets you experience the Northern Lights, ice caves, and snow-covered landscapes.

Notable places you visit include: Gullfoss, Skogafoss, and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, Geysir, and Thingvellir National Park, Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsárlon Glacier Lagoon, Lake Lagarfljót, Lake Mývatn, Námaskarð Pass, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Vatnshellir Lava Cave, and so much more

Book Now: Reykjavik: Winter 8-Day Small Group Circle of Iceland Tour

Svartifoss Waterfall in Skaftafell National Park falling among basalt columns with everything covered in ice and snow.

Best Time Of Year For Taking Tours In Iceland

The best time to take tours in Iceland is wholly up to you! It all depends on what you want to see and the weather you want to experience. Figure out exactly what kind of Iceland tours you want to take, then chose the season that best matches up.

Come in summer for the midnight sun, blooming lupines, and the best weather. If Northern Lights, glacier hiking, or ice caves are on your bucket list, plan for winter .

Fall and spring are great shoulder seasons when there are fewer tourists, you can book tours more easily, and prices are more reasonable.

No matter when you book tours in Iceland, you will be in for an amazing time!

Field of purple lupine flowers before a river and mountains in the background.

When To Choose A Private Tour In Iceland

Private tours in Iceland can be more expensive than large group tours, but they have their advantages. Some pluses of private tours are that they are more flexible, more easily tailored to your needs, allow more time with the guide, and are a more personal experience.

When you book a private tour, it will be just you and your friends and family. You do not have to bother with strangers who might hold things up or make things more uncomfortable.

While group tours are priced per person, private tours in Iceland are priced per group. If it is just you and someone else, splitting a $1000 fare may be undoable. However, if you split the fare between 4-5 people, suddenly a private tour in Iceland just became more affordable!

Private tours in Iceland are especially helpful if you are a photographer, content creator, someone with children, or just want a personalized and in-depth tour of Iceland with an experienced, local guide. These tours are worth it when you book with the best Iceland tour companies.

Some of Our Favorite Private Tours in Iceland:

Private Glacier Lagoon: Jökulsárlón

From Reykjavik: South Coast Private Tour

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle 8-Hour Private Tour

Reykjavik: Tailor-Made 10-Person Exploration Tour

Line of hikers walking a path among green mountains.

What To Bring On Your Tour In Iceland

You want to come prepared for your Iceland tours, whether that means picking out the right clothes or double-checking you have all your photography equipment. If you forget something, your tour might suffer.

A Good Camera

When taking a tour of Iceland, you want to bring along a great camera! If you have a newer smartphone, then you could be good to go. We recommend checking out the GoPro Hero 7 if you are looking for a great adventure camera for both photos and video! We also love the Sony A6300 as it is a good quality camera, pretty affordable, and easy to use when touring Iceland!

A Waterproof Daypack

When touring Iceland, you are going to need something to carry your essentials. Ladies, this is the time to leave the purse at home and take something more substantial. You will want something waterproof as the weather in Iceland changes on a dime! A waterproof daypack like this Hikepro 20L is perfect because it packs up small for your flight and will keep your essentials dry during your tour in Iceland!

Granola Bars

Most of these best tours in Iceland do not include snacks so that is up to you to bring. If you are going on one of the longer tours of Iceland that are 10-13 hours long, you are going to want to be prepared with food! We love these Quaker Granola Bars and always bring food to Iceland since it is such an expensive country. You can easily buy bars in advance so you can save time and money once you are in Iceland.

Portable Power Bank

You are going to want to have your phone charged so you can document your tour in Iceland which is why we always recommend taking a portable power bank like this one!  These portable chargers are good for multiple charges and will keep your phone ready for photos and calls if necessary.

Waterproof Shell Pants

We highly recommend packing a waterproof shell for pants such as the Columbia Storm Surge Pants. That way, if it is raining or you are hiking behind a waterfall, all you have to do is put these pants on over your normal clothes. If you are touring Iceland for hours and hours, the last thing you will want is wet pants.

Woman in a red hat holds a DSLR camera to her face to take a photo on a windy day.

As you can see, Iceland has a lot to offer. It really is one of those countries that has something to suit everyone. We hope this list of the best tours in Iceland has helped you decide which is the best for you. We know you will have an incredible time whatever you decide and we wish you an amazing trip.

public bus for reykjavik airport transfer

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Which are the best tour companies for Iceland? - Iceland Forum

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Which are the best tour companies for Iceland?

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' class=

I've booked through an agent in the past - Arctic Experience - who've arranged a tour and car hire .

One day, we had a puncture and half the day was wasted waiting for someone to arrive with tools to change the tyre.

Although the rest of the week was great, we were unhappy that the hire company hadn't put tools in the car , and mentioned this in our feedback to our agent. We received a full refund for the weeks car hire . As the agent sent hundreds of people to Iceland each year they had some clout.

My point is, few people have experience of more than one car hire company or tour company, so the advice you are looking for may not be readily available. So sometimes it pays to use the experience of a good agent. By the way, we couldn;t get flights or hotels or car for less than we paid the agent.

As I said at the start, there may be some bad companies, but I don't see how they would survive for long.

The problem with tours is that they can't always be flexible enough to go off the beaten path. You may want to hire a car (or 4x4) for some trips or go on a super- jeep trip onto a glacier (which you can't really do by yourself, and are unlikely to be able to do it many other places in the world).

The simplest thing is to ask your hotel which tour company they would recommend, or ask them what the difference is between, say, Magnus' and Olaf's tours. The hotel may be getting commission, but the last thing they want is to recommend a poor outfit. In fact most hotels will do all the booking for you.

Also, many of the bigger outfits may sub-contract to the smaller guide companies when they are busy. So in reality I would be surprised if there were more than 10 main operators who can deliver a variety of tours.

By the way, when are you going? July and August may be busy, but you should n't have a problem finding a tour outside of then.

July or August is when we are planning to go - have no flexibility with kids in school. That's why I want to do the planning now, so we have something nailed down even if it is crowded. Thanks for your input!

best iceland tour companies reddit

Explore does great tours, small groups. Look at their website:

http://www.explore.co.uk/

http://www.isafoldtravel.is/edefault.asp

specialises in small tours, taylor made for your needs, look at their website as well.

There are none,

There are whale-watching cruises which last about half a day, but not everyone is used to cruising in the middle of the North Atlantic.

There are ferries which may partially satisfy your desire for sea cruising, and it is an interesting way to get about (eg from Snaefelsness peninsula to the western fiords, or to the Westmann Islands)

http://www.whalewatching.is/index.php

http://www.djupivogur.is/skjol/thjonusta/papeyjarferdir/

http://www.seatours.is/index.php?l=en

http://www.atlantik.is

  • Faircar 02:39
  • Is it unlikely to leave Iceland Disappointed? 02:03
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  • Change hotel? Taxi? today
  • Has anyone driven MG EHS SUV to Landmannalaugar yesterday
  • Volcano situation in Iceland yesterday
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  • Snaeffelsness ideal route 25 April 2024
  • Snorkelling/alternative for naive/non swimmers 25 April 2024
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  • Iceland - again! Itinerary suggestions 25 April 2024

Iceland Hotels and Places to Stay

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  • Don´t be a bad tourist
  • What ,,not to do when traveling in Iceland"
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' class=

I've booked through an agent in the past - Arctic Experience - who've arranged a tour and car hire .

One day, we had a puncture and half the day was wasted waiting for someone to arrive with tools to change the tyre.

Although the rest of the week was great, we were unhappy that the hire company hadn't put tools in the car , and mentioned this in our feedback to our agent. We received a full refund for the weeks car hire . As the agent sent hundreds of people to Iceland each year they had some clout.

My point is, few people have experience of more than one car hire company or tour company, so the advice you are looking for may not be readily available. So sometimes it pays to use the experience of a good agent. By the way, we couldn;t get flights or hotels or car for less than we paid the agent.

As I said at the start, there may be some bad companies, but I don't see how they would survive for long.

The problem with tours is that they can't always be flexible enough to go off the beaten path. You may want to hire a car (or 4x4) for some trips or go on a super- jeep trip onto a glacier (which you can't really do by yourself, and are unlikely to be able to do it many other places in the world).

The simplest thing is to ask your hotel which tour company they would recommend, or ask them what the difference is between, say, Magnus' and Olaf's tours. The hotel may be getting commission, but the last thing they want is to recommend a poor outfit. In fact most hotels will do all the booking for you.

Also, many of the bigger outfits may sub-contract to the smaller guide companies when they are busy. So in reality I would be surprised if there were more than 10 main operators who can deliver a variety of tours.

By the way, when are you going? July and August may be busy, but you should n't have a problem finding a tour outside of then.

July or August is when we are planning to go - have no flexibility with kids in school. That's why I want to do the planning now, so we have something nailed down even if it is crowded. Thanks for your input!

best iceland tour companies reddit

Explore does great tours, small groups. Look at their website:

http://www.explore.co.uk/

http://www.isafoldtravel.is/edefault.asp

specialises in small tours, taylor made for your needs, look at their website as well.

There are none,

There are whale-watching cruises which last about half a day, but not everyone is used to cruising in the middle of the North Atlantic.

There are ferries which may partially satisfy your desire for sea cruising, and it is an interesting way to get about (eg from Snaefelsness peninsula to the western fiords, or to the Westmann Islands)

http://www.whalewatching.is/index.php

http://www.djupivogur.is/skjol/thjonusta/papeyjarferdir/

http://www.seatours.is/index.php?l=en

http://www.atlantik.is

  • Faircar 15:39
  • Is it unlikely to leave Iceland Disappointed? 15:03
  • Volcano Eruption Tours 11:14
  • Change hotel? Taxi? today
  • Has anyone driven MG EHS SUV to Landmannalaugar yesterday
  • Volcano situation in Iceland yesterday
  • Iceland car rental insurance vs credit card insurance yesterday
  • Any insight on the road closure on Rt. 61 near Muli? yesterday
  • GAdventues Best of Iceland Tour physicality required? yesterday
  • 3 Days Reykjavik, help please yesterday
  • Snaeffelsness ideal route 25 April 2024
  • Snorkelling/alternative for naive/non swimmers 25 April 2024
  • Clarification on Rental Car Insurance Coverage in May'24 25 April 2024
  • Iceland - again! Itinerary suggestions 25 April 2024
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Iceland Hotels and Places to Stay

  • Covid testing FAQs
  • Dos and don'ts of Iceland
  • Winter driving in Iceland - read this
  • What to Wear?
  • Wild camping with a vehicle is illegal in Iceland
  • Weather advice for Iceland
  • Northern Lights Advice
  • Don´t be a bad tourist
  • What ,,not to do when traveling in Iceland"
  • Car Rental Options & Advice
  • Taxi/Bus costs from KEF Airport to Reykjavik
  • Trip reports
  • Trip reports - families
  • Trip reports - ring road

best iceland tour companies reddit

Best Iceland Tour Companies

Search 127 Iceland tour operators and travel companies, with 513 reviews.

50 Degrees North

50 Degrees North

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All Iceland Tour Companies

Iceland tour companies range from global operators to boutique and local operators. Tours in Iceland usually focus on hard and soft outdoor adventure including hiking, caving, and trekking. Compare all the options and choose the best Iceland tour operator for your style and budget.

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel

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G Adventures

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Trafalgar

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Extreme Iceland

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Iceland Reviews & Ratings

Our trip to iceland was absolutely stunning and charlie the traveler curated an amazing and adventurous trip for us that kept in mind all of the attractions that were on our list and many other gems this beautiful country has to offer..

Our trip to Iceland was absolutely stunning and Charlie the Traveler curated an amazing and adventurous trip for us that kept in mind all of the attractions that wer...

Laurie Nelson

My husband and I had an excellent trip to Iceland this January.

My husband and I had an excellent trip to Iceland this January. Our hotels, itineraries, and travel were all taken care of, which made our vacation so much more enjo...

The trip to Iceland through CharlieTheTraveler was filled with activities.

The trip to Iceland through CharlieTheTraveler was filled with activities. I enjoyed every second of this trip. The company made every part of the trip painless and ...

Linda Keira

This trip to Iceland perfectly captured all the natural wonders of the country.

This trip to Iceland perfectly captured all the natural wonders of the country. I am so glad I went with CharlieTheTraveler, as they were organized and planned a var...

This is such a beautiful country and I am happy I got the opportunity to experience it.

I like vacations with a lot of activity, so when I came across the Iceland trip offered by CharlieTheTraveler, I knew it would be perfect. There was so much to do in...

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COMMENTS

  1. Best Tour Companies? : r/VisitingIceland

    2. JtheNinja. • 6 yr. ago. GeoIceland offers pretty much exactly what you want: https://geoiceland.com they're the highest rated day tour company on TripAdvisor, and for good reason, IMO. I took their Golden Circle and South Coast tours to get a feel for things before I got a rental car for the last 2 days.

  2. Travel Company Recommendations? : r/VisitingIceland

    4. Anna_S_1608. • 2 yr. ago. G adventures and Intrepid. Both do small group tours. Both will give you a flavor of culture mixed with adventure. Both have a reputation for being ethical, staying in locally owned accommodations and hiring local guides. 3. LasGatitas.

  3. Tour operators in Reykjavik? : r/VisitingIceland

    I had good luck finding small group tours on the Viator app. IIRC, they were mostly small tour companies with 20 person busses. I didn't do the larger companies like Iceland Adventures. Just me. woman_on_the_move. • 2 yr. ago. Its possible to base yourself in Reyjkavik particularly if you are not doing the driving.

  4. Best Tour Companies : r/VisitingIceland

    Moonwalker.is! Bessi is amazing. Icelandic mountain guides, Local Guide, Arctic Adventures. These are all legit mountain guiding companies that do the things you mention and have built up this sort of tours in Iceland. Many of the others are just re-sellers of their tours, or bus companies that contract with them.

  5. What are your favorite activities / day tours in Iceland? : r ...

    Katla Ice Cave Tour from Vik. South Coast Bubble Hotel Tour and stay was awesome. Get a semi-private tour in a Tahoe of the south coast and end your stay in a bubble hotel room…given the right conditions you get an awesome northern light show from your bed. The Stórurð hike from Borgarfjörður Eystri.

  6. Best Tour Companies? : r/VisitingIceland

    Google Iceland tour groups, read some reviews. I've done tours with a few different ones, all good more or less. Pay attention to the meeting location and you will be fine.

  7. 17 Best Iceland Tours of 2024: Northern Lights & More

    Arctic Adventures - Crystal Ice Cave Tour Iceland. Price: Adults from about $161; kids from around $137. Duration: 2 to 3 hours. Take a ride in an off-roading vehicle from the Jökulsárlón ...

  8. Tour company recommendations please? : r/VisitingIceland

    View community ranking In the Top 1% of largest communities on Reddit Tour company recommendations please? My partner and I are going to Iceland February 11th and we want to do a 2/3 day south coast tour- ideally we want to do an ice cave and the Black Sand Beach but otherwise we're open to anything else.

  9. Best Tour Companies in Iceland

    10. Southcoast Adventure. In the top 10 of the best tour companies in Iceland is Southcoast Adventure, a tour company specializing in adventure and sightseeing tours in South Iceland. Founded in 2009, Southcoast Adventure has grown over the years and now offers nearly 30 excursion products at Guide to Iceland.

  10. Iceland

    12/17/15 10:03 AM. 334 posts. We used Nordic Saga on our first visit to Iceland. Our particular tour roughly followed Route 1 around the country and there were about 25 in our group. We stayed in everything from the Hilton in Reykjavik to the little tiny hotels in some of the smaller communities. All of our accommodations were clean and modern.

  11. The 7 Best Tour Companies in Iceland

    Intrepid's Iceland tours start at $1,600 for their 5-day Iceland Express Tour and go up to $7,100 for the nine-day Premium Iceland Tour. Book here! 3. Arctic Adventures. The award-winning Arctic Adventures is one of the biggest tour companies in Iceland, offering a huge range of one-day and multi-day tours.

  12. The Top 10 Best Tours in Iceland: Popular and Unique Excursions

    10-Day Self-Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland with Top Attractions & Snaefellsnes. See all tours. 9. Lake Myvatn and North Iceland Tours. If you're staying longer in Iceland or your stay is short, but you like to visit more hidden places, a good option is to head to North Iceland.

  13. The 5 Best Golden Circle Tours From Reykjavik [2024 Reviews]

    Tip #3: Take your time to enjoy all the attractions of Iceland. There's so much to see in Iceland, it would be a crime not to explore and experience as much as you are able in the time you have. While you are there, do not miss the opportunity to see so many unforgettable natural phenomena in one place.

  14. Which are the best tour companies for Iceland?

    We have decided, after a great deal of reading on this forum and the dozens of website that sell Iceland tours, to take an escorted tour of Iceland - about 6-8 days. We may add on to that some extra time for ourselves in Reykjavik or maybe to go to Greenland. HOWEVER, the big problem is choosing among tour companies.

  15. 10 Best Iceland Tour Companies & Operators 2024/2025

    View all Operator Information. Excellent - 1,282 reviews for Iceland tours. The tour run by Arctic Adventures was very good. The 2nd and 3rd nights of the tour were at Arctic Adventures hotels. Both hotels were substandard, peeling paint, noxious smells, etc. Arctic Adventures is their brand and it made their brand looked cheap.

  16. 10 Best Iceland Tour Companies 2024 [Unbiased & With Reviews

    Here is an unbiased list of the Top 10 highly rated and professional tour providers in Iceland. Get Free Quotes From 10 Best Iceland Tour Operators. Providers. Reviews. Dive.Is. Trip Advisor - 12,032 reviews. Wake Up Reykjavik. Trip Advisor - 10,654 reviews. Troll Expeditions.

  17. THE 10 BEST Iceland Tours & Excursions for 2024 (with Prices)

    4. #1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos. 1,311. Northern Lights. 4 hours. This is what you get on the tour: This is the highest rated Northern Lights tour in Iceland You get FREE photos of…. Free cancellation. Recommended by 94% of travelers. from. $144.

  18. 13 Absolute Best Iceland Tours & Day Trips (All Seasons)

    Blue Lagoon spa - the most popular excursion in Iceland. 3. South Coast Tours. Iceland's South Coast is another highlight that you must see. It is easily doable as a day trip from Reykjavik and is, therefore, a very popular trip. In fact, south coast tours are the most popular tours in Iceland.

  19. The Best Iceland Tour Companies

    The best Iceland tour companies offer guided excursions led by local guides eager to share their insight into this wildly diverse country. From towering waterfalls and powerful volcanoes to ginormous glaciers and the northern lights, Iceland has something for every traveler. And while you can definitely rent a car and head out on your own, some ...

  20. 20 Best Tours In Iceland You Shouldn't Miss

    This is one of the best Ring Road tours in Iceland because it hits a lot of sights that other tours miss. Notable places you visit include: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss Waterfall, Vik, Skaftafell, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, the East Fjords, Dettifoss Waterfall, Myvatn, and so much more. Book Now: Iceland 6-Day Ring Road Adventure.

  21. Which are the best tour companies for Iceland?

    Answer 1 of 13: We have decided, after a great deal of reading on this forum and the dozens of website that sell Iceland tours, to take an escorted tour of Iceland - about 6-8 days. We may add on to that some extra time for ourselves in Reykjavik or maybe to go to...

  22. Which are the best tour companies for Iceland?

    We have decided, after a great deal of reading on this forum and the dozens of website that sell Iceland tours, to take an escorted tour of Iceland - about 6-8 days. We may add on to that some extra time for ourselves in Reykjavik or maybe to go to Greenland. HOWEVER, the big problem is choosing among tour companies.

  23. 10 Best Iceland Tour Companies & Reviews

    4.7 Avg. Rating for Iceland Trips|18,069 Reviews for Iceland Trips. All Exodus Travels company reviews. Why we love them. With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.