7 Best Reykjavik Tours

The city of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is rich in history and mythology, located in a wonderful natural setting. Watching the Northern Lights, whale and seabird watching, exploring volcanic landscapes on foot or horseback, venturing into lava tunnels or relaxing in a thermal pool are just some of the wonders you can see and do in Reykjavik.

In Reykjavik, you can also discover iconic buildings, history, mythology, culture and culinary delights that make it unique in the world. In addition, there are many excursions and getaways from Reykjavik to different parts of the island, making it the best place to start exploring Iceland. However, the weather is somewhat unpredictable, so always make sure to bring a coat and waterproof clothing.

If you are in Reykjavik during the right months, seeing whales up close is a wonderful sight. Whale watching tours in Reykjavik usually take place in the morning or afternoon, and also when the sun begins to set.

You can take a tour with many people on a cruise ship or, if you prefer more privacy and are feeling adventurous, you can hop on a speedboat. Most tours provide you with overalls for the cold and a complimentary tour if you don't see any whales.

Sightings usually take place in Faxafloí Bay, and the tour departs from Reykjavik's old harbour. In the bay , you can see humpback whales, minke whales, sperm whales, blue whales, pilot whales, and also white-beaked dolphins and killer whales, depending on the time of year you take the tour.

The best time to see whales in Reykjavik is in summer (June to August), although it is also possible to see them a few months earlier, in April and May, and a few months later, in September and October.

Details of interest

• Price: Around £65 for a cruise and £110 for a small boat.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• Transport: Cruise or speedboat.

If you go to Reykjavik in winter, you can't leave without seeing the Northern Lights, one of the most impressive spectacles that nature has to offer.

In Reykjavik, you may even be lucky enough to see them from your hotel, but ideally you should see them in a place where there are no artificial lights. That's why it's a good idea to book a tour, as the guides know where and when to see the Northern Lights best and will tell you all about them.

You can take a tour to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik by land or by sea. Both options are very interesting.

Depending on the means of transport you choose, you can go with a small group of people, as in the case of 4x4s, or with a larger group if you go by bus or cruise. Prices vary, of course. Some tours include a snack or dinner somewhere, or if you opt for the cruise, you can have dinner there.

It's an ideal activity for the whole family. Just keep in mind that the Northern Lights are more frequent around midnight and that you should be prepared for the cold.

In addition, no tour can guarantee that you will see the Northern Lights, so it is best to choose a tour that offers to take you another day if they do not appear.

Important details

• Price: Between £50 and £70, depending on the means of transport.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transport: Bus, 4x4 or cruise.

If you are interested in seeing the main attractions of Reykjavik, taking a bus that takes you everywhere and gives you the freedom to spend as much time as you want at each place is an excellent idea. Especially if you have just arrived in the city and have not yet decided whether to rent a car.

The bus takes you on a tour of Reykjavik and stops at various places of interest where you can get off to explore further and then hop back on to visit the next stop. The bus runs every hour in summer and every 45 minutes in winter.

You can hop on and off as many times as you like for one or two days, depending on the tour you choose. Throughout the tour, you will also have access to information about the places you visit in 8 languages using the headphones provided.

Bus tours of Reykjavik involve large groups of people and you can start them at the place of interest closest to your hotel or place of accommodation.

However, you have until 4.15 p.m. to get on and off the bus. Please also note that entrance fees to the sites are not included.

Places you can see on this tour:

• Harpa, Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre.
• Museums: Reykjavík Maritime Museum, Whales of Iceland, National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavik Art Museum Kjarvalsstaðir.
• The unmissable Hallgrímskirkja Church. Of Lutheran evangelical tradition.
• Lækjargata, a street in the city centre where you will see old houses, the government building, shops, restaurants and Laekjartorg square, among other things.
• Laugavegur, one of the oldest and liveliest streets in the city.
• Perlan, a futuristic rotating museum and restaurant with an incredible view of the city.
• Marc O'Polo Shopping Centre.
• Laugardalur, a green space in the city where you can enjoy the outdoors and thermal baths.

Details of interest

• Price: Around £28.
• Duration: The bus runs every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Means of transport: Bus.

This is one of the best tours to discover the unmissable attractions of Reykjavik and the Golden Circle, as you will have the opportunity to visit the city's iconic buildings and learn about its history, as well as travel along Iceland's most famous route, commonly known as the Golden Circle.

This is a full-day tour in a comfortable vehicle accompanied by a specialist guide, which starts in the morning. The guide will provide information about all the places you visit, whether historical, mythological, cultural or geographical. Children are also welcome on this tour.

Places you can see on this tour:

• Hofdi House is a mansion of historical importance, as it was where Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met in 1986. The meeting is considered the beginning of the end of the Cold War.
• Harpa Reykjavik is an important concert and conference hall in Iceland that has also received many awards for its architecture, including Gramophone Magazine's Best Concert Hall in 2010.
• Bessastadir is not only the current residence of the President of Iceland, but also a site of historical importance, built in 1791. It is believed that the first Icelanders settled there.
• In Reykjavik City Hall, located on the shores of Lake Tjörnin, there is a huge 3D map of Iceland on the floor. The design of the building is inspired by the contrast between city and nature that is characteristic of Reykjavik.
• As for the Alþingishúsið, Reykjavik's parliament, it is an iconic building constructed in 1880-81, featuring dolerite stone. On the first floor are reliefs of Iceland's four guardians: a dragon, a vulture, a giant and a bull, mythological figures that also appear on the country's coat of arms.
• Finally, Hallgrímskirkja Church is one of Iceland's most important churches, built in 1948. Its impressive façade is inspired by the lava formations so characteristic of Iceland.
• Thingvellir National Park: Thingvellir National Park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will find the Öxarárfoss waterfall, striking for its black rocks; Lake Thingvallavatn; and numerous fissures, such as Silfra and Almannagjá. The Silfra fissure is considered one of the most incredible snorkelling experiences in Reykjavik, consisting of swimming between two continental masses.
• The Geysir and Strokkur geysers: Geysir, located in the Haukadalur valley, is the first geyser to be discovered and the one that gave its name to the others. However, the best known is Strokkur, as it is one of the most active geysers.
• The golden waterfall of Gullfoss.

Interesting details

• Price: Around £85.
• Duration: Approximately 10 hours.
• Transport: Air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi.

If you are a bird lover or wildlife enthusiast in general, sign up for a tour to discover the home of puffins and other seabirds. You will also see Arctic terns and black guillemots.

This is a boat tour that you can take if you are short on time, as it lasts approximately one hour.

You can do it in the morning or afternoon, usually in small groups, accompanied by a guide who will tell you about the different species of birds and their habits. The boat will take you from Reykjavik to the port of Skarfabakki, where one of the largest puffin colonies is located. It is one of the most interesting things to see and do with children in Reykjavik.

Puffins appear on the coast of Iceland during their breeding season, which is in spring. At this time of year, you will see thousands of them. These birds are some of the most beautiful and curious animals in Iceland. It is striking to see them carrying more than 10 fish in their striking black, orange and yellow beaks.

Interesting details

• Price: Around £45.
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour.
• Means of transport: Fast boat.

Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Reykjavik, a city with a unique culinary art, is to take one of the best food tours. There's nothing better than an expert guide in local cuisine to take you to the best restaurants in the city to taste delicacies that can only be found in Iceland.

This tour is conducted in small groups on foot, around Ingolfur Square in the old town. Many people say that the tastings are plentiful, but that depends on your appetite.

They usually take place around dinner time. The expert guide will not only tell you about typical dishes, but also about local history, traditions and legends.

Among the dishes you can try are fermented shark, seafood soup, Icelandic hot dogs, lamb soup, rye bread ice cream and other traditional sweets.

These food tours also usually include a drink at the end, with or without alcohol, and a visit to a flea market in Reykjavik.

Details of interest

• Price: Around £80.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transport: On foot.

Just 30 minutes from Reykjavik, you can visit the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel, the fourth largest in Iceland. Inside the tunnel, you can see the lava formations that were created after a volcanic eruption 5,200 years ago. There is a walkway and platforms inside the cave, making it very easy to explore.

The tour includes safety equipment, such as a helmet with a torch so you can see better inside the tunnel. It usually takes place during the day and is suitable for children over 3 years old.

You can do it in groups of up to 30 people or book a more private tour. On this tour, you will not only learn about the cave, but also about volcanism in general, as it is guided by someone who is knowledgeable on the subject.

The Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel is located in the village of Hveragerði. It is 1,360 metres long, 330 metres wide and 10 metres high. It looks different in winter than in summer, as in winter it also has ice stalactites.

Interesting details

• Price: Around £75 for the 1-hour tour.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• Transport: Cruise or speedboat.