Best tours in Reykjavik

The city of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is a city rich in history and mythology, located in a wonderful natural environment. Watching the Northern Lights, whale and seabird watching, hiking or horseback riding through volcanic landscapes, going into lava tunnels or relaxing in a thermal pool, are some of the wonders you can see and do in Reykjavik.

In Reykjavik you can also get to know emblematic buildings, its history, mythology, culture and gastronomic delights that make it unique in the world. In addition, there are many excursions and trips from Reykjavik to different parts of the island, so it is the best place to start getting to know Iceland. Of course, the weather is a bit unpredictable, so you should always make sure to bring warm and waterproof clothes.

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

The bus makes a tour of Reykjavik and has stops at the different places of interest where, if you wish, you can get off to get to know them better, and get back on the bus to visit the next one. The bus runs every 1 hour in summer and every 45 minutes in winter.

You can hop on and off as many times as you wish, during a day or two, 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 that are available.

The bus tours of Reykjavik involve large groups of people and you can start them at the site of interest closest to your hotel or place where you are staying.

However, you have until 4:15 pm to get on and off the bus. You should also note that entrance fees to the sites are not included.

The sites of interest that the bus passes through are usually:

• Harpa, Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre.
• Museums: Reykjavík Maritime Museum, Whales of Iceland, National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavik Art Museum Kjarvalsstaðir.
• The essential Hallgrímskirkja Church. Evangelical Lutheran tradition. It can be seen from anywhere in the city and has an incredible view of the surroundings. At 74 meters high, it is the tallest building in Iceland.
• Lækjargata, a downtown street where you will see old houses, the government house, stores, restaurants and Laekjartorg square, among others.
• Laugavegur, one of the oldest and liveliest streets in the city.
• Perlan, a futuristic revolving museum and restaurant, with an incredible view of the city.
• Marc O'Polo Shopping Center.
• Laugardalur, a green space in the city to enjoy the outdoors and thermal baths.
• Skarfabakki Harbour cruise terminal.
• Hofdi House, a house of historical interest related to the end of the Cold War.

Details of interest

• Price: About 28 EUR.
• Duration: The bus runs every 45 minutes, from 9 am to 4 pm.
• Means of transport: Bus.
• Advantages of this option: You will see the main sights of Reykjavik, in a comfortable bus with a good view, protected from rain or inclement weather.
• Disadvantages of this option: The bus has a set schedule, so you may have to wait to get on the bus after visiting each site of your interest.

This is one of the best tours to know the unmissable attractions of Reykjavik and the Golden Circle, as you will have the opportunity to visit the emblematic buildings of the city and its history, in addition to traveling the most famous route of Iceland, commonly known as the Golden Circle.

This is a full day tour in a comfortable vehicle accompanied by a specialized guide, starting in the morning. The guide will provide you with information about all the places you visit, whether historical, mythological, cultural or geographical. Children can also participate in this tour.

Part 1: The Reykjavik Tour

The first part of the tour consists of a tour of the main buildings of Reykjavik, which have historical, cultural and mythological significance. The tour includes visits to:

• Hofdi House is a mansion of historical importance, as this is where Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met in 1986. The meeting is considered the beginning of the end of the Cold War.
• The Harpa Reykjavik is an important concert and conference hall in Iceland that has also received many awards for its architecture, such as Gramophone Magazine's Best Concert Hall in 2010.
• Bessastadir is not only the current residence of the president of Iceland, but a site of historical significance, built in 1791. It is believed that the first Icelanders settled there.
• In Reykjavik's 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 Reykjavik's own contrast between city and nature.
• As for the Alþingishúsið, Reykjavik's parliament , it is a landmark building that was built in 1880-81, featuring dolerite stone. On the second floor stand the reliefs of the 4 guardians of Iceland: a dragon, a vulture, a giant and a bull; mythological figures that also appear in the coat of arms of the country.
• Finally, the Hallgrímskirkja Church is one of the most important churches in Iceland, which was built in 1948. Its impressive facade is inspired by the lava formations so characteristic of Iceland.

2nd part: The Golden Circle Tour

The Golden Circle is one of Iceland's most popular routes. It is 300 km long, and allows you to visit unmissable natural sites, such as Thingvellir National Park, Geysir and Strokkur geysers, and the "golden waterfall" of Gullfoss.

The fame of this tour is due to the fact that it allows you to see volcanoes, geothermal areas, lakes, waterfalls and everything that makes the island of "fire and ice" memorable, and at a very short distance from the city of Reykjavik.

• Thingvellir National Park: Thingvellir National Park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There you can find the Öxarárfoss waterfall, striking for its black rocks; the Thingvallavatn lake; and numerous fissures, such as Silfra and Almannagjá. The Silfra fissure is considered one of the most incredible snorkeling experiences in Reykjavik, which consists of swimming between two continental masses.

• Geysir and Strokkur geysers: Geysir, located in the Haukadalur valley, is the first geyser that was discovered and the one that gave the name to the others. However, the best known is Strokkur, as it is one of the most active geysers.

• The golden waterfall of Gullfoss.

Details of interest

• Price: Around 100 EUR.
• Duration: Approximately 10 hours.
• Means of transport: Air-conditioned vehicle with Wi Fi.
• Advantages of this option: It allows you to see the highlights of the city of Reykjavik and the Golden Circle in one day.
• Disadvantages of this option: It does not include drinks or meals.
• Recommendations: Wear comfortable clothes and footwear; and raincoat. Entrance to some buildings may not be included.

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

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 is why it is convenient to hire a tour since the guides know where and when the northern lights are best seen and will tell you all about them.

You can take the tour to see the northern lights in Reykjavik by land or by sea. Both modes 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 the 4x4, or go with a larger group, if you go by bus or cruise ship. Prices, of course, vary. Some tours include a snack or dinner somewhere or, if you opt for the cruise, you can have dinner on the spot.

It is an ideal activity for the whole family. Just keep in mind that the northern lights are most frequent around midnight and you should be prepared for the cold.

Also, no tour can guarantee that the northern lights will be seen, so it is best to choose a tour that offers to take you another day, in case they do not appear.

Details of interest

• Price: Between 60 and 90 EUR, depending on the means of transport.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transport: Bus, 4x4 or cruise.
• Advantages of this option: You will see the Northern Lights far from the lights of Reykjavik, in a beautiful natural environment.
• Disadvantages of this option: The Northern Lights are unpredictable, so some tours offer a complimentary tour if the Northern Lights do not appear. Be sure to dress warmly.

If you're in Reykjavik in the months indicated, seeing the whales up close is a wonderful sight. Whale watching tours in Reykjavik are usually 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 up for it, you can get on a speed boat. Most tours offer you overalls for the cold and a complimentary tour in case you don't get to see any whales.

The whale watching is usually done in Faxafloí Bay and the tour departs from Reykjavik's old harbor. In the bay you can see humpback whales, Minke whales, sperm whales, blue whales, pilot whales, and also white-sided 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 a few months earlier, in April and May, and a few months later, in September and October, it is also possible to see them.

Details of interest

• Price: Around 75 EUR in cruise, and 125 EUR in small boat.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transport: Cruise or fast boat.
• Advantages of this option: It is the best way to contemplate whales, birds and other marine animals.
• Disadvantages of this option: Whale watching is not guaranteed but, if it is included in the tour, you can try another day. Drinks and meals are not included.

If you are a lover of birds or wildlife in general, sign up for a tour to see the home of puffins and other seabirds. You'll also see arctic terns and black guillemots.

This is a boat tour that you can do if you have little time, as it lasts about an hour.

You can do it in the morning or afternoon, usually in groups of a few people, and accompanied by a guide who will inform you about the different species of birds and their habits. The boat will take you from Reykjavik to Skarfabakki harbor, 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 Iceland's coasts during their breeding season, which is in spring. At that time of the year, you will see thousands. 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.

Details of interest

• Price: Around 45 EUR.
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour.
• Means of transportation: Fast boat.
• Advantages of this option: You will be able to see the curious puffins and other seabirds up close, while learning about their habits.
• Disadvantages of this option: It can only be done in spring.

It is undoubtedly an excellent plan to take one of the best gastronomic tours in Reykjavik, a city with a unique culinary art. Nothing better than an expert guide in the local cuisine to take you to the best restaurants in the city to taste the delicacies that can only be found in Iceland.

This tour is done in small groups and on foot, in the area around Ingolfur Square, in the old part of the city. Many people report that the tastings are plentiful, but it depends on your appetite.

They are usually held close to dinner time. The expert guide will not only tell you about typical dishes, but also about history, traditions and local legends.

Among the dishes you can taste are fermented shark, seafood soup, Icelandic hot dog, lamb soup, Ryebread 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 Reykjavik flea market.

Details of interest

• Price: Around 100 EUR.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transportation: On foot.
• Advantages of this option: It is the ideal way to taste typical Icelandic dishes and learn about its history and traditions. The price of the tour includes the tastings.
• Disadvantages of this option: It is recommended that you consult before hiring this tour if you have any dietary restrictions.

Just 30 minutes from Reykjavik you can visit the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel, the fourth largest in Iceland. Inside the tunnel you can appreciate the lava formations that were produced after the eruption of a volcano 5200 years ago. Inside the cave there is a walkway and platforms, so it is very easy to walk through.

The tour includes safety features, such as a helmet with a flashlight to better see inside the tunnel. It is usually done during the day, and children over 3 years old can go.

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

The Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel is located in the village of Hveragerði. It is 1360 meters long, 330 meters wide and 10 meters high. It is different if you see it in winter or summer, as in winter it also has ice stalactites.

Interesting details

• Price: Around 87 EUR for a 1 hour tour.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transportation: Cruise or fast boat.
• Advantages of this option: You will learn about volcanoes in one of the most incredible lava formations in Iceland.
• Disadvantages of this option: May be cancelled due to bad weather. However, companies will reschedule the tour or refund the money.