Best Bike tours in Reykjavik

Whether in the mountains or in the capital, cycling tours in Iceland are an activity that will take you on incredible adventures.

Andressa García

Andressa García

13 min read

Best Bike tours in Reykjavik

Reykjavik | ©marco otaol

Bike tours in Iceland and especially in Reykjavik, are not an activity that abounds, however, as I see it, I think it is one of the most amazing things to see and do in Reykjavik, especially if you are a lover of nature and extreme adventures.

To live this experience, you have the opportunity to go on an electric bike that will take you through the city or through the mountains in a guided tour with all the safety measures. If you are one of those people who prefer extreme adventure tourism, you can also go on a four-wheel motorcycle. Stay and read my favorite options.

1. Cycle to Myvatn natural baths and taste geyser bread

Myvatn natural baths| ©Olivia Rempel
Myvatn natural baths| ©Olivia Rempel

During the ride you will be able to see beautiful landscapes of the whole island, and you will also get to know the natural baths that are located in Myvatn. The entire tour will be by electric bike, so you can travel comfortably on all the trails and roads.

Another activity you will do on this bike tour is to visit a subway bakery in the geothermal town of Bjarnarflag. In this place they bake the traditional Icelandic bread called geyser bread, which is made with the heat of geothermal energy.

You can pedal past the island's first geothermal generating station and then continue to the baths and finally taste the freshly baked geyser bread. This midday evening tour may be one of the best food tours in Reykjavik.

Details of interest

  • Price: you can book this experience for approximately 105 euros per person.
  • Duration: this experience lasts approximately 3 hours.
  • Means of transportation: if you choose the option of pick up at your hotel, then you can arrive at the place where the experience starts in a properly equipped car. Once you start the tour, it will be entirely by electric bicycle.
  • Advantages of this experience: you will be able to have a culinary and adventure experience in the same trip. Included is the local and professional guide who will tell you everything about each place you will visit. The bike and helmet are also included, as well as the service without queues in each of the places you visit. This is a tour for a maximum of six people per experience.
  • Disadvantages of this experience: Only people over 15 years of age can participate in the adventure. Meals and beverages are not included in the price. It is not an accessible tour for wheelchair users, nor is it recommended for pregnant women, people with reduced mobility or back problems. The reservation may be cancelled if the minimum number of people is not reached.

2. Visit the Ullarfoss waterfall on an electric bike adventure

Getting to know Ullarfoss| ©siggi mus
Getting to know Ullarfoss| ©siggi mus

This two and a half hour tour will take you through Iceland's rugged terrain, as well as give you a chance to enjoy some great snacks that are included as a special part of the tour, before continuing on to Ullarfoss waterfall, the most anticipated site to visit on the entire tour. This is my favorite way to visit one of the best waterfalls in Iceland.

On the way you will see different typical Icelandic landscapes, muddy roads and uneven terrain that the electric bikes will help you pass effortlessly. Among the interesting points you will see on your trip are the Fossselsskógur forest and Fljótsheiði. The tour starts around 17:00, so it's one of the best things to do in Reykjavík in summer.

Details of interest

  • Price: you can do this tour for approximately 110 euros per person.
  • Duration: the tour lasts approximately 2 hours and a half.
  • Means of transportation: to get from Reykjavik to the starting point of the excursion you will have to move on your own, using a private or rented vehicle, or using public transportation. Once you start the experience, it will be by electric bicycle all the way.
  • Advantages of this tour: it is a tour for a maximum of eight people per adventure. The use of the bicycle and the snacks offered along the way are included.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: it is not recommended for people with heart conditions or other compromising medical conditions. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with reduced mobility, back problems, among other conditions. It is not adapted for people in wheelchairs. The weather must be good for the tour to take place, otherwise it may be cancelled. It may also be cancelled if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

3. Visit and tour the Porsmork nature reserve by buggy

Porsmork Nature Reserve by Buggy| ©AndresD
Porsmork Nature Reserve by Buggy| ©AndresD

Although this tour is a bit out of the traditional bike tours, this buggy experience is definitely something you have to experience if you go to Reykjavik and Iceland in general. The Thorsmork nature reserve is one of the best natural attractions you will see in this country.

During this buggy ride you can tour much of this reserve, being able to see some of the most important glaciers of Iceland that are nestled in the southern part of the island. Among the glaciers that you can visit and tour on your buggy tour are the Gig Jokull glacier, where you can see how the area was left after the volcanic eruption of 2010.

Details of interest

  • Price: to live this experience you will have to pay approximately 670 euros per person.
  • Duration: it is a half-day tour or five hours approximately, in which you can live unique experiences aboard the buggy.
  • Means of transportation: the meeting point is planned once you have booked the tour. To get to this meeting point you will have to travel on your own in a private or rented car. Once there, the rest of the tour is done on board a four-wheeled buggy.
  • Advantages of this tour: thanks to the fact that you will be on board of a buggy, you will not get tired pedaling excessively, besides you will be able to go through muddy roads and uneven terrain without problems because the vehicle is 4-wheel drive.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: it is not suitable for pregnant women, people with reduced mobility, in wheelchairs or with frequent back pain. It is not suitable for people with heart conditions or other serious health problems. There must be a minimum quota of passengers to make the trip, otherwise it is cancelled.

4. Bike in the north of Iceland and admire the Atlantic Ocean

North Iceland| ©TXI
North Iceland| ©TXI

This interesting electric bike tour in the north of Iceland is one of the best tours in Reykjavik because you will be able to see breathtaking landscapes of the whole island. You will also be able to appreciate wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean. The tour is relatively simple and on bike-friendly trails.

It's a three-hour bike tour that is only suitable for people who love adrenaline and extreme adventure. This tour is only suitable to be included in the list of things to do in Reykjavik in summer, since it has to have good weather and little wind for the excursion to take place. It is also a tour for only a few people, with a maximum of five people per tour.

Details of interest

  • Price: you can find this tour from 150 euros per person.
  • Duration: the experience lasts approximately 3 hours.
  • Means of transportation: to get to the place where you will get on the bike, you must arrive on your own. Once you get on the electric bicycles, the tour is done on that means of transportation for the rest of the tour.
  • Advantages of this tour: only a maximum of 5 people can participate in the experience. The use of the bicycles, helmet and safety equipment is included, as well as a tour guide.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: it is not suitable for pregnant women, or for people who have mobility problems or suffer from back pain. You must be in good physical condition to participate in the tour.

5. Take a self-paced tour of the Golden Circle by bicycle

Golden Circle| ©Iceland Tour
Golden Circle| ©Iceland Tour

This is one of my favorite tours of the Golden Circle and Kerid volcanic crater tour in Reykjavik, and that's because you have the opportunity to know the Golden Circle from another perspective, and cycle through impressive places of the Icelandic geography.

Among the places that you will be able to cycle in this experience are the Gullfoss waterfall and the plains of Thingvellir Parliament, included in the visit to Thingvellir National Park in Iceland. One of the biggest advantages of this experience is that you will have the support of a minibus to take a break from the pedals of the bike.

Details of interest

  • Price: this experience has an approximate cost of 1150 euros per group of up to four people. If you want to include more people in the tour, you will have to pay approximately 58 euros for each additional person.
  • Duration: this is a full day tour that will last about eight hours.
  • Means of transportation: you will travel part of the experience in a minibus with all the comforts, and another part of the trip you will travel by electric bicycle.
  • Advantages of this tour: you can request to be picked up at the hotel where you are staying to start the tour to the Golden Circle. The difficulty of the route is easy to moderate, so it is a route that almost anyone could do. There is no minimum number of participants needed to do the tour, if you want to do it alone, you can do it.
  • Disadvantages of this route: it is not a route suitable for pregnant women nor for people with back problems or with reduced mobility. It is not adapted for people in wheelchairs. It is a tour to do only in summer time, which is definitely the best time to visit Reykjavik.

Traveller Tip

If you are going to Thingvellir National Park, I recommend arriving at 10:00 or 15:00. During these times of the day they usually do free tours of the park and hopefully it will be just you and your group there.

Book your Golden Circle Tour

6. Tour Reykjavík on a basic bicycle tour

Cycling in Reykjavik| ©HernándezLo
Cycling in Reykjavik| ©HernándezLo

This is a flexible route through the most interesting places in the capital of Iceland. During the tour around Reykjavík you can visit places of tourist interest such as the Harpa Opera House, the Hofdi House, with interesting stories to tell or the Viking ship Solfar. This tour also takes you to the south coast of Reykjavik.

One of the advantages of this tour is that you will never have two experiences the same. Whenever you do this tour you will always have different experiences. Although there are places included in the itinerary, you have the possibility to change, remove or add places to the list, with the intention of making the tour as personalized as possible.

Interesting details

  • Price: you can live this experience for an approximate price of 282 euros per group of up to 4 people. If you want to include more people to your group, you must pay an additional cost of approximately 57 euros.
  • Duration: the trip will last about two and a half hours.
  • Means of transportation: you will have to get to the starting point on your own, you can use public transportation or rent a car. The rest of the trip will be by electric bicycle.
  • Advantages of this tour: it is an easy ride over regular terrain and paved roads. It is a private experience, that is, only for you and your group.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: it is not suitable for pregnant women, nor for people with frequent back pain. It is also not suitable for people in wheelchairs.

Book your Reykjavik city tour

7. Cycle around Lake Challenge with all the comforts of home

Lake Challenge| ©LostOne1000
Lake Challenge| ©LostOne1000

This is one of the most extreme bike tours you can do, however, you will have the assistance of a car that accompanies the group for the more complicated sections. On the route you will have the opportunity to see some of Iceland' s natural wonders. It is a good getaway from Reykjavík because you will be in a bus properly supplied with all the comforts.

Once you arrive at the place where the bike tour starts you will be able to get off the bus, take your electric bike and start the ride. One of the most interesting stops will be at Lake Thingvallavatn. You will also get to see places like the Rift Valley, the Viking-era Parliament and the junction of the tectonic plates of Eurasia and America.

Interesting details

  • Price: this bicycle hiking tour can cost approximately one thousand euros per group of up to four people. If you want to include more people in the tour, you will have to pay an additional price of approximately 58 euros per person.
  • Duration: it will be a long trip of approximately six hours.
  • Means of transportation: you must arrive on your own at the meeting point established at the time of booking. From there to the nature reserve where the trip will begin, you will board a properly equipped bus. Once at the place, the trip will be done by electric bicycle in some parts and by bus in others.
  • Advantages of this tour: it is a tour allowed in spring, summer and autumn. The original tour is in English, but you can request a private tour in Spanish.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: it is not accessible in winter. It is not suitable for people in wheelchairs, with reduced mobility or with constant back pain. It is also not recommended for pregnant women. The difficulty of the route is great, so you have the support of a car.

8. Join a private tour of Reykjavík's north shore in summer only

Thermal beach of Nauthólsvík| ©Giuseppe Milo
Thermal beach of Nauthólsvík| ©Giuseppe Milo

On this special route from Reykjavík you can cycle along the north coast at your own pace. You will be able to see impressive places on this side of the island, including the Nauthólsvík thermal beach and the Perlan area.

One of the best things about this tour is that you can choose what time of day is best for you to do the tour. You can do it in the evening so you can see the Icelandic sunset during the tour, or do it during the day. It is private, so only you and your group will participate.

Details of interest

  • Price: you can get this guided tour for an approximate price of 281 euros per group of up to four people, for each additional person, you will have to pay an approximate 58 euros per person.
  • Duration: the complete tour has a length of 18 kilometers to cover, how long it takes you will depend on the time you want to dedicate to the experience, but to have an estimate, it could take you about three hours to visit all the places on the itinerary.
  • Means of transportation: you will have to arrive on your own at the departure point detailed at the time of booking. From the beginning of the trip, everything is done by electric bicycle until you return to the original starting point.
  • Advantages of this tour: it is easy to do, it does not require much effort or specific preparation to do it. It is done on paved roads and mostly on flat terrain. Although the tour is in English, you can schedule the private tour in Spanish.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: It is not a tour suitable for people in wheelchairs or with mobility problems, back pain or similar problems. It is a tour that can only be done during the summer season because in the winter the temperatures drop considerably and the hiking trails are closed.

Book your Reykjavík coastal tour

Tips for cycling tours in Reykjavík

Walking around Reykjavik| ©jordi Doria Vidal
Walking around Reykjavik| ©jordi Doria Vidal
  • Try to do this kind of bike tours in the summer season, because in winter the roads are usually closed or more dangerous than in summer.
  • Dress appropriately, even if you do the tour in summer time, try to wear warm clothes because the wind can be inclement in Iceland.
  • If you are traveling with children, make sure they can ride comfortably in a child seat suitable for bicycles.
  • Always wear sunglasses to protect yourself from the wind. And if you are traveling with children, bring scarves, gloves and sunglasses for them as well.
  • Try to make reservations for any tour before your trip, so that you can secure your place on each of the tours you book.

Why should I take a guided bike tour in Reykjavik?

Tourist Bus Tour| ©carolynthepilot
Tourist Bus Tour| ©carolynthepilot

You can certainly take a bike tour on your own around Reykjavik and other sites around the capital, but touring alone and without a professional guide can be a bit risky.

It is recommended that you do this tour together with an experienced person who can tell you everything you need to know about each of the places you will stop at during the tour. It is also important to go with a professional guide to ensure your safety. In addition, by going with a tour guide you will always know where you are going and you will not get lost.