Iceland is a unique destination in the world, made up of spectacular landscapes, volcanoes, glaciers and waterfalls that seem to have come from another planet. However, organizing a trip here can be expensive and complicated on your own. For this reason, guided excursions represent an ideal solution: they allow you to easily reach the most famous attractions, optimize time and enjoy complete experiences without having to think about logistics. In this guide you will find the 10 best excursions in Iceland to book onlineselected among the most evocative experiences to live in Reykjavik and its surroundings.
What are the best trips to do in Iceland?
Visiting Iceland often requires long journeys between one stage and another, on roads that cross wild and poorly urbanized landscapes. Many of the most famous attractions are not always easily reachable independently or, in some cases, it is preferable to visit them with a guide for safety and organizational reasons. For this reason, guided excursions are a widely used solution.
With 1–3 daystime is limited and we focus mainly on the capital Reykjavik and surrounding areas with nearby experiences, easily reachable in a few hours. In this case the most common excursions are those to the Blue Lagoon, Northern Lights tours or short activities around the city, ideal for getting a first taste of Iceland without traveling too far.
With 4–5 dayshowever, the trip becomes more complete and allows you to explore the most famous areas of the country. With 4-5 days in Iceland you can include full-day excursions such as the Golden Circle, the south coast with waterfalls and black beaches, or more adventurous activities such as trekking on glaciers, visits to ice caves or volcanic tours.
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10 best guided hikes in Iceland
1. Golden Circle Day Tour – from €54
Among the excursions to do in Iceland you cannot miss a tour of the legendary Icelandic Golden Circle with an 8-hour journey from Reykjavik. You’ll discover the best of southwest Iceland, including the spectacular Geysir area, Gullfoss waterfall and Þingvellir National Park. After a pick up from your hotel in Reykjavik, you will travel to the Geysir geothermal area. Marvel as the active Strokkur hot spring spews water vapor 30 meters into the air every 8 minutes.
We then continue with one of the most iconic stretches of Iceland at the Gullfoss waterfall (“Golden Falls”). You’ll hear the splash of the Hvítá glacial river as it tumbles down a 32-meter-deep fissure. Next, you’ll enter Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart at a rate of just a few centimeters per year.
Þingvellir was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural value in 2004 and is home to an incredible Rift Valley and the Rock of Law, the first Viking parliament. You’ll see the volcanic crater of Lake Kerið and pass through southern Icelandic farms on the drive around the Golden Circle.
➔ Golden Circle Day Tour with Kerid Crater
2. Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel – from €56
You will meet the guide directly at the Raufarhólshellir lava tube to discover one of the longest and most famous lava tubes in Iceland. This is an unforgettable adventure that will allow you to witness an incredible natural phenomenon just 30 minutes away from the Icelandic capital.
As the tunnel is the work of mother nature, the terrain can be quite uneven and difficult to navigate so a pedestrian bridge has been built inside the lava tunnel to simplify exploration and lights have been installed to improve visibility and illuminate the changing colours, landscape and geological formations of the tunnel. Raufarhólshellir is one of Iceland’s largest lava tubes, approximately 10 meters high.
You’ll follow the path of the pedestrian bridge with your guide as he talks about the geological formations and you’ll learn interesting stories about Hollywood adventures, the tunnel’s ties to ancient Indian tribes and other curiosities. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and is suitable for anyone comfortable walking on uneven surfaces and climbing up and down steep stairs.
➔ Tour to Raufarhólshellir tunnel
3. Whale Tour in Húsavík – from €65
The whale tour is certainly one of the most beautiful tours to do in Iceland. You will experience the original Húsavík Whale Watching tour that turned Húsavík into Iceland’s whale watching capital. In 3 hours you will be able to admire the natural beauty of Skjálfandi and have the opportunity to see whales, dolphins and sea birds.
Enjoy a sailing adventure in a traditional Icelandic ship and treat yourself to a cup of hot chocolate and signature cinnamon rolls on the return journey. This tour has been recommended by thousands of satisfied visitors from around the world, as an authentic wildlife activity run by the pioneers of whale watching in Iceland.
➔ Whale watching tour
4. Northern Lights Tour – from €70
Do you want to go hunting for the Northern Lights? There is a tour waiting for you in a comfortable minibus with a maximum of 18 people. With a trained English-speaking guide, warm under the blankets, sipping hot chocolate and eating traditional Icelandic sweets to warm you on the cold night, you can admire the spectacle of the Northern Lights on a deluxe tour in a minibus. And if you’re not lucky enough to see the Northern Lights, you can take the tour again for free or receive a voucher for your future travels!
➔ Northern Lights Tour
5. South Iceland Tour – from €74
Spend the day exploring Iceland’s beautiful south and coastline by taking part in a full-day tour, departing from Reykjavik, including hotel pick up. You will travel to the beautiful waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss and along the way, you will be able to admire rivers, waterfalls, mountains and glaciers, the beaches of the south coast, the glaciers of Sólheimajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. Finally, before returning to Reykjavik, you will visit the charming town of Vik, the southernmost village in Iceland, south of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
➔ South Iceland Tour
6. Snorkeling in Silfra fissure
There Silfra fissures it is one of the most incredible places in the world to snorkel. Here you swim between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, in glacial waters so clear that they guarantee exceptional visibility. It’s a unique, surreal experience and very different to any other activity in Iceland, ideal for those looking for something truly special.
7. Excursion to glaciers and ice caves
The glacier of Vatnajökull offers some of the most spectacular experiences in the country. With an expert guide it is possible to walk on the ice or explore natural caves that form in winter, characterized by translucent blue walls and almost unreal scenery. It’s one of Iceland’s most iconic and photographed activities.
8. Whale watching from Reykjavik
From the capital Reykjavik numerous sea excursions depart for whale watching. While sailing in the North Atlantic sea it is possible to observe humpback whales, dolphins and other marine species in their natural habitat. It is an exciting experience that combines nature, the ocean and the possibility of close encounters with majestic animals.
9. Excursion to Fagradalsfjall volcano
The volcano Fagradalsfjall has become famous for recent eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Guided hikes pass through still-young lava fields and volcanic craters, offering an ever-changing lunar landscape. It is one of the most “alive” and dynamic experiences of modern Iceland.
10. Snæfellsnes Peninsula
There Snæfellsnes Peninsula it is often called “Iceland in miniature” because it contains glaciers, cliffs, black beaches and small fishing villages in a single area. A tour here allows you to see a wide variety of landscapes without straying too far from Reykjavik, making it one of the most comprehensive and scenic excursions in the country.
Best time to go to Iceland
THE’summer (June–August) it is the most popular time to visit Iceland. The days are very long thanks to the midnight sun and the temperatures are milder than the rest of the year. This makes it easier to move and visit even the most remote areas of the island, as well as allowing you to go on excursions, trekking and complete itineraries without too many limitations. On the other hand, it is also the high season, so prices are higher and the more touristy locations can be crowded.
THE’winter (November–March) instead it offers a completely different Iceland, quieter and more spectacular from a landscape point of view. The days are very short, but it is the best time to observe the Northern Lights and to enjoy unique experiences such as ice caves or completely snow-covered landscapes. In this season, however, we must consider more unstable weather conditions and greater attention when traveling.
The intermediate seasons, spring and autumn (May and September) they are often considered the best compromise. The climate is more stable than in winter, prices are lower than in summer, and the days are still long enough to explore the island. Furthermore, there is less crowding and you can enjoy the main attractions better.
Guided excursions in Iceland offer a convenient and easy opportunity to explore the island’s natural wonders without breaking the bank. With careful planning and choosing economical tours, you can discover breathtaking landscapes, geysers, waterfalls and volcanic panoramas, having an unforgettable adventure without compromising your budget.