A few summers ago I had the opportunity to spend 7 days in Iceland, and I was left speechless by the natural beauty of this country. If you love being outdoors and being constantly amazed, then you will love Iceland.
Iceland is the land of Ice and Fire, where on the same day you can go from exploring an ice cave to seeing a volcano erupt. You can see stunning waterfalls, jaw-dropping cliffs, scenic black sand beaches and epic countryside views.
If you want to see all of that and more, but arenβt sure how, this is the guide for you. In this article Iβve compiled all the best tours in Iceland, which are actually worth doing and worth the price.
Iceland is a wild and vast country, and joining a tour with an expert guide is the best way to really see all its beauties.
Especially if, like me, you donβt drive, you will want to join a multi-day tour that will take you to see all the highlights of Iceland.
Even if you rent a car and do your own Iceland road trip, there are still many day trips and tours that you might want to join. For example if you want to go whale watching, scuba diving or horse riding, you will have to join a tour.
Which is where these awesome Iceland tours and day trips! I have put together the most popular and highly reviewed tours in Iceland for you to choose from, so that you can have an epic time in Iceland.
So without further ado, read on and discover the best Iceland tours for your trip!
Best tours in Iceland
Icelandβs best selling tour
When searching for tours I always look at GetYourGuide first, as they have the most flexible cancellation policy, great customer support, loads of tours on offer and very competitive prices.
When I looked up Iceland on GYG I was very surprised to discover that the top FIVE tours in Iceland, arenβt actually tours! Theyβre transfers from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik.
Thatβs because taxi fares in Iceland are very expensive, which increased the demand for this service.
Considering Iceland can be a generally expensive destination, you might want to save some money at least on this and book yourself an airport transfer!
And even though it seems pretty straight forward, there are actually a couple different options even for airport transfers.
Reykjavik Shuttle Bus Transfer to/from Keflavik Airport β This shuttle bus will take you from the airport to BSI Bus Terminal or central Reykjavik. The bus also has free Wi-Fi and air-con.
Book your shuttle bus from Keflavik Airport to central Reykjavik here!
Direct Bus Transfer between Keflavik Airport & Hotels β This one is a little pricier, but it will take you directly to your hotel and save you having to make your way there with suitcases right after landing.
Click here to book your direct bus transfer from Keflavik Airport to your hotel!
Keflavik Airport Private Transfer β If you want to travel with comfort, this private transfer is perfect. It also avoids you having to wait for an available taxi at the airport.
Click here to book your Keflavik Airport private transfer!
The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is undoubtedly one of the most popular regions of Iceland, because of both its natural beauty and its proximity to Reykjavik. As a matter of fact, many of the best Iceland tours focus on this beautiful region.
The Golden Circle is filled with waterfalls, geysers, cliffs, and more!
But there are three main stops in the Golden Circle that everyone must visit: Gulfoss waterfall (one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland) , the Haukaalur geothermal area (which includes the Strokkur geyser), and Thingvellier National Park.
Some of the best Golden Circle tours include those listed below:
Golden Circle Full Day Tour with Kerid Crater β This option is definitely one of the best Golden Circle tours in Iceland β and for good reason. Youβll get to see all of the highlights of the Golden Circle, as well as the added bonus stop of Kerid Crater.
Click here to book your Golden Circle & Kerid Crater tour!
From Reykjavik: Golden Circle Express Tour With Pickup β If you donβt have time for a full eight-hour tour of the Golden Circle, this express tour compresses the experience into just 6.5 hours β without missing any of the main highlights.
Click here to see prices and availability for your Golden Circle Express tour!
Northern Lights
Iceland is well-known as one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. Also known as the Aurora Borealis, this natural phenomenon occurs most often between late fall and early spring.
While most viewers just take in the gorgeous waves of colour in the sky, there is actually a cool scientific explanation behind it.
The Northern Lights are solar particles from the sunβs solar wind that emit bright colours when they collide with the particles found in the Earthβs atmosphere.
To have the greatest chance of seeing the Northern Lights during your trip, I highly recommend booking one of the best Northern Lights tours in Iceland. Luckily for you, Iβve listed a few of them below!
3-Hour Northern Lights Tour β This 3-hour Northern Lights tour is probably exactly what youβre picturing in your head. You drive out away from the city, bundle up to keep out the winter chill, and watch the Aurora Borealis light up the sky!
Click here to book your 3-hour Northern Lights Tour!
Northern Lights Luxury Yacht Tour β If youβre hoping to spice up your Northern Lights experience, this tour is a great option. Not only will you be able to see the brilliant colours in the sky, youβll also get to do so while on a lavish yacht.
Click here to book your Northern Lights Luxury Yacht Tour!
Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a gorgeous outdoor geothermal spa. The bright blue waters are one of the most photographed spots in Iceland. Itβs the perfect place to simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the stunning scenery.
Thereβs also a hotel & spa at the Blue Lagoon, which is one of the most unique hotels in Iceland.Β There are quite a few tours to the Blue Lagoon, and below Iβve listed some that Iβd recommend:
Blue Lagoon Entrance PackageΒ β This particular βtourβ is rather simple. Itβs just the tickets to get into the beautiful Blue Lagoon, which conveniently allows you to skip the line! Youβll also get a towel and drink included with your purchase.
Click here to purchase your Blue Lagoon Entrance Package!
Reykjavik to Blue Lagoon TransportationΒ β If youβre okay with getting your tickets when you get to the Blue Lagoon, you may prefer this tour option instead. This particular offering simply includes transportation between Reykjavik and the Blue Lagoon.
Book your return transfer to the Blue Lagoon here!
Golden Circle, Kerid Crater, and the Blue Lagoon TourΒ β If youβd like a more conventional tour of the Blue Lagoon, this is the option for you! Not only will you be able to learn a few fun facts about the Blue Lagoon, youβll get to explore the bonus attractions of the Golden Circle and Kerid Crater.
Check out prices and availability for a Golden Circle, Kerid Crater and Blue Lagoon tour here!Β
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Given that itβs quite a bit out of the way, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is actually a hidden gem!
This particular peninsula boasts some of the most incredible landscapes in Iceland β from towering mountains to stunning cliffs to eye-catching glaciers.
Kirkjufell Mountain, the Londrangar Basalt Cliffs, and the SnaefellsjΓΆkull Glacier are just a few of the Snaefellsnes Peninsulaβs most noteworthy highlights.
To see as much of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula as possible, you can take a tour.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula Full-Day TourΒ β This 11-hour tour takes you to many of the highlights of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, including Kirkjufell, DjΓΊpalΓ³nssandur black sand beach, and Arnarstapi.
Click here to book your Snaefellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour!
Snaefellsnes Hidden Treasures of the West Small Group Tourβ If youβd like to see all of the beautiful sights of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula but with fewer people in your tour group, this option may be the one for you!
Check out prices and availability for yourΒ Snaefellsnes Hidden Treasures & Small Group tour!
Whale Watching
Northern Iceland, more specifically the town of HΓΊsavΓk, is well-known as the whale watching capital of Iceland. Due to the migrating patterns of these majestic creatures, you can typically see these whales during the summer months.
While you can sometimes see whales from the shore, I recommend taking a tour to get a better look.
HΓΊsavΓk 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour β Run by one of the best Iceland tour companies, this 3-hour whale watching tour in HΓΊsavΓk is absolutely amazing. While aboard a traditional oak boat, youβll be able to enjoy beautiful views of SkjΓ‘lfandi Bay, and, more importantly, the awe-inspiring whales.
Click here to book your whale watching tour from Husavik!
Reykjavik Whale Watching TourΒ β If youβre not planning on making the journey to Northern Iceland, you can instead take this wonderful whale watching tour in Reykjavik.
Book your Reykjavik whale watching tour here!
Reykjavik Whale Watching Tour on a Luxury YachtΒ β To take your whale watching experience to the next level, you can upgrade from a common tour boat to a luxury yacht with this whale watching experience.
Β Check prices and availability for your luxury yacht whale watching tour here!
Puffin Spotting
But whales definitely arenβt the only amazing animal in Iceland. Another fantastic animal to see during your trip is a puffin! Puffins are a small type of seabird that are most easily identified by their black and white coat and orange beak.
They are exclusively found in the North Atlantic Ocean, which means that you can only spot them in a handful of countries, including England, Scotland, Greenland, and of course Iceland.
If you donβt have much bird watching experience, it might be difficult to spot these adorable birds. Luckily, some of the best Iceland tours are ones that are great for puffin spotting!
Puffin-Watching Boat Tour in ReykjavikΒ β This boat tour takes guests to two nearby islands that are practically guaranteed to have puffins!
Book your puffin watching boat tour here!
Whale Safari and Puffin Island TourΒ β If you want to see both whales and puffins in one adventure, you can make that happen with this amazing HΓΊsavΓk-based tour.
Check out prices and availability for your whale & puffin safari tour!
Silfra Fissure
Many of the top Iceland tours take visitors to the Silfra Fissure. This unique spot is actually a rift between the European and North American tectonic plates! So when you swim in the Silfra Fissure, youβll be swimming between two continents!
And while the geographical significance of the Silfra Fissure is definitely cool, itβs not the only reason itβs an amazing place to visit.
The Silfra Fissure is filled with colourful coral and friendly fish, so itβs any snorkeler or scuba diversβ dream. As a matter of fact, itβs one of the highest rated diving spots in the entire world!
Silfra Fissure Snorkelling Tour with Underwater PhotosΒ β The most popular way to experience the Silfra Fissure is by snorkelling. This particular snorkelling tour not only shows you the best of this underwater world, but it also provides you with underwater photos as well! In other words, itβs definitely one of the best tours in Iceland.
Book your Silfra Fissure Snorkelling Tour here!
Silfra Fissure Scuba Diving TourΒ β While snorkelling is the most popular thing to do in the Silfra Fissure, you can go scuba diving there as well. This tour will make your scuba diving experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.
Book your Silfra Fissure Scuba Diving experience here!
Westfjords
Most of the attractions on this list are part of Icelandβs famous Ring Road, but the Westfjords surprisingly are not. This means that most visitors overlook this swath of land, despite the fact that itβs one of the most breathtaking parts of Iceland.
The most beautiful thing to see in the Westfjords is the 100-metre-tall Dynjandi Waterfall, but thatβs certainly not all. You can also go to the Dragnes Hot Pots, Latrabjarg Cliffs, and the red sand Raudasandur Beach.
For the best Westfjords experience, take one of the tours listed below!
Westfjords and Dynjandi Waterfall Small Group TourΒ β This five-hour tour covers many of the best sights to see in the Westfjords, including the Dynjandi Waterfall and the adorable towns of Thingeyri and Hrafnseyri.
Book your small group tour of the Westfjords and Dynjandi here!
Svalvogar Circle Sightseeing Tour β This tour focuses on the hidden gems of the Svalvogar Circle. So while you will get to see the amazing Dynjandi Waterfall, youβll also see lesser known mountains and towns.
Check out prices and availability for your Svalvogar Circle tour here!
Westfjords Nature TourΒ β This 3-hour boat tour is unique, because it solely focuses on the wildlife of the Westfjords. Keep your eye out for whales, seals, and seabirds!
Click here to book your Westfjords Nature Tour!
Horse Riding
Along with whales and puffins, Iceland is also well-known for its horses! Icelandic horses are a special breed of horse that is smaller, easier to train, and a tad fluffier.
While many visitors to Iceland just make a quick stop to say hello to these friendly animals, you can actually enjoy their company a bit longer on a horse riding tour!
Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava FieldsΒ β Ride a friendly Icelandic horse through some of Icelandβs most breathtaking landscapes, including green hillsides and black lava fields.
Click here to book your horse riding tour in lava fields!
Westfjords Private Horse Riding TourΒ β This tour is a combination of a horse riding lesson and a tour of the Westfjords. In other words, this is a great tour if youβre not an avid horse rider.
Book your Iceland private horse riding tour here!
Glaciers
So far in this article, weβve showcased so much of the natural beauty of Iceland β from waterfalls to hot springs to the Northern Lights. But one type of natural landscape that I havenβt mentioned yet is the glaciers!
There are actually a whopping 269 glaciers in Iceland! Obviously, you wonβt be able to see them all, but a few of the most well-known ones include the Jokusarlon Glacier, the Langjokull Glacier, and the VatnajΓΆkullΒ Glacier.
3-Hour Glacier Hike at Skaftafell National Parkβs VatnajΓΆkull GlacierΒ β VatnajΓΆkullΒ Glacier is the largest glacier in all of Europe, and on this particular tour, youβll get to hike it!
Click here to book your 3-hour glacier hike at Skaftafell National Park here!
3-Hour SΓ³lheimajΓΆkull Glacier HikeΒ β This SΓ³lheimajΓΆkull Glacier tour is definitely one of the best glacier tours in Iceland. With an experienced guide, a small group, and of course a beautiful natural landscape to explore, what more could you ask for?
Check out prices and availability for your Solheimajokull Glacier Hike here!
JΓΆkulsΓ‘rlΓ³n Glacier Lagoon Full-Day TripΒ β Unlike the other two Iceland glacier tour options on this list, this JΓΆkulsΓ‘rlΓ³n Glacier Lagoon trip doesnβt require any hiking. Instead, youβll get to see most of this lovely glacier (and its accompanying lagoon) by boat.
Book your full day trip to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon here!
Ice Caves
Once you experience the glaciers from above, why not experience them from below as well with one of the best ice cave tours in Iceland?
Ice caves are one of the coolest natural phenomena. These shimmering blue caves reflect and refract light in a way that makes the ice look almost crystal-like!
It is important to note that you can only visit Icelandβs naturally occurring ice caves in the winter, as they actually flood during the summer!
So if you happen to be visiting during the colder months, here are some fantastic Iceland ice cave tours for you to consider:
Super Jeep Tour of MΓ½rdalsjΓΆkull Glacier below Katla VolcanoΒ β Hop on a Super Jeep and head on over to the MΓ½rdalsjΓΆkull Glacier. When you get there, youβll be able to enjoy this stunning landscape from both above and below.
Click here to book your ice cave super jeep tour below Katla Volcano!
VatnajΓΆkull Ice Cave Tour & Glacier Hike in Skaftafell National ParkΒ β If you want to hike on top and explore the caves below Icelandβs largest glacier, this is the perfect tour for you!
Book your Vatnajokull Ice Cave Tour & Glacier Hike here!
LangjΓΆkull Glacier Ice Cave TourΒ β If youβre visiting during the warmer months, you can actually still visit the manmade LangjΓΆkull Glacier ice caves with this awesome tour.
See prices and availability for your Langjokull Glacier Ice Cave tour here!
Volcanoes
The volcanoes are definitely one of the most underrated parts of Icelandβs landscape. Thereβs just so much to see that itβs inevitable that something would get overlooked.
If youβd like to go off the beaten path and take a break from the waterfalls and glaciers, I highly recommend checking out the volcanoes.
A few of the most iconic ones in Iceland include the EyjafjallajΓΆkull Colcano, the Katla Volcano, and the Askja Colcano. Below, Iβve listed a couple of volcano tours for you to enjoy!
Erupting Fagradalsfjall Volcano TourΒ β The coolest part of a volcano is definitely when it erupts. Luckily, Iceland has quite a few active volcanoes that you can get relatively close to β with the help of a tour guide, of course. This particular tour takes you to the Fagradalsfjall Volcano.
Book your Iceland active volcano tour here!
Inside the Thrihnukagigur Volcano Tour β But you donβt have to experience the volcanoes just from above, you can actually experience the amazing Thrihnukagigur Volcano from below with this fantastic tour!
Click here to book your tour inside Thrihnukagigur Volcano here!
Final thoughts on the best tours in Iceland
There you have it, the ultimate compilation of the best Iceland tours! Have you taken any of these Iceland tours? How did you find them? Let me know in the comments below!
Iceland can be a tricky country to travel around alone, which is why doing a guided tour with a local expert is the best choice. I have hand picked these tours for you, so that you can have the trip of a lifetime in Iceland.
Across both GetYourGuide and Viator, these are the best selling tours that consistently receive the highest reviews. When you go to each tourβs individual page you can see what other travellers thought about it.
I hope you find this guide to the best Iceland tours useful in planning your time in Iceland! If you have any questions just let me know in the comments below.
Make sure to check also my Iceland packing list and ensure you have everything you need for your Iceland tours!