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13 Best Iceland Tours & Day Trips for Every Season

By Author Jurga

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13 Best Iceland Tours & Day Trips for Every Season

Planning a trip to Iceland and wondering which tours are worth your time the most? in this article, we share our hand-picked selection of the best Iceland tours and day trips, from Reykjavik’s top excursions to adventurous activities across the country.

Updated for 2025: Originally published in January 2018, this guide has been refreshed to feature Iceland’s most popular tours today. Our Iceland travel guides have helped hundreds of thousands of readers plan unforgettable trips, and we hope this guide inspires your Iceland adventure as well!

Whether you’re using Reykjavik as your base for exploring Iceland or are road-tripping around the Ring Road, this list will help you experience the best of Iceland and plan a truly memorable trip.

Good to know: Most tours in this selection can be done as a day trip from Reykjavik. In this article, we focus on the best Iceland tours for all seasons. If you are interested in winter tours (Northern Lights and similar), please check out our guide to the best winter tours and day trips from Reykjavik.

TIP: If you are wondering what are the most popular tours in Iceland, here are the top 5:

  1. Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik.
  2. Golden Circle with Kerid Crater from Reykjavik.
  3. South Coast Day Trip from Reykjavik.
  4. Whale Watching from Reykjavik.
  5. Glacier Hike from Skaftafell (South Coast).

READ ALSO: How to Get to Reykjavik from Keflavik Airport

Best Tours in Iceland – OVERVIEW

  1. Golden Circle
  2. Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon & More
  3. South Coast
  4. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  5. Snæfellsnes Peninsula
  6. Whale Watching
  7. Glacier Hiking
  8. Silfra Snorkeling
  9. Icelandic Horse Riding
  10. Puffin Tours
  11. Lake Mývatn and Dettifoss Waterfall
  12. Icelandic Highlands (summer only)
  13. More great tours and day trips in Iceland: lava caves, snowmobiling, helicopter tours over volcanos…
 
 

TIP: We list the most popular tours in Iceland first, so if you are short on time, start with the top of this list and you’ll be sure to cover all the must-sees.

These are the best Iceland tours:

1. Golden Circle

Golden Circle is the no. 1 must-see place in Iceland. Whether you are visiting for a day or for two weeks, no trip to Iceland would be complete without visiting the Golden Circle.

Golden Circle is an area that comprises three famous landmarks – the Geysir area, Gullfoss waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park. Due to its proximity to Reykjavik, this is by far the most popular tour in Iceland.

You can visit Golden Circle by car, or you can opt for one of the many available guided tours from Reykjavik. Below are some of the very best options:

All seasons
Departs from Reykjavik

READ ALSO: Where to Stay in Reykjavik

Iceland trip itinerary suggestions - from one day to two weeks
Strokkur Geyser is one of the main attractions on the Golden Circle
 
 

2. Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon & Other Geothermal Baths

No trip to Iceland would be complete without a soak in its geothermal baths. There are many great pools all over the country. Below are the most popular options that you can easily visit from Reykjavik. If you visit just one, we recommend the Sky Lagoon.

  • Blue Lagoon is an outdoor geothermal spa close to Reykjavik and Keflavik Airport. It is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland, so you really have to book tickets in advance. Blue Lagoon is located about 40 minutes drive from Reykjavik city center, so unless you have a car it’s best to book tickets with a round-trip bus transfer.
  • Sky Lagoon. This geothermal pool is located closer to Reykjavik center, overlooking the sea, and is absolutely amazing. In fact, most of our readers prefer Sky Lagoon vs. Blue Lagoon. You can easily visit by booking admission together with the bus transfer. If you have a car or if you prefer to take a taxi, you still need to book entrance tickets in advance. Sky Lagoon often sells out, and not just in the high season.

All seasons
Departs from Reykjavik

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Reykjavik

Blue Lagoon spa - the most popular excursion in Iceland
Blue Lagoon – the most geothermal baths in Iceland
 
 

3. South Coast Tours

Iceland’s South Coast is another ‘must see’ in Iceland. It is doable as a day trip from Reykjavik and is, therefore, a very popular excursion from the city. In fact, South Coast tours are the most popular tours in Iceland.

All these tours include the highlights, such as the famous Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Reynisfjara black sand beach and the nearby Vik village, Sólheimajökull Glacier, and more.

Here are the best-rated South Coast tours from Reykjavik:

All seasons
Departs from Reykjavik 

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do on the South Coast of Iceland

Skogafoss waterfall along Iceland's south coast
Skogafoss Waterfall along Iceland’s south coast
 
 

4. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon – and the adjacent Diamond Beach – is one of my personal favorite places in Iceland. However, it’s located quite far from Reykjavik, so if you want to visit it on a day trip, be prepared for a very long day and lots of hours spent driving.

I don’t recommend doing this trip in just one day, unless you are really short on time. But if you only have a day to spare and want to see this stunning glacial lagoon, then yes, it is possible to visit Jokulsarlon as a day trip from Reykjavik.

Despite the long drive, a day trip to Jokulsarlon is one of the most popular tours in Iceland and the customer reviews are great. This is the most popular Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon day tour from Reykjavik. It’s available year-round, but in summer, when the days are long, this trip will give you incomparably more chances to admire the beautiful South Coast than in the winter.

TIP: If you are visiting in winter, I highly recommend doing this amazing 2-day tour instead. That way, you get to see the entire South Coast, including Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and also visit a natural ice cave.

All seasons
Departs from Reykjavik

READ ALSO: Top Places to Visit in Iceland

Iceland winter wonderland - icebergs on Jokulsarlon beach in winter
Diamond beach at Jokulsarlon
 
 

5. Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Another long day trip from Reykjavik, a visit to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is an unforgettable experience. The highlights include Mt. Kirkjufell, black Budir Church, and stunning coastlines with lava beaches.

If you are looking for the best, must-do tours that you can do in Iceland in any season, this is one of the areas that are more than worth your time.

Here are the best Snaefellsnes Peninsula tours from Reykjavik:

All seasons
Departs from Reykjavik

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Iceland tours - Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Kirkjufell in Snaefellsnes Peninsula
 
 

6. Whale-watching Tours

There are several places where you can go whale watching in Iceland. The most popular whale-watching tours run from Reykjavik and Husavik (North of Iceland), but there are some other great options as well.

Reykjavik whale-watching tours are available the whole year, but please note that the best time to see whales in Iceland is from April through September. The best place to see whales in Iceland is up North, from Husavik, aka the whale-watching capital of Iceland.

Good to know: Speedboat tours are usually more expensive than regular boat tours, but they can cover more ground in a shorter time and the animals sometimes get closer. Speedboat is also a better option if you are prone to sea sickness.

Here are the best whale-watching tours in Iceland:

Departs from Reykjavik or from Husavik (1h15 drive from Akureyri, 50 minutes drive from Myvatn).
Reykjavik: year-round. Husavik: April through November.

READ ALSO: Best Half-Day Tours from Reykjavik

Whale watching tour in Iceland
Whale watching is best in Husavik
 
 

7. Glacier Hiking & Ice Caves

Glacier hiking is one of the best outdoor adventures that you can do the whole year round. The best locations are along the South Coast, and the tours only take a few hours, so it’s a great activity to add to any Iceland trip itinerary.

All seasons, unless specified otherwise.
Departs from Reykjavik, Sólheimajökull, or Skaftafell NP.

LEARN MORE: Complete Guide to Glacier Hiking in Iceland

In addition to glacier hiking, ice cave tours are incredibly popular in Iceland. While most ice cave tours only run in winter (+- November to March), some tours are also available in summer. However, please keep in mind that ice caves are a natural phenomenon and so the conditions change all the time and you never really know in advance what exactly you get to see. The best time for these excursions is between October and March.

Here are the best ice cave tours in Iceland:

Departs from Skaftafell NP or from Vik, except Langjökull Glacier or Katla ice cave which is also possible from Reykjavik.

READ ALSO: Iceland Winter Bucket List

Glacier hiking guides in Iceland
Glacier hiking – one of the best activities in Iceland that you can do in summer or in winter.
 
 

8. Silfra Snorkeling

Located in Thingvellir National Park (on the Golden Circle), Silfra is one of the top diving sites in the world. But even if you don’t dive, you can explore the bright blue and crystal clear waters with incredible visibility of up to 100 meters.

Here are the best Silfra snorkeling tours:

All seasons.
Departs from Thingvellir or Reykjavik.

Silfra snorkeling tours in Iceland
Silfra snorkeling
 
 

9. Icelandic Horses

For many visitors, interacting with Icelandic horses is a must-do in Iceland. You will likely see many horses next to the road when driving around the country, but if you want to ride a horse, you will need to book a tour.

Most horseback riding tours are meant for tourists with little or no experience. It’s a family-friendly experience that anyone can join. Here are the best horseback riding tours near Reykjavik:

All seasons
Departs from Reykjavik or from Hafnarfjordur (20 min drive from Reykjavik).

Horseback riding tour in Iceland
Horseback riding tour in Iceland
 
 

10. Puffin Tours

No summer trip to Iceland would be complete without seeing the puffins. There are some land-based trips, but if you are looking to do tours, the best use of your time is to combine puffin tours with whale watching. Here are the best options:

From Reykjavik – May to mid-August. From Husavik – April to October (although puffins will likely not be around early and late in the season, so you will mostly see whales).

Iceland tours to see puffins
Puffins can only be seen in summer in Iceland. The best season is from the end of May to mid August
 
 

11. Lake Mývatn Area

One of the most beautiful and must-see places in the North of Iceland is the area around Lake Myvatn. You can visit this area by car, or you can join a guided tour from Akureyri.

Most tours visit Godafoss Waterfall, Lake Myvatn, and Myvatn Nature Baths, but some also include a visit to Dettifoss Waterfall.

Here are the best tours from Akureyri (great as a shore excursion):

All seasons.
Departs from Akureyri (North Iceland).

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Myvatn

Lake Myvatn - most popular day tour in Northern Iceland
Lake Myvatn – the most popular destination in Northern Iceland
 
 

12. Icelandic Highlands

If you visit Iceland in summer, don’t miss the chance to see the highlands of Iceland! It’s a whole other world and completely different than anything else you’ll see in Iceland. 

You do need a super-jeep to properly explore the highlands, so it’s ideal if you can visit with a guided tour. The most popular trips in the highlands include Thorsmork and Landmannalaugar. Here are the best Icelandic highlands tours from Reykjavik:

Summer only.
Various departure locations.

READ ALSO: Icelandic Highlands Tour with a Private Driver

Haifoss waterfall in Iceland's highlands
Haifoss Waterfall in the Highlands of Iceland
 
 

13. More Amazing Tours in Iceland

There are so many more great tours and day trips that you can do in Iceland that will make your trip so much more memorable. Here are a few of the most popular options:

TIP: One of the newest tours in Iceland at the moment is hiking to the eruption site of the Fagradalsfjall or Merdalir Volcanos. The situation in this area is still very changeable, so if you want to visit, it’s best to go on a guided tour with local guides who know what the current situation is like.

Best things to do in Iceland - Fagradalsfjall volcano
Fagradalsfjall Volcano eruption.
 
 

So this is our hand-picked selection of the very best tours in Iceland. I hope that this helps you plan a more memorable trip.

TIP: We have been to Iceland many times and have tons of articles to help you plan your trip. You can see a small selection of featured articles below and a lot more information in our Iceland travel guide.

More tips for your trip to Iceland:

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

Most popular guided tours, day trips and excursions in Iceland in spring, summer and autumn
Best tours, excursions, and day trips in Iceland
 
 

Photo credits: personal collection, Shutterstock.com, Depositphotos.com, and also Pixabay.com.

Best guided tours and day trips in Iceland

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Brad

Tuesday 13th of August 2019

Hello Jurga, Extremely detailed, well-thought-out and useful information and suggestions!! Thank you so much for your time and effort. We (my wife and I) are trying to piece together the flights and campervan rental to visit this September roughly from the 10th to the 16/17th. Anyway, we are flying out to different locations and I would leave at 09:00h and she at 18:45h from KEF. I was wondering if you knew of any guided day tours leaving from (and returning to) KEF so my wife might make the most of those roughly 7-8 hours she would otherwise be sitting around the airport for. Alternatively we could look at paying a supplement for a second driver and she could drive herself somewhere for the day/lunch... but would rather not have to worry about any troubles with the vehicle or getting lost and missing the flight. A guided tour or bus tour with KEF as the starting/finishing point would be less stress. I'm looking online now but figured asking may be quicker than sifting through all the search results. Again many thanks for your wonderful website!! Saludos from Spain.

Jurga

Wednesday 14th of August 2019

Hi Brad, there isn't much starting/ending from Keflavik, but here are three options for you:

1. Reykjaness Peninsula stopover tour - this is the only one that I found that starts and ends at Keflavik airport. It starts at 10.30AM if I see well and lasts 6 hours, so it could work. It's also a very nice and less known area that most tourists just start to slowly discover now.

2. You could drop your wife off at the Blue Lagoon (book tickets in advance!). There she can also have lunch, spa treatments, etc. if she wants to, and then take a bus to the airport (also book in advance) later that afternoon.

3. You leave her in Reykjavik where she can spend the day in town and maybe visit Perlan (we really enjoyed it) and then take a bus to Keflavik from BSI terminal (where she could also leave her luggage - there are lockers).

Hope this helps!

Beth

Thursday 1st of August 2019

All of your articles have been very helpful in planning my trip, thank you! You recommend the "Get your Guide" agency for several of your tours. Do they typically list available times only one month in advance? On some of the tours there seem to be no options from august through next year. Just trying to make sure I don't miss the boat (literally)!

Jurga

Wednesday 7th of August 2019

Hi Beth, normally they list tours for the upcoming season (just as the companies that operate those tours), so it's very likely that some tours don't run in winter and are therefore not listed (e.g. whale watching tours in the North of Iceland stop after the summer, etc). What tour and for which travel dates are you looking for?

Diana Greer

Sunday 13th of May 2018

Can you book tours you suggested after you arrive or is it best to book in advance?

Jurga

Sunday 13th of May 2018

Yes, of course you can book them last minute, but depending on the season some tours may get fully booked. If you know already what you want to do and on which day, I'd say book upfront. If for whatever reason you decide you don't want to do a tour, you can normally cancel for free up to 24hrs in advance. Another big advantage of booking in advance online vs e.g. at a hotel is that you can read the customer reviews, compare prices and see what exactly is or isn't included, etc. And not have to waste your time on that while on holiday.

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