Iceland’s dramatic capital might be small, but it packs a mighty punch. Home to edgy art galleries, world-class restaurants and a thrilling Viking history, it’s also a stone’s throw from some of the world’s most dramatic scenery. Thankfully it’s easy to make the most of both worlds with a wide range of affordable tours on offer from the heart of the country’s capital.
Iceland is renowned for its bubbling hot springs (Photo: GetYourGuide.com)
Compared to the rest of Europe, Iceland is sparsely populated. Apart from a smattering of small fishing villages, hamlets and tiny towns scattered mostly along the coast, much of the country is covered in wilderness. It follows then that one of the best ways to explore is to base yourself in the country’s capital. There are hundreds of tours departing every day from Reykjavik, ranging from one-hour puffin-spotting trips to day-long hikes across active volcanoes. We’ve cherry-picked five of the best and most affordable tours from Reykjavik based on price, itinerary and reviews.
Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour
Iceland’s northerly location make it one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights (Photo: GetYourGuide.com)
From £38.40 per person.
Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Light – or Aurora Borealis – thanks to its northerly location. If your budget is limited, this four-hour tour is an excellent way to see them. Available throughout the winter months, the locations tend to differ from day to day depending on Mother Nature. If you don’t get to see the Northern Lights, the tour provider offers a complimentary trip on an alternative evening. The tour price also includes a ticket to the Aurora Museum, so you can brush up on your Northern Lights knowledge beforehand.
Book at GETYOURGUIDE.COM
From Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Trip
The Golden Circle is one of Iceland’s most popular routes (Photo: GetYourGuide.com)
From £41.82 per person.
This eight-hour trip whisks passengers away from the city centre to Iceland’s blockbuster ‘Golden Circle. The jam-packed itinerary includes a stop at Stokkur, Iceland’s most active geyser, followed by the iconic Gullfoss waterfalls. The second half of the tour involves a scenic hike across the Thingvellir National Park, a phenomenal UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits on the faultline between the North American and Eurasian continent and marks the beginning of Icelandic history. Tours are led by fun and engaging guides who have lived in the area for years and know the areas history, landscapes and legends inside-out.
BOOK AT GETYOURGUIDE.COM
Reykjavik: Guided Active Volcano Hike in Reykjanes Peninsula
You can’t beat an active volcano hike for thrills (Photo: GetYourGuide.com)
From £46.08 per person.
Adrenaline-junkies won’t want to miss out on this hike across an active volcano. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll get to take a 3–4 hour hike across the dramatic peaks to discover first-hand how the country became known as the ‘Land of Ice and Fire’. The Geldingadalur Valley last erupted this year in 2021, accompanied by fissures up to 700 metres long. You’ll even get to see the gleaming lava and glowing rivers of molten rock spewing from the crater.
BOOK AT GETYOURGUIDE.COM
From Reykjavik: South of Iceland Full-Day Trip
The Golden Circle is one of Iceland’s most popular routes (Photo: GetYourGuide.com)
From £64.77 per person.
If renting a car is out of the question, an organised day trip is the next best thing. This full-day trip combines the best of southern Iceland’s waterfalls, black sand beaches and cascades with stops at Hvolsvöllur, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull, Vik, Black Sand Beach and Seljalandsfoss. The coach ride takes in some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes too. The tour price includes pickup from centrally-located hotels in Reykjavík too. Best of all is the tremendous glacier snout of Sólheimajökull, an outlet glacier atop the mighty icecap of Mýrdalsjökull. Your Instagram account may never recover from all of those likes.
BOOK AT GETYOURGUIDE.COM
From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour
Iceland is a popular spot with Humpback, Blue, Fin, Minke, Sperm and Orcas (Photo: GetYourGuide.com)
From £66.57
Whale-watching is up there with the Northern Lights for bucket-list moments in Iceland. This affordably-priced tour starts off from Reykjavik’s old harbour aboard the country’s largest whale-watching ship. The ship offers impressive 360-degree views for easier whale spotting but if you don’t get to see any whales you’ll receive a complimentary whale-watching tour another day. Unlike other whale-watching tours, this ship is kitted out with microscopes, baleens and even whale teeth for some extra personal insights into whale life. A tour guide provides commentary throughout. There’s an onboard cafe and souvenir shop if you need a moment to warm up too.
By Allie d’Almo