Iceland · GUIDED
The 15 best guided tours you can book right now, with what each costs, how long it really takes and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Húsavík whale watching from a traditional oak boat in Skjálfandi Bay, with live guide, warm overalls, hot chocolate, and cinnamon bun.
“Great Guides, had a lot of fun and the female Guide (don’t remember her name unfortunately) did such a great job on commenting where to see the whales and gave many interesting Information.”
Reykjavík whale watching on the Andrea with warm overalls, expert guide-led spotting, and a free return ticket if no whales are spotted.
“I booked this to celebrate my 40th birthday and was trying to manage my expectations that we might not see any whale. However, we saw a minke on the way to the feeding ground, then at least 3 humpbacks. The guide was really good at sharing interesting information, then pointing us where to look. You also get access to a folder with the photos the guide took. It was really incredible - a real bucket list thing ticked off!”
See Vatnajökull’s blue ice inside a real ice cave on a 3-hour guided tour, with a super jeep ride and safety gear.
“Our guide was very knowledgeable and kept the adventure fun. He had a good vibe about him. The sights were amazing on and in the glacier!”
Reykjavik Golden Circle bus tour hits Strokkur, Gullfoss, and Þingvellir in about 6.5 hours with pickup and free Wi-Fi.
“The Reykjavík tour company is amazing. Phenomenal tour and guide and driver were very good. They even went out of the way and did additional northern lights stop on their own initiative when it wasn’t part of tour. Very knowledgeable and clearly want Tourists to enjoy the experience”
A 3-hour Reykjavik guided foodie walk with 5 stops and 6-8 tastings, led by funny local guides. Lamb, seafood, dessert.
“Absolutely amazing!! Our guide, Mimir, was the best. He was so engaging and funny and you could tell he loves his job. He made us all feel as if we were family instead of strangers meeting up for a tour. Thank you so much Mimir.”
Half-day bus trip from Isafjordur to Dynjandi waterfall with a live English guide, 90 minutes on-site, and scenic Westfjords driving.
“Good informative tour with a wonderfully cheery guide, Nicole. This is great way to get around to different places with just enough time at each stop to snap some photos. Limit water intake because lines for WC were long and you won’t get to explore if you’re waiting in line for the WC.”
A guided bus hunt for the northern lights from Reykjavik, with Wi-Fi, pickup options, aurora science, and a rebooking plan if skies disappoint.
“This was a large tour bus and we only made 1 stop. I liked the history and information provided on the tour. It did feel mass produced. I prefer the smaller tours. Also for the charge of the ticket the food could have been included. We did see the northern lights, but there were too many people to fully enjoy it.”
A guided hike on the Reykjanes Peninsula, from Seltún’s hot springs to Geldingadalur, with a chance to see the Litli Hrutur eruption site.
“Omar was really very very informative and funny! The tour was worth it!”
Hike Breiðamerkurjökull from Jökulsárlón on a guided crampon walk. Learn how Vatnajökull changes, with safety gear included.
“It was amazing. Great to explore the glacier with a knowledgeable guide! With a good sense of humor she guided us !”
A long but rewarding west-Iceland day from Reykjavik, with Snæfellsjökull views, Kirkjufell photos, black Budir Church, and possible seal sightings.
“Tom was such a great guide! The small group made this such an enjoyable experience. We appreciated Tom's insight into everything we saw and also his dry sense of humour -- perfect fit for us! He also has an incredible singing voice, which was a delightful treat on our way home when he sang a beautiful traditional Icelandic ballad for us. We've actually had several tour guides here sing to us, but Tom is the only one we'd request an encore!! The only notes are that this tour doesn't really allow for proper meal breaks, so he sure to stock up on some hearty snacks. Also, if you have a…”
Reykjavik whale watching in Faxafloi Bay with a professional guide, warm overalls, heated cabins, and a free return if no whales.
“We had such a fantastic time on the boat looking out for the whales. And we managed to see a few up close which was exhilarating! The crew on board were all so nice and lovely and we had a wonderful afternoon! It was also really nice to hear the commentary with regards to facts about the whales and we learned so much.”
Reykjavik aurora hunt with guided dark-sky driving, blankets, hot cocoa, and guide-shot photos. 5 hours, weather dependent.
“Christian our guide was fantastic. He had all the science, was knowledgeable, friendly and approachable. He said we required patience and we were rewarded with a great display. It was an amazing night.”
Chase the Northern Lights from Reykjavik with a local guide, dark-sky photo stops, and a free follow-up tour if skies stay cloudy.
“Amazing, the wether was so bad but the driver and the guide bring us for two amazing places and we can see the beautiful lights. I had been traveled by myself and they leave me near my hostel. They are the best. November 2022”
Warm thermal overalls, onboard Wi-Fi, and a guide’s real whale intel on a 2.5 to 3.5 hour cruise from Reykjavik.
“Only one side of the boat could consistently see the animals because they kept turning the boat toward it rather than letting the animals pass on the sides.”
Quick Reykjavik puffin cruise to Akurey Island, with an expert guide, included binoculars, and close-in boat time for prime seabird spotting.
“Cruise was good, our guide Patrick was quite the showman and made the best of a rainy day with few puffins left. I do think this tour is probably not worth it after the first week in August because there weren't too many puffins to see-- we saw maybe 20 if I'm being generous. However, not at all the fault of the tour operator at all, just wanted to let future travelers know that mid-August is slim pickings for puffin sightings.”
Every kind of Icelandic day out, and the best of each.
