The Top 7 Tours you have to take in Iceland

Want to visit Iceland and see its highlights…without having to rent a car? In Iceland, where the highlights are spread out, that means taking a tour.

This post covers the highlights of Iceland and the tours that you can take to see them. Most are from the capital, Reykjavík. The tours you’ll find below make it easy to discover Iceland.

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Iceland is often referred to as the “Land of Ice and Fire,” is a place where nature’s forces have created an incredible landscape of raw and contrasting beauty. From its glaciers and geothermal springs to its rugged volcanic terrain and cascading waterfalls, Iceland has lots to experience for the adventurous traveller.

In this post I cover the top 7 tours you have to take in Iceland (almost all from the capital Reykjavik), each covering different sights and experiences that are unique to this country.

See this post showing off the most beautiful places in Iceland. They’re all covered in the tours I’ve chosen below.

Where to Stay in Reykjavik? Some options here. Mid-Range popular hotels: Midgardur by Center Hotels, Center Hotels Plaza. Luxury: Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre. Budget: Guesthouse Galtafell.

1. The Golden Circle Tour

The Golden Circle Tour visits Iceland’s most famous attractions. If you only have time for one tour then this is the one that you have to take.

You’ll see:

Thingvellir National Park. It is Iceland’s first national park, dating to 1928, and has both historic and geologic significance. It is known for the country’s first parliament, for its gorges (creating a rift valley which marks the divide between tectonic plates), and for its rivers and waterfalls. Thingvellir National Park is Iceland’s only Unesco World Heritage Site.

The Geysir geothermal area, one of the best-known geysers in the world. The word “geyser” is actually based on the Icelandic word “Geysir”.

The Gullfoss Waterfall. The “Golden Waterfall” which gives name to the “Golden Circle”. A magnificent waterfall, it is one of Iceland’s landmarks.

The Golden Circle Tour is the perfect introduction to Iceland’s stunning geology and geography.

2. The Blue Lagoon (or Sky Lagoon) Tour

Because of all of its seismic activity, you’re never far from hot springs heated by the molten rock beneath the surface.

The Blue Lagoon is the most famous hot spring in Iceland and one of the most visited attractions in the county. National Geographic lists it in their ‘Top 25 Wonders of the World”. Around the lagoon you’ll find restaurants, cafes, massage areas and even a hotel. It’s a place to relax. The Blue Lagoon is about 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport and 50 minutes from Reykjavík.

A recommended tour from Reykjavík.

A new alternative is the Sky Lagoon. Here the “sky meets the sea” and you have an infinity pool that merges with the Atlantic Ocean. It is spectacular…and closer to Reykjavík. It also has restaurants and cafes along with luxurious changing rooms.

A tour from Reykjavik.

You can read all about Iceland’s Hot Springs and geothermal pools here.

3. The Vatnajokull Glacier Tour

A highlight on Iceland’s South Coast is taking a glacier tour of Vatnakojull, Europe’s largest glacier. You’ll start at the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, a lagoon full of icebergs (Jokulsarlon translates to “Glacier’s River Lagoon”). You’ll be taken by super jeep to Vatnajokull. This glacier is huge, taking up 13% of Iceland’s land mass. There you’ll be walking on the glacier and through mesmerizing ice caves (which are a fantastic blue color). It is an unforgettable experience.

This whole area is part of the Vatnajokull National Park, the largest national park in Iceland.

A recommended Vatnajokull Glacier Tour.

Top tours Iceland — Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

4. The Southern Coast Tour

The South Coast of Iceland has stunning geography and the black sand beaches the country is known for.

Highlights:

Seljalandsfoss waterfall has its origins within a glacier…and cascades 60 meters over a bluff (you can walk behind the waterfall, giving you an incredible perspective).

Skógafoss waterfall, 18 stories high, plunges down from cliffs which used to mark the coastline of Iceland during the last Ice Age.

Black Sand beaches at Vik and Reynisfjara.

The Basalt sea stacks at Reynisfjara.

Glaciers at Sólheimajökull and Mýrdalsjökull.

This full-day tour From Reykjavik covers it all and more (the whole region is full of rivers and mountains. Stunning geography).

5. A Whale Watching Tour

Whales are drawn to Iceland’s cold waters and warm currents (which bring a rich food supply), making the island one of the best places in the world to spot whales.

You’ll see Humpback Whales (known for their acrobatic behaviour), Minke Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales)…as well as Blue Whales and Fin Whales (these two are the largest mammals on earth). You’ll also see many dolphins and porpoises.

Summer is the best time to take a whale watching tour and the best gateways are Reykjavik and Husavik. You can take a tour on a small boat for a close-up experience or a larger vessel for more comfort. Either way it’s an incredible experience.

A recommended whale watching tour.

6. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula Tour

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is often referred to as “Iceland in Miniature.” This is because it includes much of Iceland’s diverse landscapes in one compact area. You’ll see the majestic Snæfellsjökull glacier and experience gorges, waterfalls, black beaches and volcanic craters. If you’re a “Game of Thrones” fan, you’ll recognize “Arrowhead Mountain” (its real name is Kirkjufell Mountain).

It’s a gorgeous area of dramatic landscapes, geological wonders, and charming fishing villages that’s off the beaten track.

A few recommended tours from Reykjaik: This tour (very popular) or this tour (if you prefer a smaller group)

7. The Westfjords Tour

Iceland’s Westfjords region is the “untamed frontier”, a gorgeous area that gets few visitors because of its distance from the main population centers.

This is an area of towering cliffs and dramatic fjords carved deep into the landscape. See Dynjandi waterfall, with its cascading waters resembling a bridal veil. Visit Látrabjarg, Europe’s largest bird cliff, a paradise for birdwatchers (you’ll get to see puffins here). Experience the warmth of natural hot springs, hidden amidst this wild, rugged terrain. You can see Rauðasandur beach which, unlike the many black beaches in Iceland, is red and golden. Visit the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, one of the most isolated and untouched areas in Iceland which is known for its dramatic landscapes and wildlife.

There’s more: Vatnsfjörður Natural Reserve, home to Þingmanná Waterfalls and a stunning canyon. The towering Kleifaheiði mountain range, Fossfjörður waterfall, and the Seven Fjords Road which offers uninterrupted views of fjords, mountains, and glaciers in all directions.

The Westfjords are a spot of exceptional beauty.

Recommended: this fabulous 3 day tour from Reykjavík.

Summing it up

I hate driving and tours such as the above are what I look for when visiting a place like Iceland. With the above, you can explore during the day and relax in your hotel room in the capital (Reykjavík) at night. It makes for hassle-free travel.

Really, few places rival Iceland. You’ll see thunderous waterfalls, huge glaciers, black beaches, dramatic volcanic landscapes, geysers….It’s is a place that you have to see at least once in you lifetime.