Experiences · Reykjavík

Tours, classes and shows in Reykjavík

Pay for access, language or transport — not for sights you can walk to. Book through the operator’s own site or the hotel, with written inclusions and a cancellation policy. Prices per person, group tour unless stated.

Key facts

Book it: 5
Maybe: 3
Do it yourself: 1
Skip: 1

In this city

Voykit picks

rules, not ratings

Best on day one
Northern Lights coach tour
- Book it
- 3–4 h
Criteria: Verdict “book” or “maybe”, a tour or class of 4 hours or less, low booking lead.
Next in line: Downtown food walk
Best value
Northern Lights coach tour
- ISK 9,000–15,000
- Verdict: book
Criteria: Lowest listed price among “book” verdicts.
Next in line: Whale-watching from the Old Harbour
Best with kids
Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon
- Kids OK
- 2–3 h
Criteria: Kids marked OK, verdict “book” or “maybe”, shorter first.
Next in line: Whale-watching from the Old Harbour
Best day trip
Golden Circle day tour
- Verdict: book
- 7–9 h
Criteria: Day trips with verdict “book”; the one with the shortest stated duration.
Next in line: South coast day tour
Best splurge
South coast day tour
- ISK 13,000–28,000
Criteria: Highest listed price among “book” or “maybe” verdicts.
Next in line: Golden Circle day tour

Picks are computed from Voykit's own fields (walk-in windows, seating, diet, price band, booking). A place already picked for one category is passed over for the next when another qualifies; price-based picks never are. A category without a qualifying place is left out rather than filled.

All experiences

2026 estimates · per person

Verdict Kids OK Indoors (rain)

10 shown

Activitie · 2.5–3 h
Whale-watching from the Old Harbour
Book it
ISK 11,000–16,000 (≈ US$90–130) (2026 estimate)
The easiest wildlife trip from the city; ask for the sighting policy.
- Minke and humpback in season
- Overalls provided
- Weather rebooking
Show the small print ▾Hide the small print ▴
Group size
20–60 on a boat
Meeting point
Operator kiosk at the Old Harbour
Includes
A boat trip · A guide · Warm overalls on some boats
Not included
Food · Transfers
Cancellation
Weather cancellations are refunded or rebooked (check)
Book ahead
1–3 days in summer
Best time
Morning departure in season
Access
Steps to board; a small boat may be hard for wheelchairs
Kids
Yes, with warm layers
How to book: An operator with a written weather and sighting policy
Tour · 3–4 h
Northern Lights coach tour
Book it
ISK 9,000–15,000 (≈ US$75–130)
Guides know where the sky is clear.
- Free repeat on some tours
- Small-group options
- Dress warmly
Show the small print ▾Hide the small print ▴
Group size
20–50 on a coach
Meeting point
Downtown pick-up point
Includes
Coach · A guide
Not included
Warm drinks on some tours
Cancellation
Cancelled by the operator if clouds cover the sky (check)
Book ahead
1–2 days
Best time
Clear, dark nights from September to April
Access
Standing outside in the cold
Kids
Older children with warm clothes
How to book: An operator that offers a free repeat (check)
Activitie · 60–90 min
Hot-pool visit at a city pool
Do it yourself
ISK 1,300–1,800 (≈ US$11–15)
The local social space; one visit explains the city.
- Shower rule
- Warm even in snow
- Cheap
Show the small print ▾Hide the small print ▴
Group size
Independent
Meeting point
Pool entrance
Includes
Pool and hot pots
Not included
Towel and swimsuit rental
Cancellation
Not applicable
Book ahead
None
Best time
Weekday morning or evening
Access
Lifts and accessible changing rooms at most pools (check)
Kids
Yes; children shower too
How to book: Pay at the desk
Day trip · 7–9 h
Golden Circle day tour
Book it
ISK 12,000–25,000 (≈ US$100–250)
Easier than driving in winter.
- Þingvellir
- Geysir
- Gullfoss
Show the small print ▾Hide the small print ▴
Group size
20–50
Meeting point
Downtown pick-up
Includes
Coach · A guide
Not included
Meals · Entrance fees
Cancellation
Free up to 24 h before (check)
Book ahead
1–3 days
Best time
A day with a decent forecast
Access
Uneven paths and steps at Geysir and Gullfoss
Kids
Yes
How to book: A tour with a stated pick-up and time at each stop
Activitie · 2–3 h
Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon
Book it
ISK 12,000–20,000 (≈ US$100–170)
A soak with a view; the slot is the constraint.
- Timed slots
- Swim-up bar
- Bring a swimsuit
Show the small print ▾Hide the small print ▴
Group size
Timed slots
Meeting point
The lagoon entrance
Includes
Entry · Towel on some tickets
Not included
Transfers · Food
Cancellation
Changeable up to 24–48 h before (check)
Book ahead
1–3 days; a week in summer
Best time
Book a slot that fits your transport
Access
Accessible facilities; ask before booking
Kids
Yes, with limits
How to book: The lagoon’s own site
Day trip · 10–12 h
South coast day tour
Book it
ISK 13,000–28,000 (≈ US$110–250)
A long day; a tour handles the roads.
- Seljalandsfoss
- Skógafoss
- Black sand beach
Show the small print ▾Hide the small print ▴
Group size
20–50
Meeting point
Downtown pick-up
Includes
Coach · A guide
Not included
Meals
Cancellation
Free up to 24 h before (check)
Book ahead
1–3 days
Best time
A dry day
Access
Steps and wet paths at waterfalls
Kids
Yes
How to book: A tour that lists the stops and the return time
Activitie · 1 h
Puffin trip from the Old Harbour
Maybe
ISK 7,000–10,000 (≈ US$60–85)
A short trip with a clear payoff; pair with whale watching.
- Short trip
- Season only
- Small boat
Show the small print ▾Hide the small print ▴
Group size
20–60
Meeting point
Operator kiosk
Includes
A boat trip
Not included
Food
Cancellation
Weather cancellation refunded (check)
Book ahead
1 day in summer
Best time
Late April to mid August
Access
Boat steps
Kids
Yes
How to book: An operator with a season and weather policy
Tour · 2.5–3 h
Downtown food walk
Maybe
ISK 12,000–20,000 (≈ US$100–170)
A quick way to try lamb soup, fish and skyr.
- Small group
- Local dishes
- Dietary options
Show the small print ▾Hide the small print ▴
Group size
8–14
Meeting point
Central meeting point
Includes
Tastings · A guide
Not included
Drinks beyond tastings
Cancellation
Free up to 48 h before (check)
Book ahead
2–3 days
Best time
Afternoon
Access
Flat walk with stops
Kids
Some
How to book: A company that lists the stops
Activitie · 1–2 h
Horse riding near the city
Maybe
ISK 12,000–20,000 (≈ US$100–170)
Icelandic horses are small and gentle; good for beginners.
- Small horses
- Beginner friendly
- Weight limits
Show the small print ▾Hide the small print ▴
Group size
6–12
Meeting point
Stable or pick-up (check)
Includes
Riding gear · A guide
Not included
Transport on some tours
Cancellation
Free up to 24 h before (check)
Book ahead
1–3 days
Best time
Dry weather
Access
Limited
Kids
From about 7–8 (check)
How to book: A stable with a stated age and weight limit
Tour · 90 min loop
Hop-on hop-off bus
Skip
ISK 6,000–9,000 (≈ US$50–75)
The centre is walkable; the bus adds little.
- Orientation
- Skip in the wind
- Walking works
Show the small print ▾Hide the small print ▴
Group size
Open-top bus
Meeting point
Central stops
Includes
A route with commentary
Not included
Entry fees
Cancellation
Not refundable in most cases (check)
Book ahead
None
Best time
A dry day
Access
Steps to board
Kids
Yes
How to book: At the stop

How we judge

Book it: Worth paying for: it solves access, language or transport.
Maybe: Depends on you: read who it suits.
Do it yourself: Easy alone; a tour adds little.
Skip: Poor value, unsafe or restricted.

Operators are described by type, not by brand: Voykit has no partnership with any operator and does not collect reviews. Check the inclusions and the cancellation terms in writing before you pay.

Compare prices

plain links · no commission

No commission on these links. Voykit's picks and verdicts are made from its own data.

Something out of date?

Whale-watching from the Old Harbour

Northern Lights coach tour

Hot-pool visit at a city pool

Golden Circle day tour

Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon

South coast day tour

Puffin trip from the Old Harbour

Downtown food walk

Horse riding near the city

Hop-on hop-off bus