Explore Iceland’s Capital on a Reykjavík Tour
With its colourful houses, its unique culture and cuisine, and its remote location on the edge of the North Atlantic Ocean, Reykavík is Iceland’s breathtaking capital city. However long you’re staying in Iceland, make some time to explore the city to the fullest.
Reykjavík tours are the best way to do exactly that. Discover the city and its surroundings with a local guide, who can show you the sights and tell you the stories that other visitors might miss.
At Icelandia, we offer a range of Reykjavík tours to suit every interest, preference, and travel style. From walking tours to helicopter rides, from seasonal excursions to wildlife experiences—and a whole lot more—you’ll find a tour that’s right for you.
For example, explore the city’s culinary culture on a Reykjavík food tour. While you might have heard about the notorious Icelandic hákarl, or fermented shark, that’s far from all that’s on offer. On a tour, you’ll discover the full range of food and drink that often gets overlooked.
Alternatively, see the city’s sights from a Reykjavík sightseeing bus. Running continuously throughout the day, you’ll be taken across town to see the iconic buildings and views that Reyjavík offers. It’s hop-on and hop-off, meaning you can buy a single ticket and ride all day.
You can also use Reykjavík as a base to explore the local area. Wildlife tours can show you the diversity of Iceland’s sea life—from majestic whales to adorable puffins—or you can go on an active adventure with an all-terrain vehicle.
And don’t forget the Northern Lights. In winter, the skies above Reykjavík light up with the colours of the aurora borealis. Join a Northern Lights tour in Reykjavík to see them at their best.
There’s so much more to see and do. Explore our full list of tours to book your adventure.
FAQ:
The best way to get to Reykjavík from Keflavík airport is on the Flybus. It takes 45 minutes and it can take you directly from the airport to the city centre, or even to your hotel.
It’s quick, affordable, and reliable. And it’s synchronised with Keflavík arrivals, so if your plane is late, the bus will wait.
The most famous street in Reykjavík is probably Laugavegur. It’s the city’s high street, where you’ll find pubs, cafes, shops, and anything else you’ll need in town.
The long street goes right through the historic centre of Reykjavík. A walk down the Laugavegur gives you a glimpse into what Iceland is all about, and it will show you many of the famous sights along the way.
It’s always a good time to visit Reykjavík.
In summer, you can experience fine weather, enjoy long bright evenings, and see wildlife on a boat tour. In winter, it’s the period of the Northern Lights and snow-covered scenery. Winter is also Christmas, when Reykjavík comes alive with lights and joy.
That said, spring and autumn are beautiful times too—and there are fewer visitors around.
Reykjavík city tours range from a couple of hours to the whole day. It depends how much time you have and how you want to see the city.
For instance, most walking tours and Reykjavík food tours last for two or three hours. But if you want to join the Reykjavík sightseeing bus, you can get a ticket for 24 or 48 hours and explore the city at your leisure.
Yes, you can see the Northern Lights in Reykjavík. However, it’s best to get out of the city to see them. In Reykjavík, the lights of the city can diminish their impact, softening some of the colour.
Instead, Northern Lights tours from Reykjavík will take you to the best places in the local area where you can see the display in all its glory.
There are some experiences for which a tour really is a must. Local knowledge and expert skills, for example, can make an experience truly unforgettable.
On this list, we’d put Northern Lights tours in Reykjavík. While you can experience the aurora borealis all by yourself, a guide can take you to the places where you’re most likely to see this display.
Similarly, wildlife and whale-watching tours are by far the best way to get a glimpse of Iceland’s majestic creatures.
However, all of our tours offer an inside glimpse into the city of Reykjavík and its local culture. They’re the best way to see the city!
Laugavegur is the pretty street in the heart of downtown Reykjavík. It’s where you’ll find some of the city’s most famous bars, restaurants, and boutique shops, and it makes for a pleasant stroll in any season and at any time of day.
Reykjavík has a range of incredible sights that are all popular with visitors.
For example, there’s the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church, inspired by the shape of one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. There’s the waterfront area, with sea tours and the impressive architecture of the new Harpa concert hall. Or there’s Perlan, the futuristic restaurant and museum in the heart of Öskjuhlíð, Reykjavík’s best park.
Of course, there’s a lot more to see too!
We offer a range of different tours for all preferences and interests. All you have to do is choose which suits you best!
For example, classic Reykjavík walking tours can show you the best sights in the city on foot. There’s the Reykjavík food walk, for example, on which curious travellers can sample local delicacies. Or there’s the mythical walk, where you can discover the legends of Reykjavík’s past.
Alternatively, you might like to join a Reykjavík sightseeing tour on a bus—or even in a helicopter! Or see whales on our Reykjavík whale-watching tours.
Explore our tours to discover the right Reykjavík tour for you.
With gorgeous scenery, a vibing music scene, and incredible food and drink options, you could happily spend your entire holiday in Reykjavík. However, most visitors want to get out of town to see some of the equally awesome sights of Iceland’s south coast and beyond.
At Icelandia, we’d recommend at least two or three days in Reykjavík, seeing the city on a variety of different tours.
Our Reykjavík tours last for a range of lengths, to best fit your travel plans. Food tours, for example, will last a few hours, while Reykjavík sightseeing tours can last the whole day. It’s up to you which you choose.
You can book tours directly through Icelandia or any of our partners, including Reykjavík Excursions, Iceland Rovers, and Icelandic Mountain Guides. Book online or visit us in person at the BSÍ Bus Terminal, Reykjavík.
If you’re looking to get out of the city, there are many options for day tours.
The Golden Circle, for example, is one of the most popular day tours in Iceland. Taking you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Þingvellir National Park—as well as Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir Geothermal Area—it’s a day packed full of incredible scenery and unforgettable experiences.
Alternatively, you can visit Snæfellsnes peninsula from Reykjavík, with its iconic mountains and rugged coastlines. Or there’s Reykjanes peninsula, which boasts some of the most dramatic geothermal activity in the world.
From Reykjavík you can visit most of the south coast in a day. Explore our tours to see your options.
There are some experiences you can have in Reykavík that you won’t get anywhere else.
For example, Icelandic food tours show you some of the local delicacies that have not made it beyond our shores. These are something you should definitely try while you’re here.
Similarly, there are few places in the world where the Northern Lights are so bright. While a glimpse of the aurora borealis can’t be guaranteed, a tour should definitely be on your list of must-do experiences if you’re in Reykjavík.
The same thing goes for seeing whales. Iceland boasts over 10 species of whale—and many of them can be seen from Reykjavík.
Reykavík tours take you to all the best places in the city. You’ll discover the most delicious—and most unique—restaurants, the city’s impressive architecture, and the secrets and history of the city.
Skólavörðustígur is the colourful street in the heart of Reykjavík. Painted once in rainbow colours to celebrate the city’s Pride event, those colours have now become permanent. It makes for an iconic scene and helps create the welcoming atmosphere for which Reykjavík is known.
Aside from Skólavörðustígur, many of Reykavík’s houses and buildings are painted in bright colours.