Iceland · GUIDED

15 Guided Tours in Iceland to Build a Day Around

109 tours  ·  from $10

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 guided tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Reykjavik: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Guided Trip - The south-coast drive from Reykjavik
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Reykjavik: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Guided Trip

1.Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Guided Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,302 reviews · from $203Our pick

Spend about 14 hours following Iceland’s south coast from Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Your English-speaking guide covers the scenery and local stories, while the driver handles long, weather-sensitive roads. Add a lagoon boat cruise from April to October when conditions allow.

“M Dawg and T Money were amazing! M Dawg is full of knowledge, interesting facts, and historical information which he shared throughout the entire day. He is very passionate about the tour and all Iceland has to offer. This was one of the most informational tours I've ever been on. The sights were amazing; they even stopped at other spots to make up for the lack of sight at one of the scheduled sights. I thought this personalization showed how much they wanted to ensure you got the best tour. M Dawg also shared recommendations at the end of the tour within Reykjavík, another added bonus he was not obligated…”

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Húsavík: Whale Watching Tour with Guide - Meeting the oak ship in Húsavík harbor
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Húsavík: Whale Watching Tour with Guide

2.Whale Watching Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,761 reviews · 3 hours · from $115

Cruise Skjálfandi Bay from Húsavík on a traditional oak boat with an English-speaking guide. Watch for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds. Warm overalls, live commentary, hot chocolate, and a cinnamon bun are included.

“The staff on the trip were incredibly knowledgeable of marine life. They had a great sense of humour, and gave us a good introduction to the trip, including all health and safety matters. There was plenty of room on the bat, everyone was given the opportunity to see whales. It was one of our best experiences in Iceland. Keep up the good work”

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Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide - What the Classic trip is like
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Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide

3.Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,307 reviews · from $90

Join Special Tours from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour for a 2 to 3 hour trip aboard Andrea, Iceland’s largest whale-watching ship. Your English-speaking guide helps you spot minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and the occasional orca, with warm overalls, indoor seating, WiFi, and a café on board.

“The guide was excellent and kept us informed about the whales and all about them. Boat was great with plenty of seating and a good little cafe on board.”

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Jökulsárlón: Vatnajökull Ice Cave Guided Tour - Meeting at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
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Jökulsárlón: Vatnajökull Ice Cave Guided Tour

4.Vatnajökull Ice Cave Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,046 reviews · 3 hours · from $164

Meet at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, ride a Super Jeep toward Vatnajökull, then walk 5 to 15 minutes to a changing natural ice cave. Your English-speaking guide, such as Axel, Fannar, or Alex, provides safety gear and up to 1.5 hours inside the cave.

“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!”

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The Golden Circle Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik - Gullfoss: the waterfall that demands proper shoes
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The Golden Circle Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik

5.The Golden Circle Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,726 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

From Reykjavik, visit Strokkur, Gullfoss, and Thingvellir on a 6.5-hour guided bus tour. Expect local guides such as Steinnun, Gunnar, Lasma, or Dylan, an app-based audio guide, free Wi-Fi, and pickup from your accommodation, bus stop, or cruise port when selected.

“Well worth the time and money. Lawman our guide was terrific and informative and couldn’t be nicer. Driver Kuge(?) was attentive and diligent. Great scenery”

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From Reykjavik: Best of Golden Circle Guided Tour - Geysir and Strokkur: Iceland’s most reliable eruption
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From Reykjavik: Best of Golden Circle Guided Tour

6.Best of Golden Circle Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,646 reviews · from $79

Travel from Reykjavik by air-conditioned coach to Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, and Kerid Crater. An English-speaking guide such as Richie, Sunny, Thor, or Heidi may lead the day, with stories, clear timing, and free time at each stop. Expect about 7 to 8.5 hours on the road.

“I love all the sites that were included in the tour. Best value for the price 😀”

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Reykjavik: Guided Foodie Walking Tour with 6 Tastings - Five stops, six to eight tastes
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Reykjavik: Guided Foodie Walking Tour with 6 Tastings

7.Guided Foodie Walking Tour with 6 Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,645 reviews · 3 hours · from $142

Meet your English-speaking guide at Harpa and walk through downtown Reykjavik, stopping at five eateries for 6 to 8 Icelandic tastings. Expect lamb, seafood, desserts, drinks, and possibly fermented shark, with guides such as Thor, Bonnie, Stevie, and Mimir adding local stories and humor.

“What a lovely tour!!!! I was stiffed by the end lf it. The dishes were delicious!!! Dave was a very friendly well Educated man!!! If you needed to know anything he would tell you :)”

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From Isafjordur: Dynjandi Waterfall Guided Day Trip by Bus - Leaving Isafjordur by bus
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From Isafjordur: Dynjandi Waterfall Guided Day Trip by Bus

8.Dynjandi Waterfall Guided Day Trip by Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,484 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $82

From Isafjordur’s cruise dock, you’ll ride a modern bus through coastal Westfjords scenery to Dynjandi, a 100-meter waterfall with five lower falls. An English-speaking guide such as Camilla, Sally, or Annalise adds local stories, while 90 minutes gives you time to walk, take photos, and return safely.

“Learned a lot while on the drive up to the waterfalls. I felt like the entire trip was perfectly timed. Staff were super friendly and knowledgeable!”

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Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik - The viewing stop depends on the sky
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Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik

9.Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,183 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $73

Ride from central Reykjavik into darker countryside while a local guide explains the aurora. The route changes with cloud cover and the forecast. Expect a large bus, Wi-Fi, one or more viewing stops, a 3 to 5 hour evening, and free rebooking if the lights do not appear.

“Unless you had a very current phone, the lights were not very visible, or colorful. They could have helped us download software or something to help”

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Sólheimajökull: Guided Glacier Hike - Blue crevasses, moulins, and ice holes
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Sólheimajökull: Guided Glacier Hike

10.Guided Glacier Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,123 reviews · from $116

You’ll hike across Sólheimajökull with a certified English-speaking guide such as Daniel, Steve, Tomas, or Daniela. Expect crampon practice, glacier formations, crevasses, moulins, possible ice tunnels, and time for photos. The route suits children 8 and older but can feel moderate in places.

“Excellent tour my Steve! He was kind, funny, informative and patient! The views were marvellous in its true sense, definitely one of a kind and once in a lifetime experience.”

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Reykjavík: Guided Afternoon Hiking Tour to New Volcano Site - Leaving Reykjavik and crossing toward Reykjanes
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Reykjavík: Guided Afternoon Hiking Tour to New Volcano Site

11.Guided Afternoon Hiking Tour to New Volcano Site

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 934 reviews · 7 hours · from $126

Travel from Reykjavik with an English-speaking guide such as Tom, Alain, or Dave, stop at Seltun’s steaming hot springs, then hike toward recent eruption sites. Expect about two hours each way, rough ground, changing weather, and a close look at smoldering lava, even when no lava is flowing.

“Guide was very friendly, honest and reliable. Answering questions when he knew and advising what wasn't his expertise. He gave all information about old and new lava fields including the vegetation. Also provided useful information about were we could go for food! Very nice tips I must say. Best guide from my 4 tours. Also the site is amazing! But a good mood and ability on hiking might be required. The stones and ice were tricky in some parts.”

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Jökulsárlón: Vatnajökull Glacier Guided Hiking Tour - Meeting at Jökulsárlón and gearing up
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Jökulsárlón: Vatnajökull Glacier Guided Hiking Tour

12.Vatnajökull Glacier Guided Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 921 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $150

Meet Ice Explorers at Jökulsárlón and ride a super jeep to Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull. With guides such as Iga, Guillermo, Javier, and Suzie, you will spend about two hours on the ice, learning about crevasses, moulins, blue ice, and glacier change.

“Fantastic adventure, despite the weather the trip was great. Mr Javier (I hope I write it right) is great buddy. Kisses from Poland crew”

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Reykjavik: Snaefellsnes & Mt. Kirkjufell Guided Minibus Tour - Borgarnes gives you a useful first break
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Reykjavik: Snaefellsnes & Mt. Kirkjufell Guided Minibus Tour

13.Snaefellsnes & Mt. Kirkjufell Guided Minibus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 757 reviews · 11 hours · from $159

Spend 11 hours touring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavik in a climate-controlled minibus. You’ll see Kirkjufell, Arnarstapi, Djúpalónssandur, Búðakirkja, and Ytri Tunga, with local stories from guides such as Siggi, Tony, Gummi, and Kalman.

“Had a lovely day with our Guide Tony. Pick up was within the time frame and we were taken to a gas station to get into the correct minivan going to Snaefellsness. Tony gave us a lot of fun facts along the way and was entertaining. He was a very sensible guide, was thoughtful to pre discuss our lunch options and inform us of how our restroom stops would work. Our group was just 16 people, the mini van was clean and comfortable. The sights were gorgeous, just incredible. Wish we had about 5/10 mins more at some of the sites as photo opps took time as there are other…”

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Whale Watching Tour with Professional Guide from Reykjavik - Two ways to watch from the boat
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Whale Watching Tour with Professional Guide from Reykjavik

14.Whale Watching Tour with Professional Guide from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 744 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $97

Join guides such as Patrick or Joe for a 3.5-hour whale watch from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Look for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and summer puffins from indoor or outdoor seating, with warm flotation suits and a free return trip if no whales appear.

“What started as a bleak, rainy, windy day turned into a wonderful experience. There are complementary waterproof outfits you can use for this type of weather. I wasn't expecting to see anything but we persevered and the sun came out then so did the minky whale and humpback whales. Our guide was informative and kept us updated throughout. She also took pictures on her long lens camera which she uploaded onto the website for us as, try as we might, photos on mobile phones are a bit hit and miss.”

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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Tour with Photos - What happens during the five-hour outing
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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Tour with Photos

15.Northern Lights Guided Tour with Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 718 reviews · 5 hours · from $95

Leave Reykjavik after dark with guides such as Christian, Ania, or Ana Maria, following cloud cover and Aurora forecasts to find a clear viewing spot. You’ll wait under Iceland’s stars with hot drinks, blankets, and snacks while the guide photographs you beneath the Northern Lights.

“We had our tour on the 6th of December and loved it! It was my partners and I first night in Iceland and decided to do the tour that night incase we didn’t catch them. To be honest I went in already having low hopes because of the full moon however we did in fact get to catch the aurora in the end! Our guide, Christian, was so informative! He talked us through the use of his website and instructed us how to find our own northern lights in the future (which we have been doing). I think the only downfall is obviously the uncertainty of seeing the lights or…”

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