“Land of contrasts” is a phrase thrown around about many countries, but Iceland – the land of Ice and Fire – works for this title. Within a few miles, you can go from geysers bursting through the land, to ice caves glowing blue, and lava tunnels snaking beneath the black earth. Icebergs float silently across glacial lakes and, in winter, the Northern Lights illuminate the night sky.

For such a small island, the landscape is varied and dramatic. It would be a shame to miss out on any of the natural wonders because you’re short of time or don’t know how to find them. That’s where guided Iceland tours can help. Cover the Golden Circle, the natural wonders of the South Coast, watch the Northern Lights dance in the night sky and soak in thermal lagoons with a local expert guiding you and you’ll experience the best Iceland has to offer.

Whether you’re staying for a stopover between continents or looking to explore the country in-depth, Iceland day tours are a great way to discover the must-sees and lesser-known spots, but with so many sights packed into one country, it can be hard to choose the best day tour for you. We’ve rounded up our most popular so you can make the most of your trip to The Land of Ice and Fire, depending on your own interests.

Spotting The Northern Lights

If you’re staying in Reykjavik, it can be hard to spot the ethereal green of the Northern Lights against the city sky. Joining a Northern Lights tour means getting out of the city and into the wilderness, so your chance of seeing the Northern Lights increases exponentially. Away from the city lights, your guides know the best spots to find this other-worldly spectacle but if you don’t spot the lights on your tour, you can join the same tour the next evening for free.

Choosing a coach tour for larger groups is a way of keeping the price tag temptingly low, so if you’re seeing Iceland on a budget, this is the Northern Lights tour for you. If you want a little more personal touch, consider joining a small group Northern Lights tour. This option gives you more time with your guide, who can help you capture the perfect snap of the Aurora Borealis dancing against the night sky.

• See our Winter Northern Lights Tour By Night or our Northern Lights Small Group Tour

Seeing the Natural Wonders of the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is a route blessed with Iceland’s most beautiful geological features. It’s one of the classic Iceland day tours, where you visit thundering waterfalls, geysers and the ravine between the continents. First, stop at Gullfoss, known as one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. In summer, thundering water cascades over the rocks, and in winter layer upon layer of frozen icicles are like a picture frozen in time.

Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and the point where the Eurasian and American tectonic plates meet in a dramatic ravine that creeps a couple of inches wider every year. Wander through the continental divide and discover the site of the world’s first parliament, dating back to AD930.

If you’re pushed for time (perhaps on a stop-over in Iceland) the direct Golden Circle option is ideal. There’s enough time to snap a few photos and get a feel for the land at each natural wonder, but you don’t have to linger too long and the whole tour takes just six hours.

• See our Six Hour Golden Circle Express Tour

Discover Glaciers and Waterfalls on the South Coast

Black beaches, bird-filled cliffsides and glaciers retreating from lakesides; Iceland’s south shore has a lot going on. On a day trip of the South Coast, you can find out why Iceland is known as the Land of Ice and Fire, beginning with the Lava Centre to learn about the volcanic systems that form the island. Then it’s onwards to admire the retreating white tongue of Sólheimajökull glacier cutting through the landscape.

Stop at the fairytale Skogafoss waterfall, where it feels like the fae folk could live in the mossy grottos. This towering waterfall is so impressive it’s been used as the backdrop to a handful of Hollywood films. At Seljalandsfoss, you can walk right behind the tumbling stream of water and look out over the wild landscape as rainbows dance on the mist.

The basalt caves and cliffs on Reynisfjara beach create a moonscape scene as you cross the onyx-black sand. Stop at the charming village of Vik – a fishing village where the silhouette of a craggy rock is marooned out at sea. If you’re in Iceland to explore the other-worldly landscapes, a tour of the South Coast is a must.

• See our All-day South Shore Guided Adventure

Dine on Eco-friendly Tomatoes on the Golden Circle

If you want to see the highlights of the Golden Circle, but at a slightly slower pace, perhaps join a tour combining the Golden Circle with the Fridheimar greenhouse. The tour begins at the Fridheimar greenhouse, where tomatoes are grown in an eco-friendly way using Iceland’s geothermal heat. After touring the tomato vines and warming up inside, sit down to a menu of pure tomato dishes – soup, salads and perhaps even a Bloody Mary.

Once you’ve fuelled up on perfectly ripened tomatoes, it’s time to hit the classic stops of the Golden Circle. The mighty Geysir is a 10,000-year-old hot spring that dramatically bursts from the sulphuric earth every fifteen minutes or so. You’ll have time to set up a tripod and catch the moment the geyser erupts. Gullfoss, one of the country’s most impressive waterfalls, is next on the list, and finally, Þingvellir National Park where the continental plates of Eurasia and America meet in a dramatic scar across the land.

• See our Eight Hour Guided Golden Circle with Fridheimar Greenhouse

Embrace the Silence of a Glacier Lagoon

Perhaps one of the most enthralling images of Iceland’s unique landscape is crystal-clear cuts of ice glittering on a black-sanded beach. An excursion to Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon brings you to this iconic image. Heading down to Iceland’s south coast from Reykjavik, you stop off at some of the natural highlights along the way; the thundering waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss and the black-sanded beach at Vik.

Arriving at Jökulsárlón lagoon, icebergs float on the serene surface and centuries-old ice drifts silently across the water. Take a boat tour on the lagoon and, at points, there’s nothing but glowing blue icebergs and water as far as the eye can see and it feels as though you’re on an Arctic expedition. The black-sanded beach close to the lagoon is also known as Diamond Beach as crystal-clear pieces of ice wash up on the shore. Capturing the glowing orbs of ice as the sun hits them is simply magic.

• See our All-day Guided Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon & Diamond Beach Tour

Soak in the Blue Lagoon

No trip to Iceland is complete without visiting the Blue Lagoon. In the heart of Iceland’s volcanic landscape, this geothermal lagoon practically glows ethereally blue against the black and mossy earth. The bath-warm waters here are rich with minerals and lined with exfoliating mud said to rejuvenate the skin.

Slip into the thermal waters (even more dramatic in winter as the steam rises from the earth) and soak the day away. The comfort package comes with a mud mask, towel and a drink to enjoy as you feel your muscles unwind and worries slip away. One of Iceland’s top sights, admission is by time slot and sometimes can sell out so it’s best to book in advance so you’re not disappointed. It’s also just 15-minutes from Keflavik Airport so can be the perfect tonic to a long flight.

• See our Blue Lagoon Comfort Package with Bus Transfers

Hike Through a Lava Tunnel

Thirty minutes from Reykjavik, there’s a tunnel where lava once flowed beneath the earth, thousands of years ago. Now, Raufarhólshellir is a preserved and perfect example of how a volcanic system works and is one of the longest lava tunnels in Iceland. Equipped with crampons and helmets, descend into the tunnel with a guide.

Columns of light cascade from where the ceiling has caved in, throwing shafts of light across the red, pink and shimmering green rock. It’s easy to see why this place was chosen as a setting for Hollywood blockbusters. As you explore this other-worldly landscape your guide will teach you the history of Iceland through its volcanoes. This tour is particularly good in winter when ice sculptures are naturally formed by frozen water at the cave’s entrance.

• See our Three Hour Guided Lava Tunnel Tour

Discover Reykjavik by Hop On Hop Off Bus

Iceland’s capital is full of things to see and do, and getting from A to B doesn’t have to be a boring bus ride. Making your way from the architectural marvel that is the Harpa Concert Hall, to the striking Hallgrímskirkja cathedral and fascinating collections at the Reykjavik City Museum, why not do it with a bit of guided commentary about the history of the city? Tickets for the hop on hop off bus across the city combines public transport with sightseeing.

The Old Harbour is a real cultural hub in the city and on approach, you might spot minke, humpback whales and dolphins in the water from the open-top bus. Learn all about these majestic sea creatures at the Whales of Iceland exhibition on the route and hop off at the Perlan – a glass dome perched on top of some water tanks – for a panoramic view of the city. Carry on to the Laugardalur Valley (aka Hot Spring Valley) where housewives used to wash clothes in the geothermal springs and now you can bathe in a heated outdoor pool.

The hop on hop off bus pass is valid for 24 hours so you can explore Reykjavik at your own pace and see everything the city has to offer in a day.

• See our 24-hour Hop On Hop Off Reykjavik Sightseeing Bus Ticket

Bathe with a View at the Sky Lagoon

The Sky Lagoon is one of Iceland’s newest attractions. Here, sleek modernism meets old Icelandic bathing tradition. Indulge in the seven-step spa ritual to rejuvenate and awaken your skin, included in a day tour here.

Suspended above the wild Atlantic sea, an infinity-edge makes it feel as though there’s no barrier between this geothermal lagoon, sea and sky. Sunsets from up here, while soaking in the warm water, are on another level and, in winter, you can watch the Northern Lights dance across the night sky as you soak in the bath-like waters.

• See our Pure Pass to Sky Lagoon with Bus Transfers

Why should I book my Iceland tours in advance?

The best Iceland tours are in high demand and can sell out quickly. Booking in advance means you don’t risk missing out on the Northern Lights at night, the glowing lava of an active volcano or a rejuvenating soak in natural thermal pools.

With a full refund offered if you cancel no more than 24 hours before your tour, there’s no risk with booking your Iceland day tours in advance. In the current climate, plans can change in an instant and we are flexible with changing dates if you can’t make your original booking. As soon as you feel the tickle of adventure, there’s no reason not to book yourself a day tour, even if your trip to Iceland is months away. You can always change your mind later.

What is the best month to visit Iceland?

The truth is that Iceland is a year-round destination and the best time to visit depends on your interests and the kind of experience you are looking for.

Long summer nights, when the sun never sets, sees wildflowers speckle the hillsides and it’s the perfect time to get out and explore Iceland on foot. Glaciers remain snow-capped and the icebergs of Jökulsárlón never disappear. Peak season is between June and August when you can catch the magic of the midnight sun. The Golden Circle sees the biggest crowds in peak season, so hitting shoulder season (May and September) is a great way to experience the long evenings while avoiding the masses, though the weather can be a little more unpredictable.

Deepest, darkest winter is when snow silences the landscape and the long nights make it the best time of year to spot the Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights can be seen between September and March, but the longer the night, the more likely you are to spot them. During the winter solstice in December, there can be up to 19 hours of darkness. Winters here are crisp and clear, and Iceland is the perfect destination if you’re looking for somewhere to embrace proper winter. There’s nothing better than slipping into a warm, thermal pool as snow billows around you and the Northern Lights dance overhead.

Reykjavik Excursions was founded in 1968. We are a tour operator offering a wide range of day tours and activities in Iceland. We also offer flybus airport transfer between Keflavik International Airport and Reykjavík.