Top things to do in Iceland
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Guide to Iceland
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Witness the marvels of Iceland in winter with this four-day package to the Vatnajökull ice-caves, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and South Coast; you will even have opportunities to behold the Northern Lights and visit the Blue Lagoon. This trip should not be missed by any who want to pack their time in Iceland with beautiful sightseeing and thrilling adventure.
The diverse, beautiful landscapes and features of Iceland are what draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, and you will get to see a wealth of them. Visits to beautiful waterfalls, dramatic glaciers, black-sand beaches, lava fields and hot springs will all be included in this itinerary. You will also have the chance to visit incredible Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the ‘crown jewel of Iceland’s nature’.
Other than a once-in-a-lifetime exploration of an ice cave, an opportunity that exists in very few places, this package comes with two added bonuses. Immediately after arrival, you will be able to wash away any stresses of your journey in the famous healing waters of the Blue Lagoon. The price of this packages includes standard entrance, but you can upgrade this for more luxury if you want. That night, you will also take a complimentary Northern Lights tour, by boat or by bus.
The Northern Lights, however, could show on any of the three nights you are staying in Iceland, so keep a constant eye out whenever it is dark.
Do not miss these incredible four-days; book now for your opportunity to see the ice cave, Northern Lights, and more. Check availability by choosing a date.
The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa found on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland. It is the most popular attraction in Iceland, drawing people from all across the world.
The Blue Lagoon is just a fifteen-minute drive from Keflavík International Airport, or a thirty-minute drive from Reykjavík, making it easy to reach for those who rent a car or join a Blue Lagoon tour. It is thus often visited straight after arrival to the country or right before departure, particularly those who taking guided packages and self-drive tours, such as this 6-Day Vacation and 10-Day Road Trip.
There are few better ways to recharge after a long-flight or action-packed holiday.
The Blue Lagoon started as a pool of wastewater from the Svartsengi geothermal plant in 1976. The first person to bathe there was Valur Margeirsson in 1981. He was met with some resistance prior to taking the first dip as people thought he was mad for wanting to bath in a "blue mud pool". He and others soon began to notice the unusual but remarkable healing qualities of the azure waters.
Those with conditions such as psoriasis found the waters immediately soothing for their condition. News quickly spread, and by 1987, the first swimming facilities were officially opened.
Since then, the establishment has only grown, from an open pool with no surrounding buildings to a luxurious spa, research centre and pair of hotels.
The Blue Lagoon is considered to have such notable regenerative qualities because the water is rich in silica and sulphur. A research and development facility on site finds cures and remedies for skin ailments, and silica mud is available for free on the sides of the pool for guests to enjoy a face-mask.
The temperature in the bathing and swimming area is very comfortable, averaging 37–39° C (98–102° F). The Blue Lagoon also boasts the LAVA Restaurant, the Blue Café and the Lagoon Spa: you can thus enjoy cocktails, health products, delicious meals and treatments such as massages without leaving the premises. Saunas, steam rooms and a small waterfall are also on site.
For all of these reasons and more, the Blue Lagoon is considered to be one of the most enjoyable and romantic spots in the country. It is surrounded by a plethora of fantastic volcanic landscapes, and the water itself is opaque and vividly blue. Rising pillars of steam only add to the spa’s fantastic ambience.
The Blue Lagoon Spa is open throughout the year, and popular in every season. Due to the fact it has a maximum capacity for the comfort of its guests, it is essential that you book several months in advance to ensure your space. The vast majority of the time, you will be turned away at the door without a reservation.
More self-conscious guests might want to be aware that it is a requirement to shower naked in public before entering the lagoon, to ensure that the highest hygiene standards are maintained. Though uncomfortable for some, nudity has little taboo in Icelandic culture, so worry not; no-one’s looking.
Those who are travelling on a budget will note that the Blue Lagoon is quite pricey. There are other smaller spas and pools that can be entered for less, such as the Fontana Spa, Secret Lagoon, Mývatn Nature Baths and Krauma Spa. Of course, natural hot pools are free to enter.
For more information, you can read articles on the best pools in the country and the best natural hot springs.
West Iceland is home to the country’s capital city, Reykjavík, and an array of impressive natural sites. These include Europe's most powerful hot spring, Iceland's most significant lava tube, fascinating glaciers, beautiful waterfalls important historical sites and more. It has three main districts outside of the capital area: Borgarfjörður, the Snӕfellsnes Peninsula, and Breiðafjörður.
Browse a wide range of Westfjords tours.
Though also in the west, the Westfjords and Reykjanes Peninsula are considered to be in separate regions.
Iceland’s capital city is Reykjavík, a settlement of 120,000 people (over 200,000 in the Greater Reykjavík Area) that was founded in 870 AD by Ingólfur Arnarson; this makes it the country’s oldest inhabited area.
It is a hot spot of culture, with festivals such as Sónar, Airwaves and Secret Solstice, events such as Pride and Culture Nights, and countless museums and galleries. The city is also renowned for its vibrant live music, cabaret and drag scenes, its street art, many sculptures, and its delicious cuisine.
Its architecture is particularly of note, with impressive buildings such as Hallgrímskirkja Church and the Harpa Concert Hall.
Reykjavík is where most visitors base themselves and the point from which most tour leaves. There is a comprehensive guide to Reykjavík on this site.
Borgarfjörður is the fjord north of Reykjavík, within which is a wealth of beautiful historical and natural sites. Reykholt, for example, is a tiny village where medieval historian and poet Snorri Sturluson, author of Snorra-Edda and Heimskringla, once lived. Borgarnes, the main village of Borgarfjörður, is one of Iceland’s earliest towns, and home to the fascinating Settlement Centre.
In terms of nature, Borgarfjörður is home to the second highest waterfall in the country, Glymur. Other beautiful waterfalls include the magical and peaceful Hraunfossar and the raging rapids of Barnafoss which lie only a stone's throw apart. The area is also home to the longest lava cave in the country, Viðgelmir, the highest flowing hot spring in Europe, Deildartunghver, and just inland is Iceland’s second biggest glacier, Langjökull.
The Snӕfellsnes peninsula is a marvellous stretch of land in west Iceland. It is home to a unique mountain ridge with the majestic Snӕfellsjokull glacier and National Park at its westernmost point.
The region is often called Iceland in miniature due to its diverse sites, which include beautiful mountains such as Kirkjufell, geological wonders such as the Gerðuberg cliffs, and coastal formations such as Lóndrangar rock pinnacles.
Breiðafjörður is the fjord that separates the Westfjords from the Snӕfellsnes Peninsula. It is a natural reserve with countless small islands and home to thousands of birds, including puffins.
The inner part of Breiðafjörður is the old farm site Eiriksstadir, the home of Eric the Red, the first European to land in Greenland, in the year 984 AD. His son was Leif Ericsson, the first European to land in America, in the year 1000.
Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland and the northernmost capital of any sovereign state in the world.
Browse a large range of Reykjavik tours to learn more about the city.
Despite a small population (approximately 120,000, with just over 200,000 in the Greater Reykjavík area), it is a vibrant city that draws an ever increasing number of visitors every year. It is the financial, cultural and political centre of Iceland, and has a reputation of being one of the cleanest and safest cities in the world.
The city of Reykjavík is located in southwest Iceland by Faxaflói Bay. Throughout the ages, the landscape has been shaped by glaciers, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and the area is geothermal; after all, its name translates to ‘Smoky Bay’.
Much of the current city area was subglacial during the Ice Age, with the glacier reaching as far as the Álftanes peninsula, while other areas lay under the sea. After the end of the Ice Age, the land rose as the glaciers drifted away, and it began to take on its present form.
The coastline of Reykjavík is set with peninsulas, coves, straits and islands, most notably the island of Viðey, and seabirds and whales frequent the shores. The mountain ring as seen from the shore is particularly beautiful.
Mount Esjan is the highest mountain in the vicinity of Reykjavík and the most distinctive feature of the coastline. This majestic summit is also highly popular amongst hikers and climbers. Other notable mountains that can be seen from the seaside are Akrafjall and Skarðsheiði.
On clear days, one may even see as far to the legendary Snæfellsjökull glacier, at the end of the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
The largest river to run through the city is Elliðaá in Elliðaárdalur valley, which is also one of Iceland’s best rivers for salmon fishing.
There are no trains or trams in Iceland, but most people travel by car. The city also operates a bus system. There are two major harbours in town, the old harbour in the centre and Sundahöfn in the east.
The domestic Reykjavík Airport is located at Vatnsmýrin, not far from the city centre and close to the hill Öskjuhlíð and the restaurant, vantage point and exhibition centre Perlan. The international Keflavík Airport at Miðnesheiði heath then lies around 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the city.
Cars, jeeps and bicycles can be readily rented in the city and many organized tours are also being offered. It is, however, quite easy to walk between the major sites.
The local arts scene is strong in Iceland, with annual events and festivals, many of artists from which have hit the international stage.
Major events taking place in Reykjavík include Iceland Airwaves, Reykjavík Pride, RIFF (The Reykjavík International Film Festival), The Reykjavík Literature Festival, Culture Night, the Reykjavík Arts Festival, Food & Fun, the Reykjavík Fashion Festival and the Sónar music festival.
Amongst the famous people from Reykjavík are musicians like Björk Guðmundsdóttir and Sigur Rós, and writers Halldór Laxness (born on the main street, Laugavegur) and Arnaldur Indriðason.
Those eager to soak up the local culture should visit the city’s many museums, exhibitions and galleries, and check out live music at the cafés, bars, and concert venues dotted around. You could look at the programmes of what’s on at the Harpa music hall or the theatres, or else plan a few hours at the lighthouse at Grótta, the shopping street of Laugavegur, or the old harbour and the flea market.
You could even book a bird- and whale watching tour or a visit to Viðey island. There are a lot of things to do and the possibilities are endless.
Make sure to visit the public square of Austurvöllur, one of the city’s most popular gathering places, where you’ll also find the national parliament, the Alþingi, as well as the state church, a statue of independence hero Jón Sigurðsson, cafés, bars and restaurants.
Austurvöllur was central in the protests following the banking collapse of 2008, along with Lækjargata, home to the House of Government. You are also not likely to miss the great church of Hallgrímskirkja that towers over the city from the hill of Skólavörðuholt, from which you’ll get a great view of the city.
Try a walk by the city pond, Tjörnin, to greet the many birds that frequent the area and to visit the city hall, stationed by its banks. A beautiful park lies by the pond, ideal for a nice walk, and sometimes concerts get held there.
Further off is the campus of the University of Iceland, the Nordic house and the Vatnsmýrin wetland, a particularly pleasant place, but be mindful to not disturb the wildlife there by keeping to the pathways.
For a nice swim on a warm day, we particularly recommend Nauthólsvík beach, which is heated with geothermal water. Those who love a dip should also visit the Laugardalur valley, home to one of the city’s best swimming pools, which sits a short walk away from Ásmundarsafn gallery, a beautiful botanical garden and a domestic zoo.
A walk by the Ægissíða beach, with its old fishing sheds, in the west part of Reykjavík also holds a particular charm. From there, you can see all the way to president’s house at Bessastaðir, which is also a historical site in its own right, having been the educational centre of Iceland for centuries.
Another place that offers one of the city’s best views is Perlan, up on Öskjuhlíð hill. The hill itself is a popular place to spend a few hours, with over 176,000 trees and great opportunities for walking and cycling. Perlan also has and observation deck with great views, a café and an exhibition centre.
Furthermore, the city is a short drive from many of Iceland’s major attractions, most famously the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon. In close vicinity you’ll also find the Heiðmörk preservation area, a favourite local site of the people of Reykjavík, as well as the Blue Mountains, one of Iceland’s best skiing venues.
Finally, we’d like to stress that these are only some suggestions of the many things you might check out in Reykjavík. Whatever you choose to do, we hope you’ll be able to make the most of your visit and we wish you a pleasant stay in our capital.
Jökulsárlón is Iceland’s most famous glacier lagoon. Conveniently located in the southeast by Route 1, about halfway between the Skaftafell Nature Reserve and Höfn, it is a popular stop for those travelling along the South Coast or around the Ring Road of the country.
This beautiful location is the highlight of many self-drive tours and guided packages; both this 10-Day Summer Road Trip and 6-Day Summer Vacation feature it. Those renting a car can also access it in the south-east of the country. Alternatively, take a tour of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
As a glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón is a lake that is filled with the meltwater from an outlet glacier. In this case, it is Breiðamerkurjökull, a tongue of Europe’s largest ice cap, Vatnajökull.
It stands out, however, due to the fact that it also fills with icebergs breaking from the glacier, some of which tower several stories high.
These icebergs, other than their scale, are notable for their colouration. Although they are, as expected, largely white, most are also dyed electric blue in part, with black streaks of ash from eruptions centuries past.
When the icebergs finally make it across the lagoon, they either drift out to sea or wash up on the nearby shore. Because of the way they glisten against the black sands of Breiðamerkursandur, this area has been nicknamed ‘the Diamond Beach’.
In spite of being a rather recent formation, Jökulsárlón is the deepest lake in the country, with depths of 248 metres (814 feet). With a surface area of 18 square kilometres (7 square miles), it is also growing to be one of the largest.
Jökulsárlón has not been around since Iceland’s settlement; it only formed around 1935. This was due to rapidly rising temperatures in the country from the turn of the twentieth century; since 1920, Breiðamerkurjökull has been shrinking at a dramatic rate, and the lagoon has begun to fill its space.
Today, the expansion of Jökulsárlón is accelerating. In 1975, it had less than half its current surface area.
In the relatively near future, it is expected that the lagoon will continue to grow until it becomes a large, deep fjord.
Though a dark omen for Iceland’s glaciers and ice caps in general, the retreat of Breiðamerkurjökull has resulted in an incredibly beautiful, if temporary, site. This has not been overlooked by Hollywood.
Jökulsárlón has been featured in the James Bond films A View to Kill in 1985 and Die Another Day in 2002, 2001’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and 2005’s Batman Begins.
In 2017, Jökulsárlón was enveloped into the Vatnajökull National Park, thus it is now fully protected by Icelandic law.
Because of the wealth of herring and capelin that the tides bring into the lagoon, Jökulsárlón is somewhat of a hot-spot for Iceland’s wildlife.
In summer, it is a nesting site for Arctic Terns; stay well away from their nesting area, as these birds are notorious for the fierceness with which they protect their eggs, dive-bombing the heads of any they see as a threat. Skuas also nest on the lake’s shores in this season.
Seals can be reliably spotted here throughout the year, swimming amongst or else hauling out on the icebergs. Jökulsárlón provides them with a safe haven to rest and socialise, especially considering the waters of southeast Iceland are renowned for their population of orcas.
Vatnajökull glacier is the largest glacier in Europe, covering 8% of Iceland’s landmass.
Due to its enormous size, parts of it are visited on countless self drive tours, guided packages and tours of the South Coast. This 10-Day Summer Self-Drive and 6-Day Summer Vacation are examples that provide opportunities to visit many of its corners. It can also be explored by those who rent a car.
The glacier is the central feature of the Vatnajökull National park, found in the south west of Iceland, a popular spot for activities like glacier hiking from Skaftafell, boat tours in the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and ice caving tours between November and March.
Vatnajökull has a surface area of approximately 8,100 square kilometres (3127 square miles); though it is rapidly shrinking due to climate change, its recession is not quite as advanced as at other glaciers, such as Langjökull and Mýrdalsjökull. In parts, it is a kilometre deep (over three thousand feet), and its average thickness is around half of that.
Vatnajökull also holds the tallest peak in Iceland beneath its ice; Hvannadalshnjúkur is 2,200 metres tall (7,218 feet). It also conceals some of the most active volcanoes in the country, the most notable being Grímsvötn, Öræfajökull and Bárðarbunga.
Volcanic activity in the region has occurred on and off throughout the centuries, and many geologists believe that several eruptions are overdue. If their calculations are correct, it would mean significant volcanic activity for Vatnajökull over the scope of the next half-century.
Depending on winds, this could result in worldwide consequences in terms of air-travel, agriculture and the general climate.
The glacier boasts over 30 outlet glaciers, which are channels of ice that flow out of ice caps but remain constrained on the sides of the valley. The major outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull include Dyngjujökull in the north, Breiðamerkurjökull, and Skeiðarárjökull to the south. To the west, one can find the outlet glaciers Síðujökull, Skaftárjökull and Tungnaárjökull.
Numerous rivers run out of Vatnajökull, making up some of the greatest glacial rivers in Iceland. The most notable are:
Tungnaá (west)
Köldukvísl (west)
Þjórsá (west)
Jökulsá á Fjöllum (north)
Skjálfandafljót (north)
Jökulsá á Brú (northeast)
Jökulsá í Fljótsdal (northeast)
Jökulsá í Lóni (south)
Hornafjarðarfljót (south)
Jökulsá á Breiðamerkursandi (south)
Skeiðará (south)
Núpsvötn (south)
Hverfisfljót (south)
Skaftá (south)
Vatnajökull National Park was established in June 2008 and has slowly grown to include more and more areas. The park now covers an area of 14,141 square kilometres (5,460 square miles), 14% of the country. It is the second largest national park in Europe.
Rivers divide the highland plateau to the north of the park. The volcanic table mountain Herðubreið towers over this particular region, along with volcanoes Askja, Snæfell and Kverkfjöll.
The canyon Jökulsárgljúfur was carved out by glacial floods centuries ago. At the upper end of the canyon, you'll find Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Further north, the horseshoe-shaped canyon Ásbyrgi is believed to have formed when Óðinn's eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, stepped his foot down from the heavens.
East around Snæfell, one can find wetlands and ranges, home to roaming herds of wild reindeer and abundant birdlife. Steep mountain ridges make up the south side of Vatnajökull, where outlet glaciers crawl onto the lowlands. The sandy plains of Skeiðarársandur also lie to the south, and the glacial river Skeiðará runs through this vast desert.
One of Iceland's most visited landmarks in the National Park is the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, which sits at the base of the outlet glacier Breiðamerkurjökull. Here, large icebergs that have broken off the glacier float across a vast lake before ending up in the Atlantic Ocean, or washed ashore on the nearby Diamond Beach.
This is one of the best seal-watching spots in the country.
The volume of Vatnajökull reached its peak around 1930 but has since been in a steady process of decline. Because of rising levels of global temperature, Vatnajökull has on average lost about a metre (three feet) of its thickness annually over the past 15 years.
If temperature levels continue to rise, the glacier could be all but gone nearing the end of the next century, leaving only small ice caps on top of the highest mountain summits.
Efforts are being made to prevent what some say is the inevitable, with reforestation projects going on all around the glacier, a proven method of cooling the area. Time will tell how successful they are.
The beauty of Vatnajökull National Park has not gone unnoticed by those in film or television. Many famous scenes have been shot here, starting with James Bond: A View to Kill in 1985. Other notable films with scenes here include Batman Begins, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and James Bond: Die Another Day.
Most famously, however, many places in Vatnajökull have been used in the HBO Series Game of Thrones, north of the Wall. The Wall itself is constructed with CGI using shots of the glacier.
Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s biggest and most beautiful waterfalls with an astounding width of 25 meters (82 feet) and a drop of 60 meters (197 feet).
The waterfall is incorporated in plenty of self-drive tours and vacation packages around the country, like this 10-Day Road Trip and this 6-Day Winter Guided Tour respectively. Almost all South Coast tours will visit Skogafoss. Those who rent a car will find this waterfall right by the Ring Road.
Located on the Skógá river, this mighty cascade is clearly visible from Route 1 and is an excellent place to stop and stretch the legs while travelling Iceland’s South Coast. The river below Skógafoss holds a large char and salmon population and is thus a favourite spot for fishermen in the summer.
Due to the amount of spray the cascade produces, at least one rainbow is present any time the sun emerges from behind the clouds.
The land underneath the waterfall is very flat, allowing visitors to walk right up to the wall of water. This will get you drenched, although, on a summer’s day, it can be quite tempting.
Skógafoss can also be viewed from the top as a steep staircase leads to an observational platform above the cascade. Many nesting seabirds can be found on the route up.
Skógafoss is located near the small village of Skógar, south of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcano. There you’ll find the Skógasafn folk museum, an open-air museum with both old wooden houses and turf houses, as well as a regional museum with various artefacts from this area.
A part of the Skógasafn Regional Museum is the Museum of Transportation, which showcases the history and evolution of transportation, communication and technologies in Iceland. There, you can see how this nation evolved from the age of the working horse to the digital communications of the 21st century.
The Skógasafn museum also includes a café and a museum shop, and in the village of Skógar, you will find both a hotel and a restaurant.
At the eastern side of Skógafoss, you will find one of Iceland’s most famed hiking routes; the Fimmvörðuháls pass. The 22 kilometre (14 miles) trail takes you along Skógá river, between two glaciers, Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull, before ending in the beautiful Þórsmörk valley.
Skógafoss is often visited alongside the waterfall Seljalandsfoss, which is just a little further along the South Coast. Both fall from cliffs of the same height, and while Skógafoss is much more powerful, Seljalandsfoss has a cave behind it, which means it can be fully encircled. It is also next to a much lesser known but still awe-inspiring waterfall, Gljúfrabúi.
A gold ring is on display at the Skógasafn museum. According to legend, the ring is from a chest that was owned by Þrasi Þórólfsson, one of the first Viking settlers in the area, who by some accounts was a giant. Folklore states that before his death in 900 AD, Þrasi buried a chest filled with gold in a cave behind Skógafoss waterfall.
Many attempts were made to retrieve the chest after Þrasi’s death, and years later, locals managed to grasp a ring on the side of the chest. As they pulled, the ring broke off, and the treasure was lost forever. The ring was then given to the local church before it made its way to the museum.
Seljalandsfoss is a waterfall that can be fully encircled, situated on the South Coast of Iceland with a drop of 60 metres (200 feet).
Many of the vacation packages on offer promise plenty of time at Seljalandsfoss, such as this 6-Day Summer Tour; the same can be said for self-drive holidays, including this 10-Day Road Trip. Those who join a South Coast tour or rent a car can reach the waterfall from the capital in just a couple of hours.
Due to the waterfall’s close proximity to the Ring Road and impressive natural features, it is one of the country's most famous and visited falls. Majestic and picturesque, it is one of the most photographed features in all of Iceland.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall, part of the river Seljalandsá, has its origins underneath the glacier Eyjafjallajökull. The volcano beneath this ice cap was the one that erupted in 2010 and caused havoc at airports across Europe.
The cascade of the falls is relatively narrow but falls from a tall cliff that once marked the country's coastline, the sea is now located across a stretch of lowlands and is visible from the site.
The most distinguishing feature of Seljalandsfoss is a pathway that stretches around it. The cliffs behind the falls have a wide cavern, and rocks and paths allow guests to fully encircle it in summer.
Though a mesmerising opportunity, visitors should be prepared to get dampened due to the perpetual mist of the falls, which also tends to make the rocks of the pathway slippery.
Floodlights have been set up on both sides of the waterfall, which impressively illuminate the scene during the night when the midnight sun is not out. The lights were installed in 2001 due to the growing popularity of the falls as a tourist destination.
After visiting Seljalandsfoss, it is common for visitors to continue north to the waterfall Gljúfrabúi, which is found partially hidden behind a rock face. Because of Seljalandsfoss extreme popularity, Gljúfrabúi is widely considered the hidden gem of the scene, as it is too often overlooked.
Seljalandsfoss is also usually visited alongside the nearby Skógafoss. The waterfall falls from the same height, and while it cannot be encircled, it is much more powerful and steeped in the legend of a giant’s hidden treasure.
In 2017, it was announced that a visitor’s centre was to be constructed near the falls. The design of the building indicated that it would be seven metres (23 feet) high and 2,000 square metres (21,500 square feet) in size. Landowners in the area opposed to the idea, proclaiming that the centre would greatly alter the natural appearance of the waterfall’s renowned scenery.
The project has neither been fully approved nor wholly cancelled, with ideas surfacing of either significantly reducing the size of the construction, or moving the visitor centre’s location further away, for instance to the nearby farmstead Brekkuhorn.
Along with a multitude of South Iceland’s most famous natural attractions, Seljalandsfoss can be seen in Justin Bieber’s music video for his song ‘I’ll Show You’. Please enjoy the video without emulating any antics that will endanger yourself or the environment.
The waterfall was also a featured waypoint during the first leg of the sixth season of The Amazing Race, an American reality TV series.
The glacier volcano of Eyjafjallajökull is notorious the world over for causing havoc to air travel in 2010, and stumping television anchors everywhere as they tried to pronounce it. 1651 metres (5427 feet) tall, it is one of the most dominant features of the South Coast.
Eyjafjallajokull can be seen on many South Coast tours. This 6-Day Vacation Package and this 10-Day Summer Self-Drive are just two examples of the many tours that pass Eyjafjallajökull. Those who rent a car can travel South to see it independently.
The glacier of Eyjafjallajökull is approximately 100 square kilometres (39 square miles), making it the country’s sixth largest. It sits close to the fourth greatest, Mýrdalsjökull, which also conceals another notorious volcano, this one called Katla.
While Eyjafjallajökull’s eruption was huge and disruptive, it pales in comparison to the potential of Katla. Far more explosive, and under much thicker ice, an eruption here in unfavourable wind conditions could have worldwide consequences.
The magma chambers between both of these mighty volcanoes are connected, and, unfortunately for us, an eruption at Eyjafjallajökull is usually followed by one at Katla within a decade.
Eyjafjallajökull has many glacial outlets, the most famous being Gígjökull. Many rivers flow from its meltwater, and one of these falls into the beautiful South Coast waterfall, Seljalandsfoss, which it is possible to fully encircle.
Eyjafjallajökull’s most recent eruption was no doubt the most famous in Iceland’s history (although the honour really should go to Laki, the 1783-4 eruption of which caused an ash cloud so great that Europe fell into a famine that many historians believe led to the French Revolution). On March 27th, 2010, magma began to bubble from beneath the surface, and by April 14th, ash was starting to billow from the peak.
800 people were evacuated, in fears not of magma, but of equally dangerous glacial floods, which have decimated Icelandic towns in the past. Animals were ordered to be kept inside, and those with respiratory problems told they should also stay indoors.
Air travel across Europe was halted, as, by the evening of April 15th, the ash was already over the UK, Scandinavia, and parts of Germany. Holidaymakers were trapped, waiting for news, and would end up stuck for eight days; in Scotland and Ireland, there were even flights delayed in May due to lingering effects.
Thankfully, no one was injured, although the ash is thought to have caused respiratory issues for some in the south of the country. Many farms were also destroyed by the ash and floods, with some farmers still struggling to recover today.
Since settlement in 874, Eyjafjallajökull has also erupted in 900, 1612, and from 1821 to 1823. The latter released a huge amount of fluoride which is believed to have affected the bone health of humans and animals alike at the time.
Eyjafjallajökull is now entirely safe to visit and is seen on most tours of the South Coast in clear weather. In the town of Hvolsvöllur, there is a visitor’s centre on the volcano, which focuses on the experience of one family whose farm, Þorvaldseyri, was one of the many destroyed by the floods, lava and ash.
It is very unlikely that Eyjafjallajökull will erupt again any time soon, with hundreds of years between each eruption, but as mentioned, its neighbour Katla might start rumbling...
The Dyrhólaey Peninsula is a 120-metre promenade famed for its staggering views of Iceland’s South Coast, as well as its historic lighthouse and wealth of birdlife. It is home to a rock arch of the same name.
Due to its convenient location, it is a feature on South Coast day tours, and many vacation packages, such as this 10-Day Self-Drive around the island. Those who rent a car can drive to it year-round.
Dyrhólaey, which translates to Door Hill Island, is of volcanic origin and was once an island before joining up to the Icelandic mainland. In ancient times, passing sailors used to refer to Dyrhólaey as ‘Cape Portland’.
It is also the southernmost part of the Icelandic mainland, making it a popular stop for sightseers travelling along the Ring Road, and can be found close by the coastal village of Vík í Mýrdal.
Other features along the South Coast en route to Dyrhólaey from Reykjavík include the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, and the glacier Eyjafjallajökull.
Dyrhólaey’s most instantly recognisable attraction is the promenade’s massive rock arch, a result of centuries of erosion. As a result, its name is in direct reference to this enormous arch. In fact, this natural feature is so large and dramatic that one daredevil pilot even flew through it, back in 1993. Boats can easily cruise through its opening.
Dyrhólaey has an abundance of birdlife, the most common year-round being Eider Ducks. Iceland’s favourite winged resident, the migratory Atlantic Puffin, can be found here from May to September.
It is one of the best places to reliably locate them, and one of the closest to Reykjavík after the islands in Faxaflói Bay which can be visited by boat from the Old Harbour.
While watching puffins, it is striking how little they seem to fear people, as they allow you to get very close. Be aware, however, they do not like to be touched, and if one flies off in a panic, the whole flock might follow it, so be respectful.
From your position atop the promenade of Dyrhólaey, you can enjoy staggering views over Iceland’s black sand beaches, complemented by the glittering waves of the Atlantic on one side, and distant mountainscapes to the other.
The most notable stretch of coast here is called Reynisfjara, renowned for its incredible geology, with the sea-stacks of Reynisdrangar jutting up out to sea. If you visit this beach while seeing Dyrhólaey as part of a South Coast adventure, be sure to follow the warning signs and stay away from the water as dangerous sneaker waves here are commonplace.
To the north, you will also able to see the creeping glacier, Mýrdalsjökull. This amazing ice cap conceals a secret; beneath its surface is one of the most explosive and notorious volcanoes in all of Iceland, Katla. Long overdue, experts say that it is a matter of when - not if - it will erupt over the coming years.
On top of Dyrhólaey stands Dyrhólaeyjarviti, a beautiful old lighthouse that consists of a white, square concrete tower. The first lighthouse in the area was built in 1919; the current construction was completed in 1927. Visitors here will be able to see the lighthouse flicking out beams of white light to sea every ten seconds.
Mýrdalsjökull is a glacier in the south of the Icelandic highlands. It is the country's fourth largest ice cap, covering nearly 600 square kilometres (232 square miles), and its highest peak is almost 1500 meters tall. It is most well-known for sitting atop the notorious and explosive volcano, Katla.
Day tours, especially South Coast tours, will introduce you to this glacier, and you can also witness it on many summer vacation packages, such as this 6-Day Holiday. Those who rent a car can seek it out independently.
Mýrdalsjökull is visible from Route 1 on the South Coast, sitting to the north of the village of Vík. It is visited on some snowmobiling, ice caving and helicopter tours, and one of its glacial outlets, Sólheimajökull, is the most popular place in the country for ice-climbing and glacier hiking.
Since 2010, the world has known of the volcano beneath Eyjafjallajökull; after all, it halted European air travel for over a week and stumped news readers everywhere. Few, however, are aware of the much larger volcano right beside it.
Mýrdalsjökull conceals Katla, one of the country’s most active volcanoes, having erupted, on average, once every fifty years since 930 AD. Because of the glacier above it, these eruptions tend to cause enormous ash clouds. It is these ash clouds that lead to flights being grounded, crops and livestock poisoned, and have the potential to change the world’s climate.
Photo by Ruslan Valeev
The last major eruption beneath Katla was in 1918, in which such huge lahar floods occurred that the southern coastline was extended five kilometres outwards. This area is also very susceptible to glacial floods, or 'jökulhlaup', during eruptions, even when the lava does not break through the surface of the ice. These are as dangerous as the lava itself, having wiped out whole Icelandic villages before.
Historically, the area was little settled for this reason.
Katla is connected to the same volcanic system as Eyjafjallajökull and usually erupts violently a few years after Eyjafjallajökull does. As the ex-president, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson said in 2010:
So it is currently several years overdue. Katla is monitored heavily, and roads around it closed when seismic activity increases. All road closures around Iceland can be found on Road and Coastal Administration's website.
While there are no eruptions immediately imminent, tours continue to run on Mýrdalsjökull, allowing visitors to enjoy the glacier. It is, for example, possible to snowmobile across its surface and take ice caving tours beneath it throughout the year, with departures from both Reykjavík and Vík.
Considering the ice caves under Vatnajökull glacier are usually only accessible from November to March, this provides a wider window of opportunity for travellers to Iceland outside of the depths of winter. It should be noted that the caves in Mýrdalsjökull do not have the same blue ice, however.
Mýrdalsjökull can be seen on all South Coast tours that reach Vík and beyond in clear weather. It can also be seen from above on helicopter tours that depart from Reykjavík.
The best perspectives of the glacier, however, can be found on the popular Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail, which goes between Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. Part of this hike can be done in a day, or you can take the complete route from Þórsmörk to Skógar on a three-day trek
On your first day, you will arrive at Keflavík International Airport, from where you will start your adventure. The fun starts immediately when you are whisked straight over to the Blue Lagoon Spa. The healing, azure waters that fill these pools, as well as the Silica masks, saunas and steam-rooms, will ease away the tensions of your journey and revitalise you for your adventures ahead.
Once you are fully recharged, you will continue to the capital city of Reykjavík. After settling into your hotel, you face a choice for your evening plan: to take a Northern Lights tour by bus, or by boat.
By bus, you can more easily escape cloud cover and have a chance to perhaps see some locations you may otherwise miss out on, such as Þingvellir National Park, if the forecast is good there. By boat, however, you are sure to be immersed in darkness with an enormous open sky for optimal viewing conditions.
You will spend the night in Reykjavík.
On day two, you will travel across the length of the South Coast, taking in its diverse sites and landscapes and making many stops. The first of these will be at the waterfall Seljalandsfoss; this beautiful fall tumbles in a thin stream from a cliff over sixty metres tall, which arches inward for some unusual and unique perspectives.
Next along the route is Skógafoss waterfall; you pass the notorious Eyjafjallajökull volcano and glacier en route, which your guide will point out. Skógafoss is a similar height to Seljalandsfoss, but with a much wider, more powerful flow; if it is sunny when you visit, you will see many rainbows springing from its spray.
The next stop will be at Reynisfjara black sand beach. This is an incredible stretch of coastline, with some fascinating geology. The Dyrhólaey rock arch curves out into the ocean here; it is incredibly dramatic from a distance, but even more interesting up close, where you can see its hexagonal basalt columns. Rising from the tumultuous waters, you will also see the impressive Reynisdrangar sea-stacks.
After stopping for refreshments in the nearby Vík, you will continue to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. This is without a doubt one of Iceland’s crowning features; it is an enormous lake, littered with great icebergs that break off a nearby glacier tongue and slowly edge towards the sea. Watching them is a mesmerising experience, made all the more charming by the seals which call the lagoon home.
Before heading to your accommodation, you will visit the Diamond Beach, where these bergs wash up when they finally do escape to the ocean. The way they glitter against the black sands in the evening light will leave you in little wonder how the shoreline got its name.
You will spend the night in a country hotel nearby.
On day three, you will reach the highlight of your trip: the famous Ice Cave of Vatnajökull. You will head over to the edge of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, to wherever they have opened. Ice caves only occur under certain conditions in specific places and are not always reliable, so the chance to explore one is truly once-in-a-lifetime.
Once on site, you will board a super jeep which will take you high onto the glacier to where the caves are hidden. There you will strap on crampons and helmets for safety, and receive a briefing about how to conduct yourself when you are in the cave. With that complete, you will head inside this otherworldly place and begin your exploration.
The spectacular formations and vibrant colours of the ice will take your breath away. As you stroll through the halls and corridors, wondering how nature could create such a marvel, your guide will tell you all about how these caves form. You will have at least forty-five minutes inside to appreciate and photograph this incredible location.
Once you have enjoyed the Ice Cave, you will return to your van and begin the long but beautiful drive back to Reykjavík, where you will spend another night.
Day four is your departure day, so you can fill it doing what you like until it is time for you to return to the airport. If you have a late flight, then this is a great opportunity to explore the capital’s diverse sites, visiting the museums or heading up Hallgrímskirkja church for some great views.
You will return to Keflavík airport with a bus ticket provided when you are ready. You can head home marvelling over the fact that you have seen some of nature’s most rare and incredible wonders.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and therefore cannot be guaranteed, but this itinerary is designed to maximise your chances to see them if weather allows.
Please be aware that your itinerary may have to be rearranged to fit your arrival date and time better. It can happen, in the case of extreme weather, that an activity is cancelled. If your chosen activity is cancelled, we will assist you with rearranging or booking other activities when possible, and any potential price difference will be refunded to you.
Note that Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the wintertime. We recommend you bring shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers. The covers can be purchased in most supermarkets and gas stations around the country.
See our accommodation levels below and our preferred accommodation partners under each day in the daily itinerary. Super budget level accommodations will be arranged in hostel dorm beds. For budget and comfort levels, bookings for one person will be arranged in single rooms, and bookings for two or more people will share a twin/double or triple room(s). For quality level, odd number groups will always be allocated a single room. If you are travelling in a group, but prefer a single room, please make separate bookings. Teenagers and children will be arranged in the same room with parents. If additional room(s) is needed, additional costs will incur. For multi-day guided tours, accommodation cannot be upgraded and the levels below do not apply. Guide to Iceland will provide you with the best available accommodation at the time of your booking from our preferred partners. If our preferred partners are fully booked at the time of your booking, we will find another suitable accommodation for you of similar level. We always do our best to accommodate special requests, which may incur additional costs. Press choose a date to find availability.
Dormitory beds with shared bathrooms in guesthouses or hostels, such as HI Hostels. Located in the capital region. Breakfast is not included.
Private rooms with shared bathroom in guesthouses or hostels such as Capital Inn Guesthouse. Located in the capital region. Breakfast is not included.
Rooms with a private bathroom at three-star hotels such as Hótel Klettur, or quality guesthouses. Located in the city center or in close vicinity. Breakfast is included.
Rooms at four-star design hotels in the city center with a private bathroom at the absolute best locations downtown such as Hotel Alda. Breakfast is included.
Are you looking to try some of the best dishes Iceland’s top restaurants have to offer? You can now add delicious meals to your booking without having to research where to find them. Select this option to include dinner every night as an extra, and we’ll provide you with vouchers as part of your booking confirmation. We’ll choose the top-rated restaurants that fit with your vacation itinerary and make your reservations for you. Your server will offer you a set menu of two to three courses at the restaurant, from which you can choose meat, fish, or vegetarian options. If you prefer to try a different dish, the meal voucher will act as a credit that you can redeem at the restaurant against menu items that are not part of the set menu. Save time and effort during your vacation, and let us take care of your meals for you. Choose the meal option today so you’ll be guaranteed to eat well on your forthcoming trip. Please notify the restaurant on arrival about any dietary requirements. Vouchers are non-refundable.
This insurance guarantees that you can cancel tour and package bookings and receive a full refund, minus the insurance cost. The cost of your cancellation insurance depends on the duration of your tour or package. A base cost of 5,000 ISK per person is applied to all tours and packages with a duration of 5 days or less. An additional 1,000 ISK per person will be added to the insurance cost for each day after. The cancellation must be made more than 48 hours before the listed starting time on your voucher. To cancel your booking and claim your refund, simply contact info@guidetoiceland.is and declare full cancellation. COVID-19 Related Cancellations If you need to cancel your booking due to COVID-19 related reasons, the cancellation insurance provides further protection for your booking. If you purchase a self-drive tour or guided tour package along with the cancellation insurance, you will also get a full refund. If you test positive on arrival, to get the full refund after arrival, please email us at info@guidetoiceland.is with your booking details and your test result within 4 hours after you receive the test result. If your flight gets cancelled due to COVID, to get the full refund, please email us at info@guidetoiceland.is with your booking details and your flight cancellation confirmation prior to your scheduled flight departure time. Please note that this insurance covers the cancellation of the whole tour or package. Individual services cannot be cancelled and refunded separately, but are all covered and refunded in case of a full cancellation.
We always try to help travellers fulfil their dream vacation. If you need to change the details of your trip, you can do so by pressing the ‘Click here to edit booking’ button that will be on your electronic voucher. This electronic voucher will arrive to you via email upon booking.
Please bear in mind that Iceland has limited service availability and the best services with the best price and highest ratings get fully booked quickly. Completing your booking will ensure the best availability and pricing for your trip. Please find a summary of our cancellation policy and terms of service below. For further information, please see our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Due to COVID-19 Related Reasons
If you purchase a day tour, multi-day tour or rent a car on Guide to Iceland, but test positive on arrival to Iceland or if your flight to Iceland is cancelled due to COVID-19, you will get a full refund. If you purchase a self-drive tour or guided tour package along with the cancellation insurance, you will also get a full refund. The cancellation insurance is available for purchase during the booking process while you book your trip.
Alternatively, you can choose to reschedule your trip to another date.
If you test positive on arrival, to get the full refund after arrival, please contact us via email with your booking details and your test result within 4 hours after you receive the test result.
If your flight gets cancelled due to COVID, to get the full refund, please contact us via email with your booking details and your flight cancellation confirmation prior to your scheduled flight departure time.
Cancellations of Day Tours, Combo Deals and Multi-Day tours from independent operators
Day Tours and Combo Deals which only include day tours booked on the Guide to Iceland webpage that are serviced by independent operators can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. This can be done via the ‘Edit Booking’ button in your electronic voucher email.
All tours, regardless of operator, which last for two days or more (Multi-Day tours and Combos that are inclusive of any Multi-Day tours) can be cancelled up to 7 days before departure date notice for an 85% refund. The 15% service fee is to cover the operator cost of planning and arrangement. Please note that changing the number of people in a booking to a smaller number is considered cancellation for the change in the number of pax. No refund is given if tours are cancelled within 7 days notice.
In case of partial cancellations, e.g. an activity portion of a multi-day tour is cancelled by the operator, or a tour layout is changed due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, a partial refund is due. If an activity is changed, the price difference between activities will be refunded, or a percentage stated by the tour operator as the standard refund due to changes in the program of the tour.
Cancellations of car rentals
Car rentals reservations can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure and receive a full refund. This can be done via the ‘Edit Booking’ button in your electronic voucher email.
Cancellations of accommodation
The details of available refunds are dealt with on an individual basis depending on the accommodation provider. To cancel accommodation, select the ‘Click here to edit booking’ button in your electronic voucher email. Please note that if your accommodation booking is a part of an All-In-One Self Drive or Holiday package serviced by Guide to Iceland, you will not be able to cancel it via the button in the electronic voucher, you will need to contact us via info@guidetoiceland.is with the relevant information.
Cancellations of flights
Scheduled international and domestic flights are non-refundable, be they a part of an All-In-One Self Drive or Holiday package, multi-day tour, or any other service purchasable on the Guide to Iceland website, unless the Cancellation insurance is purchased. If a cancellation insurance is purchased, a full refund is given.
If flights are a part of a tour listed as a Day-Tour, standard terms of cancellations of day tours apply to a full refund. For cancelling and refunding of private flights (flights specifically arranged and scheduled for you personally or your group in specific), please contact your service agent.
Cancellations due to weather conditions
If your tour is cancelled by the tour provider due to weather conditions or any other environmental circumstances you will always receive a full refund. Exempt from this are any rescheduled second tries of tours which already have been serviced as a first departure. In the case of a volcanic eruption taking place on Icelandic soil stopping you from getting to Iceland, you will also receive a full refund on All products booked on Guide to Iceland.
Cancellation of All-In-One Self Drives and Holiday Packages arranged by Guide to Iceland
You can cancel your All-In-One Self Drive or Holiday package arranged by Guide to Iceland up to 7 days before departure and receive an 85% refund. The 15% service fee is to cover our cost of planning and arrangement. No refund is issued if there are less than 7 days to the starting date of the All-In-One Self Drive or Holiday package.
If a cancellation is made less than 24 hours after booking, Guide to Iceland will refund the tour fully, unless non-refundable separate booking has been made for said All-In-One Self Drive or Holiday package. In such cases, an amount to cover said object will be held, while the remaining amount will be refunded.
It is not possible to cancel or alter any individual services within a package within 7 days of Self Drive or package starting date. Please note that this includes reducing the number of participants within a self-drive or a package.
In cases where an All-In-One Self Drive or a Holiday Package is disrupted due to official road closure or Act of God, Guide to Iceland will reroute and or rearrange to the best of their abilities and assist with cancellations, making partial refunds when applicable and full refunds when applicable.
Clients who have purchased a Cancellation Insurance to accompany their Self Drive or Holiday package can request a full refund up to 48 hours before arrival. Please note that a Cancellation Insurance can only be purchased upon the time of booking or added to a product within 24 hours of booking. Please see Terms and Conditions for further information.
How to cancel or change a booking
All cancellations and changes must be made through the voucher that you receive on your email after booking. It will have an edit booking button that allows you to modify and cancel your bookings. After clicking the button you will be taken to a modification page where you can amend your booking details. There will be buttons available both to confirm changes and to cancel your booking. If you can not cancel or modify your booking then the time to do so has expired.
Refunds of past services need to be submitted within 15 days after the completion of the tour/package services. All refund requests must be made through email to booking@guidetoiceland.is with the email subject as: Refund Request - [Order number]. We do not charge anything for helping you change or make simple rearrangements to your booking for day tours, multi-day tours serviced by independent operators, and car rentals as long as they are requested within the window allowed for changes to a product, but costs can change accordingly with your new details. Please be advised that though we always try our best, due to high demand and low availability, rearrangements are not always possible.
For All-In-One Self-drives and Holiday Packages arranged by Guide to Iceland, please contact your travel planner for any changes needed. We do not charge anything for helping you change or make simple rearrangements to your All-In-One Self drive or Holiday Package, but please note that costs can change accordingly, depending on hotel rates, car rentals, change of included products etc. In that case, we will either notify you about the increased costs or refund you the difference. In cases where changes reach a form that require rebookings and tailoring of travel, a service fee of 15% of total tour price might apply. Please see full Terms and Conditions for further details.
Please note that changing the number of people in a booking to a smaller number is considered cancellation for the change in the number of pax.
Terms for accommodation in All-In-One Holiday packages and Self-Drives booked with Guide to Iceland
If you are booking an All-In-One Holiday Package or Self-Drive with Guide to Iceland, accommodation will be arranged as follows:
Super Budget level accommodation is set in hostel dormitories or rooms with shared facilities, regardless of the number of participants.
Budget, Comfort and Quality level accommodation will be arranged as follows: A single traveller will receive a single bedroom. Even number groups will receive twin/double rooms and odd-numbered groups of travellers will be booked into triple rooms.
Accommodation for children and teens is arranged so that they lodge with their guardians, either in a baby cot or on an additional bed in the room. Should the number of children and teens exceed the number of adults travelling with them, the exceeding number of children/teens will be subject to full adult prices.
Please note that you can contact us at any time to make changes to your accommodation level. Additional charges may apply.
Pickups
During the booking process you will be able to choose a pickup location and starting time. If you do not show up for the scheduled pickup time and location stated on your booking, your reservation is non-refundable.
If you do not know your pickup location at the time of booking, you can choose to update your pickup location later, up to 24 hours before tour departure. Click on the link in your voucher email to update your pickup location and other details. Please call the number listed on your voucher if you do not receive a confirmation of your pickup location update.
Terms of payment
When you reserve online a full payment is charged to your credit card. To reserve for group bookings and packages of more than 15 people, you can also contact us by email and make a 15% down payment. We will then start reserving your trip to secure you the best price. The rest of your payment must reach us 30 days before your arrival. Please contact info@guidetoiceland.is for this service.
All charges are made in Icelandic krona. On our website you can view an estimate of prices in a number of currencies. This is only to help you understand the approximate price in your preferred currency. Final payment is always conducted in ISK. We also refund in ISK. As Guide to Iceland does not charge any booking or transaction fees we can not be held liable to any loss in currency exchange during transactions, nor any third party transaction fees that may occur at the time of payment and/or refund.
Car rental terms
All drivers must be a minimum of 20 years of age and have had a driver’s license for at least 1 year. For certain vehicles, the minimum age might be 23 or higher. It is the responsibility of the client to understand and honour the driver minimum age. Please note that rentals are not obliged to honour a rental should the driver not meet the age requirements. Upon receiving the rental vehicle, a valid driver's license in the Latin alphabet and a credit card must be presented. You will be asked to sign a contract with the car rental. We advise you read this contract carefully and make sure that you are aware of the different insurances that you choose; what you are insured for, self-risk and more. Please note that security deposit from a valid credit card of attending traveller might be required upon pick up. The amount may vary depending on car rental and car model. Please contact the rental agency directly for further information. Upon return of the car, the deposit will be returned to you, provided the conditions of the car is the same as when picked-up. Please note that the car rental agreement will be between the renter and the car rental agency, and any disputes regarding damages etc. will need to be resolved between the two parties. Guide to Iceland cannot be liable for what you have agreed upon with the car rental company.
Guide to Iceland cannot be liable to any loss, damages, injuries, accidents, death or sickness during your stay in Iceland. All matters related to damages to the car are dealt with directly with the car rental. If you have any complaints about one of our car rental partners please send us an email to info@guidetoiceland.is and we will help you protect your rights.
General terms
Guide to Iceland cannot be liable to any loss, damage, accidents, injuries, death or sickness during your tour. The same applies for any changes in tour schedule due to weather, strikes or any other force majeure. Tour operators reserve the right to change routes, schedules and itineraries if needed because of weather, road conditions or should the necessity arise because of unforeseen reasons or circumstances.
We advise all travellers to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance to minimize possible losses due to unforeseeable situations during your travel. Guide to Iceland does not offer any travel insurance, so please contact your preferred private travel insurance company.
If you have a complaint about any of our partners please contact us at info@guidetoiceland.is and we will protect your rights.
GuidetoIceland was amazing! Initially my trip was supposed to be for the South Coast, but due to weather conditions, it got canceled last minute. They communicated the change very quickly and got me rebooked for the west coast, which was also beautiful. They were awesome with communication all around! Highly recommend.
Our Guide was Mika and he was great! For the 2 days we were with him he was very nice and informative, he loves what he does. The weather was excellent so he always went his way to show us more of the scenery. I would definitely recommend booking dinners as they are great and leave a lot of time for the blue lagoon, it is very relaxing and you dont want to rush it. Do confirm beforehand with every tour just in case!
This trip was amazing, it was a great way way to pack a lot of highlights into a short amount of time and it was all worth it! Our guide Hallthor (sp?) was wonderful. He was knowledgeable, fun and courteous. The Alda hotel (premium option) was in a great location and was great! It also had a wonderful breakfast. The Hotel Edda in Hofn was clean and comfortable, but could use a bit more variety in breakfast. The van was comfortable and had great wifi. Pro-tip sit on the right side for great views leaving Hofn which you don't get getting into town as its dark. My wife and I are planning on going back and would use Guide to Iceland again in a heartbeat.
Iceland was the best trip of my life! And this tour really helped me be at ease and relax and enjoy the beautiful country. We had to change the schedule due to the weather, but our tour guide showed us everything on the schedule and even more gems that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. I highly guide to Iceland. Sit back and relax and enjoy!
The trip was amazing! We chose the 4days-3 nights but stayed for another day and managed to buy an extra package! Our guides and drivers were different each day but they were all great and very polite. The price may seem high but it's worth it! The comfort hotels were not the best but they are OK for a sleep. The drivers weren't always punctual as they had to pick up people from many hotels but we were always back on time. The team from Guide to Island was helpful but slow in their replies. They only sent us our schedule a few days before the trip and there were a few mistakes so we had to do last minute arrangments which was quite stressful but everything went well and the trip was EXCELLENT! Thank you so much for this experience! Iceland is BEAUTIFUL and I 100% recommend visiting it with the Guide to Iceland!
This tour is technically only 3 days. There is no programing on day 4. The only reason I am giving 4 stars is because we had a wonderful guide from Nice Travel agency - Mike (French). When I booked our trip with Guide to Iceland, I didn't understand, that they will be just contracting with other companies and I will have to manage multiple vouchers, contact phone numbers, etc. The visit to the cave was a joke - hole in the ice, covered by plywood. Waterfalls, black sand beach, the diamond beach was quite nice. Our Northern Lights tour was rescheduled and eventually canceled. I wish that there was a replacement program in case the tour couldn't go, which I believe happens often.
Very good experience. Fluent pick up. Amazing tour guide took us to many points. Good accommodation. Very worth to join it.
Disappointed not to see the northern lights but enjoyed the tour despite the challenging weather. We felt lucky that nothing else on our tour was cancelled and had timely breaks in the weather to see the other sights. Our tour guide/driver from Nice travel was fantastic and did a great job getting us back to the city on time thru some trying driving conditions. He was very informative and intent on keeping us safe. The subcontractor driver to the ice cave was enthusiastic and obviously likes his job. He was an excellent guide and willing photographer. The accommodations were quite adequate- love the heated floors in Iceland! My only complaint is about the Blue Lagoon visit. It is advertised as being on day 1 but was moved to day 4 (departure day). Would have preferred it on arrival day since we had nothing else to do and could not check in to hotel for several hours. Also felt rushed on last day with worry about getting to airport on time. The second part of my complaint is the lack of details about the transport to the Blue Lagoon. We missed the bus because it was not mentioned anywhere that it would be with Flybus Reykjavík excursions and require bus transfer. The initial bus had nothing to identify it as going to the Blue Lagoon and the driver did not get out or do any roll call by name- we were ready but assumed this bus was going to the airport.
If you want to see as many places as possible in a rushed fashion then this will be the attraction for you. If you want to see a lot of places but in a relaxed way then look elsewhere. For the amount of money that we paid, I expected 5 star customer service but I would give them 3 stars at most. I ended up booking the Blue Lagoon entrance myself due to inconvenient time slots that were chosen for us by our personal travel agent; the name of one of the hotels that we stayed at was never disclosed even though I asked for its name; and the bus transportation to Blue Lagoon was booked last minute (if I didn't call a day ahead to confirm, we would have probably had to take the taxi). Alda Hotel in Reykjavik was beautiful with good breakfast and our bus driver that we spent 2 days with was excellent with superb driving skills during various climate changes.