Reykjavik · EVENING EXPERIENCES
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 6 evening experiences worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Ride from Reykjavik into Iceland’s countryside while your guide explains aurora science and local stories. The route changes nightly with the forecast. You may stop at a coast, park, or inland site, with photo tips, WiFi, hotel pickup, and a free repeat tour if no lights appear.
“excellent tour. we were very lucky to witness the northern lights. Check in could have been better organised!”
Walk Reykjavik with a small group of up to 14, stopping at five local eateries for Icelandic food, beer, wine, and other drinks. Guides such as Stevie, Helga, Jenny, Burger, and Minty mix local stories with stops near Rainbow Street, Arnarhóll, and Hallgrímskirkja. Everything served is included.
“Hands down one of the best food/drink tours we've had. Quality of food, variety, and pacing/sequencing of the stops was perfect. What really made it a stand-out experience was our guide, Stevie. I've never done a food tour where our guide was as knowledgeable as he was on Icelandic history. We went to two museums earlier that day, and learned more from Stevie about Iceland than from both of them combined, in a more engaging way. If you're looking for an activity in Reykjavik to maximize bang for your buck in terms of food, drink, and history, then you won't go wrong with this tour. I will be recommending it…”
Walk central Reykjavik with an English-speaking local guide such as Stevie, Haddy, or Cili, stopping at five restaurants and bars for Icelandic dishes, hot dogs, craft beer, and local stories. You get a social introduction to the city, though beer is the main drink focus and extra drinks cost more.
“Stevie Ottoson was the best guide you could imagine. He is very funny and told us a lot about icelandic history.”
Leave Reykjavík at 7:30 p.m. for Raufarhólshellir, Iceland’s fourth-longest lava tube. Walk up to 900 meters underground with a caving guide, then chase the Northern Lights with an English-speaking guide. You get hot cocoa, blankets, Wi-Fi, aurora photos, and a free retry if the lights stay hidden.
“I would definitely recommended this experience. The lava tunnel was really interesting and completely different to anything we had tried before. Doing it at night added to the experience. I can’t speak highly enough of our tour guide who went above and beyond to hunt down the northern lights. He took some fantastic photographs of us which were shared with us digitally the next day. He was fantastic and even dropped everyone back at their hotel after rather than the bus pickup points. Thank you!”
Join a captain and wildlife guide on a two-hour evening RIB cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. With only 12 people aboard, you will visit puffin islands, search Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins, then return past Harpa and the Sun Voyager. Guides may include Maria and Miquel.
“A great adventure and totally surreal experience! The humpback whales and dolphins were so close. We even got to see the Puffins before they left for the season. Maria and Miquel were knowledgeable and wonderful guides. We 100% recommend this experience!”
Join Viking Horses for a three-hour evening ride from Reykjavík, limited to eight people. After a short lesson, follow trails through Hólmsheiði, Stallion Valley, and the red lava formations of Rauðhólar, then warm up with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and kleina.
“This was an amazing experience and I highly recommend to anyone wanting to experience Icelandic horses while near Reykjavík. We can’t wait to go back the next time we are in Iceland. The horses are absolutely beautiful and well-cared for with great temperament. The owner is friendly and helpful, and the tour guide provided great instruction and assistance for less experienced riders. If you are unsure of whether to book or not, just do it - you won’t regret it!”
Pick a road out, a boat or a hot spring.
