7 Evening Experiences in Iceland That Are Worth the Daylight

1.Northern Lights Night Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 1,921 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $63Our pick

Leave Reykjavik by air-conditioned coach and search Iceland’s dark countryside for the Aurora Borealis. Your guide explains the science and Icelandic folklore, helps with camera settings, and may change the route based on weather and cloud cover. WiFi is included, and you can rebook free if no lights appear.

“Pickup from the bus stop was exactly as instructions stated, and on time. Driver was informative, and tried to level set expectations that even with high probability- we may not have seen anything during our tour. We had an unexpectedly amazing evening. The auroras were stunning, with the event reaching Europe and the US. As a solo traveler, this tour gave me a safe way to experience the auroras, which is invaluable to me.”

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2.Reykjavik Food and Drink Adventure – Local Evening Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 217 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $190Top rated

Spend about three and a half hours walking central Reykjavik with a local guide, stopping at several eateries for Icelandic food, beer, wine, and cocktails. You may try lobster tacos, unusual beer, and a final pub stop with live music. Guides such as Stevie, Helga, Jenny, Burger, and Minty have led past tours.

“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…”

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3.Evening Icelandic Food and Drink Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 66 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $176

Spend 3.5 hours walking central Reykjavik with a local guide such as Stevie, Haddy, or Love, stopping at five restaurants, bars, and street-food spots. Expect Icelandic dishes, hot dogs, craft beer, and stories about the country’s unusual beer past. The tour is in English, for adults, and costs $176 per person.

“The tour was lots of fun and offered diverse bites. The tour guide, Haddy, shared lots of info about Iceland. He was very friendly.”

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4.Evening Lava Tunnel Tour and Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $195

Travel by minibus from Reykjavík to Raufarhólshellir, Iceland’s fourth-longest lava tunnel, for a one-hour guided walk with helmet and torch. Then search for the Northern Lights with an English-speaking guide, hot cocoa, blankets, and free aurora photos. Pickup is available from authorized city stops, and a free retry is offered if the lights stay hidden.

“Great tour guide. Lava tubes were amazing. Unfortunately no northern lights but we get the chance to see them again tonight!”

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5.Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 28 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

Join a two-hour evening wildlife cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour in a fast, stable RIB boat limited to 12 people. Your captain and English-speaking guide search Faxaflói Bay for whales, dolphins and puffins, then return along the shore past Harpa and the Sun Voyager. Warm overalls are supplied.

“We are very lucky to see a splendid show by multiple whales under sunset. Puffins are also cute and tiny! Guide is nice. Whale Safari provides excellent services. Highly recommended.”

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6.Evening Sleipnir Horse Riding Tour with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 27 reviews · from $202

Ride a gentle Icelandic horse through Hólmsheiði, Stallion Valley, and the red lava formations of Rauðhólar. Viking Horses keeps groups to eight, offers beginner instruction, hotel pickup, riding gear, and hot coffee, tea, or chocolate afterward. Guide Monica may also capture photos and videos during the ride.

“This tour was amazing! The pickup was quick and easy, the horses were beautiful and friendly, and our tour guide was the best! She was so easy to talk to and had amazing facts about the horses, Iceland, and everything else!”

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7.Forest Lagoon and Northern Lights Guided Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $176

Start at 7:30 p.m. with two quiet hours at Forest Lagoon, surrounded by birch and pine trees above Eyjafjörður. Then follow a licensed guide, often Sigi, into Eyjafjardarsveit away from Akureyri’s lights. The guide may try several viewing spots and take photos, but the aurora can never be guaranteed.

“Loved, loved, loved this tour!! Our guide was AMAZING!! The Forest Lagoon was lovely but chasing the Northern Lights was the highlight. Our guide was so determined and we saw them!!! Incredible night to remember!”

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