7 Evening Experiences in Iceland to Build a Day Around

1.Northern Lights Night Tour from Reykjavik

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

Travel by heated coach from Reykjavik into darker countryside while guides explain aurora science, Icelandic folklore, and camera settings. The route changes nightly with the forecast. WiFi, hotel pickup options, and a free repeat trip if no lights appear make this a practical choice, though pickup communication and large groups can be uneven.

“Me and my daughter joined the northern lights tour, Kristoff (hope that’s right) and driver (sorry) your driving was excellent, Kristoff was very funny and kept us amused. We were lucky to catch a good look, the moon was bright and cloudy so wasn’t holding out much hope, but guides told us the best place to look and patience paid off, could not fault the evening”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Reykjavik Food and Drink Adventure – Local Evening Experience

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

Join a small group at 4:30 pm for a three-and-a-half-hour walk through Reykjavik’s old town, stopping at local eateries for Icelandic food, beer, wine, and cocktails. Guides such as Stevie, Helga, Jenny, Burger, and Minty are known for adding stories, humor, and useful dining advice. The tour ends near bars and hotels.

“Thursday, May 2, 2024 Our guide, “Burger”, was fantastic. Great conversation, great local food recommendations, great drink suggestions. Visited five local eateries tasting local cuisine and drink while Burger provided us with Icelandic history, folklore and culture. John & Kathy K.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Evening Icelandic Food and Drink Tour

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

Walk central Reykjavik with an English-speaking local guide, stopping at five restaurants, bars, and street-food spots. Expect Icelandic dishes, hot dogs, beer, and stories about local food and beer culture. Guides have included Stevie, Haddy, Love, Cili, and Benedict. The evening costs $176 and additional drinks are extra.

“this was the most fun I've had in a long time. the food was amazing. the drinks, spectacular. the host, Tinna was so funny and friendly.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Evening Lava Tunnel Tour and Northern Lights Tour

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

Join Arctic Adventures for a five-hour evening trip from Reykjavik to Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel, then head into the countryside to search for the Northern Lights. A certified caving guide leads the underground walk, while your English-speaking aurora guide tracks the forecast. You get safety gear, Wi-Fi, cocoa, blankets, aurora photos, and a free retry if the lights stay hidden.

“The northern lights were hiding today so we only did the lava tube tour and got a free reschedule for a northern lights tour tomorrow. The lava tube was fantastic and I would highly recommend it. Our guide gave us lots of information and had a great sense of humor. The bus was very comfortable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

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

Meet your captain and English-speaking guide at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a two-hour RIB boat trip with no more than 12 people. You’ll search Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins, visit puffin islands in season, and finish beside the Sun Voyager and Harpa. Maria and Miquel have guided recent departures.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Evening Sleipnir Horse Riding Tour with Pickup

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

Join Viking Horses for a three-hour evening ride from Reykjavík, limited to eight people. After a short lesson, you’ll ride through Hólmsheiði, Stallion Valley, and Rauðhólar’s red lava formations, then enjoy coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and kleina at the family-run stable. Guide Monica is especially helpful with new riders.

“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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Forest Lagoon and Northern Lights Guided Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $176

Start at 7:30 pm from Hotel Kea in Akureyri for two hours at Forest Lagoon, including entry and a towel. Then ride into Eyjafjardarsveit to seek the Northern Lights with a licensed guide. Guide Sigi is known for trying several viewing spots and sharing photos when conditions allow.

“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!”

Check availability →Read our full review