World City Guide

Tours of the City

Walking Tours
The Tourist Information Centre, Adalstraeti 2 (tel: 562 3045; website: www.tourist.reykjavik.is) in Reykjavik can supply mini guides, including maps and routes, for various self-guided walks around the city. Each walk is signposted and lasts around two hours.

For visitors wishing to venture further afield, Ferdafélag Islands, Mörkin 6 (tel: 568 2533; website: www.fi.is), the Iceland Touring Association, offers a selection of day walking tours during the summer. They leave by bus from the central bus station (BSÍ), Vatnsmýrarvegi 10.

Bus Tours
A variety of excursions are available, ranging from half-day tours of the city to several days of glacier exploring. Allrahanda Iceland Excursions (tel: 540 1313; website: www.icelandexcursions.is), Reykjavik Excursions (tel: 580 5400 or 562 1011; website: www.re.is), and Destination Iceland (tel: 591 1020; website: www.dice.is) run tours around the city and its environs, as well as to places further afield. Most bus tours leave from the BSÍ central bus station, Vatnsmýrarvegi 10, or, by arrangement, from hotels. In fact, BSI Travel, part of Destination Iceland (tel: 591 1020; website: www.bsi.is) also arranges city bus tours and whale-watching tours.

Private Tours
If you wish to avoid the crowds and would like to discover Reykjavik and its surroundings at your own pace, or if you have a particular interest and would like a tailor-made tour, contact Lara or Magnus at Private Tours (tel: 898 5142 or 862 9152; website: www.privatetours.is). Two friendly, qualified guides who offer a professional and attentive service combining private taxi with their experience and knowledge of the area (not to mention a very contagious passion for their country!), they really will go the extra mile to ensure your experience is a 100% satisfying one.

4x4 Tours
A number of operators offer 4x4 day tours around Reykjavik, including trips to Mt Hekla and Landmannalaugar. Iceland Rovers (tel: 567 1720 or 899 7881; website: www.icelandrovers.is) have comfortable, well equipped vehicles and knowledgeable guides. Destination Iceland (tel: 591 1020; website: www.dice.is) have a super truck tour combining the Golden Circle with a snow-scooter ride on Langjokull Glacier... an unforgettable experience!

Whale-watching
Whale-watching tours are offered from April to October by Elding (tel: 555 3565; website: www.elding.is), with three daily departures at 0900, 1300 and 1700 from June to August. The Whale Watching Centre (tel: 533 2660; website: www.hafsulan.is) has similar times and prices.

Horse Tours
The Icelandic horse is a strong but gentle animal that has adapted perfectly to the terrain. Consequently, horseriding is a popular way of visiting the sights outside the city and is suitable even for people with no riding experience. Íshestar, Íshestar Riding Centre, Sörlaskeið 26, Hafnarfjörður (tel: 555 7000; website: www.ishestar.com), offers a variety of tours, ranging from the two-hour lava tour to an eight-day tour of the Golden Circle.

Aerial Sightseeing
For sightseeing with a difference, and if your budget allows, jump on a plane and see Iceland from above with Eagle Air (tel: 562 4200; website: www.eagleair.is). On a clear, sunny day, the views are truly breathtaking and the experience an unforgettable one. Tours to various areas, including flights over Reykjavik, Mt Hekla, the Westmann Islands, the Golden Circle and even day trips to Greenland, are available.