The Best Experiences in Reykjavik

Slátur making is an authentic cooking experience where guests are whisked off to a working farm in the Mosfellsdalur valley to try their hand at making traditional Icelandic blood pudding and liver sausage. These national delicacies are consumed by many Icelanders, who grow up making them. Served during the cultural festival of Slátur (meaning ‘slaughter’), they are eaten during the Þorrablót feasts, a midwinter festival.

As Iceland is surrounded by water, seafood is a big part of the national cuisine, and what better way to learn about the island’s gastronomy than by catching your own fish? Many Icelandic restaurants offer a catch of the day, and this sea fishing gourmet tour teaches you all about the how it gets there. Setting off from the harbour, the three-hour tour takes visitors out to the open sea, where you may catch anything from cod and haddock to rockfish and pollack. Upon your return to the mainland, you will work on your cooking skills by preparing your catch to be eaten.

Hvalfjörður is a prime example of the extraordinary natural beauty available on the doorstep of Reykjavik. Located 30 minutes away from the capital, the sheltered fjord, once a whaling station, is now home to a number of seals and birds. The paddleboard tour takes place close to Glymur, Iceland’s highest waterfall; you can also go on a scenic hike to the top, if time permits.

Iceland’s glaciers are a beloved part of the national landscape, but are rapidly shrinking: 2019 saw the death of the Okjökull glacier, with locals holding a funeral in its memory. Now is the time to see these incredible natural wonders, while they’re still around. Located just two hours away from Reykjavik, this tour gives you an up-close view of the Sólheimajökull glacier, as you trek across frozen blue rivers and learn to climb inside steep crevasses.

Known as one of the most spectacular areas of Iceland, a hike in Landmannalaugar is one you won’t forget. Most people experience Landmannalaugar as part of the multi-day Laugavegur trek, one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. But this four-hour walk lets you witness some of the highlights of the area without committing to an overnight trek. Walk through dreamy landscapes of red and yellow hills dotted with dramatic steam vents and finish off with a dip in a natural hot spring.

Nothing beats an authentic local experience when you’re travelling. Get to know Icelandic culture, learn about Icelanders and their way of living by having dinner with a local artist in their home. The three-hour encounter takes place in downtown Reykjavik, where you’ll enjoy an Icelandic meal that could be anything from smoked trout to slow-cooked lamb.

The Icelandic landscape is amazing, so why not enjoy it while taking part in an outdoor activity? Taking place at the Hvita River – a glacier river in south Iceland – this rafting adventure will take participants on a journey through a seven-kilometre (four-mile) stretch of the river, rafting while taking in scenic views of the area. Once reaching your final destination, a steamy sauna awaits to ensure you end the day on a note of relaxation.

Sagas are an important part of Icelandic culture, and they helped to shape the country’s history. This popular show gives you a brief history lesson using dark humour, musical theatre and audience participation. The show takes place in the award-winning Harpa Concert Hall in downtown Reykjavik; arrive early to give yourself time to admire the venue’s architecture and its glass interior before the show begins.