Reykjavík: Golden Circle & Northern Lights by Boat – Full-Day Combo

This 11-hour combo tour pairs two of Iceland's most celebrated experiences: a daytime journey around the Golden Circle followed by an evening Northern Lights cruise from Reykjavík's Old Harbour.

The day begins with a guided bus tour of the Golden Circle. At the Geysir Geothermal Area, watch Strokkur erupt up to 30 metres into the air every few minutes. Next, stand at the edge of Gullfoss, where the glacial river Hvítá thunders into a 62-metre canyon. The tour also includes a stop at Friðheimar, a working greenhouse that grows tomatoes and cucumbers year-round using geothermal energy, bumblebees, and advanced irrigation. The day concludes at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the world's oldest parliament, the Alþingi, once convened and where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet above ground.

After returning to Reykjavík, you have a few hours to rest before the evening boat tour departs. The vessel sails from the Old Harbour and within 15–20 minutes reaches open water, well clear of city light pollution — ideal conditions for aurora viewing. Your guide explains the science behind the Northern Lights and shares folklore from cultures around the world. The cruise lasts roughly 2–3 hours depending on aurora activity.

Warm overalls in adult and children's sizes are provided on board, and a crew member photographs the lights throughout the night. A café-bar, souvenir shop, and the operator's own Northern Lights documentary are also available on board.

Your day starts with a morning bus departure from the BSÍ Bus Terminal for the Golden Circle. The route covers four stops:

• Geysir area – watch Strokkur shoot boiling water up to 30 m skyward at regular intervals
• Gullfoss – photograph the two-tiered waterfall as it drops into a 62-metre glacial canyon
• Friðheimar – tour a geothermal greenhouse and learn how tomatoes are grown year-round in Iceland's climate
• Þingvellir National Park – walk the rift valley where two tectonic plates diverge and where Iceland's ancient parliament was founded

After the Golden Circle tour drops you back in Reykjavík, you have a few hours of free time before the evening Northern Lights cruise. The boat departs from the Old Harbour and sails to dark-sky waters within 15–20 minutes. On board, your guide covers aurora science and mythology, free overalls keep you warm on deck, and the bar and Northern Lights video are available inside. A crew photographer captures the lights throughout the night.

This combo is the most efficient way to experience both the Golden Circle and the Northern Lights on a single day in Iceland, without needing to arrange two separate tours.

• Two iconic experiences, one booking – daytime sightseeing and an evening aurora cruise combined
• Guided throughout – expert guides on both the bus tour and the boat
• Warm overalls included on the boat in adult and children's sizes
• Friðheimar admission included – no separate ticket required
• Multilingual app available to download during the tour (English, German, French, Spanish, simplified Chinese)