If you’re expecting to reach Reykjavik in the afternoon, you might be tempted to write off doing a tour on arrival day. Actually, you don’t have to – and after browsing Grayline’s selection of afternoon and evening tours, you won’t want to. For winter visitors, the obvious choice is an after-dark Northern Lights chase, while in summer you can easily capitalise on the extra daylight and enjoy an afternoon visit to the Golden Circle. In this article, we’re focusing on how to maximise your time in Iceland as we showcase these irresistible options for afternoon and evening tours from Reykjavik.

Which Northern Lights tours can you take from Reykjavik?

Grayline offers three options for visitors hoping to take a Northern Lights tour, two of which are suitable for guests looking for excursions that take place in the afternoon or evening.

● The standard Northern Lights Tour

If you’re looking for things to do in Reykjavik in the evening, chances are you’ll be toying with an aurora hunt. The most cost-effective way to achieve this is to sign up for Gray Line’s Northern Lights Tour. The precise destination isn’t specified in advance as the location your guide will seek out will change according to where solar activity and clear skies combine to give you the best possible experience.

Typically, tours last around four hours, but the precise return time to Reykjavik will depend in part on the aurora. For instance, if the Northern Lights haven’t got going until late (It happens sometimes!) and there’s every indication that the display is getting stronger, we might stay out. Likewise, if luck hasn’t been on our side but we get a tip-off of clear skies and potential sightings, we might divert to take a look.

● Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

If you’ve travelled a long way to reach Iceland, or have had a busy time in the run-up to your trip, then kicking off your holiday by teaming an aurora excursion with a luxurious soak in the iconic Blue Lagoon will be an appealing prospect. Who wouldn’t want to wallow in warm, mineral-rich water with a backdrop of craggy lava?

Departures tend to be in the early to mid-afternoon and leave from the BSI Bus Terminal located in downtown Reykjavík. This handy city centre location is within easy reach of many of the city centre hotels, guesthouses and apartments so you can drop-off luggage first or pop back to retrieve anything you might have forgotten – great news for anyone planning any winter tours out of Reykjavik.

Alternatively, you might choose to save this for your first full day in the Icelandic capital and spend the morning experiencing some of Reykjavik’s top visitor attractions. After you return from the Blue Lagoon you’ll enjoy some downtime when you can grab dinner before heading out again on your Northern Lights tour.

Are Northern Lights tours only possible for winter visitors?

It’s a common misconception that the aurora borealis only shows up in winter. Of course, it’s true that the possibility of witnessing the ethereal Northern Lights lures many visitors to Iceland during the coldest and darkest months of the year. In actual fact, however, you might see this magical natural phenomenon any time the skies are black enough, which in Iceland broadly translates to the period from the middle of August to the end of April.

This means that you have just as high a chance of seeing the aurora borealis in spring and autumn as you do in winter. Some statistics suggest that timing your visit around the equinoxes in March or September gives you the best odds, though it’s pure luck whether the skies will be clear at any time of year.

However logistically there’s a slight advantage to spring and autumn for new arrivals when it comes to taking Northern Lights tours. As the days are lengthening, tours tend to depart a little later in the evening. From late August to September, and between mid-March and mid-April we’ll set off around 9.30pm, compared to the 8.30pm departure you can expect from October to early March. These evening tours from Reykjavik are as convenient as they are exciting.

This later departure time (by the end of April we push back the tour start time even more, to 10.30pm) gives you a buffer if for any reason your flight’s delayed or you’re later than expected transferring from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik. You might simply fancy a nap after a tiring journey, or to have a more leisurely dinner before setting out. Regardless, this means that a Northern Lights tour is a viable option for more than eight months of the year.

What happens if there’s no visible solar activity or clouds are obscuring the view of the night sky?

Solar activity isn’t consistent and while some nights the aurora puts on a spectacular show, other times it doesn’t appear at all. In addition, Iceland’s weather is unpredictable and sometimes cloud cover can interfere with your plans to view the Northern Lights. Taken together, these two factors are the most critical when considering an aurora adventure.

Our experienced team will call it each day by 5pm. We will always try to rebook you onto a subsequent night so that you don’t miss out on the chance to see the Northern Lights during your stay in Reykjavik.

We’d also suggest you make your reservations for the first evening of your holiday so that if things don’t go as you’d hoped you’ll maximize your chances of seeing the aurora later in your trip. It’s another reason why utilizing the beginning of your holiday with a Reykjavik night tour is not only possible, it’s strongly recommended.

What happens if you’re traveling in summer?

In summer, the days are much longer, and so there’s not enough darkness to be able to see the Northern Lights. In June, Iceland experiences the Midnight Sun, when the sun barely slips below the horizon and at best you get twilight – never inky blackness. Yet, this brings its own advantages, not least that there’s a whole lot more time to allocate to your sightseeing. For those summer tours in Iceland with a late departure, it’s good to know you’d still get to see what you came for in good light.

One especially enticing tour destination is the famous Golden Circle route. If it’s your first time in Iceland, this area provides an overview of Iceland’s incredible landscapes without the need to venture too far from Reykjavik. For that reason, it’s also a popular option for visitors who don’t have much time in Iceland, such as cruise passengers or those who have booked a short city break.

How do you do the Golden Circle in the afternoon?

We offer multiple departures each day for our classic tour of the Golden Circle. Afternoon tours from Reykjavik are possible: a coach sets off at 12.30pm for much of the year, typically from late August until the end of May, with an additional Golden Circle 3.30pm afternoon departure in peak season – in this instance from mid-June until the latter part of August.

If you’re looking into Reykjavik tours after 3pm, it doesn’t get much better than this. The Golden Circle tour we offer hangs on a trio of top-tier attractions: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss waterfall. Together, they give you an insight into Iceland’s history, culture and geology – all anchored on some of the most spectacular views in the country.

Follow the path that squeezes through the narrow Almannagjá Gorge until you reach the Lögberg. Here, Iceland’s lawmakers once convened to discuss important matters and formulate laws and policies. Though the Icelandic parliament has long since moved to Reykjavik, it remains a fascinating place to visit.

Drama and beauty go hand in hand in the Icelandic countryside, even beyond the boundaries of our national parks. That’s certainly true of Geysir; this wonderful geothermal valley constantly hisses and spits, steams and bubbles. An expectant crowd gathers to wait for Strokkur to erupt; this geyser doesn’t pause for long, to the delight of everyone gathered.

After watching this huge jet of superheated water and steam shoot metres into the air, you might ponder what could top such a sight. How about Gullfoss? This is one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls, which descends in two steps down the Hvitá River in a frothing, churning cascade of grey water. Its power is immense, and being able to watch nature at close quarters is something you won’t forget in a hurry. What an afternoon out!

What kinds of other activities can you do in Reykjavik?

Taking Reykjavik tours after 3pm, such as an afternoon visit to the Golden Circle allows for a more leisurely start to the day. Travellers booking this option might also do so in order to fit in other activities, such as a morning spent out on Faxafloi Bay whale watching, or time experiencing some of Reykjavik’s top visitor attractions [J10] such as its many and varied museums.

● Icelandic Lava Show

At Lava Show, guests get an up-close look at what molten rock looks like; in this unique activity, your host will recreate lava from a volcanic eruption under controlled conditions. From your seat, feel the heat of the lava as you watch it flow and cool. Upgrade to see what happens behind the scenes to make it all possible.

● FlyOver Iceland

FlyOver Iceland is a clever way to get a sneak preview of the country’s extraordinary countryside before you venture out on a tour. From the comfort of your seat, feet dangling immerse yourself in the big screen panoramas as you take a virtual ride across striking landscapes. Special effects such as wind, mist and curated aromas place you right at the heart of what you’re seeing on the wraparound screen in front of you.

● Perlan

Perlan is an intriguing museum that repurposes a cluster of water tanks – one of Reykjavik’s most iconic landmarks. Through various interactive and imaginative exhibits, Icelandic nature and scenery is brought to the heart of the city center. From the chance to step into a manmade ice cave to the opportunity to learn how volcanoes and glaciers have shaped the country’s terrain, this is no ordinary museum – definitely a must-do.

● Whale watching

Whale watching tours are another thrilling option for anyone considering Iceland half-day tours; a morning departure from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour gets you back on dry land well before the afternoon tours leave. Iceland’s one of the best countries in the world for whale sightings. Year-round, it’s possible to see cetaceans such as humpbacks, dolphins and porpoises.

Of course, all these activities can be done in the afternoon as well if you’re looking for something to do before you join an evening Northern Lights tour. Downtown Reykjavik itself offers a wealth of other possibilities, from art galleries to handicraft stores and cosy cafés to lively bars plus, of course, themed walking tours with a knowledgeable local guide who’ll help you make sense of it all.

Whether you’re visiting Iceland in summer or winter, don’t write off the afternoons and evenings. In a country as breathtaking as Iceland, it pays to fill your itinerary with afternoon and evening tours from Reykjavik so that you don’t waste a minute. Our winter Northern Lights evening tours and summer Golden Circle afternoon departures are just the thing for travellers keen to experience as much of the country as possible.