Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 158 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik worth booking?
Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik is a 9-hour experience in Reykjavik, Iceland, from $186 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 158 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (158)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $186 per person
Want to meet the small but mighty Icelandic horse and get in the most popular tour in Iceland all in one day? If so, you won’t want to miss the Viking Horse and Golden Circle Tour. You’ll ride through the gorgeous Icelan
What you get
About this experience
Want to meet the small but mighty Icelandic horse and get in the most popular tour in Iceland all in one day? If so, you won’t want to miss the Viking Horse and Golden Circle Tour. You’ll ride through the gorgeous Icelandic landscape on a horse descended from the first horses to set hoof on the island in the Viking-Age and then visit the most iconic sites in Iceland: Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir geothermal area. It's a nature-lover's dream, and the best way to make the most of your visit to Reykjavik.
What's included
Included
- On-board WiFi
- National Park fees
- Guided horse riding tour
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional English speaking guide
- Pickup and drop-off from cruise ports, hotels and designated meeting points in the Reykjavik area
- Necessary gear for riding
Not included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Experience the beauty of Iceland on horseback with a riding tour at Eldhestar, one of the country’s most renowned horse farms. Just outside Reykjavík, Eldhestar offers unforgettable guided tours through stunning landscapes shaped by volcanic activity—lush valleys, lava fields, steaming hot springs, and scenic hills. Riding the unique Icelandic horse is a highlight in itself. Known for its friendly temperament and smooth tölt gait, this special breed makes the journey comfortable and enjoyable for both beginners and experienced riders. Knowledgeable guides share insights about the horses, local history, and the surrounding nature, creating a deeper connection to the land.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Thingvellir National Park
Visit Thingvellir National Park, a designated UNESCO world heritage site. This is where Icelandic democracy began more than 1,000 years ago on the fields of parliament (Thingvellir) and it’s also where two tectonic plates are gradually separating creating a gorgeous landscape of steep cliffs and broad fields featuring Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Site de Geysir
Visit Geysir geothermal area with its boiling mud pits, steam vents, Geysir, the namesake of all geysers.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Gullfoss Falls
Next up, you will see one of the most popular and powerful waterfalls in Iceland is Gullfoss (golden falls). The roar of the Hvita River falling over two tiers into the gorge below is exhilarating and on sunny days creates rainbow upon rainbow. With your camera and a good raincoat, you’ll be able to capture the beauty of the waterfall and its rainbows from several angels by way of the paths available around the waterfall, including one that leads to its bottom.
60 minutes here
Strokkur
A geyser that erupts on a regular basis to the delight, and sometimes surprise, of onlookers.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Golden Circle Route
Iceland's most popular sightseeing route.
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Reykjavik
BSÍ Bus Terminal is our centrally located hub in Reykjavík, just a short walk from the city center. It's the main departure point for airport transfers and day tours —making it easy and convenient to start your journey with us.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
BSÍ Bus Terminal is our centrally located hub in Reykjavík, just a short walk from the city center. It's the main departure point for airport transfers and day tours —making it easy and convenient to start your journey with us.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Gray Line Iceland
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age for horse riding is 7 years
- No previous horse-riding experience is required
- Necessary gear will be provided for the horse riding
- Meals are not included, but stops will be made at local restaurants or shops where meals and snacks can be purchased.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 158 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
158 verified traveler reviews for Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Horses; Poor Golden Circle Logistics
The horse riding at Eldhestar was great. They gave us rain gear, gloves etc so we were comfortable. It was a good experience for both experienced and novice riders. The rest of the tour was a disappointment. The operator waited 30 minutes for people to join ( due to airport delays). As a result, we were cheated on time especially at Thingvellir. With a tour as tightly scheduled as this one, they cannot wait for people who are significantly delayed. I do not recommend this tour provider to friends or clients.
Response from the operator: Hello Nancy, Thank you for your detailed feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the horse riding at Eldhestar and felt comfortable with the provided gear. We’re sorry the delayed departure affected the rest of your tour, particularly your time at Þingvellir. We understand your frustration and appreciate you sharing this experience. We’ll pass your comments to the relevant team. Kind regards, Svava
via Viator
Great horse experience, Great way to see Iceland countryside
Great way to see the countryside. Beautiful, calm horses. I underestimated the physical demands, however. For someone to average physical fitness without back injury, this is a great activity. However, for myself had a car accident back injury, I did not take that into account. The hosts were very kind and very understanding. Keep in mind that you will be bouncing up and down a bit on the back of the horse when it trots, so if you have back problems or other physical issues, definitely consider that. I was also very exhausted from traveling so if you do this activity, make sure you are well rested before hand. But if you like riding horses and have some degree of physical fitness, this is a great activity! They also had gear such as helmets, and waterproof pants because it rains a lot. Everyone is required to wear a helmet. There was no danger of getting thrown from the horse, however, things can happen and it’s best to be safe. You might want to wear a beanie hat to keep your head warm underneath the helmet. I wore a hat with a big snowball on the top, which would not fit under the helmet. I brought plenty of warm clothes so I wasn’t cold, but it’s something to think about also definitely wear a scarf! These horses are very well trained and very calm and they know what to do even if you are not an experienced rider. Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting a little wet, you’ll be riding through some water! Laxnes farm picked me up from my accommodations, even though I was a little bit off the route. They can pick up guests from most of the hotels and hostels in Reykjavic. They were very responsive by phone.
Response from the operator: Dear Customer, Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful review! We’re glad you enjoyed the beautiful horses and the calm experience at Laxnes Farm. Your advice on physical readiness and clothing is very helpful for future riders. It’s great to hear the team was kind and accommodating with your pickup and needs. Wishing you a speedy recovery and happy riding! Best regards, Gray Line Team
via Viator
Mother/Daughter Trip
It was a lovely day! Will do it again if I ever get back to Iceland! The scenery was beautiful, and the horses were well carried for
Response from the operator: Dear Customer, Thank you for sharing your lovely experience! We’re so glad you enjoyed the beautiful scenery and felt the horses were well cared for. We’d be happy to welcome you back anytime you return to Iceland for another unforgettable day! Best regards, Gray Line Team
via Viator
Giddy up! Water everywhere….
The horse farm is a family run establishment. Very friendly and competent staff greeted us. The horse ride was a fun experience w beautiful backdrops. A horse for everyone’s riding background was available. You road on a trail w a guide for about one hour. The Golden Circle was a decent tour to see some of the landmarks. However, it was difficult to understand our tour guide and the guide did not take the group to see attractions at each stop. We were left at each stop and given a time to meet at bus. Some may like that style, but I would have preferred the guide coming with us and giving us more information about the attractions we were visiting. Bus was very comfortable. It was a long day starting from 9am and back to hotel at 7:30p.
Response from the operator: Dear Customer, Thank you for sharing such detailed feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed the horse farm visit, the friendly staff, and the comfortable ride through beautiful scenery. We’re also happy the Golden Circle landmarks impressed you, though we regret the guiding style wasn’t what you expected. Your comments will help us improve future experiences. Best regards, Gray Line Team
via Viator
Beautiful ride, horses and family farm!
Horseback riding was wonderful with this great family-owned farm. Hosts were so gracious and had beautiful Icelandic horses and an unforgettable ride up to the hills. Highly recommend!!
Response from the operator: Dear Customer, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted you enjoyed the horseback riding experience and our Icelandic horses. It’s wonderful to hear the ride and the scenery were unforgettable for you. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon! Best Regards, Gray Line Team
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $186 to $232
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 55
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Reykjavik.
How much does Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik cost?
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Prices start at $186 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Reykjavik usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik take?
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Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Reykjavik is not rushed.
Is Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 158 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Reykjavik, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik?
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Around 55 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Reykjavik can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Reykjavik and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Reykjavik within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Reykjavik?
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On Outty we rank every Reykjavik experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland, Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater, Reykjavík Small group Walking Tour - by CityWalk. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Reykjavik?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Reykjavik?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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