Planning a trip to Iceland is exciting, but figuring out how to book tours—especially outside Reykjavík—can feel a bit overwhelming. The good news is that it’s actually very simple once you know where to look and how to plan. Here’s a practical guide to booking tours in Iceland, with tips tailored to travelers staying at Ourhotels.is properties in West Iceland: Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, The Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn.
The first step is to decide what kind of experiences you want. Iceland is famous for its waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs, whale watching, and dramatic coastal scenery. In West Iceland and the Westfjords, you can easily combine several of these in one trip. From Hvítá Inn, you’re perfectly placed for exploring Borgarfjörður’s lava fields, hot springs, and historic sites. From The Stykkishólmur Inn, you can access the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Breiðafjörður Bay. From Ísafjörður Inn, you’re in the heart of the Westfjords, close to some of the country’s wildest landscapes.
Most travelers book tours in Iceland in one of three ways: online in advance, through their hotel reception, or directly with local tour operators. Booking online before you arrive is ideal if you’re traveling in high season (June–August) or during popular holiday periods, as tours can sell out. Many tour companies offer instant confirmation and clear descriptions of what’s included, making it easy to compare options. When you stay with Ourhotels.is, you can use your hotel as a base and choose day tours that start within a comfortable driving distance, or that offer pick-up in nearby towns.
If you prefer more flexibility, booking tours once you arrive is also very common. The reception teams at Hvítá Inn, The Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn know the local operators well and can help you choose tours that match the weather, your interests, and your schedule. This is especially useful in Iceland, where conditions can change quickly and a clear day might be the perfect opportunity for a boat tour or a hike. Simply ask at the front desk, and they can recommend trusted partners, check availability, and help you reserve your spot.
When staying at Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, you’re close to some of West Iceland’s most accessible natural attractions. From here, you can book tours to the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, the Deildartunguhver hot spring area, and the historic site of Reykholt. Caving tours, glacier excursions on Langjökull, and relaxing visits to nearby geothermal baths are all popular. Many of these can be booked as guided tours, but if you’re self-driving, the staff at Hvítá Inn can help you plan a route and suggest local stops that aren’t on every standard itinerary.
The Stykkishólmur Inn is an excellent base for exploring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often called “Iceland in Miniature” because it has a bit of everything: black sand beaches, cliffs, lava fields, small fishing villages, and the iconic Snæfellsjökull glacier. From Stykkishólmur, you can book boat tours on Breiðafjörður Bay, known for its countless islands and rich birdlife. Sea angling, puffin watching in season, and island-hopping tours are all easy to arrange. You can also join guided day tours around the peninsula, or drive yourself and use local guidance from the hotel to find the best viewpoints and photo stops.
In Ísafjörður, the largest town in the Westfjords, Ísafjörður Inn puts you close to some of Iceland’s most remote and dramatic scenery. Here, booking tours is often the best way to reach otherwise inaccessible places. Popular options include boat trips to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, guided hikes in the surrounding mountains, kayaking in the fjords, and wildlife tours focused on birds and marine life. Because the Westfjords are more rugged and less populated, local knowledge is especially valuable. The team at Ísafjörður Inn can help you choose reputable operators and tours that match your fitness level and interests.
When booking tours in Iceland, it’s important to pay attention to a few practical details. Always check what’s included in the price: transportation, equipment, meals, and entrance fees can vary between providers. Look at the tour’s difficulty level and duration, especially for hikes, glacier walks, or kayaking. Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable, so choose tours that fit your comfort level and pack appropriate clothing—layers, waterproof outerwear, and sturdy shoes are essential. Many tours run in most conditions but may be altered or canceled for safety reasons; flexible planning and good communication with your hotel can help you adjust if needed.
Another useful tip is to group your tours by region to minimize driving time. For example, you might spend a couple of nights at Hvítá Inn exploring Borgarfjörður and nearby attractions, then move on to The Stykkishólmur Inn for Snæfellsnes and Breiðafjörður, and finally continue to Ísafjörður Inn for Westfjords adventures. This way, you can book shorter, more relaxed day tours from each base instead of long, rushed excursions. Ourhotels.is properties are well placed along this route, making it easy to design a scenic road trip with comfortable stops and plenty of time for activities.
If you’re traveling outside the peak summer months, booking tours in advance is still recommended, but for a different reason: some tours operate on reduced schedules in spring, autumn, and winter. Checking availability ahead of time ensures that your must-do experiences—like a specific boat tour, a glacier activity, or a visit to a remote area—are actually running on your dates. At the same time, quieter seasons can offer more personal experiences, with smaller groups and more flexibility, especially in regions like the Westfjords.
For travelers who like to keep things simple, one of the easiest ways to book tours in Iceland is to choose your accommodation first, then plan activities around each location. By staying with Ourhotels.is at Hvítá Inn, The Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn, you’re already positioned in three of West Iceland’s most interesting areas. From there, you can either reserve tours online in advance or rely on the local expertise of each hotel’s staff to help you find the best options once you arrive.
In summary, booking tours in Iceland is straightforward when you combine a bit of advance planning with local advice. Decide what you want to experience, choose well-located bases like the inns offered by Ourhotels.is, and then use a mix of online booking and on-the-spot recommendations to fill your days with memorable activities. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls in Borgarfjörður, sailing among islands from Stykkishólmur, or exploring the wild fjords around Ísafjörður, the right tours will help you make the most of your time in Iceland’s west.
