Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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.
What To Expect
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.
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.
Options
Pickup starts at 08:00am
Pickup included
What‘s Included
WiFi on board
National Park fees
Guided horse riding tour
Air-conditioned vehicle
Professional English speaking guide
Pickup and drop-off from cruise ports, hotels and designated meeting points in the Reykjavik area
Necessary gear for riding
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
157 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great horse experience, Great way to see Iceland countryside
Rayna J,Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great 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.
Mother/Daughter Trip
Liz B,Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It 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
Giddy up! Water everywhere….
Rebecca P,Sep 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00The 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.
Beautiful ride, horses and family farm!
Kurt E,Aug 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Horseback 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!!
Just a dream
Javier T,Aug 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The horse ride in the nature was just a dream. The organisers and guides were more than friendly and kind always ready to help everyone. I would recommend it to everyone
Great Horses and Scenery, Bad Gray Line Logistics
James C,Jul 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00The horseback riding was great. The people at the farm could not have been nicer, the horses are beautiful as is the scenery. The reason for only three stars is that Grey Lines forgot to tell the horse farm to pick me up (and the other party on the tour was forgotten as well). This delayed everything and we were rushed through the Golden Circle Sightseeing. All of the sites on the Golden Circle tour are gorgeous. Too bad we felt rushed.
The tour was great. I...
Lauren S,May 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00The tour was great. I wish we could have stayed longer at Thingvellir. Gullfoss waterfall was unbelievable!!
Gray Line cancelled our tour and didn’t offer full refund!
Nadja K,Mar 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00They cancelled on us and didn’t offer full refund. We booked the horse riding + golden ring tour combo. Gray Line cancelled the golden ring tour with less than 24 hours notice and said we could only get a partial refund for the Golden Ring part of the tour. We wanted to see the Golden Circle, so booked a different operator’s tour. This meant we couldn’t go horse riding as the other operator departs early. Gray Line said we could not get a full refund as ”we could still go horse riding”. We booked the combo with Gray Line and the combo was not offered. We were not offered the option to cancel the entire combo which seems unreasonable. Even after emailing them and having the lady from the tourist information centre call them on the phone, they said they could not authorise or guarantee a full refund.
Nit reliable. Terrible customer service
Safari42283704361,Mar 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Not reliable. Canceled our trip on Christmas day but didn't tell us so we were outside in the freezing cold at 6am waiting to be picked up. They only refunded half the amount and are now ignoring emails. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY WITH THEM. I'd hate for others to be left disappointed like we were.
AVOID! They cancel, don't inform you and don't refund
lisamP3821CT,Feb 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00AVOID them if you don't want to be disappointed. I emailed them roughly 4 months prior to double check the date I wanted was available prior booking. They confirmed so I booked. Tour day came and we didn't get picked up. We rang them. They said it was cancelled. They never eamiled or rang us to advise. This was devastating! It was going to be the highlight of our trip. They also decided to refund less than half the cost. I've emailed them multiple times to explain they cancelled it, not me, so a full refund should be issued. Now they aren't replying and haven't issued a full refund. Paid €358. Refund €166 😞
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Operated by Gray Line Iceland