Top activities in Reykjavik in May

Here’s our take on the Top activities in Reykjavik in May! Ranging from horses to boat tours to visiting the President – everyone should find something for them!

Hop on a RIB Whale Watching Tour – Speed is Back in Style

The rough winter is behind us and that means that the RIB tours are back! If you are up for a marine mammal wildlife safari and you are excited for the prospect of driving 30 – 40 knots (55 km – 75 km) on the surface of the Big Blue, this is the tour for you. We take you to see these amazing gentle giants in their natural environment while showing the upmost respect for them. Included in this tour is a visit to a puffin island and a free ticket to the Whales of Iceland museum where you can see life-sized models of whale species encountered in Iceland. The RIB tour is a must among the top activities in Reykjavik in May.

A photo of RIB tours passengers and a humpback whale from May 7th 2023.

Try Your Luck with Fishing

If you go on our fishing tour, we will teach you how to catch cod, haddock, pollock, mackerel etc. by jigging. It is one of the simplest fishing techniques and it gives results. People are often surprised with the ease and abundance of fishing and fish on our tours. You can watch the crew fillet the fish with mastery and learn a wilderness survival skill while you are at it. Finally, the fish is grilled and served on board which makes this a well-rounded fishing experience.

Passenger on a sea angling tour with a fish

Horseback Riding

With 1 May having been the International Day of the Icelandic Horse it is only appropriate to suggest this amazing authentic activity. Many have underestimated the capabilities of this small horse breed, and many have regretted it once they tried to ride it. This “five-gaited” horse will give you a unique riding escapade as you travel the-out-of-this world beauty that is the Icelandic outdoors. We recommend you check out Íshestar as one of the industry leaders that will make you feel welcome as well as make you feel safe, and the activity handled by professionals. Despite being slightly outside the city, horseback riding is technically in Reykjavik and therefore must be included in the top activities in Reykjavik in May!

Go Puffin Watching and join the Cult of the Puffin

They are back! After spending 7 months on the open ocean, they are back to the islands around Reykjavík. This is the month of romance, as the old couples are reuniting to form a powerful alliance that will result in a single puffling in an egg. So take your partner, board the Puffin Express and observe these lovely and cute non-penguins on their protected islands. Bird lovers will be delighted on this tour as this is the time you can spot Barnacle, Brent and Greyleg geese, Arctic skuas, black guillemots, oystercatchers and many more out on the islands.

Watch Eurovision with the Locals

May is Eurovision month in Iceland, so we have to include it on a list of top activities in Reykjavik in May! If you come from a continent other than Europe you might find the whole Eurovision Song Contest funny and that’s exactly how European’s think of it as well, but we still watch it. If you are European, you must know that Icelanders are the biggest fans of Eurovision out there. Don’t miss the feeling of collective love/hate for this parade of kitsch. Find one of the bars downtown Reykjavík or go to the University Cinema or Háskólabíó and watch it on the big screen and become part of the phenomenon.

Visit the President

You know how silly (or suicidal) it would be to think about jumping the fence of 10 Downing Street, or having a little stroll on the lawn of the White House? Well in Iceland you can have such an experience without fearing for your life. If you go to Álftanes peninsula which is 15 km away from the capital, you can take a nice walk around the official residence of the President of Iceland or Bessastaðir. It is a great place to spot birds (especially the beloved golden plover) and you might be lucky and spot the man himself (fun fact: Iceland had the first democratically elected female president in 1980). Just another example of how relaxed the atmosphere in this country is.

Get lost within the city in a geothermal spa

If you are looking to get some fancy rest and relaxation in one of the geothermally heated spas, look no further than the capital region. In the Sky Lagoon you will have an Icelandic experience of taking care of your body and soul in this nature and culture inspired geothermal lagoon. The view is magnificent, and the water will make your skin soft and silky. And who knows, maybe you will see the president there too 😊