Private tour in Reykjavik Pétur H

Reykjavik special local private tour

5.0

(13) reviews

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Pétur H.

5.0

Guide rating

125

Reviews

Tours delivered

5 hrs

Avg. response time

Hello, my name is Pétur, and I would like to be your guide in Iceland. Now, why should you choose me as your guide? Am I any different from the other talented people here offering their services? Well, I'm probably the oldest of them, so I've been in the school of life for the longest time. And even though I'm 67, I try to stay in good shape by running and lifting weights. I started running 30 years ago when I noticed my weight was increasing steadily, around 0.5 kg a year, and I had to do something about it. Luckily, my body can still do it and is ready for action if needed. I was born in Iceland and I have lived here my whole life, except for three years in Sweden as a young boy. I'm as local as they get and financially independent, which means I can do whatever I like. I enjoy being a guide, showing guests from other countries our magnificent island with all its natural wonders. That is why I quit my 9-to-5 job and decided to become a guide. I worked as a QESH manager for the Coca-Cola Company here in Iceland. Now, some of you might wonder what QESH stands for. That is Quality, Environmental, Health, and Safety. I had been working there for far too long, so I decided to resign. This was ten years ago, and I founded my own little company with me as the only employee and bought a Van. Since then, I've been a guide, mostly working for other travel agencies. But with the wise words from my wife saying don't put all your eggs in one basket, I also decided to accept an offer to become a lead auditor auditing quality, environmental, health and safety management systems in various companies. Interesting job I know well after all my years as QESH manager. With all this, I work as a contractor about 50/50. However, this meant I didn't develop my own guiding business as I had planned. The good thing is that no one likes audits in the summertime, when most tourists visit us. It is challenging to capture the attention of travelers visiting Iceland. Big companies in this business catch customers in their nets long before I have a chance. Now, I'm trying to change that with the good help of Tours by Locals, and here I'm creating my tours to places I know so well. Most of my tours are similar to those offered by others. People like to visit the same places so it's impossible to avoid that. But one of my tours is different. I like to take you out of the crowd and into my world and let you feel what it is like to be an Icelander. I'd like to take you through the areas where I was born and raised and then to other parts of Reykjavik, including the neighboring towns you might not otherwise visit. I will show you where some Icelanders have lunch, and you can eat as much as you like of typical Icelandic home food. We will visit the wonderful open-air museum featuring old houses saved from destruction and relocated from the center of Reykjavik, each with its own story. You get to learn everything about our unique geothermal open-air swimming pools and take a swim. Finally, I will invite you to my home. You haven't been to Iceland before you have done this. My qualifications: Certified Tourist Guide and a member of the Iceland Tourist Guide Association. Day Tour Provider, license issued by the Icelandic Tourist Board. Permit of Passenger Transport issued by the Icelandic Transport Authority.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Pétur H.

Overview of your Reykjavik tour

Become one of us for a day. Get out of the center area to meet the locals. Reykjavik is my hometown, where I was born. However, there are five more towns around Reykjavik, and we plan to visit them all. The lunch will be very special, and you'll meet only locals there. It's very popular, so it's best to come early or late. You shouldn't miss the open-air museum, which is filled with lucky old houses from the center of Reykjavik that escaped demolition. We will visit my favorite geothermal swimming pool, which is open all year round. The locals go there, which you should not miss when in Iceland. Visiting an Icelandic home is probably not something you do every day, so at the end of the tour, that might be your only chance. I've lived there with my family since 1997. All my children have left home, and my wife and I were the only ones living in the house until my grandson moved into the ground-floor apartment with his fiancée and little son, so there's some life in the house again.

Recent Reviews

Sharon L.United States
June 2025

A wonderful way to see the city! Went to many places and had a great overview of the history and current happens in the city and surrounding areas. Petur was great and very knowledgeable. He was also very aware for my mobility issues. Ending with a visit to his house and the sharing of Icelandic treats was a great way to top off the tour.

Michele M.United States
June 2025

What a great day out with Petur! He adapted our tour so we could take a nice hike, plus see how locals live and have fun. Love the local pools and food and beverages. The best part was how welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable Petur was.

Marjorie M.United States
October 2024

I could not be happier with the amazing Petur H's tour. He is funny, knowledgeable, educational, accommodating . . . I could go on and on. We saw so much in around 7 hours both in and around Reykjavik that my mind was on overload with all the beautiful sights and experiences. I'm very grateful that we were so lucky to have selected Petur.

Joyce L.
August 2024

Peter was a fantastic guide who went over and above to make sure we saw everything Reykjavik had to offer. We started with a surprise for my group with a view of the active volcano near Reykjavik. Everyone was in awe of nature at this level. We went to lunch at a local restaurant and all 12 of us did not leave hungry. We were treated to a local swimming pool for those who wanted to partake. Fabulous custom. Finally we were treated to a visit to Peter's home to meet his wife and have some local treats . This was the best Tours by Locals I have arranged for my groups so far. Thank you Peter for an unforgettable experience.

Peter P.United States
August 2024

We are four older folks (ages 76-81) who toured with Petur on Aug. 4-6, 2024. We booked Highlights of Reykjanes Peninsula, Reykjavik, and Golden Circle. Petur is very personable, articulate, knowledgeable, accommodating, patient, and flexible. For example, our tour of Reykjavik fell on Commerce Day when many retail businesses and activities were closed. However, Petur still managed to find interesting things to do including a dip in the local pool for one of our members. And he invited us to his home for some Icelandic treats. Petur had a general itinerary in mind for each day; however, he was flexible and let us spend as much time as we wanted at some attractions. We never felt rushed or pushed to do anything we were not interested in or physically capable of. He was a great guide and companion to us, and we saw Iceland through his eyes. We highly recommend Petur Helgason.

Elaine R.United States
March 2024

We had a really good day with Petur. We'd been to Reykjavik twice before, so he took us off the beaten track. At the end, he took us to his home and fed us Icelandic snacks. Lovely.

Your Reykjavik tour itinerary

- The day begins with a pick-up at your location. - We will tour Reykjavik on a city tour and visit the neighboring towns. - We will stop at all the main places and go to the suburbs to see where most people live. - After that, around noon, we will have lunch in the eastern part of Reykjavik. It's a place where the locals have lunch with typical Icelandic home food. It's a buffet with three courses plus vegan food; you can eat as much as you like. Our next stop is Árbæjarsafn, an open-air museum with old houses from the late 19th century and exhibitions inside. It is an excellent opportunity to visit homes from when most Icelanders still lived on farms, and Reykjavik was a small town. Next on the agenda is to soak in one of the unique local geothermal hot outdoor swimming pools, Árbæjarlaug. Many consider it the best swimming pool in Iceland, offering a stunning view down the Elliðaárdalur valley. Finally, I would like to invite you to my home for a local treat.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Minibus

2024 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibus, featuring a luxury interior and easy access through the sliding side door. It has seats for up to 16 people and good luggage space. 2025 XPENG G6 for 1-3 people. The reserve car is a Ford Transit and is in good condition for up to 13 people.

What's included
Other: Refreshment and a taste of the traditional Icelandic food at the end of the tour.
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Other: Admission tickets and lunch is not included. Bring with you some appropriate warm clothes depending on the weather condition and a swimsuit and towel for the swimming pool. These can also be rented at the pool. Swimsuit: 940 ISK Towel: 640 ISK
Meeting location

Reykjavík, Reykjavíkurborg, Iceland

Your accommodation in the Reykjavik capital region, including the dock for the cruisers. Please note that the pick up at the Keflavik International Airport may include some additional fees.

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
City Highlights
Layover
Off The Beaten Path
History
Tour reference number
874065
Languages
English
Icelandic
Swedish
Norwegian
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Reykjavik best suited for?

This private tour in Reykjavik is perfect for travellers who want to connect with locals and explore beyond the typical tourist spots. It's ideal for those interested in experiencing Icelandic culture, visiting local towns, and enjoying unique activities like geothermal swimming. The tour is also suitable for families, as it is kid-friendly.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Reykjavik be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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