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Studlagil Canyon Tour From Seydisfjordur

Visit Stuðlagil, the Instagram favorite, Rjúkandi and Gufufoss waterfalls, on this shore excursion from Seydisfjordur port through East Iceland
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Secure your seat today on this half-day East Iceland shore excursion

Stuðlagil canyon is fast becoming the iconic symbol of the natural beauty of East Iceland. On this 5 hour shore excursion from Seyðisfjörður we venture inland to visit this wonder, traveling through idyllic countryside along the way.

Seydisfjordur, a charming coastal village in east Iceland, has become a popular stop for cruise ships in recent years. Your enthusiastic local guide will be there to greet you upon disembarkation. And don´t worry about your return time, as the tour has been designed to fit perfectly with your cruise´s docking window.

Rjúkandi Waterfall, near Egilsstaðir in East Iceland, is a peaceful, multi-tiered cascade easily accessible from the Ring Road. A short hike from the parking area leads to stunning views of the misty falls surrounded by mossy cliffs and seasonal wildflowers. Best visited in late spring to autumn, Rjúkandi offers a serene, less crowded alternative to Iceland’s famous waterfalls, making it a perfect stop for nature lovers and photographers seeking tranquil beauty.

Stuðlagil is a canyon through which the Jökulsá river flows. The canyon´s sheer walls are made up of enormous basalt columns that stand up to 30m (98ft) high, and overlook the dream-like turquoise waters of the flowing glacial river. Remarkably, it is only in the past 15 years that the full extent of Stuðlagil´s majesty can be truly appreciated. The river´s high watermark dropped by 8m due to the opening of the Kárahjnúkur dam in 2009, revealing the columns to be much taller than previously believed.

After departing from Stuðlagil, we head back east towards your port, but not before we make one more stop, this time at Gufufoss waterfall. Somewhat of a hidden gem, Gufufoss resembles the more heralded southern falls at Skógafoss. Smaller in scale, it still stands 27m (88ft) in height, so is impressive in its own right. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings and grab some photos of the falls from various perspectives.

After this stop, we return to charming Seyðisfjörður, where you will be be dropped back to your ship. Perhaps you will have time to explore the famous rainbow road before you embark once more. Either way, we hope you carry great memories of the east onwards with you.

Starting point
Seydisfjordur
Duration
~ 5 hours
Accommodation
Not included
Difficulty
Easy
Live tour guide
English
Group size
Coach
Minimum age
2 years
Availability
May - Sep
Thingvellir national park summer-Iceland's Golden Circle
Qualified, energetic and fun guides for the best adventures!
We take immense pride in our exceptional team of local guides who are professionals, experts, and friendly. Their goal is to make your tour unforgettable.
Promo Code
NY10
Promo Code
NY10
From
24990 kr.

Tour highlights & itinerary

This is what awaits you
What's included & excluded
  • Professional guide
  • Pickup and drop off at Seydisfjordur harbour
  • Food and drink other than above
What do I need to bring
  • Warm clothes and raincoat. Comfortable walking shoes
  • All tickets are e-tickets so there is no need to print them out
Important information
  • The difficulty rating of the tour is Easy, but there are some staircases you will need to descend and ascend at Stuðlagil
  • Disclaimer: Tour duration is approx. 5 hours. Our tour schedule has been made with your cruise ship in mind.
  • Cancellation Policy: Cancellation fee of 100% charged if cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.
  • 1h flexible cancellation policy bookings: Free cancellation up to 1 hour in advance. No refund if cancelled less than 1 hour before the tour time
Got more questions or need help? No problem. Read FAQ or contact us on live chat or info@bustravel.is
Frequently Asked Questions
The pick-up and drop-off location for the Studlagil Canyon Tour is Seyðisfjörður Harbour Parking. You will see BusTravel Iceland buses at the location, clearly marked with our logo on the exterior. The bus will also display a sign in the lower front window indicating the name of the tour, making it easy to identify. Pick-up and drop-off services are included.
Overall, the tour is rated as easy and is suitable for most visitors. However, when visiting Stuðlagil Canyon, guests should be aware that access to the main viewpoint involves long and relatively steep staircases. Visitors are advised to take their time, use handrails where available, and pay close attention to their footing. Care, patience, and appropriate footwear are strongly recommended.
On this tour, we visit the west side viewpoint of Stuðlagil Canyon, which is the most practical and time-efficient option for a shore excursion. This viewpoint is accessible via constructed staircases leading down to a viewing platform, allowing guests to safely enjoy the canyon’s basalt columns and river views within the tour’s timeframe. No hiking is involved in the tour except for walking the staircase. The most widely photographed “Instagram view” of Stuðlagil Canyon is located on the east side, which requires a walk of approximately 5 km (about 3 miles) one way. Reaching the iconic photo angles often involves leaving the marked paths, climbing on steep cliffs, or descending to river level, which can be dangerous and is not recommended. The hike also includes noticeable elevation gain and is considered moderate in difficulty. Due to the length and physical demands of this hike, as well as limited cruise ship schedules, visiting the east side viewpoint is not feasible for this tour. Instead, the west side viewpoint offers a safe and accessible way to experience the canyon while allowing sufficient time to return to port comfortably.
Traveler's reviews
You need to check these out
by Marcie
July 29, 2025
Ivy and captain thor were fantastic, we enjoyed this tour very much and would highly recommend ? Read more
by Brenda McCabe
July 23, 2025
Great day out with Eva who was entertaining and informative throughout, fantastic tour guide, music on the bus was a bonus + loved the impromptu yoga session at the canyon. Her enthusiasm was infectio... Read more
by Sara J
May 29, 2024
We booked this tour on a whim after getting off our cruise, and had the best time! Tommi and Asa were informative, knowledgeable and so much fun. We couldn’t visit the Vök geothermal baths due to w... Read more
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