Arnar Steinn: Travel Industry Veteran Driving Innovation at Reykjavik Sightseeing

Many travelers that visit Iceland only have a little time to explore the natural wonders and landmarks here.. And, of course, people want to see as much on their trip as possible. Reykjavik Sightseeing is one of the best companies that provide focused guided tours so people can easily visit unmissable Icelandic places. For example, Reykjavik Sightseeing provides acclaimed tours around the beautiful Golden Circle and the iconic Icelandic South Coast. One of the nicest things they provide is their innovative “In Bus Audio Guide,” which gives expertly written and recorded guidance in your own time and ten languages. A certified guide and driver host each tour. I am happy to count Reykjavik Sightseeing as one of my partners. Please sign up for my newsletter to receive exclusive discount codes for Reykjavik Sightseeing tours.

Industry veteran

Arnar Steinn Thorsteinsson is the Sales and Marketing Manager at Reykjavik Sightseeing, and if that is not enough, he has the same title for the companies Airport Direct and Gray Line Iceland. He is a veteran in the travel industry, with over ten years of experience there. Arnar and I worked together once at a leading travel company and have kept in touch ever since. At that time, he had built up much expertise in the Asian market. Arnar is passionate about promoting innovative travel in the West Northern countries of Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. His experience includes managing sales and marketing teams in China.

Hey Arnar Steinn. Thank you for taking the time for this interview. Reykjavik Sightseeing is one of the top-rated Icelandic tour companies on Trip Advisor. How are you able to achieve this?

Our primary focus is ensuring we offer the highest quality tours every day. But what makes a tour good? We are visiting some of Iceland’s most beautiful sightseeing areas, and just seeing them is a massive part of it. But having a professional and highly experienced guide to give our clients the historical, geological, and cultural context of what they see elevates the tour. It is also essential to offer great buses and the best drivers. We are consistently offer exceptional quality and value.

What are your favorite tours that Reykjavik Sightseeing offer?

My favorites are the South Coast Classic and the Golden Circle; Glacier Ice cave tours. Iceland´s south coast is just so multi-dimensional and beautiful. You get to see two of Iceland´s most famous waterfalls, catch a glimpse of dormant volcanoes, visit the edge of a glacier, and then finally, which I think is the main highlight, see the gorgeous Reynisfjara black sand beach.

The Golden Circle is one absolute must-do tour, but what we have done from the beginning at Reykjavik Sightseeing is to offer it as a combo tour. So the Glacier Ice Cave combo is a great example: you first do almost all of the Golden Circle route, but once you reach Gullfoss waterfall, you meet up with our partners who escort you in a monster truck up to the glacier, where you suit up and get ready to explore the glacier on a snowmobile. They take you to an ice cave where you can see the insides of the glacier, which is just remarkable. You then head back to Gullfoss and finish your Golden Circle tour. It´s a long day, but worth it!

Can you give my readers with kids visiting Iceland good advice about what activities and places to visit?

You know what? Kids can be so different! But off the top of my head, I would think that river rafting in Hvítá is a fantastic experience for most kids, never met a kid that hated it! If you´re traveling with kids aged 2 to 6 and are staying for a while in Reykjavik, visit the Reykjavik Park and Zoo, where they can get up close and personal with the common farm animals is always good fun. They even have seals! Finally, whale watching is incredible. For kids, the best place is up north, anywhere in the Eyjafjörður region. The waters there are usually calmer (read: fewer chances of getting seasick!) and chock full of whales, especially in the summer.

As for places to visit that kids love, the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon is spectacular, and a cruise on the lagoon is highly recommended.

What are your favorite places and activities in Iceland?

My favorite area is the Snaefellsnes peninsula. It´s an endless source of inspiration and energy for me. Many say this is because of the Snaefellsnes glacier, which seems to have some mystical powers and is undeniably beautiful. You can spend days hiking and exploring, watching seals, watching whales, tasting cured sharks, and visiting small villages and all the small coves and beaches there. My favorite activity is simply hiking because Iceland has endless options—easy hikes just minutes away from Reykjavik and more challenging hikes in the highlands. And the landscapes are so diverse!

What advice do you have for those visiting Iceland for the first time?

If you can, take your time. Don´t rush it. If you rent a car during the summer, visit the Westfjords and spend time on the Snaefellsnes peninsula; too many people miss out on these areas. Try to stay in some of the smaller villages, and get a glimpse of what it´s like to live in Iceland. Eat a lot of fish and lamb!

And use the time wisely to plan your next trip to Iceland!