12 Best Day Trips from Reykjavik, Iceland (2026 Guide)

The best day trips from Reykjavik are the Golden Circle, with Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, the waterfalls and black sand beaches of the South Coast, and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, with Kirkjufell and its coastal villages. For something more active, go snorkelling at Silfra, hike onto a glacier at Sólheimajökull or walk to the hot river at Reykjadalur. The Blue Lagoon fits easily into your arrival or departure day.

Reykjavik makes a good base for exploring Iceland. Many of the country's best-known sights are within two or three hours' drive, the roads in the southwest are open all year, and a huge range of guided tours leave from the city every day, with hotel pick-ups included on most of them. That means you can see a lot without moving hotels, which is especially useful in winter, when daylight is short and driving conditions are harder.

This guide covers 12 of the best day trips from Reykjavik, with travel times, how to get there, whether a tour is worth it and who each trip suits. If you'd rather plan a longer route around the island, see our Iceland itinerary or our guide to the best places to visit in Iceland.

Day trips from Reykjavik at a glance

Day trip	Travel time each way (approx.)	Tour or independent?	Best for
The Golden Circle	About 1 hour to the first stop	Either	Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss
The South Coast to Vík	About 2 to 2.5 hours	Either	Waterfalls and black sand beaches
Sólheimajökull glacier hike	About 2 hours	Tour	Walking on a glacier
Silfra snorkelling	About 1 hour	Tour	Clear water between two plates
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula	About 2.5 hours	Either	Kirkjufell and coastal villages
The Reykjanes Peninsula and Blue Lagoon	About 45 minutes	Either	A lagoon and volcanic landscapes
Whale watching	Leaves from the Old Harbour	Tour	Whales, dolphins and seabirds
Reykjadalur hot river	About 40 to 45 minutes	Independent	A hike to a warm river you can bathe in
Borgarfjörður and Hraunfossar	About 1.5 to 2 hours	Independent	Lava falls and a powerful hot spring
The Westman Islands	About 2 hours plus a ferry	Independent	A volcanic island and puffins
Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach	About 5 hours	Tour	Icebergs and seals
Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk	About 3 to 4.5 hours	Tour or highland bus	The Highlands, in summer only

Before you go: getting around

There are two ways to do day trips from Reykjavik: hire a car or book a guided tour.

• Hire a car if you want flexibility, plan to visit in summer and are comfortable driving. Most of the trips in this guide are on paved roads, and you can stop wherever you like. The exceptions are the Highlands, which need a 4x4 and are only open in summer.
• Book a tour if you're visiting in winter, don't want to drive in ice, wind and darkness, or are doing something that needs a guide anyway, such as snorkelling, glacier hiking or an ice cave. Most tours include pick-up from hotels or bus stops in the centre.

Whichever you choose, check road conditions on road.is, the forecast on vedur.is and alerts on Safetravel the evening before and again in the morning. Iceland's weather can change quickly, and tours are sometimes cancelled or rerouted when it does.

If you're arriving at Keflavík Airport, about 45 minutes from the city, a private airport transfer to Reykjavik is the simplest way in if you're not picking up a car straight away.

The 12 best day trips from Reykjavik

1. The Golden Circle: best for Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss

The Golden Circle is the classic first day trip from Reykjavik, a loop of roughly 230 to 300 kilometres that links three of Iceland's best-known sights:

• Þingvellir National Park, about 45 minutes to an hour from the city, where you can walk through a rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the place where Iceland's parliament first met in the open air.
• Geysir and Strokkur, a geothermal area where Strokkur erupts every few minutes, sending a column of water into the air.
• Gullfoss, a powerful two-tier waterfall that drops into a narrow canyon. On sunny days, the spray often creates a rainbow.

With your own car, you can add the Kerið crater lake or a soak at the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir. The route works all year, although winter daylight is short, so start early.

How to get there: drive the loop yourself, or join a tour such as this Golden Circle and Kerið Crater day tour.

Best for: first-time visitors, and anyone with only one day outside Reykjavik.

2. The South Coast to Vík: best for waterfalls and black sand beaches

The South Coast is the other essential day trip, and one of the most scenic drives in the country. Heading east along Route 1, the main stops are:

• Seljalandsfoss, about two hours from Reykjavik, where a path leads behind the falling water, and Gljúfrabúi, a waterfall hidden in a gorge a short walk away.
• Skógafoss, a broad, powerful waterfall with a staircase up the side.
• Reynisfjara, the black sand beach near Vík with basalt columns and sea stacks just offshore. Dangerous "sneaker waves" can rush far up the beach without warning, so keep well back from the water.

It's a long day: about 180 kilometres each way to Vík, with plenty of stops. If you'd rather not drive, this South Coast guided tour covers Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara.

Best for: anyone who wants Iceland's famous waterfalls and beaches in one day.

3. A glacier hike on Sólheimajökull: best for walking on ice

Sólheimajökull is a glacier tongue on the South Coast, about two hours from Reykjavik, and one of the most accessible places in Iceland to walk on a glacier. You'll need a guide: tours provide crampons, helmets and ice axes and lead you across ridges, crevasses and ash-streaked ice that has built up from past eruptions.

Glacier hikes run all year, and many combine the walk with stops at the South Coast waterfalls. This glacier hike and ice climbing tour on Sólheimajökull includes transport from Reykjavik.

Best for: active travellers who want to do something more than sightseeing.

4. Snorkelling at Silfra: best for clear water between two plates

Photo: CHUNGHOI KIM on Unsplash

Silfra is a water-filled fissure in Þingvellir National Park, and it's one of the most unusual things to do near Reykjavik. It's fed by meltwater from the Langjökull glacier, which seeps slowly underground through porous lava before emerging here, and the result is some of the clearest water you'll ever swim in. It's also cold, at only a few degrees above freezing all year round, so you'll wear a drysuit over warm layers.

You can only snorkel or dive at Silfra with a licensed operator. Most set a minimum age of 12, along with height and weight limits, and some ask older participants for a doctor's note, so check the requirements before booking. This Silfra snorkelling tour includes the equipment and an optional pick-up from Reykjavik.

Best for: adventurous travellers. It combines well with the Golden Circle on the same day.

5. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula: best for Kirkjufell and coastal villages

Snæfellsnes, about two and a half hours north-west of Reykjavik, is often called "Iceland in miniature" because it packs so much variety into a small area. Highlights include Kirkjufell, the cone-shaped mountain near Grundarfjörður, the Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano at the tip of the peninsula, the black pebble beach at Djúpalónssandur, the coastal path between Arnarstapi and Hellnar, and the black church at Búðir.

It's a long day trip, so many people do it on a tour. This Snæfellsnes Peninsula day tour covers the main stops from Reykjavik.

Best for: anyone who has already done the South Coast, or wants somewhere with fewer crowds.

6. The Reykjanes Peninsula and the Blue Lagoon: best for a lagoon and volcanic landscapes

The Reykjanes Peninsula, south-west of the city, is the closest day trip to Reykjavik and the easiest to fit around a flight. The famous Blue Lagoon is about 45 minutes from the city and 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport, set in a lava field with milky blue water. Book ahead, as entry is by time slot. This Blue Lagoon package with transfer includes the bus.

With a car, you can add the Bridge Between Continents, the steaming Gunnuhver hot springs and the geothermal area at Seltún in Krýsuvík. Since late 2023, volcanic eruptions near Grindavík have closed roads and, at times, the Blue Lagoon itself, so check the latest updates from Safetravel before you go.

If you'd rather stay closer to the city, Sky Lagoon in Kópavogur, about 15 minutes from the centre, has an infinity edge facing the ocean. This Sky Lagoon pass includes its seven-step ritual.

Best for: your arrival or departure day.

7. Whale watching: best for whales, dolphins and seabirds

Whale watching tours leave directly from Reykjavik's Old Harbour, so there's no travel time at all. Trips usually last around three hours and head into Faxaflói Bay, where minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises are commonly seen, along with puffins in summer. Sightings are never guaranteed, and many operators offer another trip free if you don't see anything.

Tours run all year, though summer usually has calmer seas and more wildlife. This whale watching tour from Reykjavik leaves from the Old Harbour.

Best for: wildlife lovers and anyone with half a day to spare.

8. The Reykjadalur hot river: best for a hike to a warm river you can bathe in

Photo: Olena Shmahalo on Unsplash

Reykjadalur, or "Steam Valley", is a green geothermal valley above the town of Hveragerði, about 40 to 45 minutes' drive from Reykjavik. From the car park, a well-marked trail climbs for roughly 3 to 4 kilometres past steaming vents and bubbling pools to a stretch of river warmed by hot springs, where boardwalks and simple wooden screens let you change and bathe.

Allow about three hours for the round trip, including time in the water. The trail can be muddy or icy outside summer, so wear proper hiking boots, and only bathe in the marked section of the river, as some of the nearby pools are dangerously hot.

How to get there: drive to Hveragerði and follow signs to the car park at the trailhead. It's an easy trip to do independently.

Best for: a cheap, free-form half day, and anyone who wants a natural hot bath.

9. Borgarfjörður and Hraunfossar: best for lava falls and a powerful hot spring

Photo: Adam Edgerton on Unsplash

The Borgarfjörður area, north of Reykjavik, is a quieter alternative to the Golden Circle. Its best-known sight is Hraunfossar, a series of small waterfalls that seem to pour straight out of a lava field into the bright blue Hvítá river, with Barnafoss, a narrow, churning cascade, just upstream. Hraunfossar is roughly 120 kilometres from Reykjavik, about one and a half to two hours by car.

On the way, stop at Deildartunguhver, a powerful hot spring where boiling water bubbles up beside the road, and Krauma, a modern spa next to it. Hikers can add Glymur, one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, in Hvalfjörður, which is reached on a demanding trail with a river crossing that's only practical in summer.

How to get there: this trip is easiest by car. The route follows Route 1 to Borgarnes, then smaller roads inland.

Best for: repeat visitors and anyone who wants to avoid the busiest routes.

10. The Westman Islands: best for a volcanic island and puffins

Photo: Hector John Periquin on Unsplash

The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) lie off the South Coast. Heimaey, the only inhabited island, was partly buried in lava and ash when the Eldfell volcano erupted in 1973. You can now walk up the volcano and visit a museum built around excavated houses. In summer, the islands are known for their large puffin colonies.

The Herjólfur ferry leaves from Landeyjahöfn, about two hours' drive from Reykjavik, and the crossing takes around 35 to 45 minutes. In winter and in rough seas, sailings often move to Þorlákshöfn, which takes around three hours, so check the timetable the day before.

How to get there: drive to Landeyjahöfn and take the ferry as a foot passenger, or bring your car if you want to explore the whole island.

Best for: puffin spotting in summer and anyone interested in volcanoes.

11. Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach: best for icebergs and seals

Jökulsárlón is a glacier lagoon at the foot of Vatnajökull, where icebergs break away and drift slowly towards the sea. Seals often swim among them, and across the road at Diamond Beach, pieces of ice wash up on the black sand.

It's about five hours' drive each way from Reykjavik, which makes it the longest trip in this guide: expect a day of 12 hours or more. That's too much driving for most people to do alone in a day, but tours make it manageable. This Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach day trip includes stops on the South Coast. If you have time, it's much better to stay a night in the area. In winter, you can also visit an ice cave with a guide on this ice cave and glacier hike from Skaftafell.

Best for: travellers who are short on time but can't leave without seeing the icebergs.

12. Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk: best for the Highlands in summer

The Highlands are Iceland's empty, volcanic interior, and two areas can be reached on a long day trip from Reykjavik in summer:

• Landmannalaugar is known for its rhyolite mountains streaked in red, yellow and green, its hiking trails and a natural hot spring.
• Þórsmörk is a green valley between three glaciers, popular for hiking, with views from the short climb up Valahnúkur.

Both are reached on F-roads that usually open from around mid-June until early autumn. These roads need a 4x4, and the routes include river crossings that are dangerous in a standard hire car, which many rental agreements don't cover. Most visitors take a summer highland bus, which takes around four and a half hours to Landmannalaugar, or join a super jeep tour.

Best for: hikers and anyone visiting between late June and early September.

Which day trips should you choose?

• With one day: the Golden Circle.
• With two days: the Golden Circle and the South Coast.
• With three days: add Snæfellsnes, or swap in Silfra and a glacier hike for something more active.
• On your arrival or departure day: the Blue Lagoon and the Reykjanes Peninsula.
• In summer: consider the Westman Islands, Landmannalaugar or Þórsmörk.
• In winter: stick to the Golden Circle, the South Coast and the lagoons, and add a northern lights tour on a clear night.

Tours or independent travel?

A hire car is usually cheaper for two or more people and gives you more freedom, but you need to be confident driving in strong winds and changeable weather. Tours cost more per person but remove the stress of driving, include an expert guide and are essential for activities such as snorkelling, glacier hikes and ice caves. In winter, when roads can be icy and daylight lasts only a few hours, a tour is often the safer choice.

Tips for day trips from Reykjavik

• Start early: in winter, daylight can be as short as four or five hours, so use it well.
• Dress in layers: bring a waterproof jacket and trousers, even in summer, especially for waterfalls you can walk behind.
• Check conditions every day: roads and tours can close at short notice because of wind, snow or volcanic activity.
• Stay connected: an Iceland eSIM makes it easy to check road conditions and the aurora forecast on the go.
• Get travel insurance: cover that includes medical treatment is worth having, particularly for glacier hikes and snorkelling.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best day trip from Reykjavik?

For most first-time visitors, it's the Golden Circle: it's close, open all year and includes three of Iceland's most famous sights. The South Coast is a close second.

Can you see Jökulsárlón on a day trip from Reykjavik?

Yes, but it's a very long day of around 12 hours or more, with roughly five hours of travel each way. A tour is the easiest way to do it, and staying a night nearby is better if you have time.

Do you need a car for day trips from Reykjavik?

No. Guided tours with hotel pick-up run to almost every place in this guide. A car gives you more flexibility, but tours are easier in winter and essential for activities such as Silfra and glacier hiking.

Can you do the Golden Circle and the South Coast in one day?

Some tours combine them, but it makes for a very long day with little time at each stop. If you can, spend a separate day on each.

What day trips from Reykjavik can you do in winter?

The Golden Circle, the South Coast, Silfra, glacier hikes, whale watching, the lagoons and northern lights tours all run in winter, weather permitting. Ice caves near Jökulsárlón are usually open from around mid-November to March. The Highlands are closed until summer.

How we researched this guide

We compared travel times, seasons and requirements with information from Visit Iceland, Visit Vatnajökull, the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, Safetravel, tour and ferry operators, and the UK government's travel advice for Iceland, all checked in October 2026. Travel times are approximate and assume good conditions. Volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula and changes in the weather can affect access at short notice, so check before you go. Found something out of date? Let us know.

Planning more of Iceland? Browse all our Iceland guides, pick your experiences from our list of things to do in Iceland, or follow our day-by-day Iceland itinerary.