View from opposite Skógafoss
Even if you only have one day, some of the most beautiful landscapes in Iceland can be reached on a day tour from Reykjavík. The geothermal areas of the Golden Circle, waterfalls and beaches of the South Coast and dramatic scenery on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula are all located within a few hours’ drive from the city.
If you don’t want to spend your holiday navigating long distances and unfamiliar roads, joining a guided tour is a great alternative. In this post, we’ve compared the best day trips from Reykjavík, including the highlights of each destination and recommendations to help make the most of your time in Iceland.
Contents
Quickly compare the best day trips from Reykjavík
Tips for planning a trip to Iceland
The best time of year to visit Reykjavík
Where to stay in Reykjavík
How to plan day trips from Reykjavík
Mobile data in Iceland
The best day trips from Reykjavík
Golden Circle day trip from Reykjavík
South Coast Day trip from Reykjavík
Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón day trip from Reykjavík
Day trip to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavík
Day trip to the Sky Lagoon from Reykjavík
Northern lights tour from Reykjavík
Day trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavík
Note: This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours that we genuinely recommend. If you book similar experiences, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you which helps support our blog.
Quickly compare the best day trips from Reykjavík
Golden Circle day trip: Visit waterfalls and geothermal areas. Option to combine it with Hvammsvík Hot Springs or the Secret Lagoon.
South Coast day trip: Spectacular waterfalls, glaciers, black-sand beaches and coastal villages along one of Iceland's most scenic routes.
Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon day trip: See icebergs floating through Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and ice scattered across the black sands of Diamond Beach.
Blue Lagoon transfers and tickets: Relax in the famous geothermal spa, known for its milky-blue waters, silica mud masks and striking volcanic surroundings.
Sky Lagoon transfers and tickets: Enjoy a geothermal infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with its signature seven-step Skjól ritual.
Small-group Northern Lights tour: If the weather conditions and aurora activity align, escape the city with a guided evening excursion in search of the Northern Lights.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula day trip: Explore dramatic coastlines, volcanic landscapes, fishing villages and the iconic Kirkjufell mountain on a scenic day trip described as Iceland in miniature.'
Whale-watching cruise from Reykjavík: Take a boat from the Old Harbour with experienced guides to spot wildlife like humpback and minke whales, dolphins and harbour porpoises.
Icelandic food tour: Join a guided walking tour for an introduction to the country's traditional cuisine, visiting restaurants around Reykjavík. Alternatively, sign up for this Icelandic cooking class, led by professional chefs, for a more hands on experience.
Tips for travelling to Iceland
The best time of year to visit Reykjavík
The best time to take day trips from Reykjavík is generally between June and September, when longer daylight hours and milder weather make it easier to explore Iceland’s natural attractions. June to August offers the longest days, giving you more time to enjoy each destination. September is also a great option, with fewer crowds at popular sights and darker nights bringing the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.
Day trips are possible throughout winter, but from November to March, snow, ice, strong winds and limited daylight can affect road conditions and tour itineraries. If you're visiting during this time, guided tours are a convenient option, as experienced local drivers can adapt to the weather.
Where to stay in Reykjavík
If you're planning to take day trips from Reykjavík, we'd recommend staying in or close to the city centre (101 Reykjavík). We’d recommend checking out:
Kvosin Downtown Hotel: Spacious rooms with kitchenettes in a central location – US$210–390 per night.
Sand Hotel by Keahotels: Stylish boutique accommodation on Reykjavík’s main shopping street – US$245–460 per night.
Exeter Hotel: Contemporary design near the Old Harbour, with a bakery and sauna – US$210–390 per night.
To get to the city, transfers to and from your accommodation can easily be booked ahead by bus or by private vehicle here.
Most guided tours, including the Golden Circle, South Coast and Snæfellsnes excursions, offer pickup from designated stops around the centre. Staying centrally also means you'll be within walking distance of Reykjavík's restaurants, cafés, shops and the Old Harbour, where whale-watching tours depart.
How to plan day trips from Reykjavík
Many of the destinations listed below can be reached by car on a day trip from Reykjavík. If you’re planning to hire a car, we’d recommend booking through Rentalcars.com which compares prices across major car rental companies.
Just keep in mind that some destinations involve fairly long drives. Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon are around five hours from Reykjavík each way, while the Snæfellsnes Peninsula takes approximately two and a half hours to reach, before allowing time for sightseeing.
If you'd prefer not to drive, we've included our recommended guided tours below, making it easier to explore these destinations without having to navigate the roads yourself.
Mobile data in Iceland
We compared many mobile data plans for our trip and found the best options are Holafly’s Iceland and Europe eSIMs which come with unlimited data.
Phone coverage with Holafly was very good all over Iceland, even in some of the more remote areas. You can use our code ‘LINGANDJACE’ for 5% off Holafly’s eSIM for Iceland or Europe with this link.
The best day trips from Reykjavík
Golden Circle day trip from Reykjavík
The Golden Circle is a series of natural landscapes that make up one the most popular sightseeing routes near Reykjavík. The route is a great introduction to the unique nature in Iceland as it combines waterfalls and geothermal wonders.
To reach the main sights on a guided tour, we’d recommend taking this Golden Circle day trip from Reykjavík. It’s a very popular full-day excursion which visits Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall, as well as the colourful Kerið volcanic crater.
It’s also possible to combine a unique geothermal spring experience on a day trip to the Golden Circle. Hvammsvík Hot Springs is a beautiful natural spring on the edge of a fjord, which can be reached on this day trip from Reykjavík to the Golden Circle and Hvammsvík Hot Springs. Alternatively, one of the most popular lagoons is the Secret Lagoon, which is included on this day trip Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour.
Gulfoss, Golden Circle Iceland
South Coast Day trip from Reykjavík: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara Black sand beaches
Some of Iceland’s most beautiful landscapes are found along the South Coast, where you can see spectacular waterfalls, glaciers and black-sand beaches in a single day.
It’s one of the most scenic regions in the country, but the driving distances from Reykjavík can make it a long day if you’re exploring independently.
We’d recommend booking this small group South Coast tour through GetYourGuide to explore the region’s highlights. It is a 10-hour guided trip and includes pickup and drop-off in Reykjavík.
At Seljalandsfoss, you can walk behind a 60-metre curtain of water. We’d also choose this tour if you’re interested in the South Coast because it includes time at Skógafoss, which isn’t in the itinerary for all tour options. Skógafoss is one of the more impressive waterfalls in Iceland because it runs over a wide cliff, creating a 60 metre awe-inspiring stream.
Pool at the base of Skógafoss
Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón day trip from Reykjavík
The landscapes around Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón are unlike anywhere else. It’s hard to beat the incredible mountains, stunning glacier lagoons, and coastline with icebergs on the shore.
Diamond Beach can be visited in a day trip from Reykjavík, but just note that the driving time is quite long (around five hours). If you have just one day and don’t want to drive there, we’d recommend this highly rated Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon tour through GetYourGuide which will take you to both attractions.
The trip follows the South Coast, with stops at Seljalandsfoss (a beautiful, tall waterfall), Vík and Jökulsárlón, before visiting Diamond Beach. The tour has around 1.5 hours at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and there’s also the option to add an amphibian boat ride between the icebergs from May to October, which was one of the highlights of our trip.
The long drive is the main trade-off for this one-day tour, but it saves you from hiring a car and navigating Iceland’s roads yourself, making it the best option if you’re only visiting Reykjavík or planning a short trip.
If you can stay for longer, we have a full blog post about Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlon here with longer multi-day tours and hotel recommendations.
Icebergs in Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon Iceland
Day trip to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavík
Visiting a geothermal lagoon or spa is an experience that is very unique to Iceland, with water that has been naturally heated from deep beneath the ground.
There are two popular destinations near Reykjavík that can easily be reached in a day trip.
The Blue Lagoon is the most iconic, with milky-blue water, thick steam and a dark volcanic setting. The easiest way to get there is by booking this day trip to the Blue Lagoon experience as it includes transfer to and from Reykjavík and premium entry tickets.
If you’re travelling there yourself, we’d recommend booking tickets ahead as it can get quite crowded. There are two types of admission: comfort admission tickets include a drink at the swim-up bar and a silica mud mask, while the premium package includes extra treatments and amenities like a bathrobe, two additional face masks and complimentary skincare to take home.
Day trip to the Sky Lagoon from Reykjavík
Sky Lagoon is another beautiful geothermal lagoon with an infinity-edge pool overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean near Reykjavík. The easiest way to get there without a car is by booking this Sky Lagoon experience with admission and return transport in Reykjavík.
If you don’t need transport in Reykjavík, you can find admission ticket here. The ticket includes the lagoon and a seven-step Icelandic bathing ritual, which takes you through a cold plunge, sauna, cold mist, body scrub and steam room. You can choose between the Saman Pass with shared changing rooms or the Sér Pass with private changing facilities and showers.
Iceland geothermal lagoon experience
Northern lights tour from Reykjavík
Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is an unforgettable experience, but finding them depends on a combination of clear skies and aurora activity. While it's sometimes possible to see the aurora borealis from Reykjavík, joining a guided Northern Lights tour can help to plan around the aurora forecast and take you to more promising viewing locations.
There are a few great tour options that we’d recommend checking. This premium small-group Northern Lights tour is one of the best options for first-time visitors who want to venture beyond the city in search of the aurora. While you’re in Reykjavík, this Northern Lights yacht tour is a very unique way to see the Northern Lights from the harbour.
Most Northern Lights tour providers will allow rescheduling if the weather conditions aren’t right. We’d recommend booking a Northern Lights tour option early in your trip in case this happens.
We have a full blog post here with other Northern Lights tours to suit different travel styles and budgets, including private Northern Lights excursions and Northern Lights photography tours from Reykjavík. We’ve also found the best options that combine an aurora hunt with a day tour to the Golden Circle or South Coast if you would rather combine them into one trip.
Northern Lights viewing in Iceland
Day trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavík
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is usually described as a miniature Iceland because it has so many of the country’s unique landscapes in one area. On a day trip to the peninsula, you can see volcanic peaks, waterfalls, dramatic cliffs and black-sand beaches.
It is definitely a longer day trip from Reykjavík, but a guided tour makes it possible to see the highlights without having to drive the entire route yourself.
This day tour to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavík covers the major sights, with the added experience of a home-cooked Icelandic meal at a local horse farm. It's a great way to see the peninsula without having to drive the long loop yourself, while adding something more personal than a standard sightseeing stop.
Kirkjufellsfoss, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Whale watching tour from Reykjavík
You don't have to travel far from Reykjavík to experience Iceland's incredible marine wildlife. Whale-watching tours depart from the Old Harbour, heading into Faxaflói Bay, where you can look for humpback and minke whales, dolphins and harbour porpoises.
This three-hour whale-watching cruise from Reykjavík is a popular option, with experienced guides who help spot wildlife and share insights about the animals.
The boat has heated indoor cabins, outdoor viewing areas and an onboard café, making it a comfortable experience even in colder weather. Whale sightings aren't guaranteed, but if you don't see any wildlife, you can receive a complimentary return ticket.
Humpback whales can be seen from Faxaflói Bay
Icelandic food tours and cooking classes in Reykjavík
One of the best ways to experience Icelandic culture is through its food scene. We’d recommend joining this guided walking tour for an introduction to the country's traditional cuisine. It is a group experience where you can visit local restaurants and sample Icelandic specialities in well-known eateries, family-run restaurants and more hidden gems. This tour is a good chance to discover more of Reykjavík while trying dishes you might not come across on your own.
If you'd like to experience Icelandic food beyond trying it at a restaurant, we’d recommend trying this cooking class in Reykjavík. Led by a professional chef, you'll learn how to prepare a traditional three-course Icelandic meal using fresh, local ingredients, before sitting down to enjoy everything you've made. The experience also includes a tasting of Icelandic specialities, along with local beer and wine, giving you a chance to discover more about the country's food culture.