27-05-2025
The 10 best day trips from Reykjavik
Reykjavík is a vibrant destination in itself – but it's also an excellent jumping-off point for exploring some of Iceland's broader natural wonders. A diverse array of adventures are available from the capital, from established classics such as the Golden Circle to road trips along the south and west coasts to see jaw-dropping beaches, waterfalls, glaciers and lagoons, and closer-to-home options such as the Sky Lagoon spa, boat rides to spot whales and puffins, and enjoy nature walks around nearby islands. Almost all these trips can be self-driven or booked via a local tour company such as Reykjavik Excursions, Arctic Adventure, Troll and EastWest.
All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best day trips from Reykjavik. Find out more below or more inspiration, see our guides to the best hotels, restaurants, bars and things to do.
Best for nature
Golden Circle
The most famous day trip available from the capital is still one of the best for first-time visitors. It covers three iconic sights: Thingvellir National Park, a rift valley located between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates that's also the site of the world's first parliament (the Althingi); the Geysir geothermal area, with its bubbling mud pools and spouting geysers; and the thundering Gullfoss waterfall, one of the most powerful in Europe.
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Area: Southwest Iceland
How to get there: You can join a tour with any of the mentioned operators but driving yourself means you'll get to enjoy more time hiking around Thingvellir (it's big) and enjoying a dip at the Secret Lagoon hot springs.
Reykjanes Peninsula
A 45- to 60-minute drive from the capital, the Reykjanes Peninsula is a geothermal wonderland that became famous recently with the eruptions of the Fagradalsfjall (2021) and Sundhnúkur (2023 to 2025) volcanoes. It's a safe area to visit though, with bubbling mud pools and fumaroles, pretty Kleifarvatn lake, and Iceland's oldest lighthouse at Reykjanesviti. It's also home to the Blue Lagoon in case you want to combine the trip with a luxurious dip.
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Area: Reykjanes
How to get there: Take a tour with Arctic Adventures or enjoy a drive at your own pace.
South Coast
Iceland's southern coast is dotted with a string of memorable and highly photogenic sights. Many are conveniently located along, or just off, the Ring Road, with the only snag that – for a day trip – you'll be coming back along the same road. Highlights include Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, the black sand and basalt columns of Reynisfjara Beach and Sólheimajökull glacier. It's possible to go as far as Jökulsárlón but you won't be back for dinner, so plan on eating en route.
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Best for enjoying the coast
Videy Island
A lovely and easy trip for island and nature lovers. Just 20 minutes on a ferry from the harbour, Videy offers walking trails through grassy meadows and along cliff edges, lots of bird life, and public art in the shape of Yoko Ono's 'Imagine Peace Tower' and Richard Serra's 'Milestones', the latter a series of basalt stone sculptures scattered across the island. A small café serves drinks and light meals in summer.
Heimaey
A visit to Heimaey, the largest island in the Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) archipelago, is a pleasant, slower-paced affair. Famous for its volcano, Eldfell, which erupted dramatically in 1973 and whose summit can be safely hiked for panoramic views, the island is also home to the Eldheimar Museum, which tells the story of the island's full evacuation, as well as local wildlife – it's home to Iceland's largest puffin colony in summer – and stunning coastal scenery. The harbour has some lovely spots to eat.
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Area: Heimaey
How to get there: Take a tour with or enjoy the two-hour drive from Reykjavík to Landeyjahöfn followed by a short (35-minute) ferry ride.
Whale and puffin watching
Being located right on the coast means that boat tours are easy to hop onto from Reykjavík. There are many options, many of them offering whale-watching tours, during which you might spot Minke whales (quite common, especially in summer), humpback whales and white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises, puffin tours, or a mix.
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Area: Reykjavík Harbour
How to get there: Most tours leave directly from Reykjavík's Old Harbour, just a short walk from the city centre, and take anywhere between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the tour. They operate year-round, but whale sightings are more frequent between April to October and puffins between May and August.
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Best for families
Raufarhólshellir Cave
Located about 40 minutes from Reykjavík, this so-called 'lava tube' is one of the largest – around 1,300 meters – and most accessible in Iceland. It was formed by an eruption around 5,000 years ago, the flowing lava created a hollow tube as the surface hardened and the molten lava drained out. A guided tour leads visitors around 500 to 800 meters through the tunnel to show the striking lava stalactites and stalagmites. It's great fun for the kids, and the visitor centre has a café.
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Area: Keflavik/Reykjanes
How to get there: You can join a group tour, or drive out here yourself. The venue also arranges private transfers.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Iceland's west coast often comes in second place to the lushly-landscaped south. But a trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is every bit as scenic, with an impressive procession of highlights north of the Reykholt Valley that includes seal-spotting at Ytri Tunga beach, the black sands of Djúpalónssandur, Svödufoss waterfall and stunning hikes at Hellnar and Arnarstapi. It's a long day's driving if you want to see the whole peninsula, so be sure to leave early.
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Area: West Iceland
How to get there: You can join a tour to see many of the highlights, or drive it yourself. If you choose the latter and you have time, the route via Hvalfjordur fjord is the most scenic, though it will add some time.
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Best hot springs
Sky Lagoon
Technically within walking distance of the city centre, Reykjavík's Sky Lagoon feels like it could be a thousand miles away. More accessible, albeit smaller, than the more famous Blue Lagoon, it offers a boutique experience with a five-step ritual experience that includes a cold plunge, a light scrub and a spacious sauna with stunning sea views, and a naturally-heated lagoon that abuts the North Atlantic. A swim-up bar and restaurant make a half-day easy.
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Area: Kársnes
How to get there: The Sky Lagoon is around four miles from the centre. You can walk it in around 90 minutes, hop on a tour or take public transport.
Reykholt Valley
The low-key village of Reykholt, nestled in a scenic valley in West Iceland, can be reached in around an hour and a half from Reykjavik. Often overlooked, it's rich in history, geothermal activity and gentle landscapes. As well as a museum dedicated to thirteenth-century historian, poet and politician Snorri Sturluson (situated on his former homestead, where you can also find the country's oldest hot pool), you can visit Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring, and the splendid Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls.
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Area: Reykholt
How to get there: You can usually visit the village and valley on longer tours to West Iceland. Local buses can take around three hours so for a day trip, a self-drive is best.
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How we choose
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.
About our expert
Paul has been an Icelandophile since writing his 2003 music-themed travelogue, 'waking up in Iceland'. He has travelled all over the country during his numerous visits since, and loves nothing more than a dip in a local hot pool and a waffle at the timeless Mokka cafe.
