Reykjavík Day Trips: Top Tours and Drives for Every Traveler
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, Reykjavík makes the perfect base. Conveniently located less than an hour from the international hub of KEF Airport, Reykjavík is not just Iceland’s vibrant capital city, but it’s also within a day’s drive from some of Iceland’s best attractions. Taking day trips from Reykjavík is a fantastic way to mix the best of what Iceland has to offer - progressive, hopping city vibes with some of the most beautiful landscapes you can imagine.
But with so many options, how do you know which are the best Reykjavík day trips? We’re here to help. As experts on all things Iceland, and particularly Icelandic road trips, we’ve put together our top recommendations for the day trips from Reykjavík you simply can’t miss out on.
Why Take a Day Trip from Reykjavík?
Reykjavik is ideally positioned to explore the majority of the country. As a relatively small island, you can pack in a lot of excitement in a single day, and the well-maintained road network and wide-open views make Iceland the perfect destination for self-driving day trips. While organized tours are always a hit, there’s a certain freedom that comes with hiring a car, planning your own route, and exploring Iceland at your own pace, lingering at the attractions that appeal to you most and skipping those that aren’t as interesting to you. That’s why car rental in Iceland is the best way to explore.
Opting for day trips from Reykjavík allows you to pack your trip full of adventure without the hassle of constantly changing hotels. You can wake up in a cozy downtown apartment or hotel room, grab coffee and breakfast from one of the city’s fantastic bakeries, and be standing in an ice cave before lunchtime!
Guided vs. Self-Drive Reykjavík Day Trips
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning a day trip from Reykjavík is whether to join a guided tour or explore on your own with a rental car. While both options have benefits, self-driving offers a unique level of freedom and flexibility, especially for adventurous travelers who want to explore Iceland on their own terms. With modern roads, GPS, and easy car rental options, it’s more accessible than ever.
Self-Drive: The Ultimate Iceland Experience
Pros
- The freedom to explore at your own pace
Stop where you want, when you want. Want to take an unplanned detour to a hot spring? Go for it.
- Affordable and flexible
For couples, families, or groups, renting a car is often far more cost-effective than booking multiple guided tours.
- Access to hidden gems
Many of the best spots in Iceland aren’t on the standard tour routes. With a self-drive Reykjavík day trip, you can visit lesser-known locations and enjoy them without the busloads of people.
- Comfort and privacy
No tight schedules or sharing a bus with strangers. Just you, the open road, and incredible scenery.
- Great roads and simple navigation
Iceland’s highways are well-maintained, clearly signed, and easy to navigate.
Keep in Mind
- You’ll need to plan your route and check weather conditions.
- Winter driving requires caution, but with the right vehicle, like a 4x4, and a bit of preparation, it's manageable for most tourists.
Guided Tours: Convenient But Less Flexible
Pros
- Ideal for travelers who prefer to let someone else do the driving
- Great for winter if you’re uncomfortable driving on snow or ice
- Local guides provide insights along the way
Cons
- Fixed schedules mean the time is limited at each stop
- Crowded buses and touristy routes
- It can be more expensive per person
Top 10 Day Trips from Reykjavík, Iceland
You’ve got your hire car, Google Maps is loaded, and you’re raring to go. Make sure you’re briefed on Icelandic road signs and fuel stations throughout the country, and you’re ready to go. Let’s run through our list of the best day trips from Reykjavík!
1) The Golden Circle
Iceland’s Golden Circle is one of the most popular road trips from Reykjavík. It can easily be completed in a single day from the capital, and includes three of Iceland’s top attractions:
- Þingvellir National Park
- Geysir Geothermal Area
- Gullfoss
There’s also a variety of detours that you can tag onto the route to take in a bit more of what the area has to offer. These include the Secret Lagoon, Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse, and Kerid Crater Lake.
The main route takes roughly 3 hours without stops, so allowing a full day trip from Reykjavík gives you time to take in the sights without feeling rushed.
2) The South Coast (Vík & Black Sand Beaches)
Another Reykjavík day trip that packs in some of Iceland’s most iconic sights is the South Coast. The route from the capital combines volcanic beaches, charming coastal villages, towering waterfalls, and glacier views all in a single day.
To make the most of the South Coast, take the following steps:
- Leave Reykjavík on Route 1 (The Ring Road).
- Visit Seljalandsfoss, an amazing waterfall you can actually walk behind!
- Venture just a bit further down the road to see Skógafoss, famous for its rainbow mists.
- Head east, and you can see Mýrdalsjökull Glacier towering in the distance.
- You’ll reach your final destination of Reynisfjara Beach, just outside the village of Vík. Explore the hexagonal basalt column, glimpse the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the sea, and gaze in wonder at the black sands.
Without extended stops, this South Coast route will take about 5 hours. Allowing a full day for this trip will give you plenty of time to explore waterfalls and the amazing beach before you head back to the city with sea-salted hair and a heart full of beauty from the day’s sights.
3) Snæfellsnes Peninsula
If you want to get a feel for all that Iceland has to offer, consider a day trip around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Nicknamed “Iceland in Miniature” because it packs glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and charming villages in one stretch of land. In summary, it’s a perfectly diverse day trip from Reykjavík.
Standout stops en route include:
- Snæfellsjökull National Park
- Arnarstapi village
- Kirkjufell Mountain and waterfall
- Djúpalónssandur Beach
With conservative stops, expect the drive to take about 3 hours each way. Setting aside a full day to undertake this trip allows you the perfect amount of time to take in all this unforgettable region of Iceland has to offer.
4) The Reykjanes Peninsula
Sometimes overshadowed by Iceland’s more popular regions, the Reykjanes Peninsula is not to be overlooked. Located very close to Reykjavík, it makes for a perfect day trip. This rugged, geothermal-rich region sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where two tectonic plates meet, creating tons of volcanic activity, bubbling mud pools, and more.
Standout attractions on this day trip include:
- Krýsuvík geothermal area
- Lake Kleifarvatn
- Brimketill lava rock pool
- Gunnuhver mud pool
- Bridge Between Continents
- Blue Lagoon
The full loop, with conservative stops, will take roughly 4 hours. But why not finish off your day of rugged exploration with a luxurious treatment at the famous Blue Lagoon before heading back to Reykjavík? That way, your day really will include it all.
5) Glymur Waterfall Hike
If a day trip that offers a bit more physical activity is what you’re after, why not seek out a memorable waterfall hike? Glymur, Iceland’s second-tallest waterfall, is nestled at the end of the breathtaking Hvalfjörður Fjord, making it a truly off-the-beaten-path experience. Unlike Iceland’s many roadside waterfalls, getting to Glymur requires a moderately challenging hike, but it’s more than worth it. The trail will lead you through mossy, otherworldly caves, across a log river bridge, and along a high ridge overlooking a deep canyon, carved over time by the roaring river below.
The start of the hike is located just about an hour’s drive from Reykjavík, and the hike should take you between 2.5 and 3.5 hours, depending on your pace and ability. Before you undertake any hike in Iceland, read our blog, All About Hiking in Iceland.
On a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable, vast views across the fjord and the falls thundering down into the gorge below - the perfect day trip for any adventurer at heart.
On a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable, vast views across the fjord and the falls thundering down into the gorge below - the perfect day trip for any adventurer at heart.
6) Reykjadalur Hot Spring (Steam Valley)
Reykjadalur is one of Iceland’s most rewarding hikes, and it’s just a short drive from Reykjavík. Also referred to as “Steam Valley”, this popular day trip allows you to hike through an otherworldly valley and bathe in a naturally warm river surrounded by untouched Icelandic landscapes.
The trail begins at a small parking area just outside Hveragerði and takes about 45-60 minutes each way to reach the bathing area. The path is well marked but can be steep and slippery, especially after rain.
Driving from Reykjavík takes around 45 minutes, and you can easily combine this trip with a visit to the geothermal park in Hveragerði. Make sure to pack your swimsuit, towel, and sturdy shoes.
7) Borgarfjörður & Hraunfossar Waterfalls
The Borgarfjörður region in West Iceland is a scenic and less-traveled day trip from Reykjavík that offers a rich mix of natural beauty, history, and culture. One of the main highlights of the area is Hraunfossar, a series of waterfalls that appear to pour directly out of a lava field.
Just a short walk upstream, you’ll also discover Barnafoss, a dramatic and narrow waterfall shaped by centuries of glacial erosion. Visiting the two waterfalls together is made simple thanks to the well-maintained paths and viewing platforms.
Though the direct route from the capital takes a little over an hour, the trip also includes other worthwhile stops, such as:
- Deildartunguhver - the most powerful hot spring in Europe
- Reykholt - the historical home to Snorri Sturluson, Iceland’s famous chieftain
- Húsafell - a scenic, forested area surrounded by glaciers, lava fields, and hiking opportunities.
These detours make for a full-day trip packed full of adventure and Icelandic charm.
8) Thórsmörk Valley
Named after the Norse god Thor, Thórsmörk is a dramatic glacial valley tucked between three majestic glaciers, Mýrdalsjökull, Tindfjallajökull, and Eyjafjallajökull. It’s one of Iceland’s most breathtaking and remote hiking destinations, known for its rugged beauty, mossy canyons, and sweeping mountain views.
Because Thórsmörk sits deep in the southern Highlands, reaching it isn’t as simple as hopping in the car. Access is limited to the summer months, when the mountain roads (F-roads) are open, and you’ll need a 4x4 vehicle equipped to handle river crossings.
Reaching Thórsmörk is part of the adventure; raw and untamed landscapes await as you set off on the 2.5-hour journey from Reykjavík. Once you arrive, you’ll find hiking trails for all abilities, giving you access to the ashy aftermath of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption, among other hidden worlds.
Though it takes longer than most Reykjavík day trips, Thórsmörk is unforgettable and rewarding every minute of the journey.
9) Langjökull Glacier & Ice Cave
Langjökull, Iceland's second-largest ice cap, offers a truly unique opportunity to step inside an ancient glacier via a man-made tunnel. Located in Iceland’s wild west interior, Langjökull is a thrilling day trip from the capital.
Carved directly into the heart of the glacier, a series of illuminated tunnels provides access to the ice cave itself, where hues of blue, white, and crystal-clear ice reveal layers of frozen history. The cold, silence, and surreal beauty of the icy chambers create an atmosphere unlike anything else in Iceland.
While you can self-drive to Húsafell in a standard car (about 2 hours from Reykjavík), you’ll need to book a glacier tour to reach Langjökull from there. Do not attempt to drive to the glacier yourself - it is extremely dangerous without proper equipment and training.
10) Thingvellir + Laugarvatn Fontana Spa Combo
Few places in Iceland blend history and natural wonder as seamlessly as Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just 45 minutes from Reykjavík. Discover the birthplace of Iceland’s democracy and stroll along accessible hiking paths beside dramatic cliffs and lakes. The fascinating rift valley, in which Thingvellir is contained, even offers the opportunity to snorkel between 2 tectonic plates.
After exploring Thingvellir, a short drive to Laugarvatn Fontana opens a world of relaxation and rejuvenation. This cozy geothermal retreat offers natural hot pools and steam rooms fuelled by bubbling geothermal vents. You can even take a plunge into the cool Laugarvatn Lake if you’re feeling brave.
This balanced Reykjavík day trip is enriching, relaxing, and not to be missed!
Making use of Reykjavík’s location by using it as a base so you can embark on day trips is a great way to see Iceland. You can also find out more by reading our blogs on spending 3 days or 48 hours in Iceland!