The Best Day Trips From Reykjavík

If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, Reykjavík makes the perfect base. Ideally located less than an hour’s drive 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 day trips from Reykjavík? We’re here to help. As experts on all things Iceland, and particularly Icelandic road trips, we’re putting 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 organised 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.

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 cosy 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! 

Top 5 Day Trips from Reykjavík, Iceland

You’ve got your hire car, Google Maps, 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. It can easily be completed in a single day from Reykjavík, 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 day trip that packs in some of Iceland’s most iconic sights is the South Coast. The route 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 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 2.5-3.5 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.

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! 

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