The Best Ideas for Day Trips From Reykjavik

When it comes to day trips, Reykjavik is the perfect starting point and there are various ideas depending on what kind of day trip you're interested in. Let's find the day trip that suits you best:

01 of 09

A Day at the Blue Lagoon

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Norðurljósavegur, Iceland

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Phone +354 420 8800

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Naturally, the Blue Lagoon is the most popular destination for a day trip from Reykjavik. If you're in the mood to relax and float in the warm geothermally heated waters for a few hours, this is definitely the way to spend a day outside Reykjavik. You can get there by bus from Reykjavik's main bus station, or by car.

The Blue Lagoon is open daily year-round and doesn't cost much. Keep in mind that this is a day trip that suits adult travelers best.

02 of 09

The Golden Circle Classic Tour

Gulfoss Waterfall — Chris VR / TripSavvy

Golden Circle's Classic tour is a full-day guided tour around Iceland and one of the most popular day trips from Reykjavik. Stops include Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, the famous Geysir, and several other popular must-see sights.

The tour departs daily year-round, with free pickup from your Reykjavik location.

03 of 09

A Day Trip to the Volcanoes

Turning a few volcanoes into a day trip from Reykjavik is becoming more and more popular. How adventurous are you? Iceland has numerous exciting volcanoes, so your trip can include as many as you like. Start with a map of them to get an idea of the locations.

Please remember that safety should come first when you visit an active volcano and keep a safe distance from any hot materials or sources of eruption.

04 of 09

A Day Trip Along Iceland's South Coast

From May through September, this is a true all-day (8 am - 10 pm) guided tour of Iceland you shouldn't miss. The trip includes Skogafoss waterfall and Skaftafell National Park, a boat ride on Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, and you'll see movie settings used for James Bond's Die Another Day and A View to a Kill, and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

This full-day trip from Reykjavik is operated several times a week, with free pickup from hotels in Reykjavik.

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05 of 09

A Day on Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Snaefellsnes Peninsula beach — Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images

Snaefellsnes peninsula in western Iceland is one of the most popular destinations for visitors, with countless lava caves, hot springs, and waterfalls. On the peninsula, you'll also find Snæfellsjökull, a volcano-glacier 1,446 meters (4,744 ft) high, the highlight of Snæfellsjökull National Park.

To get from Reykjavik to Snaefellsnes, it's about a 2-hour drive. Take Iceland's ring road (Highway 1) west and drive through Hvalfjörður tunnel. Bring your camera.

06 of 09

Ride Viking Horses to Gullfoss and Geysir

Horseback riders among field of lupin, Iceland — Danita Delimont / Getty Images

This guided tour is great fun for all ages and a perfect Icelandic day tour for families! Everyone can enjoy riding on Icelandic horses bred by the Vikings, and after a relaxing lunch break, the tour leads to the famous Gullfoss waterfalls, the National Park of Iceland, and the unique Geysir area.

Departs daily year-round with pickup from your Reykjavik hotel around 10 am.

07 of 09

Blue Lagoon + Gullfoss Waterfall + Geysir

Tourists watching the exploding Geysir, Iceland — Annapurna Mellor / Getty Images

This is a very interesting full day tour of Iceland that includes lots of nature and scenery. The tour operator takes you to the Blue Lagoon, the beautiful Gullfoss waterfall, and then it's time to see the Geysir. Don't forget to visit the interesting greenhouse community of Hveragerdi.

The trip starts and ends in Reykjavik, takes a total of 10.5 hours.

08 of 09

A Day Trip from Reykjavik to Grímsey Island

Grimsey Island Puffin — Andrew Peacock / Getty Images

Grímsey offers serene beauty with colorful marshlands, high cliffs, and countless birds. Although Grímsey is located on the Arctic Circle, the North Atlantic Current brings warmth from the Gulf of Mexico, creating mild Icelandic weather on Grimsey. Grimsey is a paradise for birdwatchers. Sometimes, polar bears from Greenland come ashore on drift ice here.

To get to Grímsey, you can use the air and ferry connections from Iceland's mainland. The 3-hour Saefari Ferry leaves from Dalvik (connected to Akureyri by bus) at 9:00 am on Mon/WedFri. Departure from Grímsey back to the mainland is at 4:00 pm the same day.

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09 of 09

A Day at the Blue Lagoon & Lava Caves

Raufarholshellir lava cave in winter, South Iceland, Europe — daitoZen / Getty Images

This 7-hour combination day trip from Reykjavik is the best way to combine two great guided tours in one day. It's an easy way to visit Iceland's most spectacular lava tube caves and craters and then you'll head to the Blue Lagoon for a bit of pampering and relaxing.

The tour departs on Saturdays and Sundays from Reykjavik.

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