10 Best Day Trips from Reykjavik

With some of the most incredible scenery to be found anywhere on the planet, Reykjavik is a unique place where nature seems to remain unspoilt. If you are thinking of visiting the capital of Iceland you should be aware that this is not just any holiday destination, it is truly something else.

There are many things to see and do in Reykjavík, from the popular Golden Circle hikes, views of the amazing Northern Lights, whale watching, adventure tourism experiences, and more. Believe me you won't regret it, Reykjavik is one of those destinations that will win you over and stay with you forever.

Enjoy a visit to the incredible Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You will see waterfalls, towering lakes and glaciers, as well as the exact point where the tectonic plates split, creating a truly amazing landscape that is well worth a visit.

Some of these tours offer pick-up from your accommodation, although you may also have to go to a meeting point. During the 7-hour tour you will travel in a minibus with your expert guide through different areas of the Golden Circle.

This 300-kilometre route has some of the most breathtaking views in Iceland, places full of charm and natural beauty.

With this type of tour you will be able to see the first and original geyser, called Geysir, after which the others were named. This is located in the area of Haukadalur, a place of great geothermal wealth, everything here will seem to be boiling. Visiting the great Geysir from Reykjavik is one of the most popular excursions for travellers.

Useful information:

• Price: from 55 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 7 hours.
• Pros: You will be able to see some of Reykjavík's must-see sights.
• Cons: The itinerary is closed and may not be suitable for young children, as it lasts all day.

On the South Coast tours from Reykjavík you can enjoy some of Iceland's most natural highlights. After leaving the capital, your guide will take you to see such wonders as Skógafoss waterfalls, the Eyjafjallajökull volcano and the black sandy beaches of Reynisfjara, all in a comfortable minibus.

Iceland is full of majestic places. You'll be able to stop and take amazing pictures of landscapes that don't look like they belong on this planet, such as the Sólheimajökul glacier or the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which you can walk through.

They also usually include a visit to the picturesque village of Vik Vik, where you can take some pictures of the Trolls on the beach, huge basalt formations popular with tourists.

The tour includes a stop for lunch at a restaurant on the beach at Reynisfjara. Lunch is not usually included, although travellers are usually treated to typical Icelandic snacks.

Useful information:

• Price: from 98 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 10 hours.
• Pros: An excellent tour of some of Iceland's best sites.
• Cons: The length of the tour may not be suitable for young children.

Another type of tour that also goes to the south coast of Iceland is to Lake Jökulsárlón.

During the tour you can see the most imposing views of the country's largest active volcano, Oraefajokull. You will marvel at the incredible views of Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park.

This is one of the most comprehensive and longest hikes, lasting approximately 14 hours. You will be able to visit the black sand Diamond Beach, with its large chunks of ice melting in the sun, from which the beach gets its name.

You can also enjoy Iceland's most majestic glacier, Vatnajokull and the Jökulsárlón lagoon.

This guided tour will also allow you to learn all about the history of the country. Many of these tours can pick you up from your accommodation and you will then depart in a heated, air-conditioned minibus with wifi, along Iceland's beautiful roads. Lunch is not normally included, so you should consider taking something to eat.

Useful information:

• Price: from 175 euros per person.
• Duration: on average 14 hours.
• Pros: This is one of the most complete excursions you can do.
• Cons: It can be a bit long.

Enjoy an 11-hour tour to the west of Iceland, travelling through the majestic and hypnotic lava fields in a comfortable minibus. You will feel like you are on another planet with the volcanic rock and its curious shapes.

The lava fields of Berserkjahraun are 4000 years old and are among the most famous landscapes in Iceland.

You can take amazing pictures in Arnarstapi, a small fishing village full of charm. You will see cliffs, amazing rock formations and the black sandy beaches of Djúpalónssandur, all of which are full of stories about Vikings and sailors.

You can also see the beautiful Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall, a place of great beauty where you can't help but feel like you are in the middle of the purest nature. Here it seems that man has not yet arrived.

Useful information:

• Price: from 110 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 11 hours.
• Pros: This is an excursion where you will be able to enjoy the lava fields like no other.
• Cons: It may be a little too long to do with children.

This 8-hour tour takes in some of the most iconic sights of the Golden Circle, Thingvellir National Park with its natural wonders, Gullfoss waterfall, Strokkur and its famous Geysir, Haukadalsvegur and the Secret Lagoon, or Blue Lagoon.

This type of tour is for small groups on board a minibus. Your guide will tell you all about the history of Iceland and the places you visit, as well as the region' s Viking past and its most chilling details.

What sets this tour apart from others that also visit the Golden Circle is the entrance to the Secret Lagoon or Blue Lagoon. This is a natural pool of thermal waters, an incredible place to take a warm bath in the middle of nature. This is one of the oldest hot springs in Iceland and one of the best places to leave any stress behind.

You will see the snow-capped mountains just metres from where you stand and the steam from the waters of the lagoon rising into the sky. An incredible and surreal experience, as the blue of the water contrasts with the white that surrounds it. Taking this tour to see the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik is truly a must.

The tour does not usually include lunch, so you will need to bring some snacks to eat along the way.

Useful information:

• Price: from 127 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Pros: A breathtaking experience to get to know the blue lagoon, one of Iceland's jewels.
• Cons: The itinerary is closed.

If you are passionate about geology and adventure, a hike to Meradalir volcano is a unique experience to see the power of nature up close in Iceland. On this tour, you'll hike over terrain formed by ancient eruptions and explore landscapes of still-steaming lava, while learning about the island's volcanic activity.

The tour departs from Reykjavík and, after a drive, you will enter the volcano area for a guided hike. Along the way, you will enjoy spectacular panoramic views and feel the warmth of the earth beneath your feet. An expert guide will be with you every step of the way to explain how these volcanoes have shaped Iceland over the centuries.

This tour is ideal for those looking for an experience in direct contact with nature and the geology of the region. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the changing Icelandic weather conditions.

Useful information:

• Price: from 76 € per person.
• Duration: approximately 6 hours.
• Pros: unique opportunity to explore an active volcanic area.
• Cons: Walking over uneven terrain is required, so it is not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

For a unique experience in Iceland, don't miss a trip to the Katla Ice Cave, a breathtaking natural spectacle inside an active glacier. On this tour, you will travel from Reykjavík to the Icelandic highlands to enter a cave formed by the ancient ice of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier.

The tour includes a drive in an off-road vehicle to the cave entrance, where, equipped with helmet and crampons, you can explore the blue and black ice tunnels sculpted by nature. An expert guide will explain how these formations change over time and help you understand the importance of glaciers in the Icelandic ecosystem.

This tour is perfect for those looking for a different kind of adventure, with the opportunity to see a natural phenomenon that is unique in the world. In addition, the route offers breathtaking views of Iceland's volcanic and glacial landscapes.

Useful information:

• Price: from €195 per person.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Pros: Access to one of Iceland's most impressive ice caves.
• Cons: Due to the nature of the terrain, it is not recommended for people with mobility problems.

A great experience to enjoy Iceland's snowy landscapes to the fullest. From Reykjavík you will be taken in a comfortable coach to some of the most representative places of the region.

This is one of the best recommended excursions to do in winter in Reykjavík. You will see the imposing Langjökull glacier, the Thingvellir National Park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Gullfoss waterfall and the geothermal area where the famous Geysir, the first and most important geyser in the world, is located.

But the main attraction of this excursion is that you can spend a whole hour on board a snowmobile touring the Langjökull glacier at full speed. A unique adventure to experience alone, with friends or with the family.

Useful information:

• Price: from 210 Euros per person
• Duration: about 10 hours
• Plus: you will be able to enjoy the snowy landscapes on a snowmobile.
• Cons: The snowmobile ride may leave you wanting more.

Do you want to climb two of Iceland's most important mountains on a 4-wheel ATV? On this exciting guided tour you can experience the adrenaline rush of feeling part of these incredible lunar landscapes on earth.

At full speed you can ride through iconic places of the country, such as Lake Hafravatn, all the charm of the Reykjanes Peninsula and the beautiful Blue Mountains from high above. As you go, your guide will tell you all about each of the places you see.

This experience, as well as the Reykjavik snowmobile tour, invites you to immerse yourself in adventure and feel like an explorer, all in some of the most wonderful places you can imagine.

Useful information:

• Price: from 123 euros per person.
• Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes.
• For: an experience full of excitement and adrenaline.
• Against: not recommended for young children.

Among Iceland's best-known excursions are those in search of the awe-inspiring northern lights.

Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see this phenomenon in the sky. Those who have had the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights agree that it is one of nature's great wonders.

You will depart from your accommodation or agreed pick-up point with your guide on a night-time adventure in a minibus or van. As this is an unpredictable natural phenomenon, the destination of the tour is decided the same day according to the weather forecast.

Although the tour guides know the best time to see the Northern Lights, it is important to know that it is impossible to guarantee that you will be able to see them, precisely because it is a natural phenomenon.

Often, in the event that it cannot be seen, the guides will reconvene the group for the following night, subject to availability.

Don't hesitate, taking a tour to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik is one of the best things to do in Iceland.

Useful information:

• Price: from 43 euros per person.
• Duration: 3 to 5 hours.
• Pros: You will be able to witness one of nature's most marvellous spectacles.
• Cons: The Northern Lights are unpredictable, so there is a possibility that you may not be able to see them clearly. Sometimes, however, the guides offer to repeat the experience the following day.

Booking a tour is very easy, but it is always best to book online.

This way you can choose from the many options available and read reviews from other travellers who have already been on a tour, so you can be sure that you are booking a tour with a reputable, high quality company. On the other hand, if you book a tour on the street you may have a bad experience.

Whether you are interested in the best food tours in Reykjavik or more adrenaline-filled options, such as the amazing helicopter tours, you will find everything you need to have an unforgettable trip on the internet.

Each tour has a different duration according to what you intend to visit, generally ranging from 2 or 3 hours to 14 hours. Ideal for each traveller to choose the option they like best.

Depending on the tour you choose, you will get to see some of Iceland's most incredible sights, from the Blue Lagoon, Geysir and the geothermal area, to glaciers, snow-capped peaks and more. There are truly so many options this amazing country has to offer.

Remember that Iceland has low temperatures all year round, so it is always advisable to bring a coat when hiking, especially if you are going to visit outdoor places where the low temperatures are felt much more.

I also recommend that you take some waterproof footwear, the terrain is often uneven and often snowy or icy, so keeping your feet dry and warm is of great importance.

Prices depend on the number of hours and the type of tour you decide to book, but generally range from 76 to 136 Euros. As you can see there are options for all budgets.

A tour from Reykjavík is highly recommended because there are many attractions on the island, so taking a tour will allow you to see in detail some of the natural beauties of this beautiful country.

By going on an excursion you are guaranteed to see some of the most important places in Iceland, and there are some areas that cannot be visited on your own, or at least would be more expensive and time-consuming.

In addition, the guides will tell you about the country's history and past, its culture and some interesting facts. It is always better to take a guided tour.