Best Day Trips from Reykjavik

Reviewed by TheOneToGo Editorial · Updated June 13, 2026

Reykjavik is a useful base, but the day trips are not equal. Some are easy half-days, some are long coach days, and a few only make sense if you drive or book a tour.

Iceland has no passenger rail network, so day trips from Reykjavik usually mean rental car, public bus, ferry, or organized coach. In winter, I would be cautious with self-driving plans, especially on longer routes and coastal roads.

If this is your first visit, choose the Golden Circle before the South Coast. The South Coast has bigger scenery, but it is a longer day with more weather risk. For a low-effort trip, Viðey or Akranes gives you air and space without turning the day into a transport project.

1. 1

   Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss

   about 45-60 min to Þingvellir by car, full loop often 6-8h with stops

   This is the obvious first pick, and I think it deserves that status. You get the rift valley and parliament history at Þingvellir, Strokkur erupting near Geysir, and Gullfoss at the far end of the loop. It is busy, but the route makes sense.

   Getting there: Drive the loop yourself if roads are good, or take a Golden Circle coach tour from Reykjavik. Public transport is not a practical way to link the main stops in one day.

   Best for: First-timers who want the strongest all-round day without going very far.

   

2. 2

   South Coast to Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara

   about 2-2.5h to Skógafoss by car, often 10-12h as a day trip

   This is the day for waterfalls, black sand, sea stacks and weather that can change your plan quickly. I prefer it to the Golden Circle for scenery, but it asks more from you. It is longer, more tiring, and less forgiving in winter.

   Getting there: Go by rental car in good conditions or take a South Coast day tour from Reykjavik. If you drive, leave early and treat Reynisfjara seriously. The beach is known for dangerous sneaker waves.

   Best for: Travelers who care more about coast, waterfalls and big landscapes than short driving times.

3. 3

   Blue Lagoon and Reykjanes Peninsula

   about 45-50 min by transfer bus or car from Reykjavik when roads are open

   The Blue Lagoon is expensive and not remotely undiscovered, but it is still the simplest hot-water day out from Reykjavik when it is operating normally. The better version pairs it with Reykjanes lava fields, Seltún or the coast, so the day is more than a soak.

   Getting there: Use the dedicated Blue Lagoon transfer buses from Reykjavik, drive yourself, or combine it with Keflavik Airport on arrival or departure day. Check the latest opening and road status before you go, since the Reykjanes area can be affected by volcanic activity.

   Best for: A soft day after a red-eye flight, or anyone who wants geothermal water without a hike.

   

4. 4

   Hveragerði and Reykjadalur Hot Spring River

   about 30-50 min by car to Hveragerði, about 1h by bus plus the walk or taxi to the trailhead

   Hveragerði is the best low-drama escape if you want to hike from a real town rather than sit on a coach all day. The Reykjadalur trail has steam vents, muddy slopes and a warm river at the end. The tradeoff is simple: bad weather makes the hike much less fun.

   Getting there: Drive east on Route 1 to Hveragerði, or take Strætó route 51 from the Reykjavik area toward Hveragerði and walk or taxi to the trailhead. Check current bus times before committing.

   Best for: Active travelers who want a proper hike and do not mind getting wet or muddy.

   

5. 5

   Snæfellsnes Peninsula

   about 2h to reach the peninsula by car, usually 11-12h as a guided day trip

   Snæfellsnes is too good to compress into one day, but if one day is all you have, it still works. Expect lava fields, fishing villages, sea cliffs and the Kirkjufell area. My honest take: do it only if you can start early and accept that you are sampling, not settling in.

   Getting there: Rent a car for the most control, or take a full-day Snæfellsnes tour from Reykjavik. Public transport is a poor fit for sightseeing across the peninsula in one day.

   Best for: People with one spare day who want West Iceland scenery and can handle a long itinerary.

   

6. 6

   Viðey Island

   about 5 min by ferry from Skarfabakki, about 20 min from the Old Harbour when that seasonal route runs

   Viðey is the quietest good day trip from Reykjavik because it barely feels like a trip. You get city views, walking paths, old buildings and Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace Tower site without renting a car. It is not a huge day out, and that is the appeal.

   Getting there: Take the Viðey ferry, mainly from Skarfabakki. Summer service usually runs daily from Skarfabakki, with extra seasonal departures from the Old Harbour. Winter service is much more limited, so check the ferry timetable before you go.

   Best for: A short, calm half-day when you want fresh air and do not want a big plan.

   Viðey Island guide
   
7. 7

   Akranes

   about 45-60 min by car, about 1h by bus depending on timetable

   Akranes is the practical town pick: a working coastal place, lighthouse views, a beach, pools and a calmer pace than Reykjavik. It will not beat the South Coast for scale, but it is easier and feels more local.

   Getting there: Drive north through the Hvalfjörður tunnel, or take Strætó route 50 from the Reykjavik area toward Akranes and Borgarnes. Local buses and walking can cover some of the town, but check the current timetable before you build a day around it.

   Best for: Travelers who prefer a real town, sea air and a lighter day over headline sights.

   

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