Last updated on April 13th, 2024 at 10:11 pm
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Iceland is a small country that really packs a big punch. Ring Road, which goes all the way around the island, can be driven in about 12 hours! Of course, most people usually spend at least a week on this drive, stopping to take in all of the magnificent sights that Iceland has to offer. However, a road trip is not the only way to see Iceland. I visited last year, and was very happily surprised by how accessible many of the popular spots in Iceland were by day trips from Reykjavik! I stayed in Reykjavik for almost two weeks, and did quite a few group day tours. I’ve compiled a list of the ones that I think are the best day trips from Reykjavik.
1. The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is the first of the must-see day trips from Reykjavik. I did this day tour with Gray Line, and it cost $94. I would definitely recommend doing this as your first day tour in Iceland. The area has great historical significance, and the tour guide provided so much information throughout the day. It was really great to start out the trip by getting a such a nice overview of Iceland’s history. Not to mention the natural wonders that the Golden Circle has to offer!
One of the main sights on the Golden Circle day tour was Gulfoss. This is one of Iceland’s most famous, and most beautiful, waterfalls. Definitely a must-see! This tour also includes a stop at Geysir, the geyser that the word geyser originates from. Sadly, Geysir has stopped erupting in recent years. However, another geyser, Strokkur, is right nearby, and still erupts every 5-10 minutes. The final stop on this tour was Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the site of the first Viking parliament in Iceland. All around, this tour was absolutely incredible, and can’t be missed if you are visiting Iceland.
Tip- if you are interested in visiting a geothermal spa that rivals the Blue Lagoon, this tour had the option to include a trip to Sky Lagoon at the end of the day. What better way to end a full day of sightseeing than relaxing in warm waters, surrounded by stunning views.
2. Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón is Europe’s largest glacier lagoon, and honestly, my favourite of all of the day trips from Reykjavik that I did while I was in Iceland. It was unlike any other place I have ever been! Right across the road from the lagoon is the diamond beach. This stunning black sand beach is where many of the icebergs that break off in the lagoon wash up on shore. This tour is a bit pricier, but in my opinion, completely worth it. It is operated by BusTravel Iceland, and costs $214. It also included a stop at Seljalandsfoss, as well as the small town of Vik. This day trip was a long one, but definitely one of the best day trips from Reykjavik!
3. Black Sand Beach and South Coast
Reynisfjara, Iceland’s most famous beach, looks like something from another world. Known for its black sand and stunning basalt formations, it frequently tops lists of the worlds best beaches, due to its breathtaking beauty (but NOT because it is a good place to swim and get a tan- watch out for sneaker waves!). I was completely blown away by this sight, and would say that this is definitely a must see if you are coming to Iceland. I visited Reynisfjara on a day tour operated by BusTravel Iceland, and it cost $127. This tour also included stops at Skogafoss and Seljalandfoss, two stunning waterfalls. The final stop was at the beautiful Solheimajokull Glacier. I think that the South Coast is an essential day trip if you are visiting Iceland; I would highly recommend that you make time for this tour in your itinerary!
4. Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Snaefellsnes Peninsula is a beautiful area of Iceland, full of natural wonders- from mountains, to waterfalls to black sand beaches. The most iconic sight on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is Kirkjufell Mountain. Featured in Game of Thrones, this oddly shaped mountain makes for a great photo op! Another amazing sight on this tour was Djúpalónssandur, a black sand beach with dramatic cliffs that even rivals Reynisfjara in its beauty. This tour was operated by BusTravel Iceland, and cost $166. A must see for nature lovers!
5. Lava Tunnel
Raufarhólshellir is an incredible lava tunnel located only about 30 minutes from Reykjavik. This tour took us underground on a walking tour of the tunnel through dramatic and brightly coloured caves. Such a unique experience, and unlike anything I have done before! Headlamps and crampons were provided for safety. This tour was operated by Reykjavik Excursions, and cost about $137.
In my opinion, these are the five best day trips from Reykjavik! These tours are such a great way to see Iceland without renting a car. I hope this inspires you to start planning your trip to Iceland. No matter what you end up doing, you can’t really go wrong in such a beautiful country.
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