There’s no doubt that Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and a must-visit that should always hold a place near the top of your bucket list, even if you’ve been there before! And, no matter what part of the world you’re from, Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, is probably going to be your base camp of operations.

However, while you’re in Reykjavik, and maybe hiring to visit the places that are further outside the limits, you may be wondering what else there is to do around Reykjavik, which is what we’re going to be exploring today. Here are 7 day trips from Reykjavik that top the list of things to do.

1. Gullfoss

Gullfoss Falls in Iceland. Image by D Tan from Pixabay.

Translated into English, Gullfoss means ‘Golden Falls,’ and it’s easy to see why. One of the biggest main attractions in the whole of the south of Iceland, it was nearly destroyed in the early 20th century by some business people who wanted to turn it into a hydroelectric dam to generate electricity. Sigríður Tómasdóttir, whose family farmland the falls were on, led the charge to stop the development.

While this isn’t Iceland’s biggest waterfall, it’s definitely the most glorious, especially when the sun hits it just right and rainbows shoot out from all angles.

Fed by the glacier intake, this is the most voluminous waterfall in terms of water in Europe, and it’s amazing how up close and personal you can get with. With views from all angles, including on top of it, visiting here is a breathtaking experience where you can admire the true power and force of nature.

2. The Blue Lagoon

Of course, there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Blue Lagoon is somewhere you just have to visit on day trips from Reykjavik. By far one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, you need to spend at least one day exploring this wonderland. The thermal water park is easily accessible and incredibly beautiful.

There’s even a spa if you want to rid yourself of the stresses of everyday life!

3. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Day trips from Reykjavik — Jokulsarlon in Iceland. Image by Patricia van den Berg from Pixabay.

If you’re looking for a sight to start your day trips from Reykjavik with an adventure, this is the glacier you’ll want to check out. A relatively new glacier, Jökulsárlón first started forming in 1934, when Breiðamerkurjökull glacier started retreating, leaving the lagoon in its path.

By far the largest glacier in all of Europe, this place is an icy wonderland, full of floating icebergs. As well, Jökulsárlón is Iceland’s deepest lake with a maximum depth of 248 metres. The glacier and lake are spectacular to see on your day trip from Reykjavik, no matter what time of day you go.

4. Reynisfjara Beach

Ah, the famous black sand beach, home to many blockbuster movies sets, including Interstellar and Star Wars.

While many flock to the beautiful white sand beaches of the world, there’s something truly remarkable about the black sand volcanic beach. It’s eerie in an exciting, unforgettable way.

5. The Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Seljalandsfoss Falls in winter in Iceland. Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay.

If you search up ‘Iceland’ on Instagram, you’re going to see photos of the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and as you can see from said photos, there’s a good reason for it. A bit of a hidden gem located in the south of the island; this is a powerful photo with stunning surrounding scenery that can only be described as one word. Bliss.

The Seljalandsfoss waterfall has its origins underneath the glacier, Eyjafjallajökull. Beneath this ice cap, there’s also a volcano that erupted in 2010 and caused havoc at airports across Europe.

You’ll find this waterfall around 130 km from Reykjavik’s city center, so it’s about a two-hour round trip, which is pretty ideal for a day trip. If you go a little further, you’ll also be able to see the black sand beaches over at Vik!

6. The Kerid Crater

Less than an hour outside the city, you’ll find the Kerid Crater, a volcanic, water-filled crater that has been overgrown by nature over the years. It’s a really unique and awe-inspiring place, and it’s completely free to walk around.

You can around the rim in under 20 minutes, and you can walk all the way down to the lake at the bottom on this day trip from Reykjavik if you wish!

7. Skógafoss

Another truly impressive waterfall you’re not going to want to miss, this waterfall sits on the Skóga River and is truly a sight to behold. When you see photos of this waterfall and all the other sites I’ve mentioned on this list, you never get a sense of scale like you do when you see it up close.

It’s absolutely magnificent with an amazing width of 25 meters (82 feet) and a drop of 60 meters (197 feet)!

Conclusion of Day Trips from Reykjavik

As you can see, there are some really great day trips to take out of Reykjavik; it’s all about finding the trip that best suits you and what you’re looking for. Enjoy Iceland to its full potential when you visit.

About the Author

Kristin Herman is a tech enthusiast and a project manager at Top Canadian Writers and Essay Roo. She writes travel articles and shares her personal experiences for online magazines and blogs, such as Boom Essays, and others.

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