BEST DAY TRIPS FROM REYKJAVIK IN WINTER

EPIC WINTER DAY TRIPS FROM REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

Are you wondering about the best day trips from Reykjavik in winter? While Iceland in summer is also breathtaking, winter is a different world. Besides the short days (which wasn’t always easy on me, to be honest, though), Iceland in winter was just beyond magical.

When I visited Iceland in the winter months, I based myself in Reykjavik and did quite a few day trips which I am happy to share with you. I did not rent a car because of the weather conditions. Instead, I just booked day tours from Reykjavik. And I must say, that was a smart decision. 

Booking tours in Iceland is easy – canceling is as easy as rescheduling is (I had to reschedule a few times due to weather conditions). 

So, this post is about my favorite Reykjavik winter day trips, but you´ll also find some other tips for your trip.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means I might earn a small commission when you buy a product/service via my link (at no extra cost to you). More about it here.

FAQ: REYKJAVIK DAY TRIPS

Here are some travel tips for your winter day trips from Reykjavik.

WHAT TO PACK FOR DAY TRIPS FROM REYKJAVIK

Reykjavik day trips are a lot of fun. But make sure to bring a neck pillow and download some music or audiobooks on your phone you can enjoy. Because when you look out the window, you won’t see much except some darkness. However, once you arrive at the destination, there normally is daylight, and you should be fine exploring the places.

Though Iceland in winter is not as cold as many think, it is still important to dress warmly. Or better to dress in layers.

• A warm, waterproof jacket should be one of the first items you think to pack. Avoid choosing a bulky jacket that takes up a lot of space. This can make you feel uncomfortable when you have layers underneath. Instead, opt for a lightweight trench raincoat that will keep you warm, dry, and comfortable. 
• A knitted beanie is a perfect solution for keeping the warmth in while you venture out. A hat will keep you toasty warm wherever you are.
• A pair of gloves can do wonders for your mobility and comfort. When selecting your options, it’s worth investing in a pair that can dry quickly and are touch-screen compatible.
• A warm scarf and/or turtleneck sweater are key items for keeping your neck covered. A turtleneck sweater is perfect as a garment to wear underneath your jacket, while the scarf can be removed easily. 
• Leggings are an essential item to pack as you can dress them up or down. You can even wear them underneath your denim as an extra layer of warmth. 
• When it comes to packing socks for your Iceland trip – the thicker, the better. The chances are that you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors in the snow, and you’ll want your feet to be warm and cozy. 
• My favorite winter clothes are thermals. A quality set of thermals is your key to enjoying the winter weather in Iceland. You have to wear them on a cold day to believe what a wonderful invention it is!
• Make sure you have a trusty pair of waterproof shoes. You’ll want your shoes to be as versatile as possible. Snowshoes allow you to enjoy a variety of activities while keeping your feet warm and dry. 
• I bought my crampons in Iceland. They are traction devices you attach to your shoes so you can walk even on ice. If you want to walk and see places from different angles, you will need crampons. They were lifesavers, and while I fell many times on my first day, I didn’t fall after I got them (and only got to see other people falling). 
• Since you will sit on the bus for quite a while, I highly suggest getting yourself a neck pillow so you can sleep/relax on the bus.
• Check out my post on “What to wear in Iceland in winter” for more tips.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN WINTER IN REYKJAVIK

There are basically two ways to do day tours from Reykjavik. 1) Doing guided tours and/or 2) renting a car.

In Iceland, it is better not to rely on public transport or think about using taxis/ubers (uber and taxis are just extremely expensive).

Renting a car in Iceland and doing Reykjavik day trips is possible – even in the winter. The tours to South Iceland are quite easy to access via car. However, please keep in mind that the conditions can still be bad and even dangerous – especially if you are not used to driving in extreme winter conditions. I had done a lot of research before my winter trip to Iceland and decided against renting a car (which I then did during my summer Iceland trip).

I personally thought, driving in the winter was just too dangerous for me.

So, I did guided tours. All the tours I did from Reykjavik were easy via guided tours – sure, I had less flexibility but also meant much less stress.

PLACES TO VISIT NEAR REYKJAVIK IN WINTER

So, now, without further ado, here are my favorite winter day trips.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

If you ask me about my FAVORITE day trip from Reykjavik in winter, then this will be my answer: Snæfellsnes. Snæfellsnes has earned the nickname ‘Iceland in Miniature’ because it’s home to many of the country’s classic sights and attractions. It’s a narrow peninsula in the North Atlantic Ocean, filled with spectacular scenery.

Along the way, you’ll be able to take in stunning views of the surrounding fjords, cliffs, and lava fields. Making this a magical Icelandic day trip.

TIP: I was one of the very few in my group who was able to walk all the way to the waterfall. It was so icy and other people slipped before they even got there…Thanks to my crampons, I could carefully walk around and see more than most others.

➡️ BOOK TOURS FOR SNAFELLSNES PENINSULA

Hraunfossar Waterfall, Deildartunguhver, Lava Cave & Thermal Pools

So, when I planned a trip to the Hraunfossar Waterfalls, the original tour I had booked got canceled and instead, I was offered this tour – and looking back, it was the best that could have happened because that day was one of my highlights in Iceland. So, depending on what tour you book you could see all the places in one day.

Hraunfossar

Hraunfossar is a stunning waterfall a couple of hours’ drive northeast of Reykjavik. And it’s surrounded by a selection of other amazing attractions.

A trip to the falls can comfortably be combined with stops at the Húsafell thermal pools, the Deildartunguhver hot spring, and the Lava Tunnel – Raufarholshellir.

The Hraunfossar is more like a series of smaller falls than one large one. The water flowing over them is glacial melt, pouring into the Hvita River. It’s a picturesque scene, and the striking azure of the water looks spectacular against the stark, black volcanic rock. In winter, the surrounding greenery turns to crisp white. 

Though it is not the most popular place – and surely not one of the most famous and most popular day trips – I loved it. Every second of it (at least when I had daylight). This is more of an Iceland off-the-beaten-path day trip in winter.

Thermal Pools and Hot Tubs of Húsafell

Nearby, you’ll find the outdoor thermal pools and hot tubs of Húsafell. Here, you can escape the winter chills by soaking in the wonderful, naturally heated waters.

There are different tours offered – and most of my group decided on something else for this part of the day. So, I had all the pools there for myself. Seriously, no one was there in the wintertime (that, of course, isn’t guaranteed though).

Viðgelmir Lava

Then, head over to The Cave Vidgelmir which is the fourth-longest lava tube in Iceland.  Viðgelmir is the largest lava tube in Iceland at 1585 meters (5200 feet) long. This lava cave is just 15 minutes away –

The cave is the chance to witness the inner workings of a volcanic eruption – you can walk the path that flowed an eruption more than 5,000 years ago. And the guided tour will allow you to learn about volcanic eruptions and their effect on the environment. Though this part wasn’t my highlight it was interesting because it was completely different from the rest of the day.

Depending on the exact itinerary, you might add another stop on that day.

Deildartunguhver

En route back to Reykjavik, you can stop at Deildartunguhver, which is considered to be Europe’s most powerful hot spring. It pumps out 97°C water at a rate of 180 liters/second and provides heating to a pair of Icelandic towns. 

Wooden walkways lead you around the springs and through the rising steam. This stop normally will be short – but it again shows how stunning the country is.

If you find this tour or a similar tour – go for it. It is a beautiful, lesser-known day trip from Reykjavik in winter even though it was breathtaking.

BOOKING TOURS IN WESTERN ICELAND

➡️ Here is some good and bad news: The initial tour I booked is available again. It looks absolutely amazing – however, it is not the same tour I did. The thermal pool is different. Check out that amazing tour from Reykjavik here.

Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon

The Golden Circle is a sightseeing route that is deserving of its name. It’s among the most popular things to do in Iceland and easily one of the best day trips from Reykjavik. It’s basically a route that leads between 3 of Iceland’s most celebrated attractions, with some stunning scenery along the way. 

From Reykjavik, it winds east toward Thingvellir National Park, before continuing on to the Geysir Geothermal Area. And, finally, arriving at the Gullfoss Waterfall before completing the loop by heading back to Reykjavik.

The journey is roughly 230km in length, and can easily be done in one day from Reykjavik.

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park is a stunning area that has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The park combines spectacular natural scenery with a rich history. Its geography is unique, and it was the site where Iceland’s civilization began.

Geysir

The next stop, Geysir, is a hot spring area. It’s home to roughly a dozen geysers that blast hot water and steam high into the air. In fact, this site is where the term ‘geyser’ originated. And it’s a classic Iceland experience and since they erupt every few minutes you will see its eruption.

Gullfoss Waterfall

The next stop, Gullfoss, is a roaring waterfall that’s a sight to behold.

Though this is a very touristy tour, I think, it is a must in winter. You can’t visit Reykjavik and skip the Golden Circle in winter. Also, these tours are offered very often and the chances they might get canceled are very low.

Secret Lagoon

Some tours make some additional stops en route – I joined the one with the Secret Lagoon. After a wintery day of exploring, indulge in the gorgeous thermal pool at Secret Lagoon – the oldest of its kind in Iceland. I have to admit that I am not the biggest pool person though it was an interesting experience. Alternatively, you can choose a tour without an additional stop or other stops.

BOOK TOURS FOR GOLDEN CIRCLE

• ➡️ This amazing Golden Circle Tour includes a stop at the Secret Lagoon + Kerid Crater.
• ➡️ Check out this Golden Circle Tour that also includes a trip to Kerid Crater.
• ➡️ This is the classic Golden Circle Tour without any additional stops.

Let´s continue with a few more recommendations for day trips from Reykjavik in winter.

The South of Iceland

The area surrounding the southern coast of Iceland is a beautiful region that boasts a range of spectacular attractions. I guess, that the South of Iceland is almost as popular as the Golden Circle.

Most of these tours are easily accessible from Reykjavik. On a day trip here, you can head to the ocean to see the black sand beaches and dramatic cliffs of the south coast.

Vik

While you’re there, pay a visit to Vik, the most southerly village in Iceland. It’s quaint and gorgeous, set to the backdrop of rugged coastal cliffs and rock formations.

Skógafoss Waterfalls

There are also some spectacular waterfalls in the area. The amazing Skógafoss Falls are a popular sight, with a wide torrent of water pouring over a 60-meter cliff.

The Seljalandsfoss falls are equally impressive, but they also allow you to step into a cave behind the cascade of water – if it is not too icy. The raw power of the falls and the spray that rises make for quite an exhilarating experience!

Sólheimajökull Glacier

Another popular stop is the Sólheimajökull glacier, where you can explore a frozen wonderland made of white and blue ice. 

While touring the south of Iceland, you’ll undoubtedly pass a range of stunning mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and glaciers. So keep your eyes peeled. As mentioned, the South of Iceland is one of the most visited areas, and tours from Reykjavik are extremely popular. It gets busy.

BOOK TOURS FOR THE SOUTH OF ICELAND

➡️ This tour is a perfect choice for discovering the main sights of South Iceland.

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is easily one of the most popular attractions in Iceland. It’s a naturally heated, geothermal lagoon, that’s renowned for its striking blue color – giving the attraction its name.

4 out of 5 tourists to Iceland flock to soak in the wonderfully warm waters that are filled with a range of minerals. And it’s just a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik, making it a crime to miss out on it. The blue water stands out perfectly against the dark volcanic rock that surrounds it. And the steam rising up from the surface just adds to the charm, making it a stunning scene and an otherworldly experience.

Winter is actually the best time to visit the lagoon, as that’s when it’s least crowded. The contrast of being in the silky, warm water with the icy winter conditions around you is an incredible experience, too. And you might even be fortunate enough to see the northern lights while you’re swimming if you go after dark (I didn’t but you might be one of the very few lucky people).

The lagoon even contains a swim-up bar area where you can get your fill of drinks right from the water. All guests can make use of the silica mud masks that are included in the ticket price.

Just a side note: I did not see any real effect – after I spent time at the Dead Sea in Jordan my skin really glowed but here…not so much. I enjoyed my time at the Blue Lagoon but it was NOT The highlight of my trip. Often, it is fully booked several weeks in advance so you need to book early. 

• Prices are high – and the crowds are there, so keep that in mind when you plan your Iceland itinerary.
• CHECK OUT PRICES FOR TOURS TO BLUE LAGOON FROM REYKJAVIK

BOOKING TOURS FOR THE BLUE LAGOON

• ➡️ If you are looking for a tour to the Blue Lagoon, including transfer, check out this trip to the Blue Lagoon.
• ➡️ In case you will need just the entrance tickets for the Blue Lagoon, click here.

CONCLUSION: EASY DAY TRIPS FROM REYKJAVIK IN THE WINTER MONTHS

Iceland in winter is stunning – and while Reykjavik is a great city to explore, I highly recommend booking yourself a few day trips and discovering more of Iceland. 

And since I am not a fan of driving in the winter months (at least in a country like Iceland) a road trip was not an option and doing different day trips from Reykjavik in winter is the best way to explore the country. 

Stay safe and enjoy!