Iceland: 3 Unforgettable Day Trips from Reykjavik

I visited Iceland last month prior to boarding an Arctic expedition cruise to Greenland. Having previously explored Iceland in 2018, I wanted to see fresh regions of the country and experience unique adventures during my short stay in Reykjavik. While the classic “Golden Circle” (Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss) is fantastic for first-timers, repeat travelers and discerning adventurers crave something deeper, more authentic, and far less crowded.

Working closely with Marina Safonova, Founder & CEO of Nordic Luxury (Signature Travel Network’s premier Destination Specialist), we curated three remarkable itineraries using Reykjavik as a stylish, comfortable base camp. Whether you have an open afternoon or two full days, these private guided excursions showcase Iceland at its raw, sublime best.

Trip #1 (Half-Day): Fagradalsfjall Volcano & Sky Lagoon

This 5-hour guided program heads southwest from Reykjavik onto the raw, wind-swept Reykjanes Peninsula. As you drive, you pass through desolate landscapes of fractured volcanic rocks, steaming fissures, crater rims, and crashing North Atlantic waves.

The centerpiece of this excursion is the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Geldingadalir. After remaining completely dormant for over 800 years, Fagradalsfjall violently erupted in early 2021, spewing incandescent lava fountains for six consecutive months and creating Iceland’s newest volcanic terrain.

My private guide led me on a moderately steep hike up to a high vantage ridge overlooking the entire eruption zone. From this panoramic perch, you witness the immense scale of the lava field, with basalt formations displaying varying hues of black, silver, and amber depending on when each flow cooled.

The Sky Lagoon Experience: A Modern Geothermal Oasis

Following our volcanic hike, we drove to the newly opened Sky Lagoon, an extraordinary oceanfront geothermal sanctuary located just 15 minutes’ drive from downtown Reykjavik in Kópavogur.

Perched right on the coast, the lagoon features a 70-meter infinity edge that appears to drop off directly into the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Built with traditional Icelandic turf-wall architecture and natural stone, it provides an intimate, visually striking atmosphere.

Sky Pass vs. Basic Admission: What We Recommend

While basic admission allows entry and access to public locker rooms, we always book the Sky Pass for our clients. The Sky Pass includes private luxury changing suites and admission to the famous 7-Step Skjól Ritual:

1. Laug: Relax in the warm mineral geothermal waters of the lagoon.
2. Kuldi: Awaken the senses in a glacier-cold plunge pool (approx. 10°C / 50°F).
3. Ylur: Step into the panoramic seaside sauna with the world’s largest unobstructed window overlooking the ocean.
4. Súld: Re-balance your core temperature under an invigorating cold-mist rainfall.
5. Mýkt: Rejuvenate your skin with a custom volcanic sea-salt and almond-oil body scrub.
6. Gufa: Inhale therapeutic mineral steam in the subterranean grotto.
7. Saft: Rinse off and enjoy refreshing Icelandic krækiber (crowberry) elixir.

Advisor Takeaway: Sky Lagoon is a vastly superior alternative to the Blue Lagoon for travelers based in Reykjavik. It is closer (15 minutes vs. 50 minutes), feels significantly more exclusive, and offers genuine oceanfront panoramas without the commercial bus traffic.

Trip #2 (Full-Day): The Mystical Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Heading northwest from Reykjavik around the scenic shores of Hvalfjörður and Borgarfjörður, this full-day journey leads to the captivating Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Icelanders frequently call Snæfellsnes “Iceland in Miniature” because nearly every classic geological feature—volcanoes, glaciers, lava fields, fjords, sea cliffs, black sand beaches, and rustic fishing harbors—is concentrated along this single finger of land.

Dominating the horizon is the snow-capped Snæfellsjökull, an active stratovolcano crowned by an ancient ice cap. It is famously celebrated in world literature as the entry point to the subterranean realm in Jules Verne’s 1864 masterpiece, A Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Arnarstapi, Hellnar & The Wildlife Cliffs

Our itinerary included leisurely coastal walks between the historic fishing hamlets of Arnarstapi and Hellnar. The walking path winds above staggering basalt columns, sea caves, and natural stone bridges like Gatklettur. During the summer nesting season, the cliffs teem with thousands of black-legged kittiwakes, northern fulmars, and arctic terns soaring over crashing surf.

Kirkjufell: Iceland’s Most Photographed Mountain

On the northern shore of the peninsula lies the iconic Kirkjufell (“Church Mountain”). Rising 463 meters (1,519 feet) out of the sea with its distinctive freestanding pyramid profile, Kirkjufell gained global fame as “Arrowhead Mountain” in HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Directly opposite the peak, the three-tiered Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall provides the quintessential foreground for legendary landscape photography. With a private guide, you can time your arrival to dodge the tour bus arrivals and capture serene views in changing sub-Arctic light.

Trip #3 (Full-Day): The Thrilling Glymur Waterfall Canyon Hike

If you are craving an exhilarating, genuine backcountry adventure that will test your physical fitness and reward you with breathtaking scenery, the Glymur Waterfall hike in Hvalfjörður (“Whale Fjord”) is an absolute must.

Glymur is Iceland’s second-highest waterfall, plummeting an astonishing 198 meters (650 feet) down a narrow volcanic canyon. Unlike waterfalls visible from parking lots, Glymur cannot be seen from any road—you must earn this view on foot.

The Ascent: Cave Tunnels and Cliffside Ropes

The trail begins at the bottom of the fjord and quickly enters a natural lava cave tunnel (Thvottahellir). Emerging on the riverbank, hikers balance across a narrow birch log secured with a single overhead wire cable to cross the Botnsá River.

From there, the trail heads straight up the mountain ridge along the southern edge of the canyon. The path clings to the rock face, with thick steel ropes bolted into the cliff to assist with hand-over-hand scrambling. As you gain elevation, the roar of the waterfall intensifies, and the sheer granite gorge opens beneath you, with fulmars nesting in the vertical volcanic cliffs.

The Summit River Crossing

Upon reaching the high plateau above the waterfall, the reward is an awe-inspiring view looking down the entire length of the 650-foot plume and out toward the sparkling waters of Hvalfjörður fjord.

To complete the loop and descend via the gentler northern slope, hikers must remove their boots and wade across the wide, rocky Botnsá River directly above the waterfall crest. The water is ice-cold and knee-deep. Having neoprene water shoes and sturdy poles makes this river crossing safe and refreshing.

Comparing the 3 Day Trips: Which Is Right for You?

Nordic Luxury tailors every excursion around your preferences, available hours, and physical activity comfort level:

Frequently Asked Questions: Day Trips from Reykjavik