Iceland in winter has a lot to offer, from awe-inspiring Northern Lights tours to thrilling glacier hikes and relaxing hot spring retreats.
You can find something different to do every day even if you spent a month here! Well, not many of us are lucky enough to be able to spend all this time in Iceland, so if you have a week or less, you’d need to find the best things to do around here.
Moreover, Iceland is extremely different in the winter in comparison to summer. And there are different things you can do in every season!
Here are 12 amazing ideas for day trips from Reykjavik which you can take in winter specifically. Hopefully this list makes it easier to choose what places you find most interesting and narrow down your itinerary.
12 Best Day Тrips from Reykjavik in Winter
1. Go on a hunt for the Northern Lights
If you’re visiting Iceland in winter, I’m sure there’s one thing on your list you want to check off at any cost. Let me guess – seeing the Northern lights! Especially if you’ve never seen them before (like I hadn’t), it’s probably the most magical thing you can experience in this part of the world.
What’s specific about the Aurora Borealis is that they usually come very late in the evening when it gets very dark.
The good news is that you can book this organised “Northern Lights hunt” tour where they check the forecast for where the lights are most likely to be visible and take you straight there! And the best part about this exact tour is that, if you don’t see them on the first try, you can rebook on the next tour without any additional costs!
For this reason I recommend booking this tour as early as possible on your Reykjavik itinerary, so you have at least a few more evenings here when you could potentially reschedule. And even if you can’t make it this time, your ticket to this tour will allow you to rebook whenever in the next 3 years!
2. Take a full day trip to the South of Iceland
One of the must-sees in Iceland is the Southern coast with its incredible waterfalls, black sand beaches and more. It’s no coincidence that it’s the first place we visited during our 7-day trip in Iceland.
You can rent a car and easily reach all the main spots on the South Coast:
- Seljalandsfoss
- Gljufrabui
- Skógafoss
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
- Vík í Mýrdal
- And a few more
Alternatively, if you’re not planning on renting a car here (I don’t blame you, this was the most expensive rent-a-car we’ve ever had!), there’s an organised South Coast Day Trip from Reykjavik which you can book without having to plan anything further.
You will be picked up from Reykjavik and will be visiting these places and some more. Just make sure you pack some snacks and drinks!
3. Visit the famous Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular places in Iceland – even though it’s manmade, it provides a wonderful opportunity to relax and bathe in hot waters while being outdoors. We got to visit it on the last day of our trip to Iceland and it was the perfect ending to this adventure.
The lagoon is located less than an hour drive from Reykjavik and is easily accessible if you have a car. You must book your entry ticket way in advance because spots are limited. You also have to choose your day and hour of visit, and you need to go there at this hour!
If you don’t have a car, you could also book this tour which includes bus transportation and admission tickets.
4. Discover the Sky Lagoon and enjoy some Spa Rituals
The Sky Lagoon is a geothermal lagoon, located very close to Reykjavik. I’d say it’s a ‘rival’ to the popular Blue Lagoon, and for some it’s even better!
The Sky Lagoon is definitely cheaper to visit and it offers some amazing views. Another plus is that it’s usually not as crowded as the Blue Lagoon.
5. Discover the iconic Golden Circle on a full day tour
The Golden Circle is one of the most iconic and visited places in Iceland. In fact, it’s part of every single Iceland itinerary I’ve come across. It would be a shame to miss it.
On this Golden Circle Full Day Tour you’ll be picked up from Reykjavik and taken on a full day trip to the Golden Circle, where you’ll be able to see Geysir area, Gullfoss Waterfall, Þingvellir National Park where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates literally meet. You’ll also visit the volcanic crater at Lake Kerið.
We loved the Golden Circle, especially the geysers, where you can see one of them erupting every few minutes. Absolutely spectacular!
6. See a bit of everything – Waterfalls, Black Beach and Glacier Hike
If you want to see as much of Iceland’s natural wonders in one day – this is the trip for you.
On this organised full day trip you’ll get to visit a bit of everything. You’ll see the iconic Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, the glacier volcano of Eyjafjallajökull, with an optional hike on the Solheimajokul glacier, three wonderful waterfalls – Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Glufrabui and more.
This trip includes a hotel pick up and drop off, transfer with a minibus and a visit to all of these places.
7. Snorkeling or diving at Silfra
One of the most unique experiences you can have in Iceland is snorkeling (or diving) between the American and European continental plates. This is the only place in the world where the two tectonic plates are so close together!
If you’re wondering what the water temperature is – between 2 and 4C all year round! It’s very cold, but guided tours provide you with a thick wetsuit so you don’t feel it as much.
This Silfra Snorkeling experience provides an organised transfer from and to Reykjavik, all the equipment you’ll need, a guide that will be with you the whole time, and underwater photos, so you can capture this moment forever!
8. Go on a Whale Watching Cruise
While whale watching is mostly a summer activity, there are still some organised cruises in the winter as well! And the best part is that they’re usually with a reduced price.
This Whale Warching cruise offers transfer from Reykjavik and an around 3-hour trip to look for whales in their natural habitat.
If it so happens that you don’t see any whales, you’ll be offered to get on another cruise free of charge (similar to the Northern Lights tour – you can’t really control nature, so nothing is guaranteed).
9. Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Mt. Kirkjufell
Snaefellsnes Peninsula is often called the little Iceland. Why? Because it literally has a bit of every natural wonder Iceland has to offer. And I believe this is a must-visit place during your trip to Iceland!
You can easily reach Snaefellsnes Peninsula by car, as it’s not very far from Reykjavik. Our top recommendations, which we also share in our 7-day Iceland itinerary, are Mt. Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss – a beautiful mountain with a waterfall in front (also Game of Thrones was filmed here); the waterfall Bjarnarfoss; Búðakirkja – The Black Church; Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge; Hellnar View Point & Fishing town; Lóndrangar; Djúpalónssandur (a black sand beach) and Ytri Tunga, where you could spot some seals in their natural habitat.
If you’re not planning on renting a car, there are also some organised bus trips to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, like this one.
It offers a transfer from Reykjavik and you get to see almost all the places mentioned above. The tour also has 4.7 out of 5 stars from reviews!
10. Hike the Litla Hrút Volcano (with a Geologist)
Are you curious to learn about the volcanic activity in Iceland? You can go on a guided hike to the newly erupting Litla Hrút volcano from Reykjavík with a geologist/volcanologist and learn about the evolving lava field and volcanic history.
In essence, you’ll see the creation of new land, explore rock formations, and enjoy panoramic views from the crater viewpoint.
This Litla Hrút Volcano day trip includes a transfer from Reykjavik, hike for 4 hours at the Fagradalsfjall Volcano and be accompanied by a geologist throughout the whole time.
11. Visit the Katla Ice Cave
Visiting an Ice Cave in Iceland is only possible during the winter season – during the rest of the year it gets too warm and the ice starts to melt, making them unsafe or just full of water.
There are quite a few options for visiting ice caves, but I strongly recommend doing it with a guide. If you don’t take my word for it, the Icelandic Civil Protection is strongly advising to not visit glaciers on your own.
This tour is an easy day trip from Reykjavik where you get to visit the beautiful Kötlujökull Glacier and go into a natural ice cave. The tour also includes transfer, professional guide, crampons for walking on ice and a Super Jeep ride.
12. Experience Red Lava Horse Riding
We’re ending this list with a lovely horse riding tour through natural volcanic terrain.
After being picked up from your Reykjavik accommodation, you’ll be transported to the tour starting point, where you’ll meet your horses. Alternatively, you can meet directly at the stables if you have your own transportation.
The tour, spanning 5-7 kilometers based on rider experience, is suitable for both beginners and more experienced riders. Ride along a beautiful path through the Redhills, or for experienced groups, by Rauðarvatn.
You can enjoy 1.5-2 hours of horseback riding, with rain clothing provided if needed, and complimentary tea and coffee for your comfort. At the tour’s end, you’ll be returned to the stables or your Reykjavik accommodation.
