6 Best Lagoon Day Trips from Reykjavik

During your stay in Reykjavik you should escape at least one day from the city and explore its surroundings. You will discover many natural regions with a unique atmosphere and beauty in the world, which daily are usually contemplated by groups of visitors who have adopted the Icelandic capital as their tourist destination.

Therefore, if during your visit you do not know what to see and do in Reykjavik, I recommend you include in your itinerary a visit to the popular Blue Lagoon to relax in its hot springs. Similarly, there are many excursions to the glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón and Sólheimajökull, the hidden lagoon in the Golden Circle and the hot springs of Mývatn. All with tours that will allow you to experience Iceland's true natural beauty.

On your visit to Reykjavík, you can not miss the opportunity to join an excursion to the legendary Jökulsárlón lagoon, considered the largest glacier in Europe.

There you will find an impressive icy landscape and calm blue waters with icebergs. In addition, the tour to this region is an activity that you can do whether you have little time in your itinerary or you have several days.

One day excursion

If your interest is directed only to the Jökulsárlón lagoon, then you will be interested in a day trip from the city of Reykjavík. Transportation is usually by minibus or bus that takes you from the door of your hotel to Skaftafell National Park, where the real adventure begins.

To get to the lagoon, you will first pass the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you will see its amazing waterfall. Afterwards, you will observe the formation of canyons present in the Fjadrargljufur River and arrive at the village Vík í Mýrdal.

There, the guide usually gives free time for lunch before going to the central point of the tour. This is the Jökulsárlón glacier, whose beauty will mesmerize you from the first moment with its huge icebergs and marine fauna.

Two-day tour

The two-day South Coast tour from Reykjavik begins with a stop at Vik village, which is framed by impressive rock formations and its famous black sand beach.

The next stop on the tour is Jökulsárlón, home to the imposing glacial lagoon and floating icebergs. There, you will have some free time to explore at your own pace and take pictures of this magical icy landscape.

Afterwards, the guide leads the group to the accommodation site, which is located right at the foot of the Vatnajökull National Park. Everyone will be able to eat, drink and rest.

The next day, before returning to Reykjavík, a visit to the Seljalandsfoss waterfalls is usually included. Also, you will enjoy a waterfall of 60 meters high.

Three-day excursion

This route from Reykjavík to the glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón has a duration of three days and will allow you to visit several popular tourist destinations on the South Coast.

You will see beautiful waterfalls, geysers, lakes, volcanoes, geothermal areas and more. All this in the company of a professional guide, who will help you discover the place. In addition, you will spend two nights in a cabin in Thingvellir National Park.

The adventure begins with the Golden Circle route, in which the following points are usually visited:

• Geysir Strokkur, located in the Haukadalur Valley.
• Gullfoss waterfalls, which fall on the Hvitá river and the volcanic crater Kerid, considered one of the youngest in Iceland with approximately 3000 years.
• Reynisfjara Diamond Beach, with a beautiful contrast of its crystal clear waters and deep black sand.
• Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, where you can explore on foot and navigate its icy waters while watching a series of floating icebergs. And, if you're lucky, you'll see some seals swimming.
• Solheimajokull Glacier, a natural monument that you will hike with ice axes, crampons and other safety equipment provided by the guide. You will observe the huge crevasses of the glacier and a beautiful panoramic view.

Details of interest

• Price: from 141 euros per person.
• Duration: 1, 2 or 3 days.
• Means of transport: comfortable bus or minibus.

During your stay in the Icelandic capital do not hesitate to join a tour to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavik to relax in its hot springs.

You can also combine this destination with an excursion to the Golden Circle to see a beautiful waterfall, craters and an active geyser.

If you do not have much time in your itinerary, but you want to enjoy a relaxing and unforgettable experience, you can opt for a quick visit to the Blue Lagoon. You will immerse yourself in steaming milky blue hot springs and observe an amazing natural landscape. All this, while enjoying a natural algae mask, sipping a delicious cocktail and taking some pictures to remember.

On the other hand, if you want to turn this midday experience into a full day activity, then you can combine it with an excursion to the Golden Circle.

If this is the case, you will visit Thingvellir National Park to walk along the trail to the legendary Gullfoss waterfall. Then, the itinerary continues to Strokkur Geyser and the emblematic crater lake of Kerið.

Later, you will arrive aboard a minivan to the Blue Lagoon. There, your guide will give you free time to relax in the geothermal pools before returning to the city.

Details of interest

• Price: from about 60 euros per person.
• Duration: from 5 to 11 hours (Approx.)
• Means of transport: normally an air-conditioned minivan is used.

Visiting the Sólheimajökull glacier lago on is an experience not to be missed during your trip to Reykjavik.

With this excursion you will be able to contemplate a unique icy landscape and discover some natural monuments that hides the South Coast of Iceland. For this, you will have several excursions available, which may vary in terms of duration, route and complementary activities.

Half-day kayaking excursion to Sólheimajökull

If you are a kayaking enthusiast you will be interested in an excursion to the Sólheimajökull glacial lagoon from Reykjavík to paddle in its crystal clear and calm waters, while enjoying a privileged view of the region.

This is a simple tour, but it will allow you to contemplate a unique perspective of the imposing glacier and, in turn, closely observe a number of icebergs found there.

This is one of the excursions and getaways from Reykjavik for which you will only need half a day, so it is ideal if you want to return to the city and have time for other activities.

For example, go shopping, participate in gastronomic tours of Reykjavik or even book an excursion to see the Northern Lights.

Day trip

to Sólheimajökull Lagoon with additional destinations

This is a day trip that will not only take you to Sólheimajökull Lagoon. You will also discover other attractive destinations: waterfalls, a black sand beach and sea pillars.

In addition, the guide will tell you part of the Viking history of Iceland and will help you to enjoy privileged views of the region.

The adventure begins with a walk behind the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, to then advance along the glacier tongue of Solheimajokull, while you are amazed by its breathtaking panoramic view.

Afterwards, you will be able to see the volcanic sand of the famous black sand beach, walk along the cliffs of Reynisdrangar and finish at the Skógafoss waterfall.

Two-day photo tour in Sólheimajökull

This two-day experience will allow you to take pictures of the most attractive scenery of the Sólheimajökull Lagoon.

You will find unique perspectives of the huge glacier, the blue waters and the anchored icebergs. You will also get good visual compositions on the Diamond Beach and in the Vestrahorn ice cave, which is located in the Vatnajökull National Park. All this in the company of a professional photographer.

In addition, during the months of September to March, you will have the opportunity to take amazing pictures of the Northern Lights all along the southern coast. Therefore, this tour is a good option if you do not know what to do in Reykjavik in winter.

Interesting details

• Price: from 131 euros per person.
• Duration: noon, 1 or 2 days (depending on the type of tour).
• Means of transport: minivan or bus.

This excursion to visit Mývatn thermal lagoon usually includes some complementary activities. This way, you will not only immerse yourself in one of Iceland's best hot springs in Reykjavík, but also explore the Godafoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn and the Dimmuborgir lava formations.

You leave Reykjavík by bus that takes the group to the port Akureyri, where you will board a cruise ship, which will make several stops at the promised destinations:

• Godafoss Waterfall, where for approximately 15 minutes you can marvel at the panorama.
• Lake Myvatn with a beautiful natural area that you can walk slowly in the company of your guide. You will see natural steam springs, Dimmuborgir lava formations, a series of mud pools. In addition, you will visit the Grotcaja cave, which is part of the continental divide between Eurasia and America.
• Mývatn thermal lagoon, which is a man-made reservoir with 3.5 million liters of water that emerged from the outcrop of Lake Mývatn. Today, these immense natural baths are one of the great tourist attractions of Iceland, where you can relax, eat and admire the scenery.

After completing the itinerary, return to the port and then back to ¡ Reykjavík.

Details of interest

• Price: from 191 euros per person.
• Duration: 6 hours (approx.)
• Means of transport: comfortable bus and cruise ship.
• Advantages of this option: not only will you relax in the lagoon of natural waters, but you will also explore several interesting destinations in the same excursion.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is common that the entrance fees to the activities of this excursion must be paid separately.

If you don't know what to do in Reykjavik, you might be interested in a trip to the Golden Circle and, of course, its Secret Lagoon.

This is a famous natural spa where you can enjoy the steaming, calm waters, which maintain a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. You can dive, relax and admire the beautiful scenery.

In addition, with this tour you have the opportunity to discover some natural destinations that are in the surroundings of the lagoon:

• Thingvellir National Park, this is a place with great geological importance, due to the fact that in it lies the tectonic fault of Eurasia and America. You will enjoy amazing views.
• Haukadalur Valley with the geyser "Strokkur", which every 14 minutes emits a huge column of steam and the "Geysir", with emissions every 5 minutes.
• Gullfoss waterfall, with an impressive waterfall that splits into two falls over the canyon of the Hvítá river.

At the end of this tour of the Secret Lagoon of the Golden Circle, you will board a bus and return with your guide to the city. You will arrive in time to continue with the activities on your itinerary.

For example, join one of the best walking tours in Reykjavik and get to know the streets from the night perspective.

Interesting details

• Price: from 105 euros per person.
• Duration: 9.5 hours, including transfer time to and from Reykjavik.
• Means of transport: comfortable, air-conditioned bus.
• Advantages of this option: this is a low-difficulty tour, so it can be done by people of any age.
• Disadvantages of this option: this tour does not usually include hotel pick-up.

The excursion to the Fjallsárlón glacial lago on from Reykjavík is a recommended option if you have little time in your itinerary, but you do not want to leave Iceland without exploring some of its natural areas.

You will sail through the calm waters of this lagoon and be amazed by the imposing wall of glacier ice that lies behind it.

The activity begins with the bus ride from Reykjavik to the lagoon parking lot. Afterwards, you have to take a short ten-minute walk before boarding a zodiac boat with the guide who accompanies you from the city. But first, you must put on the mandatory safety equipment for this type of excursion.

Once inside the lagoon Fjallsárlón you will be able to enjoy the icy landscape and, if you wish, take many pictures. You can see in the distance an impressive panoramic view of the Öræfajökull volcano and the Vatnajökull glacier.

Also, you will sail among numerous floating icebergs and contemplate the different shades of blue, which vary daily depending on the intensity of natural light. Afterwards, you will return to the mainland and board the bus to Reykjavík.

Details of interest

• Price: from 120 euros per person.
• Duration: 2 hours (approx.)
• Means of transport: bus and zodiac boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know important natural monuments of Iceland without investing a full day.
• Disadvantages of this option: this activity is not suitable for children under 8 years old.

Lagoon tours from Reykjavik offer you amazing natural scenery unique in the world. You will experience an icy atmosphere and, thanks to the high volcanic level of the region, enjoy steaming geothermal pools in which you can immerse yourself.

You will also visit the calm crystal clear waters of the lagoons with amazing icebergs floating in them, towering glaciers formed millions of years ago and geysers.

In addition, during these tours you will enjoy privileged panoramic views of the Öræfajökull volcano, the Gullfoss waterfall or the black sand of Playa Diamante, among others.

If you are visiting Reykjavik, it is likely that you have decided to escape from the city to visit the main lagoons and natural heritages hidden in Iceland. If so, you should take into account some basic recommendations:

• Plan your excursion according to what you want to see. For example, the best time to see the Aurora Borealis in Iceland from Reykjavik is during the months of September to March. But if you want to visit the glacial lagoon and see the midnight sun, it will have to be between May and August.
• Select the tour that suits you best. Remember that lagoon tours from Reykjavik have different durations (six hours to more than two days) and purposes (diving in natural pools, taking professional photographs, kayaking, following a route to contemplate the natural wonders of Iceland, etc.).
• Dress warmly, as the lagoons are located in icy natural areas.
• Wear comfortablehiking shoes that allow you to move safely and walk a long, uneven trail for hours without chafing or tiring your feet.
• Take an extra set of clothes even though it is a short trip, because you do not know what inconvenience may arise and you may need to change clothes.
• Protect your photoequipment and cell phone with waterproof cases. This way, you won't have to worry about unexpected precipitation.