Four day trips from Reykjavik are listed on WizardTrip. Two last a full day, on the South Coast and on the Golden Circle with the Blue Lagoon. The other two are Silfra snorkeling and a food walk in town. Together they total 39,699 reviews, with ratings of 4.8 to 5.0 out of 5 (as of 18 October 2026).
The article compares what each listing includes, what it excludes and who it suits.
Day trips from Reykjavik: what to know
All four listings announce an English-speaking guide. The South Coast and the Golden Circle leave from Reykjavik, for 19 people at most. Silfra and the food walk meet on site, at Thingvellir and near the Harpa concert hall.
Three listings provide for cancellation in bad weather: the South Coast, the Golden Circle and Silfra. The food walk does not, but it and Silfra can be canceled for lack of participants. All four listings fully refund a cancellation made at least 24 hours before departure.
South Coast: waterfalls, a glacier and a black sand beach in 10 hours
The South Coast tour lasts 10 hours, in an air-conditioned minibus with Wi-Fi. It has 6,668 reviews, with a rating of 4.8 out of 5. Pickup is at designated bus stops in the city center, and the guide can take up to 30 minutes to arrive. Cruise passengers are picked up at the Skarfabakki terminal, docks 312 or 315.
The listing lists five stops, in this order:
- Skógafoss, 40 minutes: a waterfall 60 meters high and 25 meters wide.
- Sólheimajökull glacier, 45 minutes: a walk in the valley shaped by the glacier, along the glacial river.
- Reynisfjara beach, 1 hour 15 minutes: basalt columns, a natural arch and sea stacks. Lunch break on site. In summer, thousands of puffins live on the cliffs.
- Vík, 15 minutes: a photo stop in front of the village church.
- Seljalandsfoss, 45 minutes: a 65-meter waterfall, with a path that goes behind the water.
The return to Reykjavik is announced for around 6 pm in the description of the stops. The pickup information says 7:30 pm. These times may change depending on the weather and the road, and the itinerary can be modified after booking.
The tour may be operated by the affiliated company Arctic Adventures. In that case, look for a vehicle carrying the Arctic Adventures or Your Day Tours branding.
Golden Circle, Kerið crater and Blue Lagoon in 11 hours
The Golden Circle tour adds the Kerið crater and a soak at the Blue Lagoon to Iceland’s most famous route. It has 6,522 reviews, with a rating of 4.9 out of 5. The group has 19 people at most, with Wi-Fi on board.
There are two departures. The first has pickup from 8:30 am, departure at 9 am and a return around 8 pm. The second has 9:30 am, 10 am and 9 pm. You can also meet at the Nicetravel office, Fiskislóð 45M, by letting the organizer know.
The stops, in the order of the listing:
- Thingvellir National Park, 45 minutes: site of the old Icelandic parliament, UNESCO-listed, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
- Geysir: the Strokkur geyser shoots water up to 30 meters high every few minutes. A full lunch can be bought on site.
- Gullfoss, 40 minutes: the waterfall nicknamed the Golden Falls.
- Kerið crater, 30 minutes, admission included: a 3,000-year-old volcanic formation, 55 meters deep.
- Blue Lagoon, 2 hours, admission included.
Laugarvatn and the Reykjanes peninsula are driven through without stopping. Lunch is not included, apart from a drink included at the Blue Lagoon. You choose Comfort or Premium admission for the Blue Lagoon. Comfort includes access, a towel, a silica mud mask and a non-alcoholic drink. Premium adds two masks and a bathrobe rental.
The listing announces a small group of 19 people at most. Douglas, in October 2026, finds it too large: “a small group is 6 people, NOT 20.”
Silfra: snorkeling between two tectonic plates
Silfra snorkeling takes place in a fissure in Thingvellir National Park, between the North American and Eurasian plates. The listing announces more than 100 meters of visibility. It has 5,167 reviews, with a rating of 4.9 out of 5.
No diving certification is required, but you must be able to swim. The outing lasts 2.5 hours for 6 people at most. You come by car: road 361 in the park, then parking lot P5 and a walk back to the guides.
Arrive 15 minutes before the start time. The briefing and gearing up take about 1 hour, then a 5-minute walk leads to the water. Snorkeling lasts 30 to 45 minutes, through Silfra Hall, the Cathedral and the Lagoon. Hot chocolate and cookies follow.
The listing sets precise conditions:
- Age: 12 years minimum.
- Height and weight: 150 to 200 cm and 45 to 120 kg.
- Health: online medical form for everyone, doctor’s signed approval from age 60. Not recommended for pregnant women.
- Language: all participants must be able to communicate in English.
The price includes the dry suit and a warm underlayer. It also includes a heated van to change in, a PADI instructor guide and Silfra admission (1,500 ISK). Souvenir photos and tips are extra.
A 4-star review describes the wait before getting in the water. Michael writes in August 2026: “we had to wait more than an hour in our dry suits.”
Reykjavik Food Walk: three hours of tastings in town
The food walk is the most reviewed listing in this article, with 21,342 reviews and a rating of 5.0 out of 5. It lasts 3 hours, for 14 people at most, at a relaxed walking pace.
The meeting point is near the main entrance of the Harpa concert hall. The guide wears a blue backpack. The route goes through Arnarhóll hill and past the statue of Ingólfur Arnarson, Iceland’s first settler. It then follows Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur streets, and runs along Hallgrímskirkja church.
The listing announces 4 to 6 restaurants in one section and 5 to 6 in another. It also announces more than 8 dishes and drinks. On the menu: Icelandic lamb, homemade ice cream, fish of the day and a hot dog. Depending on the departure, the tour ends near Hverfisgata, Pósthússtræti or Hallgrímskirkja.
The listing says it can accommodate almost all allergies, if you notify the organizer in advance. It advises coming on an empty stomach and does not provide for cancellation in bad weather.
The four day trips from Reykjavik compared
| South Coast | Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon | Silfra snorkeling | Food walk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 10 hours | 11 hours | 2.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Departure | Downtown bus stops | Hotel or bus stop, from 8:30 or 9:30 am | Meet at Thingvellir, by car | Meet near Harpa |
| Time on site | Skógafoss 40 minutes, Reynisfjara 1 hour 15 minutes | Blue Lagoon 2 hours, Gullfoss 40 minutes | 30 to 45 minutes in the water | Stops at 4 to 6 restaurants |
| Meals | Not included, available to buy | Not included, available to buy | Hot chocolate and cookies | More than 8 dishes and drinks |
| Admission included | Fees and taxes apply | Kerið and Blue Lagoon | Silfra (1,500 ISK) | Areas visited are free |
| Options | One package | Comfort or Premium admission, 9 am or 10 am departure | One package | Allergies and diets on request |
| Maximum group | 19 people | 19 people | 6 people | 14 people |
| Guide language | English | English | English | English |
| Cancellation | Bad weather: refund or alternative date | Bad weather: alternative date or full refund | Bad weather or too few participants | Too few participants |
| Price from | €115 | $259 | $146 | $146 |
Day trips from Reykjavik with children
Minimum ages differ. On the South Coast tour, children travel with an adult, with no minimum age stated. The Golden Circle accepts children from age 5, with free car seats and booster cushions on request, and strollers. At the Blue Lagoon, children aged 2 to 11 share a locker with a parent.
Silfra requires age 12, 150 cm and 45 kg. The food walk offers baby seats on request. All four listings say they suit every fitness level. None mentions wheelchairs: ask the organizer before booking.
Which one should you choose?
- You have one day and want waterfalls, a glacier and a black sand beach: the South Coast.
- You want to see Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, then bathe at the Blue Lagoon: the Golden Circle.
- You want to swim between two tectonic plates, in a group of 6 people at most: Silfra, as long as you come by car.
- You are staying in Reykjavik, without a car, with 3 hours to spare: the food walk.
- You are traveling with a child under 12: the South Coast, the Golden Circle or the food walk, but not Silfra.
For the rest of your stay, find the city’s tours, activities and day trips on the Things to do in Reykjavik page. Those across the country are on the Iceland page.
Frequently asked questions
How long are day trips from Reykjavik?
From 2.5 hours for Silfra snorkeling to 11 hours for the Golden Circle with the Blue Lagoon. The South Coast takes 10 hours and the walking food tour 3 hours, according to the four listings compared.
Is the Blue Lagoon included in the Golden Circle tour?
Yes, admission is included, as Comfort or Premium depending on the option chosen. Comfort includes a towel, a silica mud mask and a non-alcoholic drink. Premium adds two masks and a bathrobe rental.
Can you snorkel at Silfra without knowing how to dive?
Yes, no diving certification is required, but you must be able to swim. Participants must be at least 12, between 150 and 200 cm tall and weigh 45 to 120 kg, according to the listing.
What happens in bad weather on a day trip from Reykjavik?
The South Coast and Golden Circle tours can be canceled for bad weather, with an alternative date or a refund. Silfra too, with no detail on what follows. The food walk listing does not provide for this cancellation.
Where do you meet for the food walk in Reykjavik?
Near the main entrance of the Harpa concert hall, in the lobby or just outside. The guide wears a blue backpack. Depending on the departure, the tour ends near Hverfisgata, Pósthússtræti or Hallgrímskirkja.
Are meals included in day trips from Reykjavik?
Not for the South Coast or the Golden Circle, which have stops to buy food. Silfra provides hot chocolate and cookies, and the food walk includes more than 8 dishes and drinks.
Activities mentioned in this guide
Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik4.8(6,668 reviews)From €115From€115View activity
Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater4.9(6,522 reviews)From €235From€235View activity
Silfra: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates - Meet on Location4.9(5,167 reviews)From €127From€127View activity
Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland5.0(21,333 reviews)From €133From€133View activity
All activities in Reykjavik, with their prices and reviews: Things to do in Reykjavik
