4 Best Day Trips to Icelandic Glaciers

A guided tour to visit Iceland's glaciers is one of the many activities that should be on your list of things to see and do in Reykjavik. There are many glaciers scattered throughout Iceland, covering more than 10% of the country's territory, and they will undoubtedly take your breath away. It is also very interesting to learn about their composition, how they originated and the impact of this large amount of glacial ice on the country's weather and climate.

Some are better known than others and, depending on which one you choose for your adventure, you will have the chance to choose from a variety of activities and excursions, such as trekking, snowmobiling, ice caves and glacial lagoons, among others. Below, I will tell you about the best excursions to visit Iceland's glaciers from Reykjavik.

The Langjökull glacier is the second largest in Iceland. To give you an idea of its grandeur, its highest point can reach 1,360 metres above sea level.

Of all the glaciers, this is the closest to Reykjavik, so a day trip from the capital is a very good option. You will also be able to visit one of Iceland's best waterfalls, the famous Hraunfossar waterfall.

On this type of excursion, when you arrive at the glacier, you will be able to explore its entire natural structure, contemplate its surroundings, enter its interior and discover its artificial ice cave.

You will reach the cave in a huge truck that is specially equipped for this activity, but then you will be able to walk inside the glacier. You will be accompanied at all times by an expert guide who will tell you everything about the place, from its origins to the present day.

Snowmobile tour

You will also have other ways to explore this glacier with one of Iceland's snowmobile tours, accompanied by an expert guide to learn about this natural wonder while having fun like a child.

It is important to note that in order to take part in this type of excursion, you must present a valid driving licence.

You can take advantage of these excursions to grab a bite to eat at Húsafell Bistro and recharge your batteries for what lies ahead. Remember that food is not usually included in these excursions, so you will have to pay for it yourself.

Useful information

• Price: you can enjoy this type of excursion for a price starting at €193 per person.
• Duration: 11 hours.
• Schedule: they usually leave early in the morning from Reykjavík, as these are day trips.
• Departure point: they usually depart from Reykjavik Terminal, located at Skógarhlíð 10, and some can even pick you up at your accommodation.
• Maximum number of travellers: this excursion has a capacity of up to 25 people.

On this type of tour, you will visit the Snæfellsjökull glacier, a stratovolcano located at the top of a volcano with an altitude of about 1,446 metres above sea level. On some occasions, if the weather is good and the sky is clear, you can even see it from Reykjavik.

It is often one of the most popular destinations for trekking enthusiasts who enjoy long walks surrounded by natural beauty. This glacier also has a very famous history, as it was the inspiration for Jules Verne's novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

But you will not only get to see this impressive glacier, you will also have access to Snæfellsjökull National Park, where you will find unique examples of local wildlife, including seals and seabirds, rock formations and beaches.

The tour also includes the famous Kirkjufell mountain, the most photographed in Iceland and recognised worldwide for its triangular shape. You will surely recognise it as the arrowhead-shaped mountain from Game of Thrones.

If you are a fan, I recommend booking one of the Game of Thrones tours in Reykjavik.

Details of interest

• Price: you can enjoy this excursion for a price starting at €128 per person.
• Duration: 10 hours.
• Timetable: starts at 8 a.m.
• Departure point: there are several departure points to choose from in Reykjavík.
• Maximum number of travellers: this excursion has a capacity of up to 99 people.

On this type of excursion, you will enjoy a truly comprehensive experience, discovering the glacier, the south coast and its amazing waterfalls and lagoons.

In addition to visiting the Solheimajokull glacier, one of the most popular and touristy due to its ease of access, you will enjoy the best landscapes of Iceland's south coast.

During the route, you will see the Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, two of the most famous and impressive waterfalls on the entire island, as well as explore icebergs and lava fields.

You will also be able to visit some of Iceland's lagoons in the company of an expert guide and have something to eat in the small village of Vik.

Details of interest

• Price: you can enjoy this type of excursion for a price starting at €83 per person.
• Duration: 10 hours.
• Timetable: they usually start early in the morning as they are day trips.
• Departure point: there are several departure points to choose from in Reykjavík. You can even request to be picked up from your accommodation.
• Maximum number of travellers: this excursion has a capacity of up to 65 people.

These excursions will allow you to discover the western tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, with all its impressive natural beauty and the Snaefellsjokull glacier and stratovolcano.

This glacier is located about 120 kilometres from Reykjavík and, depending on the weather and conditions, can often be seen from the capital in the distance.

The tour also includes a visit to Snæfellsjökull National Park, where the glacier is located. The entire national park covers an area of 170 square kilometres, but bear in mind that you will always be accompanied by an expert guide, who will help you to better appreciate its diverse and idyllic landscapes.

At the top of this glacier is the inactive crater covered with ice, which you can access depending on the weather at the time of your visit, as during the winter it is impossible to reach its highest peaks.

Details of interest

• Price: you can enjoy this type of excursion for a price starting at €140 per person.
• Duration: 10 hours.
• Timetable: these are usually day trips, so they tend to start early in the morning.
• Departure point: there are different departure points to choose from in Reykjavík. You can even request to be picked up from your accommodation.

You can book any of these excursions quickly and easily online, indicating the exact date you want to go. Immediately after making your purchase, you will receive confirmation of your booking, and that's it!

If you change your mind or your plans change for any reason, don't worry, you can cancel the excursion free of charge 24 hours before the start time of the excursion.

Please note that to go on any of these glacier excursions, you will need to set aside a whole day, as they last between 10 and 11 hours.

These types of excursions are scheduled so that you leave Reykjavík very early and can spend the whole day visiting the different destinations. Therefore, you should bear in mind that you will not have time to do much else on that day.

You can enjoy these excursions for prices ranging from €83 to €193 per person. Unless you choose the snowmobile experience, which will cost you around €257 per vehicle, i.e. per two people.

The main price variations are due to the route, the destinations included, the duration and the number of people you share the excursion with. You should take this into account when choosing the option that best suits everything you want to see.

My main recommendation is to wear waterproof, warm clothing and comfortable footwear suitable for the excursion. Ski trousers would be ideal, thermal tops are essential, especially if you choose to do this excursion in winter, and depending on the tour, footwear suitable for snow.

Although you will spend a lot of time on the bus, most excursions include some walking, so you should be prepared.

It is important to note that these excursions are dependent on the weather and road conditions, so if they cannot take place for either of these reasons, you will be refunded or rescheduled.

And remember that if you plan to go on a snowmobile excursion, you must present a valid driving licence.

None of the excursions include meals, but don't worry. All the glaciers are located near small villages where you can stop to rest and recharge your batteries and, while you're at it, grab a bite to eat.

Here are some good options.

• Gilbakki Kaffihus, near the Snaefellsnes glacier: this is a beautiful and cosy traditional-style wooden house offering soups and homemade meals, ideal for combating the cold and recharging your batteries.
• Vidvik Restaurant, near the Snaefellsnes glacier: this picturesque restaurant offers signature cuisine with tasty, high-quality dishes. Best of all, it has a beautiful view of the sea.
• Restaurant Húsafell, near the Langjökull glacier: located in a hotel, this is a strategic place to grab a bite to eat on your way to or from the glacier. It offers a varied menu and delicious dishes.

Húsafell Bistro, near the Langjökull glacier: this is the ideal place to stop for a coffee or a quick bite to eat before continuing your excursion.

• Sudur Vik, near the Solheimajokull glacier: in Vik, the small village where you will stop on this excursion, you will find this place to eat. It is a beautiful restaurant serving local and European food.
• Smidjan Brugghus, near the Solheimajokull glacier: this is an American-style bar where you can grab a bite to eat in the small village of Vik. It's surprising to find a bar of this style in such a quiet village, but it's worth a visit.

It is important to bear in mind that all glacier excursions are dependent on the weather and road conditions, as the roads must be passable and safe in order to reach the glaciers.

I know it is almost impossible to predict the weather conditions on the exact day of your excursion or what the roads will be like to reach the different points, but I can tell you which are the best months for this type of glacier excursion.

Although these excursions can be done throughout the year, there are certain months when the weather conditions are more favourable and you are less likely to have your excursion cancelled due to bad weather. This is usually during the winter, as the glaciers are stronger, more consistent and more stable.

What's more, winter is not only a good time to explore glaciers, you will also find many other activities to do in Reykjavík in winter.

Likewise, during the winter months there are fewer hours of daylight, making it the ideal time to see the Northern Lights.

If you are looking for more information, here is an article on the best time to travel to Iceland, which may help you plan your trip.

If you are in Reykjavík, you cannot miss the opportunity to discover the natural wonders that are Iceland's glaciers.

These excursions allow you to enjoy a unique experience exploring the region's majestic glaciers, accompanied by an expert guide who will accompany you on your tour and tell you unique details about each place.

These types of excursions are highly recommended and have a very good reputation because it is often difficult to reach these places on your own when you are not familiar with the weather or road conditions, and an excursion is always the best and safest option.

What's more, they are ideal for having fun and entertaining yourself for around 10 hours while enjoying the most impressive views and landscapes in Iceland. Best of all, you have several very different options to choose from in terms of what to see, how to combine it and design the experience to your liking.

You will have a variety of options, all of which are highly recommended: trekking, snowmobiling, combining glaciers with ice caves, impressive waterfalls, national parks, volcanoes, whatever you want!