Short Road Trips From Reykjavík: Six Alternatives To The Golden Circle

Many visitors staying in Reykjavík assume the Golden Circle is the only worthwhile day trip from the city. While it deserves its reputation, it is also Iceland’s busiest tourist route. If you’ve already driven it or simply prefer quieter places, there are plenty of other options within easy reach of the capital.

Within an hour or two of Reykjavík you can explore volcanic landscapes, dramatic outlines, hidden waterfalls, geothermal valleys, historic fishing villages and some of Iceland’s oldest lighthouses. These routes are ideal if you’re arriving on an early flight, have a free day between longer road trips, or want to experience a different side of south-west Iceland without committing to a long drive.

Each of these journeys can be completed in a day during summer in a standard rental car. Rather than trying to tick off dozens of attractions, they encourage a slower pace, giving you time to stop, explore and enjoy the landscape.

This isn’t another guide to the Golden Circle. Instead, these are quieter alternatives that reveal a different side of Iceland. Some explore volcanic landscapes shaped by recent eruptions; others follow the coast through small fishing villages or wind beneath steep-sided fjords. They’re perfect if you’re looking for somewhere less crowded or simply want to experience more than Iceland’s best-known sights.

About these routes

All of these road trips begin and end in Reykjavík and are suitable for a standard two-wheel-drive rental car during the summer months. Distances are approximate and measured from central Reykjavík.

Outside of the summer, always check the latest road conditions before travelling, as weather can change quickly and some routes may be affected by snow, ice or strong winds.

Rather than trying to visit everything in one day, each route focuses on a handful of places that work well together. That leaves time to stop for photographs, enjoy short walks, or simply spend longer in places that catch your attention.

Hvalfjörður, Akranes and Glymur

Just north of Reykjavík, Hvalfjörður offers one of the capital region’s most rewarding drives. The road follows the edge of a deep fjord surrounded by steep mountains before reaching quiet farms, waterfalls and lighthouses.

If you’re happy to spend part of the day walking, the hike to Glymur is the highlight. Once Iceland’s tallest recognised waterfall, it remains one of the country’s finest walks, crossing rivers and climbing above the canyon for spectacular views. If you’d rather avoid the hike, continue to the harbour town of Akranes, where two lighthouses overlook the bay and coastal paths provide wonderful views back towards Reykjavík.

The combination of mountains, coastline and peaceful roads makes this one of the best alternatives to the Golden Circle.

Distance: Around 120 km
Driving Time: Around 2½ to 3 hours, excluding the Glymur hike
Main Stops:
• Glymur
• Akranes Lighthouse
• Hvammsvik Hot Springs
• Botnsdalur
Full Guide: Hvalfjörður, Akranes and Glymur Road Trip

Hellisheiði and Reykjadalur

Heading east from Reykjavík, the road climbs onto the Hellisheiði plateau, one of Iceland’s most important geothermal regions. Steam drifts across the landscape while distant mountains frame the horizon.

The best-known destination is Reykjadalur, where a well-marked trail leads to a naturally warm river flowing through the valley. It’s one of the few places in Iceland where you can bathe in warm geothermal water surrounded by open countryside.

Nearby, Raufarhólshellir offers guided tours through one of Iceland’s longest lava tubes, revealing colourful mineral deposits and the frozen remains of ancient eruptions. If time allows, stop at the Hellisheiði Visitor Centre to learn how Iceland generates much of its renewable electricity using geothermal energy.

Choose one main activity for the day rather than trying to fit everything in. Reykjadalur and the lava cave both deserve plenty of time.

Distance: Around 95 km
Driving Time: Around 2 hours, excluding activities
Main Stops:
• Reykjadalur
• Raufarhólshellir
• Hellisheiði Visitor Centre
Full Guide:

Eyrarbakki and Iceland’s quiet south coast

While many visitors head east towards Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, the quieter coastline west of Selfoss is often overlooked. This gentle drive explores traditional fishing villages, black-sand beaches and historic coastal landmarks.

Eyrarbakki is one of Iceland’s oldest settlements, with beautifully preserved timber houses and a rich maritime history. Nearby Stokkseyri has a relaxed fishing village atmosphere, while Knarrarósviti Lighthouse stands alone on the windswept coast overlooking the Atlantic. At Þuríðarbúð you can step inside a reconstruction of a traditional fisherman’s shelter and gain an insight into Iceland’s coastal heritage.

This route is particularly rewarding for photographers, especially when low evening light illuminates the coast.

Distance: Around 130 km
Driving Time: Around 2½ to 3 hours
Main Stops:
• Eyrarbakki
• Knarrarósviti
• Þuríðarbúð
• Stokkseyri
Full Guide:

Þingvellir via Mosfellsdalur

Most visitors reach Þingvellir by the quickest route. Instead, take the quieter road through Mosfellsdalur, where two smaller waterfalls provide excellent stops before you reach Iceland’s most significant historic landscape.

Þórufoss is framed by dark basalt cliffs and is well known to fans of Game of Thrones, while nearby Helgufoss sits in a peaceful valley only a short walk from the road. Continue to Þingvellir National Park, where the Alþingi, Iceland’s first parliament, was founded more than a thousand years ago. Walking through the rift valley also offers the rare opportunity to stand between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Combining these quieter stops with Þingvellir creates a much more relaxed day than simply following the traditional Golden Circle route.

Distance: Around 105 km
Driving Time: Around 2½ hours
Main stops:
• Þórufoss
• Helgufoss
• Þingvellir National Park
• Öxarárfoss
Full Guide:

Heiðmörk and Rauðhólar

If you only have half a day available, there’s no need to travel far from Reykjavík to experience Icelandic nature. Just beyond the suburbs lies Heiðmörk, a protected area of woodland, lava fields, and small lakes that feels surprisingly remote.

Nearby Rauðhólar is a group of red pseudocraters formed when lava flowed across wetlands thousands of years ago. Short walking trails weave through the craters and surrounding lava landscape, making this one of the easiest places near Reykjavík to understand Iceland’s volcanic origins.

This route is ideal on arrival or departure days, or whenever you want a peaceful escape without spending hours on the road.

Distance: 35 to 45 km
Driving Time: Around 1 hour
Main Stops:
• Rauðhólar
• Heiðmörk
• Elliðavatn
• Woodland trails
Full Guide:

Choosing the right route

Each of these road trips offers a different experience, so the best choice depends on the time of year, the weather, and what you most want to see.

If volcanic landscapes and dramatic coastlines appeal, head for Reykjanes. For hiking, choose Hvalfjörður and Glymur. Reykjadalur combines walking with geothermal scenery, while Eyrarbakki offers a slower coastal day centred around Iceland’s maritime history. If you’re interested in geology and history, the route through Mosfellsdalur to Þingvellir is hard to beat. And if time is limited, Heiðmörk provides a taste of Icelandic nature only minutes from the city.

If you’re staying in Reykjavík for several days, these routes can easily be combined with a visit to the Golden Circle or a longer drive along the south coast, allowing you to experience a much broader range of Icelandic landscapes.

Of all the day trips here, our favourite was the Reykjanes Peninsula. We did it on our last day before heading to the airport, and it felt like a combination of everything we had seen in Iceland all in one very small place.

Planning your visit

Weather plays a significant role in Iceland, so it’s worth keeping your plans flexible. Coastal routes often remain accessible when inland areas are cloud-covered, while volcanic landscapes can look particularly dramatic under changing skies.

Always check current road conditions before setting out and allow extra time for unplanned stops. One of the joys of driving in Iceland is discovering unexpected viewpoints, quiet beaches or small waterfalls that never appear in guidebooks.

If you’d like help putting together an itinerary, our Iceland planning resources include seasonal route suggestions, photography advice and practical guidance on choosing the best road trips for the time you have available.

Photographing these routes

Each road trip offers different photographic opportunities throughout the year. The Reykjanes Peninsula is ideal for dramatic volcanic landscapes, while Hvalfjörður combines waterfalls with mountain scenery. Eyrarbakki and Knarrarósviti are particularly rewarding during the golden hours, when warm light reaches the old buildings and lighthouse, while Mosfellsdalur provides intimate waterfall compositions close to Reykjavík.

Rather than rushing from viewpoint to viewpoint, spend time observing how the light changes. Iceland often rewards patience more than distance travelled.

Explore Iceland one wild day at a time

These six routes are only the beginning. Across Iceland you’ll find hundreds of quieter roads, hidden viewpoints and lesser-known places that deserve far more than a quick stop on a busy itinerary.

If you enjoy exploring Iceland at a slower pace, join the Meandering Wild newsletter for weekly inspiration, seasonal wildlife and photography tips, and ideas for spending one memorable day in nature.

When you’re ready to plan a longer adventure, our Iceland membership brings together detailed route guides, downloadable maps, photography locations and practical planning tools to help you experience the country beyond its most famous sights.