Reykjavík: Volcano Hike, Visit Grindavík and Blue Lagoon

Fresh lava, steaming mud pools and a warm Blue Lagoon soak make an unusual day’s combination: first, a close look at Iceland’s restless geology, then a long, relaxing pause in geothermal water. I like that the route pairs the Fagradalsfjall hike with a visit to Grindavík, where volcanic change is part of daily life, rather than treating the peninsula as scenery from a bus window.

I also like that the tour ends at the Blue Lagoon with comfort admission, a silica mud mask, one drink and a towel included. The trade-off is a full nine-hour day with a moderately challenging 5.5 km hike. If you’re mainly after a spa visit, or you don’t feel up to a substantial walk, this isn’t the simplest or least expensive way to get there.

At a glance: lava, Grindavík and a lagoon

• Seltún’s geothermal ground: See bubbling mud pools, steaming vents and mineral deposits in a compact stop that introduces the peninsula’s volcanic activity.
• Fagradalsfjall on foot: Allow for a 5.5 km route and a hike described as moderate to difficult. Hiking poles are highly recommended.
• Grindavík’s volcanic reality: Learn how lava flows and tectonic rifts have shaped the village, including efforts to redirect lava.
• Blue Lagoon comfort admission: Finish with a towel, a silica mud mask and one drink included.
• Nine hours from Reykjavík: The day covers several stops, a hike and spa time, so pack food and expect a long outing.

The Reykjanes drive sets the scene

The trip begins at Reykjavík’s central BSI Bus Station. You need to arrive 15 minutes before departure, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the meeting point. Once aboard, the drive into Reykjanes Geopark links the day’s stops into a larger story: Iceland’s ground is not fixed scenery, but a place shaped by geothermal heat and volcanic forces.

The guide speaks English and leads the tour. That matters here. At Seltún and around Grindavík, the point is not only to look at unusual ground, but to understand what you’re seeing and how it affects people. A local guide can add useful context about Icelandic culture and the region as you travel between stops.

The bus has free Wi-Fi, but think of it as a practical extra rather than the main attraction. The bigger benefit is having transport between several sites and Reykjavík without arranging separate trips. With a nine-hour schedule, though, this is a day to start with energy, food and warm layers.

Seltún’s bubbling mud and steaming vents

Seltún is the day’s first close encounter with Reykjanes’s geothermal activity. Mud pools bubble, vents send up steam, and mineral deposits stain the ground. It’s a dramatic introduction to the peninsula, and an easy place to see that heat and chemical changes are not hidden far below the surface.

I like this stop as a primer for the volcano hike. It gives you another way to read the ground: not just as solid rock, but as a place where heat, water and minerals are at work. The textures and colors also make for strong photographs, though the supplied itinerary does not specify how long you spend here. If you prefer to spend a long time at every stop, keep in mind that the tour has several places to cover before the lagoon.

Fagradalsfjall: the day’s biggest physical test

At Fagradalsfjall, you leave the bus for a hike toward recent lava fields and a viewpoint over the flows. The route is about 5.5 km, or 3.4 miles, and the hike is described as moderate to difficult. A 45-minute walk is noted as the approach to the area, but you should prepare for the full route rather than treating that figure as the total walking time.

The payoff is a close view of fresh lava formations and terrain shaped by recent eruptions. This is the most active part of the day for your legs, and it’s the stop that most clearly separates this tour from a simple drive-and-spa outing. You’ll want decent fitness and proper hiking shoes. Hiking poles are highly recommended, and in winter, crampons are recommended too.

Bring water, gloves, warm socks, a hat and weather-appropriate layers. A waterproof jacket is also recommended. Icelandic conditions can make a moderate route feel harder, so dress for the walk, not just for the bus ride. Shorts are not allowed, and thermal clothing is on the recommended packing list.

The hike will suit you if you enjoy walking and want more than a roadside view of volcanic terrain. It may feel like too much if you’re not in good shape or have mobility limitations. Children under eight and people with mobility impairments are not suited to this activity. If your main goal is the Blue Lagoon, choose a direct transfer instead of paying for a hike you may not want to do.

Grindavík: where geology meets community

The stop in Grindavík gives the day a human dimension. The village has been shaped by lava flows and tectonic rifts, and the guide explains how residents redirected lava. Here, geology is not an abstract force or a photo backdrop. It has affected a real community and the way people respond to their surroundings.

The visit also gives the route some balance. Seltún shows geothermal activity in a concentrated area, and Fagradalsfjall puts you out on foot among lava. Grindavík connects those natural forces to local life. I’d value this stop most if you’re interested in how Icelanders live with a changing environment, not only in collecting dramatic photographs.

There are several stops before the Blue Lagoon, and that pacing won’t suit everyone. One person who joined the tour thought the geothermal and village stops took too much time compared with the hike and lagoon. That’s a fair consideration: if you want an efficient volcano walk followed by spa time, a more direct plan may fit better. If you like learning as you go and seeing more of the peninsula, the variety is part of the appeal.

Blue Lagoon: a soft landing after the hike

The Blue Lagoon is the gentler finish to an active day. Its milky-blue geothermal water sits among rugged lava fields, and the warm soak offers a clear contrast with the exposed ground you’ve walked earlier. Comfort admission includes a towel, a silica mud mask and one drink at the lagoon bar.

That package makes the finale convenient: you don’t need to add a towel or mask to your bag, and you can have a drink without buying the first one separately. Bring your own food, however. Food and additional drinks are not included in the tour price, and a packed lunch is specifically recommended for the day.

The lagoon is a strong reason to book this particular combination if you already want both a volcanic outing and a spa visit. The route passes the Blue Lagoon as part of the day, so combining the experiences saves you from arranging a separate trip out from Reykjavík. But the lagoon is also a major part of the appeal, and the tour costs $271 per person. If you only want the soak, compare that price with a direct transport option rather than paying for a full day of stops and a hike.

Is $271 fair value for a nine-hour day?

The price is substantial, but it covers more than transport to one attraction. You get bus fare, an English-speaking guide, free Wi-Fi, Blue Lagoon comfort admission, a silica mud mask, one drink and a towel. The guided route also takes you to Seltún, Fagradalsfjall and Grindavík, so you’re paying for a full day of varied stops as well as the spa entry.

The value depends on how much of that day you want. If you’re keen to hike, hear about volcanic activity and finish at the lagoon, the combination makes practical sense. If you only want the Blue Lagoon, or you’d rather spend more time at one site than travel between several, the price may feel high. Food and drinks beyond the included lagoon drink are extra, so add those to your budget.

This tour’s best features are also its demands: a long day and a challenging walk. One hiker found the route substantial without good fitness, while another appreciated an informative guide and found the lagoon a welcome finish. Take those points seriously when deciding. The walk is not a token stroll, and the full itinerary may stretch into the evening.

Getting ready for the day

Meet at BSI Bus Station in central Reykjavík at least 15 minutes before the activity starts. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so include the trip to and from BSI in your plans. The tour lasts nine hours, though start times vary; check availability for the time that fits your day.

Pack a lunch and water, since meals are not included. Wear hiking shoes and bring warm, weather-appropriate clothing, including a hat, gloves, scarf and suitable socks. A waterproof jacket is recommended. Hiking poles can help on the route, and crampons are recommended in winter.

The tour is conducted in English. It offers free cancellation up to two days in advance for a full refund. Since the day combines a hike and a spa visit, pack for both: clothes that work outdoors, plus whatever you need to change into after walking.

Who should book this tour?

Book it if you want a full-day introduction to Reykjanes that includes volcanic ground, a guided visit to Grindavík and time at the Blue Lagoon. It is especially well suited to you if you’re fit enough for a 5.5 km moderate-to-difficult hike and value having transport and several stops arranged together.

Skip it if you’re looking for a short lagoon transfer, don’t want a substantial walk, or prefer to spend the day at fewer places. For the right person, the mix of geology, community and warm water makes a satisfying day. Just be ready for a long outing, pack your lunch, and don’t mistake the hike for an easy stroll.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts nine hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing a date.

How difficult is the Fagradalsfjall hike?

The hike is described as moderate to difficult and covers about 5.5 km, or 3.4 miles. You should be in good physical shape.

What is included at the Blue Lagoon?

Comfort admission, a towel, one silica mud mask and one drink at the lagoon bar are included.

Is food included?

No. Food and additional drinks are not included. Bring a packed lunch and water.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring hiking shoes, warm clothing, a hat, gloves, socks, a scarf, water and weather-appropriate layers. A waterproof jacket is recommended. Hiking poles are highly recommended, and crampons are recommended during winter.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at BSI, the central bus station in Reykjavík, 15 minutes before the activity starts. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can children or people with mobility impairments join?

The activity is not suitable for children under eight or for people with mobility impairments.