Visit Reynisfjara black sand beach from Reykjavik

If you're looking for ideas on what to see and do in Reykjavik, then you need to consider the black sand Reynisfjara beach. It is located in the southern part of the country, just like the capital. It is also one of the most visited destinations in the whole country.

I have researched the alternatives available to you if you decide to visit this place during your next trip to Iceland, and I have also prepared a series of recommendations to make the trip as pleasant as possible.

Excursions from the centre of the capital to the black sandy beach of Reynisfjara are the best alternative if you want to reach this part of the South Coast comfortably from Reykjavík.

The main reason why this is the most convenient alternative is that they are package tours that include everything you could possibly need on such an excursion. So all you have to worry about is enjoying the journey and marvelling at the unique scenery.

Most of these trips offer stops along the way so that you can eat at a restaurant, but the real attraction of the whole thing is that the visit to this famous beach is accompanied by other very relevant and interesting sites in the south of Iceland.

For example, almost all tours departing from Reykjavík with Reynisfjara black sand beach as a destination will also stop at the Skógafoss waterfall.

This is undoubtedly one of Iceland' s finest waterfalls and has become an important filming location for movies seeking inspiration from landscapes peculiar to our own planet.

A visit to the Sólheimajökull glacier is another common stop on an excursion that is geared towards touring the wonders of Iceland's south coast.

This polar ice mass is the fourth largest on the island. A short walk to a lake formed by the retreat of the glacier is part of this stage of the trip.

The Seljalandsfoss waterfall, known for being accessible from its inner side, together with other volcanoes in the area such as the Hekla and the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, complete the usual itinerary of this type of excursion.

So trying to see the black sand beach of Reynisfjara on a planned excursion will allow you to explore the whole area around it at the same expense and without having to waste more days of your itinerary going to the same corner of the country again.

On the other hand, there is the fact that the conditions offered by these tours are usually divided under very specific criteria. I will detail them below so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs and requirements.

Interesting details

• Prices: Most tours to the black sand beach of Reynisfjara cost between 75 and 90 euros per adult, while youngsters between 15 and 8 years old pay around 40 to 50 euros. Some offer free trips for children under 8 or 10, but it all depends on the company you choose.
• Duration: the average duration of a trip like this, knowing that it has approximately 4 or 5 stops plus a stop for lunch, is usually around 10 or 11 hours. Don't overlook the fact that most depart from Reykjavík bus station, but at the same time you are offered a pick-up and drop-off directly to your accommodation for a couple of euros extra.
• Means of transport: depending on whether it's a large group tour or a small group tour, you may find yourself in a coach, minibus or luxury bus. It is important to note that the smaller group tours are the ones that are closer to the 90 euro per adult rate.
• Conditions: Almost all tours with an itinerary like this one include an English-speaking guide who will accompany you both to the black sand beach of Reynisfjara and to the other stops on the trip. Some even come with an audio guide who will tell you interesting details about Icelandic history and the importance of the south of the country to the development of Viking societies. The vehicles are always air-conditioned to keep out the cold temperatures that characterise the island and free wifi is a usual perk that comes with the transport service.
• Advantages: With a fully planned tour, you don't have to deal with the unexpected events associated with a self-guided trip. Plus, the simple fact that a personalised guide is included in the tour, you are taken to places where you can buy your food and a couple of other iconic sites are included in the route establishes this type of tour as the best way to see this beautiful beach if you're visiting Reykjavik.

There is also a 2-day trip to the black sand beach Reynisfjara next to the blue ice caves.

If a single day is not enough to see this part of Iceland's south coast, then you'll be pleased to know that there is also an excursion available that takes you to the black sandy beach of Reynisfjara to stay in beautiful Icelandic accommodation and then on to other natural wonders the next day.

These tours include breakfast and hotel accommodation in the price, which is usually around 450 euros per person. A price that also includes the guide and transport in a luxury minibus with wifi and air conditioning on board.

Its main feature is that it doesn't just focus on the beach and its surroundings, as this two-day excursion takes you to three times as many attractions as a conventional 10-hour tour.

They even go so far as to combine several modes of transport, as access to the blue ice caves requires you to ride a super jeep that will give you an adrenaline-filled ride across the surface of a glacier.

If you've rented a private car and find driving around the south of Iceland entertaining for you and your family, then you should know that this is the only other alternative you have at your disposal to reach this area from Reykjavík.

There is no public transport available to take you to this beach. In turn, paying for a taxi to and from the beach would be completely unfeasible, as the capital city and the beach are 180 km apart. This is such a long distance that the bill would be easily over 300 euros.

So if you have a car, just take the country's main road, which is known as Ring Road to the locals.
You will need to be behind the wheel for about 2.5 hours and your final destination should be Vík í Mýrdal.

When you are on your way to this picturesque town you will notice that the two black sand beaches, including Reynisfjara, are only a few kilometres before you reach Vik. So they are accessible to you if you take some of the turnings off the main road. They are oriented to the right and each and every one of them is well signposted.

One thing I can assure you is that, although the driving is a bit tiring, it's still one of those things to do in Iceland if you're visiting as a family.

Road trips tend to be a fun experience for many family groups, especially those with young children who know that a bus can be tiring for someone their age.

Places to visit on your own

One of the must-see sites if you drive to this beach in a private car is the Dyrhólaey Cliff.

You will quickly recognise this site by the gigantic 120-metre long rock that forms two impressive arches over the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

You can get there thanks to a dirt and stone track and if you continue walking you will reach the Dyrhólaey lighthouse, which is located just above one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the entire Icelandic coast.

The towering columns of basalt that are piled one on top of the other on the cliffs of the beach, the wide coastline full of tiny black volcanic rocks and the tall towers of the same volcanic material are some of the corners of the beach that you should not miss on your visit.

If you travel in winter you will have the opportunity to see the beautiful contrast between the snow and the black sand of this kilometre-long beach and you can even observe an impressive natural phenomenon. This consists of the formation of small ice structures that reach the coast due to the strong tides of this season of the year.

It is important that you are aware of the details that distinguish Reynisfjara black sand beach as a destination worth visiting if you are on holiday in Iceland.

It's only natural that you'd be interested in visiting this magical place, but at the same time there are so many attractions in this beautiful country that you'll have to adjust your list of places to see according to your budget constraints and the time you have available.

So here are some very specific reasons that make Reynisfjara black sand beach an unforgettable and recommended spot on your itinerary, as well as a visit to Iceland's best hot springs or horseback riding tours of the South Icelandic countryside from Reykjavík.

It's a natural wonder

Few beaches around the world are as long as this one, let alone have volcanic black sand from the beginning of the shore to the other end.

The mere fact that the beach has a prehistoric and volcanic origin makes it one of the most interesting places in the whole country.

But if you add the fact that it is a black beach that is usually covered with snow or ice for half of the year, then it becomes even more interesting for any tourist who loves unusual landscapes.

Part of the island's iconic sites

If you do a little internet research on what are the most photographed and touristy places in Iceland, you'll find this beach at the top of the list.

So it's not such a bad idea to visit a place that for obvious reasons still tops the lists of the best places to visit in the south of Iceland if you have a short or quick visit to Reykjavík.

Plus, the fact that you can take advantage of the trip to see other great attractions on the same itinerary, on the same day, is extremely favourable for your budget and time management.

It is located in an accessible location

Despite the two and a half hour drive from Reykjavík to Reynisfjara black sand beach, it is still located at a really accessible point on the Icelandic mainland.

Bear in mind that this is a major natural attraction that still lies on the southern tip of the country and that means you don't have to look for alternative accommodation to visit it.

Also, the fact that you don't have to make connections between different roads is convenient if you have trouble finding your way around when you're behind the wheel.

If you are travelling on your own, I have to recommend that you bring snacks for the trip, as it is not the same for a guided tour to take you to a restaurant with a guarantee of quality as it is for you to experiment to see if you are lucky enough to find a place with food you really want to eat.

Another key aspect is clothing, as this is a very windy area, so it is essential that you take good coats. You will also need comfortable footwear suitable for walking several kilometres over such uneven terrain as volcanic sand.

The last recommendation I have to make is that you should not venture to try to put your feet in the water on the beach, as the waves are quite aggressive and surprising, giving them the ability to drag you into the sea in the blink of an eye.

If you want to get in more direct contact with the water of the North Atlantic you can join some of the best boat tours and cruises along the coast of Iceland, I guarantee it will be just as fun and interesting an experience as this one.