Day trips you can take from some of the world’s most popular destinations

At Thingvellir National Park, you can see where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet.

Going on a city break can be so much fun. From an abundance of things to do and fun events to amazing food and lively nightlife, they offer the chance to explore to your heart’s content. But, sometimes, it can be nice to venture beyond the city limits, so we’ve selected some of the finest day trips you can do from excellent city break locations.

Atlas Mountains from Marrakesh

The Atlas Mountains are a short hop from Marrakesh.

Marrakesh is renowned for maze-like souks, the nightly market on Jemaa el-Fnaa square and beautiful architecture including the Koutoubia Mosque and Bahia Palace. But if you want to get away from the crowds and enjoy Morocco at a slower pace, head to the nearby Atlas Mountains.

Discover the Berber villages, broad valleys and lush orchards which line the path to Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak, on a day trip. You’ll also pause for tea in the Imlil Valley and hike up to the isolated village of Ait Souka to share a meal in a Berber family’s home, while you can combine your tour with a camel ride and hot air ballooning.

San Marino from Emilia-Romagna

Tour the Palazzo Pubblico on a trip to San Marino.

Emilia-Romagna is one of the most beautiful regions in Italy, yet doesn’t have the crowds of big cities such as Rome, Milan and Naples or bordering Tuscany. Food is a big deal in this part of the world as it is the home of Parma ham, balsamic vinegar and parmesan, and alongside a long list of Michelin star restaurants you’ll find beautiful cities like Bologna, which is home to the world’s first university, and Ravenna, with is UNESCO-listed Christian monuments.

While Emilia-Romagna has plenty to explore, one of the best day trips goes international. Just a few kilometres south of Rimini lies San Marino which, alongside nearby Vatican City and Lesotho in Africa, is one of only three countries to be entirely surrounded by another nation. The City of San Marino is its capital and sits atop Mount Titano. With steep cobblestone streets and beautiful buildings it is nice to just have a potter around, but make sure to stop by the Three Towers as well as the State Museum to learn more about this fascinating micronation.

Golden Circle from Reykjavik

The hot spring at Geysir is the most energetic sprouting spring in Iceland.

Iceland’s natural wonders draw visitors from all over the world, but the country’s most popular destination is Reykjavik – its capital, and the biggest of only two cities. While it does have fantastic attractions such as Lutheran church Hallgrimskirkja and Videy Island, which features hiking trails and outdoor art installations, Reykjavik is a gateway to hundreds of day trips.

One of the most popular trips is to the Golden Circle – a sightseeing route laden with natural beauty and attractions. While a lot of the tours follow different routes, most of them will visit the main sights including Geysir, with its exploding hot springs, the awe-inspiring Gullfoss Waterfall and Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which straddles the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Krka National Park from Split

Taking a selfie in the water at Krka National Park.

Once the home of Roman Emperor Diocletian, Split retains its historic architecture and pairs it with excellent restaurants, many of which serve locally-sourced fresh seafood, and coastal beauty with both sand and pebble beaches dotted along its shoreline.

But in just over an hour you can go from taking a dip in the Adriatic Sea to swimming at the foot of a waterfall at Krka National Park. The park has different attractions including Visovac, a small island which houses a monastery and Jaruga Hydroelectric Power Plant, which converts the power of the seven cascading falls into energy. Its main attraction, however, is Skradanski buk, the park’s biggest waterfall, which visitors can swim at the mouth of.

Taj Mahal from New Delhi

The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most recognisable buildings.

Thousands of tourists head to India just to see the Taj Mahal, but you don’t need to overnight in Agra to make the most of your time there. Just four hours away by road is Indian capital New Delhi, and the stunning marble mausoleum can be done as a day trip from the city.

On your tour you’ll find out about the history of the Taj Mahal – a global landmark lovingly built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife – and have the chance to visit the 16th century Agra Fort and the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, also known as the Baby Taj. Upon return to New Delhi, you’ll be able to try Delhi’s tasty street food, visit more Mughal architecture at the Red Fort and lose yourself in colour at Khari Baoli – Asia’s largest spice bazaar.