Iceland in 4 Days (Best Itinerary, Map & Tips)
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Are you planning a four-day trip to Iceland and wondering how to see the very best of Iceland in 4 days? Look no further!
In this post, I share the ultimate four day Iceland itinerary that brings you to all the most popular landmarks of Southern Iceland.
Why four days? Because 4 days is really the minimum time that you need in order to see all the main landmarks of southern Iceland. This self-drive Iceland 4 days itinerary does just that – it covers all the must-see places that you shouldn’t miss when traveling to Iceland for the first time.
Will you be able to see all the best places of Iceland in four days? No, 4 days in Iceland aren’t really sufficient for that… So if you have more time, you may want to check these Iceland itinerary suggestions for trips for up to 2 weeks…
However, if four days is all you have, then this 4 day Iceland itinerary will show you how to make the very best of your trip.
To make your trip a bit more special, this itinerary includes a couple of less known, offbeat places, and fun activities that you see and do along the way. That way you not only get to see all the main highlights of Iceland in 4 days, but also explore this beautiful country just a little bit deeper.
4 days in Iceland:
- TIPS on how to use this 4-day Iceland itinerary
- MAP
- DAY 1: Golden Circle
- – Where to Stay on Day 1
- DAY 2: South Coast to Jokulsarlon
- – Where to Stay on Day 2
- DAY 3: Jokulsarlon to Vik
- – Where to Stay on Day 3
- DAY 4: Reykjavik and the Blue Lagoon
- – Where to Stay on Day 4
- If you have more time – tips for a few extra days
4 Days in Iceland – How to Use This Itinerary
Top 4 Experiences to Book in Advance:
- Sky Lagoon and/or Blue Lagoon.
- Glacier Hike in Skaftafell.
- Silfra Snorkeling.
- Natural Ice Caves (some are now open year-round!)
✓ For this four-day Iceland itinerary, I assume that you indeed have 4 full days, 5 nights to spend in Iceland. I am not counting your arrival and departure days, so depending on your flight times, you will have to adapt this itinerary to best suit your trip. But at least it gives you a good idea of where to go, what to see, and how to best plan your short trip to Iceland.
✓ This itinerary is best suited for a self-drive trip during the months from +- March to October. You will need a car for this trip. In the warmer months, from May to September, you can do this trip in a regular car. During the rest of the year (and especially in winter) it is wiser to rent a 4×4.
✓ We recommend renting your car via Booking.com. Not only can you compare different providers and find the best car hire deals in Iceland, but you also have a much better cancelation and full protection policy than when you book directly. We use this website all the time.
TIP: Make sure to book your rental car in Iceland well in advance as it only gets more expensive! Furthermore, it’s often difficult to even find a car in the high season. Your rental car should be one of the very first things to book after you book the flights.
✓ I created this 4-day itinerary based on our personal experience in Iceland. It allows you to break the long drives by planning some sightseeing time in between, rather than do all the driving on one day and all the sightseeing on the other. Therefore I also recommend different hotels every night along this trip. If you rather stay at one accommodation for two nights (days 2 and 3 of this trip), it’s also possible. In that case, the best area to stay along the South Coast is Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
✓ If you are traveling to Iceland in the heart of the winter when the days are really short, we recommend this 7-day Iceland winter itinerary. If your trip cannot be extended, my recommendation for a 4-day trip to Iceland in winter is to book a 2-day winter tour, plus, spend two days exploring the main sights in and near Reykjavik. Alternatively, use the city as your home base and do guided winter day tours from Reykjavik.
Map
To make your trip planning easier, I also created this map, indicating all the places mentioned in this 4-day Iceland itinerary.
How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.
Without further ado, here is our suggested four-day itinerary that brings you to all the must-see places in southern Iceland:
DAY 1: Golden Circle +
+-200 km (125 miles), 3 hrs driving time. This doesn’t include time for sightseeing, detours or other delays.
Golden Circle is one of the most popular places in Iceland and you will see it included in every Iceland itinerary, no matter how short or long. Golden Circle is relatively close to Reykjavik and so I suggest that you start your 4-day Iceland itinerary here.
The three main landmarks along the Golden Circle are Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss Waterfall. If the days are short and you only have the time to see the main highlights of the Golden Circle, these are the places not to be missed.
If, however, you are visiting Iceland in spring or summer and have plenty of daylight, there are some other great stops that you can make along the Golden Circle. I included a few most popular options below. But first – the musts.
Thingvellir National Park
Located just 45km from Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park will likely be your first stop along the Golden Circle.
Thingvellir is one of the oldest National Parks in Iceland and since recently also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a place where the world’s oldest parliament was formed in the 10th century, but most visitors come here for the unique geology of this area. The mid-Atlantic Ridge – where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet- is visible in Thingvellir NP.
The scenery in Thingvellir is stunning and it’s worth a visit any time of the year. Probably the best view is from the top of Almannagja, at the visitor center. Don’t miss the Öxarárfoss – one of my personal favorite waterfalls in Iceland.
Don’t miss the Nikulasargja Gorge. It is now also known as Peningagja (Money Gorge) because it’s customary to toss coins into the gorge and make a wish. I’d refrain from tossing anything in nature, but it’s a nice place to see, so don’t miss it!
There is also an old church, Þingvallakirkja (Thingvellir Church), that might be worth a quick stop.
There is no fee to visit Thingvellir NP, but you have to pay for car parking.
Thingvellir National Park is also home to Lake Thingvallavatn. It is best known for Silfra Gorge where you can swim between the two continents in crystal clear and freezing cold glacial water. It’s an extremely popular snorkeling and diving location and if you are looking for a unique experience in Iceland, you should certainly consider Silfra snorkeling. Tours run the whole year, so also in winter. I personally haven’t tried Silfra snorkeling, but have only heard great things about it.
TIP: Book the first snorkeling tour available in the morning (usually around 9 AM or 10 AM, depending on the season), so that you still have plenty of time left for the other Golden Circle attractions. You can find all the practical information and book Silfra snorkeling tour here.
Geysir Geothermal Area
Another must-see place along the Golden Circle is Geysir geothermal area, located about 50 minutes drive from Thingvellir. It’s a place where the mother of all geysers – Geysir – is located. However, Geysir itself hasn’t erupted in years and nobody can predict when it will happen again.
The good news is that the nearby Strokkur geyser is one of the most active and easiest to see geysers in the world. It erupts every 5-7 minutes, spouting water up to 30 meters (100 ft) into the air. You never have to wait long to see Strokkur in action, so you don’t have to time your visit or make any special arrangements to see the geyser.
Don’t forget to explore the whole area with boiling mud pools and colorful geothermal features steaming and bubbling all around you. Also, take a look at the newly opened Geysir Center which has great displays about geothermal activity, earthquakes, and more natural wonders of Iceland. You can even try the earthquake simulator…
This area has a restaurant, a shop, and now also a beautiful hotel. Just as with most other natural landmarks of Iceland, you can visit the Geysir area free of charge.
TIP: Hotel Gullfoss is a beautiful modern hotel in this area and it would be a wonderful place to spend your first night in Iceland. For example, you could come here immediately after landing at Reykjavik airport, about 2 hrs drive away, and explore the geyser area all by yourselves.
Gullfoss – the Golden Waterfall
Just a few minutes drive from Geysir, you can find the third and last of the must-see landmarks of the Golden Circle – Gullfoss, or the Golden Falls.
Gullfoss is one of the most powerful and spectacular waterfalls in Iceland, fed by Iceland’s second-biggest glacier, Langjökull. It’s most powerful in summer, but every season has its charms. In winter, the waterfall can get (partially frozen) and on sunny days you can see the rainbow over the falls. I have been to Gullfoss in three different seasons and it’s always just as impressive.
You should know that the lower trail leading to the falls is usually closed in winter. However, there are many great viewpoints from further away, so you aren’t really missing anything if you can’t walk up to it. Also, make sure to dress really warm – the wind is very strong here and it brings freezing cold air from the nearby glacier.
TIP: Gullfoss is located just next to the Langjokull glacier, a popular place for snowmobile tours. You can go snowmobiling on a glacier the whole year round. You can find more information and book your glacier snowmobiling experience here. There’s also a tour that visits a man-made ice tunnel inside the glacier.
Other Nice Stops Along the Golden Circle
Visiting the three major attractions of the Golden Circle should take you about 5-6 hours (including driving there from Reykjavik). Therefore – time and daylight permitting – I also suggest one or several of the following stops along the Golden Circle or adding one of the activities mentioned below.
- Silfra Snorkeling. Already mentioned above – see Thingvellir area.
- Glacier Snowmobiling on Langjokull Glacier – see Gullfoss area above for the explanation.
- Fridheimar Tomato Farm and Restaurant. This popular little restaurant located inside a greenhouse is one of the most unique places along the Golden Circle and a great place for lunch. It’s only open from 12 till 4 PM and you should probably reserve in advance. You could either go here for lunch after visiting Thingvellir (perfect place to warm up after Silfra snorkeling), or after visiting Gullfoss waterfall.
- Kerid Crater. If you want to see a real volcano in Iceland, then don’t miss the Kerid Crater along the Golden Circle. You can walk around the crater or take the stairs down to see the bottom of the crater. Count about 30-45 minutes for a visit. There is a small fee to enter.
- Secret Lagoon – low-key geothermal pool in Fludir. Great way to warm up and relax after the whole day of sightseeing. Perfect location on the way to your next accommodation in Hella or Holvollur area (see suggestions below).
- Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths. A bit more expensive than the Secret Lagoon, but still much cheaper than the famous Blue Lagoon. Located just next to the Golden Circle, however, the location is a bit less convenient to visit in the evening, depends on your accommodation.
- Úlfljótsvatnskirkja – a little white church with a red roof in the spectacular setting near Þingvallavatn lake.
- If you are visiting in summer and don’t mind a short detour from the Golden Circle, check out the beautiful Haifoss Waterfall nearby. It’s one of my favorite waterfalls in Iceland!
Where to Stay on Day 1
Accommodation: Ideally, you stay along the Ring Road, a bit more in the direction of the south coast that you’ll be exploring the next day. The best-located towns for this itinerary are Hella or Hvolsvöllur.
TIP: If you are looking for a really nice place to stay in this area, I recommend Hotel Ranga. On a somewhat lower budget, check out the popular Stracta Hotel in Hella or Aurora Lodge Hotel in Hvolsvöllur.
DAY 2: South Coast to Jokulsarlon
+-300km (186 miles), 3,5 hrs driving time. This doesn’t include time for sightseeing, detours or other delays.
Iceland’s South Coast is considered one of the most beautiful regions of Iceland and is another absolute favorite. It will come as no surprise that the south coast is included in all Iceland itineraries, and it’s also one of the most popular day trips from Reykjavik.
If you only have four days in Iceland, it means that you will be driving the south coast twice – first to get to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and then again to come back to Reykjavik at the end of your trip. Therefore, there are many itinerary possibilities, depending on what you decide to visit on which day. The itinerary suggested below is just one example, so use it just as an indication and adjust it to your wishes.
For the second day of your four day Iceland itinerary I suggest that you drive all the way to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. The main reason is that by staying close to the lagoon you can visit it late in the evening or early in the morning when there are no tour buses. On top of that, it’s a beautiful place to be at sunset or at sunrise. But, as I already said, if you rather don’t change hotels every night, then you may want to stay in Kirkjubæjarklaustur for 2 nights.
The three main places you have to see along the South Coast are Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls as well as the black sand beach in Vik – Reynisfjara. If the days are short and you only have the time to see the main highlights, these are the places not to be missed.
If you are visiting in spring or in summer when the roads are better and the days are longer, there are some other nice stops that you can make along the South Coast. If you still have the time, make sure to also visit Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. I included a couple of other popular options below. But first – the musts.
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, mostly known for the fact that you can walk behind it. It’s an extremely popular landmark along the South Coast, but if you start your day early, it’s quite likely you’ll be here before the groups of day tourists arrive from Reykjavik.
In winter, the path behind the waterfall is closed and you need stabilicers/crampons to even get somewhat closer to the falls.
But if you are visiting Seljalandsfoss in a warmer season and the walk behind the falls is open, it’s a must-do! Don’t worry, it’s just a short easy walk that will only take a few minutes. You may get wet, so make sure you are wearing a rain jacket!
There is no fee to visit the waterfall, but you have to pay for the parking.
TIP: Many people come here for Seljalandsfoss, but don’t know that there is another beautiful waterfall just a little bit further. Gljúfrabúi Waterfall is somewhat hidden inside the gorge and isn’t well visible till you actually get to it. It takes less than five minutes to visit – follow the path to the left from Seljalandsfoss and you’ll see informational panels on the right side.
In the past, it was possible to walk up closer to the Gljufrabui waterfall, but the last time I was there the path was closed. It is possible to reach the waterfall by just walking inside the gorge, but depending on how high the water level is, your feet might get wet if you choose this route.
I didn’t go inside as everyone who was coming out was soaking wet, from head to toes… This picture is taken from the entrance to the gorge.
Skogafoss
Just half an hour ride along the Ring Road further to the east, you will find another major landmark of Iceland – Skogafoss. Skogafoss is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland.
With a drop of 60 meters (200 ft) it’s also one of the biggest waterfalls in the country. If you come here on a sunny day, the chances are big that you’ll see a beautiful rainbow (or even two) on the falls.
TIP:If you are fit and can handle some steep stairs, I strongly advise climbing to the top of the waterfall. The views of the surroundings are spectacular! Also, it’s really impressive to see the top of the falls and feel the power of water tumbling down. At the top, you can also make a short hike that takes you to a few small rapids and even more spectacular views.
TIP: If you have some time to spare, you may want to visit the nearby Skogar Museum – more info below.
There is no fee to visit the waterfall.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in Vik
Another must-see place along the South Coast of Iceland is the famous black sand beach Reynisfjara in Vik. Just to make things a bit more confusing, some sources call it Reynisdrangar. It’s all the same place. It takes about half an hour to reach Vik from Skogafoss.
Famous not just for its black sand, Reynisfjara beach is also known for its impressive basalt columns and beautiful rock formations Reynisdrangar. Take the time to walk along the beach, just please keep a very safe distance from the water. The waves here are known to be really dangerous and can unexpectedly swipe you off your feet and pull you into the sea.
TIP:There is a cafe here where you can warm up on a cold windy day and they have free bathroom facilities inside (you have to pay for the other bathrooms).
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
About an hour’s drive away, next to the town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, you will find another must-see place in Iceland – Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon.
It’s one of the most beautiful canyons in Iceland and certainly the one that is most-known and most-visited. Now that I have seen the other incredible canyons of the Icelandic highlands, I think there are other places that deserve more fame than Fjadrargljufur. Nevertheless, it’s a great place that is well worth a visit.
Fjadrargljufur Canyon is suffering from its own popularity and quite some viewpoints and paths have been recently closed due to the disrespectful behavior of too many tourists. Still, it’s worth a short visit and there is a good view just close to the main car parking.
TIP: If you have at least half an hour to spare, take a walk along the canyon.
Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach at Sunset
If you are staying at an accommodation near Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon as I suggested, make sure to visit the Diamond Beach at sunset. If you are short on time, leave Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon for the next day and head straight to the beach located across the road from the glacier lagoon.
There are actually two beaches here, split by the bridge. You never know which part will be more beautiful as a lot depends on the direction of the wind, so I suggest you go to the one that has bigger pieces of ice at that time.
The beach got its name because of the big chunks of ice sparkling against the black sand background. Somebody called it the Diamond Beach and the name stuck. An Icelander told us that locals have no idea what or where Diamond Beach is, but if you ask any tourist, they’ll all tell you it’s their favorite place in Iceland…
Diamond Beach is always beautiful, but it’s never the same, so you don’t know what you’ll find till you get there. In winter, you’ll find huge parts of icebergs on the beach, whereas in summer there will probably only be a couple of smaller pieces scattered around as little diamonds.
TIP: By far the best time to visit Diamond Beach is during the coldest months of the year at sunset when ice is sparkling in the last sun rays of the day. But no matter when you visit, it will be one of the best things you did in Iceland. This is also a wonderful place to try to see the Northern Lights in Iceland (if you are traveling in the right season).
Other Nice Stops Along the South Coast
The places mentioned above are really not to be missed along the South Coast. In principle, you should be able to cover them all in one day, but of course, that depends on the season and on how much time you spend at each place.
There are quite some other nice stops along the South Coast and I’ll mention a few in the following days of this itinerary. In the meantime, here are a couple of shorter stops to consider if you are traveling in summer when the days are endless and want to fill your days and see as much as possible in a short time.
- Skogar Museum. If you want to see typical Icelandic turf houses, then there is probably no better place along the south coast than this. It’s open every day of the year, hours vary by season.
- Svinafellsjokull (glacier). You can make a short walk to the glacier viewpoint. The gravel road leading to the parking isn’t long, but can be quite bumpy.
- Hofskirkja (church). It’s a small turf church that doesn’t require much time to visit. There are also bathroom facilities – so it’s a good place for a quick stop along the south coast.
Where to Stay on Day 2
Accommodation: By far the nicest and best-located hotels in this area are Hótel Jökulsárlón and Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon. A bit further away, there are several other good options, such as Ekra Glacier Lagoon and Hali Country Hotel.
Important! Accommodation options in this area are very limited and since it’s one of the most popular places along the South Coast, the demand is high. So book your hotel in this area as soon as you know your travel dates!
TIP: If you are visiting in the summer months and are looking for a truly unique place to stay, check out this floating tent on Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
DAY 3: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon to Vik
+-200km (125 miles), 2,5 hrs driving time. This doesn’t include time for sightseeing, detours or other delays.
The main highlight you have to see on this third day of your 4-day Iceland itinerary is Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Depending on how much time you have, I also highly recommend Skaftafell National Park, and more particularly a short hike to Svartifoss waterfall.
If you are traveling in winter (+- October – March), don’t miss the natural ice caves in this area. At the moment of the last update, they have discovered a new ice cave that you can also visit in the summer (this is very exceptional!). See here for more info and if you want to visit (and it’s possible for your travel dates), be sure to book in advance.
Glacier hiking is another great activity and is available all year round, so you could incorporate it into your itinerary as well.
Furthermore, there are a few additional short stops along the way that are also nice to see if you have some time to spare. Find out!
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Together with Diamond Beach, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is one of my absolute favorite places in Iceland. It’s never the same and always mesmerizing. A place you really have to see for yourselves!
There are basically two ways to visit the glacier lagoon. First, on foot. Just walk along the eastern shore of the lagoon and enjoy the most beautiful scenery. The second option is to take a boat. There are amphibian boats and also zodiac boat tours available. Please note that boat tours on Jokulsarlon only run from May till October.
Should you book a boat tour? If you are traveling on a budget or don’t have much time, don’t feel like you are missing much if you decide not to do the tour. It’s just as nice to explore the lagoon from ashore. The only difference is that the boat brings you closer to the icebergs.
If you decide to book, you should know that amphibian boat tours are the cheapest option. They cost about 45% less than zodiac tours. If you go, book in advance and try to get the first tour in the morning, that way you have more time for the other places.
TIP: You can also visit the nearby smaller glacier lagoon, Fjallsarlon. It’s just a few minutes down the road, but it’s lesser-known and a lot less visited by big groups.
There is no fee to visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, only for the boat tours.
Ice caves
Some of the nicest natural ice caves in Iceland can be found inside the Vatnajökull Glacier, near Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. It’s a bucket-list experience!
If you splurge on one activity in Iceland, make it this one. Here you can check availability and book an ice cave tour starting at Jokulsarlon. It is now available the whole year round, which is extremely exceptional!
TIP: It’s best to do a tour as early in the morning as possible, that way you still have some time left for the rest of this itinerary. Make sure you book the tour well in advance because they do sell out!
Good to know: There is one more natural cave – at Katla – that can be visited the whole year round. If it fits your itinerary better, it could be a good alternative. Also here, you can only visit with a guided tour. It’s an easy tour that also allows kids from 8 years old. It takes just 3 hours and departs from Vik. So if you absolutely want to visit a natural ice cave in Iceland, you could quite easily include it in your trip itinerary in summer as well. Since it starts in Vik, you can do it either on day 2 or on day 3 of this itinerary.
Skaftafell National Park OR…
About 50 minutes drive back in the direction of Reykjavik, you’ll find Skaftafell National Park. It’s a real hiker’s paradise, but since you only have four days in Iceland, you probably won’t be able to do much hiking…
If you have time to make just one short hike, then walk to Skaftafellsjökull for a nice view on the glacier. This easy hike shouldn’t take longer than 1,5 hours. The most popular hike in Skaftafell NP is the trail toSvartifoss (the Black Waterfall). It’s a moderate hike of about 1,5 km (1 mile) one way, and should take you 1,5-2 hrs in total.
I don’t recommend any of the longer trails here, unless you are not doing any of the other activities suggested in this itinerary. You’ll run out of time. But if you only visit Jokulsarlon and Skaftafell on this third day of your itinerary, then you could attempt one of the longer hikes.
My personal favorite is the Sjornarnipa trail. It’s a moderate/difficult loop hike of 6,4 km (4 miles) and you should count at least 2,5-3 hours for it. Here you can find more information about hiking trails in Skaftafell.
There is no fee to visit Skaftafell National Park.
OR…Glacier hike
An alternative suggestion, instead of hiking in Skaftafell National Park, is to go hiking on a glacier. Probably the best option for this itinerary is this highly-rated glacier hike that starts at the Skaftafell National Park. The good news is that glacier hiking is a year-round activity, so you can do it in any season.
Glacier hiking is not as strenuous as you’d think and pretty much everyone in regular physical condition can do it. The minimum age limit for most glacier hikes in Iceland at this moment is 8 years. We had people of over 70 in our group as well and they managed just fine.
TIP: For more information and practical tips, please refer to our blog post about glacier hiking in Iceland.
TIP: If you have opted for other activities on day 3, but still want to do a glacier hike, there is another great place for this that fits perfectly with the last day of this itinerary. More information under the 4th day below.
Other Nice Places to Visit Along the Way
Depending on what you decide to do this day, you may have lots of free time left or none at all… Here are a few other places that could be worth a quick stop if you have some time.
- Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon. It’s a smaller and less visited glacier lagoon, not far from Jokulsarlon.
- Eldhraun Lava Fields. Just a quick stop is enough to admire this beautiful scenery of endless lava fields. See our custom map for the location.
- Dyrhólaey lighthouse and Kirkjufjara beach. This place is very close to Vik and – unless you make a walk – won’t take you longer than half an hour. You can visit it either in the evening of day 3 or in the morning of the last day of this itinerary.
TIP: If you are near Vik at sunset, I suggest you go back to Reynisfjara beach that you visited on the second day. It’s spectacular at sunset!
READ ALSO: Best Places to See on the South Coast in Iceland
Where to Stay on Day 3
Accommodation: I suggest that you stay in Vik. It’s about halfway between Jokulsarlon and Reykjavik, so staying here gives you a bit more flexibility to adjust your itinerary if needed.
Some of the nicest hotels in Vik are Hotel Katla and Hotel Kria.
DAY 4: Back to Reykjavik and The Blue Lagoon
+-200km (125 miles), 2,5 hrs driving time. This doesn’t include time for sightseeing, detours or other delays. If you opt to visit the Blue Lagoon, please note that it’s about 45 minutes from the city, in the direction of the airport.
Since this four day itinerary is ideal for those visiting Iceland for the first time, I assume you will want to see Reykjavik. Therefore, on this last day in Iceland, I suggest that you drive back all the way to Reykjavik and explore the city.
An extremely popular thing to do is to visit the geothermal baths of the Blue Lagoon. If you prefer a smaller place, check out the Sky Lagoon.
You can easily see the main landmarks of Reykjavik and also visit either the Blue Lagoon or the Sky Lagoon on this last day of your 4-day Iceland itinerary.
TIP: Join a highly-rated Reykjavik city walking tour and see all the highlights in just 2-3 hours.
If you rather stay in nature just a bit longer, you could visit any of the places mentioned in this post that you skipped on the previous days. As I already said, you can also do a glacier hike near Vik area – more info here: glacier hike at Solheimajokull. But if you do that, you’ll probably not get to Reykjavik before at the earliest 4-5 PM. Which is still enough time to see the old town OR visit the Blue Lagoon, but not both.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is a city that is changing rapidly. I have to admit that I like it much more now than the first time we visited it back in 2006. Still, it’s not a big city and you can visit the main landmarks in just a couple of hours.
Here are a few places that you must see in Reykjavik:
- View from Hallgrimskirkja (take an elevator up the church tower)
- Old town with the main shopping streets Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur.
- Harpa concert hall.
- Solfar – Sun Voyager (steel boat sculpture).
- Reykjavik Lake.
- Icelandic Parliament building.
- If you have more time, Perlan is also really worth a visit. Here you can read all about visiting the Perlan Museum in Reykjavik.
- Also the FlyOver Iceland experience is absolutely worth half an hour of your time.
LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Reykjavik & Reykjavik in One Day
Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon
If you still have a couple of hours left, you could end your day with a relaxing soak in the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon or the Sky Lagoon.
Blue Lagoon is located outside the city and it will take you 45 minutes just to get there, so count at least 4-5 hours for a visit. You have to book your tickets in advance. It doesn’t have to be long in advance – a week or even a few days upfront is normally be enough, but you have to book it.
If you don’t want to drive far from the city, you could visit Sky Lagoon geothermal baths, closer to the city center. The views are amazing and our readers rave about their 7-step Spa ritual. Also here, you have to book tickets in advance or you won’t be able to visit.
Where to Stay on Day 4
Depending on your flights, you can stay in Reykjavik or closer to the airport. In the city, we recommend the Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel because it’s one of a few hotels with parking (please double-check, though, in case something changes).
For more information, please see our hand-picked selection of the best places to stay in Reykjavik.
Accommodation TIP: If you are visiting the Blue Lagoon and your flight is early in the morning, then you could just as well stay in a hotel in that area and save yourself unnecessary driving up and down (KEF airport is just 20 minutes from the Blue Lagoon).
Courtyard by Marriott is one of the best hotels just near the Reykjavik Keflavik Airport, with a free shuttle. If you want to be able to walk to the airport directly from the hotel, then check if there is availability at the Aurora Hotel – it’s the only hotel located right at the terminal.
If you have more time…
If you are looking for some nice places to visit in addition to this 4-day itinerary, I can highly recommend adding at least one day in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. There is so much to see and do in Snaefellsnes!
If you are visiting Iceland’s South Coast in the warmer months, Heimaey Island (Westman Islands) is another wonderful day trip that would make a nice addition to this itinerary as well!
If you have an additional half a day, you can easily visit Reykjanes Peninsula; it’s just next to Keflavik Airport.
READ ALSO:
Best Iceland Itinerary for 7 Days
Iceland Ring Road Itinerary for 10 Days
So, this is our suggested four day itinerary for Iceland. You can easily use parts of this itinerary for a shorter or a longer stay as well, but at least now you know how to see the very best of Iceland in four days.
READ ALSO: How Expensive is Iceland (& How to Save Money)
TIP: If you are looking for more information for your trip to Iceland, destination guides, practical tips, clothing advice, etc., you can find it all on this page on our blog: Iceland travel guide.
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Hello!
This is absolutely amazing. Thank you for such a wonderful, detailed itinerary.
Can I please ask: we are either considering 4 days – arriving on the first day about 9am, 5 nights. Or three days, 4 nights. Also arriving at 9amish.
Would we have to lose a lot to fit into 3 days? And if we had to lose, what would you suggest?
Sorry for being a bother. Thanks, Jo
Hi Jo, yes, there is quite a big difference in what you can do in 3 or 4 days, even more so if you are traveling any time soon when the days are getting shorter and shorter. So if you can, I would plan a day extra.
Hello! We are considering a trip to Iceland in early September and had two options. One would be a 4 day land visit, then embark via cruise from Reykjavik to Scotland and then Rotterdam. The other would be just to spend 7-10 days, forget the cruise, and do it all in Iceland. Question is what we will miss if we just do the 4 days. Any insights? Thank you.
Hi Erich, it’s a bit of a difficult question to answer because there are tons of places to visit in Iceland which you will miss if you only have 4 days, or 7 days for that matter. So what you will see or not will purey depend on your choices. You can spend a month in Iceland and never get bored.
The question I would ask myself is what will you see on a cruise from Iceland to Scotland (other than spending hours and days at sea) and whether that is worth it for you. Scotland is very beautiful, but what exactly will you see as part of a cruise, no idea. Rotterdam is a nice city to spend a few hours or a day, but there are no huge landmarks that you absolutely have to see. It’s not comparable to anything in Scotland or Iceland in any way.
Take a look at our 7-day Iceland itinerary and also a 10-day Iceland Ring Road itinerary to get a better idea of what else you could visit in Iceland in the time that you have. That should help you decide. Good luck!
@Jurga, thank you very much.
Hi Jurga
Thank you so much for putting together such informative itineraries. Your four and seven day trips of Iceland have helped me plan our trip in September with my family (Adult kids) We will be landing early in the morning and wanting to head to Vik after the Blue Lagoon. I was wondering if we could head south from the airport through some stops in the Reykjanes Peninsula on our way to Vik for our first night? From their we are going to Jokulsarlon(Second night) and then back through golden circle (Two nights in house) north of Sefoss and then to Reykjavik for our last night. We are basically doing your four day trip backwards.
I haven’t seen many road trips heading south of airport all most head north toward Reykjavik. Could it be the roads are in poor condition? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
By the way we just got back from Thailand and we also visited Elephant Hill. It was amazing along with all of the beaches at Krabi, Phi Phi and Phuket.
Hi, you didn’t say at what time of the year you are traveling. But yes, sure, you can drive to Vik from Blue Lagoon. Just note that the roads around Grindavik are closed after recent volcano eruptions, so you will have to go via Reykjavik. The drive is about 3 hours without stops. In the summer, when the days are long, it shouldn’t be a problem at all.
Because of the volcanic activity, you may also not be able to do that much sightseeing on Reykjanes Peninsula – it really depends on the situation at that moment. Keep an eye on this website for road conditions or any warnings at the time of your trip. You can also check it to see which roads are closed now – this will give you a better idea of what the situation is like at the moment.
That said, you can stop at many other nice places between Reykjavik and Vik. Please see our guide to Iceland’s South Coast for some ideas.
Just a tip – you may want to book Sky Lagoon tickets at the same time as Blue Lagoon (at the moment, they are cancelable up to 24 hours before your visit time). That way, you can visit Sky if Blue Lagoon would have to close again due to the volcanic activity as it happened quite a few times recently. Alternatively, just go to Sky – most of our readers prefer that one. In any case, no matter which one you decide to visit, book in advance.
PS Just in case you didn’t know about recent volcanic activity and I got you worried, don’t worry. It only has an impact on the area around Grindavik and potentially Blue Lagoon. For the rest, it shouldn’t have any impact on your trip.
PS2 Glad to hear you enjoyed Thailand. Elephant Hills was a highlight for us too!
@Jurga, Thank you for the quick response. We are going in mid September. Fingers crossed we will see Northern lights. I was aware of the volcano and that makes since we may not be able to visit Reykjanes Peninsula. We plan on visiting Sky lagoon our last night in Reykjavik. We are flexible with our first day with travel plans. Will be hitting up grocery stores and maybe costco. LOL before we head south. Just was curious why we dont see many tours through the R peninsula to get to the South Coast.
Looking for an ice cave in Iceland to visit in November. We are staying in Grimsnes so something within driving distance. Say two hours each way.
Thanks
Hi Mike, the most impressive natural ice caves are located close to Jokulsarlon/ Skaftafell which – if I’m understanding correctly where you are staying – is about 4 hours drive each way. So not really an option for you.
There is also a very nice natural ice cave – Katla – that can be visited with a tour from Vik. It’s about 2 hours drive each way and you can also visit Reynisfjara Beach in Vik at the same time. Just beware that you might have to drive in the dark since the days are short.
Closer to where you are staying, you can visit Langjökull Glacier. Most tours at this location go inside man-made ice caves. However, last year, they discovered a natural ice cave there and there is this tour that goes to the natural ice cave. I’m not sure how it looks, but people were quite enthusiastic about it last winter and I see that the tour is scheduled for this November as well.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!
I loved reading through this! Quick question for you – could you essentially reverse the itinerary and start in Reykjavik/Blue Lagoon? Or would you not recommend that?
Hi Emily, of course, you can do whatever you want. This itinerary is just to give you an idea of what is possible in 4 days.
See what makes sense for you and plan accordingly.
Have a great trip!
Hey Jurga, many thanks for all the blogs you put up, My wife and I are confused in choosing between visiting Switzerland/ Iceland/ Norway in our trip being planned for September this year. We have 9 Nights of time for travel(Plus flight time) and are wondering if we can do Norway + Iceland in that period.
Do you suggest sticking to one country in the time or is it decent enough to capture the best of two countries?
Hi Sidharta, with 9 days, I’d definitely suggest just visiting one country – either Iceland or Norway. There is so much to see and do in both countries that splitting such a short visit in two would only give you a glimpse of each.
While in Iceland, you can see a lot in 9-10 days and do an entire Ring Road (see this itinerary for some inspiration), with 9 days in Norway, you’ll have to be very selective which areas you want to visit. It’s a much bigger country and the distances are not comparable to those in Iceland. Please see our Norway guide for some itinerary suggestions.
Hope this helps. Good luck with the planning!
Hi, We are visiting Iceland this summer. I read your comments about the Katla Ice Cave tours and the Solheimajokull tours. Both sound great, but we only have time for one. We have a short trip to Iceland so are trying to get in some of the most unique things we can. If you had to pick one over another, which would you pick?
Hi Ann, it’s a bit hard to say, mainly because Katla Cave is an ice cave and summer is not the best time to visit ice caves since they can be melting… That said, I checked a few recent reviews and most people seem to say it’s impressive, but still, you never know 100% what you get.
Glacier hiking is a bit more predictable and fun to do if you have never done it before. If, however, you have done it somewhere else in the world, then I think I’d go for the ice cave.
Maybe see what’s still available for your travel dates and what fits your schedule best. Sometimes, the decision is made for you because of practical reasons or availability.
You can’t go wrong with either of them, so pick whatever looks best to you and enjoy!
@Jurga, thank you so much for your thoughtful (and researched!) response. We’ll keep an eye on the reviews of the cave as we get closer. That and the volcano! 😊
Hu Jurga – We are planning for a trip (we have 5 night) in late October. I went through your suggestions and the feedback from people. We will definitely follow. As we will be there in October, one of our objective to see Northern Lights. Can you please suggest how to fit this in the itinerary ? Appreciate your response.
Hi, Northern Lights is a natural phenomena and if they show up, you can see them anywhere. If you follow this itinerary, you will be staying at accommodations outside the city. So all you have to do is keep an eye on the aurora forecast a bit and if it’s not cloudy, go outside and wait for them to show up. It’s not something you can plan, but if you make an effort to actually look for them, you can increase your chances.
Check out our guide on the Northern Lights in Iceland for more information and tips on how to increase your chances of seeing auroras.
Have a great trip!
@Jurga, we are planning our trip to Iceland and your guide has been so helpful
what do you suggest for clothes in early august
Hi Patricia, you can find all our recommendations in this Iceland summer packing guide.
Have a great trip!
Dear Jurga, thank you! We just finished 5 days in Iceland and used your itinerary as a guide. I especially appreciated the suggestions for where to stay in order to break up the trip into manageable distances and activities. My kids had a great time and are already planning their return trip for the full ring road!
Glad to hear that, Sarah! Thanks for taking the time to leave this kind feedback.
Happy travels!
Hello Jurga,
Firstly, thank you for creating such a wonderful blog and sharing your experiences. Invaluable information!
We are planning to go to Iceland in July (with teenager) and would really appreciate any advice regarding timings when driving the Golden Circle starting at Reykavik, and incorporating snowmobiling on Llangokull glacier. How long would it take to get to Gullfoss when taking in all the sights along the way? Given snowmobile tours are 4 hours, would there be time to then drive down to Hella? Any advice or recommendation would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your assistance in advance.
Hi Paul, I recommend using Google Maps to check driving times. Plus, you do need to add some time for sightseeing, but I really cannot tell you how much exactly. You can just stop somewhere for a photo or you can spend an hour at the same spot. Furthermore, it depends on which places you decide to visit, how the parking situation is, etc. So always foresee a bit more time than you think you’ll need.
The good thing about traveling in July is that the days are long and it remains light almost all the time. So you can do a lot more in a day than you think.
If you start in Reykjavik early (I’d say no later than 8am) and visit Thingvellir and Geysir along the way, you should be able to do e.g. this snowmobile tour at around noon, and still drive to Hella, even including a few stops along the way. It’s a total of about 2 hours of pure driving time from Reykjavik to Gullfoss waterfall via Thingvellir and Geysir. From Gullfoss to Hella is just a bit over 1 hour, not including any stops. This is really doable in the summer.
Keep in mind that endless daylight hours and jet lag can get tiring, so don’t overdo it, and pack a sleeping mask so that you can actually get some sleep. Plus, you may want to pack some picnic for that day so that you don’t waste time for that. There’s also some food available in the Geysir area.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip!
Hi Jurga,
We are waiting to board our plane at Keflavik after a fantastic 5 days in Iceland thanks to your blog! We did so much of what you suggested and stayed in hotels you recommended. You really made our trip spectacular. Thank you so much for your thorough recommendations.
Jenny
I’m really glad to hear this, Jenny.
Have a safe trip home!
Hello! We are going to Iceland for 5 days with three kids (8, 6 years and 9 months baby), do you have any tips for travelling with a baby and treks to recommend? Thanks a lot!
Hi Katerina, I would pack a baby carrier instead of a stroller for nature destinations. You can still use a stroller at the airport and in towns.
You could easily visit most places in this itinerary with kids of any age. The only thing you wouldn’t be able to do is tours like glacier hiking and similar and also some geothermal pools have age restrictions.
Pretty much all of the natural attractions mentioned in this guide (apart from the – optional- hikes which are already explained) are very close to the road/parking so no ‘trekking’ is required.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip!
@Jurga, thanks a lot for your swift reply and congrats to your blog!
Hello,
My husband and I will be traveling to Iceland in mid-July for our 20th wedding anniversary. We have 4 nights. Our flight from US arrives at 8:40 am and leaves at 8:00 PM so we have sightseeing time on arrival and departure days.
Can you recommend a romantic stop for our first night as that is our actual anniversary. We will be tired from flying all night so I don’t want to spend too much time in the car on the day we land.
Thank you so much,
Caryn
Hi Caryn, if you are looking for a really nice place and don’t mind a splurge, check out the Blue Lagoon Retreat. It’s close to the airport and – as the name suggests – is at the famous Blue Lagoon. It has its own amazing lagoon with geothermal waters. It’s probably one of the nicest hotels you can find in Iceland.
If this is above your budget or you’d like to drive a bit further on the first day, you could head to the Golden Circle (about 1.5 hrs) drive where you can find some really nice mid-budget hotels in the close proximity to the most famous attractions in that area, like e.g. Litli Geysir Hotel. There are some geothermal baths in that area too (not at the hotels though). Or you could just stop at the Blue Lagoon first (you have to reserve timed-entry tickets) before going to a hotel.
Alternatively, book a nice hotel in Reykjavik and head to the Sky Lagoon to relax on the day of your arrival. Also here, you really have to reserve your tickets in advance. Also Hotel Kriunes close to Reykjavik could be a nice mid-budget option; they have a hot tub and a sauna too.
Hope this helps a bit. There are so many possibilities, so it all depends on your interests and budget. Also, availability – be sure to book asap since you are traveling in the peak peak season.
Have a great trip!
We’re planning on visiting in March and this itinerary is fantastic! Please can you confirm if this itinerary involves driving on F-roads? Also, would you recommend a 4×4 car for this itinerary or would a compact car work?
Thank you!
Hi Erin, no, this itinerary doesn’t involve any F-roads.
As for 4×4, it is wise in the winter but is not an absolute must. Still, I would consider at least an SUV at this time of the year. There is always a possibility of snow and ice and even snowstorms, so keep an eye on the weather forecast and the safety warnings and drive carefully.
Have a great trip!
@Jurga,
Hi Jurga, I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.
Thanks for the advice and I’m looking forward to using your itinerary when I visit!
I am planning a trip with my mother who is 60 years old to Iceland. She might find difficulty in walking steeps and would like for you to let me know if all these places require hiking experience. Could you suggest me places that she can enjoy without having to strain too much.
This itinerary doesn’t involve any hiking.
If you want to, you can walk around at some places a bit more, but it’s mostly just short stops with very little walking from the car. There are some stairs at Gullfoss waterfall and you can walk around a crater at the volcano at the Golden Circle, etc. But I wouldn’t classify any of the stops as actual hiking.
Even a glacier hike – if you would do one- is usually not strenuous and we had older people in our group than your mom who managed just fine.
Hope this helps.
Great post and so inspiring! I was wondering if you have any tips with traveling with 2 kids (7 and 9). I notice a lot of accommodations require me to book 2 rooms. Would they allow all 4 of us in 1 room if we figure out our own sleeping arrangements?
I’m looking to do this 4-day itinerary over 6-7 nights in August and only stay at 3 places, 4th if needed. Are there 3 places you think would be ideal for 2 nights each? Was thinking Golden Circle, Hella, and 1 other place.
Thank you!
Angel
Hi Angel, in general, hotels are quite strict about the number of people in the room. You could look for apartments, otherwise, indeed, you’ll usually have to book 2 rooms.
For where to stay, sure, the Golden Circle area would be ok, then maybe 2 nights around Vik and potentially 1 night at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. I think you should also consider a night closer to Reykjavik depending on your flight schedule. It all really depends on what exact you’re planning to see each day.
PS If you are traveling this summer, book your accommodations asap!
Wonderful blog and helpful advice. We are planning to visit Iceland from 27th May to 3rd June and would like to follow this itinerary. Do you think that particular time of the year we would be able to visit by self-driving and follow this 4 day itinerary? Thanks.
Yes, definitely, this itinerary will work perfectly. The days are endless at that time of the year and the sun never sets, so you can see A LOT in 4 days. If you plan well, you can do most of the things we mention, book a few fun outdoor tours, etc.
Just be sure to check our Iceland summer packing list for some tips, most importantly, pack a sleeping mask!
Have a great trip!
Echoing Matt–thank you so much, Jurga! My husband and I just returned from a four day road trip through the south and also used your guide–it was excellent! We knew that given the time of year we’d have less daylight and your itinerary helped us prioritize and make sure we saw all of the highlights. We had an amazing trip and loved seeing so many of the natural wonders of Iceland–thank you so much for this resource–it was invaluable!
Thank you for taking the time to write, Elizabeth. Appreciate your feedback and happy to hear you had a great time in Iceland!
I hope that you’ll find more inspiration for your future trips on our blog too. Happy travels!
Just wanted to thank the author of this itinerary SO MUCH!! My partner and I went on a four day road trip this past July 2022 and crafted our trip with the help of this page. It was one of the best experiences of our lives!! We were able to see so much because of how late the sun was out, and never would have been as prepared for this road trip without being able to plan from this site (in the US btw). Thank you thank you thank you this itinerary is a god send and you can pick and choose what you actually want to do after getting a feel studying it. I am so grateful 🙂
Wow, thank you for your kind words, Matt. This made my day and I really appreciate you taking the time to leave this feedback.
I hope you won’t mind – we’ll also feature it on this page where we share reader feedback.
If you want to stay in touch, check out our social media (@fullsuitcase) and/ or subscribe to our free bi-weekly newsletter.
Happy travels!
Wow, thank you so much! Your blog was my #1 resource for planning our trips and it was PERFECT!
Glad to help and glad to hear you enjoyed your trip to Iceland.
Happy travels!
Hi Jurga, I used your itinerary as a base for a 4 day tour of Iceland that I recently took with my wife. I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say ‘thank you’ for such a well presented and comprehensive schedule. We had a great time and I would recommend your itinerary to anyone planning a trip to Iceland.
Best Regards
Patrick & Dee Murphy
Thank you for your kind feedback, Patrick and Dee.
Happy travels!
Hi Jurga, I am stopping in Iceland for three days and nights with my teenage daughter on our way to Ireland. We both very much love being outdoors but we don’t like crowds. My plan is to rent a camper van and hit the road. What itinerary would you recommend for us. I need to be back near keflivak on the 4th morning. Do you have a favorite camper company?
Hi Chris, unfortunately, I have no time to create individual itineraries. Take a look at our suggestions, the map, and see what makes the most sense for you.
If you are visiting in summer when the days are endless and you are camping and aren’t bound to specific hotel locations, you might be able to do pretty much everything from this 4-day itinerary (certainly the ‘musts’) in 3 days as well.
For the camper, I can’t help you since I have no personal experience, but there are tons of companies renting them in Iceland.
Have a great trip!
Hi Jurga! This post is very helpful. I’ve been to Iceland once before, but my boyfriend and I are traveling to Iceland for 4 nights in early September (arriving early morning Thursday and leaving Monday morning). Hoping to get to a few places we didn’t get to last time, but still hitting the main attractions because this will be my boyfriend’s first time there. Specifically – hoping to add both Snaefellsnes and Jokulsarlon along with Reykjavik/Golden Circle and South Coast waterfalls. I was thinking stay in Reykjavik for two nights – first day, Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik (or maybe part of the Golden Circle), second day leave early for a day trip to Snaefellsnes. Then head out to Jokulsarlon and stop at waterfalls along the way there or back depending on time (two nights along the way). Do you think this is doable? We’re prepared for a lot of time in the car but don’t want to sacrifice time at any of the attractions because we don’t have time. Thanks in advance!!
Hi Morgan, sorry for the late reply – we were traveling. I assume you have it all planned by now, but if you want my honest opinion, I think it’s really too rushed. You don’t even have 4 full days, depending on how things go upon arrival…
It is doable driving/distance-wise, but you’ll be spending so much time in the car that you won’t have much time to see/ do much. But everyone travels differently and I know that many people would rather quickly see all the ‘musts’ even if it means having to rush through it all… It’s really your choice.
If you do this, maybe skip Reykjavik altogether and also some lesser-known places along the Golden Circle, so that you have somewhat more time in Snaefellsnes and the South Coast. With such a short time (and if renting a car), I wouldn’t stay in Reykjavik at all – go to Snaefellsnes immediately after arrival, then pass the Golden Circle on the way to the South Coast, and then make the best of your time in that area. Potentially visit the Blue Lagoon on the last evening and sleep close to the airport on the last night.
Good luck!
Hi Jurga,
Thank you for creating this very helpful itinerary! My husband and I are considering visiting Iceland for our babymoon in September. We would arrive around 7AM on a Sunday and depart around 5pm the following Saturday. We would like to follow the itinerary above as well as include some time on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. We prefer to stay multiple nights at the same location in order to save money (and we enjoy the familiarity). Do you have any advice for minimizing the number of different accommodations we stay at?
Jenni
Hi Jenni, it’s really not ideal to see all these places from just one or two places since it will mean more driving. On the other hand, many people just stay in Reykjavik and see all of these by taking day trips (but they usually leave the driving to someone else by taking tours)…
I think that you could do most of the South Coast and the Golden Circle from the area around Hella – not ideal for Jokulsarlon (more than 3 hours drive one-way), but quite be ok for most other places on the south coast. And you could potentially visit Snaefellsnes Peninsula for a day from Reykjavik.
You can find our recommendations for a similar trip in this 7-day Iceland itinerary. It starts with Snaefellsnes Peninsula, then the Golden Circle, and then the South Coast. If you take away day 4 from that itinerary, and change your accommodations on the south coast to stay in Hella or in Vik all the time, you could make it work with even just 2 different hotels. So stay the first two nights close to Snaefellsnes, and then the rest of the time either in Hella or in Vik, driving straight to the airport from there at the end of your trip.
Hope this helps. Good luck with the planning!
@Jurga, Thank you for this advice! I will look at the 7 day itinerary. Your advice is so valued, I appreciate you taking the time to respond!
Hi Jurga – this is amazing. The layout, the pics and the extra recommendations are awesome. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind answering a couple questions.
1) I am planning on going first week in October this year so looks like about 10-11 hours of daylight. Haifoss looks amazing but makes my drive time on day 1 almost 5 hours. Do you think that is doable and still have time to take in the main golden circle + Kerid (no hikes just photo ops and leg stretching)? I prefer not to drive at night but I’m hoping route 26 from Haifoss to Hella would be manageable at night if we were running behind?
2) I was planning on adding a 5th night and was thinking either A) staying at Foss in glacier two nights in a row so we could do longer hike at Skaftafell and a day trip to Hofn/Stokksnes or B) staying in Reykavik an extra night and try to make a day trip to Snaefells pennisula? I think the pennisula seems cool but looks like a 5 hour round trip so not sure if that would leave enough daylight to make it worthwhile?
Thanks and any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Hi James, glad you found this itinerary useful.
1. If you want to see everything along the Golden Circle and Haifoss waterfall, it’s doable in a day, but be sure to start your day as early as possible to take advantage of daylight hours. Ideally, you stay close to the Golden Circle before and after this day. HOWEVER, I really have no idea how the road to Haifoss will be at that time of the year, as it sometimes already snows in the highlands in September… So a lot depends on the weather and on the car you will have. Why don’t you just wait until you get there, see how the weather is, and decide at that moment. You really have to be flexible in Iceland. In our guide to visiting Haifoss, you can also find some additional suggestions for places to see nearby – a few of them are next to the main road and should be easily accessible.
2. This is a tough choice – having more time in Skaftafell is nice and you can do some nice hikes there, but Snaefellsnes Peninsula is amazing as well and there’s more diversity there (see here for some inspiration- best things to do in Snaefellsnes Peninsula). Also if the weather isn’t great, you’ll probably enjoy Snaefellsnes more since there are many short photo stops so you don’t have to be outside for hours. So if you have to pick just one place, I think I’d go for Snaefellsnes (notwithstanding the fact that it’s a bit out of the way). You could actually start your trip there and continue to the Golden Circle from there – that would probably make it easier compared to doing it from Reykjavik on the last day. Take a look at our Iceland 7-day itinerary – it starts with Snaefellsnes and then goes on to the Golden Circle. For the rest, you can follow our itinerary as in this post.
There is really no right or wrong way to do this. It’s all about your preferences. So much depends on the weather, but that you can’t predict even a week in advance. So just plan your trip based on what interests you the most and then make the best of it depending on the circumstances. We had to change our plans pretty much every time we visited Iceland, but it always turned out great.
Good luck with the planning and have a great trip!
@Jurga, much appreciated. Can we just bring you with us haha. I figured haifoss would end up being last minute decision. Based on time and weather either turn toward it or just go straight to Hella. If we miss it it will give us a good incentive to go back for highlands trip.
It’s a road trip so 5 hours round-trip to snaefelness will probably go by fast with scenery. Starting bright and early from Reykjavik should make it doable. Then just have to drive straight from Vik to airport on last day which seems easy enough for 5pm flight.
Thanks again and I’m sure I will have your itinerary bookmarked for last minute changes when we are there.
Once again – you don’t have to drive back to Reykjavik from Snaefellsnes but continue to the Golden Circle after that, so it’s really doable in a day, even in October if you start early.
And yes, keep all your plans somewhat flexible and make the best of the weather you get.
As for driving from Vik to the airport, if the weather is good and you have some time, take the coastal road via Reykjanes Peninsula (see map) and maybe you can still visit a few places there. You can find some suggestions in this article: Reykjanes Peninsula.
Good luck!
Hi Jurga!
I just wanted to thank you for your detailed itinerary. Most blogs recommend staying for longer, but when you lead a busy life and must get home, sometimes 4 days is all you can afford. This is the exact itinerary that I was planning and am so thankful for finding you. I am going to follow your tips and suggestions exactly. I just wanted to show my appreciation. Thank you so much!
Glad to help, Rosalie, and hope you have a wonderful time in Iceland. If you are planning to travel soon, keep in mind that there’s obligatory testing upon arrival and you have to wait for results in quarantine (usually 5-6 hours). Also, most countries/airlines require a test when you come back, so you have to foresee time for that at the end of your trip too.
While not a problem for longer stays in Iceland, this is definitely something to keep in mind if your trip is planned for the near future.
For up-to-date info, please check the official website here. I’m sure a lot will change this summer and hopefully, we’ll all be able to travel freer again soon.
@Jurga,
Thank you so much for this helpful tip. I have received the vaccine so it seems like we will just need to take the test and await the results. “Awaiting the results in quarantine”, does this mean I can still go get my rental car? And then drive myself to the hotel to await the results?
Hi Rosalie, at the moment, I think that renting a car and going to your hotel to wait for results isn’t a problem, as long as you don’t walk around anywhere else (so no shops, restaurants, or sightseeing while waiting for the test results). But these things change all the time. So you really have to check the official website a few days before your trip. Today, I heard Icelanders talking that from 15/6, testing will no longer be required if people are fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine, so if your trip is after that, maybe you don’t even have to do anything anymore. Once again – be sure to check it before your trip!
Hi there!! This is fabulous! Thank you! Do you think this all do-able staying in one Reykjavik spot and taking day trips each day?
Hi Polly, if you don’t mind driving up and down, you can visit all the places mentioned in this itinerary as day trips from Reykjavik and there are many tours visiting all these places as a day trip well (see our guide to the best Iceland tours for more info).
However, this also depends on the season when you travel. In summer, the days are endless and the roads are good, so it’s much easier than in winter. I would only consider this if traveling between May and August.
Golden Circle, South Coast, and the Blue Lagoon are all relatively easy to visit from Reykjavik in a day. But if you drive all the way to Jokulsarlon, it’s a very long drive and you wouldn’t have much time for anything else that day. As a minimum, I would recommend doing it over two days and visiting other places along the coast at the same time. Book a hotel near Jokulsarlon (see Jokulsarlon hotel suggestions here) and drive all the way there in one day and then back the next day.
If you don’t want to plan this, there are 2-day tours that do this trip and often include a boat trip glacier hike as well (take a look at this tour). And if you still prefer to do it in a day, then I highly recommend taking a tour – they’ll make sure you see as much as possible and won’t get overwhelmed and exhausted with such a long drive (this tour includes a boat ride on the glacier lagoon (in summer season) and this is the most popular and the cheapest tour and I thnk they also give you an option to prebook a boat ride if available for your travel dates).
To summarize, it’s possible, but Jokulsarlon is really far to be visited in a day, definitely if you are driving by yourself.
Hope this helps.
Hi Jurga!
Thanks for this detailed itinerary. I’m considering a trip to Iceland for my husband’s birthday on September 30. Two quick questions!
1. About how much money should I plan on for this itinerary including meals and hotels? (Obviously flights are separate.)
2. Where and when in the itinerary wild be the best opportunity to see the northern lights? (Travel dates are September 28-October 3)
Thanks!!
Hi Erica,
1. I cannot give you an estimate for the budget for this trip. It all depends on the choices you make – which car you rent, which hotels you book, which tours you take, how many times per day you eat at the restaurants, and even which restaurants you choose, etc. So the best way to budget is to check how much a car would cost and the hotels of your choice for your travel dates. This will already give you a good indication of how much your trip costs. Then add the budget for the tours you want to do (we have linked all the suggested tours and you can immediately see the price for each of them). For food and other expenses, please also check our guide with prices in Iceland. If you want to save money, book hotels with breakfast (or self-catering apartments) and pack a picnic for lunch. That way you only have to go to a restaurant once a day.
2. Everywhere in this itinerary is a good place to see the Northern Lights, except if you would stay in Reykjavik city itself. Book hotels that are somewhat outside the towns (less light pollution) and the rest is luck (no clouds, higher aurora activity) and patience. You really have to go outside on the days when the chance to see auroras is good and actually wait for them, even if that means being outside for several hours. Some hotels offer a wake-up service and they wake you up if there is a nice display, but sometimes, they will not wake you up in time or won’t bother if the auroras are weak. So keep an eye on the forecast or install one of the many Iceland aurora apps and make an effort to go outside!
Hope this helps.
Hi Jurga,
Thank you for the easy to understand, detailed, and well-vetted itinerary! Do you think this would be possible to follow in March (the second week) since there are more daylight hours? My husband and I have an 8 day trip (inclusive travel days) but we’d love to do the South coast and also fit in a whale watching trip from the peninsula. Thank you!
Hi Jami, yes, with a total of 6 days (travel dates excluded), you should be able to do all of this. Days are quite long in March already. Just a lot depends on the weather, so keep some flexibility.
As for whale watching, which peninsula do you mean? Most places don’t have any whale watching tours this time of the year. I think, you can only do them from Reykjavik in winter, but in all honesty, I don’t think it’s worth it. There aren’t that many whales around there this time of the year and it’s freezing cold on the boat… So do some more research before you decide. Otherwise, better go hiking on a glacier or do an ice caving tour (see suggestions in the article), maybe even a snowmobile – it will be worth it more in March.
Enjoy your trip!
Hi Jurga, thank you for your response. I apologize, I meant the Snaefellsnes peninsula. We are worried that if we miss it (and Kirkjufell), we will really kick ourselves. I know Iceland will always be there, but with children it’s harder to travel as much (before they are older and we can taken them!). I really appreciate your points on whale watching; I did some more research and it seems you are totally right and we’d likely leave disappointed. My only fear is all the driving that visiting the Snaefellsnes would add. Do you think we’d find that it was worth it?
Hi again Jami, yes, I think Snaefellsnes Peninsula is worth it. Whether it’s worth it in winter, it’s another story as it can get really windy on the Peninsula. You could potentially reserve a day for it and do it as a day trip from Reykjavik (probably better with a tour, but also doable by car if the roads and the weather look really good). If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you can always decide to stay in town.
If you are looking for tours, we have a few mentioned in our guide to Snaefellsnes.
If you rather not drive in one day, you could also visit Snaefellsnes in the beginning of your trip, right after Reykjavik. Then maybe stay in Borgarnes and from there do the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and so on.
Hope this helps.
Hi Jurga
My husband and I are planning a trip to Iceland next year in early October.Will it be difficult to drive a regular car at that time of the year? I have started following your blogs ever since we visited Italy and the Trentino region this year.
Your pictures of the sights in Iceland are mind blowing. Would love it if you could help us decide on which time of the year to visit. When did you make your visit?
Thanks so much
Pritha
Hi Pritha, it’s always great to hear from loyal readers. Hope you had a great time in Trentino!
As for Iceland, when to go, really depends on what you want to see. I have an article that explains a bit more in-depth the things you can expect to see in Iceland in summer vs. in winter. The main reason to go in winter is for the Northern Lights and the ice caves. In the beginning of October, ice caves might be not open yet. For auroras – you can also go in September. So if you don’t care about the natural ice caves and are not used to driving in winter conditions, I would advise traveling in September if you can. In general, the weather and the roads should be much better and the days – longer, so you can see more. Here you can read more about what to expect when visiting Iceland in September.
Beginning of October should, generally, be ok as well, especially if you stay in the south of Iceland. But you never know – sometimes the winter comes early.
It’s really hard for me to say when you should travel. I have been to Iceland in May-June, July, in August, in September, and also in November and I liked every one of those trips. It’s a completely different country in summer vs in winter.
I think that September is really a great choice for the first trip because it allows you to get the best of both worlds. Relatively mild weather, open roads, fewer tourists, but also the chance of seeing auroras. Depending on the time that you have and when exactly you travel, you can even travel up North.
That being said, if you want to experience a winter wonderland, then I think that March is one of the best months to go. The days are longer and you can see more. As for the roads – you never know how it will be.
PS If you would consider going in March 2020, we have a small group tour that my Icelandic friend and a tour guide designed specifically for our readers. You can find more information about it here on our Facebook page. I’m not sure if there are still places available (haven’t checked this week), but I think there should be still some available. So that might be a good option if you are not willing to drive. The itinerary for this trip is really great.
Whatever you decide, you’ll love Iceland! It’s a beautiful country that will capture your hearts. If you need any additional info, we have a lot of articles about traveling to Iceland.
Hi Jurga,
We just returned from our Iceland trip, which was heavily guided by your blog. We landed early on a Tuesday morning and left on Sunday evening, and were able to do all of your “must sees” – and did the city walking tour, Silfra snorkeling, snowmobile tours as well. Can’t say enough about how helpful your itinerary was. We also stopped a few other random attractions on our way to the airport, and although still great they were no where near as amazing as your recommendations – further iterating that you hit all the high points. Thanks for taking the time to organize and share your recommendations – we felt lucky to have your guidance!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Amy! It’s always great to hear reader feedback and I’m really happy that our tips helped you have a more memorable trip to Iceland.
Maybe you’ll find some inspiration for your future trips on our blog as well.
Happy travels!
Thank you for such an informative post! My husband and I used this itinerary for our four-day, three-night campervan trip in southern Iceland in September. Everything was exceptional. We especially loved Fridgeimar for lunch, the Secret Lagoon for an early evening dip, the Seljalandsfoss waterfall (& Gljúfrabúi waterfall in the nearby gorge), & the Fjadrargljufur Canyon. Thank you again!
Glad to hear you had such a great time in Iceland and thank you so much for taking the time to come back to our blog and share your feedback, Ali. Appreciate that!
Happy travels!
Hi Jurga, I just wanted to express my HUGE gratitude for your thoughtfully written post! I just got back from Iceland with my husband from a trip that we literally planned THE morning of – having found cheap tix and luckily discovering your blog – and by that evening we were on a plane to Iceland (?!). We switched up just a couple of things (taking it slower and stopping in Vic heading to Diamond Beach) but took you up on super helpful tips like staying in Geysir for the first night, which for a red-eye coming in was fantastic (and to have it all to ourselves at night and in the morning!). I’ve actually never followed a singular blog or guide book and tend to research the hell out of things to come up w my own plan, if I “plan” – but we had the best time following your itinerary and this was hands down one of my favorite trips of all time (and I’ve been to a LOT of places, and usually for much longer and in a less structured way). You gifted us with the guidance and confidence of good taste and figuring out the logistics, so that we could focus on the nature and amazing memory-making and falling in love with Iceland (and we will be back). THANK YOU!!! I am now going to check out your other posts for sure! We could not have experienced this spontaneous whirlwind adventure without you 🙂
Wow, thank you so much for this kind feedback, Janet. I’m really glad to hear that you had such an enjoyable trip to Iceland. If you don’t mind, I’ll copy/paste this to our reviews page.
And yes, look around on our blog – we have so much more, also for Iceland off the beaten path. Maybe we can inspire you to visit some other amazing places as well 🙂
Happy travels!
Hi Jurga – Thanks so much for your very helpful suggestions here! My son and I had four days to spend in Iceland earlier this week, and your ideas helped us to see what I think are some of the most beautiful sights in Iceland within our time frame. We did about 85 percent of your recommended sights/activities, including adding in a morning caving trip just outside of Reykjavik (Leidarendi), a three-hour glacier hike through Skaftafell, and the zodiac boat tour of Jokulsarlon (which we loved almost, but not quite :-), as much as Diamond Beach).
Just one suggestion: You might want to add something into the description about the Blue Lagoon that one should book in advance and that it sells out early – you noted this in one of your comments above, but I unfortunately didn’t see that when I was doing my trip planning. So I didn’t book the BL ahead of time, and they were sold out for the day when my son and I showed up on our last day in-country :-(. I should have realized this would happen from how popular you said it was, so this is on me, but if you put in something about this above, it might help out future travelers to Iceland. This was only a small blip on an otherwise fantastic trip, BTW.
Thanks again for all of your guidance! It helped us out a lot!
Thanks for your feedback, Adam. I’ll see if I can update the text and add the fact that you have to book the Blue Lagoon tickets in advance. I have written about it so many times that it’s inevitable I forget to mention some details in one or the other post. Sorry that it didn’t work out for you guys, it’s become so crazy busy in Iceland that it’s best to book EVERY activity (not to mention hotels and car rental) in advance…
There are also so many local pools in Iceland that cost a fraction of the Blue Lagoon, so it would have been a good alternative, but I realize it’s too late now…
Glad you enjoyed the trip as it was.
Hi Jurga,
Great itinerary ! so informative and thorough. Great photos as well.
I am traveling with my 25 year old son in sep. We get in very early the first day. Would you start the trip at the blue lagoon? and then reverse your itinerary ?
So , that would be – first night in Reykjavik then the next 2 nights in the south then back to Reykjavik for the last night?
Last question, do you recommend a buggy (atv) in the golden circle? Maybe for the last day, if I am reversing the itinerary?
Thanks
Elle
Hi Elle, you can reverse the itinerary if that suits you better. This is really just meant to show what the main highlights are and how to best plan your time in order to see the best of South Iceland in 4 days. Everyone can pick places/ activities that interest them the most and make their own dream trip. Many people like to start their trip at the Blue Lagoon and indeed it can be nice, especially if coming from a long flight.
I have no personal experience with ATV at the Golden Circle and I’m not sure if it’s worth it in terms of what you get to see. I think that there are more special things that you could spend your time and money on, like glacier hiking or a day trip to the highlands. But if you have the time and it fits your itinerary well, I’m sure it will be quite fun.
Hope this helps.
Thank you !! Great advice.
Any suggestions on things to do by the blue lagoon? Before we head back to Reykjavik. We have a car.
Thanks again,
E
Hi Elle, you could explore Reykjanes Peninsula if you have some extra time (more info here). Or drive to Reykjavik and visit Perlan – it’s well worth it and is also a great option if the weather isn’t great.
Thanks again for your quick response!
Thank you for this wonderful blog! My husband and I are planning on taking a full 4 day trip (flying in morning on day 1 on a red eye, and flying out morning of day 5) and were wondering if you would recommend flipping the itinerary so we start in Reykjavik and go backwards…? We are going at the end of September.
Hi – I am doing the same thing. Did you hear back? Can the itinerary be flipped?
Hi Avani, if you are planning to do some sightseeing on the first day anyway, I think that it’s better to just start exploring right away. Most hotels in Reykjavik won’t let you check-in before 2-3 PM at the earliest anyway… But it’s, of course, your own choice. You can flip the itinerary around and it will work just as well.
Some people like to go to the Blue Lagoon (book in advance!) straight from the airport and then spend the afternoon in the city, so it might be a nice relaxing way to start your trip as well.
Enjoy your trip!
Thanks a lot. You are amazing!! Me and my husband followed this itinerary.It was a perfect trip.You have covered all the must see points.
Thanks once again.:D
Glad to hear you had a great trip, Priyal. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave this feedback – always great to hear!
Happy travels!
Hi Jurga, I am planning to follow this itinerary after 2 nights in Reyjkavik and 1 night on the Snaefellsnoss Peninsula. Should I switch and do the peninsula at the end? We planned on stopping at the blue lagoon the first day and the Golden Circle the second. Any suggestions on switching it up to be more efficient with travel?
Thank you so much in advance!
Laura
Hi Laura, I think you could do Reykjavik/ Blue Lagoon, followed by Snaefellsnes. Then drive down to the Golden Circle and from there explore the South Coast. I think it would be the most logical way and would save you some driving. Alternatively, start at the South Coast, then Golden Circle, and then Snaefellsnes.
Hello, We are coming in August for 4 nights, 5 days (flight leaves late 4pm). Anything in general you’d change based on the time of year and extra half day? Thanks Jacob
Hi Jacob, no, I wouldn’t change anything and I already have included more suggestions for extra things to do than you’d be able to cover. 😉 Just pick what interests you most, check Google maps for the driving times, and plan your own perfect trip.
Enjoy Iceland!
Thanks so much for the amazing blog post. I see that you don’t count arrival and departure days. What do you recommend for those? We’re in Iceland for 7 days (inclusive of arrival and departure days). We like the pace of your 4 day itinerary and wouldn’t mind spending an extra night in some of these locations. Which areas do you recommend spending an extra night?
Thanks!
Diana
Hi Diana, depending on the season when you travel, I would suggest to stay one extra night in Hella area (same as after day 1) and then book this day trip to the highlands. You need a good 4WD for this area, so best to go with a tour.
If you are traveling in the colder season, then I really recommend checking out the ice caves – as described in day 3 itinerary.
With more time, you can spend a bit of time in Reykjavik. There are lots of nice places to see nearby. I have just made a selection of the best half day tours you can do from Reykjavik. You don’t have to book a tour if you don’t want to, but it will give you a good idea of things you can do nearby and that don’t require much time.
And if you see all the extra suggestions I have in the article, you can easily add a day or two to this itinerary.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!
Thank you! We’re actually going this August with our 9 and 11 year old sons. I didn’t realize how difficult it is to find lodging!
I was thinking we’d do one night in Reykjavik; two nights near Hella; I reserved Lambhús Cabins near Höfn for the next night; then two nights in Vik; and the last night in Reykjavik.
How does that sound?
Thanks again!
Diana
Hi Diana, yes, it’s not easy to find accommodation in Iceland, especially with a family and in summer… We are also going again in August and have booked months in advance (and had trouble finding something suitable in some areas).
Your plan sounds good to me. Enjoy your trip!
Thank you for providing this detailed itinerary. My husband and I are considering adding a self drive 4 night Iceland trip to a planned Norway trip in September. My husband is a very slow walker and needs to rest if walking distances. We will be bringing a collapsible wheelchair in case it is needed. Would you please advise how accessible the sites on this itinerary are?
Hi Joyce, the nice thing with the main landmarks along the South Coast of Iceland is that most of them are just next to a car parking. The walking paths might not always be paved though, but usually, they are flat. Also, in many cases, you can see a lot right from the parking or by walking just less than 5 minutes. I guess it depends a bit on the wheels of the wheelchair and if they can handle some gravel, but I think you can see and do a lot.
For example, you can definitely visit the Geysir area – it’s relatively flat. Also, waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss or Skogafoss are really close to the car parking. At Gullfoss, there are two different parking areas- the one on top involves stairs, but there is also one at the bottom, that’s just next to the viewing area.
Also in Thingvellir National Park, you should go to the lower parking I think it’s relatively flat there, but I really can’t remember if there were any steps involved if coming from the lower side.
Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is very close to the car parking, but the paths aren’t paved. Also Diamond Beach is just next to the car parking.
I’m not sure about Skaftafell NP – there is one easy hiking trail that goes to the glacier (Skaftafellsjökull) and it’s paved half way with gravel after that – you can find more information about it here. It’s probably best to inquire at the visitor’s center if it’s doable with a wheelchair.
I’m also not sure about accessibility at Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. If he can walk just a little bit, you should be able to see part of the canyon very close to the car parking, but I don’t think you can easily use a wheelchair there.
Hope this helps a bit. Enjoy your trip!
Great post! I’m curious about ‘must do’ for the geo-thermal baths. Is the Blue Lagoon kind of a must see because it’s that much better than the other 2 that you mentioned? Or is it just that it’s popular?
Hi Kristi, Blue Lagoon is a bit more high-end, definitely more special than the Secret Lagoon. The latter is just a rather small warm pool surrounded by nature. Whereas the Blue Lagoon is about the whole experience – it’s a big blue lagoon, the water is nice and warm, there are face masks and even spa treatments available and a really nice restaurant… Fontana Wellness is a little bit like that, but on a smaller scale and less touristy.
They are all different and the price tag is very different as well. I know many people who say that the Blue Lagoon is really a must when you visit Iceland. So if you think that you’d regret it if you don’t go, then just give it a try. You can always visit the others as well, just for the different experience. As for us, we are going back to Iceland and won’t be visiting the Blue Lagoon again, but we are definitely going to the local pools and I have two lagoons in the North of Iceland marked on my map as well. Each and every one is different, so it really depends on how much time you have and if your budget allows it. The Blue Lagoon is by far the most expensive one.
This is a very informative, helpful post – the pictures are beautiful. Thanks for putting this together!
Good to hear that. Thanks for taking the time to leave this feedback, Alison, and enjoy your trip to Iceland!
Thanks for sharing! My favorite itinerary so far. 🙂 Did you guys come across any F Roads on this trip? Seems like they can be mostly avoided on your itinerary. Thanks!
Hi Faith, don’t worry – this 4-day itinerary only follows regular tar roads. No need for a 4WD (unless in the winter) for this trip. Just some very short parts of the road connecting the main road to some natural landmarks are gravel, but those are few, very short in distance, and easy to drive on.
Enjoy Iceland!
Hi Jurga,
My husband and I are looking at doing a trip Sept. 28th – Oct 7th. To hopefully see the Northern Lights and have more daylight hours. We are not afraid of driving all day and stopping along the way to see sites. Can you recommend where to start and get the most of travelling in Iceland? Should we stay 2 night each in a hotel or is it better to stay 1 night and keep moving, is it possible to wing it and get hotels on the fly? I did read in your bog that hotels fill up. So, probably not. Any guidance would be great. Thank you for your time!!
Hi Caroline, please check this for some Iceland itinerary suggestions. Here is our 10-day itinerary that we once did in Iceland – it starts in Akureyri and ends in Reykjavik.
10 days is really short to drive the whole Ring Road, especially in the fall as the days are rapidly getting shorter. But if you want to, I’m sure it’s doable. Just plan well what you want to see and what you’re ok skipping.
And yes, I recommend booking all the accommodations in advance. They do sell out and apart from Reykjavik and the South Coast, hotels are still quite scarce, so sometimes you end up staying an hour’s drive from where you’d want to. Here you can find some suggestions on where to stay in Iceland.
Hi, Im wondering about packing in the winter with children. Ive read that you can rent bulky items and I’m not sure what is best. (especially with kids) We are going in January! Thanks!
Hi Nicole, I’m not aware of any places where you could rent clothing in Iceland, so I’d advise arriving well prepared. If you need to buy anything in Iceland, it will cost you multiple times of what you’d pay at home.
For young kids I’d recommend a ski suit in one piece, something like this.
For older kids, just a regular ski suit, something like this.
Waterproof winter boots are also a must for everyone. You can find some suggestions here: best winter boots for travel.
Please also check this post for more information on what to wear in Iceland in winter.
PS just to clarify – for this itinerary you’d need at least a week in January since the days are very short. Here you can find our suggested Iceland winter itinerary.
Thank you so much Jurga. I think it’s the top one, Seljalandsfoss (South Coast). Will that be easy to find? It’s absolutely beautiful in your picture.
Thank you so much,
Kate
Seljalandsfoss is very easy to find, it’s just next to the Ring Road and a very popular place, so you can’t miss it – the parking will be busy any time of the day. You can read more about it in day 2 of this itinerary and I also indicated it on the map.
Hi Jurga,
We have just finished a fantastic few days driving around the south coast of wonderful Iceland and used your guide to help us plan our trip, and we just want to say a huge thank you for your travel tips, we had a fab time!!
Happy travels for the future 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to leave this feedback, Helen. I’m glad to hear you had such a great time in Iceland!
Happy travels to you too!
Hello Jurga!
I love this informative and gorgeous post as we are planning a week in Iceland this summer. Do you have a blog about top places to take pictures? Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous and I’d love to see all these beautiful places. I love your second picture in this post, where is that located? Would you suggest booking the Blue Lagoon ahead of time?
Thank you so much!
Kate
Hi Kate, thanks for your comment and glad you are enjoying our blog. As for the pictures – I don’t have a separate blog post about that, but I usually have a location indicated under each picture.
If by 2nd picture you meant this one, it’s a combination of three pictures – the top one is from Seljalandsfoss (South Coast), then – Svartifoss (Skaftafell NP), and then Diamond Beach (Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon).
As for the Blue Lagoon, yes, definitely book in in advance – it always sells out.
Enjoy your trip!