4 Days In Iceland Itinerary for a Perfect Trip
Iceland is a very famous destination for tourists from all over the globe due to its breathtaking natural beauty and mysterious and tranquil scenery.
With rough, otherworldly terrain and never-ending series of snow-covered volcanoes, mountains, and ice fields, the Nordic icy views are like nothing you can find anywhere else on earth.
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So buckle up your seatbelts! In this guide, you will find an easy 4-day itinerary to Iceland + all the best travel tips you need to know before your trip.
Plan your Perfect trip
🏨 Find the perfect hotel on Expedia or Booking.com.
🎫 If you’d like to go on tours, check out Viator
🎒 Pack a universal travel adapter, your favorite travel camera (I love this one!), and a good portable solar phone charger
📸 Follow us on Instagram for more travel tips
Who is this itinerary for?
This itinerary is perfect for someone who dreams of visiting Iceland but doesn’t have much time to do it. More specifically, for someone that only has four days to see what the land of fire and ice has to offer.
This itinerary covers all the must-see places that you should never miss when traveling to Iceland for the first time.
This 4-day Iceland itinerary includes:
- Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital
- Thingvellir National Park
- Geysir geothermal area
- Gullfoss waterfall
- Kerid Crater Lake
- Blue Lagoon
- South Coast
- Jokulsarlon Lagoon
- Sólheimajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers
- Vik
The best time to visit Iceland
Iceland is the true definition of an all year-round destination.
The warmest time to visit Iceland is during summer, during July and August.
Winter is still a spectacular time to visit, but temperatures can drop up to 130 Celcius, making the trip way more challenging.
If you are planning on seeing the Northern Lights, you should know that they appear from September until April – but February to March and September to October are the best months to see them.
How to get around Iceland
The best ways to travel around Iceland is by renting a car or going on excursions.
For booking excursions, I highly recommend using Viator or Get Your Guide.
The Perfect Iceland 4 day itinerary
Wihtour further ado, here is our itinerary for 4 days in Iceland! In each day you will find the description of the places to visit and find a tour option that covers the entire day trip.
Day 1 – Exploring Reykjavik
Welcome to your first day in Iceland! It is time to explore Reykjavik, the country’s capital. The city may be small, but it is packed with restaurants, cafes, bars, museums, and many other exciting things to do.
City tour
For starters, you can climb to the top of the Hallgrímskirkja church for the best views in the city, visit Reykjavik’s modern Harpa Concert Hall and see the Sun Voyager located right by Harpa. Book your tour here:
Explore the local eats
Another fantastic activity for your first day in Reykjavik is going on a foodie tour. In this culinary exploration, you will visit a variety of Reykjavik eateries and sample a selection of traditional dishes and street food favorites including Icelandic cheeses, lamb, homemade ice cream, and the famous Icelandic hot dogs.
Along the way, pass by landmarks such as Hallgrimskirkja, the Harpa concert hall, and Parliament House.
See whales in their natural habitat
After exploring all the best Icelandic eats, the perfect way of completing your first day in Iceland’s capital is by experiencing the magic of whale watching on a cruise from Reykjavik
Cruise the coastal curve of Iceland to marvel at humpback and orca whales in their natural habitat. Then, scour the sea for sightings of porpoises and dolphins as you listen to fascinating facts surrounding the majestic creatures that inhabit the Icelandic ocean.
The best places to stay in Reykjavik √
Day 2 – Golden Circle, Kerid Volcanic Crater, and Blue Lagoon
On your second day in Iceland, it is time to see the landscapes along the famous Golden Circle. During the day, you will view the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates at UNESCO-listed Thingvellir, see the geysers and pools at Geysir, and admire the Gulfoss Waterfall. In addition, you will visit the lake-filled Kerid volcanic crater, and finish bathing in the warm and wonderful Blue Lagoon.
To do this, you can either rent a car or go on an excursion from Reykjavik.
Golden Circle
The Classic Iceland Golden Circle is a route between three of Iceland’s most visited attractions: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and the Gullfoss waterfall.
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir National Park is an absolute beauty. Located just 45 km from Reykjavik, this is the first place you visit when you will visit along the Golden Circle and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site on Iceland’s mainland.
The scenery in Thingvellir is beautiful and worth the visit any time of the year. When you go there, don’t miss tossing a coin and making a wish at Nikulasargja Gorge. The park also has a lake called Thingvallavatn, where people often come here to snorkel and experience a unique view of Iceland.
Pro-tip: If you come here on your own, try to book the first snorkeling tour available in the morning, usually around 9 a.m., to save time.
Geysir Geothermal Area
After Thingvellir National Park, another place you must visit is the Geysir geothermal area, home to Geysir, one of the most well-known geysers in the country. Geysir has 18 meters in diameter and is almost dormant these days, but still remarkably beautiful.
Gullfoss waterfall
After the geyser, you will visit the Gullfoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s most powerful landmarks and spectacular waterfalls. The pressure of this waterfall is the most powerful during summers, but every season has it’s own aesthetic and charm.
Kerid Crater lake
In the southern part of the Golden Circle, right off highway 35, is Kerid Crater Lake. This stunning 3000-year-old volcanic crater lake is one of the most unique and remarkable views in all of Iceland. Its most prominent feature is its bright, red color.
Blue Lagoon
Last but not least, on your second day in Iceland (and what a day!), you will can the Blue Lagoon, one of the 25 wonders of the world. As Lonely Planet says, visiting Iceland and not seeing the Blue Lagoon is like visiting Paris and skipping the Eiffel Tower. You just can’t miss it.
With the water’s milky blue shade being due to its high silica content, this geothermal spa is among the most famous in the world.
Day 3 – South Coast and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
On your third day in Iceland, you will be visiting the country’s gorgeous South Coast and Jokulsarlon Lagoon.
In this scenic day trip from Reykjavik, you will take a cruise on the ice-strewn Jokulsarlon Lagoon, tracing Iceland’s spectacular south coast, a canvas of towering mountains, waterfalls, and glacial rivers. Visit the Skogafoss waterfall, view the ice-covered peaks of Skaftafell, learn about the area’s geology, and then walk behind the cascading water at Seljalandfoss waterfall.
Day 4 – Southern Iceland glaciers, waterfalls and beaches
It’s your fourth and final day in Iceland! Today, you will continue to discover the scenery of southern Iceland. Journey past lava fields, icebergs, and glacier lakes as you explore the Sólheimajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers.
Keep your camera ready as you admire the black-sand beaches and dramatic rock formations of Vik, as well as the mighty Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls.
Got more time?
If you have more than fours days in Iceland, that’s even better!
Here is a list of more exciting things to do in the land of fire and ice:
| Tour | Duration | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Lights Midnight Adventure from Reykjavík | 3 to 5 hours | See prices |
| Active Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike Tour from Reykjavik | 6 hours | See prices |
| Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavík | 3 hours | See prices |
| Reykjavik Food Walk | 3 hours | See prices |
| Snorkeling Between Continents in Silfra with Photos Included | 3 hours | See prices |
| Dragon Glass Ice Cave by Katla Volcano Super Jeep Tour from Vik | 3 hours | See prices |
| Snaefellsnes Peninsula Classic Day Tour from Reykjavik | 11 hours | See prices |
| Snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier, Ice Cave and Bathing in the Secret Lagoon | 9 to 10 hours | See prices |
| Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik | 9 hours | See prices |
| Puffin Express Cruise from Reykjavik | 1 hour | See prices |
| Inside the Volcano: Small Group Thrihnukagigur Hike | 5 to 6 hours | See prices |
The best day trips from Reykjavik
Northern Lights Midnight Adventure from Reykjavík
The winter months in Reykjavik are the perfect time to spot the Northern Lights. During this midnight adventure, taking place between September 1st and April 15th, journey to the perfect place to see the Aurora Borealis, and learn about this beautiful phenomenon from your guide.
Active Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike Tour from Reykjavik
Hike to an active volcano! On this unique tour to see the active volcano at Fagradalsfjall, Iceland. You can expect a hike for about an hour and a half each way making this a combined hike of 3 hours through the rugged and raw terrain on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier, Ice Cave and Bathing in the Secret Lagoon
Combine a snowmobile glacier ride with a bath in thermal hot springs on this full-day tour from Reykjavik.
Traveling by super truck, pass the Geysir geothermal field en route to the Langjökull glacier, Europe’s second-largest. Zoom over the ice on a snowmobile ride, check out a natural ice cave and then break for lunch and dip in a thermal hot spring.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula Classic Day Tour from Reykjavik
Explore the fire-and-ice landscape of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula on a full-day, small-group tour from Reykjavik.
Walk along the coast in the village of Arnarstapi, find perfect views of Snæfellsjökull, and visit black pearl beaches at the edge of the peninsula. Pickup and drop-off at centrally-located Reykjavik hotels.
Fun facts about Iceland
- It’s the safest country in the world
- More than 60% of the Icelandic population live in the capital city, Reykjavik
- The unique Icelandic language includes over 100 words for wind
- Beer was banned in Iceland until 1989
- Iceland’s national sport is handball
- Fermented shark is one of Iceland’s traditional foods
- Movies like Oblivion, Batman Begins, and Prometheus were filmed in Iceland
