4 Days in Iceland Itinerary: Waterfalls, Lagoons, Glaciers & All the Views

Iceland is one of my absolute favorite destinations and I’d love to visit for a longer trip in the future, but it also makes for a great short trip, especially if you’re traveling from the US East Coast or within Europe! For those also planning a short trip, I’ve compiled my ultimate four days in Iceland itinerary.

Four days gives you enough time to see many of the amazing sites Iceland has to offer! Be warned, this is a fairly jam packed itinerary (as most of mine are haha) but there is just so much to see in Iceland I didn’t want to waste a second of my limited time there! This itinerary includes Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle Day Trip, Sky Lagoon, the highlights of Iceland’s south coast and a day at Hvammsvik Hot Springs!

For this itinerary you can spend all 4 nights in Reykjavik & explore from there, so you don’t need to switch hotels multiple times!

I’ve also included an alternative to days 3 & 4 if you want to venture a bit farther down the South Coast, but i personally think this is better as a 5 day itinerary, see here!

Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!

Planning a trip to Iceland? My full Iceland Travel Guide is the best place to start planning your dream Icelandic getaway!

Day 1: Blue Lagoon & Reykjavik

For your first day in Iceland I recommend stopping at the infamous Blue Lagoon! It’s conveniently located right near the airport, so if you plan properly you can go right from the airport before heading to Reykjavik (more on that below) After a few hours at the Blue Lagoon I recommend checking into your hotel & exploring Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik.

Blue Lagoon

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is a must-see on your trip to Iceland. The insta-worthy blue water is filled with natural minerals touted as being great for skin and overall health. The water actually is run off from a local geothermal power plant, but don’t worry the it’s clean, natural water. The blue color comes from the abundance of silica and the it reflects visible light when suspended in water.

The Blue Lagoon is a truly unique experience! The massive open-aired lagoon is impressive & depending on your ticket level you’ll be offered a variety of face masks from the face mask bar. I don’t know if it was just a placebo effect, but I swear my skin was glowing after my trip to the Blue Lagoon!

There is also a bar serving alcoholic drinks, waters, juices etc. and most tickets come with one complimentary beverage!

You’ll probably want to plan to spend at least 2-3 hours at the Lagoon, depending on how long you want to soak.

Tickets: 

Tickets start at about $60, include a face mask and a free drink. They can be purchased here. You can also upgrade to buy tickets that include more face masks, massages, etc! You can also check Viator if tickets are sold out on the Blue Lagoon website or to see if Viator is cheaper! Check Viator here.

Getting There:

From the Airport

Blue Lagoon is only about 20 minutes from the airport vs. 50 minutes from Reykjavik, so it may make sense to head to the Lagoon straight from the airport. They even offer luggage storage in their parking lot! It costs roughly $6 a bag.

If you haven’t rented a car, you can take a bus from the Airport. Transportation can be purchased while you’re booking your ticket (which I did) or separately here. Transportation on it’s own is about $30 round trip.

From Downtown Reykjavik

Blue lagoon from Downtown Reykjavik is about a 50 minute drive. There is a large parking area that is free for guests.

If you haven’t rented a car, you can take a bus from downtown. Transportation can be purchased while you’re booking your ticket (which I did) or separately here. Transportation on it’s own is about $30 round trip. During booking they’ll have you meet the bus at the local bus stop nearest to your hotel. You might then be combined into a larger bus with other outside of downtown Reykjavik. The experience was super convenient!

Note the pickup time on your ticket, often the hotel bus stop pickup is 30 min before actual pickup time, because they do local pickup and drop you off at the main bus station for you transfer! I completed missed that and missed by bus!

Blue Lagoon & Your Hair

If you have long hair, don’t be too concerned. I read some crazy stories about people’s hair being ruined for days after being in the Blue Lagoon, but I also knew I would not be able to resist the temptation to dunk my head haha. There’s a few things you’ll want to do to make sure your hair is fine after swimming in the lagoon:

• Before going in the Lagoon wet your hair & mask it in a deep conditioner. I just used my standard conditioner – but I have thick, curly hair, so I used A LOT.
• After swimming in the Lagoon wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo and load up on the conditioner & leave-in conditioner to prevent the sulfur from causing you hair to dry out.

I did the above and had no issues with my hair!

Where to Stay in Reykjavik

After you’ve finished at the Blue Lagoon, head to downtown Reykjavik, where I recommend staying for your 4 nights. Reykjavik is a great home base for exploring other popular areas of Iceland!

There are tons of lovely hotel options in the downtown area that are all walkable to the main sites, but I cannot recommend Hotel Reykjavik Saga enough! I stayed there for 5 nights on my most recent trip and loved it, also the breakfast was amazing! I also loved the nearby  Apótek Hotel – if you need a place with parking (extra fee) this hotel was perfect!

Explore Reykjavik

I recommend spending the rest of your day exploring downtown Reykjavik. It’s a cool town with lots of restaurants, cafes, shops and bars. You can see my full Reykjavik travel guide here, but some of the top things to see are:

• Hallgrímskirkja – a large church that dominates the Reykjavik skyline. You are able to pay to take the elevator to the top for epic 360 views of Reykjavik and beyond. It costs about $7 to go up
• Rainbow Street
• The Sun Voyager
• Main streets of: Laugavegur, Austurstræti & Hafnarstræti

Dinner at one of Reykjavik’s Top Restaurants

Reykjavik has a great food scene with tons of good restaurant options from local Icelandic food, to Italian to Mexican and more! I’ve compiled my list of best restaurants in Reykjavik here. But my top recommendations would be

• Apotek – upscale Icelandic fare
• Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar – best burgers in Reykjavik
• Lemmy – best pub food in Reykjavik

Day 2: Golden Circle Day Trip & Sky Lagoon

For your second day in Iceland I recommend venturing out of Reykjavik and exploring Iceland’s infamous Golden Circle. The Golden Circle features some of Iceland’s most iconic places to visit and is doable as a day trip from Reykjavik. After a long day of exploring, head to the Sky Lagoon, located conveniently 10 minutes from downtown Reykjavik it’s a perfect place to relax and unwind!

Golden Circle Tour: Thingvellir, Brúarfoss Waterfall, Geysir, Gullfoss Waterfall & Kerid Crater

You have two options for exploring the Golden Circle from Reykjavik 1. renting a car and exploring on your own (recommended) 2. joining an organized group tour. I’ve taken a group tour and it definitely hits all the highlights (except Brúarfoss) but exploring on your own is definitely preferable in my opinion! My full Golden Circle Trave; guide can be found here!

Golden Circle Highlights!

• Thingvellir National Park – This national park features dramatic, moody views of the coastline & is a UNESCO world heritage site. The park features coastal views, gorges and a small waterfall (Öxarárfoss) near the bottom parking lot. You can also scuba or snorkel at Sifra, which is the place where the two tectonic plates have slowly begun splitting apart (about 2cm a year) Entrance is free, but it is about $5 to park for the day if you’re driving.
• Brúarfoss Waterfall – Waterfall known for it’s unique blue colors caused by glacier water. This one used to require a bit of a hike, but now there is parking a 5-ish minute walk from the waterfall.

• Geysir –  An active geysir that shoots bright blue, burning hot water high into the air every few minutes you can visit. This is also a great spot to have lunch! Right across the street next to the parking area is a large visitor center with several lunch options, including quick grab & go options and more sit down type options.
• Gullfoss Waterfall – One of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, this massive waterfall drops 105 feet into a deep canyon. On a sunny day you’ll see a series of rainbows (pictured above)
• Kerid Crater – Kerid Crater is another unique stop on your Golden Circle tour. The volcanic crater feels like something from a different planet. At the bottom of the deep crater is an almost eerie, but pretty deep teal lake. There is a small parking fee (about $3) and entrance is free other than parking!

Sky Lagoon

I cannot reiterate enough how much I loved the Sky Lagoon. I know you might be thinking you’ve already been to the Blue Lagoon, do you need to see another? For me, the answer is definitely yes! Sky Lagoon is located right near downtown Reykjavik and can easily be reached by taxi in 10-15 minutes and is a great place to soak and relax after a long day exploring the Golden Circle!

The oceanside geothermal lagoon offers stunning panoramic ocean views as you soak in the relaxing water. It’s a great place to see the sunset, the northern lights, or just the Icelandic coastline.

They also offer a 7 step “experience” that involves soaking in the lagoon, a cold plunge, a sauna (with the most stunning views) a cold fog mist shower, cleansing body scrub, a steam & a shower. This was a super cool, refreshing experience before heading back to soak in the lagoon and grab a drink from the swim up bar.

Cost & Tickets: Tickets start at about $80 and can be found here.

Getting There: busses run from downtown Reykjavik (it’s about 10 minutes from downtown) or you can get a taxi easily!

Day 3: South Coast Highlights

If you’d prefer to spend 2 nights on the South Coast & visit Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach (5+ hours from Reykjavik one way) click here for the alternate itinerary. If you’d prefer to just see the South Coast highlights as far as Vik (3 hours one way) I’d recommend this first itinerary option, if you want to see Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach check out my 5 day itinerary here!

South Coast 1 Day Itinerary: Reykjadalur Hot Spring River, Skogafoss, Solheimajokull Glacier, Black Sand Beach & Vik

For days 3 I recommend venturing out of Reykjavik to explore Iceland’s South Coast. There is so much to see, and some of my favorite spots in Iceland are on the South Coast! SImilar to the Golden Circle, you can take a day trip or rent a car and explore on your own. There are pros and cons to both, a day trip gives you less flexibility, but more time to enjoy the views as you drive, which were insane!

 I took a guided tour in a small bus (less than 15 people) and it was awesome and insanely convenient. The South Coast is more driving, and I’m glad I did a guided tour for this one.

If you drive yourself you could also consider seeing the highlights mentioned below, then staying overnight in Vik and driving back to Reykjavik in the morning for day 4! Check out either of these hotels in Vik – both are great options! Hótel Kría or Hotel Vík í Mýrdal

• Reykjadalur Thermal Hot Spring River – The Reykjadalur hot spring river makes for a great first stop if you wish to start your day with a refreshing hot spring soak! If you’ve had enough between Blue & Sky lagoon you can skip this stop and head straight to Skogafoss, but these natural thermal river hot springs are magical! Most guided tours do not include this stop because it’s roughly 45 min walk/hike in each way! Entrance is free, but you will need to pay for parking at the lot.
• Skogafoss – Next up is Skogafoss. Skogafoss is one of the most incredible places I’ve seen in my life. The stunning waterfall features a 200 foot drop and is over 80 feet wide. It’s size is absolutely epic, and the view from the bottom is unreal. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a sunny day you’ll see a full rainbow next to the falls! See my pic above!
• Reynisfjara Beach is the infamous black sand beach. Most tours include this stop second, before stopping for lunhc in Vik. The black sand formed from volcanic rock, and the stunning basalt formations rising from the ocean make for epic coastal views.

• Vik – the charming town of Vik is the farthest south you’ll go on this trip. Places farther than Vik would be quite long for a day trip! The viewpoint at the church overlooking Vik is one of the best places to get photos. Then wander through the tiny town of Vik for lunch. There is a cozy restaurant, The Soup Company, that’s the perfect place to warm up before your next stop. Other good options include
• Solheimajokull Glacier – Solheimajokull is one of Iceland’s most popular glaciers to visit, despite being one of the smallest. This is due to its accessibility from Reykjavik. The ash-covered glacier is a popular spot on the South Coast, and many people take excursions onto the glacier. You can hike into and view Solheimajokull from the parking area in about 15-20 minutes and enjoy the views without needing to book a tour! If you want to do a glacier hike, and actually go onto the glacier, you need a few hours and to book a tour through a guide!

• Seljalandsfoss – Last stop on the way back to Reykjavik is the stunning Seljalandsfoss (and the hidden waterfall nearby if you want to hike in to a watery cave to explore) Seljalandsfoss is a stunning tall, narrow waterfall that you can walk behind for the most epic views. My tour got us to Seljalandsfoss at sunset and watching the sun set over Vestmannaeyjar (the Western islands) from behind the waterfall is one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had!

Day 4: Hvammsvik Hot Springs & Northern Lights Chasing

Spend your last day in Iceland at one of the most stunning places 45 minutes from Reykjavik, Hvammsvik Hot Springs, and your evening chasing the infamous Northern Lights (Nov-March) If it’s not Norther Lights season, experience some of Reykjavik’s epic nightlife, or explore some more Iceland highlights under the midnight sun!

Hvammsvik Hot Springs

I visisted Hvammsvik Hot Springs on my most recent trip to Iceland and absolutely fell in love! I cannot believe this place isn’t more popular. It’s a series of natural hot springs located about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. The stunning series of pools are right on the ocean with views of the mountains. You can take a cold plunge in the ocean when you need a break from the hot springs.

The series of pools range in temperature, and the main pool has a swim up bar, similar to the Blue or Sky Lagoon. I absolutely loved this place, and spent several hours popping between the different pools and saunas.

You can get there via rental car, or they offer transfers from Reykjavik similar to the Blue Lagoon. I had a car so I drove myself, tickets cost $78. I bought them day of and the transfer options were already all sold out, so book in advance!

Chase the Northern Lights

If you’re visiting Iceland between Nov-March you have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights! It’s based on a factor of clear skies + Northern lights activity. You’ll want to get out of the city to have the best chance of seeing them. If you have your own car you can venture on your own (although I do recommend being careful on the dark windy roads and make sure you’re not stopped in an unsafe spot!

You can also take an organized tour from Reykjavik. There are several options from small group tours to large coach bus tours. I opted for the second just to save money, and I have to say it wasn’t the most pleasant experience driving around for hours on a coach bus with 50 other people for hours searching for the Northern lights.

People were tired, grumpy and a bit rude if I’m being honest and I wish I opted for a smaller group tour. We also never saw the Northern Lights unfortunately! You can see tour options here.

There are 2 apps that were super helpful for Northern Lights Chasing:

• Hello Aurora – this will give you a % chance of seeing the aurora, cloud covet details, aurora strength (you want low clouds, high strength!) plus more technical details. BUT the best part is others nearby can share photos of the aurora with their general location on a map! You may be able to drive only a few miles and see the lights!
• Aurora – this app is similar it will give you a chance of seeing the lights by time frame (I found this app easier to understand than Hello Aurora) but recommend having both for the others sharing photos in the Hello Aurora app!

Day 3 & 4 Alternative Itinerary South Coast Highlights + Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach

If you’d rather explore Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach and skip Hvammsvik on day 4 this is also doable, but this itinerary requires a lot more travel & driving. I love a good jam packed itinerary, so it doesn’t bother me, but fair warning!

Day 3: Diamond Beach & Glacier Lagoon

Day 3 hit the road early (like super early) from Reykjavik to start your trek down the South Coast all the way to two of the most incredible spots in Iceland; Diamond Beach and the nearby Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. They’re located about 5 hours from Reykjavik, so it is a bit of a trek to get there, but so worth it.

Diamond Beach is a stunning black sand beach that is famous for the iceberg fragments that drift onto the shore. On a sunny day at Breiðamerkursandur (or Diamond Beach) the iceberg fragments glisten and sparkle with the stunning backdrop of the Icelandic coastline. If you’re lucky you might see an Orca whale looking for seal!

Directly inland from Diamond Beach is Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. This stunning lagoon is the deepest lake in Iceland and is the best place to see Icelandic seals that flock to the area. The lagoon is created (and keeps growing) due the the melting of Iceland’s many glaciers.

While visiting the lagoon you can take a boat tour (April- October only) or visit the infamous ice caves (Nov-Mar only)

Ice Cave Tour

I visited during March and we did an ice cave tour. It was stunning! The tour company will drive you up to the glacier where you’ll then hike the glacier (so cool) with crampons to a variety of Ice Caves. The caves were so, so stunning and unreal. See ice cave tour options here.

Spend the Night on Iceland’s Remote South Coast

The area is not the most populated, so you definitely want to plan in advance. Vik is the only real town to stay in (still very small) but there are also some great hotels in between Vik and Glacier Lagoon that are good options as well!

Vik

Vik has the most hotel and accommodation options on the South Coast. It’s about 2 and half hours from Reykjavik and then another 2 and a half hours from Glacier Lagoon. My top two recommendations for hotels would be:

• Hótel Kría – this spot offers stunning mountain views, and on-site bar and restaurant and is only 5 minutes from the Black Sand Beach
• Hotel Vík í Mýrdal – another great option in Vik with an on-site bar & restaurants and Black Sand beach views

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

There’s a tiny town about an hour farther South than Vik (3 and a half hours from Reykjavik) that’s only about 90 minutes from Glacier Lagoon that has a few nice hotels. This is also a great place to see the Northern Lights because it’s super in the middle of nowhere and dark enough!

• Hotel Klaustur – I stayed here on my most recent trip, the hotel was clean, with a good restaurant/bar on site. My favorite perk was the Northern Lights wake up calls you could set! The lights unfortunately never came out when I was there!
• Magma Hotel – A stunning Nordic designed hotel with an on-site restaurant and amazing views

Day 4: South Coast Highlights

Day 4 you’ll be up early again to begin the drive back towards Reykjavik, hitting all the South Coast highlights mentioned in day 3 above on the original itinerary, you’ll be going the reverse route so I recommend stopping in this order!

• Vik
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
• Solheimajokull Glacier – you can likely skip this stop since you’ve already visited the mauch larger Jökulsárlón Glacier
• Skógafoss 
• Seljalandfoss
• Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River – you may not have time for this stop + hike depending on the season you visit and the number of hours of daylight!
  
  

To see more of my recommendations for Iceland, check out my full Iceland travel guide!