If you only have time for a 4 day Iceland itinerary, you’re going to want to be smart about how you see the coolest spots! This magical and enchanting country isn’t huge, but you won’t be able to fit it all in within that time frame.
You really have to plan exactly what you want to see, when to see it and how to get there carefully.
Depending on the season, summer or winter, your 4 day Iceland itinerary is going to change, so you need to make sure you’re prepared and know what to expect!
Without a doubt, the biggest mistake people make when visiting Iceland is trying to whizz around the whole country and not giving themselves enough time. See our entire guide to renting a 4×4 in Iceland here to make this itinerary possible!
- 4 Day Iceland Itinerary For Winter
- Day 1: Explore The Golden Circle (3 hrs) + Snowmobile Tour! (4 hrs)
- Day 2: Road Trip Along Iceland's South Coast (6 – 7 hrs)
- Day 3: Ice Cave Tour and More Road Trip Fun! (6 – 7 hrs)
- Day 4: Blue Lagoon and Visiting Reykjavik
- 4-Day Iceland Itinerary For Summer Travellers
- Day 1: The Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle
- Day 2: Road Trip Along Route 1
- Day 3: Glacier Hike (3 hrs) + Back To Reykjavik (4 hrs)
- Day 4: Whale Watching and Reykjavik Sightseeing
- What to Wear in Iceland
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Packing List Essentials
Imagine finally making your way to the famous Land of Fire and Ice, and NOT visiting the Blue Lagoon or Diamond Beach because you ran out of time and had to catch your flight home!?
So, we’ve put together this 4 day Iceland itinerary to give you a baseline of the kind of things you can do and see there. We’ve also broken it down and given you two options – 4 days in Iceland during the winter and 4 days in summer.
Our Top Pick
These trips to Iceland actually don’t change that drastically in terms of how many activities you can do. There are certain things that we don’t suggest doing in a particular season, or that Iceland’s geography physically stops you from doing them!
However, both itineraries can be adapted whenever you go.
4 Day Iceland Itinerary For Winter
If you want to visit Iceland in winter, then you need to book your trip for November, December, January, February or March.
The first thing that we recommend that you make sure you do is to book good flights. Only having a long weekend in Iceland is going to make it difficult to see everything anyway, so don’t hinder yourself by booking terrible flights!
Unless you have a full 4 day trip to Iceland to actually travel (i.e. you arrive on day 1, travel on days 2 – 5 and leave on day 6) then you need to maximise your time in Iceland.
Ideally, your arrival flight should land early in the morning – before 8 am if possible! Your departure flight should be as late as possible on the last evening of your trip.
For each 4 day Iceland itinerary, we have actually given you a pretty relaxed final day because you can’t afford to be so busy that you miss your flight from Reykjavik!
We think that the best way to get around Iceland is by hiring your own car. These itineraries are aimed at road trippers because they have the most flexibility.
If you don’t drive, however, there are plenty of Iceland tours that you can join to experience everything that we mention in this post. From glacier hikes to boat trips and helicopter tours, you’ll definitely still be able to enjoy Iceland! Book yourself onto the airport shuttle bus to reach Reykjavik centre and you can start your tours from there.
Before your flight, stock up on easy breakfast items like granola bars. If you’re flying to Iceland on a budget airline like Easyjet, you’ll have to pay for a hot meal so it’s better to come prepared.
Pro Tip
If you’re literally only travelling to Iceland for 4 days and you’re returning home straight after, then consider only taking hand luggage. Airlines tend to be pretty generous with their allowances, even budget ones.
Not having to wait for your luggage once you arrive will give you more time to get on the road. You also surely don’t need more than a carry-on case for 4 days in Iceland!
Day 1: Explore The Golden Circle (3 hrs) + Snowmobile Tour! (4 hrs)
Pick up your rental car + go shopping
Hopefully, you’ve managed to snag a cheap early flight into Iceland and didn’t bring 6 weeks’ worth of clothes in a suitcase. Hop off the plane and find your car rental contract. Someone should either be waiting for you, or you’ll see their kiosk at the airport.
There is a lot of advice out there about whether to hire a 4WD drive or not. I personally think it is better because it gives you that extra safety level – Iceland can be a dangerous place!
It will take around 10 – 15 minutes to reach the car depot so now’s a good time to start peeking out of the window and seeing what Iceland is all about! We used Northbound to hire our 4WD and had no problems.
Your car rental company will go through the details with you – don’t crash, do be careful with the ice, don’t drive at night, do keep your lights on at all times – so take note and you’ll be good to go.
Check the car for damage before you get in it, along with a staff member, so that you won’t be charged for a scratch or bump you didn’t make.
It’s time to buy food! The most popular supermarket in Iceland is Bonus, and there are plenty of branches around the capital.
Things like fuel, restaurant meals and accommodation are notoriously expensive in Iceland, so it’s smart to stock up at a supermarket when you can.
If you’re strictly following this 4 day Iceland itinerary, then you don’t need to buy much right now because you’ll only be staying in tonight’s accommodation for 1 night. Buy snacks like crisps, crackers and fruit.
Depending on how many people you’re travelling with, you should buy a decent amount of bread so that you can make up some sandwiches for lunch. Peanut butter or jam are good for making sandwiches on the road – just bring a useful utensil (not a knife due to airline restrictions!) for spreading.
If you aren’t travelling to Iceland on a budget, don’t bother with buying lunch food because there’s a restaurant you can visit later on.
Read More: Dalvik Whale Watching – Complete Guide
Golden Circle
Adventure time! Now that you’ve got your wheels, you’ve got your snacks and you’ve started your Spotify playlist, it’s time for your Iceland road trip to begin!
The Golden Circle consists of three famous attractions – Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir Geothermal Area and Þingvellir National Park.
Each place is incredible in its own way, and the best thing is that they’re all completely free to see!
Iceland is known for being expensive for necessities but the natural beauty of the country is usually free to explore if you don’t want to join a tour.
Geysir Geothermal Area
First on your Golden Circle visit is the Geysir Geothermal Area! I found this part so fascinating – you can stand in -1 degree weather and literally watch boiling hot water shoot out of the ground!!
The famous Great Geysir, after which all geysers are named, lives here but its action has slowed down a lot of recent years. It’s rare that you’ll see it go off, but nearby Strokkur will definitely erupt every few minutes!
It’s free to see the geysers. You can also visit The Geysir Centre to buy a couple of souvenirs. There are also several restaurants inside, so if you didn’t fancy eating a supermarket-packed lunch, this is where to stop for food.
Gullfoss Waterfall
If you only see one waterfall in Iceland, this has got to be it! Gullfoss is bound to impress you due to its sheer size and power.
If you’re visiting Iceland in winter, you’ll still be able to see Gullfoss but just be careful as the steps down to the falls are incredibly slippery!
There’s a lot of spray because the water is so so powerful! The river that Gullfoss drops into is Hvíta and lies over 100 feet below you. The roaring waterfall is a must-see, even if you’re only going to explore Iceland in 4 days.
Þingvellir National Park
Due to time constraints on this 4 day Iceland itinerary, I actually recommend that if there’s one thing that you skip, it’s the National Park.
It’s beautiful and full of interesting history, but to fit in the more adventurous activities I have left it out.
If you’d rather not go on the snowmobile tour in the morning, then, by all means, take a visit though, so I’ve given you some information below.
Þingvellir National Park (or Thingvellir) is an absolutely gorgeous place to wander around. It was actually Iceland’s first National Park and it is full of incredible history. Plus, it’s a World Heritage Site, which tells you a lot!
Þingvellir is where the first settlers to Iceland founded their parliament, and there are plenty of opportunities to read about Iceland’s political past.
However, there’s more to the park than just history. Have you ever wanted to stand (or even snorkel!) between two continents? This is the place to do it.
Þingvellir lies between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plate, so you can see the two continental landmasses at the same time. You can also snorkel or SCUBA dive in the waters between the plates. There are some safety restrictions on getting in the water but you’ll need to check these with the tour company you choose. You can’t just jump into the water on your own so take a look at the booking options here.
Snowmobile Tour
Even after all of that exploring, a good way to end the day is taking a snowmobile tour across a glacier!
It’s such a fun way to see a different side to Iceland – you’re speeding along the empty, vast ice watching the sunset across the misty horizon.
There will be a short stop in the middle of the tour where you can take photos or simply sit down and take in the breathtaking scenery.
On your way back, the sun will begin to set because it’s winter. There can’t be a better way to end your first day in Iceland than watching the sky turn from baby blue to candy pink and smoky orange to sooty black.
If you’re not a licensed driver, don’t worry – you can be a passenger and enjoy the view the whole time!
Snowmobile tours in this area tend to pick you up from the car park at Gullfoss and drive you to the base camp on Langjökull glacier so that you can get geared up.
You’ll be provided with safety gear and a quick lesson on driving on the ice!
Click here to check availability and prices for your snowmobile tour!
Pro Tip
If you’re travelling on your own or you have an odd number in your group, some companies might charge you a ‘solo traveller fee’. You could join a couple of Facebook travel groups for Iceland to try and meet people in a similar position so that you can book together and avoid the fee!
Where To Stay
It will be dark by now, so our advice is to spend as little time on the roads as possible. Driving in Iceland in the winter can be really dangerous, so make sure that you really have your wits about you.
Check out this booking.com map to see where you can stay right now.
Booking.com
If you’d prefer to stay in a hotel with your creature comforts, then I’d suggest picking a hotel like;
Breakfast is included, so you can start your day bright and early without having to worry about finding food. The hotel is only around a 5-minute drive from Gullfoss Waterfall, which means that you don’t have to be on the dark roads for long to get there.
Click here to see availability and prices for Hotel Gullfoss.
Day 2: Road Trip Along Iceland’s South Coast (6 – 7 hrs)
Take A Road Trip On Route 1
Part of Iceland’s big draw is that you can explore it solely by yourself. Get up when the sun rises – really this isn’t until around 10 am in the winter but you can begin driving from about 9 am.
To get to your next accommodation stop, you’re going to need to drive a fairly long way.
Luckily, Iceland is absolutely stunning so it won’t feel like a boring drive at all. There are plenty of places to stop, take photos and just enjoy!
Stop At Iceland’s Awesome Attractions
There are so many things to see in Iceland once you start driving. Once you get to Route 1, you’ll be on that road until you get to your final stop!
Some places are just off the road, and some will take a slight detour but they’re definitely worth it.
Here are our top picks to explore on your Iceland road trip – pick and choose the ones you fancy, but remember that you’ll be coming back this way on your return journey!
Don’t try to fit too many stops in because the final destination is awesome so you don’t want to run out of daylight for it!
Faxi Waterfall
Although it’s not as famous as its nearby big brother Gullfoss, Faxi waterfall is still worth a visit.
It’s only around a 20-minute drive from Gullfoss, so if you’ve stayed close overnight then this could be the first stop of your trip today.
You can take steps right down to the falls and get up close and personal with them.
There are also usually fewer crowds here so it’s a good place to take some photos.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
This is the awesome waterfall that you can stand behind! It’s easily accessible from the ring road too.
Make sure you’re careful because the rocks surrounding the area will be extremely slippery, especially if you are visiting Iceland in winter.
Sometimes the path is closed if it gets too dangerous, but you’ll still be able to view the waterfall from the front.
Skógafoss Waterfall
Skógafoss is yet another plunging waterfall – this one drops 60m!
It’s definitely another must-see attraction on your road trip, but if you don’t think you have the time to stop, you can take in its beauty from the road whilst you drive past.
Or, if you do decide to get up close and personal to the rushing water, you can climb up the steps to the top and take in the coastline view from above!
Svartifoss
It may only be 20m high, but Svartifoss is still beautiful and incredible. The waterfall actually inspired the design of the famous Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik.
If you want to see the falls, you do have to hike to them. It will take around 45 minutes to get there so I would give yourself at least 2 – 3 hours if you want to stop along the way.
There are 3 other waterfalls you’ll come across so it’s likely that it will take you longer than 90 minutes for a round trip!
Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Lagoon
Two of the most beautiful sites that Iceland has to offer sit directly opposite each other along the south coast of Iceland and are absolutely free to enjoy.
Diamond Beach (Breiðamerkursandur) is another black sand beach, but this time it is covered in huge ice crystals that look like – you’ve guessed it – shiny bright diamonds.
The ice is scattered all along the beach and is astounding to look at.
The ice chunks drift out from the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, get carried by the sea and then washed up on the shore.
Jökulsárlón Lagoon is equally as – if not more – beautiful than the beach.
Full of absolutely enormous icebergs that glisten in the sunlight, the lagoon was formed by the meltwater of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue as it has begun to retreat. It’s truly a stunning part of Iceland that you just can’t miss.
Where To Stay
There aren’t actually that many accommodation options close to the lagoon, so try to book as early as you can.
I recommend staying at;
It’s only a ten-minute drive from the lagoon. Remember that you don’t want to spend too much time driving in the dark in Iceland. Try to finish your sightseeing by around 3 – 4 pm depending on the month.
You can eat breakfast at the nearby restaurant and there is free WiFi throughout the property.
Click here for availability and prices for your Iceland travel dates.
Day 3: Ice Cave Tour and More Road Trip Fun! (6 – 7 hrs)
Crystal Ice Cave Tour
You’ll be picked up from the Jökulsárlón Lagoon so leave your accommodation in plenty of time and get there around 30 minutes before the tour begins.
Hiking on a glacier is one thing, but imagine going inside the ice!
On this tour, you’ll visit Europe’s biggest glacier, Vatnajökull, and enter the staggering ice cave where you’ll be treated to some remarkable views.
The bright blue ice is something you’ll never forget!
Click here to check availability and prices for your dates.
Road Trip Back To Reykjavik
After your ice cave tour, begin your drive back to the capital. Don’t worry though, there’s plenty still to see on the way back!
Reynisfjara Beach
If you’ve done your research, then you’ll already know about Reynisfjara Beach.
It’s the most famous black sand beach in Iceland. Located just south of the town of Vík, the beach is easily accessible and free to visit.
There are some amazing rock formations out in the water here (legend has it that they’re trolls turned into stone!). Take a peek at the cave too.
A word of warning – the waves here can be deadly – don’t get anywhere near the water and read the safety signs!
Vik
This cute little town is a great place to stop for lunch or just to see how the locals live in Iceland!
You can also fill up here if you need to – fuel stations in Iceland are few and far between so fill up whenever you see a station, even if it is only a couple of litres!
Fjaðrárgljúfur
Fjaðrárgljúfur is an impressive canyon, located around 4km off the main road. You can walk along the top of the canyon and get some incredible views of the valley.
Dverghamrar
Dverghamrar, or The Dwarf Rocks, are basalt columns that are said to house dwarves and elves! They look pretty cool too so they’re worth a quick stop on your road trip.
Svínafellsjökull Glacier
Svinafellsjokull is a glacier tongue coming from the Vatnajokull ice cap.
Although you shouldn’t attempt to hike on the ice on your own, you can get quite close to the lagoon and the ice and the views are simply stunning.
Spend The Evening In Reykjavik
Reykjavik is well-known for its crazy nightlife, so if that’s your thing then get yourself to a popular bar and party the night away.
Wander around the town, find your own favourite spots, or check out the locals’ top picks here!
Where To Stay
For budget accommodation in the capital, I recommend a bunk in a hostel. Click here for an idea of how much a hostel in Reykjavik costs.
If you’re travelling in a group, then dormitories aren’t the best choice. An apartment in the city is a much better option – you can get some really good deals if you’re sharing the costs.
A 4-person apartment like Óðinn Reykjavík | Skólavörðustígur Apartments (pictured below) is ideally located right in the city centre and has kitchen facilities if you’d rather not eat out.
Click here to check prices for Óðinn Reykjavík | Skólavörðustígur Apartments.
Day 4: Blue Lagoon and Visiting Reykjavik
Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon has got to be one of the best things to do in Iceland! Even if you do nothing else that we have recommended on this four-day Iceland itinerary, you HAVE TO visit the Blue Lagoon!
Yes, it is expensive, but it is also such a unique attraction and you won’t get the chance to experience anything like it anywhere else!
What is great about the Blue Lagoon is that you can either visit it during the day or the night.
If you’d rather go in the day, you’ll get some pretty pictures but it might be busier.
In the winter, at night time you might be in luck and experience the Northern Lights whilst soaking in the hot waters of the lagoon – so take a while to think about your decision!
Pro Tip
I’d recommend choosing the Premium package rather than the comfort one. It’s $20 extra, but you get two face masks (and they really are amazing!) plus the use of a towel, bathrobe and slippers. It’s unlikely that you will have packed a towel, and getting out of the water can be a little shock to the system so a bathrobe is a godsend!
However, people WILL use your robe because you leave them hanging up and return whenever you want. Just try and find another one your size and move on!
You can book your Blue Lagoon tickets here.
Return To Keflavik Airport
Depending on your flight time, you could drive directly back to the airport from the Blue Lagoon. Drop your hire car off and be shuttled back to the terminal.
Save the Iceland road trip map below to get an idea of distances and locations for all of the suggested activities above!
4-Day Iceland Itinerary For Summer Travellers
Spending 4 days in Iceland in summer is just as fun as in the winter. In fact, you have a lot more opportunities to enjoy the country as the sun almost never sets! The summer months in Iceland are May, June, July and August. The summer officially starts in April but this is a transition month and it is luck whether some things are open or not depending on the weather.
If you are travelling to Iceland in April then check out our guide to help plan your trip.
This means that driving is a lot safer and you can fit a lot more into your days.
It also means some of the attractions are more accessible because the ground isn’t as slippery.
However, remember that this is still Iceland so there will be some attractions that you can’t visit because of the time of year. For example, the glacial ice caves disappear in summer because the ice melts!
If you visit in summer and have four days in Iceland, your itinerary won’t change too much compared to in winter.
Below is a rough schedule that you can follow – of course, you can pick and choose which activities you want to do and which attractions you want to see but these are Iceland’s highlights!
Day 1: The Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle
The first thing you’ll do when you arrive is pick up your rental car. As you’re visiting Iceland in summer, you can afford to be a little pickier with your flights. If you land past lunchtime, it’s not the end of the world because you’ll have so many daylight hours to enjoy.
The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is only around 20 minutes away from the airport, so it’s a good idea to start there!
Soak in the mystical blue waters and enjoy a complimentary face mask and drink (yes, you can drink Prosecco in the Blue Lagoon!)
There’s also a sauna and a steam room, and if you feel like splurging, there are a few gorgeous restaurants to choose from too.
The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is also obviously one of the first things you should do. Drive up to Geysir, see Gullfoss and explore Thingvellir National Park.
Where To Stay
Stay in a cute wooden cabin in the Golden Circle, or make your way along Route 1 to find a unique hotel to spend your first night in.
Again, as you’ll have plenty of daylight, don’t worry about rushing to your accommodation early.
You have the luxury of staying a lot further south if you’d prefer where you have more accommodation options. Selfoss is a great little town where you can find some lovely places to stay.
Day 2: Road Trip Along Route 1
Begin your drive along Route 1 and stop at a couple of breathtaking attractions. Don’t forget to eat or stock up on breakfast supplies before you leave civilisation because you won’t see many shops along the way!
You’ll drive through another town today where you can grab lunch so don’t worry about buying food for too many meals.
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck
Iceland is famous for it’s natural beauty and attractions, but this one is a little different.
In 1973 a US Navy DC plane crashed into the black sands of Sólheimasandur due to a lack of fuel. Luckily, everyone got out safely and the plane was left as it was!
To actually reach the wreck, you have to park your car and walk up to the site yourself. Cars were recently banned from driving all the way up due to the soft black sand, so you now have to walk the 4km distance from the car park.
Give yourself an hour each way to walk to the plane, and you’ll probably want around an hour to explore the area too.
I’ve specifically only included this stop in the summer itinerary because it’s too dangerous to walk to the plane in the winter.
Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Lagoon
After a busy day driving, walking and exploring, seeing Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Lagoon is the perfect slower-paced activity for your day.
The magnificent ice crystals lying on the black sand are exquisite, and the lagoon itself is breathtaking.
Not only that but if you’re lucky you might spot a seal or two bobbing around in the ocean.
Click here to read a little more about the beach and lagoon. Remember that they’re just opposite each other so you can park up at the beach and walk across to see Jökulsárlón.
Visit The Puffins
Seeing puffins has got to be on your Iceland bucket list! They only visit the land to breed and raise their chicks, and summer is when they do this. Check out the full guide to seeing the puffins here.
Usually, the puffin season starts around June and ends in September. If you are really excited about coming to see the puffins, make sure you can plan your trip around these dates!
A great place to see these amazing creatures is the Dyrhólaey Rock Arch. Luckily, it’s just off Route 1 so you can combine a little puffin spotting with your road trip.
Not only might you be able to tick off seeing a puffling (the cutest name for a baby animal EVER) from your bucket list, but the dramatic scenery surrounding the arch will put you in a good mood for the remainder of your trip.
Dyrhólaey is actually close to Reynisfjara Beach – the most famous of the black sand beaches in Iceland – so depending on how much time you’ve given yourself you could explore that too.
Where To Stay
Drive back towards Vik to find your accommodation for the night.
Remember that you pretty much have all the daylight in the world, so there’s no rush.
As it’s a small town and pretty much the only one for miles, accommodation can be expensive. Try staying in a dormitory for the night – hostels in Iceland aren’t quite like those party places in Southeast Asia!
A good option is;
They do have some private rooms if you’d prefer, and you’ll get free Wifi for the duration of your stay. There’s also a shared kitchen so you could pop into the town to pick up supplies for dinner and cook your own meals to save money.
Click here to check prices and availability for your travel dates.
Cooking your own meals is still an option, plus you get to experience something a little different.
Day 3: Glacier Hike (3 hrs) + Back To Reykjavik (4 hrs)
As you’ve probably stayed in or around the town of Vik, it’s a good idea to stock up on lunch from a supermarket for today. You won’t reach Reykjavik until dinner time and all of the activities are pretty close to each other so you’re unlikely to find somewhere to eat in between stops.
Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike.
A glacier hike is such a fun experience that you should definitely have in Iceland.
Make your way to the meeting point for your specified time. I recommend the earliest time of 10 am so that you can fit everything else in. However, if you’d rather sleep in longer and relax in your accommodation, tours can start as late as 2.30 pm.
You’ll be geared up with the safety equipment (included in the price) and you’ll explore the vast glacier, ice caves and a lagoon on your Sólheimajökull Glacier hike.
Your guide will be there to help you all the way, as well as give you some interesting background information on the area.
Click here to book your glacier hike in advance.
Chasing Waterfalls
On your way to Diamond Beach, you would have been tempted to stop at some of the roaring waterfalls you drove past! If you resisted, now is the time to see them.
Both Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and Skógafoss Waterfall are not to be missed. They can easily be accessed from the ring road, and you don’t have to pay to see them.
You may have to pay to park so make sure you’ve got change, but there is no entry fee as such to the falls themselves.
Be prepared to get wet if you want to get close to the water, but that’s all part of the fun! You can walk around the whole of Seljalandsfoss and take some amazing photos, especially as rainbows are so frequent here in the summer!
Make your way back to Reykjavik. You might prefer to stop for dinner in Selfoss, or just find somewhere to eat in the capital city. I do recommend trying Icelandic lamb stew at some point!
Where To Stay In Reykjavik
Being the capital, it can be hard to find budget accommodation in Reykjavik. However, if you are flexible with your dates and book ahead then you can get some great deals o rooms with awesome views and amenities!
If you’re travelling as a group and would rather have your own space to chill in, choose an apartment like Thomsen Residence Suites. You can stick the TV on, play games and cook a decent meal together.
Click here to find a deal on an apartment in Reykjavik.
There are some truly beautiful hostels and hotels in Reykjavik though, so for couples and solo travellers I would recommend staying somewhere like Fosshotel Lind. You can wander the city and find a good restaurant to eat in, or even order room service to your bed in most places!
Click here to see hotel prices in Reykjavik.
Day 4: Whale Watching and Reykjavik Sightseeing
Whale Watching Tour
Iceland’s wildlife is incredible and what better way to end your trip here than spotting a couple of whales! Check out our entire guide to whale watching in Reykjavik here or simply watch our video below to see exactly what you can expect!
The summer months are the best time for whale sightings, and the waters near Reykjavik are often home to humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Bring your camera for this trip and be prepared to see some of the most impressive animals on the planet!
Click here to guarantee your spot on the boat now.
Reykjavik Sightseeing
Spend the afternoon in Reykjavik, depending on your flight time. There’s plenty to see and do in the city.
Wander the cute streets, buy handcrafted souvenirs and sample a few of their locally brewed beers.
The Hallgrimskirkja Church is a must-see. You can just marvel from outside or if you have more time, you can climb to the top and see the city from the viewing platform.
Reykjavik has plenty of public swimming pools to take a dip in too.
There are also a few interesting museums that are worth taking a look at. However, don’t visit the Icelandic Phallological Museum if you’re easily shocked!
Return To Keflavik Airport
You’ll need to drop your car off at the depot, and then you’ll be driven back to the airport to catch your flight home/onward.
See the map below for specific points of interest that I’ve suggested in the summer Iceland itinerary!
What to Wear in Iceland
Iceland can be a difficult place to pack for, as the weather can change so quickly. However, it’s good to be prepared.
In the winter, Iceland’s wind and rain can be evil. In the summer, it can still rain but it can also reach 25 degrees Celsius so you don’t want to be caught out by only having packing thick jumpers!
The main thing to consider when packing for summer in Iceland is essentially bringing lots of layers so that you can add or remove clothes as the weather changes.
If you’re considering using this 4 day Iceland itinerary, then you should only really be taking hand luggage. Not only is it easier as you’ll be moving around a lot, but it makes it easier to narrow down what clothes you need to bring.
For 4 days in Iceland, here are the base essentials you need to pack, whether you’re visiting in winter or summer!
Our Top Pick
This windproof/waterproof jacket is absolutely perfect for keeping the cold out and staying warm when you are visiting such cold places. If you only have a warm waterproof jacket I would seriously consider upgrading to windproof as it makes even more difference than the fleece lining in my opinion. See our recommendation here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re looking for some decent waterproof trousers then take a look at these. They are windproof and waterproof but also insulated which means that you may get away with only wearing these and not having to have an additional layer underneath. They also do a very good job of not looking too much like waterproof trousers. Have a look to see what I mean here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re planning on doing some serious hiking then we recommend you take a look at these Columbia walking boots. They come in loads of different colours and we think that they are really stylish. The most important thing however is that there are comfortable, waterproof and resilient which these are! There is nothing worse than sore feet preventing you from making the most out of your trip so don’t put it down to chance. Check them out in more detail here.
Our Top Pick
If you get particularly cold then you are going to want to take a look at these fleece-lined full-body thermals. If you couple these with decent clothing over the top then the coldest of people should be warm in the coldest of places. Have a look at colours and sizes here.
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If you’re looking for a pair of warm gloves then check out these waterproof/windproof/thermal gloves. When you’re looking for decent gloves then fashion should not be your main priority. I don’t know about you but cold hands are the pinnacle of annoyance! These absolutely get the job done and you don’t have to take them off to use your phone which is a godsend. Take a more detailed look here.
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If you are worried about getting cold feet (and you should be) then take a look at these brilliant thermal socks by Hot Feet. They should keep your feet warm in the cold conditions you will be facing, as long as you have decent footwear as well! You get 8 pairs which are also really good for the price. Take a look in more detail here.
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You absolutely need to have a warm hat when you are visiting cold places so take a look at this gorgeous fleece-lined cable knit beanie. It’s a timeless style and will absolutely keep your ears and head warm for your trip! Take a look at different colours here.
Our Top Pick
If you’re not a massive fan of fleece-lined hats (Jade isn’t) then earmuffs are the way forward. These vegan earmuffs look amazing and come in varying sizes whilst also looking really cute. I personally like the brown faux leather look but there are lots of different colours available. Take a look here.
Our Top Pick
It goes without question that you’re going to need a jumper. This gorgeous knitted jumper will keep you warm whilst also looking the part (people love the knitted look in the cold!). There are a few colours to choose from the reviews talk for themselves! Take a look here.
Packing List Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best month to visit Iceland?
This really does depend on what you are most interested in seeing!
Visit in September – March for the highest chance of seeing the Northern Lights. If you want the best likelihood of seeing a humpback whale, go to Iceland in the summer. Think about what is important for you to see and plan your dates around that if you can.
Are 4 days enough to see Iceland?
Although it’s a relatively small country, there’s so much to see and do that it wouldn’t be possible to fit everything in just 4 days in Iceland. However, this itinerary really has highlighted the best attractions that you should visit whilst you’re here.
It sticks to the south coast because there are plenty of places to stop and explore without wasting time driving. 4 days in Iceland is enough time to feel like you have experienced a good amount of Iceland’s beauty.
Is Iceland safe to travel alone?
Iceland is actually a really safe country. However, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t do anything risky that you wouldn’t do at home.
Don’t leave doors unlocked, don’t walk around with hundreds of dollars in your hand and don’t become aggressive to the locals! It’s just common sense to treat the country with respect and it’ll do the same to you.
Remember though that people aside, Iceland’s weather can create dangerous situations. Whether you’re travelling solo or in a group, minimise your time driving in the dark, don’t drive off-road (it’s illegal) and follow safety signs wherever they’re placed.
Do people speak English in Iceland?
Most people speak English in Iceland so it’s unlikely that there will be a language barrier when travelling. We didn’t come across anyone who didn’t speak English. As you’ll probably be following the tourist route, you most likely won’t either. Iceland tourism is plentiful so most people who work in the industry will be able to speak English.
Is alcohol expensive in Iceland?
Yes! You can expect to pay around $8 – $10 for a beer in a bar in Iceland. Happy hours do exist, but you’re better off buying duty-free in the airport before you arrive in Iceland if you want to drink alcohol!
Are you spending 4 days in Iceland? Let us know what your favourite parts of this itinerary are in the comments below!
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Comments
Thanks. As we are going for 5 days and plan to midnight golf this was a great itinerary. When seeing the puffins how far can you drive in and how far is the walk? We don’t do very well walking distances.
That’s fab! You can get quite close but obviously you need to keep some distance so you don’t scare the birds! there are marked signs telling you where to go and a car park that is close to the cliffs