Iceland
4 days
This itinerary is perfect for first-timers in Iceland who don’t have much time. In only 4-5 days, you’ll get to discover a vast variety of city and nature landmarks, giving you a great look into what this amazing country has to offer. From the world-renowned Blue Lagoon, to the iconic Gullfoss waterfall, you are guaranteed to be amazed. With only short driving distances and a single hotel check-in, this adventure will also give you time to relax.
We did this trip in wintertime (read our blog post) however it can also be done in summer. In winter, the days are short and snowy, with only 5-6 hours of daylight. In contrast, everything is green and the sun barely sets in summer. This is great for maximizing your days outside, but makes it impossible to see the Northern Lights. Depending on the season you choose to go, your trip will be considerably different – one more reason to go to Iceland twice!
Before you go to Iceland
When to go:
Jan-Feb / Jul-Aug
Timezone:
GMT (UTC + 0)
Language:
Icelandic / High English Fluency
Plug type/voltage:
Type F – 230V/50Hz
Currency:
Icelandic Krona (Kr)
Tipping / VAT:
Not customary / Included
Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavik
50km/30mi – 45min
Land in Keflavik airport, and head towards Reykjavik, the northernmost capital on the planet. Once settled into your hotel, grab a quick bite and start exploring the city.
Explore:
- Visit Hallgrímskirkja the most iconic church of Iceland, and admire the panoramic view from the top of the tower.
- Wander along Laugavegur street with its multitude of small boutiques and restaurants.
- Walk along the seaside and check out the Sun Voyager (Sólfar) statue.
- Warm up inside Harpa, a beautiful concert hall and cultural center made of colored glass panels.
- Explore the old Reykjavik, and walk around (or on!) the frozen Tjörnin lake.2
Eat:
In Reykjavik, we enjoyed:
- Sandholt Bakery (Lunch / Brunch)
- Kol Restaurant (Dinner)
- Le Bistro (Dinner)
Stay:
Same as Day 1 (in Reykjavik)
Tips:
- You can check this forecasting website, to locate the best areas for Northern Light gazing
- If you are feeling pessimistic about seeing the Northern Lights due to bad weather check out Aurora Reykjavik: The Northern Lights Center for the next best thing: a surround sound panoramic recreation of the Northern Lights.
Hallgrímskirkja Church 
Tjörnin Lake 
Sun Voyager Statue
Go to the next page to see the next day of this itinerary. Feel free to comment below if you have any questions or want to share your recommendations with our fellow readers!