How to Plan the Ultimate Iceland 4 Day Road Trip

In no other place on earth will you witness such a diverse landscape – from gushing waterfalls to ice-capped glaciers to rustic black sand beaches – Iceland has it all. Iceland is one of those places that you have to see with your own eyes in order to truly appreciate its stunning landscape and this itinerary will show you How to Plan the Ultimate Iceland 4 Day Road Trip.

When we first decided to visit Iceland, I was a little hesitant. I was super intimidated by having to plan a whole road trip and having no idea where to even start. Just reading all the Icelandic location names almost scared me away for good!

After lots of research, I finally came up with the perfect itinerary for our 4-day road trip through south Iceland. Below is the exact itinerary we followed when visiting Iceland in June. Hopefully, this itinerary will help as a guide to which activities to group together and how many hours you should budget for each. It hits all the highlights plus some fun off-the-beaten-path locations.

QUICK TIPS

THIS ITINERARY

• For this 4 day Iceland itinerary, you will need 4 full days, 5 nights to spend in Iceland. Your arrival and departure days are not included.
• This itinerary is best used in the summer months of June-August, where you will have long daylight hours, sunny weather, and no snow. Of course, you can visit in other months, but be sure to do your research and know that the weather in Iceland is extremely unpredictable!
• You will need to rent a car as your means of transportation and also be comfortable driving quite a bit over 4 days. We rented through Cars Iceland and had a great experience. They are highly rated and won’t scam you as some rental car companies do. Since we visited in the summer. we didn’t need a 4WD, but one is definitely needed if you visit in the snowy months.
• Iceland is not a place you can just show up and wing it. Planning ahead is extremely important, especially during tourist peak season.

How to use this Google Map: Click on each icon (color coded by day) to get more information about each place. Save this Google Map to use on your trip by clicking the star next to the title of the map. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu button and go to “Your Places — Maps”.

The Golden Circle

Golden Circle is one of the most popular places in Iceland, and with good reason. It’s home to some beautiful waterfalls, landscapes, and even geysers. The Golden Circle is the perfect introduction to your 4 days in Iceland.

THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK

Start day 1 off by visiting one of the oldest national parks in Iceland – Thingvellir National Park. This spot is where the world’s first parliament was formed in the 10th century. It’s also the site where Icelanders declared independence from Denmark and confirmed their first president. As if that isn’t a cool enough reason to visit, it’s also where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, also known as the mid-Atlantic Ridge.

If you want to have one of the best travel experiences in the world, consider viewing those tectonic plates up close and personal by putting on a dry suit and embarking on one of the coolest (and coldest) snorkel experiences through the Sifra fissure. This fissure is made up of decades of filtrated glacial water, meaning it’s some of the clearest water in the world (up to 120 meters / 394 feet visibility)!

Silfra is actually the only place in the world where you can snorkel between two continents (and you don’t even need to bring your passport)! The Silfra snorkeling experience is currently rated #4 in the “10 Best Travel Experiences” by Tripadvisor and also on my list of Top 10 Travel Experiences in the World, so that should speak for itself in how unique and fun this experience is.

The only catch is.. the water is freezing! Ok, technically it’s 35°F – 39°F, but still super cold. The tour company we used for our snorkel experience provided will provide you with all equipment needed – dry suits, gloves, face masks, and even cookies and hot chocolate as a celebratory end to your snorkel. All of this keeps you warm, but obviously you’re still going to be a bit cold, so be sure you’re mentally prepared.

Here’s my never-fail, foolproof pro/con list showing that while the water is freezing, this experience is most definitely worth it!

This snorkel experience lasts about 2.5 hours. I recommend booking the earliest tour (8:30AM in the summer months) so you have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the day at the Golden Circle.

LUNCH – EFSTIDALUR II

After snorkeling and exploring Thingvellir National Park all morning, you’ll be in need of some good food. Make your way to the cutest lunch pit-stop in Iceland, Efstidalur II. This restaurant is a family-owned farm that specializes in burgers and ice cream, with all their meat and dairy being produced from their cattle. Not only is it delicious, but also a really neat concept and gives tourists a peek into what everyday farm life in Iceland is like.

GEYSIR GEOTHERMAL AREA

Located just 15 minutes from EFSTIDALUR II, Geysir Geothermal Area will be your next stop – proving that Iceland is full of diverse landscapes and formations.

A geyser is a hot spring in which water frequently boils, shooting a jet of water and steam into the air. Fun fact: the word geyser is derived from the Icelandic “geysa” meaning “to gush”.

The most famous geyser in this area, naturally named “Geysir”, is currently in its inactive phase. Luckily, there are still a plethora of other hot springs and geysers around.

Strokkur is the most popular active hot spring. Shooting jets of boiling water up to 40 meters / 30 feet high, Strokkur erupts every 5-10 minutes, meaning this stop can be as short or as long as you want. Note that this geyser often erupts multiple times at once, so keep watching after the first eruption and have your camera ready!

Be sure to spend some time exploring the area around Strokkur, with its bubbling mud pots and colorful geothermal activities.

GULLFOSS WATERFALL

When on the Golden Circle route, all roads lead to the Golden Waterfall, right? Gullfoss is one of the most powerful and spectacular waterfalls in Iceland and is coined the “Golden Waterfall”, getting its name from the golden shine when from the sun hitting the waterfall. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a sunny day, you may see that shine, and maybe even a rainbow or two.

Gullfoss can be admired from both an upper and a lower deck. I recommend checking out both for 2 different vantage points.

TIP: Be sure to wear an extra jacket here – the wind is very strong and it brings freezing cold air from the nearby glacier, Langjökull.

Where to Stay

I recommend driving about an hour and spending the night at AURORA LODGE HOTEL. This will give you a head start on Day 2’s activities in the morning. Aurora Lodge Hotel is a simple hotel located 1km from the main road. It has everything you need for an overnight stay, including a free breakfast buffet.

Where to Eat

Dinner: Strond Restaurant was our favorite meal in Iceland and definitely the best restaurant in the area. They have amazing food and an even better view. Everything we ordered was great, especially the salmon.

Waterfalls

Day 2 is all about chasing Iceland’s waterfalls. You’ll visit Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Skógafoss, and Kvernufoss waterfalls. Luckily, the hardest part of today will be trying to pronounce all these names (somewhat) correctly!

SELJALANDSFOS

Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, and it’s easy to see why. It’s not only known for its beauty, but also for the fact that there is an easy trail where you can walk behind the waterfall – yes, behind it! This makes for a unique view, unlike any other waterfall you’ve seen before. The path is usually only open in warmer months, which is another reason why I recommend visiting Iceland in the summer. Don’t forget to bring your rain jacket or poncho because you will get wet walking behind this waterfall!

Because of its popularity, I recommend arriving early to beat the crowds of tour buses.

GLJUFRABUI

For one of the lesser-known waterfalls in Iceland, walk only 10 minutes from Seljalandsfoss to find the hidden waterfall of Gljúfrabúi. Gljúfrabúi (or Canyon Dweller) is partially hidden behind a large cliff, which is why it is overlooked by most travelers. This makes for the perfect “off-the-beaten-path” stop on your itinerary.

In order to reach Gljúfrabúi, you’ll have to carefully wade through and around a narrow opening. I hope you kept that poncho or rain jacket that was needed at Seljalandsfoss because you will most definitely need it here. I promise the trouble is worth it. Once you’ve made it inside, the view of the waterfall gushing right in front of you is breathtaking. From seeing the sun peeking through the open sky above to feeling the mist from the waterfall’s grand power, this is one of Iceland’s most breathtaking gems – almost as if from fantasy land.

SKOGAFOSS

Keeping in the waterfall theme for today, make your way to the next stop on Day 2 itinerary: Skogafoss. Skógafoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland, with a drop over 200 feet! You can walk right up to it, but be prepared to be drenched (which also seems to be the theme for today). A waterfall of this size generates a lot of spray, so you should see at least one single or double rainbow on a sunny day!

TIP: If you’re feeling up for it, climb over 500 (steep) steps to view the waterfall from above on an observation platform. You can get a closer look and see just how intense the water is flowing off the side of this cliff. At the top, there is also a path that takes you on a short hike up the river where there are a few small rapids and even more spectacular views.

KVERNUFOSS

This was my favorite waterfall in all of Iceland, yet is often overlooked by travelers. Because of this, Kvernufoss offers peaceful, secluded scenery that will make you feel like you’re in a “Lord of the Rings” movie. Like its bigger sister, Seljalandsfoss, Kvernufoss is another waterfall you can walk behind. The view from behind this waterfall is framed perfectly by the palagonite cliffs overhead and the lush green vegetation peaking through – you’ll feel like you’re in a fairytale land! 

How to get there: Since this waterfall isn’t on the normal tourist route, it can be harder to find. Coming from Skogafoss, drive ~5 minutes to the Skogar Museum. Just past the Skogar Museum on your left, you’ll see a warehouse building with two big garages. You can park your car in this gravel parking lot.

From this point, walk behind the warehouse to the right. You’ll reach some old construction machinery, and it is here that you can climb a short ladder over the barbed wire fence. The hike to the waterfall is about 10 minutes from here and is fairly flat.

SOLHEIMASANDUR PLANE CRASH

Looking for one of the most Instagrammed airplanes in the world? This unassuming plane has become one of Iceland’s most dramatic photography spots due to its eerie, yet unique scenery – like something out of a zombie movie!

On Saturday, Nov 24, 1973, a United States Navy airplane was forced to land on Sólheimasandur’s black sand beach. The reason for the crash is unknown. All 7 crewmembers survived, although the plane didn’t fare so well.

If you’re waterfall-ed out for the day, this is one of the more “off-the-beaten-path” things to do in. It will take around 2 hours to hike there and back, so plan accordingly.

How to get there: Driving towards Vik from Skogafoss, you’ll see a large gravel parking lot on the right side of Route 1. There will be a lot of cars parked there so you can’t miss it. This will be the starting point of the approximately two-mile walk. It will take around 1 hour each way, and is a flat, yet boring walk along the featureless landscape.

TIP: If you don’t feel like walking the 2 miles or are short on time, there is a shuttle bus at the entrance with regular departures. I found it was expensive for the short ride, but could be beneficial if you need to save some time.

It takes a bit of effort and time to visit the Sólheimasandur plane crash but exploring and walking inside a mysterious, abandoned plane makes for quite the adventure.

Where to Stay

HALI COUNTRY HOTEL checks all the boxes if you want to stay near Diamond Beach. It’s located only 10 minutes from Iceland’s most popular attraction, making it a great choice if you want to see the icebergs during both Day 2 night and Day 3 morning. This family-owned hotel also has a breakfast buffet and an in-house restaurant for lunch and dinner. This hotel books up very quickly, so be sure to book in advance.

Where to Eat

Lunch: Mia’s Country Van – Local Fish & Chips.

Dinner: The options for food are few and far between near Diamond Beach. Grab dinner at the Hali Country Hotel restaurant I recommend the lamb and the fish.

Diamond Beach

DIAMOND BEACH

Diamond Beach is the biggest attraction on this 4-day Iceland Itinerary. Here, icebergs from the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon have washed ashore and lie stranded on a stunning black sand beach. The contrast of the crystal clear icebergs against the black sand beach is one of the reasons why this spot has become extremely famous in Iceland.

Be sure to also visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, located directly across the street from Diamond Beach. This is where all the icebergs on Diamond beach originate from. Explore the area for wildlife like seals and birds. Also, listen carefully and you may hear the sound of the icebergs falling off the glacier!

If you have extra time, you can also take a boat tour on Jökulsárlón. The perk of this tour is to see the icebergs and wildlife up close. We decided that we didn’t have enough time on our trip, but would have loved to do this!

TIP: I recommend stopping by Diamond Beach on your way to your hotel on the night of Day 3. The icebergs on Diamond Beach are constantly changing, so this gives you 2 opportunities to see the beach and the iceberg variations.

SVARTIFOSS

Svartifoss waterfall, located in Vatnajökull National Park, offers a one of the most unique waterfalls in south Iceland. With it’s hexagonal black basalt walls, seemingly hanging from the top of this 20m (65ft) waterfall, this waterfall is a sight you have to see for yourself.

From the visitor’s center, this hike takes about 2-3 hours to complete, depending on how many photos you stop to take.

FJADRARGLJUFUR CANYON

This fairytale-like Fjaðrárgljúfur is believed to be about 2 million years old.

Justin Beiber used this stunning landscape to shoot one of his music videos (“I’ll Show You”). Because of this, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon has grown extremely popular over the past several years. Many of the areas where Justin is seen in his music video are now off-limits in order to protect the natural beauty of this canyon. We visited right after they blocked off restricted areas, and it was actually quite sad to see how much the landscape had been altered. What you could tell used to be lush and green moss was now brown, muddy dirt. The Icelandic Environment Agency is constantly trying to restore the vegetation where people have left their footprints and the process can take decades, so please respect the off-limit areas!

Where to Stay

Located in the town of Vik, HOTEL KRIA will be the nicest hotel during your 4 days in Iceland. This hotel features stunning mountain views, breakfast buffet, and fully equipped rooms.

Vik / Blue Lagoon

Day 4 is full of exploring Vik and its surrounding area, then relaxing at the Blue Lagoon from your adventurous 4 days in Iceland.

DYRHOLAEY POINT

Start the day off by driving 30 minutes to the southernmost part of the Icelandic mainland — Dyrhólaey point. Dyrhólaey was once an island but is now connected to the mainland, creating massive cliffs, a volcanic arch, and stunning views of the coastline.

The cliffs of Reynisfjall mountain are also home to seabirds such as puffins. Puffin watching has become one of the top favorite summer activities in Iceland thanks to the incredibly cute and funny appearance of these birds. You’ll have the best chance of running into these guys between May and August. Although, be sure to arrive at Dyrholary point first thing in the morning as you’ll have the most chance of spotting them early.

REYNISFJARA BEACH

With its massive basalt stacks, roaring Atlantic waves, and stunning panoramas, Reynisfjara is widely considered to be the most beautiful example of Iceland’s black sand beaches. In fact, National Geographic voted Reynisfjara as one of the Top 10 most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world, and it is very easy to see why!

In Icelandic legend, it was said that these large basalt columns were once big trolls who could only leave their caverns at night. One night, they stayed out too long. As the sun rose, the two trolls were turned to stone, forming a group of sea stacks which we now call the Reynisdrangar Columns.

The scientific reason behind these columns is much more realistic. The columns were part of the Reynisfjall mountain range. After millions of years of harsh weather and erosion, they reached the point where they are no longer connected to the mountain range and look as though they sprouted up out of the ocean on their own.

After admiring these basalt columns and the black sand beach, start your journey back toward the airport, making one last pit stop at Iceland’s best bucket list destination: the Blue Lagoon.

BLUE LAGOON

The Blue Lagoon is a top bucket list item for most travelers to Iceland – with good reason! Relaxing in the baby blue, sauna-like lagoon is the perfect place to end your 4 day Iceland itinerary.

After reading many reviews that the Blue Lagoon is overrated, I’m here to tell you that it’s definitely worth it. There’s nothing quite like relaxing in one of the most famous saunas in the world, especially after a jam-packed 4 days of sightseeing.

Which Blue Lagoon package should you choose? We opted for the Comfort Package, which includes everything you need:

• Blue Lagoon entrance
• Mud mask
• Towel
• 1 drink

If you want to upgrade to the Premium Package, in addition to the Comfort package, you will get an extra mud mask, a bathrobe, slippers, and sparkling wine if you choose to have dinner at the restaurant.

Blue Lagoon Admission Ticket –  Please note that pre-booking is required online. I recommend booking about a month in advance if possible, as popular days/times can sell out quickly. You book by the hour and have a 1-hour window to arrive at your pre-booked time. Once you arrive, you can stay as long as you like. Buy Your Admission Ticket Here

Where to Stay

BB HOTEL KEFLAVIK– This hotel is located only 5 minutes from the KEF airport.

Where to Eat

Lunch: Located in Vik, Smiðjan Brugghús has the best burger we’d had in a long time.

Dinner: You can actually grab dinner at the Blue Lagoon, but we opted to grab something quick at Orange street food since we had an early flight out the following morning. They have great sandwiches, burgers, and fish and chips.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW:

• Currency: Even though Iceland is part of the EU, they use the Icelandic Króna instead of the Euro. There’s a bank and ATM on arrival at the Keflavík Airport to exchange money, although I feel it is unnecessary. A credit or debit card is the usual form of payment for Icelanders, so if you have a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees, you can skip the hassle of getting Krona currency.
• Electricity; 220V, 50Hz (European plug)
• Language: Icelanders speak Icelandic, but English is also widely spoken.
• Capital: Reykjavik, the northernmost capital in the world
• Tipping: Not expected; nearly all bills already include gratuity, therefore a tip is not expected or necessary. This includes restaurants and even taxis!

So, this is my suggested four-day Iceland itinerary. You can easily use parts of this itinerary for a shorter or a longer stay, but at least now you know how to see the best of Iceland in only four days.

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Want more info about Iceland? Check out my other Iceland blog posts:

• 10 Things To Know Before Visiting Iceland
• Snorkel the Silfra Fissure – Iceland Bucket List

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