Travelers planning a short visit to the northern Nordic reaches of Iceland may feel overwhelmed by the possibilities—after all, there’s so much to see and do (volcanoes! Reykjavík! glaciers!), and only so much time to explore. But with a little planning, any vacationer can embark on an exciting three-day adventure that shows off some of Iceland’s most iconic sights.
Surprisingly, three days is plenty of time to explore this vast and starkly beautiful country, and this epic itinerary is the way to do it. Packed with stunning sights, cool accommodations, and good eats, travelers can bask in the best of Iceland in the span of a long weekend.
Note: The following itinerary is meant for a three-day, two-night stay—however, it is easily customizable to allow for travelers that have less (or more!) time available to explore.
Travel Tip: A car is needed for this three-day itinerary and the best place to get one is at the Keflavik Airport after arriving in Iceland
Choose Your Home Base: Where To Stay In Reykjavík
The largest city and capital of Iceland, Reykjavík is the ideal place to begin this exciting three-day Icelandic itinerary, as there are plenty of attractions and day trips that are nearby—a plethora immersive experiences that are rife with Nordic charm and unparalleled scenic beauty. And lodging in Reykjavík has another added bonus: it puts travelers right in the heart of a cosmopolitan city that’s full of distinct experiences all its own. Below are some of the coolest spots to stay in the dynamic capital city.
- Ion City Hotel Laugavegur 28, 101 Reykjavík, Rates from $248/night
- Exeter Hotel 12, Tryggvagata, 101 Reykjavík, Rates from $261/night
- Center Hotels Skjaldbreið Laugavegur 16, 101 Reykjavík, Rates from $177/night
- Canopy Hilton by Reykjavík City Centre Smiðjustígur 4, 101 Reykjavík, Rates from $365/night
Icelandic Eats: Where To Dine In Reykjavík
While the majority of this three-day itinerary will be spent on the road and outside Reykjavík, it's still a great idea to grab a bite while staying in this vibrant and bustling city.
- Bryggjan Brugghús Grandagarður 8 101 Reykjavík Craft brews and elevated pub fare
- Matur og Drykkur Grandagarður 2 101 Reykjavík Cozy vibes and modern spins on traditional classics
- Messinn Lækjargata 6 101 Reykjavík A seafood star with family-style eats
- ÓX Laugavegur 28, 101 Reykjavík An intimate setting and a splurge that’s worth the $$$
Day One: The Golden Circle And Beyond
One of the best ways to see Iceland in a short period of time is by taking a trip on the Golden Circle—a popular route that travels through several of the country’s most well-known attractions and highlights. Just a short 25 miles east of Reykjavík, this stunning drive is one of the coolest road trips around, and can take anywhere from a few hours to an entire day. Bonus for those visiting in the summer time—after June 21, the sun doesn’t fully set in Iceland in a phenomenon known as the ‘midnight sun,’ giving travelers extra daylight to explore.
- From Reykjavík, the drive takes visitors past the corner of the continent (literally!) in the form of sheer cliffs on the way to the breathtakingly beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site Thinvellir National Park, full of history, stunning geology, and outdoor recreation
- Iceland’s landscape is constantly changing due to both earthquakes and volcanoes and the region’s tumultuous geology is on full display as visitors head to The Geysir Geothermal Area, home to geysers, hot springs, and bright azure pools throughout the Haukadalur Valley
- The final stop on the Golden Circle route takes travelers to the incredible Gullfoss Waterfall, which plunges powerfully down from an ancient valley to the Hvita River over 100-feet below
- There are many optional stops to explore along the Golden Circle Route, the most popular include the Thorufoss Waterfall, Kerid Crater, and the Fontana Geothermal Baths
Day Two: Along Route One And The South Coast
Day two on this epic itinerary is packed with even more awe-inspiring adventures that take travelers along Route One (aka the Ring Road) along the South coast. While this trip can be stretched to several days, it’s easy to take in most of the top attractions over a one to one-and-a-half day period. To save travel time, vacationers may want to spend night number two outside of Reykjavík before heading back to the city on day three.
- Calling all volcano lovers—the Lava Center in Hvolsvöllur is a fun way to learn all about Iceland’s singular geography, including the volcanoes that can be seen along the way
- Go chase waterfalls with a visit to Seljalandsfoss (be sure to get up close and personal!) and the nearby Gljúfrabúi—and both visits are immersive (literally!) so be prepared to get a little wet. Drive a little further along the Ring Road for yet another spectacular waterfall, Skogafoss (the nearby Skogar Museum is fun, too)
- Iceland is famous for its black sand beaches—including Dyrhólaey where you may spot a puffin or two, and Reynisfjara Beach, both known for their breathtakingly IG-worthy views
- The town of Vik is a great place to stop and grab a bite—Restaurant Suður-Vík is a popular choice. Next, head to the Eldhraun lava field, the largest lava flow in the entire world, and the site of the Laki volcano eruption over 200 years ago
- Optional stop: Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
- Spend the night: Reynivellir II Bed and Breakfast Reynivellir 2, 781 Gerdi, Iceland
Day Three: The Road Back To Reykjavík
The final day of the itinerary can be customized depending on time, some travelers may want to head back to Reykjavík early, while others may stretch out the journey by stopping at one (or more) of the following stops.
- Icebergs, glaciers, and lakes dominate the starkly beautiful Icelandic landscape at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Have extra time? Then be sure to take a boat tour (available May through October)
- The Svartifoss falls are worth a look for those who don’t mind spending about two hours on the hike to the top. It’s worth it, though!
- Keflavik is a great way to cap off an amazing trip before heading back to Reykjavík—here, visitors can have a soak at the famed Blue Lagoon
- Head back to Reykjavík and visit the lovely town center before packing up; Hallgrimskirkja and the Voyager statue are definitely worth a look
A three-day weekend in Iceland may not seem like enough time to explore this vast and breathtakingly beautiful country. However, with proper planning, even a few short days can make for a once-in-a-lifetime Icelandic experience that includes some of the country’s most distinctive sights. Packed with stunningly scenic attractions and the chance to explore the dynamic city of Reykjavík, this unforgettable vacation offers visitors the chance to experience the best of incredible Iceland.