3 Days In Iceland: The Itinerary You Need

If you’re in Iceland for just a few days, you might be stumped on how to spend your time. While there is much to explore, there is absolutely enough to see near the capital to fill 3 incredible days with fascinating sights and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

With such limited time, you’ll want to have complete control over every minute. That’s why we recommend renting a car in Iceland. This way, you can see what you want, when you want, while also saving money on the more expensive guided tours! What’s more, browse our van rentals in order to save on accommodation during your visit to Iceland.

Day One: Golden Circle Exploration

On your first day, the chances are you’ll be touching down at Keflavík International Airport. From here, no matter the time, you will be able to collect your rental car with Iceland Car Rental from our Keflavík location. Then, it’s time to hit the road!

Golden Circle Route

Your first activity should be the Golden Circle, a driving route close to the Reykjanes Peninsula and one that gives you a great introduction to what can be seen in Iceland. The route encompasses 3 main attractions, but there are countless others in between to fill your day, depending on what time you arrive in the country. You’ll be exploring:

• Thingvellir National Park: This ancient location once played host to the very first Icelandic parliament.
• Gullfoss Waterfall: This powerful waterfall creates a mist to be felt from the viewing platform, with stunning views over the canyon of the Hvítá River.

• Geysir Geothermal Area: With the original geyser dormant, you’ll be able to see the Strokkur geyser erupting every few minutes, to the delight of crowds year-round.

From the incredible rolling landscapes of Thingvellir, which lies between two tectonic plates, to the incredible geysers erupting and sending boiling water some hundreds of feet into the air, the Golden Circle is purely unmissable - especially if you’ve only got a limited amount of time in the country. Each stop can be as long or as short as you wish, depending on whether you’re keen to get out and thoroughly explore or pack as much into your first day as possible. 

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

A fantastic stop on the Golden Circle route, between Gullfoss and the town of Vík, lies Seljalandsfoss. You may know this iconic waterfall as the “waterfall that you can walk behind,” which just about sums it up! The sheet of water has carved out a walkway underneath the cliff where visitors can clamber and experience something truly unique. 

Skógafoss Waterfall

Another short drive will lead you to Skógafoss Waterfall, to add another majestic waterfall to your first day in Iceland. Standing at 60m high, Skógafoss is one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland and is surrounded by greenery, making it an incredibly popular stop for tourists driving in South Iceland. Notably, there is a set of stairs to the right of the waterfall which allows visitors panoramic views on clear days, as well as further hiking opportunities.

Overnight Stay in Vík

Vík is a charming fishing village in Southwest Iceland, a lovely spot to rest your head after your first day in Iceland!

Day Two: Southeast Iceland & Glaciers

With an early start from Vík, you can fill day two with stunning sights and unique locations along the South coast of Iceland.

Vatnajökull Glacier

Your first stop is Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. Vatnajökull was believed to have formed over 2500 years ago and actually covers 8% of the country’s surface area, which gives you an idea of just how huge it really is. This ice giant has 30 smaller outlet glaciers to be explored. While you can admire the ice cap from further afield, getting onto the ice will require you to book a tour, whether ice hiking, climbing, or boat tours on its various glacier lagoons.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Speaking of glacier lagoons, Jökulsárlón is a popular example! With icy blue waters, chunks of ice from the outlet glacier Breiðamerkurjökull float on the surface and often wash up onto the black sand beach, aptly named “Diamond Beach”. If you’re lucky here, you might even be able to spot seals relaxing on the ice! Whether you simply enjoy the view from Diamond Beach’s black sand or embark on a rib or kayak tour of the lagoon, this is a spot not to be missed.

Skaftafell Nature Reserve

Further West along the coast, you’ll find Skaftafell Nature Reserve, a fantastic place to stretch your legs. Accessible year-round from Route 1, Skaftafell offers a myriad of hiking opportunities. This is a great alternative if the weather doesn’t permit a visit to Diamond Beach!

Overnight Stay in Höfn

For your 2nd night in Iceland, we suggest that you stay in Höfn, which you’ll find further east along the Ring Road. You’ll be able to enjoy beautiful views of the Vatnajökull Glacier for the evening before setting off on your final day of sightseeing.

Day Three

For your final day on Icelandic soil, you’ll likely want to return to the capital to catch your flight. On your way, we’ve got a few things to tick off your bucket list!

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

Fjaðrárgljúfur is a less popular location to visit, put on the map for visitors to Iceland by Justin Bieber’s “I’ll Show You” music video back in 2015! Difficult to pronounce but not difficult to access, Fjaðrárgljúfur is a unique and winding canyon. Embark on the Fjaðrárgljúfur hike, just 3 kilometers there and back, to enjoy the best of the canyon’s views.

Reynisfjara Beach

If you’re keen to tick yet another black sand beach off your list, Reynisfjara Beach is a convenient stop on your drive back to the capital. Complete with beautiful hexagonal basalt columns and dramatic sea stacks off the shoreline, Reynisjara is often included on guided tours, so shouldn’t be left off your self-guided adventure! Just make sure to watch your back at all times, as waves can be unpredictable and have been known to ambush careless tourists.

Reykjavík

Though a small city by international standards, you should not neglect Reykjavík and all that it has to offer. With charming cafes, tasty food, and fantastic museums galore, a few hours or even a day wandering around the capital is a great way to start and finish your trip. Plus, if you need to stay the night, a huge range of establishments can be found here and in the surrounding area.

Now you’ve got some idea of what’s possible in 3 days, it’s time to start planning your trip! Browse our range of rentals today and book your ideal vehicle for your time in Iceland, from small cars to more capable 4x4s. 

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