Iceland is a wonderful country to visit in a short amount of time. Even if you only have 4 days in Iceland, you can see a lot of the country and many of its most famous landmarks.
Because of the island nation’s location between Europe and North America, Iceland makes for an easy stopover location. In fact, IcelandAir even offers free stopovers in Iceland at no additional airfare charge. So, a lot of people who visit the country have just 4 days in Iceland – or less.
But don’t worry if you only have a few days to spend in this beautiful country. You can still see many of Iceland’s top attractions, even if you only have 4 days in Iceland.
Although you won’t be able to see the entire country in 4 days, you’ll be able to experience a lot, especially if you limit yourself to one general region of the country.
Iceland may be the “Land of Fire and Ice” but our 4-day Iceland itinerary will also take you a several beautiful waterfalls.
During our 4-day Iceland trip, we explored the southern coast, which is probably one of the most popular tourist routes.
To make your trip planning easier, we’ve laid out our itinerary and all the specifics of our trip, like where we stayed and where we rented our car.
This south Iceland itinerary includes what to see, where to stay, and what to do if you have 4 days in Iceland, plus a few important tips for visiting Iceland in 4 days.
Resources to help you plan the perfect 4-day Iceland trip
Whether you are staying in Iceland for 4 days or several weeks there are a few things to keep in mind as you plan your trip.
Here are a few Iceland travel tips to know before we get into our 4-day Iceland itinerary for the south coast.
You will have to rent a car
If you have 4 days in Iceland, the best way to see the country is to road trip.
Renting a car anddriving around Iceland is the best way to see the country, especially if you are following our 4-day Iceland itinerary.
There are group tours of Iceland that you can join if you prefer to travel by bus or if you want a more organized trip rather than a self-guided adventure. These tours are especially great for those traveling solo who want to meet other people on their trip.
If you prefer to self-plan and sight-see at your own pace, then this Iceland road trip is perfect for you! Start your Iceland trip planning by reserving a car. You can do so here.
Note: We always use AutoEurope to compare prices and book rental cars when traveling in Europe.
You will stay in a new hotel every night
In order to maximize your 4 days in Iceland, you will be driving a lot! In fact, you will drive for at least 2 hours each day.
You’ll also be staying in a different hotel and town each night. Don’t worry, we have taken the burden out of researching places to stay and listed every hotel or lodge where our family of three stayed during our trip.
You can find links to book the hotels where we stayed in the itinerary below, plus alternatives that come highly rated.
A camper van is another easy and budget-friendly option when road tripping across.
Campervan travel is a popular way to road trip in Iceland because there are numerous campsites in Iceland that are either free or available for a low cost. You will save on lodging and be able to stop and go whenever you feel ready.
If staying in a new hotel every night isn’t your travel style, many of these stops can also be done as day trips from Reykjavik.
You won’t be able to see everything
Iceland may be a relatively small island nation, but getting around it takes time. With only 4 days in Iceland you won’t see everything. In fact, this itinerary covers the south coast of Iceland and Golden Circle only.
You will not be able to drive Ring Road or see the northern or eastern part of the country in such a limited time. You will want to focus on one region of the country only.
Still, each day of this 4-day Iceland itinerary will be a new adventure and unique experience.
You will be able to see many of Iceland’s main attractions, but with only 4 days in Iceland you will also leave with a desire to come back and explore other areas of the country.
Winter vs. summer in Iceland
If visiting Iceland in winter, you may want to give yourself more than just 4 days in Iceland if you follow this itinerary.
Depending on the weather, you may have to drive slower or it might take longer to get to the different attractions during the more extreme winter months. Keep in mind, during the winter months, it also gets darker much earlier.
And in the summer months, you still have sun even at midnight!
If visiting Iceland in winter, you may get the opportunity to see the Northern Lights. Photo by darrenquigley32 from Pixabay
We visited in summer, so we didn’t get a chance to see the aurora borealis. But if you visit in winter, a Northern Lights guided tourfrom Reykjavik comes very highly recommended.
What to see and do during 4 days in Iceland
The south coast and Golden Circle are perhaps the most visited area of Iceland. However, even though we visited Iceland in June, which is their peak tourism season, it didn’t feel overcrowded at all. In fact, many places felt completely desolate and we didn’t see another soul!
We cover all the main attractions in Iceland that you will see on our Iceland 4 day itinerary below.
This 4-day Iceland itinerary includes:
Blue Lagoon
Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital
Seljalandsfoss
Gljúfrabúi
Skogafoss
Reynisfjara Beach
Vik
Svartifoss
Diamond Beach
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Kerid Volcanic Crater
Strokkur Geyser
Gullfoss
Thingvellir National Park
FIND THE BEST TOURS, EXCURSIONS, AND ACTIVITIES IN SOUTHERN ICELAND HERE.
Day 1 of Iceland 4-day itinerary: Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik
Day one of your Iceland itinerary will be the day you arrive. If coming from North America, you will likely arrive in the morning hours, leaving you a good part of the day to explore.
Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is one of the most popular attractions – whether you have 4 days in Iceland or weeks!
Start your first day in Iceland by heading directly to the Blue Lagoon.
It is only a 20-minute drive fromKeflavik Airport to the Blue Lagoon, but it is much further from Reykjavik, where you will spend the first night, so make sure you go to the Blue Lagoon first.
Give yourself at least an hour or two to soak in the milky blue water. Be sure to add a swimsuit to your Iceland packing list, and keep it in your carry-on or smaller personal bag if going straight to the Blue Lagoon from the airport.
There is a storage area near the parking lot at the Blue Lagoon for larger luggage, but you’ll want to have your swimsuit handy, so keep it in a smaller bag that you can store in a locker instead.
If you choose to go at your own pace there are a few things not to miss in Reykjavik.
Hallgrimskirkja
Hallgrimskirkja is one of the most interesting churches, architecturally, in the world.
Hallgrimskirkja church is not only an interesting cathedral, but if you climb the tower, it offers the best views in the city.
One of the most famous cathedrals in Europe, Hallgrimskirkja has a stair-stepped concrete façade and at 244 feet tall, it is one of the tallest structures in Iceland.
Although visiting the church is free, there is a fee of approximately $8 USD/adult to go up in the tower.
Harpa Concert Hall and Sun Voyager
The Sun Voyager statue in Reykjavik.
The Harpa Concert Hall is another one of the more architecturally interesting modern buildings in Reykjavik.
The Sun Voyager statue is just a short walk from the concert hall. This unique piece of public art is situated right along the water and resembles a Viking ship. A great photo opportunity, it is one of themost recognizable European sculptures, so you won’t want to miss it!
A 3-hour whale watching tour takes you out to see on a two-level boat where you have the opportunity to spot whales, dolphins, and other sea life. The tour includes an experienced guide who will both entertain and educate you about these magnificent mammals.
Keep in mind, the summer months are the best time to spot whales in Iceland. While whale-spotting is not guaranteed, if you don’t see any whales on the tour, you are offered a complimentary ticket to try again.
Note: Reykjavik’s compact city center is known for its late night bars. Our apartment, while cute, was right above a club that didn’t close until 5am.
Since we visited Iceland in summer, we had to sleep with our windows open so the room didn’t get too hot. Needless to say, it was as if our bed was in the middle of the dance floor.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Reykjavik, the alternative hotel above has excellent reviews and is a 5 minute walk from all the noisy bars.
Day 2 of Iceland 4-day itinerary: Waterfalls, Vik, and south coast
Your second day during your 4 days in Iceland is all about waterfalls! You’ll see some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland during this day of your itinerary.
Start your day with breakfast in Reykjavik (there are plenty of small cafes in the city center) then head out of town. It will take you roughly 1.75 hours to get to your first stop, Seljalandsfoss.
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss waterfall in Iceland, one of the only waterfalls in the country you can walk behind
Seljalandsfoss is a beautiful waterfall that can actually be seen from the main highway which runs along the south coast of Iceland. It is one of the country’s most famous, most photographed, and most visited waterfalls.
It is also one of the onlywaterfalls in Iceland that you can walk behind. The waterfall cascades 200-feet (60 meters) into a pool of water that makes its way down a shallow stream of water, and eventually to the ocean.
The pathway behind the waterfall is an easy walk with a few stairs during the summer. It can easily be done with kids, although small children might need some assistance as the ground is wet, and the stairs and walkway can be slippery. During the winter, the pathway behind the waterfall is closed.
There is a large parking lot that you pay a small fee to park in. You will also find bathroom facilities, a food stand, and a small souvenir shop near the parking lot.
Gljúfrabúi
Gljufrabui is often referred to as a hidden waterfall in Iceland because it is accessible only by a small crevice.
After walking behind Seljalandsfoss, follow the marked path toward your next adventure, Gljúfrabúi Waterfall. This waterfall may have been my favorite in Iceland, mainly because it feels like you are visiting a secret waterfall.
The walk to the entrance of this secret waterfall in Iceland is only about 600 meters from Seljalandsfoss down a well maintained dirt path.
You will need waterproof shoes or rain boots for this one because it requires a short walk through a shallow creek or river to get into the cave where you can view the waterfall.
Although you will be walking through water, it isn’t a treacherous walk. In fact, I was able to do it while holding our 4-year-old daughter.
Once inside the small cave, the waterfall comes into full view, and it is breathtaking. The mist from Gljúfrabúi will definitely get your face, hair, and clothing wet, but the experience is worth it!
Skogafoss
Skogafoss is another one of the extremelypopular waterfalls in Iceland and rightfully so. Like Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss also cascades 200 feet (60 meters) from a cliff into a shallow river.
This waterfall is surrounded by black sand and the contrast between the water and the sand is striking! Visitors can get super close to the waterfall, which makes for a truly iconic photo.
One of the most contrasting and photographed waterfalls in Iceland, Skogafoss.
It is just a short drive from Seljalandsfoss to Skogafoss. This waterfall can also be seen from the highway. It is hard to miss and easy to pull off for a quick stop. There is also a restaurant near Skogafoss where you can enjoy lunch.
If you have extra time, there is a nice hiking path that takes you up the cliff next to the waterfall, to give you a perspective from above.
Reynisfjara Beach
Reynisfjara Beach near Vik, Iceland. Image by jbauer-fotographie from Pixabay
After visiting some of the country’s most majestic waterfalls, your next stop is to one of its most beautiful black sand beaches in Iceland – Reynisfjara Beach. This popular beach in Iceland is right outside of the small town of Vik.
With sharp columns that rise from the powerful ocean waves, and the contrast of the white ocean caps breaking along the black sand, it’s easy to see why Reynisfjara is so popular. It is perhaps best known for the unique basalt columned wall that looks like a bunch of stacked rectangular rocks.
The waves and undertow at this beach are strong and violent, so this isn’t a swimming beach. If you’re visiting Iceland with kids, watch them closely and don’t let them get too close to the water’s edge.
Vik
Your final stop for the day is the town of Vik. Vik is a small, charming fishing village. It is a great town to base yourself for a few days if you have more than 4 days in Iceland.
You could easily stay in Vik and day trip to the waterfalls, Golden Circle, and glacier lagoons, although your daily drive times will be a bit longer.
We stopped for dinner at Sudur Vik, a cozy restaurant with awesome food, before driving to our next hotel – which was one hour away.
Note: If you don’t feel like driving the extra hour from Vik to Kirkjubaejarklaustur, then stay one night in Vik.
You can even stay two nights here, and forgo the hotels listed above and below. Although both are incredible places to stay!
In fact, if visiting in winter time, both hotels would likely be amazing places to witness the Northern Lights as they are remote and away from light population.
Again, if you prefer guided tours or simply want to relax and let someone else do the driving, you can book this touras a day trip from Reykjavik, and it will take you to all the stops listed above.
Day 3 of Iceland 4-day itinerary: hiking, glaciers, and diamonds
Day three in Iceland will start with a hike to get your blood pumping and work up some body heat. You’re going to need it, because the rest of the day you’ll be surrounded by ice!
Svartifoss
Svartifoss, one of the most interesting waterfalls in Iceland.
We love to hike and be surrounded by nature, so on day three of our 4 days in Iceland we welcomed the chance to get out of the car and walk. After breakfast at our hotel we drove about an hour to the trailhead of Svartifoss waterfall.
The waterfall hike is located in the area around Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park.
This is an easy hike on a mostly well-maintained, gravel path that you can do with kids. Our four-year-old was able to walk most of the way by herself, only occasionally wanting to ride on her dad’s shoulders or be carried for a few minutes.
The hike to the waterfall took us about an hour and it was roughly a mile and a half. You can either hike a 3.5 mile loop, or head back on the same path.
We chose option two, as it was slightly shorter and we had reservations for a lagoon tour that we needed to make. It is a pretty hike, and takes you to one of the more interesting waterfalls in the country.
Like the column wall at Reynisfjara Beach, Svartifoss is known for its unique rectangular lava columns that surround the waterfall.
The design of Hallgrimskirkja church is actually based on this waterfall’s interesting look.
Diamond Beach
Diamond Beach, a stop on our Iceland 4 day itinerary, has large chunks of ice that dot the black sand appearing as diamonds.
Drive another 30-45 minutes down the road from Svartifoss and you’ll reach Diamond Beach.
Diamond Beach is a beautiful black sand beach in Iceland that gets its name for a very obvious reason. The sand looks like it is studded with giant diamonds. Diamond Beach is nestled at the narrow passageway between the largest glacial lagoon in Iceland and the ocean.
The “diamonds” on Diamond Beach are actually large chunks of ice that break off icebergs as they make their way to the ocean and wash ashore. It is free to visit and directly across the highway from the Jokulsarlon Lagoon.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
With only 4 days in Iceland, the furthest you’ll drive is to Jokulsarlon lagoon, roughly 5-hours from Reykjavik.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is the largest lake in Iceland. It is known for its large icebergs floating around the water.
One of the most popular activities at the lagoon is to take a boat ride through the brilliant blue icebergs that have broken off of Jokulsarlon glacier.
Not only is Jokulsarlon Lagoon the largest lake, it is also the deepest lake in Iceland. It has quadrupled in size since 1970 as the glacier is melting at a rapid pace.
A tour of the lagoon is an educational and eye-opening experience, and one that hopefully makes any visitor more environmentally conscious.
If visiting Iceland with young kids, you can take a pontoon boat ride with a guide that will also provide a lot of great facts and information about the lagoon. If your children are older or you’re visiting Iceland without kids, there are smaller boats and kayaks that will get you even closer to the ice, and evenice cave tours and glacier hikes.
Note: After visiting the lagoon, you’ll begin to make your journey back toward western Iceland and spend the night near the Golden Circle. How far you drive is up to you. We chose to drive to Eyvindarholar, which is near Skogafoss and the other waterfalls we visited on day 2 of this Iceland itinerary.
Regardless, if you only have 4 days in Iceland you will want to stay somewhere near the Golden Circle, to maximize your time on day 4.
Day 4 of Iceland 4-day itinerary: Golden Circle, Geysers, and Tectonic Plates
The last day of your four days in Iceland is all about the fascinating things that happen under the Earth’s surface. And there is one place in Iceland to experience this better than anywhere else: the Golden Circle.
Located about an hour outside of Reykjavik, this circular loop is tremendously popular among tourists to the country. In fact, there are a lot of Golden Circle tours you can join if you prefer to have a guide.
Kerid Volcanic Crater
Kerid Crater along Iceland’s Golden Circle, allows you can walk up to the edge of the inactive volcano.
Kerid is a great place to start your Golden Circle adventure. The crater lake was formed by a once-active volcano.
Unlike many of the other sites along the Golden Circle route, there is a small fee to visit the Kerid Volcanic Crater, but it’s well worth it to walk along the edge of the enormous, colorful crater.
Kerid is located just a 40-minute drive from two of the most popular attractions along the Golden Circle: Thingvellir and the Geyser basin, making it an easy detour or pit stop along your route.
Strokkur Geyser and the Haukadalur Valley
Strokkur Geyser along the Golden Circle in Iceland. Image by Laurette Chapuis from Pixabay
Next, make your way to the Haukadalur Valley. This area of the Golden Circle is the heart of geothermal activity in Iceland.
In the Haukadalur Valley you will find geysers, hot springs, and mud pots that reminded me a bit of Yellowstone National Park in the United States.
One of the valley’s claims to fame is the Strokkur Geyser, which predictably erupts about every 15 minutes, spewing water high into the sky and misting onlookers who stand downwind.
The Haukadalur Valley is open to the public 24 hours a day, so if you want to take advantage of the midnight sun in summer, you can visit this area any time of day or night.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss, a preserved natural landmark is now a must-visit on any south Iceland itinerary.
Gullfoss is one of the most powerful waterfalls in Iceland. It’s known for its multiple tiers of cascades along a 90 degree bend.
At its highest, the water plunges about 69 feet into the picturesque Hvita River Canyon.
From the parking area for the attraction, you walk down a narrow path and Gullfoss comes into view. The closer you get, the more breathtaking this mighty waterfall becomes. It’s impressive how close you can actually get to this stunning natural wonder.
Although it is now one of Iceland’s top attractions, Gullfoss was once at risk of being dammed up to fuel a hydroelectric plant to generate electricity. Luckily, the attempt failed and Gullfoss is now a protected landmark in Iceland.
Thingvellir National Park
Whether you have just 4 days in Iceland or many more, Thingvellir National Park is a must-visit!
Thingvellir National Park is your final stop along the Golden Circle. The national park is a unique place to visit.
Thingvellir straddles the North American and Eurasian continental plates. As the plates have pulled apart over the centuries, you can now walk between the two continents.
One of the only place where this continental separation is occurring above water, Thingvellir is one of the only place in the world where you can easily see science happening before you.
The UNESCO World Heritage site offers visitors a fascinating look at geology and how the Earth has formed overtime. But Thingvellir didn’t earned its World Heritage status for its scientific interest.
It was designated a UNESCO site because it is also the home to Iceland’s original parliament.
Those looking for something even more exciting can scuba dive or snorkel between the two tectonic plates.
The Silfra Fissure offers visitors clear water and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Of course,Silfra snorkeling or diving tours are not activities you can do in winter, as the water is very cold even in the peak of summer.
Viking Village
After exploring the Golden Circle head back toward Keflavik to prepare for your flight out the next day.
We ate dinner at Fjörugarðurinn, a Viking restaurant in Hafnarfjörður, a port town just outside of Reykjavik.
The Viking restaurant offers authentic Icelandic food with a fun medieval theme. You can also grab dinner in Reykjavik and even spend one final night in Iceland’s capital if you prefer. Although we chose to stay near the airport for our final night.
Whether you only have four days in Iceland or you have a few weeks, you’ll be able to see so many of Iceland’s natural beauties and wonders.
While I would have loved to have more than four days in Iceland, unfortunately with limited paid time off and traveling around our daughter’s school schedule, 4 days in Iceland in summer is all we had.
If you have more time to add to your 4 days in Iceland itinerary, you can explore the entire Ring Road of Iceland and spend a few days in the northern part of the country.
If you are considering whether a 4-day trip to Iceland is worth it, know you can’t see or do everything you probably want to in that time-frame. But if you are up for a whirlwind trip, you can still cover a lot of ground in Iceland in 4 days.
You’ll leave Iceland with a lot of incredible memories and possibly a burning desire to return.
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3 comments on “4 Days in Iceland | The Perfect South Iceland Itinerary”
Iceland seems to be a very nice place! I would love to travel there, it seems to have a very nice weather and very beautiful landscapes!
I have been struggling to plan a 4 day stay over, having read numerous itineraries, but none really seemed to fit. Stumbled upon this and immediately went “Yup! This is it.” Booked everything as described. Thankful I found this. Thank you.
So happy it was helpful! And I hope you enjoy your trip to Iceland as much as we did!
3 comments on “4 Days in Iceland | The Perfect South Iceland Itinerary”
Iceland seems to be a very nice place! I would love to travel there, it seems to have a very nice weather and very beautiful landscapes!
I have been struggling to plan a 4 day stay over, having read numerous itineraries, but none really seemed to fit. Stumbled upon this and immediately went “Yup! This is it.” Booked everything as described. Thankful I found this. Thank you.
So happy it was helpful! And I hope you enjoy your trip to Iceland as much as we did!