3(ish) Days in Iceland – Golden Circle and Southern Coast Self Drive Road Trip
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Three days in Iceland sounds like not enough time to see this beautiful country, but there is so much you can fit in. This is plenty of time to get a little taste of everything Iceland has to offer. Check out my itinerary below for the perfect 3(ish) days in Iceland! (My “ish” is for if you have the ability to fly in the night before or fly out the morning after your trip.)
Make sure to keep in mind the time of year you will be going and the number of daylight hours. During the summer, daylight hours can reach almost 24 hours in some parts! This also means that during the winter, daylight hours fall as low as 4 hours per day. Don’t let that deter you, more darkness means more of a chance of seeing the northern lights! These websites, here and here, are my favorites for tracking this information in not just Iceland, but anywhere in the world.
Summary
Are three days enough?
When is the best time to visit?
Map
My Recommended Itinerary
Day 1 – Land in Iceland, Blue Lagoon and Other Options, Reykjavik, Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss, Faxifoss, Kerið Crater, Hotel Recommendations
Day 2 – LAVA Centre, Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrafoss Waterfalls, Skógafoss Waterfall, Sólheimajökull Glacier, Reynisfjara Beach and Dyrhólaey, Vik, Hotel Recommendations
Day 3 – Head back towards Reykjavik, Any stops above you may have missed, Hot Springs, Solheimasandur Plane Wreck, Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike, Fly Home/Reykjavik
Day 4 – Fly home
Are three days enough?
My three day itinerary is for three full days in Iceland. If you have the time I highly recommend flying in the night before the beginning of your trip or the morning after the last day of your trip. It is very achievable to see a lot in three days, however, this requires a lot of driving and not a lot of downtime. The last thing anyone wants is to be too tired after your flight in to get to everything on your first day or to miss your flight home rushing to the airport after fitting in last minute activities.. or maybe the last part isn’t completely bad 😉.
Even more short on time? Check out my quickest and most jam-packed Iceland itinerary here!
Have even longer? Check out my 7 Day Iceland Road Trip and 2 Week Ring Road Itinerary. (COMING SOON 😊)
When is the best time to visit?
For a trip this short, I would recommend staying within late spring to early fall. Ideally, summer would be the best, most amount of sun and the least amount of rainfall. However, don’t let this deter you from exploring other times of the year. There is just as much magic in the winter, like the chance to see northern lights! (Click here for tips on how to see them - COMING SOON). No matter which time of year, make sure to keep your itinerary flexible and an eye on the weather report just in case of any sudden weather changes.
Visit this website to stay up to date on the quickly changing weather conditions and this website for road conditions.
Map
My Recommended Itinerary
Below is my recommended itinerary for a three day trip to Iceland. You will see all of the best sights and have a great time exploring!
Day 1
Land in Iceland!
Many flights from the United States tend to land at Keflavik Airport in the morning, which gives you plenty of time to hit the ground running! Or driving in this case (but kudos to you if you are running this entire trip). It is very easy to rent a car in Iceland and just as easy to get to from the airport. Most are a quick shuttle bus ride away.
Note: When exiting the airport stop a moment, smell the amazingly fresh Icelandic air, then follow the covered sidewalk to the rental car shuttle busses. If taking a Flybus, which is a great alternative to getting into Reykjavik, the pickup is right there at the beginning of the covered sidewalk.
If you are taking an evening flight, I suggest moving the following to the next day. However, depending on the time you land you still may be able to go to the Blue Lagoon!
Blue Lagoon and Other Options
(Number 1 on the map below) If the Blue Lagoon is on your bucket list, now is the perfect time to go! Being only around 20 mins from the airport, it’s a popular first stop for tourists. If you prefer, this can even be moved to the end of your trip. Just don’t miss your flight!
If you are planning on going, it is best to book your time slot in advance. The Blue Lagoon is very popular, and you don’t want to get all the way there and not be able to enter. Once you are in though, there is no time limit on how long you can stay. I find that 1 to 2 hours is usually sufficient.
As I stated above, the Blue Lagoon is open pretty late. I’ve seen time slots for as late as 11 PM! This is a wonderful time to go. I’ve even seen the Northern Lights make an appearance!
Rather go to a different hot spring? Or even spend your entire three days in one. Here are a couple other great ones to visit.
2. Secret Lagoon – One of Iceland’s oldest swimming pools dating back to 1891. The temperature is usually around 100-104 F (38-40 C), so it is just like a large hot tub.
3. Fontana Geothermal Baths – Combination geothermal pool and lake! Here you can run back and forth between the two. The sand between the two is warm due to the geothermal activity in the area, sometimes getting warm enough to cook bread. This is served in the café located near the entrance.
4. Seljavallalaug – Another one of Iceland’s oldest pools, built in 1923, Seljavallalaug was built into a side of a mountain in what feels like the middle of nowhere. The pool consists of water that is naturally carried down the side of the mountain and isn’t very warm, but on sunny days during the summer it is perfect. It is a 2 mile hike round trip to reach the pool from the parking lot.
Note: The pool is only cleaned once a year during the summer and may look dirty. There is also only two changing rooms in a small building next to the pool that is attended to volunteers every so often.
5. Kvika Foot Bath – Not exactly a spa experience but it is fun to see and sits in a beautiful location.
Reykjavik
Next stop, Reykjavik! Even on a shorter trip like this one, I still recommend making a quick stop here. Laugavegur is the main walking street in Reykjavik lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants.
To get a quick taste of the area, I recommend walking the following triangle. Enter Laugavegur at the corner of Frakkastígur. Walk all the way down until you reach Skólavörðustígur, and make a left. As you walk up the street you will quickly see the rainbow painted street that leads to the famous Hallgrimskirkja, one of the many well-known churches in Iceland. After reaching the church and exploring the area, maybe even take a ride to the top of the tower and get a great 360 view of Reykjavik from above, turn left onto Frakkastígur and walk back down to where you started at the corner of Laugavegur. On your way down make sure to stop at Brauð & Co. and pick up a tasty pastry! You won’t be able to miss them with their brightly painted façade.
Of course, you can start at any point depending on where you park. I find that if you are having trouble finding street parking, just type parking into google maps and it will bring you to a good spot.
If you decide to spend a little more time and want to explore outside of where I mentioned above, here are a few more great spots.
Harpa and the Viking Sun Voyager Statue
City Pond
Valdis Ice Cream Shop
The hot dog stand Bæjarins Bestu ("The Town's Best') near Reykjavík harbor
They have a reputation for selling the most delicious hot dogs in Iceland
Alþingishúsið, Iceland’s parliament building since 1881
Bonus: If you see a Te & Kaffi, stop and grab something good. This is my favorite coffee shop in Iceland!
One last thing to do in Reykjavik before you leave? Go to a grocery store! Especially if you’re on a budget. There are lots of great places to eat in Iceland, but it can get very pricey. If you can’t think of what you want at least get bread, sandwich meat [if you eat that] or peanut butter and jelly, fruit, snacks, and bottled drinks. If you want to snack, eat something you purchased at the grocery store instead of breaking the bank by going out to eat! My favorite grocery store is Bonus. It has the best price and range of options. Some other great ones are Kronan and Netto.
Þingvellir National Park
Ready to be in two continents at once? The next location is an exciting stop. Þingvellir National Park, pronounced Thingvellir in English, is one of Iceland’s UNCESCO world heritage sites. The area is an important cultural and geological site to Iceland. A continental divide cuts right through the park. The rift valley is caused by the separation of two tectonic plates, the North American and Eurasian, marking the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Here is also where the country’s first parliament was located. For hundreds of years, 930 to 1798, Icelanders would meet here to discuss laws and politics. You can just feel the history here. Now, the parliament is located within Alþingishúsið in Reykjavík.
How to visit
When you arrive, there is a parking lot that accommodates plenty of cars. Before continuing to the park make sure to stop at one of the pay stations located inside the visitor center. To the right of the building there is a viewpoint that I recommend making a stop at before following the path down between the two continents. The path is very well maintained and easy to walk with plenty of informational reading along the way.
If you follow the path all the way down you will see your first waterfall of the trip, Öxarárfoss. For anyone who is a Game of Thrones fan, nearby there is a rift through the rock that was used as a filming location. One way, the walk is about 20 minutes, but make sure to add to that time to allow for taking in the sights and reading the informational boards. If that is too time consuming, I think walking about 10 minutes down and turning back lets you see plenty.
Up for some adventure? An even cooler way to see the rifts is by snorkeling! There are tours that bring you through the Silfra Fissure nearby. Very cold but definitely an adventure worth doing. On a short trip like this one, you may not have time to do both so I would recommend picking one or the other. The snorkeling would probably take around 3 hours or so.
Geysir Geothermal Area
Next is Geysir geothermal area within the Haukadalur Valley. When you arrive there is easy, free, parking by the visitor center. After parking, cross the street to enter the main geothermal area. As you follow the path you will be surrounded by many bubbling mud pots and steaming earth, but the main attractions are Great Geysir and Strokkur Geysir. Great Geysir is the earliest documented geyser in European literature and has been active for around 10,000 years. Now, it is pretty much inactive. However, before reaching Great Geysir, you will see Strokkur. This geyser erupts every 6-10 minutes, shooting boiling hot water almost 131 feet (40 meters) in the air.
As you walk up to Strokkur you can go right and view it from that side, or keep walking and you will reach Great Geysir. You used to be able to walk completely around Strokkur but as of my visit in 2021, it has been closed off, but you can still reach the other side. Go back to the front of it and cross over following the left side of the geyser. That side allows you to get up closer and see the water inside. After watching Strokkur go off a couple more times, turn around and follow the trail up to see several more hot springs, mud pits, and geysers around the area.
Gullfoss
Now make your way to Gullfoss, or “Gold Waterfall”. Gullfoss is one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls you will see on your trip, and how the Golden Circle gets its name! This location again includes a good size parking lot and great visitor center. To reach the waterfall walk to the left of the visitor center and follow the path down where you should quickly start to hear the powerful water cascading down.
There are two ways to see the falls, from above and walking right up to it. As you reach the stairs, turn left to head towards the lookout. After checking that out, walk back to the stairs and walk down to the waterfall. Depending on the time of year, there may be an additional trail that brings you right up to the side of it. If that is closed it is still a breathtaking view from the main area.
Faxifoss
Many miss Faxifoss when travelling along the Golden Circle. Although it is much less powerful and dramatic than Gullfoss, it is very peaceful and of course, much less crowded. There is a large lot, so no worry about parking. After parking you can walk to the end of the lot for a great quick view of the waterfall or turn right and follow a short trail to another viewpoint. If you feel like you have some more time, you can follow a path to the left and get a closer look.
Note: If you’re using Google maps, and having trouble finding it, try typing in Faxafoss or just Faxi.
Kerið (Kerid) Crater
Lasts stop of the day! Kerid crater is a massive red rock crater with a lake in the middle. The rocks surrounding the crater has fiery reds and oranges combined with bursts of black and green with a deep blue lake at the bottom. The color of the lake depends on how sunny/cloudy it is when you are there.
When you arrive, there is a small parking lot. Parking is free but there is a small per person entrance fee (about $3 each). After paying, to the left is a short trail leading up to a wonderful viewpoint of the crater. Then, to the left of the lookout there is a short trail that leads down to the lake allowing you to walk right up to it.
Where to Stay
Here is a great place to end your day. Today has been a long day and I recommend staying in the nearby town of Selfoss, about a 15 minute drive. If you prefer to make Reykjavik your home base, the Golden Circle can be done in a day and the drive back to Reykjavik is about an hour, depending on where your hotel is. Tomorrow’s route can also be done in a day, but it would be a very long day.
Selfoss Hotel Recommendations
Hotel Selfoss
Eyravegur 2, Selfoss, 800, Iceland
Relaxing hotel along the water in Selfoss.
Hotel South Coast
Eyrarvegur 11-13, Selfoss, 800, Iceland
Beautiful simple but modern hotel in the center of Selfoss.
Extra Tip
My favorite burger restaurant and brewery in Vik recently opened a location Selfoss! Smiðjan Brugghús has some of the best burgers I have ever tasted along with everything else they make. Make sure to stop here for dinner and a beer. You will be so happy you did!
Reykjavik Hotel Recommendations
Center Hotels Plaza
Adalstraeti 4, Reykjavik, 00101, Iceland
Small chain hotel with multiple locations. This one in particular is in an excellent location within the heart of Reykjavik. Plenty of bars and restaurants for evenings and cafes for the morning. Spending the day in Reykjavik? Laugavegur walking street is within walking distance along with nearby things to see.
Hotel Klettur
Mjölnisholti 12-14, Reykjavik, 105, Iceland
Modern hotel near the other end of Laugavegur. Only a 13 minute walk to Hallgrímskirkja, the landmark 73-m-tall modern church, and many other fun places! Quieter area with easy, free parking.
Day 2
LAVA Centre
This itinerary is filled with not really any indoor activities and I’m sure most of you are here for the nature. However, I highly recommend this museum. LAVA Centre is an interactive and high-tech educational exhibit illustrating the volcanic activity, earthquakes, and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. It helps you have a deeper understanding and appreciation of everything you are visiting and driving past while on your trip. Additionally, there is a digital display right when you walk in showing all of the recent volcanic and earthquake activity in Iceland along with a great shop and restaurant.
Note: There is a ticket for just the museum, just the cinema, or both. If you have the time I recommend both, the movie shown in the cinema is excellent, but if you have to pick one then I would go through the museum.
The LAVA Centre is open every day from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrafoss Waterfalls
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrafoss are two of my favorite waterfalls in Iceland. Seljalandsfoss’s water cascades 200 feet, 60 meters, over steep cliffs and is part of the Seljalands River which originated from the glacier Eyjafjallajökull. I’m sure you have seen photos of Seljalandsfoss from behind since it has its popular path allowing you to see the waterfall from a different perspective. The path is only open during the warmer months since the water splashing down from the waterfall covers the entrances, making it too dangerous to go on. If you are visiting in the winter I would not skip this stop, you can still get very close and get a great view from the front. The ice is also very cool to see since the falling water freezes around the grass.
Gljúfrafoss is a little bit of a hidden treasure. You most likely wouldn’t know it was there by just visiting Seljalandsfoss. If I had to quickly say what my #1 waterfall was in Iceland I think I would say this one without hesitation. Partially hidden behind the cliff rock, there is a narrow canyon which opens up to a small area where Gljúfrafoss is flowing down. It’s such a cool experience to walk through, balancing on rocks sticking up from the river, and then looking up to see the water coming down. Once inside the canyon there is a place to walk around, you aren’t forever balancing on those little rocks, and a large rock in the center you can climb up on and get a great picture. To get to Gljúfrafoss, follow the path left of Seljalandsfoss towards the campground until you reach the river, then you will see the canyon immediately to your right.
Note: Gljúfrafoss is labeled Gljufrabui on Google maps.
Parking is easy with a big lot close to the waterfall. Make sure to pay at the station before leaving the lot. There are also three stands that house a small store, a food stall with great hot drinks and food, and bathrooms.
Note: If going behind Seljalandsfoss or into the canyon for Gljúfrafoss, make sure to wear waterproof clothing. You will get wet!
Skógafoss Waterfall
Skógafoss is a beauty and one of Iceland’s biggest and most famous waterfalls. Feel like you’ve maybe seen it before? Well, you’re right, it was used on the show Game of Thrones! It’s water, which comes from the Skógá River, has a drop of around 200 feet, 60 meters, and is 82 feet, 25 meters, wide. This cliff marks the former coastline before later receding, it is now about 3 miles from the cliffs. The best way to see it is to walk right up to it and feel the power of the water crashing down.
To the right, there is a staircase built into the mountain side leading up to the top to a small viewing platform. You can get a bird’s eye view of the waterfall and the surrounding area and see where the waterfall is flowing from.
Parking is also very easy here with a large parking lot and minimal walking to get to the waterfall. There is also a bathroom here with a small fee, make sure to have cash. I have also seen sheep just about every time I have been here so if you were looking for a way to see then while out of the car, here is the place!
Sólheimajökull Glacier
Sólheimajökull Glacier is an outlet from the massive Mýrdalsjökull icecap and is surrounded by some of Iceland's most grand volcanoes. It is also one of the most visited glaciers in the southern region. There is an easy, decent size parking lot here that leads to the trail. When visiting on your own it is important to only approach it but not climb on it unless you are on a guided tour. Sólheimajökull currently measures about five miles long, eight kilometers, and just over a mile wide, 2 kilometers. However, it appears much large due to how it originates from Mýrdalsjökull. Sadly, due to climate change this glacier is melting, along with all the others in Iceland, and may be gone within decades.
Reynisfjara Beach and Dyrhólaey
Last stop for today, Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach! If you are running late in your day but have time for one more stop, I would go to Reynisfjara and save Dyrhólaey for the next day. The way to Reynisfjara is an easy paved road with a parking lot and a restaurant right at the beach. After parking it is a short walk to the black sand beach, with very important warning signs that you must adhere to. I have photographed them and inserted them below. Many tourists die every year due to the dangerous sneaker waves at this coastline. Never get too close to the water, or in it, and never turn your back to it.
Once on the beach there are beautiful views of the coastline that seems to stretch on forever and insanely high basalt columns that are so cool to see. In photos they don’t seem as tall as in person. In the image below I must have been almost 20 feet off the ground! Looking around the corner you can see Reynisdrangar, large basalt sea stacks jutting out from the water. The legend behind the stacks is that once two trolls dragged a three-masted ship to land unsuccessfully and when daylight broke they became needles of rock.
The road to Dyrhólaey is before the mountain pass while the road to Reynisfjara is at about the middle on the way to Vik. Dyrhólaey offers stunning views of Reynisfjara Beach from above, a lighthouse, and the chance to see puffins if you are there at the right time of year! The area got its name from an almost 400 foot, 120 meter, high arch that protrudes from the cliffs and was worn away from the ocean. Dyrhólaey means “door hill island” and described the cliff perfectly. The Dyrhólaey lighthouse is one of the highlights of the area and had been sitting on top of the cliffs since 1927.
Note: If you are visiting during May/June, Dyrhólaey may be closed overnight due to the area being a major Puffin nesting location. Dyrhólaey is a nature preserve that protects the unique birdlife. Puffins tend to go out to sea and fish during the day but there is still a big chance that you will see them here during this time of year.
Also, there is a split in the road about midway. If you go straight, the more paved option, this leads to the main parking lot, a bathroom, and viewpoints of the arch and surrounding coastline. If you take the road to the right, this is the one that leads to a smaller parking lot, the lighthouse, arch, and the famous view you might have seen on Instagram.
Vik
Vík í Mýrdal, also known as Vik, is a remote village on Iceland’s southern coast, and my favorite town/city/village in the country. It is actually Iceland’s southernmost village. After driving through the mountain pass, you come across the most peaceful, serene, place you can find. Located south of the volcano Katla and the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, and east of Reynisfjara beach and Dyrhólaey, the sharp contrasts in geography here is beautiful. I always find a way to make my way here when visiting. Also, a plus, here is where the original location of Smiðjan Brugghús is located! (The burger restaurant mentioned previously in this article.)
When visiting, make sure to check out the infamous Reyniskirkja, a wooden church built in 1929 that sits high up looking over the entire village. There is also a great grocery store and gas station to stock up on everything you might need.
Where to Stay
Here is a great place to end your day. I recommend staying in Vik or anywhere nearby. There are many cottages just outside the village that are beautiful to stay at.
Vik Hotel Recommendations
Hótel Kría
Sléttuvegur, Vík, Iceland
Beautiful new hotel with gorgeous views. Also in a very convenient location.
Hótel Dyrhólaey
Brekkum, Vik I Myrdal, 0871, Iceland
Excellent hotel with a view of Dyrhólaey. Just outside of Vik.
Mid Hvoll Cottages
Suður-Hvoli, 871, Iceland
Cutest cottages along the black sand beach. Very close to Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara.
Day 3
Head Back to Reykjavik
The drive from Vik is about 2 ½ hours with no stops. Of course, there are some fun places to stop on the way and things to do to fill your day. Follow below to have the perfect last day in Iceland.
Note: Alternatively, if the first day is too packed for you, or your flight gets in later in the day, I would recommend shifting everything a day. If you spend your last night in Vik, the ride to the airport takes about 3 hours. This is very doable if you have an afternoon/evening flight.
Solheimasandur Plane Wreck
On one of Iceland’s remote black sand beaches along its southern coast lies the remains of an abandoned US Navy DC plane. In 1973 the plane was flying from Hofn Hornafjördur Airport to Naval Air Station Keflavik but halfway through the flight the plane ran out of fuel and crashed on the black sand beach at Sólheimasandur. It was later found out that the pilot switched to the wrong fuel tank causing the plane to not have sufficient fuel. Luckily, everyone in the plane survived.
Now the plane is there for everyone to visit and is definitely worth the hike. Along route 1 there is a small parking lot at the top of the trail. The hike to the plane is about 2 ½ miles, 4 kilometers, and a 1 hour walk, one way, along the black sand beach. Make sure to bring good walking shoes for the trek. Additionally, there is a shuttle that runs every day from 10:00 am to about 5:00 pm that you can take for a fee. Click here for tickets and schedules. If both of those options are a little slow paced for you, there are also quad tours that allow you to drive right up to the plane!
The plane is on private land so please be respectful so everyone in the future can continue to see this cool sight!
Hot Springs
If you have the time and want to relax after the last action packed 2-3 days, now is the time to go to the Blue Lagoon if you haven’t already or check out one of the other amazing ones mentioned earlier. Best way to unwind on your last day.
Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike
Ready to hike an active volcano? In March 2021, Fagradalsfjall started erupting on the Reykjanes Peninsula just 40 kilometers, about 25 miles, from Reykjavik! Don’t worry, it is considered an effusive eruption, so the lava steadily flows out of the volcano rather than shooting into the atmosphere. This allows for safe hiking around the area and no danger to the residents in Reykjavik. Don’t let your guard down too much though when on your hike. Stick to marked paths, listen to officials in the area, and check reports before heading to the location.
Also, do not stand on the “hardened” lava! I saw too many people doing this. You never know how soft it may be underneath and you do not want to fall through.
Note: Look up online for a current trail route map. Since the volcano is still erupting, you need to look into the ever-changing routes to find which works best for you. Follow this link for parking information and current trail updates.
Time To Fly Home? / Reykjavik
If you flight is scheduled for tonight then head down to Keflavik and don’t be late! If not, I recommend staying in Reykjavik. There is so much to do here there is no way for you to get bored.
Day 4
Time To Fly Home!
Time to fly home! Or possibly to your next adventure. I hope my itinerary makes planning your quick trip to Iceland a little easier. I think this is a great itinerary to follow in order but of course, tailor it to your liking, and leave time for the unexpected! Traveling shouldn’t be about rigid schedules. Embrace the adventure and spontaneity!
Hi, I’m Karen!Travel Blogger & Photographer + Founder of The Everyday Adventure
Here I share travel tips, packing guides, planning help, and photography from many different parts of the world. I help other working 9-5 adventurers get out into the world and see as much as they can with the little time they have available.
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