Have you dreamed of visiting Iceland? I sure had. It had been on my bucket list for years.  Hopefully my 4-day Iceland itinerary provides you with inspiration and ideas to plan your own dream trip to Iceland.

Travelling inspires me to learn about new places, new food, new cultures. It brings me closer to the people with whom I am sharing the experience. I find it relaxing but, also exciting at the same time. Planning the trip, experiencing the trip, and remembering the fun after it has happened, brings me pleasure that last months, often times years. Iceland was one of those trips that had a long-lasting positive impact on my life. I hope it can be that for you as well.

In the fall of 2021, I decided to make my dream trip to Iceland happen. The main reason why it was a perfect place to go in 2021, was because it was a direct flight from Boston (fewer airports during covid). It was also only a 5-hour flight, and the flights were reasonably priced at approximately $400.

What I found was a raw, beautiful Country, filled with things you can only see in certain places in the world. Icelanders are very nice, its super clean, the tap water is delicious, and the thermal spas are divine. There are so many things to see on a road trip, you end up stopping all the time because there is something unique or beautiful to see.

Timing

Timing of a trip to Iceland is a bit tricky. Summer is warmer and the days are long, but its busier and more expensive. Winter has very short days and weather can definitely be a factor.  Going the end of October meant it was not as warm and the days are shorter. On the plus side though, it’s not as busy which made it a bit cheaper and best of all, there is also a higher probability of seeing the northern lights. The temperature was in upper 30s/ low 40s. We packed warm, waterproof gear to wear, and we were warm and comfortable.

Length

I planned a 4-day trip which was awesome. I would advise a 4–5-day trip is perfect. Enough time to travel around and see some key sites and also time to do a little relaxing.

Car

We rented a car so we could go at our own pace, and we were also going to be staying at 3 diff hotels so we would be travelling with all our luggage. When renting a car, I would advise to book it earlier as the earlier you book, the cheaper it is. We rented a car at the airport, but it wasn’t a company that was actually at the airport. We had to call them, and they had a car and driver come and pick everyone up. It worked out fine, but if I were to do it again, I would pick a car from one of the car rental companies actually on site at the airport. Its less confusing and will save time when you arrive and leave.

Insurance

Usually, I forgo the extra insurance in all honesty, but I had read about all the ways your car can be damaged in Iceland before we went.  From gravel, sand, ash and wind causing car doors to hyperextend or slam into other cars. I did mention it’s a unique country didn’t I?!

We used rentalcars.com to find all the different rental options. Although we were only going to be driving on the Ring Road and the southern part of Iceland, it was October, so we chose a car with AWD just to be safe.

You need to get the basic collision CDW insurance, but I would recommend at least getting the gravel insurance as well. Given all the things the different elements in Iceland, this seemed the safest. Even though it’s a bit more, it was worth the peace of mind. When we decided to get the gravel insurance, we noticed that for very little additional cost it also covered sand and ash (SAAP). So, we ended up with full coverage insurance. Up to you what you choose, but I would definitely upgrade to the gravel insurance.

Itinerary

The flight from Boston arrived at 6:15 in the morning which meant that although we were a bit tired, we had the whole day in Iceland. The first day I planned isn’t too long a day since I knew we would be tired.

So here it is our itinerary:

A must-see destination in Iceland is the Golden Circle. This popular tourist route includes some of the most iconic landmarks in the country, including Pingveillir/ Thingveiller National Park, Geysir Geothermal area,  and Gullfoss Waterfall. If you’re looking for a day filled with unforgettable sights, this is a great start to your Iceland adventure.

DAY 1

Pingveillir/ Thingveiller

We left the airport and headed for our first stop which is called Pingveillir/ Thingveiller. After you leave Reijavik and head out to this first stop, that is when you first notice the rugged and raw the Icelandic terrain. You will also notice how few cars you see along the road. Long stretches of road with no cars offer the opportunity for some fun pics showing the vast emptiness.

Nation Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in a rift valley that marks the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It’s also home to one of the oldest parliamentary assemblies in the world, making it a fascinating place to explore. It’s easy to find, lots of signs on where to go and parking is easy.

 

Fridheimar

After Pingveiller, we were super hungry and set off for our next stop, the restaurant ‘Fridheimar’. This restaurant is in a greenhouse and all their food is made from their own tomatoes. Picture this though –

you park and walk down this cute path towards the greenhouse. It was a bit damp and cold outside and when the door opened, it was warm, and an amazing smell of freshness greeted us. The inside is so cozy and clean and smells divine. This place is truly special. I had never eaten in a greenhouse, and I can’t imagine a better place.

What to Eat?

The specialty of the house is their homemade tomato soup. You can go up to the bar and fill a bowl yourself and then pick from multiple types of fresh bread that cover the table. Each table in the restaurant also has its very own basil plant with scissors so everyone can cut their own basil to their liking. Fresh tomato soup, fresh basil, fresh bread – divine!

After their soup, I had the burrata and tomato salad since I cannot get enough burrata and we also tried the margarita pizza. Both were absolutely delicious.

What to Drink?

For drinks, its all-things tomato. For bloody Mary lovers, this place rocks. Fresh tomato juice and liquor, and you add the spices to make it as spicy as you like at their bloody Mary stations – fun! We tried tomato beer, which just tastes like beer, and I also had a drink called Marry Poppins which had cucumber and lime sorbet, which was light, fresh, and delicious.

I can’t say enough good things about this place. It is truly special a must visit when you are travelling between Thingveiller and the following stops. We had heard Iceland was very expensive but for what we had at this restaurant; we found the price completely reasonable.

Geysir

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland is Geysir. This incredible geothermal area is

home to a number of hot springs and geysers, including the famous Strokkur which erupts every few minutes. It’s an easy park and walk up to the Geysers and since Strokkur is so dependable, you won’t be disappointed, and you will have lots of opportunity to watch it and also capture it by photo or video. We had a few good laughs trying to get us and the geyser in our videos.

 

 

Gullfoss

Our next step is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland is Gullfoss, a beautiful waterfall located in the Haukadalur valley. Again, its super easy to find, just off the main road. There are multiple levels you can watch this waterfall from, starting from down at the bottom right next to it, going up to look down from the top. This stunning sight is well worth the visit, and it’s definitely one of the most unforgettable experiences you’ll have while travelling in Iceland. We saw our first rainbow in Iceland over the falls, little did we know how many more we would see.

After we saw these 2 sites, we were tired and were ready to head for our hotel. We chose the Ion Adventure hotel for our first night as it was relatively close and had amazing reviews.

Ion Adventure Hotel

One of the best ways to experience Iceland’s natural beauty is by staying at a hotel like Ion Adventure Hotel. It is known for its unique and contemporary design, as well as its stunning natural surroundings.  The hotel’s design incorporates natural materials such as Icelandic lava rock and reclaimed driftwood, giving it a rustic yet modern feel.  This property is located right in the heart of Thingvellir National Park, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

We checked in and got settled in our room. It was cozy room with an amazing view. The bathroom was very modern and had a great shower. After we changed, we went and had a drink in the bar which has the most amazing views. The bar tender made a few signature cocktails for us with Icelandic liquors. We enjoyed the floor-to-ceiling windows that provide panoramic views of the surrounding landscape while we sipped our drinks.

 

Pool

After a long flight and long amazing day, we went down to relax in the outdoor geothermal pool. The hotel has beautiful changing rooms near the pool area with lovely robes. There is a dry sauna and a relaxation room which big bean bag chairs then I may have had a short nap in. 😊 The pool itself is interesting. Its length is like a pool, but its only about 2.5 – 3 feet deep. You sit in it and relax in the lovely warm water while looking out over the rugged landscape.

 

Silfra Restaurant & Bar

The hotel has its own restaurant which offers a range of locally sourced Icelandic cuisine, including lamb, seafood, and vegetarian options. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list and serves cocktails made with Icelandic ingredients. I recommend booking a table online before you arrive, so you get the time you want. The food and drinks were delicious. We started with an Icelandic Gin and Tonic and then a glass of wine with dinner. We tried the cod dish and the lamb, and both were unbelievably good. It was so nice to be able to have a lovely meal and delicious drinks without leaving the hotel after a day of driving.

Day 2

The second day was our longest drive, about 2 hours 15 mins out to Vik from the Ion Hotel. However, there are many planned stops along the way. We left early, heading south and stopped for coffee and the most delicious coconut croissant. Almond croissants had been my favorite, but this coconut croissant might have taken over first spot.

The south coast of Iceland is stunning. The weather changed constantly, it was raining one minute and 5 mins later it was sunny with the fullest rainbows we had ever seen. The hills are rugged on one side, there are vast open fields and the ocean on the other side.

Our first stop has 2 amazing waterfalls, both very different from each other. I think these 2 waterfalls were my favorites. It’s easy to find, just off the main road with a parking lot for easy parking. For these 2 falls, I would recommend wearing a raincoat, you will definitely get wet, but well worth it.

Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui Waterfalls

Seljalandsfoss waterfall is the largest and the best thing about this waterfall is that not only can you look at it from the front, but you can also walk behind it and capture some beautiful pictures looking out through the falls. You walk along a pathway starting on one side of the falls, behind it along the wall and then out the other side. If you keep following the path you will head up a hill for more amazing views from the other side.

 

Once you leave those falls you keep walking along the path, maybe 10 mins, to next find the Gljufrabui waterfall. You enter what seems like a cave to see this waterfall, but once inside it opens up and there is a gorgeous waterfall that just seems surreal.

I can’t recommend stopping at these 2 waterfalls more, you won’t be disappointed.

Skagafoss

Our next stop was another waterfall. Each waterfall is unique in its own way so seeing another waterfall might seem boring, but it’s not. Each is a different experience.

On the way to Skagafoss, there is so much to see from beautiful farms, a boat stuck in a hill, a cursed cave, barns built into hill sides, sheep, horses, and more rainbows.

Skagafoss waterfall can be seen from the road, and it is again super easy to park. You can view these falls from the bottom, but what is special about this one, is you can view from the top. There is a long stairway with rails you can walk all the way up to the top and there are several vantage points of the falls from the top. In addition to the falls, you can see out to the ocean.

Reynisfjara Beach

Our last stop of day 2 before our hotel, was the black sand beach with the famous basalt stacks that come out of the water near the beach. We stopped in at the Black Beach Restaurant for a warm drink before heading down the beach.  The black beach and rock formations are stunning. Be careful about getting close to the water. There are a lot of warnings to make sure you don’t get swept up by the waves. The views are stunning and unique and well worth the trip out to Vik to visit.

Hotel Ranga

We left the beach ecstatic about all the things we had seen that day. Our surroundings continued to amaze us as we headed back west happy to be heading to our hotel Ranga which is one of the best in Iceland.

Hotel Ranga is a luxurious and unique hotel located in the countryside along the Ranga River. It is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature. The hotel’s location makes it perfect for seeing the Northern Lights when they are active. The hotel has a roof that opens with large telescope to see the beautiful sky. They even provide warm suits to wear while outside. Like many hotels in Iceland, it also offers a Northern Lights wakeup service. They will call your room to let you know there is some activity in the sky.

Hot Tubs

Our favorite amenity was the hot tubs that are just outside the rooms and look out over the countryside and river. It was amazing to sit outside in the hot tub and look at the thousands of stars that night. Truly an amazing experience.

 

Restaurant and Bar

The other highlight was the restaurant in the hotel. No need to leave the hotel, the onsite restaurant offers gourmet food serving delicious Icelandic cuisine.

Hotel Ranga is the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring. It is warm and inviting and the bar serves delicious drinks on top of everything else. It is truly an unforgettable Icelandic experience!

We did get to see a bit of the Northern Lights for about 10 mins which was just the cherry on top of the whole day and evening.

Day 3

Reykjavik

We left hotel Ranga and headed for Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Although we only spent half a day exploring this city there are many things to do. We enjoyed just walking around and seeing sites like the iconic church – Hallgrimskirkja. Although we did not climb the stairs to the top of the tower, I can imagine the views would be amazing.

The day we walked around the city was a beautiful, sunny, calm day and so the harbor looked calm and peaceful. We enjoyed strolling along Laugavegur which is a lively street in the middle of Reykjavik’s shopping and entertainment district. We picked up a few things like to take home like some Icelandic salt. Lunch at the Sweet Pig Gastropub was perfect for us . It is for those that love good food and beer. Yes, and yes! It was warm and cozy, and the food and drinks were delicious.

If you are staying longer than a day and are interested in history you could check out the National Museum of Iceland which offers a look at Iceland’s amazing Viking heritage.

Silca Hotel

We left the city and headed for our last hotel which is located right on the Blue Lagoon. Silca Hotel is a luxurious and unique hotel located in the heart of Iceland’s stunning Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark!

There are so many reasons to stay at this hotel:

• Stunning location – Silica Hotel is located in a unique and beautiful location in Iceland, surrounded by breathtaking volcanic landscapes and hot springs. It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in Iceland’s natural beauty.
• Luxury amenities – This hotel offers a range of luxurious amenities, including a spa, hot tubs, and a restaurant serving delicious Icelandic cuisine. It’s the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate after a day of exploring. It feels like you are in a spa. Walking around in the robes provided in each room as you head to either get breakfast or go to the hot springs, really adds to the spa like feeling and relaxed atmosphere.
• Unique room options – Hotel Silica offers a variety of unique room options, all with stunning views of the surrounding volcanic landscapes. The hotel’s contemporary design and minimalist style create a calm and serene atmosphere, perfect for relaxation.
• Geothermal hot spring – One of the most unique features of Hotel Silica is its own private geothermal hot spring, which guests can access and enjoy throughout their stay. The hot spring’s mineral-rich waters are known for their healing properties, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. Being only accessible by hotel guests this is a perfect place to enjoy the hot thermal waters of the blue lagoon without the crowds. It’s a very large pool with ample room to just relax and enjoy some heat and peace.

We ate at the Blue Lagoon for dinner that evening and had a fantastic meal overlooking the Blue Lagoon at the Lava restaurant.

When we left the restaurant though we were greeted with an amazing site. A huge display of Northern Lights was before us. We raced to the car to leave the parking lot and get away from the lights. We watched them for a long time standing in the dark as they beautifully moved above us, and lucky enough to still be able to see them from our room at the hotel. It was truly unforgettable and made it truly a dream vacation come true.

Day 4

We woke up and had an amazing buffet breakfast. You couldn’t ask for more. It was delicious. After breakfast we relaxed for a bit in the thermal pools at the hotel, we then walked over to the Blue Lagoon to spend 3 or 4 hours of pure relaxation.  There is a path that takes about 10 mins between the hotel and the lagoon You can enjoy the scenery along the way. Staying at Silca Hotel gives you access to the Blue Lagoon, using a special wrist band. It also allows you to enjoy all of the mud masks that the Blue Lagoon has to offer.

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon itself – is located in the middle of a lava field, surrounded by Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes. Its bright blue waters and steam rising from the geothermal vents create an otherworldly atmosphere that is truly unforgettable. Water from the volcanically heated geothermal areas of Iceland are rich in silica, algae, and minerals such as sulfur, which gives the lagoon a milky blue color. The water temperature in the lagoon averages 37–39 °C (98–102 °F).

 

We relaxed in the pool, tried the different mud masks, had a couple of drinks, relaxed in the saunas and just enjoyed the warmth. It is a lovely way to end your stay in Iceland.

We loved Iceland and would definitely go back to explore more of this amazing country. It truly was a dream vacation. Although we did not try the following, here are a few other ideas you can try for unforgettable experiences while travelling in Iceland.

Hiking on a Glacier:

There are a number of companies that offer glacier hikes, so you can choose the level of difficulty that suits you. Be sure to dress warmly, as the temperatures can be quite chilly even in the summer months.

Riding a Horse:

Iceland is home to some of the world’s best horses, and there’s no better way to experience their beauty than by riding one yourself. There are plenty of horseback riding tours available, so you can choose the level of difficulty that suits you.

Are you ready to plan your 4 day dream trip to Iceland?

Send me a comment if you have any questions or share your Iceland experience.

 

If you enjoy travel, see some of my favorite things for travel in my latest post here.