5-Day Iceland Travel Guide
Iceland’s “The Land of Fire and Ice” sits just below the arctic circle. It is an amazing destination for those who love diverse landscapes and don’t mind a little cold! Between waterfalls, geysers, volcanos, glaciers, black sand beaches, and the Northern Lights… this travel destination has gained a ton of popularity over the past decade. During my 5 days in Iceland, I traveled solo, but whether with a group or solo, this destination is one of the safer destinations in Europe.
You could spend weeks exploring this beautiful country, but due to its proximity to the United States, you can easily make this into a 5-day trip. If planning a trip on your own is not something you’re interested in, you can always check out some Iceland 5-day tour packages. For those who are ready to take on planning their mini trip to Iceland, I have highlighted all of the must-see spots in Iceland to fit into a 5 day-packed, incredible Iceland Travel Guide.
What time of year to visit Iceland?
The best time to visit Iceland depends on your interests and what you want to do. Iceland has a unique climate with changing weather conditions throughout the year, so it’s important to plan accordingly.
Here’s a breakdown of the best times to visit Iceland based on different factors:
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Weather in Iceland: If you’re looking for milder weather and longer days, the summer months of June to August are the best time to visit Iceland. During these months, temperatures can range from 10-15°C (50-59°F) and there are up to 24 hours of daylight. However, keep in mind that summer is also the busiest time for tourists, and prices can be higher.
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Northern Lights: If you’re interested in seeing the Northern Lights, visit Iceland from September to mid-April. The Northern Lights are visible in Iceland during the winter months when there are long periods of darkness. However, keep in mind that the weather can be cold and snowy during these months. There are a ton of Northern Lights Tours that are great in helping you spot solar activity during the dark hours of the night.
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Wildlife: If you want to see whales and puffins, visit Iceland from May to September. During this time, you can take whale-watching tours and see puffins nesting on the cliffs.
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Budget: If you’re on a budget, consider visiting Iceland in the shoulder season (April to May or September to October). Prices for accommodations and activities are generally lower, and there are fewer tourists.
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Outdoor activities: If you want to go hiking, visit Iceland in the summer months when the weather is milder and there are longer daylight hours. If you want to go skiing or snowboarding, visit Iceland from December to April when the snow conditions are best.
What to pack for Iceland?
Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable and can change rapidly, so it’s important to pack appropriately for your trip. Here are some essentials you should consider packing for your Iceland trip:
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Warm, waterproof clothing: Iceland can be cold and wet, even in the summer. Bring a warm, waterproof jacket, pants, and sturdy waterproof boots. It’s also a good idea to pack warm, moisture-wicking layers, such as thermal underwear, fleece jackets, and wool socks.
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Swimsuit and towel: Iceland has many hot springs and swimming pools, so bring a swimsuit and towel to enjoy the natural geothermal pools.
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Gloves, hat, and scarf: Protect your head, hands, and neck from the cold winds by bringing gloves, a warm hat, and a scarf.
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Sunglasses and sunscreen: Even in the winter, the sun can be strong and reflect off the snow, so bring sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin and eyes.
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Camera and batteries: Iceland has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, so don’t forget to bring your camera and extra batteries to capture the stunning scenery.
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Portable charger: To keep your electronics charged on the go, bring a portable charger.
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eSIM: You need cellular data during your international travels. Check out how to pick the best eSIM for your trip to Iceland.
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Travel adapter: Iceland uses Type F sockets, so bring a travel adapter to charge your electronic devices.
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Daypack: Bring a small daypack to carry your essentials and personal items during your daily activities. My suggestion is to bring this waterproof backpack to keep all of your belongings safe and dry.
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Flashlight or headlamp: If you are Northern Light hunting and/or visiting Iceland during the dark nights of winter, it is important to bring some lighting for the outdoors!
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Medications and first aid kit: Pack any necessary medications and this travel first aid kit in case of emergency.
Click on a picture for must-haves on your Iceland trip!
Traveling To Iceland
Iceland is only about 5 1/2 hours from New York, and due to increasing popularity, it is relatively easy to get there on a direct flight. There are no direct flights from California, and it takes about 8 1/2 hours to get there. There are 5 airports in Iceland:
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- Keflavík International Airport (KEF)
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- Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV)
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- Akureyri Airport (AEY)
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- Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS)
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- Ísafjörður Airport (IFJ)
KEF is located about 50 km southwest of Reykjavik and is the main airport for international flights. RKV is located in the heart of Reykjavik and is mainly used for domestic flights and flights to Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
If you are a citizen of a country that is part of the Schengen Area, you can enter Iceland without a visa for up to 90 days. If you are from a non-Schengen country, you may need a visa. Make sure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date.
Prices on flights can vary depending on the season and where exactly you’re flying from but I would say that compared to other Europe travel destinations, Iceland can be one of the most budget-friendly destinations.
Iceland Travel Guide
Day 1: Explore Reykjavik
Welcome to day one of your Iceland Travel Guide! Put your sneakers on, we are exploring the capital of Iceland.
You can walk the city on your own, or do a city walking tour with a Viking to see the best of Reykjavik. This city holds a lot of history, it is believed this was the first area of settlement. There are a ton of museums that trace the country’s Viking history.
Day 1 will be getting to know the largest city in Iceland, we will start with Old Town Center. Start by walking the street Laugavegur which is a popular street filled with shopping and restaurants. The street art and history make this place a trendy, picturesque spot to explore.
The next stop is Hallgrimskirkja church tower which sits right on top of a hill in the center of Reykjavik and gives some of the best views of the city.
5 Day Iceland Travel Guide
Day 2: The Golden Circle
Pack up! We’re headed south to see the natural wonders of Iceland on day two of your Iceland travel guide!
Make sure to dress warm, I am wearing thermal leggings under my jeans and three layers under my North Face!
This popular route is about a three-hour driving route known as the golden circle. Our first stop is Thingvellir National Park (Þingvellir). Thingvellir is known for its stunning natural beauty, with deep canyons, crystal clear lakes, and unique geological formations.
Discover where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet in this geographical dream. This is the only place in the world where you can view the Mid-Atlantic ridge by land! (They also filmed Game of Thrones here for all the GOT fans)
This is a great free thing to do in Iceland. There is no entrance fee to visit Thingvellir National Park, and the parking lot is free.
Thingvellir is an important historical and cultural site in Iceland, as it was the location of the country’s first parliament, the Althing, which was founded in 930 AD. Today, you can see the remains of the Althing, as well as several other historical sites and monuments in the park.
There are several outdoor activities you can do in Thingvellir National Park, including hiking, fishing, and diving. The park is also a popular spot for snorkeling or diving in the Silfra fissure, a crystal-clear underwater canyon located between the tectonic plates.
This part of your Iceland travel guide is truly one you will not forget!
Walk around and take in the scenery and imagine yourself as one of the first settlers here in the 9th century.
Admire the top spots in this national park: Langjokull glacier, pingvallavtin lake, and Oxararafoss waterfall.
The next stop on our Iceland travel guide road trip is the Geysir Geothermal Area where there are two geysers: Strokkur Geysir and Great Geysir which have been around for 10,000 years.
This stop on your Iceland travel guide is also a great free thing to do in Iceland. There is no entrance fee to visit the Geysir geothermal area, and the parking lot is free.
Strokkur Geysir erupts about every 5-10 minutes, shooting about 30 meters into the air, get your camera ready! There are several other smaller geysers in the area, as well as hot springs and mud pools.
There are several other activities you can do in the Geysir geothermal area, including hiking and horseback riding. You can also visit the nearby Geysir Center, which has a gift shop, restaurant, and exhibition about the geology and history of the area.
It’s important to stay on the designated paths and follow the safety signs in the Geysir geothermal area. The water in the geysers and hot springs can be extremely hot and dangerous, so it’s important to keep a safe distance.
Enjoy a picture from a screenshot of a video I took since I was too busy taking videos to remember to take a picture 🙂
The last stop on today’s trip is the Gullfoss Waterfall! This waterfall is truly mind-blowing, falling 32 meters. It’s located in the southwest part of Iceland, about 100 km (62 miles) from Reykjavik, and is easily accessible by car or tour bus.
Gullfoss waterfall is one of the best free things to do in Iceland and certainly a sight to see on your Iceland travel guide. There is no entrance fee to see Gullfoss waterfall, and the parking lot is free.
There are several viewing points along the waterfall where you can see the water cascading down into the canyon below. The most popular viewing point is the lower platform, which gives you a close-up view of the falls. There is also an upper platform that provides a panoramic view of the waterfall and surrounding landscape.
There are several other activities you can do at Gullfoss waterfall, including hiking, snowmobiling, and horseback riding.
Gullfoss waterfall is a powerful and fast-flowing waterfall, so it’s important to stay on the designated paths and follow the safety signs. Be especially cautious during the winter months when the paths may be icy.
Wear some waterproof clothing, this strong stream has a cold spray to it. If you’re lucky, you might just see a rainbow. Worth it!
This Waterproof North Face was a must at this waterfall!
5 Day Iceland Travel Guide
Day 3: The Golden Circle
Let’s see some waterfalls! Time to enjoy day 3 of your Iceland travel guide starting with exploring Skogafoss Waterfall.
This massive waterfall is one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Iceland. Dropping 60 meters and ranging 25 meters long, make sure to wear a waterproof jacket, because it’s hard to avoid getting wet around this bad boy! This waterfall is absolutely stunning and a must-see to put on your Iceland travel guide.
Let’s see some volcanic activity at Reynisfjara beach. This incredible black sand beach is a must-stop on your Iceland travel guide.
Climb amongst beautiful basalt columns and dip your toes in the beautiful black sand (just kidding, way too cold for that).
Take some pictures because this Icelandic beach is truly one of a kind. Although you may want to dip your toes into that beautiful blue water, swimming on this beach is FORBIDDEN and is very dangerous due to the strong undercurrent!
This beach is one to admire, not to swim. Take a nice stroll far away from the shoreline and admire the beauty of this iconic destination.
5-Day Iceland Travel Guide
Day 4: Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon might be the most popular thing to do in Iceland and a must on your Iceland travel guide. This geothermal spa is just as magical as you see in pictures.
Due to the silica and sulfur properties of this azure water, it is said to have great healing properties. Inside the lagoon has a clay mask area and a bar! It’s a vacationers paradise! Make sure you book months in advance, reservations fill up quickly!
A little PSA for those who are shy, you are required to bathe naked before you enter the lagoon to ensure the highest hygiene standards. Also, women are urged to put this conditioner in their hair, unless they’re okay with having dreads from the high sulfur content.
This spa is also only 15 minutes from Keflavik and 45 minutes from Reykjavik, making it an easy trip if you only have so much time before your flight home. The Blue Lagoon can be pricey, but I would say it’s well worth the splurge.
It’s time to head home after a jam-packed 4 days of exploring the wonders of Iceland . Day 5 is your free day before you head home on your Iceland travel guide.
Feel free to hit up a local cafe or get another street hotdog before you head to the airport. If you are interested in having an activity planned for you, check out the 13 Best Iceland Adventure tours to get the most out of your experience in Iceland.
Be sure to follow me on social media and keep me updated on your Iceland adventures!
5-Day Iceland Travel Guide
Main Towns and Cities in Iceland
- Reyjkavik
- Akureyri
- Húsavík
- Vestmannaeyjar
- Höfn
- Ísafjörður
- Vík í Mýrda
How to get around Iceland
- Iceland is cannot be done on foot, unlike many walkable cities in Europe. Reykjavik can be explored by walking, but you didn’t travel to Iceland to not explore the most popular destinations in Iceland.
- There are shuttles from the airport to Reykjavik and the blue lagoon, which is helpful if you did not want to have to search for transportation when arriving in Iceland on your first day.
- Iceland does have a public bus, the Strætó.
- My recommendation for this Iceland travel guide is to rent a car if you want the most time-efficient flexibility. This way you can drive the golden circle on your own time and take as long as you need at each step. Check out this Iceland attractions map to map your driving route around Iceland!
- The main highway in Iceland is called ring road or route 1. Many of Iceland’s most popular destinations can be found on the ring road.
- Another option if you don’t want to have to plan these minor details is doing Iceland day tours that include transportation to get to your most wanted Iceland destinations.
Iceland is one of the coolest places I have ever been and it is known to be one of the happiest places on earth! The landscapes are so diverse and I cannot wait to go again to chase those Northern Lights. If you wanted to Travel Solo as I did on my Iceland trip, make sure to read my 25 Top Safety Tips when Traveling Solo and 5 Best Reasons to Travel Solo in your 20’s. Happy Traveling my friends 🙂
-Becca
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