4 Day Itinerary for Iceland
Iceland is a perfect destination for a long weekend getaway. It is a short flight from the east coast of the United States or any European country. Iceland Air even offers the option to extend a layover up to 7 days! However, the island is a lot bigger than expected and a four-day trip didn’t cover everything the country has to offer. I would suggest 5 days to get the opportunity to see the South Coast and Jökulsárlón Glacier.
We rented a 4×4 car from SadCars for our trip so we could drive around the island without having to be at the mercy of tour buses. In addition, we visited in January and had about six to seven hours of sunlight per day. The sun rises around 10:45am so be prepared to wake up to pitch black skies. The sun set around 4:30pm, but it stayed light out until about hour after.
Day 1
We took the red eye into Iceland so we decided to do some light exploring around the Reykjanes Peninsula during the day; allowing for some rest at the end of the day. The drive through Reykjanes was remote and stunning, unlike any other place I’ve been. We stayed in Grindavik with hopes of seeing the Northern Lights while staying in a more remote location. Unfortunately, the cloud cover was not in our favor. I would recommend booking a Northern Light tour to ensure you have the best information and location for a sighting.
- Check in at the Northern Light Inn
- Drive to Valahnúkur, a beautiful lava formation next the Reykjanes Lighthouse
- Walk across the Bridge Between Continents
- Eat lunch in sleepy Grindavik Village at the Fish House Bar & Grill
- See beautiful vistas at Lake Kleifarvatn
- Drive through the Reykjanesfólkvangur Lava fields
- Enjoy hot chocolate and waffles in front of the fire at the Northern Light Inn
- Head out for a Northern Light Tour
Valahnúkur 
Bridge Between Continents 
Lake Kleifarvatn
Day 2
The Golden Circle was one of the highlights of the trip to Iceland. We lucked out with a dry and clear day for driving and made to all four stops before sunset. It was about four hours of driving total. After breakfast at the hotel, we stocked up on snacks for the car so we could enjoy as much sunlight as possible without having to stop for lunch.
- Stop 1: Þingvellir National Park and the Silfra Fissure
- Stop 2: Strokkur Geysir
- Stop 3: Gullfoss Waterfall
- Stop 4: Kerid Crater
- Other Stop on the Route:
- Visit with Icelandic Horses
- Reykjadalur Hot Spring (best for summer as it requires hiking)
- Secret Lagoon
Silfra Fissure 
Strokkur Geysir 
Gullfoss Waterfall
After our adventure filled day, we drove to Reykjavik for a fun night out.
- Check in to Canopy Reykjavik City Centre
- Dinner and Cocktails at Sumac
- Drinks and Dancing at Pablo Discobar
- Late Night hamburgers from the food trucks downtown
Sumac 
Canopy Hilton 
Icelandic Horses
Day 3
After a late night out at the bars of Reykjavik (they stay open until 4am!), the late sunrise gave us some much needed time to sleep in. On Day 3, we explored the small city of Reykjavik.
- Healthy Lunch at Glo
- Walk to Hallgrímskirkja, the largest church in Iceland and among the tallest structures in the country
- Head to the top of the church for a beautiful 360 view of Reykjavik
- Walk through the Neighborhood of the Gods to Tjörnin Pond
- Learn some Viking history at The Settlement Exhibition
- Enjoy a pint at Frederiksen Ale House (or one of the many other pubs)
- Dinner at Essensia
- Drinks at Lebowski Bar and The English Pub
Hallgrímskirkja 
Reykjavik 
Essensia
Day 4
We had an early evening flight out of Iceland so we spent our last day at the Blue Lagoon. The famous Blue Lagoon is near the airport, which makes it a convenient stop for the end of your trip. It was perfect end to an amazing trip!
- Check Out of your hotel
- Secure an early reservation to avoid lines and crowds
- Spend a few hours soaking in the Blue Lagoon
- Enjoy a late lunch at Lava on site
- Head to the nearby airport for your flight
Blue Lagoon 
Sunrise at Blue Lagoon 
Lava