Iceland Itinerary
How to spend 5 days in Iceland
Day 1: Land in Iceland
Blue Lagoon, Check-In, Explore, Eat
You’ll most likely take a redeye to Keflavik and in that case you will land in Iceland way too early to check into your hotel. The best way to kill time is to enjoy one of Iceland’s coolest spots. So, catch the Bus to the Blue Lagoon. They have a luggage check, so you can leave your luggage with them. Make sure to set aside your bathing suit, and clothes you’ll be wearing after the lagoon so you can easily access them and take them with you when you leave your luggage behind.
Blue Lagoon: Ticket prices vary by times. You’ll receive 2 drinks with your ticket (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options). You can hang out as long as you’d like at the lagoon. Theres a cafe, coffee shop, and restaurant at the lagoon.
After, catch the FlyBus to Reykjavik, you can buy the ticket at the luggage stand at the Blue Lagoon. They make it super easy to get to your destination.
Once you’re in Reykjavik, check into your hotel. Here are some options for where to stay:
EDITION : High End, 5-Star, the rooms are gorgeous and theres also The Roof which is located on the hotel’s 7th floor and offers panoramic mountain and ocean views.
Foss Hotel: Easy and accommodating for larger groups, breakfast can be included in stay. Great place to stay at mid-level price.
R13: Great budget hotel, self-check in and check out. But for a budget this is great, theres a queen size bed and bunk bed option. This is awesome for longer stays because the rooms have a small kitchen.
Check-in & head to see some art & dinner
There is a very cool exhibit called Chromo Sapiens, I was obsessed, head over there to check it out after you settle into the hotel.
Use Hopp to get around, its an app where you can use to activate scooters, uber service or unlock nearby cars.
The exhibit is attached to a cafe serving authentic lamb soup with delicious rye bread. After head to a bar for a cocktail before bed. Lebouski or Le Kock.
Day 2: Reykjavik Day
Wake up and get ready to explore the city, there is so much to do and see here, but first a bakery. Braud & Co has several locations around the city, their baked goods are so good… do not miss this spot.
Perlan Museum: Icelands largest natural history museum with a show that explains the northern lights, an observatory deck, lava show and an ice cave.
Flyover Iceland: hang suspended, feet dangling, before a 20-metre spherical screen while our film whisks you away on an exhilarating journey across Iceland. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents.
Flatey is a pizza spot that you cannot miss. The pizza was fresh and delicious. Explore the waterfront while you are in this area then head to Rainbow Road for some shopping on this iconic street. If you need a pick me up stop into Mokka, Mokka is one of the oldest cafés in Reykjavik opened in 1958 — get a coffee and a waffle. Or check out Iceland’s most popular hot dog stand Bæjarins beztu hot dog.
See the gorgeous Hallgrímskirkja (Church of Iceland) at the end of this road. Head back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner.
Apotek is a trendy and delicious spot serving award winning cocktails. They also have puffin and whale on the menu if you are feeling dinner. We opted for the 3 course dinner, it was the perfect amount of food, we were obsessed with our dinner here.
Go on a northern lights cruise! Be warned that they will cancel these if there are poor weather conditions. Book here.
Day 3: The Waterfalls
We rented a car from Blue Rentals, we found this company to be the most affordable. It is right in town so it is easy to pick up the car and then drop it off at the airport on your way out.
First breakfast before hitting the road, Deig has good bagels that will keep you full for the roadtrip. Try the creme brûlée donut, they torch it fresh. They are fresh and they load them up.
The roadtrip will go by so quick because you’ll in be in awe of all the magical landscape, its really like nothing you’ve seen before. Here’s the itinerary for the day, dress warm and expect to get wet.
Geyser Hot Spring & Gullfoss Waterfall: 1.5 hours away from Reykjavik
Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi Waterfall
Skogafoss Waterfall
Check into AirBnB
We stayed at the most beautiful cabins overlooking the waterfalls , I highly recommend staying here. Check it out.
Day 4: Black Sand Beach
If you have it in you, wake up early and check out Iceland’s oldest swimming pool. Seljavallalaug, there is no admission fee or any lifeguards, its just open for public use. We were told it is only cleaned once a year so go at your own risk. Bring your own towel!
Grab a bite in Vik, Black Crust Pizza is known for their famous black crust, check out the crepe stand or go to the Soup Company. Their soup was very good and will warm you up before spending a good amount of time outside.
The black sand ATV adventure through Icelandia was so much fun, they let you explore the beach and the plane wreck and the black salt towers. The tour lasts two hours, it is so much fun. Book here.
Head back to Reykjavik.
We had late night soup at Ramen Momo back in Reykjavik, this was so hearty and hit the spot!
Day 6: Sky Lagoon
Its your last day! Baka Baka is another great bakery in town, get the cardamom roll. You can either spend your last day enjoying the city for a little more or head to the Sky Lagoon to relax before getting on your flight.
TLDR Itenirary
Day 1:
Blue Lagoon
Check Into Hotel
Chromo Sapiens
Le Kock
Day 2:
Perlan Museum
Flyover Iceland
Church of Iceland
Northern Lights Boat Cruise
Day 3:
Geyser Hot Spring & Gullfoss Waterfall: 1.5 hours away from Reykjavik
Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi Waterfall
Skogafoss Waterfall
Day 4:
Vik
Black Sand ATV
Back to Reykjavik
Day 5:
Last day to explore
Sky Lagoon
Airport