What to do in Iceland – 4-5 Day Itinerary

Sharing is caring!

Everyone is talking about Iceland! It’s a travel destination that has recently become hugely popular, and for good reason. It’s the ideal place to experience nature – there are waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs, icebergs, and lush green hillsides. I have compiled a comprehensive list of what to do in Iceland, this itinerary is perfect for 4-5 days.

What To Do:

Go on a walking tour of Reykjavik.

Go on an excursion. We went glacier climbing, but Mountain Guides also offers Super Jeep Tours, Horseback Riding, and Northern Lights Tours in addition to multiday trips.

Spend a day driving the Golden Circle – I recommend renting a car. You can get a full Golden Circle Itinerary here.

Relax at the Blue Lagoon – it’s by the airport so I recommend going on your way to or from the airport.

Make It A Stopover:

Icelandair offers free stopovers in Iceland on your way between the U.S. and Europe! The stopover can be up to a week long for no extra charge.

Where To Stay:

We stayed at 22 Hill Hotel which was just a 10 minute walk from downtown.

Our friends stayed at a great AirBnB downtown – here is a link.

Where To Eat and Drink:

Noodle Station serves up ramen – which is an ideal way to warm up when Iceland is chilly. It’s also one of the most affordable meals we had.

Laundromat Cafe is great for lunch or a snack.

Restaurant 73 serves hearty meat and potato style meals.

Le Bistro is a French Restaurant right downtown and they served up one of the better meals we had.

Don’t forget to try a hot dog too!

At night head to Lebowski Bar, a bar inspired by The Big Lebowski. The menu has 17 different White Russians.

If you want a dance party go to Kiki, a gay bar right downtown.

What to Pack:

You want to be prepared for hiking and outdoor exploring. Iceland is chilly even during summer months. I recommend wear comfortable layers. Hiking boots and a backpack are musts! Here are some packing suggestions:

When To Go:

At the start of summer the sun stays up all night long. We were there at the end of June, and this photo show the darkest the sky would get. But if you go in the winter you have the chance to see the Northern Lights.

Read more:

Driving the Golden Circle

Glacier Climbing in Iceland

Exploring Reykjavik 

Pin for later:

I would love to hear any additional recommendations in the comments!