Iceland in 5 Days: Road Trip Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Day 1

The day began with an early arrival in Reykjavik, where we picked up the car from the Blue Car Rental parking lot and checked into Guesthouse Pavi for the night. We had to wake up early to fit in all our planned activities, but eventually decided to shorten the day a bit and rest at the apartment in the afternoon.

We have already seen the brilliant aurora from the plane, so I will post some pictures here. One was created with a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left), and one was created with a GoPro Hero 10 (right), both in night mode.

Since our accommodation only had a room with a bathroom, we had breakfast in a shared kitchen and dining area, waiting briefly for our turn but successfully making coffee, breakfast and tea to bring with us.

Our first day’s plan was to explore the Golden Circle starting from Reykjavik, so we first headed to Thingvellir National Park. There, we payed 1000 ISK for parking which is around 6.8 EUR. Then we walked down the rift between tectonic plates toward the Silfra pool, excitedly watching snorkelers dip their heads into the water. Although the idea of diving was tempting, the air temperature of -2°C and the lake temperature of 2°C convinced us otherwise. We still took some photos on the steps leading to the water.

After climbing back to parking lot P1 (where the main Tourist Station is), which is probably the best spot for an optimal, not-too-long walk, we moved on to the next destination—Geysir and Strokkur. Along the way, we saw hardly any wildlife, not even birds. Interestingly, later on, between the third stop, the Gullfoss waterfall, and our accommodation near Selfoss, we saw plenty of sheep and horses.

At the geysers, we were pleasantly surprised by the steam rising from the ground and not so pleasantly surprised by the distinctive smell of sulfur. Since the original Geysir erupts rarely, triggered by earthquakes or volcanic activity, we only glanced at it, focusing our attention on Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes, a bit over 5 minutes most of the time. We watched it erupt at least 10 times, laughing as the steam was all over us each time. We even got splashed by the water a few times, which only added to the fun.

Finally, after the geysers, we headed to Gullfoss waterfall, which left us in awe. The river flows in a broad channel before plunging down into the waterfall, and the sight was truly impressive. The strong wind lifted water into the air, creating a rainbow. We walked around the viewpoint, admiring the falls from different angles.

Feeling quite cold, we quickly returned to the car and drove to Selfoss to buy food and supplies for the rest of the trip. We visited the Bonus store, which is considered the cheapest option. However, compared to Croatia’s already rising prices, it still felt quite expensive. Besides the essentials, we bought some apples and carrots since we had seen many horses along the road and wanted to stop and feed them. We also tried to approach some sheep, but they were shy and ran away, so we let them be. The horses, on the other hand, eagerly approached us when we got near. Two of them happily ate the carrots we offered, and once the others noticed, more began to come. That moment was my favorite of the day, despite being captivated by the natural beauty throughout.

After the Bonus store, we also stopped at Vínbúðin to buy some alcohol, as we planned to enjoy mulled wine in the evening. We grabbed two bottles of wine and a few beers for the upcoming days.

We took the same road back, stopping for the horses, and made our way back to the apartment (South Central Apartments), which had four beds and a small kitchen. It was quite cozy and had everything we needed, especially for cooking a warm, delicious dinner. We made soup, chicken, and rice, which hit the spot after a day of sandwiches.

We relaxed for a while, waiting for the northern lights to light up the sky above us. And sure enough, it didn’t take long. A funny moment occurred when Tin went outside and said, “There’s nothing,” but a minute later I went out and came back saying, “Get dressed, it’s here!”

We spent a good half-hour outside, watching the aurora perform a mesmerizing display. It was incredible, like a dancer twirling across the sky. The entire experience was breathtaking and almost surreal. We enjoyed every moment until the aurora faded away.

Satisfied and happy, we went to bed, ready to wake up and continue our journey the next day.

Day 2

The day started early with breakfast preparations. We enjoyed tasty scrambled eggs, some with just onions, others with onions and peppers, along with some sandwiches to keep us full for the upcoming adventures. The day’s plan was to explore the waterfalls of southern Iceland.

Our first stop was Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss was easy to spot from a distance, and we parked right in front, paying 1000 ISK for parking. Though we were disappointed that the ice prevented us from walking behind the waterfall, which is its main attraction, it was still beautiful. From there, we moved on to Gljufrabui, which was more challenging and amusing as we watched tourists slip on the icy rocks. (We weren’t laughing at their falls, but rather commenting on how they kept their hands in their pockets, thinking they could walk on frozen rocks uphill…) We managed the path easily with the right waterproof shoes and good balance. Entering the cave to see the waterfall up close was totally worth it. The water lightly sprinkled us, but we stayed dry, and we were glad to have quality gear to deal with Iceland’s unpredictable conditions. Since it is necessary to cross water and rocks to get to the waterfall, waterproof shoes are recommended/required.

Afterward, we drove to Skogafoss, where the frozen surroundings and a rainbow created by the mist were breathtaking. We stayed a while to take pictures and admire the view. Despite reading online that hiking the trail above the waterfall wasn’t worthwhile, we decided to go up, and it turned out to be a great choice. The path leads to several smaller waterfalls, and we spent about an hour and a half walking, stopping to take photos. We didn’t make it to the last waterfall but felt satisfied with the stunning views along the river.

After hiking, we took a short break to eat some snacks—sandwiches and fruit—before heading to our final destination, Kvernufoss.

Just a 5-minute drive from Skogafoss, we parked behind the Skogar Museum, paid 750 ISK, and walked 15 minutes to the waterfall. Unlike Seljalandsfoss, we could walk behind this waterfall, and we even drank the fresh, crystal-clear water from the river.

Happy and tired from all the walking, we drove to our cabin in Vestri Petursey, enjoying views of the ocean and the setting sun. We made coffee, had a snack, and relaxed on the terrace, soaking in the peaceful scenery.

We had planned to go to Vik for dinner but decided to cook the pasta we had brought with us instead and take a walk around the farm. This turned out to be a great decision. After coffee, we dressed warmly and went for an hour-and-a-half walk, observing the sheep and cows and marveling at a rock formation that looked like a small volcano. We joked, walked, ran a bit, and admired the echo from a nearby hill before heading back to the cabin after sunset.

Back at the cabin, we made soup and pasta for dinner and later enjoyed some mulled wine to warm up before bed. We spent the evening chatting, saw a faint display of the northern lights, and eventually went to sleep.

Day 3

We woke up earlier than the previous day to ensure we had enough time to cover everything planned, including visiting the Viking Village and reaching Höfn, where our next accommodation was.

We started by heading to the Dyrhólaey lighthouse, where we enjoyed the sunrise and the view of the black sand beaches stretching in both directions. The view of Reynisfjara Beach at sunrise was stunning, but I was in urgent need of a bathroom, which distracted me a bit from the experience.

Next, we drove to Reynisfjara Beach, which had a yellow warning alert. Approaching the water was technically prohibited, but since everyone else was doing it, we decided to do it as well. We got close to the sea, took photos with the hexagonal basalt rocks, climbed on them, and had some fun jumping around. We even played with the waves and teased each other about getting soaked, as videos of rogue waves at this beach are popular online. We, of course, observed the waves carefully and ensured it was safe before getting closer. The waves were small, so nothing could have happened.

At Reynisfjara, we paid 1,000 ISK for parking, used the restroom, and moved on. Driving through the town of Vik, we stopped at a self-service gas station to refuel. We paid 10,000 ISK (about 68 euros) for 32 liters of fuel.

Our next destination was Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, but along the way, we made three stops to rest and admire the Mossy Lava Fields. At the first stop, we played with some rocks by the roadside, stacking them and trying (unsuccessfully) to knock them down from a distance, which gave us a good laugh.

At the next two stops, we explored the Mossy Lava Fields (Eldhraun), rounded hills formed by cooling lava after an eruption in the late 18th century. It is one of the largest lava flows in recorded history. The field spans approximately 600 square kilometers. A thick, soft layer of moss has grown on these hills. There are designated paths to walk on, ensuring the moss isn’t damaged. We only stepped on the moss briefly to feel how soft it was, but we tried to respect the environment by not walking on it too much.

At the canyon, where we again paid 1000 ISK for parking, we walked about a kilometer each way. The scenery was beautiful, and the frozen waterfall added to the magic. Some parts of the trail were covered in lava rocks, which made for an interesting sound, like walking on glass, though it became tricky after a few steps as the rocks shifted underfoot. We also threw some stones off the canyon just to test gravity – it was fun!

After the canyon, we had nearly a three-hour drive to the Viking Village near Hofn, but we decided to take a break at Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. We snapped some photos with the impressive icebergs and grabbed two hot dogs each from a food truck (750 ISK per hot dog, a reasonable price for a quick meal). The icebergs and seals, which looked like playful puppies, were captivating. There were so many seals, all swimming and playing in the water. Parking here was 1,000 ISK, but paying once allowed parking at all three nearby locations, which we took advantage of the next day.

With full stomachs, we continued to the Viking Village. Before we went to that village, we stopped along the way and fed the horses a little more. So we used all the carrots we had prepared for them.

Entrance was 1,000 ISK per person, which surprised us since we read it was charged per car. We scanned our tickets at the gate and drove to the first parking lot, where the trail to the village starts.

We spent some time there, but honestly, I wasn’t too impressed. The houses were arranged in a circle, but nothing inside was furnished, which was disappointing. We saw the boat and got a general idea of what the village would have looked like from the outside, but it wasn’t anything special. What entertained us more was walking on the shallow frozen water, hearing the ice crack underfoot, though it was so shallow we wouldn’t have gotten fully wet even if it broke completely.

Afterward, we drove around the beach area but didn’t go all the way due to the strong wind blowing sand everywhere, which would have been uncomfortable for our eyes.

Finally, we arrived at our hotel (Hotel Jokull), settled in, rested for a bit, and chose a restaurant for dinner. We decided on Kaffi Hornið, and it was a great choice. I had lobster soup, Lidija had a lobster sandwich, and the boys had reindeer burgers. No one was disappointed. With drinks, the meal cost around 18,000 ISK, which we expected (about 30 euros per person).

We returned to the hotel, chatted a bit more, and quickly fell into a well-deserved sleep.

Day 4

We woke up early to be ready for breakfast at 7:00 AM, which was included in our accommodation price. After a satisfying meal, we headed toward the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, arriving a bit early to locate our tour operator. We booked an Ice Cave tour at 9:30 with Arctic Adventures agency.

It didn’t take us long to find the operator’s van and get started. We checked in at the designated spot and climbed into a van equipped with huge tires. Many vehicles like this are common in Iceland, but we were particularly amazed by a boat that has wheels and can drive directly from the water onto land. It was quite unusual and fascinating!

After about a 20-minute drive, we reached the starting point for the ice cave tour. Each year, they explore a different cave since the glacier is constantly changing. Typically, at the end of summer, they search for safe and suitable locations for tourists and make any necessary adjustments.

Upon arriving, we put protective gear and helmets on and grabbed crampons for our shoes. We walked over the rocks for about 10 minutes before stepping onto the ice. Just before that, we put on our crampons to make walking on the ice easier. The experience was incredible; the ice was crackling under us, but we felt stable and secure. Beneath us, we could see a blend of black, white, and turquoise colors. The black comes from volcanic ash and black sand, while the ice varies in color depending on its oxygen content; less oxygen results in turquoise ice, while more oxygen makes it whiter.

After a 20-minute uphill walk, we reached the cave entrance. It was quite small, with a couple of bends, but the ice inside was spectacular and majestic. Surprisingly, it didn’t feel cold to the touch; it felt like a tile, and it started to melt after just a few seconds of contact.

We took numerous pictures, exploring every corner and admiring the various ice formations before heading back down.

The descent was interesting, allowing us to observe the Glacier Lagoon, which was about 9 km away. Once we moved back from ice to rock, we removed our crampons and rinsed them in the river we crossed.

During the descent and ride back, we learned interesting facts about Iceland and its people. Temperatures can reach about 20°C, and when it does, the locals dress very lightly, while we still find it chilly. We also spotted a stray sheep near the glacier, and our guide mentioned he would report it so someone could come pick it up. By law, every sheep must have an owner, and since they roam freely in the mountains during summer and are only returned to fenced pastures in autumn, it’s possible for a sheep to get lost. Some may get stuck in rocks to the point where people can’t rescue them; unfortunately, in such cases, they have to be euthanized, as they would die from hunger and suffering otherwise. We also attempted to pronounce some Icelandic words, which turned out to be extremely challenging—almost impossible.

When we reached the van, we noted that we had walked a total of 3.5 km. We drove back to the Lagoon, thanked our guide, and after a restroom break, grabbed a hot dog again—this time just one. We walked along the lakeside path, joking around, and then drove over the bridge, taking in the many ice formations on the beach alongside the massive waves crashing in from the ocean.

We took a few photos and had some fun with the waves, but no one got too reckless or lingered too close to the shore for long. The waves splashed on us a bit, but fortunately, no one got drenched. After leaving the beach, we made a quick stop at a nearby glacier lake (Fjallsárlón), took a short walk, and then began the long drive to our next accommodation.

Our first stop was at an OB gas station, where we had a discount with Blue Car, paying 15 ISK per liter. We filled up the tank and continued our journey.

We made a stop along the way to the canyon from the previous day because Tin spotted some small elf houses, so we decided to check them out. We parked on the side of the road and walked into the yard of a nearby hostel to take pictures with the adorable little houses. They were charming, and since we didn’t have anything to offer the elves, we hoped we hadn’t upset them by intruding on their space.

Next, we drove to Vik and went up to the church at the top of the hill. We got a great view of the town and joked about how, from up there, you could see everything essential for a small town. On the far right were the homes of locals, in the center was a hub with schools and institutions, to the left of that were hotels and apparent Airbnb accommodations, and farthest left was the industrial area. That was it—a lovely little Icelandic town. On the beach in front of the town, the waves were enormous, and we guessed that a red alert was likely in effect at Reynisfjara.

After a quick look around, we stopped at a pancake stand at the exit of Vik where everyone enjoyed an ultra-caloric Nutella pancake. Once we finished our pancakes, we continued toward our accommodation.

We wanted to go straight there but made a quick stop at Skogafoss waterfall to use the restroom and get a closer view when there were fewer people around. It was magnificent. We arrived just before dusk and got as close as possible, getting completely soaked by the mist. It was very cold, but we didn’t mind because it felt incredible.

We quickly dried off in the warmth of the car. After a bit more driving, we reached our accommodation (Fisherinn hostel), settled in, prepared, and enjoyed dinner. We then had some fun playing billiards and darts in the hostel’s common area, which was a great way to relax and have fun before heading to bed.

Day 5

We got up early at 6 AM to head to the Blue Lagoon, leaving around 7:20 AM. Our entry time was set for 9 AM, which was a bit cheaper than later slots. We also completed the online check-in to use the fast track for entry.

The drive to the Lagoon was intriguing as several roads were blocked by lava, and there were barriers indicating road closures.

Upon arriving, we received our wristbands, entered the facility, put on our robes, and went to the changing rooms. The organization was impressive, and the wristbands made everything run smoothly.

I was initially nervous about having to shower without clothes in front of other women, but we discovered that the showers were enclosed, and women were using them in their swimsuits. The staff members checking the area didn’t mind that we were showering in our swimwear.

We stepped into the lagoon, took an outdoor photo, and quickly moved inside since the floor was too cold to walk on barefoot. It was steamy inside, so we stayed close to each other to avoid losing one another.

Our premium ticket included two drinks and three masks: an initial scrub and two additional masks for hydration and anti-aging. We had a blast swimming, applying and removing masks, and enjoying drinks. We even spent some time in the steam sauna. Almost three hours flew by in the water, feeling like just half an hour had passed.

Choosing the Blue Lagoon was definitely a good choice. Had we opted for a more rugged hot spring, we wouldn’t have enjoyed the added perks of drinks and masks.

After realizing that we had spent three hours there, we decided it was time to leave. We showered, dried our hair, and went on. It was convenient that we didn’t need to bring anything, as they provided towels and high-quality shampoos and conditioners.

Next, we drove to the Bridge Between Continents, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates split. We took a brief stop, read the information about the site, ate the last of our food from the car, and then headed toward Gunnuhver Mud Pool. Our first attempt to park was stopped by a Porsche commercial shoot, so we had to find another parking area. There, we watched hot water bubbling from the ground and marveled at the power of nature.

Due to the chilly weather and strong winds, we decided to go to Reykjavik for some sightseeing.

We parked near the hospital and walked for about 10 minutes to reach the famous church. Since it was nearly 4 PM, the app wouldn’t let us pay for parking anymore. The church looked stunning from the outside, and while the interior was rather basic, we admired its size.

We walked down the main street leading away from the church, stopping first at a souvenir shop. We bought everything we intended to and continued towards the restaurant passing by the rainbow street.

We arrived at Íslenski barinn, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch. We sampled Icelandic specialties like lamb, fish pie, and whale fin. We also started with hákarl, fermented shark, which was supposed to be terrible, but we didn’t find it bad at all. I did burp a bit after fish, even though I had the lamb. It was portrayed as much worse than it really was—almost like we were eating regular sushi!

After lunch, we visited a café (Rúblan bókakaffi) that resembled a bookstore but also had a stage. We sat there for at least two hours and even caught a concert. A band of four guys played great music, keeping us entertained as we waited to leave for the airport.

We drove to the airport for about 50 minutes, stopping to refuel at an OB station about a kilometer from Blue Car, and returned the car. The employee checked it over, confirmed everything was fine, and we headed to the airport. After a 5-minute walk, a 2-hour wait, and a smooth boarding process, our Icelandic adventure came to a close.

It was tiring yet wonderful, leaving us with countless beautiful places, experiences, and emotions.