
4 Days In Iceland Itinerary – The Ultimate Guide
Our trip to Iceland was last minute. The beautographer had wanted to go for years, but we had never made it a priority. Well after we got married, followed by a trip to Thailand, there was just not enough to squeeze in a trip to Greece and Turkey so we opted for a fall trip to Iceland and Paris. Since it was our honeymoon we wanted lots of relaxing time with our Icelandic adventure and we only had a short time, basically only 4 days in Iceland total, so here is my 4 Days in Iceland Itinerary! Not enough time, but when is it ever! For the flight, we chose Iceland Air because they offer direct flights to Iceland from the DC Metro Area. Now there’s a trick to this, it’s only direct to Iceland IF you chose Iceland as a “stopover” rather than the final destination. Paris was our final destination and we were just “stopping over” in Iceland. This really works out well for anyone wanting to go to Iceland and also explore the other Northern European countries. As the flights from Reykjavik to other destinations like Stockholm and Paris are quick AND direct.
Here’s a quick summary of our 4 days in Iceland Itinerary of what we did and optional add-on tours, more details below:
- 4 Days in Iceland Day 1: Blue Lagoon and Blue Lagoon Hotel – Check Prices Here
- 4 Days in Iceland Day 2: Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik – Check Transportation Prices Here
- 4 Days In Iceland Itinerary Day 3: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – Check Tour Prices Here
- 4 Days In Iceland Itinerary | Day 4 – Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis Small Group Tour – Check Prices Here
More Tour Options for Iceland
4 days in Iceland was definitely not enough time. Also we did a rather relaxed trip because it was our honeymoon and I didn’t really squeeze in all the activites I wanted to. On day 4 in Iceland we really could have added a day time tour before our Aurora Borealis tour. Here are some of the options I looked at:
The Golden Circle – Check Tour Prices
I really really wanted to do this tour! It takes you to all the amazing sites at UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park including Gulfoss Waterfall and the Kerið crater lake. And who doesn’t want to see geysers that reach up to 98-foot? This is probably one of the most popular activities in Iceland and I’m sad I missed it.
Play with Icelandic Horses – Check Tour Prices
I am a huge animal lover and really wanted to pet and photograph the Icelandic horses! They are absolutely adorable and we really should have squeesed in this short tour with them.
Live out your Game of Thrones Fantasies – Check Tour Prices
If you are a GOT fan this tour is a MUST! Be a total fan girl (or boy) and live our your GOT dreams on this tour taking you to scenes where the HBO show was filmed.
4 Days In Iceland Itinerary | Day 1 – Blue Lagoon
We started our 4 Day Iceland adventure with a red eye from DC, landing us at the Reykjavik airport at 5 am, which meant I wanted a full day of relaxation. So the first stop on our Iceland Itinerary was the Blue Lagoon – Check Prices Here. Also, the Blue Lagoon is actually only 20 minutes from the airport and pretty much on the way to Reykjavik, so going there either upon entering or departing is ideal and a time saver. Now, most people only go to the Blue Lagoon as a tour, but did you know they have a hotel you can actually stay at? And did you know that by staying at the hotel you automatically have full access to not only the main Blue Lagoon but a private lagoon only available to hotel guests in the off hours? Knowing we were taking a red-eye, I knew a full day of floating around was just what we needed to get our honeymoon off to a great start.
After landing at the airport we had a bit of a wait for the first bus to the Blue Lagoon – Check Prices Here, which meant it was the perfect time to grab a cappuccino and browse on our phones on the free wifi. We used Reykjavik Excursion – Check Prices Here, for the transfer from the airport to the Blue Lagoon which was the least expensive option on a very comfortable bus. If you take the bus, do not get off at the first stop, we had a pretty gruelling walk up to the hotel in windy conditions dragging our luggage through GRAVEL walkways. If we had only asked they would have dropped us off at the hotel. So I’m telling you now tell them to take you to the hotel! Now the rest of the day was pure relaxation.
We floated around, covering ourselves in the silica-rich mud, drinking beer from the little beer stand in the lagoon. For dinner, we made reservations at the Lagoon’s restaurant which was excellent. There’s even a little shuttle that takes you from the hotel to the restaurant. And remember that private lagoon for hotel guests? Well, it’s open until 10 pm so after our delicious dinner we padded down in our robes and had a little night swim and slathered ourselves in more mud before heading to bed.
Wearing Topshop sweater, similar here, here and here
Vintage Fur Coat similar here and here
4 Days In Iceland Itinerary | Day 2 – Blue Lagoon & Reykjavik
We woke completely refreshed, tucked into the free breakfast, and had one last dip in the lagoon before taking our bus to Reykjavik to start on the second day of our Iceland trip. The bus goes to the bus station, then you are transferred to vans which take you to your hotel. We, of course, did not book a hotel but opted for a beautiful 2 level apartment right in the heart of Reykjavik with spectacular views from the bedroom balcony. Now it was time to explore the town and get what I came here for the ultimate HOT DOG. Yes, you read correctly, I went directly to that famed hot dog cart and had the best hot dog of my life.
We each ate 2! It’s hard to describe the deliciousness, the snappy skin, the tomato sauce, the mustard and the fried onions. Trust me just order 2 with everything you won’t regret it. We spent the rest of the day wandering around town and exploring the city.
4 Days In Iceland Itinerary | Day 3 – Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
One of my bucketlist items when going to Iceland was seeing the Glacier Lagoon – Check Prices Here, so we had to sacrifice the Golden Circle tour – Check Prices Here. As much as I wanted to do the Golden Circle we just didn’t have time to do this tour. I had to make a choice and it was tough, but we opted for the Southern Coast Iceland tour – Check Prices Here instead! We went just as the season was ending where you could ride the little boat in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – Check Prices Here.
The tour didn’t just include the lagoon though, we also stopped by 2 waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls.
This is where I’m going to give you a tip. If you have more time in Iceland I’d recommend renting a car and driving here. Because we only had one day and the beautographer didn’t feel like driving we opted for a big bus tour – Check Prices Here. This worked out for us because of our time crunch and the bus was large and comfortable. Plus the places we stopped for food on this tour were all superb. We still dream about the lamb stew!
Because the coast is a rather extensive area, you don’t get much time at each location. Just a bit of time to explore a little and take a few pictures. But for our first time to Iceland that was enough. It also takes the hassle out of driving, worrying about finding a gas station and finding places to eat. Some of the gorgeous landscape we drove through was pretty deserted.
4 Days In Iceland Itinerary | Day 4 – Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis
On the last day of our 4 days in Iceland adventure, we wanted to relax because that night we were hoping to check off my other Icelandic bucket list item, seeing the Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis. We just wandered around Reykjavik and soaked in all the beautiful scenery. It was surprisingly warm and sunny that day so it was very relaxing just to walk around.
Now keep in mind seeing aurora borealis is completely weather dependent and they can only be viewed in the fall to early spring months. Tour companies actually do not guarantee that you will see them, because it’s so weather dependent. We actually almost didn’t get to see them because every single night we were there it was cloudy! I really thought we were going to miss out.
But luck was on our side and the last night we were there, the skies cleared and we saw the most amazing northern lights! We did the tour and it was great because you drive out of the city to where there’s no light pollution. But mother nature must have been on our side because when we got back from the tour we saw them right from our balcony! It was simply amazing and totally bucket list worthy!
Now again you can totally drive out yourself to chase aurora borealis, but we opted for a tour because we didn’t want to fumble around in a foreign country in the dark. Here though I would NOT recommend a giant bus tour. I’ve read horror stories where they take loads and loads of tourists to one location where it’s lit by huge lights and everyone’s trying to use their flash to take pictures!
We used a small tour guide specializing in aurora borealis photography and we ended up being the only people on the tour that night! So basically we ended up on a private tour AND he took these amazing shots of us!
So that was our short trip to Iceland, because we left on a very very early bus to the airport for our next leg of the honeymoon the very next day, Paris! Hope you enjoyed my 4 Days in Iceland Itinerary!
You make me miss Iceland! Great photos !
http://www.swaagcaat.com/
I missed Iceland while writing this post! Thank you Joan!
The pics are amazing! Tahnks for this beautiful impressions <33
Love, Tschok
http://www.thedetsornfactory.com
Thank you so much Tschok!!
Iceland is deft in my bucket list… not number one, but its in the list…
http://sepatuholig.blogspot.com
IG @grace_njio
hahaha it wasnt my number one either!! but proximity to the DC area made it easy to get to!
Oh my, the aurora borealis is so so beautiful! Looks like you had a wonderful trip.
xoxo,
Emma
http://petitemaisonoffashion.blogspot.com/ ♥
Emma it was amazing! Are you still in Paris? Because if you are you should totally go to Iceland it’s pretty close, I think only 5 hrs or less by flight!
Wow everything look so beautiful. I’m actually going to Iceland either next year or the year after. So excited. xx
Wonderful and perfect! I follow you blog, please follow me too. http://alamodenatine.blogspot.com
Wow, so jealous! Iceland is definitely on my list of places I need to see. I really enjoyed these photos 🙂
Enclothed Cognition
Sounds and looks like such a wonderful time!
Iceland looks so beautiful, I hope I can travel there one day!
xo.
http://www.itswhatsin.com
It seems you had an amazing time in Iceland. I have always wanted to visit this amazing island country and now I want it even more.
Wonderful photography! YOu really made the most out of those 4 days. Loved those photos in thermal pool! You are so pretty.
great post!
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Wow, I’m really impressed! You have really only be for 4 days in Iceland? It looks like you have been there for a very long time 🙂 And you are very well in shape! Obviously you created the perfect program and this post was a true pleasure for me as Iceland is since a very long time on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
These photos from Iceland look stunning! Iceland is actually on my bucketlist for places I would love to travel some day.
xoxo
http://www.atsunamatsui.com
Iceland has some sick nature! Everything looks so gorgeous, and the photography is amazing!
Xx, Lora | http://www.cherrycolastyle.com
So cool!
Eliana,
https://around-eliana.blogspot.pt/
These Iceland pictures are beyond amazing! I never been there, but it is definitely on my list 🙂
http://www.pennyanddash.com
Amazing photographs! I’ve got a wee three day break booked for February so can imagine weather will be similar. Can’t wait to go back to the Blue Lagoon!
Thank you Kieron!! I loved the blue lagoon! I wanna soak in it everyday LOL
This is great! Ive been wanting to go there & will have the same about of time!
Great photos! Thanks for sharing!
One of the countries on my to-do list, omg this is just amazing!!!! Thank you for sharing.
XOLB
http://www.le-blonde.com
You make me want to go there ? Awesome photos!
Thank you! Iceland is amazing if you are on the east coast of the USA it’s so easy to get to!
Thanks for sharing your Iceland trip! We will be headed there in April and only have 5 days, so this helps give us an idea of what we can cram in! Any chance you can share the small tour company you used for the northern lights? We are trying to stay away from any big bus tours so that sounded perfect!!
Hey there! We used Seasons Tours: https://www.seasontours.is/ Gunnsi, the owner is amazing!!! The pics you see of us and the northern lights were taken by him!
Wow Iceland looks unreal. Such a fun trip!
http://www.thefashionfuse.com/
Heading to Iceland in a few weeks and this post was super helpful! Loved your northern lights photos! So green with envy and really hope I get to see it when I go. Thanks for sharing =)
Lovely pics ?
I’m going to Icleand in feb, if you have the link to any of the excursions you used that would be amazing! your tour + northern lights look AMAZING!!
Hi Talie! For the Northern Lights Tour we used Seasons Tours: https://www.seasontours.is/ For the glacier lake and waterfalls tour we just did a big bus tour for 1 day here’s the link: http://bit.ly/2h3ecb5
Oh my it sounds like you had an absolutely fantastic time. And those photos ! Simply stunning ?
Hey!
Great article about Island 🙂 I really want to go now! Nice pics
Many thanks,
Best and continue!
Trip To Europe Tips
Oh my gosh!
I’m going in April for 6 days – all of these are on my itinerary now! Love love love
no words- that looks incredible! love the photos but esp of you floating in the water. what a cool experience!
Joy at The Joyous Living