The Best Iceland 5-Day Itinerary
Iceland is one of the most beautiful places in the world! I have visited Iceland multiple times, and I will never get over the views. The country is the most stunning place I have traveled to!
This Iceland 5-day itinerary explores some of the most stunning places in the country, including canyons, beaches, waterfalls, and glaciers. You will not be disappointed with spending 5 days in Iceland, I promise!
Although you can spend weeks exploring the country, you can spend 5 days in Iceland and see most of the must-see sights. This guide has everything you need to create an Iceland 5-day itinerary!
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Tips for Planning an Iceland 5-Day Itinerary
There are a few things you should know before planning your Iceland 5-day itinerary. Here are a few of the best travel tips:
Research the time of year you want to visit because the sunlight varies throughout the year. When you plan your 5 days in Iceland, it is crucial to research the sunlight during the year. In June and July, Iceland has about 21 hours of sunlight, but it only has about five hours of sunlight in December and January. As you can imagine, winter brings less tourism because of the sunlight and cold weather, which means attractions will be less crowded, but winters in Iceland are harsh. On the flip side, summer has high tourism, so many must-see sights will have crowds, but the weather is much better.
Some parking lots require a parking fee. Some trailheads have kiosks, while others use an app called Parka. I recommend downloading it in advance and inputting your car information so it is easy to pay once you arrive at the trailhead. We got wifi with our car rental which made it easy to pay using the app.
Rent a 4x4 so you can drive on F roads. F roads are unmaintained mountain roads that can have anything from rocks to river crossings. Although you can stay on the Ring Road to see many of the must-see sights in your Iceland 5-day itinerary, F roads bring you to some of the most beautiful areas in Iceland. If you are up for driving on F roads, you must rent a 4x4 vehicle. We always rent one when we travel to Iceland.
Get all of the car rental insurance. I cannot stress enough how important insurance is when you rent a car in Iceland, especially if you will be driving on F roads. As I mentioned above, F roads are crazy, so it is nice to have car insurance. We always pay the extra amount to get the full insurance since we drive on F roads when we visit Iceland.
Cook your food. Is Iceland expensive? The short answer is yes, but it does not have to be! There are plenty of ways to save money. One of the best ways to save money is to buy and cook your food because eating at restaurants can add up quickly. I still recommend enjoying delicious food at an Icelandic restaurant, but maybe not every night.
Stay in house rentals. Some hotels can be pricey compared to Airbnbs or other rentals. Also, once you leave the city, hotels are few and far between. It is much easier to find rentals on Airbnb and similar sites. You can also stay in some amazing and unique accommodations!
Get a discount gas card. Gas is expensive in Iceland, so if you have a car rental, I highly recommend getting a discount gas card. Some rental car companies will even provide one to you!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
What to Pack For an Iceland 5-Day Itinerary
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
Day 1 of Your Iceland 5-Day Itinerary
The day has come to begin your epic 5 days in Iceland! The first day will be more laid back than the other days because you will probably be jet-lagged and need a slow day to get into the swing of things.
You will fly into Keflavík Airport, pick up your car rental, and begin your 5 days in Iceland!
Where to stay:
After you are done exploring for the day, you can stay in Reykjavík or the cute town of Selfoss.
Day 1 - Reykjavík:
Before heading to the capital, you will visit Kleifarvatn Lake. Many people overlook the lake, but I highly recommend adding it to your Iceland 5-day itinerary! Kleifarvatn is the largest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula and is over 300 feet deep. The lake is beautiful, but the mountains surrounding it are the showstoppers. The views are stunning!
Reykjavík is your next stop! The city has so much to offer, from delicious food and beautiful views. I recommend enjoying a meal at one of the many great restaurants and visiting Hallgrimskirkja. Hallgrimskirkja is an iconic church that you probably have seen in photos. It is the tallest church in Iceland and beautiful! You can explore the inside for free and go to the top for a small fee. Before you leave the city, I highly recommend grocery shopping because it has the largest grocery stores.
If you want to enjoy a hot spring, I highly recommend the Sky Lagoon. We went to the Sky Lagoon twice because it was that amazing! It is near downtown and offers stunning views of the ocean. It is a great alternative to the Blue Lagoon.
After you explore the city, it is time to head south. Kerid Crater Lake is a beautiful volcanic crater with a small lake in the middle. You can hike the rim or lake for only a few dollars. The entrance fee helps preserve this beautiful area!
Ready for a taste of Iceland waterfalls? Urridafoss will be your first waterfall, and although it is smaller than the others you will visit tomorrow, it is beautiful! It is along the longest river in Iceland, Þjórsá River, and is the most voluminous waterfall in the country!
Day 2 of Your Iceland 5-Day Itinerary
Today you will be taking a glacier tour and hiking to one of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland, so get ready for a fun day exploring western Iceland!
Day 2 - Glaciers and Waterfalls:
Langjökull is the second-largest glacier in Iceland. There are so many tours that last anywhere from 2-8 hours, depending on what you want to do. One of the best is the Into the Glacier tour, which brings you into ice caves and allows you to hike on the Langjökull. The glacier tours are a bit expensive, but since most of the must-see sights in Iceland are free, it is not too bad.
Glymur is the second tallest waterfall in Iceland and requires a fun 5-mile hike. The 643-foot waterfall will make you work to see it. The trail has two river crossings and some steep inclines, but it is fun! We loved the hike to Glymur, especially because the views were stunning. Glymur is tucked in a canyon, but the views from the top of the waterfall are incredible of the surrounding area.
If you decide to skip the glacier tour and have extra time, you should visit Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are two small but beautiful waterfalls that have a creepy story. There used to be an arch near Barnafoss until it was destroyed many years ago after someone's children fell into the waterfall and were never seen again. It is a spooky story but beautiful waterfalls! We loved ending our day here after a long but fun day in Iceland.
Day 3 of Your Iceland 5-Day Itinerary
Ready to explore stunning waterfalls and soak in beautiful hot springs?! Do not forget to pack your bathing suits!!
WHERE TO STAY:
After you are done exploring for the day, you can continue to stay in your accommodation in Selfoss.
Day 3 - Waterfalls:
Brúarfoss is one of the bluest waterfalls we saw in Iceland! The waterfall has a bright blue color because it is glacier-fed, and yes, the water is THAT blue! The 4-mile hike is relatively easy and will bring you to a bridge overlooking Brúarfoss. We stayed at the viewpoint for a while because the waterfall was stunning.
Gullfoss is the largest volume waterfall in Europe and fed by the second-largest glacier in Iceland, Langjökull. There is a 36-foot tall section and 69-foot tall section of Gullfoss that flows into the Hvítá River in a 1.6-mile-long canyon. It requires a short walk from the parking lot to the rim above the waterfall, and it will take your breath away!
The Great Geysir, also known as Stokkur, is across the street from Gullfoss and is easily accessible. It usually erupts every 6-10 minutes and hits over 50 feet high! Strokkur is one of the most popular attractions in Iceland, so it will likely be very crowded. If you do not have time or it is very crowded, feel free to skip it. We stopped here on our first trip to Iceland but skipped it during our second time.
It is time to soak in some hot springs! The Secret Lagoon, also known as Galma Laugin, is a beautiful hot spring. Although it is in a man-made pool, it is fed by a natural hot spring and is the perfect place to relax. Beautiful mossy lava fields surround it, and there is a small geyser nearby, erupting every few minutes. We loved soaking here after a fun-filled morning of exploring waterfalls.
I recommend saving your afternoon to explore one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland! Háifoss is the fourth-tallest waterfall in Iceland, and it is my favorite waterfall I have ever seen. The viewpoint is on a cliff across from the 400-foot waterfall and is EPIC! Háifoss is an incredible spot for sunset, too. You will fall in love, I promise!
Day 4 of Your Iceland 5-Day Itinerary
This day of your 5 days in Iceland is going to be jam-packed with some of the most beautiful waterfalls you will ever see! It is a big day of driving and exploring, so I recommend getting up as early as you can so you do not have to rush through your day.
WHERE TO STAY:
After you are done exploring for the day, you can stay in the cute town of Vik.
Best Hotels:
Day 4 - South Coast of Iceland:
Seljalandsfoss is an iconic waterfall in Iceland that you have probably seen in many photos. It is a short walk from the parking lot to the base of Seljalandsfoss. You can enjoy this 197-foot, picturesque waterfall from the front or walk behind it! Hiking behind Seljalandsfoss was such a fun experience!
Skógafoss is another iconic Iceland waterfall not too far from Seljalandsfoss. It is 82 feet wide and 200 feet tall and is EPIC! You can walk up to the base of the falls or hike to the top of it! I highly recommend walking to the top because the views are stunning. No matter which way you want to experience Skógafoss, you will not be disappointed.
Dyrholaey Arch is a beautiful arch along the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. The viewpoint is on a cliff that you can drive to and offers stunning views of the arch, beach, and mountains. Our favorite views from the cliff were looking north towards the mountains!
Reynisfjara is the infamous black sand beach in Iceland. The black sand is from eroded volcanic rock and is beautiful! Reynisfjara is home to the Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks, Hálsanefshellir Sea Cave, and Gardar Cliff. This area is incredibly popular, and parking can be difficult to find at midday. If you cannot find parking, I recommend coming back here later in the day.
Note: The waves on Reynisfjara are known for being dangerous because they can sneak up on you in a matter of seconds, so please be careful and stay aware.
Fjaðrárgljúfur is one of the most beautiful places we saw in our Iceland 5-day itinerary. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a 330-foot deep canyon that runs for over a mile, and it has a river running through it, is moss-covered, and has many waterfalls throughout. The viewpoint of this gorgeous canyon only requires a short walk from the parking lot. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset as well!
Day 5 of Your Iceland 5-Day Itinerary
Ready to explore the largest national park in Iceland?! Vatnajökull National Park is the only national park on earth that offers a diverse landscape, including mountains, volcanoes, glaciers, and geothermal energy, and you will be exploring every bit of it. This day may be your favorite of your 5 days in Iceland!
Day 5 - Glacier tour:
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is filled with icebergs and is just as stunning as it sounds. Across the street is Diamond Beach, which has large ice blocks that look like diamonds in the sun. I highly recommend visiting the area during sunrise or sunset because the golden light here is STUNNING!
Vatnajökull is one of the largest ice-caps in Europe and is one of the best places for glacier hikes and ice cave tours. You can take a guided tour to the top of Vatnajökull, which is a fun experience! If you visit in the winter, you can take a guided tour into the ice caves below Vatnajökull. You will need at least half a day for these tours, but they are worth it!
Svartifoss is a stunning waterfall surrounded by black basalt columns you can visit after your tour. There is an easy 1-mile hike from the Visitor Center to Svartifoss. If you are up for a longer trail, you can hike 2 miles to Svartifoss and a 360-degree viewpoint of glaciers at Sjónarsker.
If you are looking for a fun Iceland 5-day itinerary, this guide is the perfect place to start planning your trip! If you have extra time, you can extend it to a 7-day road trip and add even more beautiful and fun things to do.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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