The Perfect 4 Day Iceland Itinerary
Frozen Landscapes & Fiery Adventures in the Land of Ice and Fire For Solo Travellers
‘Deyja með minningar, ekki drauma’
A quote written in Icelandic that is stamped into a bracelet I wear every day. I’ll let you know at the end of this blog post what it means but the reason it’s there is because Iceland is truly one of those places that leaves its mark on your heart, changes your perspective and inspires you.
The land of ice and fire is a bucket list location for most and I can see why. It’s one of those places that feels like stepping onto another planet. Think wild Scotland but with fire (quite literally) erupting out of the snowy ground. It’s raw, rugged, and otherworldly with weather that changes every five minutes, incredible food, and memories to boot but can often feel out of reach to many for no other reason than it just seems unattainable.
However, travelling to Iceland is easier than ever and here in the UK we are really lucky that it is surprisingly close to fly to. With airlines like EasyJet and Jet2 flying there daily it’s as easy as ever to jump on a short flight and get a good dose of Icelandic culture in a short period of time. So if you’ve got four days and a sense of adventure grab your passport and here’s how to make the absolute most of it.
Day 1: Exploring Reykjavik
After arriving, drop your bags, grab a coffee, and take in the charm of Iceland’s capital. Reykjavik is small but mighty, with colourful streets, quirky vibes, and a touch of Scandi-chic everywhere you look.
Start the day at Hallgrímskirkja: This iconic church looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie and perches beautifully overlooking Reykjavik. The architect took inspiration from the Iceland landscape including the basalt columns to create a truly unique building. Take the lift to the top for a small fee and get breathtaking views of the city.
Cafe hop through town: Firstly stop by Brauð & Co and pick up a freshly baked cinnamon bun before meandering through the many local arts and crafts shops towards Reykjavik Roasters for a dose of caffeine. You’re never far from good food in Iceland and other great stops include Kaffibrennslan, Sandholt and Baka Baka. Maybe stock up on some extras for day 2 of your trip!
Wander the harbour area: Check out the Sun Voyager sculpture and pass by Harpa Concert Hall. Be sure to keep an eye out for flea markets in the harbour area such as Kolaportið, perhaps not worth a sole visit but entertaining to stroll through.
Peruse the Local Delicacies: I think it’s a common obsession to mooch through foreign supermarkets when in a new country and Reykjavik has the perfect solution. Melabúðin looks like it’s straight from a film and while the location is just in the middle of the suburban streets away from the bright lights if you are looking to stretch your legs it’s a cool little supermarket with local and foreign offerings. You’ll find foods from home and traditional Icelandic foods such as stewed lamb’s head here.
Dinner recommendation: Nothing will warm you up more than a traditional bowl of Icelandic lamb soup — you can’t go wrong with Icelandic comfort food and Icelandic Street Food is the perfect spot. For around £10 you can have as many free refills of lamb or tomato soup (both are incredible) served in either a bread bowl or regular cup with bread on the side. The vibe in here is always friendly and relaxed and they even have freshly cooked crepes for free for dessert (all you can eat again)! I went here for dinner 4 nights in a row, it was that good!
Optional evening plans: If the northern lights are out (late Sept - early Apr), grab your coat and head to the waterfront for a chance to see the sky dance. Alternatively if letting your hair down is more up your street head to Hús máls og menningar, a bookstore in the heart of town that every night becomes an amazing live music venue where you can dance the night away.
Day 2: South Coast Adventure to Diamond Beach
This is going to be a long day, but you’ll have to trust me, it’s worth it. You’ll be driving along Iceland’s south coast, one of the most jaw-dropping road trips you’ll ever take and while there are plenty of tour operators offering these trips I would recommend hiring a car for your trip so you can make the most of these long days in your own way.
First stop: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss: About two hours from Reykjavik these two iconic waterfalls, each have their own sort of personality. Seljalandsfoss lets you walk behind the falls (if you don’t mind getting a little wet) although in winter it’s frozen. More impressive in my opinion is a hidden waterfall along the northern path from Seljalandsfoss called Gljufrabui, be sure not to miss this one! Skógafoss on the other hand is just pure power. Yes, they are crawling with tourists, but it’s totally worth the stop!
See a real life plane wreck: Solheimasandur is a US Navy plane that crashed after icing over in 1973. All the crew on board survived but the wreckage was deemed too difficult to salvage and was left to the elements. It is a lengthy 1-2 hour walk from the parking lot (although for 2000kr there is a bus that will take you) so only do this if you have the time (perhaps summer months where you have more daylight) but is a pretty unique sight seeing a plane wreck perched on black sides near the wild Southern ocean. While we’re on the topic of planes there is also a DC-3 plane wreck near Seljalndsfoss in Eyvindarholt. Less popular and drivable to, it’s again fun to explore, although this is not the original crash site. For the extra 5-minute drive, I’d say it’s worth it.
Walk a Black Sand Beach: Reynisfjara is the more commonly visited black sand beach however I prefer visiting the much quieter Víkurfjara Black Sand Beach. This place feels straight out of a fantasy novel and you’ll usually have it all to yourself. The sheer power of the crashing waves is surreal, but be careful of your toes, those waves are no joke and you can easily have the ocean sneak up on you. I should know, it’s now happened to me twice and this time I even had my sunglasses blown straight off my face from the sheer force of the wind.
Get a caffeine hit from Skool Beans: Unexpectedly in the small town of Vik you’ll find an old school bus serving incredible coffees and snacks as well as sometimes a resident cat. As soon as you walk into the bus you get a sense of calm and protection from the wild weather and the cosy interior invites you to sit and relax while you sip on a warm drink. I had the apple pie drink and let me tell you it was insane! It currently says it’s temporarily closed on Google, but I was there a week ago, and it was very much open!
Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Ok so yes, it’s a long drive, but when you see those glittering icebergs washed up on black sand, you’ll forget all about the mileage. On my first trip to Iceland I skipped this purely due to the distance but am so glad I made the effort this time as it was truly incredible to see. A lagoon of floating blue ice has a somewhat awe inspiring, peaceful, yet daunting feelings and heading to the beach afterwards (especially if you get there at sunset as I did) feels magical. You’ll be raring up for a big drive home but I would encourage you to add this stop in if possible.
Make sure to bring snacks and layers for this day—there’s a lot of ground to cover, and the weather changes every five minutes. No one wants to be hangry on a long drive home. Luckily you will have stocked up on bakery items and yummy snacks the previous day!
Day 3: Þingvellir National Park
Time to slow it down a bit and soak in some Icelandic history and nature. Þingvellir is part of the famous Golden Circle, and it’s absolutely stunning so not to be missed. You’ll also be pleased to know that after such a long day in the car yesterday there will be more time on your feet today.
Start exploring the park with Gullfoss: Head straight here from Reykjavik and after two hours you can enjoy the sunrise at Gullfoss a huge dual waterfall with amazing power.
Geysir Geothermal Area: Next, head to the Geysir area, where you’ll find Strokkur, a powerful geyser that erupts every 5–10 minutes, shooting boiling water high into the sky. The surrounding geothermal fields are fascinating to explore, with bubbling mud pots and steaming vents.
Wonder around Öxarárfoss: Þingvellir is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, and you can literally walk between them. If you park near Öxarárfoss one of my favourite waterfalls in Iceland, you can then stroll along the river to the site of Iceland’s first parliament. If you are there in winter the waterfalls and lakes freeze over and you can often walk on them which provides for a very unusual experience.
Snorkelling in Silfra (optional): If you’re feeling brave, you can snorkel in the crystal-clear waters between the tectonic plates. The water is glacial so is the same temperature all year around… cold! That being said you’ll be in a dry suit and as an eternally cold person I couldn’t believe that the only place I felt the cold was the parts of my face that were exposed to the water. The water is so clear and clean, its the cleanest water you’ll drink, and floating along between two continental plates is truly unique. You will need to join a tour for this one. I did mine with Troll which I can highly recommend.
Kerið Crater: On your way back to Reykjavik, stop at Kerið, a volcanic crater filled with bright blue water.
Relax in the evening: Head back to Reykjavik for some food and hit up one of the ‘bucket list’ geothermal spas Iceland is famous for. Sky Lagoon is only 10 minutes from Reykjavik and really is beautiful although much busier than it used to be so be warned if you’re looking for a peaceful evening, it may be more crammed than you expect. The Blue Lagoon* is probably the most famous spa and while again, it’s extremely busy and full of people taking photos I still think it’s a unique experience worth trying. If you’re looking for something more private check out tomorrows suggestion for the perfect spot!
Day 4: Northwest Iceland
For your final day, we’re heading to a less-touristy part of Iceland. The northwest has a more rugged and wild vibe, and it’s a perfect way to round out your trip.
Walk beneath beached Whaling Boats: In Hvalfjörður you’ll find two beached whalers hidden from view and easily missed. This is not a well known tourist stop but one of my favourite memories from the trip. Two sister ships that almost hauntingly sit mirroring each other on the shore of the fjord, one with geothermal water pouring out of it. It feels strange to stand beneath such huge ships that are ghosts of the whaling industry that was important to Iceland until the 80’s. These two ships were sunk by anti whaling protestors and eventually raised from the seabed and left to the elements in Hvalfjörður.
Drive to Borgarfjörður: The waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are absolutely stunning. Hraunfossar, in particular, looks like water is just flowing straight out of the lava fields.
Deildartunguhver Hot Springs: This is Europe’s most powerful hot spring. If you’re arriving in winter you’ll know you’re in the right place as the entire area is covered in vapour where the hot water meets the cold air. You can stop for a look or even better, take a dip in the Krauma Spa nearby. Krauma in my opinion is a hidden gem and felt like a private spa. As an extra bonus it’s also about half the price of the more popular Sky and Blue Lagoons.
Wrap up the day: Head back to Reykjavik and enjoy one last Icelandic meal, soak in the vibes, and try not to think about how much you’ll miss this place when you leave. If you feel brave head back to the Icelandic Street Food and try their taste of Iceland platter which includes several tasters of local beers, dried fish (Harðfiskur), fermented shark and Brenivvin (spirit flavoured with caraway).
The Finer Details
Where to stay: I have always used Reykjavik as a base for shorter trips. A longer trip would allow you to stay in several different places along your trip but Reykjavik is a great base for a few days and has everything you could need.
Driving in Iceland: Driving in Iceland is pretty easy to adapt to, the road are great and you can get signal throughout the island for navigation. In Iceland you legally must have your lights on at all times and they drive on the right. The main consideration when driving in Iceland is the weather. With high winds, snow, ice, rain and long winter nights you are best hiring a 4x4 and I always take out the full insurance which covers tyre and wind damage for peace of mind, something I would highly recommend. I most recently hired from Blue Car Rental in Keflavik and it was a brilliant experience.
How much does it cost: Iceland is notoriously expensive, however I maintain it’s as expensive as you want it to be and the general prices are similar to big city prices. Throughout the day, if you’re driving yourself, most of the activities are free so you really only pay for food and drink. The local currency is Icelandic Krona and everywhere accepts card or ApplePay.
Where to eat: Despite popular belief, it is pretty easy to find reasonably cheap food in Iceland and considering the quality of food on the island is amazing, it will taste incredible too. The supermarkets are abundant and there are plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans too.
Drinking in Iceland: The tap water in Iceland is brilliant so you don’t need to worry about buying bottled water. Drinking alcohol can get expensive but again that’s the same in any popular destination.
Tips for solo travellers: The locals are super friendly and it feels really safe to walk around at any time of the day. You can get phone signal throughout the island and everyone speaks very good English so as a solo traveller it is a great option!
What to pack: I’ve mentioned it a few times but the weather changes… quickly so no matter what time of year you go I would pack for all eventualities and realistically you will only really need outdoors clothes.
When to go: Iceland can be enjoyed all year round. If your goal is hiking then summer would be advantageous with warmer temperatures and longer sunlight hours. If you want a wintery experience you can head there any time from October onwards but be mindful that the weather is more extreme and some tours finish in September if that was on your to do list.
How long to stay: Obviously this is a blog post about the perfect 4 day itinerary but in general if you have a few extra days and can afford it, it may be a good idea to extend that a little to allow for days of bad weather.
Iceland isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience. That quote I wear translates to ‘die with memories, not dreams’. Every experience you will have in Iceland will inspire you to grab opportunities, slow down and be present and just do the damn thing. In just four days, you’ll see dramatic landscapes, feel the power of nature, and probably eat more soup (in my experience at least) than you thought possible.
If Iceland’s wild landscapes have sparked your sense of adventure, why not take it a step further? This January, I’m running a Scotland Winter Skills Course through my outdoors business Made Wild Adventures led by Nomad Mountaineering. A chance to learn essential skills for tackling snowy trails and icy conditions, all while surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Scottish Highlands. It’s perfect for women looking to build confidence in the outdoors, connect with like-minded adventurers, and embrace the magic of winter. Spots are limited, so if this sounds like your kind of adventure, join us!