Over the past several years, Iceland has exploded in popularity. Three days in Iceland is the perfect introduction to the country, but you will want at least a week to be able to fully explore the amazing sites of Iceland. In the wintertime, three days in Iceland allows for plenty of time to see the main sites and survive the freezing temperatures. If you are lucky, you may even see the Northern Lights!
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Table of Contents
History of Iceland
Iceland’s history begins with settlement by Norse explorers in the late 800s. Ingólfur Arnarson is considered the first permanent settler around 874, followed by waves of Vikings from Norway and Celtic peoples from the British Isles. These early settlers established a unique political system, forming the Althing in 930 CE, one of the world’s oldest surviving parliaments.
In 1380, Iceland came under Danish control, where it remained for centuries, experiencing periods of hardship including volcanic eruptions, famine, and trade restrictions. In 1944, during World War II, Iceland formally declared independence and became a republic. Since then, Iceland has developed into a modern nation known for its strong democratic institutions, rich literary heritage, and distinctive cultural identity shaped by both its Viking roots and dramatic natural landscape.
When to Spend Three Days in Iceland
When to spend three days in Iceland depends on the type of experience you would like. Visiting in wintertime means cold weather, but winter activities like snowmobiling and chasing the Northern Lights. Summertime is better for hiking and outdoor activities. Our Golden Circle tour guide summed it up best: “Go to Iceland in the winter to experience Iceland. Go in the summer to see Iceland.” This itinerary focuses on three days in Iceland in the wintertime.
How to Get to Iceland
Icelandair is the main airline of Iceland. A few other airlines fly to Iceland, but Icelandair has the monopoly on flights for sure. There are many flights across the United States and Europe to Iceland. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights.
Note that Icelandair is a budget airline, so be sure to pay attention to extra fees and the airfare type you are booking.
Transportation in Iceland
Transportation in Iceland can add up quickly and, like many things in Iceland, can be very expensive. Thus, I recommend renting a car to get around the island. It ended up being cheaper for us to rent a car than pay for all the transportation to and from the airport and hot springs. You can rent a car through Economy Bookings, which searches all rental car companies for you. Alternatively, you can book this Airport Transfer.
Note that many of the group tours in Iceland pick up at bus stops. You can see the map here to see which stop(s) are closest to your hotel!
Where to Stay in Iceland
If you want one place to base yourself to see a portion of Iceland, you will want to station yourself in Reykjavik. This will enable you to stay in one hotel but see a portion of the country. TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Check out the best hotels in Iceland here! You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
We opted to stay at the Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik, which is within walking distance to all the main sites in Reykjavik. Other options include Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, 101 Hotel, and the Hotel Edition Reykjavik.
What to do During Three Days in Iceland
Day 1: Lagoons and Reykjavik
Start your first of three days in Iceland with a visit to one of the infamous hot springs. Iceland is known for having a multitude of thermal hot springs scattered across the country. The Sky Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon are two of the most well-known.
Sky Lagoon
Cost: $90+
Hours: Usually 11am-10pm
The Sky Lagoon is the perfect way to start out your first of three days in Iceland. It is about 15 minutes from downtown Reykjavik. This lagoon is focused on wellness and has amazing ocean views. During your visit, you will be able to embark on the 7-step Skjol Ritual which is included in your ticket. This includes things like a cold plunge, sauna, cold rain, steam room, and a body scrub.
For an extra charge, you can have private changing rooms or add on some extras. It is important that you make a reservation in advance because they do book up, and you will be able to skip part of the line if you do. There are also light bites to eat and beverages available for purchase. Overall, you will not be sorry if you visit the Sky Lagoon.
Blue Lagoon
Cost: $70+
Hours: Usually 8am-10pm
Alternatively, you can opt to visit the Blue Lagoon this morning. This is Iceland’s iconic geothermal spa located near the Keflavik Airport. The Blue Lagoon is a great option to hit either when you land or right before you leave. The basic admission includes entrance, towel, silica mud mask, and a non-alcoholic drink. I recommend getting the premium package that adds in a robe, two more masks, and an alcoholic drink.
The Blue Lagoon is quite large and has several areas to explore, including a quiet/no phones area. There is also a steam room and sauna right off the main lagoon. The mask bar is also off the main lagoon and allows you to get your mask and relax in the water.
Mat Bar
Cost: $$
Hours: Tues-Sat: 3pm-12am
Tonight, grab dinner at Mat Bar, one of the most highly rated restaurants in central Reykjavík. It is known for its small plates and multi-course menus. You will want to order several things, and you share them at the table. Make sure to make a reservation because it can get quite popular during peak dinner hours. This food guide has a bunch more restaurants to check out!
Northern Lights
Tonight, head out on a Northern Lights tour. During the winter in Iceland, you may have the chance to see the infamous Aurora Borealis, aka the Northern Lights. These natural lights may be viewed in a lot of Northern countries from September to April. Make sure to dress very warm as it does get very cold out when you are trying to see them.
If you have a rental car, you can opt to drive a little bit outside of Reykjavik to try to see them. Alternatively, you can check out one of the many tours that will take you to go hunting for them. Many of the tours have a guarantee, which means that if you do not see them, you can try one of the other evenings again. However, there is no guarantee you will see them any of the times.
We unfortunately did not get to see them during our three days in Iceland.
Note, you will only want to go on this tour if you visit in the wintertime. If visiting in the summer, spend more time exploring Reykjavík instead. Reykjavik proper has many museums, such as the Perlan Museum, that you can opt to visit. Also, make sure to stop by the Reykjavik Town Hall and Rainbow Road.
Day 2: Golden Circle
On your second of three days in Iceland, head out on a Golden Circle tour. There are many options on how to go about this. You can opt to do a self-drive or take one of the many tours, such as the following:
- Golden Circle tour with Kerid Glacier
- Golden Circle, Kerid Glacier, and Secret Lagoon tour
- Golden Circle tour and snowmobiling
- Golden Circle tour with Secret Lagoon
If self-driving, follow this itinerary. You can leave off any stop or change the order, but these will be the main places you want to see. The majority of the stops do not cost anything to get into.
Thingvellir National Park
To start off your day on the Golden Circle, stop at Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO site is known for the rift where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart. You can walk through the Almannagja Gorge between the plates. It is also the site of Albingi, the world’s oldest surviving parliament, which was established in 930AD. Visitors can easily spend an hour viewing the different viewpoints and stops.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Next, stop at Gullfoss Waterfall. This waterfall is one of Iceland’s most iconic “curtain” waterfalls. Gullfoss translates to “the Golden Falls” and is fed by the Hvita river. Water plunges into two stages into a deep, narrow canyon. Visitors can see the waterfall from the lookout above. This is a pretty quick stop, and you will spend about 30 minutes viewing the waterfall.
Geysir Geothermal Area
Another must-not miss site along the Golden Circle is the Geysir Geothermal Area. This is home to the Great Geyser, which is currently dormant. However, the Strokkur Geysir is currently active. This geysir shoots boiling water about 15-20 meters into the air every 6-10 minutes. Make sure to stay behind the ropes to view it. It took us a couple of rounds of waiting to get the best viewpoint. In addition to that, visitors can wander around the park and see some other boiling pots. Plan to spend at least an hour to take in all of the stops.
Keriod Crater
Cost: $5
For the last stop of the day, stop at the Keriod Crater. This volcanic lake is approximately 3000 years old. It is famous for its red volcanic rock walls. Visitors can hike around the rim of the crater and also hike down to the bottom of it. You will want at least an hour if you want to do both of them.
Frioheimar
When you are hungry, stop at Frioheimar. This world-renowned family runs a tomato farm using Iceland’s geothermal energy to grow tomatoes year-round in massive glasshouses. You will not want to miss their tomato soup and freshly-baked bread. Make sure to make a reservation as they do book up weeks in advance.
Secret Lagoon
Cost: $35+
Hours: Varies by Season
The Secret Lagoon is one of the oldest swimming pools in Iceland. It maintains a more natural feel than the Blue Lagoon. Admission starts at $35 so it is definitely cheaper than the Blue Lagoon or the Sky Lagoon. It does not have as many amenities as the others, but it is still a nice place to stop after a day along the Golden Circle.
Bæjarins Beztu
Cost: $
Hours: Varies by location
Tonight, grab a quick dinner at Bæjarins Beztu. After a long day of exploring the Golden Circle, it will be the best way to end your second of three days in Iceland. This place is a hot dog stall known for having the best hot dogs in Iceland. Make sure to get it with all the toppings, which include fried onions, raw onions, ketchup, remoulade sauce, and sweet mustard.
Day 3: South Coast
On your last of three days in Iceland, you will want to take a trip along the southern coast of Iceland. Here are a ton of fun stops and activities, like a glacier hike. You can opt to do a self-drive like the Golden Circle or check out this South Coast adventure tour. Thanks to Amanda of Amanda Therese Travel for Day 3 of this three day in Iceland itinerary.
A day trip along Iceland’s south coast is one of the most popular excursions from Reykjavík, and for good reason. In a single day, you can experience some of the country’s most iconic landscapes, including waterfalls, volcanic beaches, and dramatic coastal cliffs. While it makes for an early start, the variety of scenery along this route makes every stop worthwhile.
Seljalandsfoss
Most south coast day trips begin with a drive east from Reykjavík toward Seljalandsfoss, about two hours away. This waterfall is famous for the path that allows visitors to walk behind the cascading water. Just be prepared for the mist, as it’s easy to get wet here.
Skógafoss
The next stop is Skógafoss, another of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls. The powerful waterfall drops nearly 200 feet into the pool below, creating a constant spray that often produces rainbows on clear days. You can view the waterfall from the base or climb up the 527 stairs (tough but worth it!) for a view from above. There is a lesser-known waterfall, Kvernufoss, right past the turn for Skogafoss, which I think is worth a quick visit!
Vík
From there, continue along the coast toward the village of Vík í Mýrdal to visit Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Known for its dramatic basalt columns and towering sea stacks rising from the Atlantic Ocean, this beach is one of the most dramatic landscapes in Iceland. After exploring the beach, stop in Vík for lunch at Black Crust Pizzeria, known for its charcoal-colored pizza crust. My favorite was the number 5! If you have the time, you could also stay in Vik overnight at the Hótel Vík í Mýrdal.
After lunch, begin the drive back toward Reykjavík. On the way, make a stop in Selfoss for a sweet treat at Grooves. This ice cream shop serves many sweet treats! My favorite was the milkshake with donuts on the straw!
Dinner at Posthus Food Hall
By evening, you’ll return to Reykjavík after a full day of exploring waterfalls, black sand beaches, and some of Iceland’s best scenery. It’s a long day, but one that showcases the raw natural beauty that makes Iceland so unforgettable. To conclude your three days in Iceland, grab dinner at the Posthus food hall. There are a ton of different stalls in this muti-level spot and you cannot go wrong with whatever you choose.
More Than Three Days in Iceland
There are so many amazing things to do during three days in Iceland that you will definitely need more time and want to make a return trip. A lot of people will take a road trip around the ring road of the island. If you have more time, there are some other things you can do:
- Snorkel between two continents
- Ice Cave tour
- Lava show
- Horseback riding
- Snowmobiling and Ice Cave
- Glacier hike
Final Tips for Three Days in Iceland
Three days in Iceland in the wintertime make for a fun escape. If you have more time, add time in Dublin or London before heading to Iceland. Alternatively, Boston makes for a great gateway to Iceland.
