5 Days in Iceland: A Day-by-Day Itinerary

Five days in Iceland can take in Reykjavík’s Hallgrímskirkja and Perlan, the park at Þingvellir and the waterfalls and headland of the south coast, with the capital as the base for the first two days. Most campsites open only from early June to the end of August or mid-September, so the season you pick decides where you can sleep.

At a glance

• Recommended length: 5 days
• Capital sights: Hallgrímskirkja, Perlan, Harpa, Laugavegur
• Day trips: Þingvellir, Flúðir and Laugarvatn, then Seljalandsfoss and Dyrhólaey
• Campsites: around 200 registered, most open from the beginning of June to the end of August or mid-September
• Lodging tax: 800 kr. per unit for hotels and guesthouses, 400 kr. for campsites

Is 5 days enough in Iceland?

Five days covers the capital’s main landmarks, two hot-water pools, Þingvellir National Park and the first stretch of the south coast, from Seljalandsfoss to Dyrhólaey and Vík. It leaves out everything farther afield, and it asks for some driving on the three days outside the capital.

With one more day, the best addition is the canyon of Fjaðrárgljúfur, about 98 feet (30 meters) deep, or a slower stop in Vík with its two small museums. With one day less, drop the Secret Lagoon and the Fontana stop and keep Þingvellir and the south coast.

A visitor who loves museums gains most from the extra day. The National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavík has a second site at Keldur á Rangárvöllum near Hella, if you want to see more of it.

When to plan 5 days in Iceland

April is also the driest of the four months, with 12 rainy days against 15 in January. Highs in April reach 44°F (7°C), so a waterproof layer matters on every day of this plan, especially at the waterfalls. Campsite opening dates also favor summer for anyone planning to camp.

Where to stay in Iceland for 5 days

The first two days are spent in the city center, which runs from Aðalstræti up the hill to the end of Laugavegur, so a base in Reykjavík saves transfers. Hotels and guesthouses with a license in categories II to IV pay a lodging tax of 800 kr. per unit. Campsites and parking spots for motorhomes pay 400 kr.

Camping outside organised campsites in a camper van or caravan is illegal without landowner permission. A traditional tent may be pitched for one night on uncultivated land along public routes in inhabited areas. Most of the roughly 200 registered campsites close after summer, but the Grindavík campsite is open from mid-March into November.

Getting around Iceland in 5 days

If you drive, the parking rules in Reykjavík are worth knowing before day 1. You may not park on a crosswalk or within 16 feet (5 meters) of it, and the same distance applies at intersections. At a bus stop the limit is 49 feet (15 meters) from the sign. A stop of less than three minutes to let passengers in or out or to load is not considered parking. On the road you may stop or park only on the right-hand side.

5 Days in Iceland, day by day

Day 1: Hallgrímskirkja, Laugavegur and Harpa

The day is a walk through the center. Start at Hallgrímskirkja, a parish church and national sanctuary, and the largest church in Iceland with the largest organ in the country.

The route from Hallgrímskirkja to Harpa works as a self-guided walking tour, so the car can stay parked. Tjörnin, the pond in the center, and Mount Esja in the distance are also popular landmarks.

Day 2: Perlan, the National Museum and Sky Lagoon

Perlan is a nature exploratorium with interactive exhibits on Iceland’s natural wonders. The National Museum of Iceland is at Suðurgata 41, 101 Reykjavík. End the day at Sky Lagoon, at Vesturvör 44 to 48 in Kársnes, Kópavogur.

Sky Lagoon is just outside the city proper, in Greater Reykjavík. Put the museum first and the lagoon last, so the day finishes in warm water.

Day 3: Þingvellir, Laugarvatn and Flúðir

Þingvellir National Park, at 806 Selfoss, is the first stop. The Service Center is at Leirar, close to the camping grounds, a good place to start. Then comes a pool stop. Fontana is at Hverabraut 1 in Laugarvatn. Secret Lagoon, at Hvammsvegur in Flúðir, was made in 1891 and is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. It has three pools: a main pool, a hot paddling pool and a cold pool.

Pick one of the two pools if the day runs long. Secret Lagoon has the longer history and the cold pool for contrast.

Day 4: Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi

Seljalandsfoss plunges over the cliffs of Vestur-Eyjafjall, in the Seljalandsá river. Gljúfrabúi, about 131 feet (40 meters) high, stands nearby on the land of the abandoned farm Hamragarðar.

Park well away from any sign or crossing, using the rules above.

Day 5: Dyrhólaey, Vík and Fjaðrárgljúfur

Dyrhólaey is a promontory 394 feet (120 meters) high that rises out of the black sand just west of Vík. A small, square, orange-roofed lighthouse built in 1927 stands on the highest point. In Vík, the Katla Visitor Centre is at Víkurbraut 28 in the historical Brydebúð building, and the Hafnleysa Maritime Museum is at Víkurbraut 17.

Fjaðrárgljúfur, a canyon about two kilometers (1.2 miles) long, fits in if the day goes well. The two museums are a good swap if rain rules out the headland.