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Few places make you feel closer to the raw power of nature than Iceland. Even with just three days in Iceland, it is still more than possible to experience the awe-inspiring spectacle of its geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, dramatic mountain landscape and black-sand beaches.
What’s more, with legacy and budget airlines connecting UK airports to Reykjavik in under three hours, Iceland is an ideal destination for a long-weekend adventure.
The following plan for your three days in Iceland will take you to some of the nation’s highlights, all within easy distance of the capital, Reykjavik. Read to the end for some additional valuable tips for winter travel.
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Day 1: Reykjavik and Blue Lagoon
The effortlessly cool capital of Reykjavik is, naturally, most visitors’ first stop in this North Atlantic island nation. The city holds the title of being the world’s northernmost capital, and its understated yet youthful, progressive and laid-back vibe is an unmissable part of your three days in Iceland.
If you like generally colder cities with rugged terrain, check out Juneau in Alaska.
Before you head out to Iceland’s many natural wonders, take at least a morning to explore Reykjavik.
Reykjavik
Best Coffee in Central Reykjavik
Start your day early with a coffee at Kaffibrennslan, and perhaps one of their breakfast-themed sandwiches in case you haven’t eaten yet.
Central Reykjavik sights
Just around the corner is the city’s iconic Rainbow Street (Skólavörðustígur), leading up to the modern cathedral of Hallgrimskirkja. This is quite possibly Iceland’s most recognizable monument. If the weather is clear, I’d recommend paying the small fee to reach the cathedral rooftop from where you’ll enjoy some of the best views over Reykjavik.
Spend some time perusing some of the artistic-themed gift shops lining the street.
As you work your way down the hill, take a stop at the statue of the Unknown Bureaucrat which stands beside the Tjörnin Lake and the Alþingishúsið (Parliament Building).
Settlement Museum
This corner of Reykjavik is home to many of its museums, my favorite of which is the Settlement Exhibition. Here visitors can learn through interactive exhibitions about the 10th-century explorations of Iceland by Viking settlers.
Lunch
Iceland can be an expensive destination for many travelers. As such, I’ll offer two nearby suggestions for lunch, depending on your budget.
Budget
For those strictly counting the króna, the Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot-dog vendor is something of a local legend. Before you dismiss it as just fast food, try it and see why it’s worth all the hype. Many of my traveling friends have also echoed my appreciation for Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur.
Mid-range
Oriented towards seafood, Messinn serves grilled pans of fish with characteristically Icelandic garnishes of vegetables, honey and rye bread. Mains range between 4,000 and 4,800 IKR (£22-27 / $29-35 / €26-31). For price-value ratio, this is one of my favorite restaurants in Reykjavik.
Splurge
Just next door, the Fröken Reykjavík Kitchen & Bar is one of the most exquisite eateries in the city. Highlights on the menu include the scallops, lamb tartare and ribeye steak. The top-notch food is complemented by tasteful ambiance to make an unforgettable gastronomical experience.
Late Afternoon: Blue Lagoon
Either hire a car, or better still, join a half-day tour, and head southwest to the Blue Lagoon. The milky-blue thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon are world renowned and justifiably popular among international visitors.
Enjoying the soft minerals on your skin while floating and peacefully gazing up at the Arctic sky may just be one of the best memories from your three days in Iceland.
The Blue Lagoon is located not too far from the airport. Depending on your flight times, you may want to switch things around to visit immediately upon arrival / before departure.
At the time of writing the Lagoon was open for visitors. But it is still advisable to regularly check the official website and keep your plans flexible due to volcanic activity at nearby Grindavík.
In case issues arise, you will have some other hot spring experiences on Day 2 of this itinerary.
The entrance fee may seem a little steep at first, but I can safely assure you that the Blue Lagoon is certainly worth your time and money.
Day 2: Inland adventure – waterfalls, geysers and…diving?
The second of your three days in Iceland will take you to the ‘Golden Circle’, a collection of popular geological sites all within easy reach of Reykjavik.
If you are not hiring your own car, many good tours such as this one will help you make best use of your limited time.
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir (written locally as Þingvellir, Þ = ‘th’) is more than just a scenic area. This rift valley is one of the exact points where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are being pulled apart. In cultural significance, the Icelandic parliament assembled here as early as 930, making Thingvellir the world’s oldest operating parliament.
As the Öxará river carves down through the Almannagjá Gorge, it tumbles down in majestic waterfalls. In the warmer months, spend a few hours hiking through the beautiful landscape, and enjoying panoramic views of Thingvallavatn Lake.
Silfra diving
In-the-know divers will have heard of Silfra, of the most famous dive sites on earth. With groundwater having filtered through tectonic fissures, Silfra boasts some of the world’s clearest water for diving. Divers can feel as though they are completely suspended mid-air, as they drift between tectonic plates from the step-led entry point down into Thingvallavatn Lake.
Snorkelling is possible as well, and these operators will kit you out with dry suits which are very much necessary – this is Iceland after all.
Geysir
50 minutes’ drive northeast will take you to Geysir – no prizes for guessing why this place is famous.
The Strokkur Geyser tends to erupt every 5-10 minutes, spurting boiling water up to 20 meters in the air. The regularity of the geyser’s eruptions attracts many tourists, and it is one of the essential stops during your three days in Iceland.
The nearby “Great Geysir” (now inactive) drew its name from the Icelandic word geysa meaning “go forward quickly” and related to the modern English “to gush.” This is the exact source of the word “geyser” we use in English.
Gullfoss Falls
The magnificent Gullfoss Falls (literally meaning “Golden Falls”) cascades off a 90-degree turn on the Hvitá River. This natural spectacle, which can be heard before it is seen, will be one of most iconic spots on your three days in Iceland.
The dramatic waterfall can be admired from a series of observation platforms, and is most impressive after the snowmelt of spring and early summer.
Where to stay: Flúðir
Two great options for accommodation along this route are the three-star Hill Hotel at Flúðir, and the slightly more basic but perfectly comfortable Guesthouse Flúðir.
Another good budget option a little further down Route 30 is the South Central Apartments.
Secret Lagoon
If arriving before 7 pm, take a soak at the thermal springs at the Secret Lagoon to round off your day.
These artificially created outdoor baths are filled with geothermal water from the springs immediately surrounding it. Some of these hot springs can be seen (and very strongly smelled) from the short boardwalk circling the site.
Day 3: South Coast Scenery
On the final of your three days in Iceland, you will reach the coast. The collision of this volcanic island with the wild North Atlantic Ocean has led to the formation of some truly breathtaking scenery.
Down here, there are more waterfalls than you can count, so feel free to miss one if you’re short on time. If you are coming straight from Reykjavik, consider taking this tour – it saves you a lot of driving and helps you tick off all the big sights.
Seljalandsfoss
Having turned left on the famous Route 1, which circumnavigates the whole country, drive for another 45 minutes and you’ll reach the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. This powerful waterfall is fed by glacial ice, from the ice sheet made infamous by the Eyjafjallajökull volcano.
Various paths can take you behind the waterfall itself. Needless to say, don’t forget your waterproof jacket for this one.
Don’t miss out on Gljúfrabúi, just five minutes’ walk further inland. A narrow path will take you into a tiny, enclosed canyon into which another waterfall thunderously pours, making for an exhilarating experience.
Drangurinn in Drangshlíð
You’ll only need a few minutes to stop off at the Drangurinn in Drangshlíð, a curious formation of rock and caves into which passages and houses have been built. The site is also linked to Old Icelandic folktales of elves and mythical heroes.
Stop by for some local fish and chips at Heimamenn, just two minutes’ drive before you reach Drangurinn in Drangshlíð.
Skógafoss and Kvernufoss
Two more waterfalls very nearby each other are Skógafoss and Kvernufoss, both of which are equally impressive.
Both falls are surrounded by lush, mossy grassland and send huge clouds of spray into the air as they crash down off the Icelandic mountains. Skógafoss and Kvernufoss are both easily reached from the car parks by short hiking trails.
If I had to choose just one of the waterfalls to visit here, I would choose Kvernufoss for its walking trail behind the falls. However, both waterfalls are nearby and I would still take the time to visit each site.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
The crowning glory of the South Iceland coast is the remarkable black sand beach at Reynisfjara. With the wind howling and waves violently crashing against the shore, the jet-black sand and rocky stacks bravely protruding from the wild ocean make for an awe-inspiring sight.
Throughout your three days in Iceland, this is the spot where you will feel completely insignificant against the incredible force and scale of Iceland’s nature.
Vík
The last stop today will be Vík, just across the headland from the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.
The sleepy village of Vík is the southernmost village in all of Iceland. Vík is also the last stop before the interminable stretches of isolation further along the south coast.
The symbol of the town is the windswept Lutheran Vík í Mýrdal Church, standing on a small hill over the village. Take a walk further up to the cemetery for great photograph opportunities of the village, black sand beaches and bay beyond.
Take refuge from the elements and enjoy a craft beer and burger at Smiðjan Brugghús. If sticking around here for longer, visit the Skaftfellingur Museum, and take a night stop at one of the various guesthouses and hotels in town.
Drive back to Reykjavik
If you have any longer and would like to split your journey back to the capital, taking a bath in the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is an unforgettable experience. Allow enough time for the one-hour hike from the car park to the bathing spot. It is the perfect way to savor Iceland’s nature and round off your three days in Iceland.
What about a 3 days in Iceland winter itinerary?
Just remember: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”
That is to say, while the winter weather certainly needs to be taken into account, it should by no means put you off from enjoying Iceland’s beautiful nature. If anything, I really think that winter shows off Iceland at its rawest and most rewarding, including with the possibility of Northern Lights sightings.
Winter driving, especially in certain extreme conditions, can be a little more challenging, but the Icelandic authorities are excellent at keeping roads safe and services open.
Here are three simple adjustments that I would keep in mind when planning winter travel in Iceland:
- Swap hiking for even more hot springs.
- Keep an eye on road.is for information on travel conditions.
- Add in another day or two for flexibility, in case of road closures.
Follow these rules and you can enjoy the marvelous country of Iceland all year round.
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