Iceland has been on my bucket list since I was in the 6th grade, so to finally be able to go was a dream come true!! I went solo and spent four full days in the ‘land of fire and ice,’ and because I was there during the ‘midnight sun,’ I was able to pack in so much sightseeing! Here is my Iceland travel itinerary, which includes things to do in things to do in Iceland, Reykjavik walking tour, Blue Lagoon Iceland, snorkeling in Silfra, Golden Circle tour, South Iceland tour, Iceland waterfalls, Iceland glaciers, black sand beach Iceland and general Iceland travel tips.
*I stayed in Reykjavik the whole time, which is why I booked day tours outside the city.
Disclosure: All opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Day 1: Discover Reykjavik and Relax at the Blue Lagoon
Discover Reykjavik
The first thing you should do on your trip to Iceland is sign up for the free walking tour of the capital city, Reykjavik. I signed up using Citywalk, which is a 2-hour tour. You can book this day if needed, and it is rain or shine. I learned SO much on this walk, and it’s a great way to learn about the history, culture, and famous places in the city with a guide who is from there. You will also learn about Icelandic history and modern life. I did tip our guide after because he was amazing (so not completely free)!
Tip: Check the weather report and make sure you wear shoes that are good for walking. Because the weather in Reykjavik is so unpredictable, it’s best to dress in layers. Most people wear hiking or waterproof boots/shoes.
Relax in the Blue Lagoon
After exploring Reykjavik, head to the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most famous attractions and one of the places that was very high on my list to see. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa, so it’s pretty much a big hot tub! I was worried it would be a little touristy, but it wasn’t at all. My ticket included one drink and one mud mask. I would recommend girls put their hair up and coat it with a conditioner before getting in the water since the silica and sulfur (although great for your skin) can fry your hair. I would HIGHLY recommend going to the Blue Lagoon; it was one of my favorite places I’ve been!
Tip: You must pre-book your tickets online and show up exactly when your time slot is to avoid them voiding your ticket. Currently, there are volcano activities that cause the Blue Lagoon to close, so make sure you check their website the day before you go. If it is closed, the Sky Lagoon is a great alternative!
The Blue Lagoon also has lockers, so you can change there and lock up your items if needed!
Day 2: Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure
I was going back and forth on whether I should book this snorkeling trip or not, but I was SO glad I did! This is the ONLY place in the world where you can snorkel between two tectonic plates, two continents (North America and Europe), and some of the clearest water in the world.
When you book this trip, you can choose someone to pick you up in Reykjavik, or you can meet them at Silfra Fissure (in Thingvellir National Park), which is about 45 minutes away, but a very easy drive. Once you get to the meeting place, your guide will give you a dry suit and a wet suit to put over your clothes. They also provide goggles and a snorkel. Since the water comes from glaciers, it is very cold, so I would recommend wearing thick layers under. I wore thick leggings and a long Under Armour shirt.
Once you put all the gear on, you’ll walk across the street to the water, go over how to snorkel, and then swim and snorkel for about an hour in the crystal-clear water! It’s an incredible experience and a must-do!
Tip: Book your snorkeling tour in advance and make sure you coordinate a ride to Silfra Fissure if you can’t drive there. Bathing suits are not needed, so make sure you wear warm clothes.
Day 3: Golden Circle Tour
For Day 3, I booked another tour through Viator, but this time it was a Golden Circle Tour. Viator makes the process so easy and tells you exactly when and where you should go to be picked up. After getting picked up at the designated location, you are off on the 5-hour tour in a comfortable coach bus. Since I was traveling solo, this tour was so nice because I didn’t have to drive and could learn about Iceland in comfort!
We hit the 3 main parts of the Golden Circle:
- Thingvellir National Park: Since I snorkeled here the previous day, this was a refresher of information
- Geysir Geothermal Area: Erupting geysers and hot springs. You can also grab lunch here
- Gullfoss Waterfall: See this stunning two-tiered waterfall’s incredible power and beauty.
Tip: Since this is one of the most popular tours in Iceland, I would highly recommend you book early. Dress warmly. Again, Iceland’s weather is so unpredictable. I wore my light ski jacket, ski pants, and hiking boots for these tours. I would also suggest a phone charger since it’s a long day, and photos and videos take up a lot of charge.
Day 3: South Iceland Glaciers, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach
Book Tour through Viator – South Iceland Glaciers, Waterfalls, and Black Sand Beach
For my final day, I took another tour through Viator to make the most of my time in Iceland. This was one of my favorite tours since it took you to the south of Iceland, which is very different from Reykjavik and the Golden Circle area. This tour was close to 10 hours, but mostly because the Black Sand Beach is so far from Reykjavik.
On the trip, we were able to see:
- Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss Waterfalls: These iconic waterfalls are must-visit spots, offering stunning views and photo opportunities. Videos and photos don’t even do it justice!
- Solheimajokull Glacier: We couldn’t get very close to the glacier because of the active volcanos.
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach: Experience the unique beauty of the volcanic beach, famous for its basalt columns, waves, and, of course, the black sand!
Tip: I HIGHLY recommend waterproof clothes! You can get really close to the waterfalls and even go behind one of them, and you will get wet! At the Black Sand Beach, do not get close to the water; the waves are very dangerous with the current.
All in all, Iceland was one of the best places I’ve been and one of the best places to travel in the summer. I can’t wait to go back! There is so much to do and see, and I only scratched the surface!
4 Day Weekend Itinerary
- Day 1: (I arrived in the morning) Free walking tour in Reykjavik, relax at the Blue Lagoon.
- Day 2: Snorkeling in the Silfra fissure at Thingvellir National Park, explore Reykjavik in the evening.
- Day 3: Golden Circle Tour (Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss Waterfall).
- Day 4: South Iceland Glaciers, Waterfalls, and Black Sand Beach (Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Solheimajokull Glacier, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach).
As mentioned previously, since I was there during the midnight sun, I was able to explore Reykjavik in the mornings and evenings before my tours.