Iceland is one of the most beautiful places in the world and will quickly become one of your favorite places to visit! Although you can spend a month exploring everything Iceland offers, you can spend 4 days in Iceland to see many of its must-see attractions.

We have visited Iceland multiple times for a variety of different lengths and were able to see most of the must-see attractions in four days! We made our basecamp near most of the attractions on our itinerary, allowing us to spend more time exploring and less time driving.

If you want to visit Iceland, you are in the right place! This Iceland 4-day itinerary explores some of the most stunning places in the country, including moss-covered canyons, black sand beaches, breathtaking waterfalls, and large glaciers.

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When to Visit Iceland

One of the best things about Iceland is you can visit it year-round! It has fun activities no matter when you visit, so you will never have a shortage of things to do.

Best Seasons

Summer is the most popular time to visit because it has the most daylight and most roads are open. If you did not know, Iceland receives almost 24 hours of sunlight in June and July, and it is called the Midnight Sun.

If you plan to visit the highlands, summer will be the best option to visit because the roads and facilities are open. The weather also tends to be better in the summer, although Iceland weather is unpredictable year-round.

Winter is the best time to visit if you want to experience the northern lights! Iceland has about 5 hours of daylight in December and January, allowing you to have the best opportunity to see the northern lights.

The Ring Road is open year-round, so you can visit the popular waterfalls, beaches, and other attractions in the winter. Winter is also a great time to visit glaciers and ice caves! The only downside is the weather because winters in Iceland are brutal. You need to make sure to pack warm clothes and prepare for unpredictable weather.

Late spring and early fall are also great times to visit Iceland! It tends to have fewer visitors and most of the roads are still open. We traveled to Iceland in September for the first time, and we loved exploring the attractions with fewer crowds!

Best Time to See the Northern Lights

Late spring to early fall provides the best opportunity to see the northern lights in Iceland. Since the summer has the most daylight, it is the worst time to visit if you want to see them.

The winter months have the least amount of daylight hours, making it the best time to see the northern lights. I have friends who visit every winter just for the northern lights, and their photos always look incredible!

If you do not want to find the northern lights on your own, you can go on a tour. Many companies offer northern lights tours, bringing you to the best places to see them.

Crowds and Weather

Since summer has the best weather and most daylight, it has the most visitors. The must-see sights in Iceland have crazy crowds in the summer, especially if you visit things at midday.

If you visit in summer, I recommend visiting the popular attractions in the morning or afternoon. It will give you the best opportunity to enjoy the stunning views without the crowds. When we visited in August, we explored the popular waterfalls in the afternoon near dinner time, and we had some of them to ourselves!

Even though summer has the best weather, it is still unpredictable. The weather in Iceland can change quickly in every season. Winter tends to have the most unpredictable weather, but you have to be prepared for anything no matter when you visit.

Where to Stay in Iceland

Since this itinerary explores the south coast of Iceland, you have a few options for where you stay. I have done both options and can confirm both work!

We stayed in Selfoss the last time we visited Iceland, and it was the perfect place to make our basecamp for the entire week. But if you would rather be closer to some of the attractions along the south coast, I recommend staying in two places during your 4 days in Iceland.

If you want one basecamp, I recommend staying in Selfoss since it is in the middle of each area you will visit. Selfoss is an adorable small town just south of Reykjavík and about 2 hours north of Vik with many restaurants and accommodations. We stayed in Selfoss the second time we visited Iceland and fell in love with the area!

If you want two base camps, I recommend staying in Selfoss the first half of your trip and Vik the second half. You honestly do not need two base camps, but it would elimitate a few hours of driving.

How to Get Around Iceland

You have a few ways to get around Iceland, depending on what you want to do. I recommend renting a car because it gives you the flexibility to do what you want when you want. If you would rather have someone else bring you around the country, you can choose from plenty of tour companies that have awesome itineraries!

Flying to Iceland

The best airport to fly into in Iceland is Keflavík Airport. This is the largest airport with the most flight options. It is about an hour west from Reykjavík which is the starting point for this road trip itinerary.

If you plan to rent a car, I recommend picking up your rental car as soon as you arrive. Many rental car companies also will pick you up directly at the airport and bring you to your car!

Driving in Iceland

If you want to rent a car, you need to figure out what you want to do in Iceland, so you can plan what type of vehicle you need to rent. If you plan to stay on the Ring Road, you can rent any type of car. But if you want to explore the highlands and drive on F roads, you need to rent a 4x4 to drive on F roads.

F roads are unmaintained mountain roads that have anything from rocks to river crossings. Although you can stay on the Ring Road to see many must-see attractions, F roads bring you to some of the most beautiful areas in Iceland.

Everything in this Iceland itinerary is off the Ring Road, so you do not need a 4x4. But if you were to swap a day out and go into the highlands, you need one! We have visited many areas in the highlands, so I can confidently say, they are some of the most beautiful areas in the country and worth renting a 4x4 for!

Here are a few things you should also get with your car rental:

Get all of the car rental insurance. I cannot stress enough how important insurance is when you rent a car in Iceland, especially if you will be driving on F roads. We always pay the extra amount to get the full insurance since we drive on F roads when we visit Iceland.
Ask if they have a discount gas card. Gas is expensive in Iceland, so if you have a car rental, I highly recommend getting a discount gas card. Some rental car companies will even provide one!
Consider renting a portable wifi device. Most rental car companies offer this as an add-on to your rental. It was one of the best things we had because it allowed us to use our navigation and research on the go without getting an international phone plan. If you do not want to rent one, I recommend downloading an offline map on Google Maps, so you can navigate without service.
Download the Parka app because some parking lots require a parking fee. Most trailheads and parking lots have kiosks, but I found it easier to use the app. I recommend downloading it in advance and inputting your car information so it is easy to pay once you arrive at the trailhead. We got wifi with our car rental which made it easy to pay using the app.

What to Pack for Iceland

The weather in Iceland is unpredictable no matter what season you visit. I have visited twice and both times the weather changed quickly from a clear-sky day to a crazy wind or rain storm. We learned from our mistake of not packing an insulated jacket the first time we visited and were much more prepared the second time!

Clothes and Hiking Gear

No matter what season you visit, I recommend packing a rain jacket and insulated jacket. You should also supportive shoes with good traction, like hiking boots, especially if you plan to hike. And last but certainly not least, make sure to pack a backpack with water and snacks for your hikes.

Winter Clothes

If you visit in the winter, it is crucial to pack warm and waterproof layers and jackets. The wind is brutal year-round, but it is especially crazy in the winter. Iceland also gets a lot of snow, so you should have waterproof and insulated shoes to help keep you want.

Iceland 4-Day Itinerary

It is time to begin your epic 4 days in Iceland! Since you only have 4 days to explore, I recommend starting your days early to make the most of your trip. Trust me, you will want the extra time to see everything this itinerary offers.

This Iceland itinerary explores some of the best attractions in the country, so get ready for an epic trip! Grab your camera, bathing suit (yes you will be in some hot springs!!), and hiking gear!

Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Day 1 in Iceland: Reykjavik and Hot Springs

You will spend your first day in Iceland exploring the city, soaking in a hot spring, and maybe exploring! If you want to take a slow start to your trip, I recommend spending the day exploring the city and going to a hot spring. If you want to begin exploring right away, you can visit a nearby crater and waterfall!

Reykjavík has so much to offer, from delicious food and beautiful views. I recommend enjoying a meal at one of the many restaurants and visiting Hallgrimskirkja. Hallgrimskirkja is the tallest church in Iceland and is incredibly beautiful! We loved starting our day off slow while enjoying some fantastic food in the city!
If you want to enjoy a hot spring, I highly recommend visiting the Sky Lagoon! It is near downtown Reykjavik and is our favorite hot spring! The views overlooking the ocean are stunning. We love the Sky Lagoon so much that we visited twice in one trip!
If you want to explore instead of soaking in a hot spring, you can head to Kerid Crater! Kerid Crater Lake is a volcanic crater with a lake in the middle, and it is beautiful! I highly recommend hiking around the lake or the rim of Kerid Crater.
Urridafoss is the first waterfall in this itinerary! Urridafoss is in the Þjórsá River, Iceland's longest river, and although it is not the biggest waterfall you see, it is the most voluminous in the country! The beautiful waterfall will not disappoint and is a great spot to watch the sunset.

Day 2 in Iceland: the Golden Circle

The second day in Iceland has stunning waterfalls and beautiful hot springs, so get your cameras and bathing suits ready!

Brúarfoss is one of the bluest waterfalls in Iceland because it is glacier-fed, and yes, the water is THAT blue! The 4-mile hike to Brúarfoss is fun and leads to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the waterfall. Bruarfoss is a favorite waterfall of ours to visit when we go to Iceland!
Gullfoss is the largest volume waterfall in Europe and is fed by the second-largest glacier in Iceland, Langjökull. There is a 36-foot tall section and 69-foot tall section of Gullfoss that flows into the Hvítá River in a 1.6-mile-long canyon. There is an easy 1.3-mile round trip trail to multiple viewpoints of Gullfoss that will take your breath away!
The Great Geysir, also known as Stokkur, is near Gullfoss and is easily accessible. It usually erupts every 6-10 minutes and hits over 50 feet high! Strokkur is one of the most popular attractions in Iceland, so it will likely be very crowded. If you do not have time or it is very crowded, you can skip it because there are more beautiful attractions that await you!
Are you ready to soak in a beautiful hot spring?! The Secret Lagoon, also known as Galma Laugin, is a hot spring, and although it is in a man-made pool, it is fed by a natural hot spring and is the perfect place to relax. Beautiful mossy lava fields surround it, and there is a small geyser nearby, erupting every few minutes. There is a fee to enter that is well worth it, in my opinion!
If you have time, I recommend saving your afternoon to explore one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland! Háifoss is the fourth-tallest waterfall in Iceland and is one of the most beautiful, in my opinion. The viewpoint is on a cliff across from the 400-foot waterfall, making it an incredible spot for sunset. We visited Haifoss every time we visit Iceland because it is stunning! You will not be disappointed visiting it.

the best waterfalls near vik

Day 3 in Iceland: the South Coast

The third day in Iceland has stunning and iconic waterfalls! It is a long day of driving and exploring, so I recommend getting up early, so you do not have to rush to each attraction. Many of these attractions are very popular, so I recommend getting up early to beat the crowds and enjoy them with fewer people!

Seljalandsfoss is an iconic waterfall in Iceland that you have probably heard of because you can walk behind it. It is a short walk from the parking lot to the base of Seljalandsfoss. You can enjoy this 197-foot, picturesque waterfall from the front or walk behind it! It is one of our favorite things to do! You can also hike an easy 1.2-mile round trip trail to another waterfall hidden within a cave, Gljufrafoss if you have time.
Skógafoss is another iconic waterfall and is epic, standing at 82 feet wide and 200 feet tall! You can walk up to the base of the falls or hike to the top! The hike to the top is tough but worth it for the beautiful views of the waterfall and surrounding area. No matter which way you want to experience Skógafoss, you will not be disappointed.
Dyrholaey Arch is a beautiful arch along the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. The drive is steep up to the cliff but is worth it for the views! The viewpoint on a cliff offers stunning views of the arch, black sand beach, and multi-colored mountains.
Reynisfjara is the infamous black sand beach in Iceland. The black sand is from eroded volcanic rock and is beautiful! Reynisfjara is home to the Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks, Hálsanefshellir Sea Cave, and Gardar Cliff, and I recommend exploring all of them if you have time! NOTE: The waves on Reynisfjara are known for being dangerous because they can sneak up on you in seconds, so please be careful and stay aware.
Fjaðrárgljúfur is one of the most beautiful places on your Iceland 4-day itinerary, in my opinion. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a 330-foot-deep canyon that stretches over a mile and has a river, moss-covered canyon, and many waterfalls. The viewpoint of this gorgeous canyon only requires a short walk from the parking lot. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset as well! Fun fact: Fjaðrárgljúfur was a location in a Justin Bieber music video!

best things to do in vik, iceland

Day 4 in Iceland: Glaciers

The final day in Iceland takes you onto a glacier! You cannot visit Iceland without visiting a glacier, and what better way than to end your itinerary on the second-largest glacier in Iceland?

Langjökull can be explored on a few different tours:

Into the Glacier Tour: One of the best tours is Into the Glacier, a 3-4 hour tour that provides activities including ice caving and glacier hiking on Langjökull! The departure location is a few minutes away from Hraunfossar and Barnafoss in the Húsafell Center.
Glacier Snowmobiling Tour: Did you know you can snowmobile on the glacier?! The tour is about 4 hours and explores Lanjokull in a unique way! Trust me, it is such a fun experience!
And if you want to do both: You are in luck! You can do a day tour that includes snowmobiling and an ice cave tour. It is the best of both worlds, and one of the best tours in Iceland!

Bonus Itinerary: Additional Things to Do

If you have extra time or want to swap in some fun things to do, I recommend any of these activities. Trust me, these are so fun, so if you can, I highly recommend adding at least one to your itinerary!

Snorkeling in Silfra: Snorkeling through tectonic plates is easily one of the coolest experiences in Thingvellir National Park! We spent an hour snorkeling through the clearest waters we had ever seen. Silfra has some of the clearest water on earth, allowing you to see up to 390 feet! Many companies offer this experience, but I highly recommend DIVE.IS. We had an incredible time with their guides.
Exploring Vatnajökull National Park: If you are looking to explore a larger glacier than Langjökull, you are in luck! Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Europe, offering many fun ways to explore it. You can go into Ice Caves, hike onto the glacier, or snowmobile on it. And the views are incredible!
Hiking in Landmannalaugar: Landmannalaugar, also known as the People’s Pool, is the land of multi-colored mountains, lava fields, and volcanoes. It is a popular area for hiking and offers natural hot springs, and it is one of my favorite places in Iceland! If you are up for a fun trip into the highlands, you will not be disappointed.

Iceland FAQs

Is 4 days enough to explore Iceland? Yes, 4 days gives you time to explore the popular attractions along the Ring Road. Of course if you have more time, I recommend spending a week in Iceland because it has so much to see!
Should I rent a car in Iceland? Yes, I always recommend renting a car if you want flexibility during your trip. Many companies offer tours that do not require a car rental, but if you are like me and want to explore on your own schedule, renting a car is crucial.
When should I visit Iceland? One of the best things about Iceland is it is a year-round destination! Summer is the most popular time to visit because it has great weather and all the roads are open. Winter is the best time to visit if you want to experience the northern lights.
Can I see the northern lights in 4 days in Iceland? If you visit between late fall and early spring, you are more likely to see the northern lights since there is less daylight.

If you are looking for an incredible Iceland 4-day itinerary, this guide is the perfect place to start! It has everything you need to plan a fun trip, including helpful tips, where to stay, and the best things to do in an Iceland 4-day itinerary!