A 5-Day Iceland Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Iceland deserves all the attention it gets; it truly is a place like no other. I’ve had the privilege of visiting 6 times (so far), and I always enjoy going back. You will inevitably fall in love with the country and want to return, too—but with so much to see, trying to spend 5 days here can become overwhelming. 

While it looks tiny on a world map, distances in Iceland are greater than you might think. I wouldn’t recommend doing the Ring Road in 5 days unless you enjoy feeling rushed; you’re much better off picking just a few places to explore. 

Based on my multiple trips to Iceland (and having visited in every season), I’ve put together this easy-to-follow itinerary for your first trip. I have made it manageable and versatile, especially if Iceland’s notorious weather tries playing games. 

I designed this itinerary to follow with a car, but you can also book day tours if you’re not going to drive. 

Day 1: Reykjavík

I always start my Iceland trips in Reykjavík regardless of whether I visit in the winter or summer. The reason why is very simple: It’s one of the coolest small cities in the world. Iceland’s capital (and only real city of any size) punches well above its weight, with excellent food and fantastic culture. You’ll find plenty of fun things to do, along with stunning views of the nearby mountains. 

Morning

Start your day with the best pastries in Iceland at Brauð & Co.; while this chain has a few bakeries in and around Reykjavík, the main one is on Frakkastígur in the downtown area. The cinnamon buns are amazing, and I also really like the bread rolls. You can get a nice coffee to warm you up, too. 

The bakery is quite small, but there are some outdoor seating areas nearby. It can be quite cold, so bring your gloves and wooly hat, especially if you’re visiting in the winter 🙂. 

Once you’ve finished eating, spend the rest of the morning wandering around Downtown Reykjavík. The houses here are adorable, and you’ll spot the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church from almost everywhere in the city. If you want to warm up your camera, make sure you also check out my top photography spots in Reykjavík. 

When you’re feeling hungry again, I recommend going to Café Loki for lunch. I first visited as part of the iconic Reykjavík Food Tour in December 2018, and since then, I’ve been back multiple times. The rye bread ice cream is very “🤤”, and I also recommend trying the rye breads with different toppings. You can get fermented shark here, but I’ve not been brave enough to try it yet. 

Afternoon

When you’ve filled yourself up with some food again, it’s time to enjoy the best view in Reykjavík. You’ve seen Hallgrímskirkja from every corner already, but the observation is an absolute must when you’re in the Icelandic capital. 

You can buy tickets to the observation deck from the church’s shop. After a quick elevator ride and a short journey via the stairs, you’ll be greeted with an amazing view of Reykjavík and its surrounding regions. The Leifur Eriksson Statue and square just outside the church look particularly cool from above. I love the view toward the Háteigskirkja church, too.

Further afield, you’ll get an amazing view of Mount Esja and the North Atlantic Ocean. Moreover, you can see other iconic landmarks like the beautiful Harpa Concert Hall. Any time of the year is great to visit, but it’s especially beautiful in the winter. 

When you’re back at street level, check out Hallgrímskirkja’s interior before wandering along the shopping street. Here, you’ll find plenty of cool Icelandic souvenirs—including a nice sweater to bring back with you. I then recommend going to the Old Harbor; you can join various whale-watching tours from here if you want. 

Evening

If you’re visiting in the winter, I recommend walking along the waterfront in the early afternoon before it gets dark. But if not, now is the right time to wander along Sæbraut. This is my favorite spot in Reykjavík, and I always find the mountains and oceans utterly mesmerizing. 

For dinner, you’ve got countless options. Sæta Svínið, a cozy gastropub in the city center, is my top choice; I recommend booking a table in advance. The lamb dish is excellent, and I also like the burgers—both the meat and plant-based options. They were very nice to give me a birthday cake, too, so I’ll recommend them for that as well. 🙂

If you fancy something sweet after dinner, you can always go to Gaeta Gelato nearby. All of the ice creams here are made using Icelandic milk. 

Reykjavík has a well-known nightlife scene, but I think it’s better to leave this for another day if you do it at all. Since we’re at the start of your trip, you don’t want to burn out on the first day.

Day 2: The Golden Circle

After enjoying a pleasant first day in Reykjavík, it’s time to explore Iceland’s famed nature. While not exactly unknown, I still think that the Golden Circle is worth visiting on your first trip (I’ve been here more than once). The route includes all of these headline hitters: 

• Þingvellir National Park 
• Gullfoss 
• Geysir and Strokkur
• Kerið Crater 

The Golden Circle is easily reached by car within an hour from Reykjavík, and the route is well-signposted. The roads were pretty straightforward when we drove on them in April 2024. 

Þingvellir National Park

Þingvellir National Park is one of my favorite places in Iceland, and I recommend spending the bulk of your time here. You can walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates; the path is right next to the visitor center. 

The national park is also of huge significance historically. Iceland declared its independence from Denmark here in 1944, and it has been a key meeting spot throughout the country’s history. 

We did a couple of small hikes around Þingvellir National Park, including one that went to the pretty Öxarárfoss waterfall. On top of that, we visited Langistígur; it was quite slippery when we were there, but manageable nonetheless. 

We spent around 3 hours in Þingvellir, but I’d have happily stayed longer. You have to pay 1,000 ISK for parking if your car has 5 seats or fewer and 1,200 ISK for 6-9 seats; you can pay at the National Park. 

You’ll find toilets and food at the visitor center, and if you want to stay for longer, a campsite is open here during the summer. For a unique experience, you can go snorkeling in the Silfra fissure. 

Þingvellir is just under 45 minutes from Reykjavík by car.

The Geysers

You’ll know you’re near the Golden Circle’s geysers because the smell of rotten eggs will overwhelm your car. Geysir is the main one, but it doesn’t erupt often; it didn’t erupt from 2000 until 2016. 

Strokkur, however, erupts every few minutes. It’s quite the spectacle when you first see it, and I recommend admiring the eruption at least a couple of times. The site has a hotel and visitor center, and parking is free. We spent around 45 minutes here. The journey is around 40 minutes from Þingvellir National Park. 

Gullfoss

Gullfoss is just over 10 minutes from Geysir and is a true beauty. Iceland is blessed with several amazing waterfalls, such as Skógafoss and Svartifoss—but Gullfoss more than holds its own. 

I particularly like the waterfall’s unique shape, and you can really feel its power when you get up close. The main lookout point is open year-round, and an extra trail closer to the waterfall is open during the summer. Sadly, since I’ve only been to Gullfoss in winter and spring, I haven’t yet been able to do the second trail 🥲. 

We spent 35 minutes or so at Gullfoss. Afterward, we went to the café for food before continuing our journey. Parking at Gullfoss is free. 

Kerið Crater

Many people overlook Kerið Crater when visiting the Golden Circle, but I think doing so is a mistake. While not very big, the crater is super interesting to look at. We were lucky enough to be greeted with a frozen lake, which looked even more scenic. 

You don’t need to spend too long here; we spent around 25 minutes or so, and that included taking pictures. You need to pay an entry fee for the crater, which is 600 ISK. You can buy your ticket online or at the crater’s ticket booth. 

While you need to pay for entry to the crater, parking is free. Kerið is just under 50 minutes from Gullfoss, and from the crater, it’s a 55-minute drive back to Reykjavík.

No Car? No Problem 🙂

I first visited the Golden Circle in December 2018, and since I didn’t drive, my mom and I booked a day tour. I still recommend driving yourself so that you can spend more time in each place, but the tour was good for seeing the main highlights. Day tours, such as this one, operate throughout the year. 

Alternatively, you can book a day tour that also includes entry to the Secret Lagoon. 

Optional Evening Add-On: Northern Lights Hunting (Off-Season Only)

I recommend hunting for the Northern Lights if you’re visiting Iceland between late September and early April. You’re sometimes lucky enough to see them in Reykjavík during if you visit Iceland during the off-season; I have been fortunate to see this once. However, your chances are significantly higher if you leave the city. 

You can drive to try and find the Northern Lights yourself, but you’ll need to keep the road conditions in mind—especially in the winter. When I visited in 2018, I booked a tour; plenty will pick you up in Reykjavík. You’re not guaranteed to see the Northern Lights, but it’s still worth trying. Many tours will let you rebook for free if you don’t see them. 

Days 3-4: The Snæfellsnes Peninsula

I love the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. My mom and I visited spontaneously in 2021 when our flight to Akureyri was canceled due to a blizzard, and I’m so happy we got to come here. 

Snæfellsnes is the most beautiful part of Iceland I’ve visited so far, and I really want to spend more time here in the future. Kirkjufell is the most famous spot on the peninsula; it famously appeared in Game of Thrones. I can confirm that it looks even more stunning in real life. 

We didn’t hike Kirkjufell as you need to be an experienced mountaineer; it’s pretty dangerous and completely off-limits in the winter. This person’s blog post gives you a pretty good idea of what I’m talking about. From close to the waterfall at the bottom of the mountain, you can get a great view of Grundarfjörður—which has one of Iceland’s most beautiful churches.

In addition to Kirkjufell, make sure you allocate some time to Snæfellesjökull National Park. I recommend allocating your time here across two days; you cannot stay in the park overnight. You can also visit the cute town of Stykkishólmur while on Snæfellsnes, which is an ideal place to base yourself for a night.

Snæfellsnes is one of the windiest parts of Iceland, which says a lot. It’s much better to visit in the summer if you can, as the roads can be quite treacherous during the winter. 

The peninsula is around 2 hours from Reykjavík by car. On the way, I suggest stopping in Borgarnes—a lovely town on the Ring Road. Several tours run from the capital if you’re visiting Iceland without a car.

If you take a day tour to Snæfellsnes, you can reallocate the rest of your time; I recommend visiting the Sky Lagoon near Reykjavík, for example. 

Don’t Miss This Café…

While visiting Snæfellsnes in 2021, I found what is still my favorite café in Iceland. Hjá Góðu Fólki has some amazing cakes and various meals. In addition to meat dishes, vegans and people with gluten intolerances are catered for. 

The café is located on Snæfellsnesvegur, the main road connecting the town of Borgarnes with the peninsula. 

Day 5: More of Reykjavík

After exploring some of Iceland’s beautiful scenery, I recommend spending your last day in and around Reykjavík. The time of your departing flight and when you need to return your rental car will largely dictate your itinerary; the drive to Keflavík Airport is around 45 minutes. 

Visiting Harpa Concert Hall is a must. Even if you don’t see a concert, the building itself is super cool. The design is supposed to resemble fish scales, and it’s one of Iceland’s most unique buildings. You’ll find a nice shop here, too, along with toilet facilities. While you have to pay to see a performance, you can see the public areas in Harpa for free; it’s perfect if you’re visiting Iceland on a budget.

Before leaving Iceland, you should also check out Perlan if you have time. This museum offers a fascinating insight into Icelandic nature, including a Northern Lights show. From the top, you’ll get another great view of Reykjavík. 

at the museum is free; it’s around a 10-minute drive from Downtown Reykjavík.

Closer to town, Tjörnin—a small pond in the city center—is also worth a visit. You’ll get a beautiful view of the nearby mountains, and you can also spot several bird species. From here, walking to the BSI Bus Terminal is easy if you’re getting an airport transfer. Otherwise, you can pick up your car and return your rental. 

Final Thoughts

Iceland, despite being small, has so many things to do that it’s impossible to cover everything in a single trip. So, if you only have 5 days, focusing on the main highlights is a good idea. You can still see a lot of the country in a short time period; you just need to do a bit of advance planning.

The parts of Iceland covered in this itinerary are a great introduction to the country. If you’re short on time, start with these and consider revisiting in the future. To ensure that you’re even more prepared, I recommend checking out my comprehensive Iceland packing list for all seasons for your next read.

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