Most people may argue that 5 days in Iceland is too short to truly enjoy Iceland in all its glory. But many people will have their own reasons to try and cover Iceland in a short duration of 5 days.
Some may have very short PTO days or some of them may be utilising the excellent layover program of IcelandAir when they fly between US and Europe.
Whatever the reason, this Iceland in 5 days itinerary is suited for first timers who are looking to get a glimpse of Iceland during their short 5 day trip to Iceland.
Table Of Contents
5 days in Iceland – Day by Day Itinerary
Before we go into the day wise itinerary, let me tell you what is the best way to cover Iceland in my opinion. I would definitely get my own RV rental in Iceland since I love driving around Europe and I am sure my readers here would also love a driving itinerary.
The advantage of having your own motor home is that you don’t have to spend extra on hotels and you can park at the many campgrounds around Iceland at a fraction of the cost.
If you are from the US or India, you only need an IDP if your original driving license is not in English.
Most campervans are covered by insurance by the rental company since it is a must for anyone who wants to rent a campervan in Iceland.
They also have campervans that can house 2 to 6 people depending on the size you choose.
This itinerary will follow the popular routes.
When to do the five days in Iceland trip
In this itinerary, since we are trying to cover more number of spots, it is ideal if you follow this 5 days in Iceland tour between the summer months of May – October. With more sunlight hours, you have more time to drive and stop at more points. To avoid the European summer crowds, ideal months would be June and September.
Also, please note that some camp grounds are only open during summer and early fall.
Day 1: Reykjavik and Blue Lagoon
Let us be realistic. You would have probably reached Reykjavik late at night or in the early morning hours. So let us take a few hours of much needed rest before we head out to explore the capital city by foot. You can choose to do some or all of them based on the pace you like.
Skolavoroustigur
The first stop on my Reykjavik itinerary would be Skolavoroustigur or Rainbow street before the crowds arrive. The famous church of Hallgrimskirkja can be seen in the background but we will come to the church at a later time since it won’t be open till 9:30 AM.
Sun Voyager
Walk to the waterfront to capture the sculpture of the viking ship or the Sun voyager as it is famously called during Golden hour.
Whale Watching Tour
As a huge fan of marine life, I love going on tours to watch marine wildlife from a distance and ethically. Iceland is famous for marine life like humpback whales, dolphins and porpoises. This tour starts at 9 from the harbour and you should be back in around 3 hours.
Harpa Concert Hall
This concert hall on the waterfront is definitely a must visit for architecture lovers. You can also enjoy a walk along the waterfront.
Laugavegur
Now head back to the iconic Laugavegur center and the old town of Reykjavik to have some lunch and do some bit of souvenir shopping.
Hallgrimskirkja
Now, let us visit the tallest building in Reykjavik or the famous church of Hallgrimskirkja. Don’t forget to head to the top to capture the views of the city. It is definitely a must do.
Pick up your motorhome for the next few days.
Depending on the company you choose, you may find some of them in the city center or you need to head back to the airport to pick it up. Once you pick up your rental which may take couple of hours, first head to the nearest supermarket.
Why, you may ask? To pick up food and other essentials for the rest of the trip. Some of the places you will be visiting may be a bit too remote and hence it is always a good idea to stock it as soon you pick it up.
Blue Lagoon
Head to Blue Lagoon, one of the most famous attractions in Iceland for our last spot of the day. This geothermal spa last entrance time is around 8 pm during summers and you can look to spend a couple of hours to cool off here.
Obviously there are there lesser known lagoons nearby if you want to opt for lesser crowds.
Head to Grindavik camping ground to spend the night.
Day 2: South Coast Tour – Waterfalls
We start our Icelandic road trip with the famous ring road and we will first head to the famous southern coast. Day 1 of the South coast tour will include visiting some famous waterfalls.
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss waterfall is the first stop and is around 2 hours from Grindavik. If you want to reach before the crowds, would definitely suggest an early morning start. This waterfall is unique since it is one of the few waterfalls where you can walk behind it.
Irafoss and Skógafoss
Both these waterfalls are quite close to Seljalandsfoss and you can reach both of them in less than 30 mins. Skogafoss is obviously the famous one which you have seen in many Bollywood movies and definitely deserves a stop and if you are upto it, you can hike around the village of Skogar too. And hope you get to see the rainbow above the waterfall.
Sólheimasandur
Solheimasandur plane wreck is a famous airplane crash spot very close to Skogafoss. But please remember the trek is 45 mins each way to the site of the crash and unless you are really interested in this Instagram spot, you can give it a miss too.
Kvernufoss waterfall
This is a relatively smaller waterfall but very close to all these sites and can be visited if you have time.
Dyrholaey
Our last stop of the day will be Dyrhólaey national reserve before heading to Skaftafell campground around 1.5 hours away. Please note that the national reserve has limited access and you may need to book early to get access.
Day 3: South Coast Glaciers and Beaches
We head to some gorgeous glaciers and black sand beaches today.
Skaftafell National Park
Skaftafell National Park has many options. You can either do a glacier hike or an ice cave tour or you can spend the morning doing both.You can also visit Svartifoss waterfalls.
Jökulsárlón Glacier lagoon
In the afternoon, head to this famous glacier lagoon and is around 45 mins away. This is definitely a must visit during your 5 days in Iceland vacation. You can spend hours here either taking a boat ride or visiting the happy seals. The icebergs here are magical but don’t step on one and listen to the locals.
Diamond Beach
The icebergs from the above lagoon drift here and you can actually pose with lots of pieces of ices and this is another must visit during your trip.
Post your visit to Diamond beach, you can head back to the town of Vik and you can find a few camping grounds like Thakgil nearby.
Day 4: Vik and surrounding areas
You can spend the morning visiting many places in Vik and surrounding areas before heading back to Thingvellir National park
Town of Vik
You can spend the morning here and even do activities like paragliding.
Katla Ice Cave
This is around 1 hour from Vik and is an activity that must be prebooked. The entire tour lasts around 3 hours and once this is done, you can head to. Thingvellir national park for camping.
Day 5: Thingvellir National park and Geysers
Since this is our last day, we head to the famous Glacier route to visit some craters and Geysers and the famous tectonic plates.
Thingvellir National park
This park is where you can walk between two tectonic plates (Almannagja). Silfra is the most famous place for scuba divers since this is where you can dive between Europe and North America.
In addition, you can visit the church, the Prime Minister’s summer house and Oxararfoss waterfall.
Geysir
Next, head to Geysir where you can see Strokkur spout steaming water into the air every few minutes.
Gullfoss waterfall
Our next stop will be the famous two waterfalls at Gullfoss.
Kerid Crater
Last stop for the day is the volcanic crater lake before heading back to Reykjavik. Drop off your campervan and then head back to town to experience some of the best nightlife in the city. Magic Ice bar is definitely a must visit if you are looking for a good ice bar.
Conclusion
So this short Icelandic itinerary touches some of the best places around Iceland during your first 5 day visit to Iceland.
In conclusion, spending 5 days in Iceland offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history of this enchanting country. From the majestic waterfalls and geothermal springs to the charming villages and bustling cities, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Iceland. Whether you are seeking adventure or relaxation, Iceland has it all. So pack your bags and embark on a memorable journey through this captivating land.
