My 5-Day Iceland Trip at a Glance

I spent five days in Iceland in July 2026, using Reykjavík as my base for the entire trip. Instead of renting a car and changing accommodation, I explored the country on day trips and spent the rest of my time discovering Reykjavík and its surroundings.

Here’s what I did during my five days in Iceland:

Reykjavík – exploring the city and its main sights
South Coast – waterfalls, black sand beaches and a glacier
Golden Circle – Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss and Laugarás Lagoon
Snæfellsnes Peninsula – a full-day trip around one of Iceland’s most scenic regions
Puffin cruise – seeing Iceland’s puffins from Reykjavík
Sky Lagoon – relaxing in a geothermal lagoon overlooking the ocean

Staying in Reykjavík worked really well for such a short trip. All three of my organized day tours started in the capital, with plenty of pickup locations to choose from, so I could see a surprising amount of Iceland without having to rent a car.

Watch My Iceland Trip on YouTube

If you want to see what my five days in Iceland actually looked like, you can watch my full Iceland travel video here. I take you along the South Coast, Golden Circle and Snæfellsnes Peninsula, as well as around Reykjavík, on a puffin cruise and to Sky Lagoon.

Exploring Reykjavík

Reykjavík is a small and very walkable capital, so you can see many of its main sights within a few hours. I really enjoyed wandering around the city, stopping at cafés and spending some time in its bars and restaurants.

For me, Reykjavík also worked perfectly as a base. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from, including places with live music, and it was incredibly convenient to start all of my day trips from the city rather than changing accommodation every night.

Puffin cruise

One morning, despite the rather moody Icelandic weather, I also went on a puffin cruise from Reykjavík. The trip took around an hour. The puffins were quite far away during my tour, so getting good photos with my own camera was difficult, but the crew took photos and sent them to us afterwards.

If you visit Iceland specifically to see puffins, keep in mind that they are seasonal visitors, so the time of year matters. Early July was a great time to include a puffin tour in my trip.

Iceland’s South Coast

Of the three day trips I took from Reykjavík, the South Coast was my favorite. The landscapes change constantly, and this day included some of the most spectacular places I saw during my entire trip.

What stood out to me most were the waterfalls. The tour also included Vík, Reynisfjara and Sólheimajökull Glacier, so you get a really good mix of Iceland’s landscapes in a single day.

Skógafoss

Our first major stop was Skógafoss, and it was one of my favorite waterfalls in Iceland.

You can walk surprisingly close to the waterfall, which makes it even more impressive in person. On sunny days, the mist often creates rainbows in front of the falls, and I was lucky enough to experience some beautiful colors while I was there.

There is also a staircase with around 500 steps leading to a viewing platform above the waterfall. It takes a little effort, but I definitely think it’s worth walking up. From the top, you get a completely different perspective over Skógafoss and the surrounding landscape.

Vík & Reynisfjara

From Skógafoss, it was only a relatively short drive to Vík, the southernmost town in Iceland. One of the most recognizable sights here is Vík Church, which sits above the town and offers a beautiful view over the surrounding area.

We then stopped at Reynisfjara, Iceland’s famous black sand beach. The volcanic sand, dramatic cliffs and ocean make it one of the most distinctive places along the South Coast.

We had enough time to walk along the beach and enjoy the scenery before continuing our tour. One thing you absolutely shouldn’t underestimate here is the ocean. Reynisfjara is known for its unpredictable waves, so make sure you keep a safe distance from the water and pay attention to the warning signs.

Sólheimajökull Glacier

Our next stop was Sólheimajökull Glacier. Even just seeing a glacier from relatively close up was a completely different experience from the other landscapes we had seen that day.

On my tour, we viewed the glacier rather than hiking on it. If you have more time and want a more active experience, however, there are guided glacier hikes available at Sólheimajökull.

Seljalandsfoss

Our final major stop was Seljalandsfoss, and this ended up being my favorite stop of the entire South Coast tour.

What makes Seljalandsfoss so special is that you can actually walk behind the waterfall. Seeing the water falling in front of you while looking out over the landscape is an incredible experience, especially when the light creates beautiful colors in the mist.

You will probably get wet, so having a waterproof jacket is definitely useful!

The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is probably Iceland’s most famous sightseeing route and one of the easiest day trips to take from Reykjavík. It combines several of Iceland’s best-known natural and historical sights within a relatively compact area.

Unsurprisingly, that also means it was the busiest of my three day trips. If this is your first visit to Iceland, I still think the Golden Circle is worth seeing, but expect more tourists than on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Þingvellir National Park

Our first major stop was Þingvellir National Park, a place that is important both geologically and historically.

The Alþingi, Iceland’s historic parliament, was established here in 930, making Þingvellir one of the most significant historical sites in the country.

The park also lies along the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. You can walk through this fascinating landscape, while the nearby Silfra fissure even offers the opportunity to snorkel or dive in exceptionally clear water between the two plates.

Geysir Strokkur

Next, we visited the Geysir geothermal area, where the main attraction today is Strokkur.

Strokkur is still very active and erupts every few minutes. Its eruptions can sometimes reach impressive heights.

Unfortunately, we didn’t see any particularly high eruptions during my visit, but waiting for the next burst of water is still a fun experience, especially if you have never seen an active geyser before.

Gullfoss

Gullfoss was my personal highlight of the Golden Circle.

Huge amounts of water cascade down into a deep canyon, and the scale of the waterfall is difficult to appreciate until you’re actually standing next to it.

There are different viewpoints around Gullfoss, and you can also walk up to see the waterfall from above. I would definitely take the time to look at it from more than one perspective.

Laugarás Lagoon

Instead of visiting the Secret Lagoon , our Golden Circle day ended at Laugarás Lagoon, which had only opened in 2025.

I really liked the setting. The lagoon is surrounded by trees and overlooks the river and Laugarás bridge, giving it a peaceful atmosphere after a full day of sightseeing.

It’s also particularly convenient to combine Laugarás Lagoon with the Golden Circle because of its location. From there, the drive back to Reykjavík takes around an hour.

When I visited, prices started at roughly €50 depending on the package, making it significantly less expensive than my visit to Sky Lagoon.

If you’re planning the Golden Circle, I would definitely consider adding Laugarás Lagoon to the same day.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

My final day trip took me to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, which felt quite different from both the South Coast and the Golden Circle.

It was the most unique of my three tours, and even the drives between the individual stops were beautiful. Mountains, lava fields, dramatic coastlines and tiny churches make parts of the peninsula look like something straight out of a movie.

We started at Selvallafoss, where we stopped briefly to enjoy the waterfall and surrounding scenery.

From there, we continued to Kirkjufell, probably the most recognizable landmark on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The 463-meter-high mountain, together with nearby Kirkjufellsfoss, creates one of Iceland’s most iconic views. You might also recognize Kirkjufell from Game of Thrones.

We then came across beautiful fields of lupines in front of Ingjaldshólskirkja, a picturesque Icelandic church surrounded by the peninsula’s landscape.

At Djúpalónssandur, the scenery changed again. The black volcanic pebble beach is surrounded by enormous lava formations, and walking through them towards the ocean was one of the most atmospheric parts of the trip. Unfortunately, this was also where I experienced the worst weather of my five days in Iceland!

Luckily, the rain eventually stopped before we reached Þúfubjarg, where you can look out over dramatic cliffs filled with seabirds. From this area, you can also see the striking basalt formations of Lóndrangar rising above the coast. We were even lucky enough to spot an Arctic fox in the distance.

Later, we stopped in Arnarstapi for a walk along the coast. One of its best-known landmarks is Gatklettur, a natural stone arch standing in the sea. Along the coastal path, you can also see Músagjá, another impressive natural rock formation stretching above the ocean.

We also visited Búðakirkja, Iceland’s famous little black church, before finishing the trip at Ytri Tunga. The beach is known as one of the best places on the peninsula to see seals. We did spot them, although they were quite far away during my visit.

If you have already seen some of Iceland’s most famous sights or simply want a day trip with a little more variety and fewer of the classic Golden Circle crowds, Snæfellsnes is a great choice.

Sky Lagoon

During my time in Reykjavík, I also spent an evening at Sky Lagoon, located only around a 15-minute drive from the city center.

The setting is what makes it so special. Its huge geothermal infinity pool sits directly beside the ocean, so from the water you can look out towards the sea and horizon.

I also did the seven-step ritual, which included experiences such as a cold plunge, sauna with ocean views, cold mist, body scrub and steam room, followed by a crowberry drink.

Sky Lagoon was considerably more expensive than Laugarás Lagoon. Depending on the package, you can expect to spend around €100 or more. Still, if you’re staying in Reykjavík and want to include one special geothermal spa experience, I really enjoyed it.

My Tips for a Short Trip to Iceland

How Many Days Do You Need?

3–5 days are enough for a first impression of Iceland, although it’s definitely worth staying longer if your time and budget allow. For a short trip, I’d recommend focusing on one region rather than trying to see the entire country. I based myself in Reykjavík and explored mainly southwest Iceland on day trips.

Iceland is also the most expensive country in the world, so a shorter trip can be a good option if you’re traveling on a limited budget.

Which Day Trips Are Worth It?

South Coast: my favorite and the most spectacular
Snæfellsnes: the most unique and varied landscapes
Golden Circle: easiest to fit into a short trip, but also the most touristy

If I could only choose one, I’d pick the South Coast.

Best Time to Visit Iceland

I visited in early July and loved the long days and almost endless daylight. Summer is also a great time for outdoor activities and seeing puffins.

Weather & What to Pack

Iceland’s weather changes quickly, even in July. Bring layers, a waterproof jacket and comfortable water-resistant shoes. Be prepared for sunshine, wind and rain on the same day.

Which Lagoon Should You Visit?

Laugarás Lagoon: quieter, cheaper and perfect to combine with the Golden Circle
Sky Lagoon: more expensive, but amazing ocean views and convenient from Reykjavík

I enjoyed both, but skipped the Blue Lagoon on this trip.

Which place in Iceland would you like to visit? 🇮🇸

Let me know in the comments!