Find out everything you need to know about spending four days in Iceland. What can you do in only four days? How do people spend four days in Iceland in winter? Read on for tips on how to make the most of your four-day holiday in Iceland.
Four days is more than enough time to immerse yourself in Icelandic culture and nature. Although you might not be able to tour the whole island in four days, you can take day tours out of the capital city. You can also enjoy exciting activities and guided multi-day tours.
Choosing exactly how to spend your limited time in Iceland can be pretty confusing. Your dream holiday depends on the age and abilities of your group, whether or not you want to drive yourself, and your interests. A summer itinerary looks different to a winter one.
Four days in Iceland in summer promises to be a vacation under the midnight sun. There are endless sightseeing opportunities and exciting activities available, such as rafting. Winter in Iceland centers around the northern lights, the crystal blue ice caves, and snowy landscapes.
Thankfully, you can enjoy many activities and experiences regardless of the time of year. Continue reading to learn more about how to spend four days in Iceland.
Key Takeaways
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Four days in Iceland allow you to explore iconic sites while still leaving time for unique activities such as glacier hikes or lava cave explorations.
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Staying in Reykjavik provides easy access to Iceland day trips, cultural experiences, and local cuisine, making it a convenient starting point for your Iceland adventure.
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Booking tours ensures a well-organized trip, allowing you to experience Iceland’s highlights without the hassle of planning every detail.
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Summer offers long daylight hours for sightseeing and hiking, while winter brings opportunities to see the northern lights and explore ice caves.
- See also: The Weather & Temperature in Iceland
Spending 4 Days in Iceland With Reykjavik as Your Base
Reykjavik is a colorful, cultural capital filled with cute buildings, impressive street art, designer boutiques, quality restaurants, lively bars, and many museums. Whether you visit in summer or winter, there are a wealth of things to do. Make sure you spend a minimum of a few hours exploring.
A Reykjavik City Card will give you access to many museums, galleries, and swimming pools. It allows you to use free public transport, including the ferry to Videy Island. It also provides discounts to many other cultural spaces, restaurants, and shops.
You can enjoy the most popular tours out of the capital throughout the year. These tours take you around the Golden Circle, the Blue Lagoon, and along the South Coast.
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Golden Circle Tours: Visit three incredible destinations: a National Park, a geyser, and a stunning waterfall.
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Blue Lagoon Tours: Enjoy a relaxing trip to and from the world-famous geothermal spa.
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South Coast Tours: Explore South Iceland’s waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, and breathtaking coastlines.
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Golden Circle Tour and Blue Lagoon tour: Experience two of Iceland’s top attractions in one trip.
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Snaefellsnes Peninsula Tour from Reykjavik: Discover the diverse landscapes of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula on a guided day tour from Reykjavik.
Of course, it is possible to rent a car and drive to these locations yourself. Self-driving is only recommended for competent drivers in winter and only in a four-wheel drive rental car.
Year-Round Activities To Enjoy With 4 Days in Iceland
Sightseeing is not the only activity you can enjoy in Iceland over four days. You can enjoy many activities regardless of the season you visit.
For example, whale-watching tours leave Reykjavik's Old Harbor throughout the year. In summer, you are more likely to see humpback and minke whales (and it's the only time you can see puffins in Iceland). In winter, you have more chances of spotting orcas.
Glacier tours, such as glacier hiking, ice climbing, and snowmobiling, are year-round activities, too. Most of the horseback, Super Jeep, and ATV excursions can also be enjoyed in either season.
Despite the winter temperature in Iceland, snorkeling and diving tours are popular due to the beauty of the Silfra Fissure. Certain caves are also open year-round, so you can always go on cave tours through lava tubes like the Leidarendi Cave. You can even combine these activities into one day.
- See also: What to Do With Three Days in Iceland
How To Spend 4 Days in Iceland in Summer
In summer, many tours allow you to enjoy Iceland's beautiful, colorful landscapes and the midnight sun. While you can piece together a holiday yourself, booking summer vacation packages or summer self-drive tours is often much more convenient.
These packages can dramatically cut down your holiday planning time. Package tours take care of all rentals, transfers, activities, and accommodations in Iceland before you arrive.
For example, you can explore Iceland's most famous regions with this 4-day self-drive tour of the Golden Circle and the South Coast.
This four-day summer vacation package may appeal if you don't want to drive yourself. It offers a similar itinerary to the self-drive tour above. It also includes the summer-exclusive opportunity to tour inside the Thrihnukagigur Volcano.
Other summer-exclusive activities include river rafting, fishing trips, and day tours to the Highlands, such as this Super Jeep tour to Landmannalaugar.
If you choose to rent a car rather than book transfers, you can use it to find puffins in Iceland, which arrive in May and leave in September. You could even drive up to the Westfjords, where many natural landmarks are inaccessible in winter. You could also head south and take the ferry to the Westman Islands.
4 Days in Iceland Summer Itinerary Ideas
Option 1: Reykjavik, Golden Circle, South Coast, and Blue Lagoon
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Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik and enjoy exploring museums and art galleries. Take a stroll along the shoreline walk, then bathe in one of the city's swimming pools, complete with hot tubs and saunas.
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Day 2: Explore the Golden Circle attractions. Visit Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Kerid Crater.
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Day 3: Check out some of the best South Coast attractions. Start with the much-loved Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss Waterfalls. Then visit the village of Vik and take in the magnificent beauty at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. If you start your day early and want to pack in an epic attraction, do not miss Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach.
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Day 4: Finish your four-day tour in Iceland with some incredible relaxation and pampering at the Blue Lagoon spa before you head home.
For assistance with this itinerary, book this 4-day summer self-drive tour of Iceland's Golden Circle and South Coast with Reykjavik accommodation.
Option 2: Head off the beaten track to the Westfjords and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
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Day 1: Drive from Reykjavik to the town of Isafjordur in the Westfjords. On the way, stop at Glanni Waterfall and take an easy hike up to Grabrok Volcanic Crater. Make a stop in the charming village of Holmavik to visit the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft, then relax in Isafjordur.
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Day 2: Explore the rugged beauty of the Westfjords. Bathe in the Reykjafjardarlaug Hot Spring by the ocean and spend the night in Patreksfjordur Village. Don't miss Dynjandi Waterfall, the most magnificent waterfall you will see on your journey.
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Day 3: Visit the impressive Latrabjarg Sea Cliffs in the most western part of Iceland. Then head to Raudasandur Red Sand Beach to relax amid stunning scenery and peaceful surroundings. Finally, take the Baldur Ferry to Stykkisholmur and spend the night in a Snaefellsnes accommodation.
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Day 4: Finish your four-day tour of Iceland by enjoying the top things to do on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Check out the iconic Kirkjufell Mountain, then head to Snaefellsjokull National Park to marvel at the awe-inspiring glacier-peaked volcano and incredible vistas.
Simplify this four-day Iceland itinerary with a 4-day tour package of the Westfjords and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
How To Spend 4 Days in Iceland in Winter
In winter, most visitors to Iceland seek the northern lights and the ice caves under the Vatnajokull Glacier. While these sights are weather-reliant, you have a great chance of catching both.
Northern lights tours leave from Reykjavik every night in winter if there is a good chance of seeing them. If you rent a car, you can seek them yourself using the cloud cover forecast and aurora forecast on Iceland's weather website.
You could also take this 3-day winter self-drive tour, which focuses on seeking out the auroras as you explore the South Coast.
For a slightly different experience, it is also possible to take a northern lights tour from Reykjavik by boat.
While the northern lights are visible from September to April, the ice caves under Vatnajokull only open from mid-October to March. Many operators don't start tours until November. Even so, if you are in Iceland within this window, you have the opportunity to see them.
If you are driving yourself, you can book this convenient 3-day northern lights self-drive tour to the ice caves. The tour also takes you to the Jokulaslon Glacier Lagoon, Skaftafell National Park, and other marvelous locations in South Iceland.
If you book your accommodation and rentals yourself, you can also meet your guides on this Crystal Blue Ice Cave tour in Vatnajokull Glacier. Those who do not wish to drive also have plenty of options, including this 3-day guided northern lights and ice cave tour.
A lesser-known winter-exclusive activity is dog sledding. You can be led across the frozen landscapes of Iceland by a pack of Siberian huskies.
4 Days in Iceland Winter Itinerary Ideas
Check out the following specific ideas for your four-day trip to Iceland in winter.
Option 1: Blue Lagoon and South Coast with ice caving
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Day 1: Head straight from the airport to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa for pampering and relaxation in a mesmerizing setting. Continue to Reykjavik and take a northern lights tour, and then head out on the town to experience Reykjavik’s nightlife.
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Day 2: Travel across the South Coast to see the breathtaking Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. On the way, stop at your choice of incredible attractions, from jaw-dropping waterfalls to beautiful black sand beaches. After enjoying the awe-inspiring lagoon, stay in accommodation near the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
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Day 3: Get ready for an incredible winter-only experience ice-caving in Vatnajokull Cave. Do not miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience guaranteed to impress. Drive back to Reykjavik after enjoying the action and adventure of ice-caving.
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Day 4: Finish your four-day Iceland tour hanging out in Reykjavik before flying home. Visit museums and art galleries and enjoy world-class cuisine at the best Reykjavik restaurants. Be sure to check out the iconic Hallgrimskirkja Church with its striking tall tower before you leave.
Have someone else plan this entire trip, including transport and accommodation, with this 4-day northern lights vacation to Iceland's Vatnajokull Ice Cave, Jokulsarlon, and the South Coast.
Option 2: Travel the complete Ring Road route and take in the top attractions in Iceland
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Day 1: Drive from Reykjavik to the South Coast and visit the top attractions in South Iceland. Visit pristine waterfalls and black sand beaches with dramatic rock formations, and go glacier hiking at Skaftafell National Park.
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Day 2: Drive to East Iceland, stopping on the way to see the magnificent icebergs at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Visit the stunning Blue Ice Cave in the Vatnajokull Glacier before stopping at the picturesque Vestrahorn Mountain. Finish your adventurous day with a good night's sleep in the town of Egilsstadir, the largest town of the eastern region.
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Day 3: First, head to Lake Myvatn to enjoy the natural beauty. Make sure you visit the Hverir Geothermal Area and Grjotagja Cave before checking out the stunning Godafoss Waterfall. Stay the night in Akureyri, the main gateway to North Iceland.
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Day 4: Finish this unforgettable four-day, three-night Iceland itinerary with a Akureyri whale-watching tour. Enjoy the incredible scenery on the drive back to Reykjavik.
Take all the hassle out of this itinerary with this scenic 4-day guided tour of the complete Ring Road of Iceland with Jokulsarlon and Myvatn.
FAQ About Spending 4 Days in Iceland
Here are answers to some of the most frequent questions about spending four days in Iceland.
Is 4 Days in Iceland Enough?
Four days is enough to see Iceland’s highlights, like the Golden Circle, South Coast, and Blue Lagoon, but a longer trip allows for deeper exploration.
How Many Days Do You Need for Iceland?
A week or more is ideal to explore the entire country, but shorter trips of four to five days can still cover key attractions like waterfalls, glaciers, and hot springs.
How Much Is a 4-Day Trip to Iceland?
Costs vary, but a four-day trip to Iceland typically ranges from 800 to 2,500+ USD (106,632 to 333,225+ ISK) per person, depending on flights, accommodations, tours, and dining choices.
What Is the Best Month to See Iceland?
September and March offer a balance of good weather and northern lights, while June to August is best for exploring with long daylight hours.
Extend Your Adventure: Explore Iceland Beyond Four Days
For those looking to explore further, consider a 5-day ultimate winter package, which includes ice caves, the northern lights, and Iceland’s most famous landmarks. Adventurers can also book a 1-week guided winter circle of Iceland tour featuring glacier hikes, waterfalls, and ice caves.
If you’re visiting in summer, a 10-day self-drive tour of the complete Ring Road lets you explore every corner of the island at your own pace, while a 2-week self-drive tour of the Ring Road and Westfjords covers stunning coastal and volcanic landscapes.
No matter how long you stay, Iceland promises awe-inspiring sights and unforgettable experiences. So why stop at four days? Extend your adventure and discover even more of this incredible country!
Which part of Iceland are you most excited to explore—glaciers, volcanoes, or waterfalls? Have you taken a longer trip around the island? Share your thoughts and travel tips in the comments below.
