Iceland is changing into a well-liked stopover vacation spot on flights between North America and Europe, with Icelandair providing free stopovers in Iceland en route throughout the Atlantic. It’s additionally only a gorgeous nation generally, so even should you’re not flying to Europe it’s nicely price a devoted journey.
If you happen to dwell in New York the flight time is round 5 hours 45 minutes to Reykjavik (so lower than the flight to LA) and should you fly from London it’ll take simply 3 hours quarter-hour to get there.
Iceland is thought for its magical panorama of volcanoes, sizzling springs, geysers and lava fields. For the reason that island is situated far north it’s attainable to see the Northern Lights right here, though the local weather isn’t at all times as superb for viewing as someplace like Norway or Finland.
As with every nation there’s so much to see and do however this Iceland 3 day itinerary will let you cowl the fundamentals, together with Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle. I’ll additionally focus on some sensible info, corresponding to the very best time to go to and the place to remain.
Prompt Itinerary for 3 Days in Iceland
- Day 1: Reykjavik Sightseeing (+ Blue Lagoon if there’s time)
- Day 2: The Golden Circle
- Day 3: Iceland’s South Shore (or Blue Lagoon for a extra leisurely itinerary)
Day 1: Sightseeing in Reykjavik – Blue Lagoon, Harpa Live performance Corridor, Phallological Museum, Hallgrimskirkja
I’d suggest reserving a resort for the complete three days in Reykjavik. The nation’s capital is a superb base for exploring the remainder of the island and the vast majority of excursions depart from the town.
Reykjavik could also be small however there are literally a number of issues to do because the majority of the nation’s inhabitants lives right here. It’s straightforward to discover on foot so e book a resort within the middle and convey your strolling sneakers.
In your first day in Reykjavik you’ll wish to discover a few of the metropolis’s main points of interest and greatest eating places. The meals in Iceland is a few of the greatest I’ve ever eaten, significantly. Each dish is so recent and well-presented.
Blue Lagoon
Opening hours for the Blue Lagoon are from 9am to 9pm. The Blue Lagoon is situated simply quarter-hour from Keflavík – Reykjavik airport so should you’re actually brief on time, it’s greatest to do it once you’re touring from or to the airport.
While you go to will actually depend upon once you’re flying out and in of Reykjavik. In case your flight lands early within the morning at Keflavik Airport on Day 1 then you possibly can cease on the Blue Lagoon in your manner from the airport to the town middle, then do your sightseeing.
Alternatively, you possibly can forgo the tour to the south of Iceland in your third day and do the Blue Lagoon as an alternative. Doing the Blue Lagoon in your third day would permit for a way more leisurely itinerary and you possibly can spend the entire day right here. It’s as much as you. If you happen to’re flying out of Keflavik within the afternoon/night on day 3 then you possibly can do the Blue Lagoon on the best way again to the airport.
Earlier than I went to go to the Blue Lagoon I had at all times assumed it was a pure out of doors sizzling spring nevertheless it’s really synthetic, with the geothermal water coming from the close by geothermal energy plant.The geothermal water is enriched with silica, algae, and minerals which have therapeutic, nourishing and rejuvenating properties.Tickets costs differ however they begin at round 6990 ISK for an grownup ($53) and there’s one free drink included within the value, so you may order a drink within the swim-up bar. If you wish to study extra about what it’s like, learn my full article on swimming within the Blue Lagoon in winter.
The Blue Lagoon isn’t only a sizzling spring, it’s a vacation spot, with a luxurious resort, spa and a number of other eating places on web site. If you wish to have a spa therapy and lunch then you possibly can determine to make a complete day of it right here. If that’s the case then undoubtedly do it on Day 3.
Attending to the Blue Lagoon: You will get to the Blue Lagoon by taxi – the journey takes 20 minutes from Keflavik Airport or 50 minutes from downtown Reykjavik. Alternatively there’s a bus known as Vacation spot Blue Lagoon which takes you to the Blue Lagoon from the airport or the town. It may be booked on-line right here.
Seize a espresso at Laundromat Cafe
When you’re within the metropolis and also you’ve checked into your resort, seize a espresso at Laundromat Cafe, which is a laundromat mixed with a bar/restaurant. The idea is enjoyable and quirky, permitting company to do their laundry whereas they’ve one thing to eat or drink. The vibe is heat and welcoming with books, video games, maps and free Wi-Fi to maintain you occupied. This place is nice for breakfast or lunch.
Snap a photograph at Harpa Live performance Corridor
Subsequent up, stroll to Harpa Live performance Corridor, which is a contemporary live performance corridor and convention middle with a crystalline glass facade impressed by the Northern Lights and the basalt Iceland panorama. You don’t must see a live performance right here to admire its magnificence; Harpa Live performance Corridor is a murals in its personal proper. Situated on the water with views over the ocean, the corridor is residence to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera. By day the constructing glistens within the solar and at evening the outside is illuminated in LED lights.
Go to the Phallological Museum
Sure, there actually is a Penis Museum in Reykjavik. Not removed from Harpa Live performance Corridor you’ll discover the Reykjavik Phallological Museum, which is a museum devoted to the penises and penile components of land and sea animals that may be present in Iceland. It sounds bizarre (which it’s) however the place else on the planet are you able to stare upon over 200 penises preserved in formaldehyde? On show you may see penises of walruses, seals, polar bears and even the penis of a 95-year-old man.
Icelandic Punk Museum
Up the road from the Phallological Museum you’ll discover the Punk Museum, which is a tiny museum situated in a former set of public bathrooms! Yep, as you may most likely inform from this text to date, Reykjavik is unquestionably offbeat and quirky. If you happen to’re a punk fanatic or interested by studying about punk historical past this can be a enjoyable museum. Friends are welcome to attempt on garments, play the drums and take heed to punk information utilizing headphones hanging from the ceiling.
Eat a sizzling canine at Bæjarins beztu pylsur
You’d assume the U.S can be the very best place to order a sizzling canine nevertheless it seems the very best sizzling canines I’ve ever eaten are in Iceland. Relationship again to 1937, this well-known sizzling canine stand serves scrumptious sizzling canines which might be nice to eat as a snack whilst you’re strolling round Reykjavik. I ate sizzling canines right here each day! Scorching canines price 550 ISK (round $4 USD) and it’s the most cost effective lunch you’ll discover in Reykjavik. There’s one thing in regards to the mixture of the tremendous delicate bun and the distinctive style of the mustard that makes these sizzling canines simply so moorish, significantly after an evening out in town.
Snap a photograph with the Solar Voyager
Now that you simply’ve happy your starvation with a sizzling canine, take a stroll to the Solar Voyager to burn off the energy. This large stainless-steel sculpture of a ship is situated on the waterfront overlooking the ocean.
Go to Hallgrimskirkja
Hallgrimskirkja is Reykjavik’s most iconic landmark and one of many tallest buildings in Iceland. This concrete Lutheran church was named after Seventeenth-century Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson and the design is impressed by the basalt columns that you simply’ll discover throughout the nation. It’s a putting constructing that towers over the town and if you wish to take pictures of Reykjavik from above, I’d counsel taking the elevator to the tower, which prices 1000 ISK (roughly $7.50).
Take pleasure in dinner and cocktails at Apotek
To complete your day, seize dinner at Apotek, which is without doubt one of the greatest eating places in Reykjavik. Drinks are ready by a mixologist in a lab coat and the cocktail menu has a pharmacy theme, with drinks organized into “painkillers”, “stimulants” and “tranquilizers”. I ordered the seared tuna with avocado puree and pickled watermelon, adopted by the meat tenderloin. The meals was out of this world!
After dinner drinks at Lebowski Bar
If in case you have some power left then head over to Lebowski Bar, which will get its theme from the Massive Lebowski film by the Coen Brothers. This can be a nice bar for assembly fellow vacationers and locals. Inside there’s a bowling alley, a southern-style porch, a ‘50s diner, and a ‘60s lounge bar on the higher flooring. If you wish to keep in step with the Lebowski theme then it’s best to undoubtedly order The Dude’s favourite drink, a White Russian. There are over 23 completely different variations of White Russians on the menu!
Day 2: The Golden Circle & Northern Lights
On day two of your journey you may go to the Golden Circle. Whilst you can definitely lease a automobile and drive round Iceland, should you solely have three days I’d skip the automobile rental and simply e book a tour to see the Golden Circle. On brief stopover journeys like these I normally can’t be bothered with the effort of automobile leases, particularly when it’s really easy to get round by Uber.
We booked our Golden Circle tour with Reykjavik Excursions. We really booked a combo bundle to see the Golden Circle and the Northern Lights. If you happen to do that possibility you get a number of hours to relaxation after the Golden Circle and then you definately return out to see the Northern Lights.
Sadly the Northern Lights didn’t come out for us that evening resulting from climate situations and it was so unbearably chilly. If you happen to don’t see them then you’ve got the choice of going again out a second evening at no cost however we determined to provide {that a} miss and simply get pleasure from Reykjavik as an alternative.
When visiting the Golden Circle you’ll see:
Geysir Geothermal Park – The tour will take you to see the Strokkur geysir spurting out columns of water into the air each 4-8 minutes. If you happen to go to in winter then be sure to put on mountain climbing boots as a result of the world may be fairly slippy as a result of ice.
Gulfoss Waterfall – Subsequent up you’ll see the Gulfoss Waterfall, which is a formidable waterfall created by the river Hvítá, which plunges right into a crevice some 32 m deep.
Thingvellir Nationwide Park – Lastly you’ll go to Thingvellir Nationwide Park, which is without doubt one of the few locations on the planet the place you may see the North-American and Eurasian tectonic plates above floor. The plates are pulling aside at a price of some centimetres per 12 months.
If you happen to determine to do the Northern Lights as nicely then you definately’ll arrive again within the metropolis at round 18:30 and then you definately’ll have a number of hours to relaxation earlier than heading again out to see the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights tour lasts round 3 hours.
Dinner at Tapas barinn
If you happen to don’t go to see the Northern Lights then you possibly can chill out in Reykjavik and simply go to have a leisurely dinner. Try Tapas barinn, which has an in depth menu of fifty completely different small plates. If you wish to attempt conventional Icelandic delicacies, you may attempt the Icelandic Gourmand Feast, which prices 8,990 ISK (roughly $68). It begins with a shot of Icelandic “Brennivín” adopted by six programs and a dessert.
Day 3: Iceland’s South Shore or Blue Lagoon
South Shore Tour
What you do on day 3 depends upon how relaxed you’d like your itinerary to be and once you’re flying residence. If you wish to cram as a lot as attainable into 3 days then you may squeeze within the Blue Lagoon on Day 1 after which see Iceland’s South Shore on Day 3.
The South Shore is without doubt one of the most scenic components of Iceland. Reykjavik Excursions runs a South Shore Journey which is an all-day tour that lasts round 10 hours and half-hour. The tour takes you to see Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which you’ll stroll behind, and Skógafoss waterfall, which was used as a backdrop in Thor: The Darkish World and The Secret Lifetime of Walter Mitty.
After visiting the waterfalls you’ll cease at Reynisfjara black sand seashore, which is without doubt one of the most breathtaking and rugged seashores in Iceland. Right here you may see the Reynisdrangar rock formations and columnar basalt.
As well as, the tour takes you to Sólheimajökull glacier and an enthralling village known as Vík, which is surrounded by excessive cliffs.
Dinner at Sjavargrillid
While you get again to Reykjavik, go for dinner at Sjavargrillid, which is run by chef Gústav Axel Gunnlaugsson, who traveled across the nation searching for the true style of Iceland. The inside of the restaurant is adorned with driftwood and different items that Gustav collected and dragged again to the restaurant from his travels.The meal I ate right here was some of the memorable meals in my life and I want I might simply teleport myself there to eat it over again. My meal consisted of grilled & crispy langoustine with pan fried plaice, natural barley, golden beet, date and kale, adopted by créme brûlée with strawberry, caramel, sorrel and cocoa nibs.
Various possibility for day 3: Museums & Blue Lagoon
If you wish to fly out within the afternoon on day 3, you possibly can go to the Blue Lagoon on the best way again to the airport. Or, should you’d simply favor a extra leisurely itinerary generally, you possibly can spend this final day exploring Reyakjavik’s museums, then go to the Blue Lagoon earlier than spending your final evening having fun with a pleasant dinner in Reykjavik.
Museums you may go to in your final day embody the Nationwide Museum of Iceland, Reykjavik Artwork Museum, Reykjavik Maritime Museum, Saga Museum and The Settlement Exhibition. You can additionally go to Þúfa, an artwork set up which was created by artist Ólöf Nordal in 2013. The set up options an 8m-tall grassy mound with a spiral pathway that leads you as much as the highest.
The place to remain in Reykjavik
Apotek Resort
I stayed on the Apotek Resort, which is residence to the Apotek Kitchen + Bar. This resort is a centrally situated boutique resort with 45 rooms, housed in a constructing that was as soon as a pharmacy known as Reykjavikur Apotek. The constructing was inbuilt 1917 by the previous State Architect of Iceland, Guðjón Samúelsson. Rooms are cozy and comfy, plus the meals and cocktails within the Apotek restaurant are unbelievable. I undoubtedly loved my keep right here.
Is three days in Iceland Sufficient?
3 days based mostly in Reykjavik will let you see all of the locations I discussed above. If you happen to’re ready to pack so much into every day, then you may undoubtedly see the very best of Iceland in three days. You’ll be busy and there’s probably not time for napping in your resort room. If you wish to lease a automobile and see different issues, such because the Iceland Ring Street, then you definately’ll wish to spend as much as per week in Iceland.
If you happen to’re visiting Iceland on a stopover otherwise you simply have a number of days off from work then 3 days might be all you’ve got. You possibly can undoubtedly benefit from it and see Iceland’s greatest sights. Nevertheless, like every nation, the longer you keep the extra you get to chill out, transfer at a barely slower tempo and see extra issues.
Do I must lease a automobile in Iceland?
For this itinerary and with just a few days in Iceland, I’d say ditch the automobile thought and simply get round utilizing taxis and excursions. I don’t find out about you however with such a brief period of time it looks like a problem to spend time on the automobile rental desk on arrival and worrying about parking. If you happen to’re planning to remain in Iceland for longer and also you wish to drive the Iceland Ring Street then undoubtedly wish to lease a automobile or 4×4 and self-drive so you’ve got the pliability to cease wherever you need.
What’s the very best time of 12 months to go to Iceland?
That actually depends upon the person. There are professionals and cons to every season.
I went within the winter and Iceland appears magical with snow on the bottom. I cherished it. The draw back is it’s freezing in winter and the times are brief, so that you don’t have many daylight hours to see the sights and points of interest. If you wish to take pictures, you solely have a number of hours to take them earlier than it will get darkish. Nevertheless, you do have extra hours to see the Aurora Borealis aka the Northern Lights. Temperatures within the winter months between December to February can attain as little as -30 Celsius, so be sure to pack ski gloves, an enormous puffy jacket and thermals. Once we went to do the Northern Lights tour I needed to spend most of my time on the bus as a result of it was simply so chilly.
If you wish to go mountain climbing and expertise Iceland’s dramatic surroundings, then the summer season months between June to August are a good time to go to. The times are countless (significantly the solar is up until midnight) and the climate is heat, plus there are many festivals corresponding to Secret Solstice Competition.
When’s the very best time to go whale watching in Iceland?
For whale watching, April to October is the very best time to see the orcas.
When’s the very best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?
You possibly can see the Northern Lights between September and April, though the very best months for viewing are February, March, September and October.
Is Iceland Costly?
Food and drinks in Iceland is on the costly aspect. I didn’t discover it to be as costly as Norway nevertheless it was undoubtedly up there when it got here to costs. Nonetheless, should you’re solely in Iceland for 3 days then you definately received’t have a lot probability to burn via your money.
Iceland’s foreign money is known as Króna (ISK). The excursions weren’t that costly however consuming out was.
A last phrase…
I hope you discovered this instructed Iceland itinerary helpful. When you’ve got solely 3 days in a metropolis you are inclined to wish to slot in as a lot as attainable however on the identical time you don’t wish to really feel exhausted and burnt out. Whereas it’s attainable to most likely cram Reykjavik and the Blue Lagoon into in the future after which do two full day excursions, I attempted to make this 3 day itinerary a contact extra leisurely.
