How to Explore Iceland in 5 Days

What Not to Miss when Visiting the Land of Fire and Ice in the Winter

Iceland has long been a bucket list destination for me. Its seemingly untouched landscape makes it feel as though you are visiting another planet. My husband and I traveled to Reykjavík during the winter of 2018 in hope of experiencing the northern lights. During these cold and snowy months of the pandemic, I can’t help but find myself sifting through photos and reliving my trip to this Nordic country. Here are my tips for how to best explore Iceland in 5 days.

View from the Stunning Ion Adventure Hotel near the Golden Circle

Itinerary: Exploring Iceland in 5 Days

Driving through the Golden Circle at Sunrise

Here are some highlights of what not to miss during your trip to Iceland:

1. Spend a Night at the Blue Lagoon

If you are visiting Iceland you cannot miss a trip to the Blue Lagoon. There are various options to enjoy this popular geothermal spa – from tours and packages to a la carte entry tickets. We opted to splurge and spend the night at Silica, a boutique hotel located next door to the Blue Lagoon. If we were to do this trip over, we would 100% stay there again. Our amenities included premium passes to the Blue Lagoon which made the whole experience super convenient. The very best part was Silica’s private lagoon, where we actually ended up spending most of our time. Regardless of whether or not you decide to spend the night at Silica (or the new Retreat Hotel), plan to arrive at the Blue Lagoon when it first opens (or stay late) to beat the crowds.

Related: The Blue Lagoon: How to Escape the Crowds and Stay in Style

Enjoying Silica’s Private Geothermal Lagoon

2. Book a Northern Lights Tour

When we booked our trip to Iceland, we centered it around viewing the northern lights. However, even when the aurora borealis activity is high, a sighting is not guaranteed. This is especially true when you are in Reykjavik where there is greater light pollution. This is why we booked a northern lights tour. Our guide tracked the aurora activity and took our group to a remote location for optimal viewing. They also took professional photographs to capture this phenomenon in a way my iPhone simply could not! We also had an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the northern lights while staying at the remote Ion Adventure hotel, but the activity was not nearly as spectacular.

Thank you Happy World Tours for capturing our first glimpse of the northern lights!

3. Snowmobile on a Glacier

If you visit Iceland you most certainly will spot of one of its hundreds of glaciers. But why stop there? One of our favorite activities on our itinerary was snowmobiling across the Langjökull Glacier. The surroundings were breathtaking and made us feel like we were in a mystical arctic scene from Game of Thrones. The glacier goes on for miles – 361 square miles (935 sq. km) to be exact! If you happen to visit in the summer, check out a tour where you can kayak through a glacier lagoon.

Snowmobiling on Iceland’s Second Largest Glacier

4. Hug an Icelandic Horse

One of the most memorable experiences from our trip was meeting the iconic Icelandic horses. We first encountered these gentle, furry mammals on the roadside while driving through the Golden Circle. The owner kindly offered us baguettes to feed his two mares. We instantly bonded with them as we pet their long, furry coats. We learned that in the wintertime, their coats can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) around their flanks, legs and neck. If you happen to stop and visit an Icelandic horse along the roadside, be respectful of their owner’s property and don’t hop any fences! You can also book tours in Reykjavik to both pet and ride them.

5. Tour the South Coast

A trip to Iceland is not complete without a visit to the South Coast. This region provides the opportunity to view waterfalls, glaciers and the renowned Reynisfjara black sand beach. We booked a day tour from Reykjavik through Happy World Tours. If you visit during the summer, look for tours that take you to Vestmannaeyjar Island – home of the world’s largest puffin colony! Since we visited during March (while the puffins are at sea), we missed our chance to view these adorable creatures. Don’t worry puffins – we will be back!

Overlooking the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach from the Fishing Village of Vik

6. Visit a Local Reykjavík Bar

There are plenty of guided tours and attractions to take advantage of in Reykjavík. However, the city is also filled with plenty of quirky bars and shops that are worth exploring on your own. I highly recommend wandering down Laugavegur and Klapparstigur streets. Seek out a venue filled with locals vs. tourists and take in your surroundings. During our time in Reykjavík we stumbled upon a local tavern that offered complimentary (make-your-own) waffles in the shape of a heart. What’s not to love about that?

Final Thoughts

When visiting Iceland some choose Reykjavik as home base while others opt to travel to different locations to cover more ground. If you stay in Reykjavik you will have more options in terms of dining and nightlife. If you venture outside of Reykjavik you will have the ability to see more; however, you will likely be spending the night somewhere very remote. Regardless, I strongly recommend renting a car to get around – there are no Ubers or Lyfts in Iceland (at least while we were there) and cabs are very expensive. You may be okay if you plan day trips with tour guides picking you up from Reykjavik, but some tours require you to drive to a meeting point. Be sure to budget for higher gas prices when renting a car.

Roaming the Black Sand Beach (Reynisfjara) on Iceland’s South Coast

There is so much to do and see in Iceland that you simply can’t accomplish it all in one trip. Activities vary based on the time of year, so it’s worth doing your homework before planning your visit. Winter is a fantastic time to witness the northern lights and hike/snowmobile on glaciers. The summer also has its perks of kayaking through glacier lagoons, visiting puffin colonies and whale watching. Having personally explored Iceland during the winter leaves me even more eager to return during one of its warmer months. If you’ve been to Iceland, we’d love to hear about your favorite experience and season that you traveled!

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Note: The Beyond Borders Collective is not paid to endorse the properties or guides referenced within this blog; commentary is based solely off of our own personal travel research and experiences.