5 Days in Reykjavík and South Iceland Itinerary
Five days in Reykjavík and South Iceland is the most popular short Iceland itinerary. It covers the capital, the Golden Circle, and the South Coast’s waterfalls and black sand beaches — the essential Iceland experience without attempting too much.
Day 1: Arrive Keflavík — Reykjavík
Arrive at Keflavík. Transfer to Reykjavík by Flybus (ISK 3,999, 50 minutes) or rental car.
Afternoon: Laugavegur walk, Hallgrímskirkja observation tower (ISK 1,200), Old Harbour.
Evening: Dinner at Sægreifinn (lobster soup ISK 1,600–2,000) or Matur og Drykkur (mains ISK 4,200–6,500).
Stay: Reykjavík. Budget: Kex Hostel from ISK 18,000; mid-range: Hotel Borg from ISK 32,000.
Day 2: Reykjavík City Day
Morning: National Museum of Iceland (ISK 2,700, 2 hours). Brauð & Co bakery for coffee and pastries.
Afternoon: Perlan museum (ISK 4,490) or whale watching tour (ISK 12,900–15,900, 3 hours, book ahead). Sky Lagoon (ISK 9,990) if not doing the lagoon.
Evening: Grillmarkaðurinn (book ahead, mains ISK 4,500–8,000) or explore the bars on Laugavegur.
Day 3: Golden Circle
Self-drive or guided tour (ISK 9,900–15,900 guided). Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss. Optional Kerið crater (ISK 800) or Secret Lagoon (ISK 3,000).
Return to Reykjavík or continue to first South Coast stop overnight.
Day 4: South Coast to Vík
Morning: Drive east on Route 1. Seljalandsfoss (ISK 900 behind-falls path) and Gljúfrabúi (free).
Midday: Skógafoss (free, climb the staircase).
Afternoon: Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck (4km walk, free). Arrive Vík.
Late afternoon: Reynisfjara black sand beach (stay behind safety line). Dyrhólaey arch (5km west).
Evening: Dinner in Vík — Suður-Vík (mains ISK 3,000–5,500).
Stay: Vík area. Icelandair Hotel Vík ISK 35,000–48,000; Black Sand Guesthouse ISK 22,000.
Day 5: Depart via Jökulsárlón (Long Day) or Return to Reykjavík
Option A (for Jökulsárlón): Drive to Jökulsárlón (190km east of Vík). Zodiac boat tour ISK 9,900. Diamond Beach. Drive back to Reykjavík (380km total from Jökulsárlón). This is a very long day (approximately 12 hours driving + stops). Only realistic if you start by 7am.
Option B (relaxed): Drive back to Reykjavík on Route 1. Stop at Skógafoss again, morning light is different. Optional: glacier walk at Sólheimajökull on the way back (book ahead, ISK 9,900–12,500, 3 hours).
Blue Lagoon option: If pre-booked (ISK 9,990+), the Blue Lagoon is 47km from Keflavík airport and can be added on departure day with a 3-hour window.
Budget (per person, 5 days)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (4 nights) | ISK 30,000 | ISK 130,000 |
| Transport (rental car 4 days + fuel) | ISK 50,000 | ISK 70,000 |
| Activities | ISK 15,000 | ISK 40,000 |
| Food | ISK 25,000 | ISK 50,000 |
| Total | ~ISK 120,000 | ~ISK 290,000 |
Approximate as of 2026. Excludes international flights.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is 5 days enough for Iceland?
- Five days is enough for a worthwhile first visit — Reykjavík, the Golden Circle, and the South Coast to Vík are all doable. Jökulsárlón (380km from Reykjavík) is a long drive — possible on a 2-day South Coast run but tiring. For a relaxed 5 days, Vík is a more realistic turnaround.
- Should I stay in Reykjavík or along the South Coast?
- For a 5-day trip, 2 nights in Reykjavík and 2 nights along the South Coast (one night near Vík, one farther east) works well. This avoids driving back to Reykjavík each night.