- Mr Plane Guy
- Sep 24, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 17
How Many Days in Iceland Do You REALLY Need? (3–7 Day Itinerary + Tips)
How Many Days in Iceland Do You Need?
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, this is the big question:
👉 How long do you actually need?
The honest answer?
3 days → Quick trip, highlights only
4–5 days → Perfect balance (what I recommend)
7 days → Full Iceland experience
I spent 4 nights in Iceland, and it was just enough to see the highlights without feeling rushed, but trust me, you’ll want longer once you’re there.
👉 My recommendation:If it’s your first trip, aim for 4–5 days. It gives you time for tours, Reykjavik, and at least one “wow” experience like the Northern Lights or a lagoon.
The Best Tour for Iceland
When planning your Icelandic journey, one tour stands out above the rest - The Golden Circle Tour. This iconic route takes you to some of Iceland's most spectacular sights, including the majestic Gullfoss waterfall, the fascinating geothermal area of Geysir, and the historic site of Thingvellir National Park. The Golden Circle Tour offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and geological marvels, making it an essential part of any Iceland itinerary.
Here is my full review of the Golden Circle Tour
I booked all my trips in Iceland with Get Your Guide, they offer so much choice and great value! Don't leave any tours until you arrive as they get really booked up! You won't have the time either! Get Your Guide have a cool phone app to keep all your tickets, so you will know exactly where and at what time you need to be there, it will even link your phone to its map!
The Best Month to Tour Iceland
If you're eager to witness the dancing Northern Lights or experience the endless days of the Midnight Sun, the best month to tour Iceland is from late September to early April. During this period, you'll have the best chances of catching the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis Northern lights painting the night sky with its vibrant jaw dropping colours. On the other hand, if you prefer milder weather and longer days for exploring, June to August is the optimal time to visit Iceland.
Northern Lights Tour
Genuinely one of the most unique experiences you can have.
Seeing the sky light up in green and purple is something you don’t forget.
Now talking of Northern lights, this is the tour I did, it was so good!
3 Day Iceland Itinerary (Short Trip)
If you’re tight on time, you can still experience Iceland, but you’ll need to move fast.
Day 1
Arrive at Keflavik Airport (KEF)
Transfer to Reykjavik
Evening walk around the city
Day 2
Golden Circle Tour (must-do)
Stops include:
Gullfoss waterfall
Geysir geothermal area
Thingvellir National Park
Day 3
Quick Reykjavik explore
Optional: Sky Lagoon or whale watching
Fly home
👉 Best for: Weekend trips, budget travellers
4–5 Day Iceland Itinerary (Best Balance)
This is the sweet spot and exactly what I did.
Day 1
Evening arrival
Bus transfer to hotel
Relax and settle in
Day 2
Explore Reykjavik
Walking tour
Whale watching tour (highly recommend, unreal experience)
Evening: Northern Lights tour
Plane Tip: Book your Northern Lights tour early in your trip, if you don’t see them, most companies let you rebook for free.
Day 3
Golden Circle Tour (full day)
Dinner in Reykjavik
Day 4
Sky Lagoon (10/10 experience)
Shopping + relaxed exploring
Day 5
Return flight
👉 Best for: First-time visitors, balanced trips
7 Day Iceland Itinerary (Full Experience)
If you’ve got the time (and budget), this is where Iceland really opens up.
You can:
Explore beyond Reykjavik
Visit the South Coast
Add glaciers, waterfalls, and black sand beaches
Take things slower (which you’ll appreciate)
👉 Best for: Adventure travellers, photographers, bucket-list trips
Best Tours in Iceland (What’s Actually Worth It)
⭐ Golden Circle Tour (Essential)
This is Iceland’s most famous route and for good reason.
You’ll see:
Waterfalls
Geysers
National parks
👉 If you do one tour make it this.
The Number One Thing to See in Iceland
Here is a TIK TOK video of the trip, take a look and don't forget to follow!
Whale Watching (Unexpected highlight)
I didn’t expect this to be my favourite, but it was.
Seeing a humpback whale jump out of the water just metres away…
......Unreal.
Best Time to Visit Iceland
Iceland changes completely depending on when you go.
Winter (Sept – April)
Northern Lights season
Short days, colder weather
Magical but unpredictable
Summer (June – August)
Midnight sun
Longer days for exploring
Milder weather
👉 My take: If you want Northern Lights → go in winterIf you want easier travel → go in summer
What to Pack for Iceland
Don’t underestimate Iceland weather.
Bring:
Layers (lots of them)
Waterproof jacket
Good walking shoes
Thermal underwear
Snacks (food is expensive)
Plane Tip: Bring decent walking shoes!
Where to Stay in Reykjavik
I stayed at the 4-star hotel in Reykjavik Grandi by Center hotels, in a great location close to everything.
👉 Perfect for:
Walking tours
Restaurants
Tour pickups
How to Get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik
Most people take:
🚌 Flybus or Airport Express
Cheaper than taxis
Runs after every flight
Takes ~45–60 minutes
You’ll usually:
Take the bus to a central station
Switch to a smaller hotel shuttle
👉 It’s easy and well organised
Tours in Iceland
Flights to Iceland
Trip.com offer unbelievable fares and discounts on flights! Check out some flights below and have and download their app for the best discounts!
Reykjavik Travel Tips (Save Time & Money)
Food is expensive (I paid $20 for a slice of pizza 😅)
Book tours in advance, they sell out fast
Use apps for tickets (keeps everything organised)
Walkable city, no need for constant taxis
FAQ's Iceland
Is Iceland in the European Union? Nope, Iceland is not in the European Union! While Iceland is part of Europe and even a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), it has chosen to stay out of the EU. This means it gets to keep its own unique policies, especially when it comes to things like fishing rights.
Is Iceland in Europe? Yes, Iceland is definitely in Europe—geographically and culturally! It’s a Nordic island nation located right between Greenland and mainland Europe. Though it feels like a world of its own with its dramatic landscapes and small population, it’s very much part of the European family.
How much is a Big Mac in Iceland?
Ah, the famous Big Mac Index! Fun fact: Iceland doesn’t actually have McDonald’s anymore. The last McDonald’s in Iceland closed its doors in 2009, during the financial crisis, as operating costs were just too high. But here’s the quirky part, there’s a McDonald’s
burger and fries on display at the Snotra House hostel in southern Iceland, perfectly preserved to this day. While you can’t grab a Big Mac, Iceland has plenty of local burger joints serving up delicious alternatives. So, your burger cravings will still be satisfied!
Can you use Euros in Iceland? Technically, no. The official currency of Iceland is the Icelandic króna (ISK). That said, many touristy places, like hotels and some shops, will accept Euros. But don’t rely on it, having króna on hand is your best bet. Plus, card payments are king in Iceland, so you might not even need much cash!
How big is Iceland compared to England? Here’s a fun fact: Iceland is slightly smaller than England in land area. Iceland spans about 103,000 square kilometers, while England covers roughly 130,000 square kilometers. But Iceland feels way more spacious, thanks to its sparse population of only 370,000 people compared to England’s 56+ million.
How big is Iceland? Iceland is about 103,000 square kilometers (39,768 square miles), making it the second-largest island in Europe after Great Britain. Its size gives it plenty of room for all those epic glaciers, volcanoes, and lava fields, talk about a land of extremes!
What is the temperature of Iceland by month?Iceland’s weather is famously unpredictable, but here’s a rough breakdown:
January–March: Winter chills around -1°C to 3°C (30°F to 37°F). Snowy and magical!
April–May: Springtime sees temps creep up to 2°C to 9°C (36°F to 48°F).
June–August: Summer brings the mildest weather, with 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). Perfect for outdoor adventures.
September–October: Cool autumn vibes at 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F).
November–December: Back to winter with -2°C to 4°C (28°F to 39°F).
Remember, Iceland’s coastal areas stay milder, but head inland, and you’ll find colder, harsher conditions. Always pack layers!
Final Thoughts: Is Iceland Worth It?
100% yes.
Iceland is one of those places that:
Feels completely different to anywhere else
Delivers “wow” moments daily
Makes you want to come back immediately
👉 Just be prepared… your budget might not agree
Plane Related Links
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading How Many Days in Iceland Do You REALLY Need? (3–7 Day Itinerary + Tips)
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Interesting Facts about Iceland
Iceland is a remarkable country that offers free education and healthcare, with no prisons or military presence. Electricity is provided at no cost, and it's common for people to leave their cars and homes unlocked! Iceland, a northern island nation situated between the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean, was under Danish rule until December 1, 1918. With a population of just 332,529, Iceland stands out as the only nation in the world that holds online voting.
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