Five Days in Iceland
TRAVEL
How to Enjoy a Long Weekend in Iceland
We spent a long-weekend in Iceland for our best friend’s birthday. We’re sharing tips for exploring the country and the places we loved.
We’ve been wanting to go on a vacation with our friends for ages! But COVID derailed our plans and weddings and other life milestones got in the way. But alas, our calendars aligned and we found ourselves planning a long-weekend getaway to Iceland.
What We Love About Iceland
Iceland is the perfect long-weekend trip from the East Coast. It’s just a quick jump over the puddle, and you’ll be immersed in gorgeous landscapes and natural hot springs.
Feeling adventurous? Craving the awe of majestic views? Seeking a little R&R?
Iceland checks all those boxes. From mossy hills to majestic waterfalls, the views are endless. Glacier climbing and snorkeling above a tectonic plate make for one-of-a-kind experiences. And the memories that you’ll make on this trip will last a lifetime, whether you go alone or with a partner, your family or friends (like we did)!
Plan 5-Days in Iceland
As we planned our trip, we read through so many reviews and forums. Everyone raved about the must-see experiences — the Golden Circle, black sand beaches and the Blue Lagoon. Clearly, we were in for a rainbow treat.
But depending on the time of year, all of these beautiful places can be overrun by tourists. And when you’re planning a trip focused on enjoying nature and solitude, do you really want to be inundated with crowds?
Victoria put her data analytics degree to good use to figure out the ideal itinerary to limit crowds. It worked out wonderfully for us and we had the fortune of enjoying these beautiful places all to ourselves.
If we had to do all of our favorite things over a long-weekend, here’s the day we would plan:
DAY 1: Acclimate
If you’re not a fan of red-eye flights, we recommend catching a late-morning / early-afternoon flight that lands you in Iceland during late evening with the time change.
DAY 2: Blue Lagoon & Reykjavik
We recommend reserving a spot right when the Lagoon opens at 8am for the most intimate experience. The crowds didn’t roll in until closer to 10am, so we got to truly enjoy the Lagoon in all its serenity.
DAY 3: Golden Circle
Plan to take the route backwards. The forums and tourist maps will tell you to start at Thingvellir National Park, but we started from Kerid Crater and managed to avoid most crowds!
Stop 1: Kerid Crater
Stop 2: Secret Lagoon
Stop 3: Gullfoss Falls
When you walk down to the falls, turn right to get a full view of the Falls. We recommend you also make your way to the other end, but this side will help you avoid crowds.
Optional: Enjoy a meal at the Panorama Restaurant and shop the gift shop for cute souvenirs! Victoria picked up stickers and postcards from here.
Stop 4: Geysir Hot Springs
Optional Stop: Rye Bread Experience (11:45 or 2:30pm | $20pp)
Stop 5: Thingvellir National Park
DAY 4: Southern Coast
Partake in a Glacier Excursion, especially before global warming melts all the ice. We opted for Sólheimajökull with Arctic Adventures Glacier Guides.
Chase the northern lights! If you’re lucky enough to catch clear skies during your trip, this is a great opportunity to seek out the magical aurora borealis.
DAY 5: Southern Coast to the Airport
Stop 1: Reynisfjara Beach (black sand)
Stop 2: Dryholaey
Stop 3: Skógafoss
Stop 4: Seljavellir Geothermal Pool
Stop 5: Seljalandsfoss
Stop 6: Gljufrabui
Yes, we know the early morning start may not be ideal. But you’d be amazed how much of the city you can experience when you’re not fighting against crowds or feeling rushed.
Where to Eat, Shop & Sleep in Iceland
RESTAURANTS
We’re proud to say we travel for food as much as adventure — seeking out the best hole-in-the-walls and Michelin Star restaurants.
But with Victoria’s allergies and dietary restrictions, we’re extra cautious about where we eat. We contact restaurants, triple check online menus, and make reservations for as many meals as we can to ensure we have a safe meal plan for every adventure.
The following restaurants confirmed they were gluten-friendly, completely gluten-free, or could safely accommodate a gluten-free diet, but we encourage you to do your own due diligence before dining at any of these establishments to confirm they can safely meet your needs.
Reykjavík Chips: The only place we found that guaranteed their chips used a separate fryer from battered fish.
Sweet Aurora: Limited selection of gluten-free pastries and desserts, but it was a decent option to grab a sweet treat.
Grillmarkaðurinn: A beautiful sit-down dinner with an expansive menu that provided plenty of gluten-free options. We enjoyed the steak platter for 4 and a bottle of wine.
Kol Restaurant: Fine dining in the heart of Reykjavik. This was on our list purely for cocktails.
Cafe Loki: Lovely little café. We went for a traditional Icelandic breakfast and it was pricey for what we received, but the meat soup was gluten-free and was hands-down the best dish we ordered.
Brass Kitchen & Bar: A casual spot for burgers, fish and chips, etc. The staff were friendly (if not slightly unattentive), but we enjoyed the food and drinks.
Panorama Restaurant at Gullfoss Falls: A nice stop to take along the Golden Circle. Gluten-free options were limited to the meat soup, but you’ll soon find it’s a great option! Every place makes it slightly differently, but it’s consistently delicious.
Friðheimar: This was the one place on our wishlist that we didn’t make it to — and it makes me so tempted to fly back just so we can have a meal at this family-run restaurant, specializing in tomato-based dishes grown in their own greenhouses! It’s aesthetic and everything looks delicious, and a great stop in your tour of the Golden Circle. If you go, you’ll have to tell us how it is.
SHOPS
Reykjavík's main shopping street is Laugavegur. It’s a vibrant hub filled with Icelandic design shops, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and bars. Laugvegur stretches from Bankastræti towards Hlemmur Square, with the popular Skólavörðustígur (Rainbow Street) branching off. Although shops will be closed during early hours, we recommend taking a stroll around 8am before the crowds commence, so you can enjoy the beauty of this little strip (and take unobstructed photos on the Rainbow Street)! Shops are typically open from 10am-6pm on weekdays and maintain shorter hours on weekends, so plan accordingly.
HOTELS
Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre
You can’t go wrong with a classic Hilton stay, especially at a hotel located right at the heart of the city. We were able to easily access the hotel (which had public parking available across the street) and walk to shops, restaurants and bars. The hotel also hosted a daily happy hour featuring local sodas, beers and snacks.
Skálakot Manor in Vik
We would go back to Iceland solely to stay here again. Skalakot Manor was truly picturesque, surrounded by mossy plains and grazing ponies, the homey hotel was the perfect mix of cozy and elegance. Guests also have access to a private spa, which you can reserve and enjoy in peace. The staff are incredibly accommodating and were so helpful in our search for the Northern Lights.
TRANSPORTATION
Uber and Lyft do not exist in Iceland. Use Hopp Taxis for similar app-based taxi service; taxis are available for hire, but they are expensive (e.g., $105 for 15 minute drive from KEF).
Rental cars are recommended; an airport shuttle bus is available to reach rental car offices. Renting a vehicle for the duration of your stay will also allow for more convenient exploration, especially if you’re chasing the Northern Lights or looking to avoid crowds.
LOOKING FOR MORE RECOMMENDATIONS?
Check out Victoria’s Iceland Map (Google), which pinpoints where to eat, shop and stay in Iceland by region.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration or planning your vacation, we hope you enjoy the adventure. Happy traveling!
Until our next chapter!
xo, James & Victoria
P.S. Craving more travel inspiration? Tap the links below.
