I bet you've seen a lot of itineraries for Iceland most of which are hidden away behind a pay wall. Well, that's no good! That's why I created a few of my own, both based on firsthand experience where I simply describe my days and others that I put together personally (with help from the Snæland Travel team). Here are all the free stopover itineraries I've created, ranging from a few hours to a full 6 day stopover.
One Day Stopover in Iceland
Okay so you have a very short stopover in Iceland (at this point we might just be talking about a layover) of only a few hours. What can you do? I got inspired when I looked at stories from people writing about Iceland and how they had packed so much activity into only a few hours! Simply because they just couldn't give up the chance to see part of this magical little island that connects two continents. Anyways, all these itineraries are based off real life examples of what people have done with just a few hours in Iceland. If you want the full details of each day have a look at this One Day Stopover in Iceland.
Short Stopovers (5-6 Hours) - Blue Lagoon Escape
07:00 – Land at KEF, pass through customs (skip duty-free for now).
07:45 – Private transfer to Blue Lagoon (20 min drive).
08:15 - 10:15 – Soak in the milky blue waters, try the silica mud mask, and relax in the sauna.
10:15 – Head back to KEF for your next flight.
Book a Private Blue Lagoon Transfer!
Mid-Length (7-8 Hours) - Option 1: Reykjavík & FlyOver Iceland
07:45 – Land at KEF, grab duty-free snacks.
08:30 – Private transfer to Reykjavík (45 min).
09:15 - 10:00 – Coffee + breakfast at Brauð & Co or Kaffibrennslan.
10:00 - 14:00 – Reykjavík City Tour & FlyOver Iceland experience.
14:00 – Private transfer back to KEF.
Book FlyOver Iceland & a Private City Tour!
Mid-Length (9 Hours) - Option 2: Blue Lagoon + Whale Watching
08:45 – Arrive at KEF, meet your driver.
09:30 - 11:45 – Blue Lagoon: soak, sip a drink, and unwind.
12:30 – Arrive in Reykjavík’s Old Harbor.
13:00 - 15:00 – Whale Watching Tour – spot whales, puffins & dolphins!
15:00 – Private transfer back to KEF.
Book a Whale Watching Tour!
Longer Stopovers (10 Hours) - Spa Day
07:00 – Land at KEF, meet your driver.
08:00 - 10:00 – Blue Lagoon – geothermal soak + steam rooms.
10:40 - 11:40 – Walk around Reykjavík (Hallgrímskirkja & Rainbow Street).
12:00 - 14:30 – Sky Lagoon: Try the 7-Step Ritual (ocean-view sauna + cold plunge).
14:30 – Private transfer back to KEF.
Book Sky Lagoon Entry in Advance!
Longer (12+ Hours) - Golden Circle Adventure
07:00 – Arrive at KEF, meet your driver.
08:30 - 09:00 – Depart Reykjavík on a Golden Circle Tour.
09:00 - 17:00 – Explore:
- Þingvellir – Walk between tectonic plates.
- Geysir – See Strokkur erupt every few minutes!
- Gullfoss – Iceland’s most stunning waterfall.
17:45 – Arrive at KEF in time for departure.
Late-Night Stopover - Northern Lights Hunt
19:00 – Land at KEF, meet your driver.
20:30 – Arrive in Reykjavík, grab a quick bite.
21:00 - 01:00 – Northern Lights Hunt (far from city lights for the best views).
01:00 – Return to KEF for an early morning flight.
Book a Northern Lights Tour (Winter Only)!
24 Hour Stopover in Iceland
If you don't have more time than 24 hours for your stopover, that's fine and it's much more time than you realize as long as you plan ahead. Here are four different 24 hour itineraries for a stopover in Iceland. If you want the full details for each example have a look at this 24 Hour Stopover Itinerary for Iceland.
1. The Classic: Golden Circle & Sky Lagoon
06:00 – Land at KEF, grab coffee and snacks at Bakað Café.
07:30 – Shuttle to Reykjavík, drop bags at the hotel.
09:00 - 17:00 – Golden Circle Tour:
- Þingvellir National Park – Tectonic plates + Iceland’s first parliament.
- Geysir Geothermal Area – Bubbling hot springs, Strokkur’s eruptions.
- Gullfoss Waterfall – One of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls.
18:00 – Sky Lagoon: Relax in warm waters with ocean views.
21:00 – Dinner in Reykjavík + an evening stroll.
06:00 – Shuttle back to KEF for your flight.
2. South Coast Adventure
For dramatic coastlines, black sand beaches, and powerful waterfalls.
06:00 – Land at KEF, grab duty-free snacks.
07:30 – Shuttle to Reykjavík, quick breakfast at a local café.
09:00 - 19:00 – South Shore Tour:
- Seljalandsfoss – A waterfall you can walk behind!
- Skógafoss – Majestic falls, often with rainbows.
- Reynisfjara Beach – Famous for black sand & basalt columns.
- Vík Village – Quaint stop with Icelandic knitwear shopping.
20:00 – Dinner at Messinn or Grillmarkaðurinn.
06:00 – Airport shuttle back to KEF.
3. The Relaxing Route: Blue Lagoon & Reykjanes
Ideal for those who want a mix of nature and relaxation.
06:00 – Arrive at KEF, grab some Icelandic licorice at duty-free.
06:45 – Shuttle straight to Blue Lagoon.
07:00 - 09:00 – Soak in geothermal waters, try the silica mud mask.
09:40 – Head to Reykjavík, freshen up at hotel.
12:00 - 18:00 – Reykjanes Peninsula Tour:
- Krýsuvík Geothermal Area – Bubbling hot springs & colorful earth.
- Gunnuhver Hot Springs – Largest mud pool in Iceland.
- Bridge Between Continents – Walk between tectonic plates!
21:00 – Northern Lights Tour (Winter Only).
06:00 – Shuttle to KEF for your flight.
4. Snæfellsnes Peninsula (For the Adventurers)
Want a little bit of everything? This peninsula is called "Iceland in Miniature."
06:00 – Arrive at KEF, grab duty-free snacks.
07:00 – Private transfer straight to Snæfellsnes (skip Reykjavík for now).
09:30 - 19:00 – Snæfellsnes Tour:
- Kirkjufell & Kirkjufellsfoss – The famous "arrowhead mountain."
- Arnarstapi & Hellnar – Coastal cliffs & lava formations.
- Snæfellsjökull Glacier – An iconic volcano-glacier.
- Búðir Church – A striking black church in the lava fields.
20:00 – Dinner in Reykjavík.
06:00 – Airport shuttle back to KEF.
2 Day Stopover in Iceland
Got 48 hours in Iceland? You can visit the Blue Lagoon, explore Reykjavík, and chase waterfalls on the Golden Circle—all without feeling too rushed. Here’s one example of how to make the most of your 2 day stopover. For the full details for both days see this 2 Day Stopover Itinerary for Iceland.
Day 1: Blue Lagoon & Reykjavík Highlights
07:00 – Arrive at Keflavík Airport (KEF). Pass through customs (about 45 min) and meet your pre-booked airport shuttle
08:00 – 10:00 – Blue Lagoon. Soak in the iconic milky blue waters for 2 hours while your driver waits.
Book your Blue Lagoon Shuttle & Entry in Advance!
10:45 – 11:00 – Transfer to Reykjavík. 40-minute drive to your hotel, drop off bags & head out to explore!
11:00 – 15:15 – Reykjavík Highlights
- Hallgrímskirkja (11:00 - 12:00) – Climb the tower for panoramic city views.
- Harpa Concert Hall (12:15 - 13:00) – Stunning glass architecture & cultural hub.
- Old Harbour & Lunch (13:15 - 15:15) – Stroll the charming harbor & seafood feast at Sægreifinn or Slippbarinn.
15:30 – 18:00 – Visit Perlan Museum. Walk through a real indoor ice cave & visit the Aurora Planetarium.
19:30 – 21:30 – Dinner & Evening Stroll
Day 2: Golden Circle Adventure
07:00 – 08:15 – Enjoy a hearty Icelandic breakfast at your hotel.
08:30 – Be at the hotel lobby or at the nearest bus stop for tour pickup.
09:00 – 17:00 – Golden Circle Tour
- Drive through epic landscapes of lava fields & rolling hills.
- Þingvellir National Park – Walk between the Eurasian & North American tectonic plates.
- Geysir Geothermal Area – Watch Strokkur erupt every 5-10 minutes!
- Gullfoss Waterfall – Stand next to Iceland’s most powerful waterfall (wear a rain jacket!).
17:00 – 22:30 – Final Evening in Reykjavík with dinner and a bar crawl.
3 Day Stopover Iceland
A three-day stopover in Iceland gives you just enough time to visit all the best places in and around Reykjavík, including Iceland’s wild landscapes. Here’s an example of how to maximize every moment. For the full details for all three days see this 3 Day Stopover Itinerary for Iceland.
Day 1: Blue Lagoon & Reykjavík Exploration
07:30 – Enjoy breakfast at Brauð og Co., a local bakery known for its famous cinnamon buns and coffee.
08:30 – Head to Bus Stop 8 near Hallgrímskirkja for pickup.
09:00 – 13:00 – Blue Lagoon
- Relax in the warm, mineral-rich waters.
- Try the silica mud mask and enjoy the steam rooms and saunas.
- Grab a light lunch at Blue Café.
13:30 – Quick lunch at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, Reykjavík’s famous hot dog stand.
14:00 – 18:30 – Explore Reykjavík
- Hallgrímskirkja – Take the elevator to the top for panoramic city views.
- Laugavegur Street – Browse Reykjavík’s main shopping street for unique souvenirs.
- Sólfar & Harpa Concert Hall – Walk along the waterfront for photo-worthy spots.
19:00 – Dinner at Grillmarkaðurinn, known for its Icelandic lamb dishes.
20:30 – Evening stroll through the Old Harbour.
Book a 3 Day Ready-Made Stopover Tour + Accommodation
Day 2: Golden Circle Adventure
07:30 – Enjoy a hearty Icelandic breakfast at your hotel.
08:30 – Be at the hotel lobby or at the nearest bus stop for tour pickup.
09:00 – 17:30 – Golden Circle Tour
- Drive through epic landscapes of lava fields & rolling hills.
- Þingvellir National Park – Walk between the Eurasian & North American tectonic plates.
- Geysir Geothermal Area – Watch Strokkur erupt every 5-10 minutes.
- Gullfoss Waterfall – Stand next to one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls.
17:30 – Return to Reykjavík and refresh at your hotel.
19:00 – Dinner at Messinn, known for fresh Icelandic seafood.
20:30 – Stroll through the quiet streets of Reykjavík.
Day 3: South Coast Adventure
07:30 – Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and prepare for a full day on the road.
08:30 – Be at the designated pickup spot for the South Shore Tour.
09:30 – 19:00 – South Shore Tour
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – Walk behind the waterfall for a unique perspective.
- Skógafoss Waterfall – Feel the power of one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls.
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – Visit the basalt columns and towering sea stacks.
- Vík Village – Explore this charming coastal town.
19:00 – Return to Reykjavík.
19:30 – Dinner at Sjávargrillið, a top seafood restaurant.
21:00 – Enjoy a peaceful evening walk around Tjörnin pond and Hljómskálagarður park.
4 Day Stopover in Iceland
If you're lucky enough to have a 4-day stopover in Iceland you definitely have the time to visit all the major attractions and even visit museums and explore favorite local places in the city. There's so much you can do that I had a hard time putting it together. Here's just one quick view of a dream scenario for you to take inspiration from. For the full details for all four days see this 4 Day Stopover Itinerary for Iceland.
Day 1: Arrival & Reykjavík Exploration
12:00 – 13:00 – Land at Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and transfer to Reykjavík in your private airport shuttle.
13:00 – 14:00 – Lunch at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, Iceland’s most famous hot dog stand.
14:30 – 17:00 – Perlan – Wonders of Iceland
- Walk through an indoor ice cave made from real snow.
- Watch the Northern Lights show in the Áróra Planetarium.
- Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Reykjavík from the observation deck.
19:30 – 21:30 – Dinner at Hlemmur Food Hall. Choose from Icelandic, Mexican, Vietnamese, and Neapolitan cuisine.
Book a 4 Day Stopover Tour + Accommodation
Day 2: Blue Lagoon & Relaxation
09:00 – 11:00 – Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely Icelandic breakfast. Grab coffee at Reykjavík Roasters or Te & Kaffi.
12:30 – 17:00 – Blue Lagoon Experience
- Relax in the geothermal waters with a silica mud mask.
- Try the steam rooms and saunas built into lava rock.
- Enjoy a complimentary drink at the swim-up bar.
- Option to upgrade with in-water float therapy or a massage.
17:30 – 19:30 – Pre-dinner drinks at Apótek Bar or Micro Craft Bar has a great selection.
19:30 – 21:30 – Dinner at Matarkjallarinn (Food Cellar) with live piano music during dinner.
21:30 – Late – After-dinner drinks & live music at Kaffibarinn or Radar.
Day 3: Golden Circle Adventure & Shopping
08:30 – 17:30 – Golden Circle Tour
- Þingvellir National Park – Walk between the Eurasian & North American tectonic plates.
- Geysir Geothermal Area – Watch Strokkur erupt every 5-10 minutes.
- Gullfoss Waterfall – Stand next to one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls.
17:30 – 19:30 – Exploring Downtown Reykjavík
- Browse Icelandic wool sweaters at Icewear.
- Find high-quality outerwear at 66° North.
- Visit The Gallery for local artwork.
19:30 – 21:30 – Dinner at Sjávargrillið or Grillmarkaðurinn
Day 4: Departure
07:00 – 08:00 – Breakfast at Brauð & Co. Enjoy a fresh cinnamon bun and coffee before heading to the airport.
08:30 – Private transfer to KEF airport.
Note: If your flight is a bit later in the day I recommend considering an option like touring Reykjanes with a drop-off at the airport included. You can see an example in the 5 day itinerary below.
5 Day Stopover Iceland
Five days in Iceland gives you the perfect mix of Reykjavík culture, geothermal relaxation, and time spent in nature. This itinerary includes the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, South Coast, and plenty of time for the little things too. For the full details for all five days see this 5 Day Stopover Itinerary for Iceland.
Day 1: Arrival & Reykjavík Exploration
12:00 – 13:00 – Arrive at KEF and take a private airport shuttle to Reykjavík (45-minute drive).
13:00 – 14:00 – Lunch at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur where you'll order 'ein með öllu' (one with everything).
14:30 – 17:00 – Visit Perlan
- Walk through a real indoor ice cave.
- Watch the Northern Lights show in the Áróra Planetarium.
- Learn about volcanoes, earthquakes, and glaciers.
- Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Reykjavík from the observation deck.
19:30 – 21:30 – Dinner at Hlemmur Food Hall
Day 2: Blue Lagoon & Relaxation
09:00 – 11:00 - Enjoy a slow morning in downtown Reykjavík with a visit to one of the local cafés.
12:30 – 17:00 – Blue Lagoon Experience
- Relax in the geothermal waters with a silica mud mask.
- Try the steam rooms and saunas built into lava rock.
- Enjoy a complimentary drink at the swim-up bar.
- Option to upgrade with in-water float therapy or a massage.
17:30 – 19:30 – Pre-dinner drinks at Apótek Bar or Kaldi Craft Bar has a great selection.
19:30 – 21:30 – Dinner at Matarkjallarinn (Food Cellar) with live music.
21:30 – Late – After-dinner drinks & live music.
Book Your 5 Day Stopover Tour with Accommodation Included
Day 3: Golden Circle Adventure & Shopping
08:30 – 17:30 – Golden Circle Tour
- Þingvellir National Park – Walk between the Eurasian & North American tectonic plates.
- Geysir Geothermal Area – Watch Strokkur erupt every 5-10 minutes.
- Gullfoss Waterfall – Stand next to one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls.
17:30 – 19:30 – Explore downtown Reykjavík.
19:30 – 21:30 – Dinner at Sjávargrillið for seafood or Grillmarkaðurinn for meat.
Day 4: South Coast Adventure
07:30 – 08:30 – Breakfast & prepare for the full-day tour.
08:30 – 19:00 – South Shore Tour
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – Walk behind this stunning 60-meter cascade.
- Skógafoss Waterfall – Climb 370 steps for a panoramic view.
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – Explore basalt columns & sea stacks.
- Vík Village – Visit the red-roofed church overlooking the coast.
19:00 – Return to Reykjavík.
19:30 – Dinner at Kol for views of the Old Harbor or La Primavera for ocean views from inside Harpa Concert Hall.
Day 5: Departure
07:00 – 08:00 – Breakfast at Brauð & Co. or Kaffibrennslan before heading to the airport.
08:30 – Private transfer to KEF airport.
6 Day Stopover Iceland
If you've been dreaming about visiting Iceland and jumped on the opportunity to take a 6-day stopover you must take a look at this itinerary to get an idea of just what's possible. With 6 days there's so much you can do and see while visiting. Here's a quick view of just one example and if you want the full details for all six days see this 6 Day Stopover Itinerary for Iceland.
Day 1: Arrival & Reykjavík Exploration
12:00 – 13:00 – Arrival at Keflavík International Airport (KEF) & private transfer to Reykjavík
13:30 – 14:30 – Lunch in Downtown Reykjavík at one of these places:
- Íslenski Barinn for Iceland’s famous lamb soup.
- Messinn for pan-fried Arctic char.
- Kaffivagninn for traditional comfort food by the harbor.
15:00 – 17:00 – Visit The National Museum of Iceland and explore Viking artifacts and Iceland’s cultural history.
19:30 – 21:30 – Dinner at Fiskmarkaðurinn (Fish Market)
Book Your 6 Day Stopover Tour + Accommodation
Day 2: Blue Lagoon & Relaxation
08:00 – 11:00 – Stroll Laugavegur shopping street and visit Hallgrímskirkja church.
12:30 – 17:00 – Take a tour to the Blue Lagoon where you enjoy two hours in the healing waters surrounded by black lava.
17:30 – 21:30 – Pre-dinner cocktails at Apótek Bar, Dinner at Matarkjallarinn (Food Cellar), and a nightcap at Den Danske Kro.
Day 3: Golden Circle Adventure
08:30 – 17:30 – Golden Circle Tour.
- Þingvellir National Park – Walk between the Eurasian & North American tectonic plates.
- Geysir Geothermal Area – Watch Strokkur erupt every 5-10 minutes.
- Gullfoss Waterfall – Stand next to one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls.
17:30 – 19:30 – Return to Reykjavík & Relaxation.
19:30 – 21:30 – Dinner at Messinn.
21:30 – Evening stroll along Reykjavík’s harbor or Laugavegur street.
Day 4: South Coast Adventure
07:00 – 08:00 – Early Hotel Breakfast
08:30 – 19:00 – South Shore Tour
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – Walk behind this stunning 60-meter cascade.
- Skógafoss Waterfall – Climb 370 steps for a panoramic view.
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – Explore basalt columns & sea stacks.
- Vík Village – Visit this cute coastal village in the south.
19:30 – Dinner at Sjávargrillið, Grillmarkaðurinn, or Höfnin.
Day 5: Whale Watching & Coastal Exploration
08:00 – 10:30 – Enjoy brunch at Kaffihús Vesturbæjar and stroll along Ægisíða and the Vesturbær district.
12:15 – 16:00 – Set sail from Reykjavík’s harbor into Faxaflói Bay for a whale watching tour.
16:30 – 18:30 – Visit Grótta Lighthouse and warm your feet in Kvika natural footbath.
19:30 – 21:30 – Dinner at Apotek Kitchen + Bar.
Day 6: Departure & Reykjanes Peninsula
07:00 – 08:00 – Grab a warm cinnamon roll or fresh sourdough bread at Brauð & Co.
08:00 – Enjoy a private drive of Reykjanes Peninsula visiting major sights and end at KEF airport for your flight.
Final Notes
All these itineraries are packed with activities, and I want to make it clear that they are only examples of what you can achieve on a stopover in Iceland. Make sure to plan enough time to between activities and always take into account that even with small changes in your flight arrival time, or other delays, your itinerary might need some adjustments. That's also why Snæland Travel designs its multi-day Stopover Tours with arrival and departure days in mind, for more comfort and time for visitors to enjoy themselves instead of rushing through packed itineraries. You can have a look at all Stopover Tours with accommodation here or contact us for a customized multi-day plan.
I hope you get inspired to make the most of your time in Iceland and join us on a Stopover Tour!
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