In all honesty, after visiting or living in dozens of different countries around the world, there is one destination that has not been surpassed (and may never be). To me, Iceland is one of those near-impossible places where every turn feels like a movie scene and every day delivers a new dose of wonder and awe. With five days, you can absolutely pack in some of the country’s most remarkable attractions. Here are my top five experiences you must add to your Iceland five day itinerary.
Iceland Five Day Itinerary: The Day-by-Day Breakdown
1.) Drive the Golden Circle (With Stops at the Icons)
If you have ever aspired to offend Mother Nature herself, then forgoing a drive around Southern Iceland’s Golden Circle would be a high contender. There is no trip to Iceland without including the Golden Circle, as it contains some of the island’s most stunning geological attractions. You can quite literally stroll between continents at Þingvellir, watch mighty Geysir’s younger cousin Strokkur blast boiling water into the sky, and feel the spray from the country’s most accessible and prime-time waterfall, Gullfoss. The route, which is easy to drive on your own or take a full-day tour from Reykjavik, is truly packed with scenery that begs to be photographed, and provides the perfect blend of folklore, ancient lava fields, and “out of this world” energy.
2.) Take a Helicopter Flight With a Glacier Landing (Weather Permitting!)
If driving Iceland feels like embarking on your own saga that even the great Icelandic explorer, Leif Erikson, would be envious of, there is nothing that can compare to flying over it. Taking flight in a helicopter over Iceland feels like being lifted into a dream you never realized you had been longing for. The crater lakes, endless lava fields (often dotted with Icelandic moss), a random waterfall cascading into a seemingly endless crevice, all of this pristine beauty will hit you in the chest so powerfully that you may feel your breath catch and your eyes blur momentarily as they well up with the happiest of tears. And then comes the highlight – a landing right on a glacier. Stepping out onto such an icy expanse feels like touching down on another world that humanity was never meant to indulge in. Yes, it is cold, but your heart will be so full of joy that the temperature will be nothing more than an afterthought. It certainly was for me!
Unfortunately, you cannot plan for a helicopter flight on any particular day or for a specific touchdown sight because the Icelandic weather can be very unpredictable and change quickly. You should contact a helicopter tour company beforehand, inform them of your preferred flight path and touchdown location, and be flexible. This could be the highlight of your trip, and, if it is in your budget (as it can be pricey), you will be distraught if you only allow for a helicopter ride on one particular day when the weather decides to have a laugh, culminating in the worst flight cancellation of your life.
3.) Hunt the Northern Lights
There is nothing quite like standing under the Arctic sky – wearing more clothing layers than you thought possible – waiting for the solar system’s most magical light show. Hunting the Northern Lights can be equal parts adventure, cosmic treasure hunt, and bare-bones luck. You must follow the forecast closely, chase the clearest of skies, and hope the aurora gods are feeling generous. When those neon-green ribbons finally streak across the sky, sometimes swaying peacefully or dancing vigorously, it will leave you in absolute jaw-dropping, wide-eyed wonder. Just be sure to charge your camera (and an extra battery or portable charger that you must keep nice and toasty in a zipped pocket) because otherwise you will find out the hard way that batteries hate the cold. Furthermore, keep every single evening of your Icelandic adventure open for aurora chasing because one night the skies could be clear and another completely clouded over.
4.) Explore the Katla Ice Cave
Although it is not the most mesmerizing ice cave in Iceland, it is one of the few that are accessible year-round, and full-day, round-trip tours are available from Reykjavik or Vik. (By the way, such ice caves are only accessible with a licensed glacier guide, as they are too dangerous to explore alone.) Visiting the Katla ice cave is like stepping inside a frozen cathedral sculpted by nature. Your eyes will feast on shades of iridescent blues and whites streaked with patterns of black ash. Even though you will find yourself strapping on crampons and wearing helmets, this ice cave tour is suitable for children and adults alike. So, if you are searching for the ultimate “Instagramable” family photo, the Katla ice cave as a backdrop will be difficult to beat.
5.) Sink Into Relaxation at the Blue Lagoon
After days of non-stop adventuring, you will be in need of perhaps the best “Spa Day” of your life. The Blue Lagoon is a steaming, silica-filled sanctuary of pure bliss powered by none other than volcanoes. Sure, it’s famous, but time slots are tightly controlled, so you will never feel cramped, and you can remain as long as you wish. Float through milky-blue geothermal waters, lather on Mother Nature’s best mineral-rich face mask, and let Iceland’s chilly air kiss your shoulders while the lagoon keeps the rest of you perfectly warm. Such an experience is indulgent, iconic, and the very definition of “ahhhh.”
There are few places on Earth where one can experience nature in its absolute rawest form – Iceland happens to be the most marvelous of them all! This island of quite literal fire and ice is wild, whimsical, and wonderfully weird, all in the best possible ways. With these five adventures packed into your five-day trip, I promise you will leave with memories that feel like scenes plucked straight from the world’s coolest fantasy novel.
Like this article and want to see related content? Click here to see even more beautiful photos from our Icelandic adventure.