Five Day Iceland Itinerary in May
My sister and I spent an unforgettable week in Iceland at the end of May 2024, and it completely transformed the way I think about travel. From breathtaking landscapes to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, this trip was a game changer. Here's everything we did on our journey through this incredible country!
Day One: Arrive in Iceland
6:00 - 7:00 AM
Arrival and pick up rental car.
7:00 - 8:00 AM
Drive to Reykjavík and find parking near Airbnb and the docks for whale watching.
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Breakfast at Sandholt Reykjavik, a cozy spot that's open early.
Address: Sandholt Reykjavik - Laugavegur 36, Reykjavik 101, Iceland
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Explore the city:
12:30 PM
Arrive at dock area for whale watching.
Location: Ægisgarður 5b, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Meet your guide at the Sea Trips Reykjavik office.
1:15 - 4:15 PM
Whale Watching Tour
Location: Ægisgarður 5b, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Meet your guide at the Sea Trips Reykjavik office.
4:15 - 4:30 PM
Check into Airbnb.
4:30 - 6:00 PM
Freshen up at Airbnb.
6:00 PM - Night
Sun Voyager
Day Two: The Blue Lagoon and Volcano Exploration
📍 Google Maps Driving Route:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SehHgqRnzVn6Mryn6
8:00 - 8:45 AM
Breakfast in the city – be sure to pack snacks!
8:45 - 9:30 AM
Drive from Reykjavík to Blue Lagoon
9:30 - 10:00 AM
Check into Blue Lagoon
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1. Blue Lagoon Experience
Location: Blue Lagoon, Norðurljósavegur 9, 240 Grindavík, Iceland
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Lunch at the Blue Lagoon Cafe
Blue Lagoon Cafe
2:00 - 6:00 PM
2. Seltún Geothermal Area
This 1.2-mile loop trail near Vogar, Southern Peninsula, is a moderately challenging route. It takes an average of 44 minutes to complete.
Location: Seltún Geothermal Area, 241, Iceland
Trail Info
3. Krísuvíkurberg Cliffs
This 3-mile out-and-back trail is a moderately challenging hike, taking an average of 1.25 hours to complete. The trail leads to an unnamed waterfall and cliffs.
Location: Krísuvíkurberg Cliffs, 241, Iceland
Trail Info
4. Fagradalsfjall Volcano - Natthagi Viewpoint
This viewpoint is at the end of the lava flow created during the 2021 eruption, allowing you to get close to the solid black lava.
Location: Volcano Skali Parking area 2, VP5C+FG, 241 Grindavik, Iceland
Great Article on Hiking the Volcano
6:00 - 6:30 PM
5. Bonus Food Store – Stop to grab provisions for Friday and Saturday (breakfast, snacks, drinks, lunch).
Location: Tjarnarvellir 5, 221 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
6:30 - 7:00 PM
Drive back to Reykjavík
Evening
Dinner in Reykjavík and explore the city.
Day Three: Reykjadalur Valley, Thingvellir National Park, Check into ION, Dinner at Silfra
📍 Google Map Driving Route:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bnYV7wtd69nftiBC9
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Get ready, check out of Airbnb, and have breakfast – pack snacks!
9:00 - 10:00 AM
Drive from Reykjavík to Reykjadalur Valley
Location: Reykjadalur, 810, Iceland
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
1. Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River Trail
This is a 4.9-mile out-and-back, moderate to challenging hike. It takes about 2.5 hours total and is one of the most famous places in Iceland.
Location: Reykjadalur, 810, Iceland
Trail Info
12:30 - 1:00 PM
Lunch at Ölverk Pizza & Brewery
Location: Ölverk Pizza & Brewery, Breiðamörk 2, 810 Hveragerði, Iceland
1:00 - 2:00 PM
2. Kerid Crater
This is a 0.9-mile loop around the crater that takes approximately 25 minutes to complete.
Location: 24R7+GW9, 805 Klausturholar, Iceland
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Drive to Thingvellir National Park
Location: Thingvellir National Park Service Centre, 7WH6+WQJ, Tourist Information Center, Þingvallavegur, Thingvellir, Iceland
3:00 - 6:00 PM
3. Explore Thingvellir National Park
Öxarárfoss Waterfall Hike from Thingvellir Visitor Center
This is a 3-mile loop that takes about 1.75 hours to complete. You’ll walk through the drowning pool, the fissure zone, and the falls.
Location: Thingvellir National Park Service Centre, 7WH6+WQJ, Tourist Information Center, Þingvallavegur, Thingvellir, Iceland
Itinerary & Map
6:00 - 6:30 PM
Drive to ION Adventure Hotel
Location: ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, 805, Iceland
6:30 - 8:30 PM
4. Check into the hotel, clean up, and hit the geothermal pool!
8:30 - 10:00 PM
Dinner at the hotel’s Silfra Restaurant
Reservations at 8:30 PM
Day Four: Golfoss, Haukadalur Valley, Secret Lagoon, Snorkeling, Dinner in Selfoss and Arrive in Vik
📍 Google Map Driving Route:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GFPW7sv7ncpbsmXX8
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Drive to Gullfoss Waterfall – breakfast on the road! Pack lunch.
Location: Gullfoss Falls, 846, Iceland
9:00 - 10:00 AM
1. Walk around Gullfoss Falls
This is a 1.1-mile out-and-back trail that takes about 30 minutes to complete. You’ll be by the waterfall the whole time. It’s one of the most famous places in Iceland.
Location: Gullfoss Falls, 846, Iceland
10:00 - 10:15 AM
Drive to Haukadalur Valley
Location: Haukadalur, 806, Iceland
10:15 - 11:15 AM
2. Geysir – Strokkur – Blesi
This is a 1.4-mile out-and-back hike that takes about 45 minutes to complete. You’ll see active geysers and walk through a geothermal area.
Location: Haukadalur, 806, Iceland
11:15 - 11:45 AM
Drive to Secret Lagoon – eat lunch on the way.
Location: Secret Lagoon, Hvammsvegur, 845 Flúðir, Iceland
12:00 - 1:00 PM
3. Secret Lagoon – Reservations at 12:00 PM
Location: Secret Lagoon, Hvammsvegur, 845 Flúðir, Iceland
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Drive back to the snorkeling meetup point – eat a snack before snorkeling.
Location: Thingvellir Parking P5
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Find the snorkeling meeting point, change, and prep for snorkeling. Arrive early.
Location: Thingvellir Parking P5
3:00 - 5:00 PM
4. Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates
Tour Info
5:00 - 5:30 PM
Drive to Selfoss
Location: Selfoss, Iceland
5:30 - 7:00 PM
5. Dinner and explore Selfoss – stock up on food and supplies
Dinner option: Menam – Thai Food
Location: Mjólkurbúið – The Old Dairy Selfoss, Eyravegi 1, 800 Selfoss, Iceland
7:00 - 9:30 PM
Drive to Hotel Katla in Vik
Location: Höfðabrekku, 871 Vík
9:30 PM
6. Arrive in Vik, check into hotel, sleep
Day Five: Glaciers, Ice Cave, Lava Show, Black Sand Beaches, Plane Wreck, and Waterfalls
📍Google Map Route:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gfBUi6tC5G48YLjP6
Itinerary for the Day:
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Breakfast at the hotel, pack snacks!
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
1. Glacier Tour
Location: Víkurbraut 5, 870 Vík, Iceland
12:30 - 1:00 PM
Snack or Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 PM
2. Lava Show
Location: Víkurbraut 5, 870 Vík, Iceland
2:00 PM - Rest of the Day
3. Víkurfjara Black Sand Beach
Location: Víkurfjara Black Sand Beach, CX7Q+PR4, Vik, Iceland
4. Viking Park Iceland - Gígjagjá / Yoda Cave
Trail Info
Location: Hjörleifshöfði, 871, Iceland
5. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
This is a 0.8-mile out-and-back trail that takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Trail Info
Location: Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, CW4P+4J7, 871 Vik, Iceland
6. Solheimasandur Plane Wreck
This is an approximately 2-hour, 4.6-mile hike.
Location: Solheimasandur Plane Wreck, Path to Wrecked DC-3 Plane on Sólheimasandur, 871, Iceland
7. Gljúfrabúi and Seljalandsfoss Double Waterfall Hike
These are two of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. The 1.2-mile out-and-back trail takes approximately 46 minutes to complete.
Location: Gljúfrabúi, Þórsmerkurvegur, 861, Iceland
End of Day:
Drive back to Vik
Location: Hotel Katla by Keahotels, C3GV+GQ7, Höfðabrekku, Hofdabrekku, 871 Vik, Iceland
Dinner in Vik
