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Iceland · Trip plan

5 days in Reykjavik & the Golden Circle

Geysers, waterfalls, ice caves and the aurora.

Best time
Sep – Mar
Ideal length
5 days
A day, mid-range
$330 per person
Trip for two
about $3,300

Planning a 5-day trip to Reykjavik & the Golden Circle? Here's a day-by-day Reykjavik & the Golden Circle itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.

Why go now

Long winter nights mean the best northern lights, and November to March is the only season for blue ice-cave tours.

Iceland is a land of fire and ice: volcanoes, glaciers, geysers and waterfalls within easy reach of its small, colourful capital.

  1. Jan: a good time to go
  2. Feb: a good time to go
  3. Mar: a good time to go
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep: a good time to go
  10. Oct: a good time to go
  11. Nov: a good time to go
  12. Dec: a good time to go

Winter: -3 to 3°C, windy, with 4–5 hours of daylight in December.

Create my Reykjavik trip

Don't miss

Best things to do in Reykjavik & the Golden Circle

  • 01

    Golden Circle

    Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.

  • 02

    South Coast

    Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and black-sand Reynisfjara.

  • 03

    Ice caves

    Inside Vatnajökull glacier.

  • 04

    Blue Lagoon

    Geothermal spa in a lava field.

Day by day

Reykjavik & the Golden Circle itinerary for 5 days

  1. D1

    Day 1: Reykjavik

    Morning
    Climb Hallgrímskirkja's tower for views over the city's coloured roofs, then walk down Skólavörðustígur to the old harbour.
    Afternoon
    Visit Harpa concert hall's glass facade and the Sun Voyager sculpture on the seafront.
    Evening
    Join a northern lights tour after dinner; most operators re-run free if you see nothing.

    Grab a hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu, Iceland's most famous snack stand.

  2. D2

    Day 2: Golden Circle

    Morning
    Drive to Þingvellir National Park to walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
    Afternoon
    Watch Strokkur geyser erupt every few minutes at Geysir, then see Gullfoss waterfall thunder into its canyon.
    Evening
    Soak in the Secret Lagoon, Iceland's oldest natural pool.

    December has only about 4–5 hours of daylight; start early.

  3. D3

    Day 3: South Coast

    Morning
    Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall and stand beneath the 60-metre curtain of Skógafoss.
    Afternoon
    Visit Reynisfjara's black-sand beach and basalt columns, then the Dyrhólaey arch.
    Evening
    Overnight in Vík, watching for the aurora.

    Stay well back from the water at Reynisfjara; sneaker waves are deadly.

  4. D4

    Day 4: Ice cave and glacier lagoon

    Morning
    Join a guided tour into a blue ice cave inside Vatnajökull glacier.
    Afternoon
    See icebergs float in Jökulsárlón lagoon and glitter on Diamond Beach.
    Evening
    Drive back west.

    Ice-cave tours only run from about November to March.

  5. D5

    Day 5: Blue Lagoon and home

    Morning
    Relax in the milky-blue water of the Blue Lagoon on the way to the airport.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at the lagoon.
    Evening
    Fly home from Keflavík.

    Book Blue Lagoon slots in advance.

Want it hour by hour?GoRoam plans every stop with times, maps, costs and bookings for your dates.

Shorter or longer

Reykjavik & the Golden Circle in 4, 5 or 7 days

4 days in Reykjavik & the Golden Circle

Follow days 1 to 4 above and leave out “Blue Lagoon and home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.

7 days in Reykjavik & the Golden Circle

Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering.

What it costs

Reykjavik & the Golden Circle trip budget

StylePer person, a day5 days for two
Budget$170$1,700
Mid-range$330$3,300
Luxury$700+$7,000

Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Reykjavik & the Golden Circle is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.

Where to stay

Best hotels in Reykjavik & the Golden Circle for every budget

  • Budget

    Kex Hostel

    Reykjavik

    A hostel in an old biscuit factory.

    from $140 /night

    Prices
  • Mid-range

    Hotel Rangá

    South Iceland

    Aurora wake-up calls.

    from $350 /night

    Prices
  • Luxury

    The Retreat at Blue Lagoon

    Grindavík

    Suites in the lava.

    from $1,200 /night

    Prices

What to eat

Food to try in Reykjavik & the Golden Circle

  • Lamb soup

    Kjötsúpa, hearty and warming.

  • Skyr

    Thick Icelandic yoghurt.

  • Hot dogs

    Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is famous.

Getting there

How to reach Reykjavik & the Golden Circle

Travel
Keflavík airport is 45 minutes from Reykjavik.
Getting around
Tours or a 4x4; winter driving needs care.
  • Rent a 4x4 in winter, or take tours.
  • Check road.is daily.

Before you go

What to pack for Reykjavik & the Golden Circle

  • Power bank and charging cables
  • Passport and visa printouts
  • Thermals, gloves and a woollen cap
  • Waterproof boots
  • A small first-aid kit
  • A reusable water bottle
  • A forex card or some local cash
  • Travel insurance

Good questions

Reykjavik & the Golden Circle trip FAQs

How many days are enough for Reykjavik & the Golden Circle?

5 days are enough to see the highlights: Golden Circle, South Coast, Ice caves. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.

How much does a 5-day Reykjavik & the Golden Circle trip cost?

Roughly $170 a day per person on a budget, $330 mid-range and $700+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $3,300 for 5 days.

What is the best time to visit Reykjavik & the Golden Circle?

Sep – Mar. Long winter nights mean the best northern lights, and November to March is the only season for blue ice-cave tours.

Where should I stay in Reykjavik & the Golden Circle?

Budget: Kex Hostel (Reykjavik), from about $140 a night. Mid-range: Hotel Rangá (South Iceland), from about $350 a night. Luxury: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon (Grindavík), from about $1,200 a night.

How do I reach Reykjavik & the Golden Circle?

Keflavík airport is 45 minutes from Reykjavik.

Is 4 days enough for Reykjavik & the Golden Circle?

Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 4 of the itinerary above and skip "Blue Lagoon and home". 5 days is the comfortable length.

What is the weather like in Reykjavik & the Golden Circle?

Winter: -3 to 3°C, windy, with 4–5 hours of daylight in December.

What food should I try in Reykjavik & the Golden Circle?

Lamb soup: Kjötsúpa, hearty and warming. Skyr: Thick Icelandic yoghurt. Hot dogs: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is famous.

How do I get around Reykjavik & the Golden Circle?

Tours or a 4x4; winter driving needs care.

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