3-Day Iceland Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-day Iceland itineraries

Compiled by

NadineIceland travel expert at TourRadar

• 3 Days in Iceland, incl. Golden Circle and South Coast

  Iceland's magic unfolds across 11 destinations in 3 days. Day 1: Northern Lights hunting. Day 2: Golden Circle including Thingvellir National Park and Strokkur geyser. Day 3: South Coast exploration with Solheimajokull glacier and Reynisfjara black beach. All with expert English-speaking guides.

  

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  • Day 1

    Northern Lights Hunt from Reykjavik

    Take a 4-hour evening Northern Lights tour to start your Iceland journey. "Our guide Karlo did everything he could to hunt the lights for us," shared one traveler. You can reschedule for another evening during your stay if viewing conditions aren't good. Pack your warmest clothes and bring a camera with tripod to capture the lights. Your guide will serve hot chocolate and find dark spots away from the city for the best views.

    
  • Day 2

    Golden Circle Tour

    Your day starts with a Reykjavik pickup for the Golden Circle route. Visit Kerið Crater before 10 AM to avoid crowds. Stop at Friðheimar farm to see Iceland's geothermal greenhouse farming. The tomato soup here is excellent but not included in the tour. At Gullfoss waterfall, a recent visitor warns: "Expect VERY windy conditions and bring waterproof gear as the spray reaches far." In the afternoon, see Strokkur geyser which erupts every 5-10 minutes at the geothermal area. Your final stop is Þingvellir National Park where you can walk between the continental plates. A helpful tip from a visitor: "By 4:30 PM in December it was pitch black at Þingvellir, so time your visit according to seasonal daylight hours."

    
  • Day 3

    South Coast Highlights

    Your guide will plan the best route based on available daylight. "Start this day an hour earlier than the standard 9:30 AM pickup to maximize daylight," suggests one reviewer. Visit Skógafoss waterfall and climb its 527 steps for stunning views. Next is Reynisfjara black sand beach with its Reynisdrangar sea stacks. Listen to your guide about wave safety here. Stop in Vík village for lunch and shopping before visiting Sólheimajökull glacier. Note that the walk from parking to the glacier now takes 20 minutes due to ice melt. Your last stop is Seljalandsfoss waterfall. You can walk behind it but you'll need a raincoat. You'll return to Reykjavik in late afternoon.

    

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• 3 Day Iceland Itinerary, incl. Reykjavik and Jökulsárlón

  Natural wonders unfold across 12 key locations including Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Features 3.5-hour glacier hike at Vatnajökull, ice cave exploration, and stays at Hotel Dyrhólaey and Hotel Skaftafell.

  

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  • Day 1

    Golden Circle & South Coast

    Your day starts with a 9 AM hotel pickup in Reykjavík. The first stop is Thingvellir National Park where you can walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Take about 40 minutes to explore the historic parliament site. Next you'll visit the Geysir geothermal area to watch Strokkur geyser erupt every 8-10 minutes. Stop for lunch at Gullfoss waterfall before heading to the South Coast. In the afternoon you'll see three spectacular sites: walk behind the 60-meter Seljalandsfoss waterfall (bring a rain jacket), visit the powerful Skógafoss and finish at Reynisfjara black sand beach. "At the black beach, you can feel how powerful the open ocean can be as the waves slam into the basalt column caves." You'll spend the night near Vík with a chance to see the Northern Lights if conditions are good.

    
  • Day 2

    Glacier Lagoon & Ice Cave

    Drive east to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon after breakfast. You'll get to photograph the floating icebergs and visit Diamond Beach where ice chunks wash up on black sand. A local guide suggests: "Book afternoon slots at Jökulsárlón to avoid the morning crowds and get the best light for photos." The main event is exploring a natural ice cave. Which one you visit depends on the conditions. A recent review notes: "Ice caves are ever-changing - the Crystal Cave access can be limited in warmer months, so Katla Ice Cave may be substituted." You'll spend the night in the Höfn area.

    
  • Day 3

    Glacier Hike & Return

    Start with a 3.5-hour glacier hike at Virkisjökull glacier in Vatnajökull National Park. One traveler shares: "The glacier hike is the most challenging part - you should be able to walk steadily for at least an hour. Proper hiking boots with grip are essential as the ice gets slippery." If weather allows you'll stop at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon on the way back to Reykjavík. You'll arrive between 4-7 PM depending on conditions. Good to know: "The itinerary can shift based on weather - the glacier hike and ice cave visit may be combined if access timing requires it."

    

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• 3 Days in Iceland, incl. Reykjavik and Snæfellsnes Peninsula

  Iceland's beauty comes alive in 3 days visiting 2 key destinations: Reykjavik and Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Soak in Sky Lagoon's thermal waters, walk through 8,000-year-old lava tubes, and photograph Mount Kirkjufell. Includes 2 breakfasts and expert CEO guidance throughout.

  

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  • Day 1

    Reykjavik & Sky Lagoon:

    Start your morning snorkeling at Thingvellir Silfra, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Book this early to secure your spot. After lunch, walk around downtown Reykjavik. The city center is small and easy to explore on foot. Finish your day at Sky Lagoon, a great alternative to the busy Blue Lagoon. "Wonderful trip with great sites! Well paced tour and interesting activities," according to a recent visitor. Remember to bring water-resistant sandals for the changing rooms.

    
  • Day 2

    Snæfellsnes Peninsula:

    Get ready for a full 11-hour adventure through "Iceland in miniature." You'll see everything from black sand beaches to lava fields covered in moss. Make sure to stop at Mount Kirkjufell, which you might recognize from Game of Thrones. The small fishing villages along the way are worth exploring too. Bring plenty of warm, waterproof clothes. The weather changes quickly here. One visitor said: "We learned a lot and saw such beautiful landscapes. It was a memorable trip."

    
  • Day 3

    Final Morning in Reykjavik:

    Take your last morning to see anything you missed in Reykjavik. Most places open around 9 AM, so have breakfast at your hotel first. Try to visit Hallgrímskirkja church right when it opens at 9 AM to avoid crowds. Planning to fly out? Give yourself at least 45 minutes to drive to Keflavík International Airport, plus 2 hours before your flight.

    

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