3-Day Iceland Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-day Iceland tour 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. Golden Circle and South Coast

  Natural wonders await at 10 iconic locations across Iceland, from Thingvellir National Park to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Visit Gullfoss waterfall, step into Vatnajökull National Park's ice caves, and watch Strokkur geyser's regular eruptions.

  

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  • Day 1

    Golden Circle from Reykjavik

    Leave Reykjavik around 8 AM to avoid the tour bus rush at Thingvellir National Park. "The morning light at Thingvellir was perfect for photos of the continental divide" according to a recent visitor. Explore the gap between North American and Eurasian tectonic plates before moving on to the Geysir area. Watch Strokkur geyser erupt every 10 minutes for great photo opportunities. Visit Gullfoss waterfall next. Start at the lower viewing path for better photos and fewer crowds. You will get wet from the spray so pack waterproof clothing. If you have time consider an afternoon snowmobile trip on Langjökull glacier.

    
  • Day 2

    South Coast Waterfalls and Black Sand Beaches

    Start your day at Seljalandsfoss waterfall. You can walk behind the falls but bring a raincoat and shoes with good grip since paths are slippery. Next is Skógafoss where you can climb to the top viewing platform. Take your time on the stairs as they are steeper than they appear. One visitor notes: "The Sólheimajökull plane wreck trek takes about 45 minutes each way across black sand - worth it for photos but plan your timing." End your day at Reynisfjara beach but be very careful. The waves are dangerous so stay far back from the water.

    
  • Day 3

    Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

    The trip to Jökulsárlón is about 4 hours with stops along the way. Book amphibian boat tours ahead of time in summer as they fill up quickly. A past visitor suggests: "Go early to Diamond Beach when the morning light hits the ice chunks on the black sand." Look for seals swimming in the lagoon. If you plan to do a glacier tour bring proper hiking boots and warm clothes. The drive back to Reykjavik takes roughly 5 hours so you will arrive late evening.

    

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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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