How To Spend 6 Days In Iceland: The Perfect Itinerary

Day One: Explore Reykjavik

Exploring the capital city of Reykjavik is a great way to get accustomed to Icelandic culture and discover what the place is all about.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect but was really pleasantly surprised by Reykjavik – it’s relatively small for a capital city but is a vibrant, colourful place, full of restaurants, museums and stunning views of the Icelandic landscape.

Some absolutely must-see landmarks in Reykjavik include:

Hallgrímskirkja Church – probably the most impressive church I’ve ever seen in my life! At 70 feet tall, this church looks unlike any other and is a totally breathtaking sight (make sure to take a lift to the top of the tower for even more impressive views of the Reykjavik skyline). It’s an icon of the city and can be seen at most places throughout Reykjavik.

The Sun Voyager – this is a beautiful sculpture on the outskirts of the city centre. Made of stainless steel, it overlooks lovely views of the city’s waterfront.

Perlan Museum – this is considered one of the best museums in the whole country and its domed building is unmissable. It’s a modern, interactive museum and has a fantastic view of the city.

Don’t worry, there are plenty of free things to do in Reykjavik so you don’t break the bank!

Day Two: The Golden Circle Tour

After exploring Reykjavik on day one, it’s time to experience what Iceland is really about – its outstanding nature and landscapes. And there’s no better introduction to the country’s beauty than by going on a tour of the Golden Circle.

The Golden Circle is the most popular tourist route in Iceland, covering 300 kilometres of the southern part of the country. There are three main stops on the Golden Circle, which are:

Geysir Geothermal Field – an unbelievable place full of hot springs and geothermal activity. The main attraction here is Strokkur geyser, which erupts once every six minutes or so, spouting hot water up to 30 feet into the air – unlike anything else I’ve ever seen on my travels!

Gullfoss Waterfall – one of Iceland’s most famous and incredible waterfalls. I was taken aback by the sheer size, majesty and power of this waterfall, which is an awe-inspiring sight to behold.

Thingvellir National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site and a place where you can actually walk between two tectonic plates – the North American plate and Eurasian plate. This is a totally unique thing to experience and only possible in Iceland. 

I totally loved this Golden Circle tour; it is the perfect introduction to what Iceland is all about and is an unforgettable day. My tour also included a visit to Kerid Crater, a dormant volcanic site that dates back several thousand years.

Day Three: Relax at the Sky Lagoon

There are literally countless thermal baths in Iceland and choosing which one to visit is not an easy choice. Although the Blue Lagoon is the most famous thermal bath in Iceland, I chose the new and swanky Sky Lagoon just outside of Reykjavik. 

I was really impressed by the Sky Lagoon and completely recommend it for a nice relaxing day three on your itinerary. So what makes the Sky Lagoon unique compared to all the other thermal baths in Iceland?

The Sky Lagoon is easy to reach from Reykjavik making it a convenient choice in terms of travel time. The lagoon itself is an amazing place, surrounded by rock walls and stunning sea views. 

There is also a bar within the lagoon to buy a drink or two while relaxing. And within the complex, there is a top-rated restaurant and cafe. I found all of the facilities at the Sky Lagoon to be of excellent quality. 

Pro Tip: Make sure you don’t miss out on the: ‘7 Step Ritual’ while at the Sky Lagoon. This is what really makes this place stand out in comparison to all the other thermal baths in Iceland. 

What is the 7-Step Ritual exactly? Well it involves everything from an amazing sauna room overlooking the ocean to a mist room, a steam room and a cold plunge which is not for the faint of heart!

Doing the 7-Step Ritual was an amazing experience and totally unique, definitely one of my highlights of my whole 6 days in Iceland.

Day Four: South Iceland Tour

After relaxing on day three, it’s time to hit the open road again on day four with another awesome day tour of south Iceland. 

This 10-hour tour takes you to more astonishing parts of Iceland and was my favourite day of my entire 6 day trip. Here’s a list of places you’ll visit on this tour:

Skogafoss waterfall – one of Iceland’s most picturesque waterfalls and absolutely spectacular to see, especially up close. 

Solheimajokull Glacier – you’ll be able to walk up close to this magnificent glacier. This was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had on my travels!

Reynisfjara Beach – a completely black beach with views of amazing rock formations. 

Vik – a lovely seaside town with more stunning ocean views. 

Seljalandsfoss waterfall – another amazing waterfall, which you can actually walk behind the back of, just be prepared to get wet!

DC-3 Plane Wreck – an abandoned plane on a black sand beach. Walking to this is like walking on another planet. The plane is from the 1970s and everyone in the plane survived.

You can also rent a car in Iceland and make your own stops while driving from Reykjavik to Vik!

Day Five: Museums and the Northern Lights

After a few days of adventuring and seeing the best landscapes in Iceland, I recommend a chill day in Reykjavik and exploring some of the best museums that it has to offer.

Reykjavik has a diverse and eclectic mix of museums, and here are my top 3 recommendations:

Perlan Museum: with everything from an indoor ice cave to a 4K planetarium and a panoramic viewing platform, there’s a reason why Perlan is considered to be one of the best museums in Iceland – I absolutely loved it!

Whales of Iceland: this fantastic whale museum is a fascinating place to learn all about these magnificent sea creatures which can be found on the shores of Iceland, and is ideal preparation for your day six activity!

National Museum of Iceland: if you want to really get a deep appreciation for the history and culture of Iceland, all the way back from the Viking ages to present day, then this is the best museum to visit. 

After exploring some of the best museums in Iceland, the evening time on day five of your itinerary promises to be a spectacular event – a cruise to go and see the northern lights!

The northern lights (or aurora borealis) is one of the most incredible sights you can ever get to witness. 

A natural light display caused by solar wind in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, they are only visible at certain times of the year and from arctic countries like Iceland. 

This cruise tour takes you on a 2-and-a-half-hour expedition into the calm waters of Faxaflói Bay where you can sky-watch and hopefully catch a glimpse of this once-in-a-lifetime cosmic event. 

Pro Tip: If you really want to see the northern lights during your time in Iceland, then definitely plan to visit during September and April, when the nights are typically dark enough to see this phenomenon. 

Even then, seeing the northern lights is very much weather-dependent and you’re not guaranteed to see them even on a clear night (as I experienced myself unfortunately!) so definitely lower your expectations to avoid disappointment. 

Day Six: Whale Watching

And for your last day in Iceland, I recommend another cool activity – whale watching!

These magnificent sea creatures are seen frequently off the shores of Reykjavik and so there are plenty of tours where you can go and see several different types of whale species. 

This whale cruise tour from Reykjavik lasts for three hours, giving you plenty of time to witness the most incredible sea mammals known to man.

Best Places To Stay In Reykjavik

Finding the right place to stay in Reykjavik is not easy, as there are a lot of options and it can be quite an expensive place. 

So let’s take a look at three different accommodation choices at three different price ranges:

Budget Recommendation: Reykjavík Central Guesthouse

If you’re visiting Iceland on a tight budget but want to stay somewhere central to Reykjavik, then I can personally recommend Reykjavik Central Guesthouse. 

This was my accommodation during my visit to Iceland in September 2024 and I had a very positive stay here.

It’s just a short 5-10 minute walk from the centre of Reykjavik and the guesthouse rooms are very nice, clean and modern – no complaints from me and this was the cheapest place I could find in Reykjavik!

Mid-Range Recommendation: Thingholt Hotel Apartments

For a more mid-range priced accommodation, then look no further than the excellent Thingholt Hotel Apartments.

Based just over 1 kilometre from the centre of Reykjavik, Thingholt is a hybrid of a hotel/apartment complex, with every kind of facility you would expect in an apartment, as well as breakfast options and a lovely sun terrace. 

Check out Sharron’s review of Thingholt Hotel Apartments:

“The property was in a great location and the apartment was really nice, comfortable and clean.”

Luxury Recommendation: Black Pearl Apartment Hotel

If you want a really luxurious stay in Iceland then there is only one true option: the outstanding Black Pearl Apartment Hotel.

These 5 star luxury apartments are based just 350 metres from Reykjavik’s old harbour and come with top quality facilities such as an exceptional breakfast, balconies overlooking the city and suites that are bright and spacious.

Check out David’s top review of Black Pearl Apartment Hotel:

“Amazing place and downtown, everything was nearby and 100 metres to the harbour. Went there to party downtown Reykjavík and this did not disappoint.”

6 Days In Iceland Itinerary FAQs

Still unsure about visiting Iceland for 6 days? Allow me to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this most beautiful country:

Is 6 days enough for Iceland?

Yes, in my experience 6 days was the perfect length of time to visit Iceland, especially as it was my first time in the country. 

It gave me enough time to see some of the most beautiful parts of the country and take part in extraordinary activities, as well as learn about the history and culture of this amazing place. 

If you want to explore some of the lesser travelled to regions of Iceland, such as the north and the east, then yes you’ll need longer than 6 days and I would suggest visiting for around 10-14 days to explore the country fully. 

Can you do the Iceland Ring Road in 6 days?

Yes, it is possible to drive the Iceland Ring Road in 6 days, with 5-7 days being the recommended amount of time to drive this route. 

The Iceland Ring Road is a huge circular loop that covers the whole island and is an ideal option if you’re looking for adventure when visiting Iceland. 

Although completing the ring road is possible in just 6 days, you may wish to spend longer (around 10 days) if you want to travel at a relaxed pace and spend quality time at some of the areas on the route.  

Is Iceland expensive?

There is a common perception that Iceland is an expensive country and this is what puts off a lot of people from actually travelling there, and that was certainly true in my case. 

And yes, Iceland is an expensive country to visit, especially in terms of hotel accommodation prices and eating out at restaurants. This is because Iceland is such an isolated country which equals higher costs. 

I would recommend visiting Iceland during off-peak season (outside of May to August) when accommodation will be cheaper, and booking flights in advance to snag some cheap flight tickets.

If you’re based in the UK, then it is possible to book cheap flight tickets from major cities such as London, Birmingham and Edinburgh. 

Conclusion: 6 Days In Iceland Itinerary

So that concludes my perfect 6-day itinerary for visiting Iceland, easily one of the most beautiful, magical places I’ve been fortunate enough to ever visit!

With this itinerary you’ll get to experience the splendour of Iceland’s beautiful nature and landscapes, as well as (hopefully) get to see the spectacular northern lights and get a deep appreciation for Icelandic culture and history. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this 6 days in Iceland itinerary and are now inspired to visit one of the most amazing, unforgettable countries in the world!