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 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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