I know what you’re thinking… why in my right mind I venture all the way to Iceland for just four days? Well, that’s exactly what I did. My friend has a Milestone birthday and she lives there London. I told her “Choose anywhere in the world” We were the first to jump into a four-day whirlwind trip, as she really wanted to go. She has made a continuous visit to New York City and opted for a stopover in Iceland. If you only have limited work holidays, limited funds (the country is very expensive), or you love the adrenaline thrill, you’ve stuffed it all four days on Iceland’s ground.
Your stopover in Iceland: Reykjavik
First destination: Reykjavik. This is the capital of Iceland and the landing location for all international flights. So you can’t miss it (and you shouldn’t either), this is a pretty cool city to explore half a day. Or, if you choose to base yourself here, there are plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars to visit in the evening when you’re using up your daytime adventure.
Blue Lagoon
A short drive from Reykjavik is the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s main attractions. This is really close to the airport, so if the time is short, it is best to reserve time for a visit on the way back to the airport at the moment you land or at the end of your trip. We arrived exactly at 4am from Spain, so this was not an option, but hey, worth noting!
Diamond Beach
From Reykjavik, there are several directions to take to explore. We were most excited about the Southwest Coast, so we decided to make this a first day trip. There are many driving experiences on the agenda, so sleep well beforehand!
If you are using a map, the official point you will enter is Yokar Sarulon Glacier Lagoon. The lagoon sits on one side of the road (pictured above) and on the other beach: win-win!
It takes about 4.5 hours to run between Reykjavik and Diamond Beach. Therefore, if you’ve been visiting Iceland for more than 7 days, it’s best to make a loop around the country’s coastline.
Sólheimasandur – Black Sand Beach and “Airplane”
I have to admit: visiting the remnants of planes that take several hours to hike from the main road was not at the top of my agenda when visiting Iceland. But this was the only charm my friend wanted to see, considering it was her birthday, how can I say no! ?
I couldn’t believe some people were trekking one hour one way to the plane (do it for the glam!), but this place was raw with visitors. Once upon a time, I was able to drive all the way to the plane, but many people are off-roading and affecting the landscape, so I have to embark on the finish line for an hour-long trekking. The walks are completely exposed and the weather in Iceland is very varied so pack everything you need, including some extra layers for warmth.
Chasing Waterfalls: Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss
Iceland is full of natural entertainment every turn, and although it is far from the only waterfall Iceland experience, it is the most popular and convenient 29km away, so you can visit one after another.
Golden Circle
On our last day we drove the whole Golden Circle in Iceland. The drive itself was beautiful (particularly through the Roll Verill National Park), but Geyser and Galfoss Falls were less impressive than the views on the southwest coast. So if you’re throwing between the two, I personally recommend skipping the Golden Circle and spending more time on the sturdy coastline.
The ultimate thing is the journey
Four days aren’t enough time to experience all the time that Iceland has to offer, but I was really struggling to finally get to this etheric part of the world that feels like a movie set (think it) Walter Mitty) From real life.
We spent a lot of time driving along the coast between destinations, but if we could do it again, I wouldn’t change anything. Our daily road trip adventures were half the beauty of this country. Even on cloudy days, there are open roads, traffic, traffic jams and incredible views.
You can catch up on my adventure Instagram!
Enjoy a stopover in Iceland! What was your thoughts and what was your favorite place? I’d like to know in the comments below!