A common challenge with travel is trying to balance wanting to see and do everything, with wanting to really get to enjoy where you are without feeling like rushing. This is especially true on a short trip. It is so easy to fall one way or the other, but on my 6 day trip to Southern Iceland, I think I nailed it. So, without further ado, here is the itinerary I followed that gave me the best of both worlds.
Day 1
Sleep in Grindavik
For your first two nights, I recommend not going too far from the airport. You simply don’t have to to see SO much incredible stuff! So it’s a great way to get your footing in Iceland, recover from any jetlag, and still get going with amazing experiences right off the bat. The town of Grindavik is a lovely option for this.
Check out Reykjavik
When you first arrive, you’ll probably be hungry from the flight so grab a bite to eat in Reykjavik! Wander around the city and get a feel for Iceland. And be sure to check out the famous (and beautiful) church of Hallgrímskirkja, which contains a pipe organ with 5275 pipes! Admission to the church is free, but it costs 1000 ISK to go up the tower.
Hike to the hot river
Next up, why not stretch your legs with a hike? But pick a hike with a reward and opportunity to relax as well, since you will surely be tired from journey to Iceland. A trip to the Reykjadalur Thermal River is an incredible way to start a trip to Iceland!! The hike there is absolutely stunning, with dramatic scenery along the way. Then you get to the place where you can soak in the hot river and it is such a delight. In fact, I would say its one of the most Magical Experiences I had in Iceland.
Day 2
Sleep in Grindavik
Soak in the Blue Lagoon and do nearby Thorbjörn hike
Now to be honest, the blue lagoon is a bit more luxury than I would usually do or recommend on a travel itinerary. However, it is such a famous attraction and such a pleasant and relaxing thing to do (especially if you are still tired from an overnight flight the day before) that I thought it was worth it! One of those once in a lifetime experiences. (Check out these tips for Iceland to help you save money in other ways so you can enjoy a splurge.)
But regardless of if you decide to actually go in the blue lagoon, it is still worthwhile to head over here and go for a nearby hike! You can see some of the beautiful blue water the blue lagoon is famous for, lava fields up close, and beautiful views of the surrounding areas on the nearby Thorbjörn hike.
Visit the Ocean
This Iceland coast line is so interesting! For example, check out Brimketill lava pool, not too far from Grindavik, which has been carved out of lava rocks by the ocean’s waves. It offers great ocean views, plus some interesting folklore about the pool itself.
Day 3
Sleep in Hella
After 2 nights in Grindavik, a great place to base yourself is in, or nearby, Hella! It is positioned well for both checking out the Golden Circle and heading a bit farther east along the southern coast. Plus there is lots to do on the way there from Grindavik. There’s so much to do in this area you can stay for 3 nights!
Do the Fagradalsfjall volcano hike
Close to Grindavik is the Fagradalsfjall volcano which has several view points and tons of great hiking. It is such a unique experience to see (and even touch) the hardened black lava from the 2021 and 2022 eruptions here. Definitely an incredible place to visit! And after you are tired from the long hike, it is the perfect time to drive to Hella for your next home base.
Check out Kerid Crater
As you get close to Hella on your drive, another great stop to make, not too far out of the way, is the Kerid crater. This approximately 3000 year old volcanic crater is so grand and beautiful.
Day 4
Sleep in Hella
Visit Gullfoss
Part of the Golden Circle, Gullfoss (which means Golden Falls) is one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls – and for good reason. It is incredibly beautiful, with several different viewpoints to observe it from different angles. And if you’re wondering where the name comes from, there are a few theories. It may be due to the golden hue it takes on in the evenings, or the frequency at which rainbows can be seen above it. Alternatively, it may be named because of a farmer who once lived nearby and, not being able to bear the thought of someone else getting his gold when he died, threw it in the waterfall.
See the Strokkur Geysir
One of the coolest (well, hottest I guess) things to witness in Iceland is all the geothermal activity. And one of the most impressive displays of this is the Strokkur Geysir, which erupts every 5 – 10 minutes and is truly an impress feat of nature.
Look for Northern Lights
While in Hella, you are well positioned to do some Northern Lights hunting (depending on the time of year of course)! Keep an eye on the Northern Lights Forecast, and stay up late for the night it looks most likely. Hopefully you get lucky!
Day 5
Sleep in Hella
Stop at the various waterfalls
If Gullfoss wasn’t enough to satisfy your waterfall interests, do not worry. There are SO many beautiful, huge, powerful, and interesting waterfalls to visit. A few I would definitely recommend are Skógafoss (one of the most famous in Iceland), Gljúfrabúi (inside a cave!) and Seljalandsfoss (pictured above).
See Sólheimajökull Glacier
One of Iceland’s massive glaciers, Sólheimajökull Glacier is certainly a sight to see! It’s free to walk up to it and observe it from across the water. Or you can opt for an adventure tour to hike it! Either way, it is definitely worth the visit.
Visit the Black Sand Beach in Vik
The farthest east I made it on this trip is to the town of Vik. Vik is a quaint little town and a great destination for this day trip. Grab a bite to eat, check out the local wool shop, experience the lava museum, or just take a walk on the famous black sand beach!
Day 6
Sleep in Keflavik
On your last night in Iceland, you might want to sleep close to the airport, depending how early your flight is the next day. We had early flights so we stayed in a hotel in Keflavik, near the airport. But, that said, you can still do so much on you last day before driving back to Keflavik!
Do a horseback riding tour with Icelandic Horseworld
A great experience you can have in Iceland is to ride some Icelandic horses. These small & beautiful horses are unique in that they have their own special gait: the tolt. The tolt is a similar speed to trotting, but waaayyy smoother. Whether you are a rider or not, this is a really fun and special thing to try. My friends and I rode with Icelandic Horseworld near Hella, and I would definitely recommend them.
Explore the town of Selfoss
Finally, a great way to end your time in Iceland is to stroll through the picturesque town of Selfoss. It is the perfect place to do some souvenir shopping, and grab an ice cream and a hotdog!
Check out my video from my southern iceland trip
Also check out these other posts from Iceland:
- 14 Must Know Tips for a Trip to Iceland
- Magical Experiences in Iceland
- 3 Hikes Unique Within an Hour of Reykjavik
