Experience Iceland geothermal spas, geothermal activity, the Blue Lagoon, and more in this epic Iceland 4 day itinerary!
While most tourists plan an Iceland 4 day itinerary through the south, the north has my heart.
North Iceland is quieter, with better whale watching than Iceland’s beautiful south coast, incredible geothermal activity, and more remote places to watch the northern lights.
Kid you not, on my Iceland 4 day itinerary, we saw the northern lights every day but one. And we never had to alter our plans or go out and chase them! The auroras danced right over our vacation cottage every night 🙂
Learn how to spend the best 4 days in Iceland with this super helpful guide.
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North Iceland in 4 Days Best Itinerary
This Iceland 4 day itinerary takes you from Keflavik International Airport to the super-cute north Iceland town of Akureyri. Check out the full Akureyri itinerary here.
From Akureyri, you can head out to explore the Blue Lagoon of the North, Mývatn Nature Baths, visit frozen waterfalls and turf churches, and explore the cute college town before it’s time to head back to the airport.
There is a companion map to help you enjoy a perfect 4 days in Iceland. So make sure you sign up for the newsletter to get the map, packed with all my helpful travel tips to make the most of your Iceland stopover!
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How to Spend a Perfect 4 Days in Iceland Itinerary
Day 1: Keflavik to Hvammstangi:
Keflavik Airport is the main international gateway to Iceland. It’s located about 50 kilometers southwest of queer-friendly Reykjavik on the Reykjanes peninsula.
Head out on the ring road from Keflavik and begin your Iceland 4 day itinerary. Drive north towards Hvammstangi, a charming town nestled in the northwest region of Iceland.
Your options for Day 1 will depend on what time your flight arrives. If you take a red-eye and get into Iceland at dawn, you’ll be able to really take your time getting to Hvammstangi. But if your flight arrives in the afternoon, it’s best to make as much progress as you can while you have light to see by.
Here are some highlights along the way to Hvammstangi:
- Borgarnes is a small town with historical significance. The Settlement Center is the place to go to discover Iceland’s fascinating Viking history. You’ll also find cute shops and cafes to break up the drive.
- Hrausnef Country Hotel has a restaurant with incredible mushroom soup. They also serve lamb burgers made with their meat.
- Hvammastangi is home to the Icelandic Seal Center and the KIDKA Wool Factory, if you’re looking to get an Icelandic Fair Isle sweater. At the Icelandic Seal Center, you can learn about Iceland’s seals. The clerk will tell you the best place to see seal colonies.
- Kolugljúfur Canyon is a waterfall canyon close to Hvammastangi. See it on your way out of town or if you have time on Day 1. In the winter, the canyon freezes over and the ice takes on an incredible blue glow.
Day 2: Hvammstangi to Akureyki
The drive from Hvammstangi to Akureyri offers breathtaking landscapes and exciting attractions along the way. You’ll have a chance to see some of these on your way back to the airport at the end of your Iceland 4 day itinerary, so don’t worry about getting everything in on the way there!
Here are some highlights of the journey:
- As you leave Hvammstangi, make sure to visit Hvitserkur, a unique rock formation resembling a rhinocerous. Some people call it rhino rock. The road around Vatsnes Peninsula that leads from Hvammastangi to Hvitserkur is gravel and badly rutted. Be aware of this and leave yourself plenty of time for the trip. Keep your eyes peeled for seal colonies on the rocky bluffs!
- Five km west of Varmahlid, you will see the Víðimýr turf church. The church is open daily from 9 to 6, with 100 ISK admission to see it. There are only a few of these fascinating turf churches left in Iceland. Make sure you see at least one of them!
- Blönduós is the largest town you’ll pass through on the way to Akureyri. It’s a good place to grab lunch, gas or supplies.
- The small town of Hofsós has my absolute favorite Icelandic swimming pool. It’s an infinity hot tub that looks out at the fjords. The pool is a real community hub–when we visited, the local school kids were getting swimming lessons and canonballing into the swimming pool! You feel so if you’re looking to experience the people of Iceland as well as the incredible landscape this is one not to miss. Hofsós is on the Trollaskagi Peninsula, on the opposite side from Akureyri. This means you can either stop off on your way there or as you’re headed back to the airport. If you love this swimming pool as much as I do, maybe you’ll get there twice! Admission costs 1090 ISK. You’ll need your own towel. The swimming pool is open weekdays from 7 am-1 pm and 5-8 pm, and weekends from 11am – 4pm.
- The oldest turf church in Iceland is 4km south of Hofsos. Grafarkirkja was constructed in late 17th century. While you can’t go inside this church, you can explore the outside. This is a quick photo stop, or you can do what I did and take a picnic lunch here.
- Get to know Akureyri at night. The charming college town has a cute town center which is totally walkable. Get oriented with a pre-dinner walk (my guide to Akureyri has you covered with recommendations of what to eat and where to stay). Or if you’re tired from a long day in the car hit up the town swimming pool for a relaxing soak. Who knows, you could get lucky and see the northern lights overhead?
Day 3: Lake Mývatn and a Geothermal Spa in Iceland
Get an early start so you have the full day to explore the treasures of geothermal Iceland. You’ll spend the day driving around Lake Mývatn, making several stops at different natural attractions before unwinding in the soothing mineral waters of Mývatn Nature Baths.
Make Goðafoss Waterfall your first Iceland 4 day itinerary stop in the morning.
Known as “The Waterfall of Gods,” it plunges into a horseshoe-shaped canyon with a thundering roar. Legend has it that when a local Icelandic chief decided that Icelanders should become Christian, he threw all the pagan statues into the waterfall. There is a short trail around the outside of the waterfall if you’d like to get a closer view. We left early enough that we were able to catch the late Rising morning sun rising over the waterfall. It was an unforgettable site! Right near the waterfall is a gas station so if you need to gas up this is your best chance – there aren’t a lot of amenities between here and Lake Mývatn!
Part of the Diamond Circle of Iceland, Lake Mývatn is home to some incredible natural attractions from volcanic cave lakes to a turf ring volcano with 360° views of the surrounding lake region.
In the summer the area is filled with pesky mosquitoes. One perk of doing an Iceland 4 day itinerary during winter is that you don’t have to worry about bugs!
Driving from Akureyri, the pseudocraters of Skútustaðagígar are one of the first sites you will come across. These little bumpy hills are formed from flowing lava.
In the summer months they provide sanctuary to Iceland’s bird life visiting the wetland area.
In the winter there are fun to see and walk around – it’s one of those unique to Iceland natural formations that you’ll want to capture if you are a camera buff like me!
Dimmuborgir is a giant lava field that you can walk through. There are several short trails that allow you to choose your own adventure based on how much time you want to spend here. We took the Kirkjuhringur or Church Circle trail, which is 2.2km.
Looking for more active hikes? Consider a visit to Skaftafell Vatnajökull National Park in South Iceland instead.
Dimmuborgir is also home to the Yule Lads, an Icelandic Christmas tradition. Legend says that the Icelandic Yule Lads live in a cave in Dimmuborgir. Walk around the lava fields and you will come across their cave. If you happen to be in the area on December 7th, this is the one day a year the Yule Lads leave their home to bathe themselves in the hot spring water at Mývatn Nature Baths, so you may see them there.
Grjótagjá Cave is a must visit for Game of Thrones fans, who will recognize it from a key scene.
The underground cave lake has incredibly clear blue water, though you’ll want to bring a flashlight to see it.
To access Grjótagjá, you will need to climb down into the cave (only a few steps) so be sure to wear sturdy footwear.
Not sure what to bring for a winter vacation in Iceland? My Iceland packing list has you covered.
The water is extremely hot. There is no swimming or wading. But you’ll get a chance at hot springs water of Mývatn Nature Baths.
The best views of Mývatn Lake and are from Hverfjall, a volcano crater. It’s basically a big naked donut in the sky.
It takes 10 to 20 minutes to climb to the crater at about a 45 degree angle. Once you get up there, you can walk around the donut and look down into the crater.
The gritty surface gives you some traction so you don’t need hiking poles, but on a windy day that same grit can be kicked up in your face by other hikers. This climb is best done on a sunny clear day, ideally with no wind. Even if you don’t climb Hverfjall, it’s worth a visit while you’re out this way.
Heading northeast, you’ll see puffs of smoke rising in the sky. This is a sign you are near the geothermal fields of Hverir, 7km off the Ring Road. Park in the parking area then get out and explore on foot.
The smoke is extremely hot. For your own safety, don’t get too close and respect the boundaries that are set up.
This area does have a stinky smell from the sulfur and other minerals, so you probably won’t want to stay too long. But it’s worth a visit and a very impressive site!
If you hadn’t had enough of the geothermal activity, take the road to Krafla, where you can explore an active volcanic region!
If you’ve had enough geothermal tourism, make Mývatn Nature Baths your next stop.
This geothermal spa in Iceland offers visitors a unique bathing experience surrounded by stunning volcanic landscapes and natural hot springs.
The warm, mineral-rich waters of Myvatn Nature Baths provide numerous health benefits. These geothermal pools are known to help soothe muscle tension, reduce stress, improve circulation and even alleviate skin conditions like psoriasis. Soaking in these healing waters will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized.
Reserve tickets online ahead of time if you know exactly when you’ll get to Mývatn Nature Baths. This guarantees you a spot.
Pre-booking is essential in the summer. During the winter, the baths are less crowded so you can get your tickets at the door if you are not sure when you’ll arrive (5,900 ISK). Bring your own towel, or buy one onsite.
There are three separate pools at Mývatn Nature Baths. The water is the same in each pool; you get slightly different views. Wander around the pools to find the vents where the water comes out if you want an extra hot spot. Take a break in the sauna, at the onsite restaurant, or at the swim up bar.
Once you’ve had your fill of the geothermal spa it’s time to reverse course and head back to Akureyri. If you haven’t grabbed dinner at the Vogafjós restaurant onsite, visit Akureyri town or pick up one of Iceland’s famous gas station hot dogs. These days they even have veggie dogs!
Day 4: Akureyri to Keflavik
You will need to get an early start if you want to make it all the way back to Keflavik and leave time for a stop at the Blue Lagoon. It takes about 5 and 1/4 hours to drive from Akureyri to Keflavik, without any stops. Given the limited daylight in the winter, you will probably be driving in the dark.
On the drive back take the opportunity to visit any of the recommended attractions that you missed while heading north.
Now that you’ve experienced all these incredible sights between Akureyri and Keflavik, it’s time to reward yourself with some relaxation at the world-famous Blue Lagoon.
Located in the heart of a moss-covered lava field, this geothermal spa offers warm and mineral-rich waters renowned for their healing properties. Indulge in a soothing dip, enjoy luxurious spa treatments, and let your worries melt away as you bask in the serene surroundings.
The Blue Lagoon is easily the most popular thing to see and do in Iceland. You will definitely need a reservation. Prices also vary depending on which time of day you visit. Pre-book online to ensure that you get in and also because it’s cheaper!
Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a nature lover, there’s something for everyone along this LGBTQ-friendly Iceland 4-day itinerary!
Traversing volcanic landscapes, gazing at cascading waterfalls, or soaking in geothermal hot springs, this 4-day itinerary offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature and experience the raw power of Iceland’s untamed wilderness during the moody and mysterious winter season. So book your rental car, grab my annotated Iceland road trip map when you sign up for the newsletter, and head out there to explore Iceland’s amazing north!
