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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Is it worth going to Iceland for only 4 days if I want to see the landscape...

26 replies

depletedlaready · 28/10/2025 19:50

Exactly that. We are thinking of going over Easter. It will still be cold, so our initial campervan idea went by the wayside.

I'm more keen on seeing some of the dramatic landscape than Reykjavik - but is it too little time to see anything properly?

Thoughts welcome, please

OP posts:
LittleMermaidRose · 28/10/2025 19:54

Yes! I visited around 10 years ago for only 4 days and managed to pack in loads via the excursion day trips.

jocktamsonsbairn · 28/10/2025 20:09

We’re going in December for 3 days! Looking at it as a taster and a wee festive adventure!

HermioneWeasley · 28/10/2025 20:17

Yes, it’s not a big island, you’ll be able to see lots in 4 days

Littletreefrog · 28/10/2025 20:20

It's fine. You could probably do two full day trips from Reykjavik in that time and still have time to explore the capital. We did the South Coast full day trip and it was a very long day but we saw a lot. You could do that one and a day trip to see the Geysers etc and you will have covered a fair bit of the landscape.

OnTheBoardwalk · 28/10/2025 20:21

Thanks for thread, following for interest.

I went to Norway for longer and the best bit was a short cruise (3 nights) where the scenery was outstanding. I’m interested to see what posters recommend for a short trip to Iceland

mydogisanidiott · 28/10/2025 20:22

Yes this is a typical set up. With three tours one each day. Each tour is 8am-5pm so jam packed. The “golden circle and thingvelir” the “south shore and vik” are the two most common and then the “Reykanes Peninsular”- the spelling is dreadful sorry
these are common excursion you can book in advance or when there or DIY. I did it as a school trip but colleagues had done the same trip as a family/ couple. My highlights were thingvelier, black beach and the secret lagoon.

CryMyEyesViolet · 28/10/2025 20:23

Yes. We saw a lot on minibus trips (which would normally balk at but actually really enjoyed so don’t be put off!).

We did a tour of the Golden Circle and a tour of the South and feel like we got to see a lot without feeling rushed or herded around.

Pattygonia · 28/10/2025 20:23

Definitely - we were only there for 2 nights as a stopover on way to USA - we hired a car at airport and did the golden circle tour ourselves on our full day - was v straightforward but amazing scenery! Didn’t do the Blue Lagoon. On last day we had to be at airport by mid afternoon but still had time to go to lava fields and black sand beach as well. We loved it all - would love to go back for longer but even for a short break the landscape is really “other”

CheeseWisely · 28/10/2025 20:32

To contradict a PP it’s not a small island, it’s 10,000 square miles bigger than Scotland, but you can see plenty of landscape in 4 days, albeit probably mostly in the southwest corner if you’re flying in and out of Keflavik (unless you’re on for doing a lot of driving). If you’re based in Reykjavik there are plenty of tours out to Gulfoss waterfall, the Reykjanes peninsula etc. Don’t rule out some time in the city though, Reykjavik has lots of interest to see.

Bjorkdidit · 28/10/2025 21:46

I agree that Iceland is vast. You can see plenty in 4 days but only a snapshot.

There's a relief map in the Town Hall in Reykjavik and the Golden Circle is a tiny part in the south west corner.

Original poster
depletedlaready · 29/10/2025 08:27

Thanks - really helpful thoughts

OP posts:
SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 29/10/2025 08:29

You already know now but 100% yes!

Fantastic holiday. I loved Iceland.

countrygirl99 · 29/10/2025 08:31

By the way, the campervans have heaters and many campsites have indoor spaces for cooking and eating so probably better than the UK at that time of year.

HangryBlueCritic · 29/10/2025 08:32

We had a great 4 day trip and felt like we saw loads. We did book small 4x4 tours (astronomical prices!) but it was was well worth it to see some of the highlights.

OhDear111 · 29/10/2025 08:34

@depletedlareadyYou can easily do the Goldren Ring from Reykjavik. Also the south coast and Vik. The Snaefellness peninsular is probably possible too. Obviously the active geothermal area is closed off but you could look at a super jeep tour. We thought this was amazing. Reykjavik isn’t big and has limited attractions. The Golden Ring should be your top priority though then something else - fun jeep tour or more landscapes.

Chafing · 29/10/2025 08:37

We also were there 4 days and did full day tours. Not worrying about driving was brilliant and the tours were pretty light touch - info on the way to the stop but allowed to just explore at each attraction, coming back to the bus for a certain time. I was sniffy about tours before but it was incredibly informative and we really packed everything in.

Aposterhasnoname · 29/10/2025 08:46

We're going over Easter for just two days (three nights) With proper planning you can do loads, we're doing the blue lagoon, the golden circle, whale watching, the northern lights, plus the lava show, fly over Iceland and the ice bar., with another two days on top I bet you'll be able to tick off most of your stuff, specially in you're not interested in things like the lava show etc that we are doing.

purple590 · 29/10/2025 08:48

We did day tours from the capital. The Blue Lagoon is absolutely amazing, the geysers and waterfalls are beautiful and I would highly recommend getting out to Jökulsárlón.
I've never seen anything like it.

Jökulsárlón - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B6kuls%C3%A1rl%C3%B3n

OhDear111 · 29/10/2025 09:39

The Blue Lagoon is very close to the closed off area. It does sometimes close too if geothermal activity heightens. You can get a transfer from Reykjavik to airport via Blue Lagoon. There are other geothermal pools.

mydogisanidiott · 29/10/2025 10:16

We stoped at the new lava fields and drove through grindalvik ghost town in feb. We collected warm lava from the lava field and stopped at the blue lagoon for a toilet break. It was amazing!

the secret lagoon is much nicer in my opinion- smaller and more chilled out vibe. Blue lagoon is huge and has a posh spa vibe.

OhDear111 · 29/10/2025 11:46

@mydogisanidiott That road was permanently closed off in July when we were there. No cars allowed. We had lunch there back in 2021 but it’s not safe now.

mydogisanidiott · 29/10/2025 11:51

@OhDear111we must have got very lucky as it had just reopened. Tectonics is crazy! I vaguely recall the news about new activity.

Iceland is amazing and you will
love it. Looking forward to going back in two years

Edenmum2 · 29/10/2025 12:55

Plenty of time, rent a car and just drive! It’s easy to navigate and dramatic landscape is basically everywhere

Original poster
depletedlaready · 29/10/2025 15:45

If we rent a car, would you a) be worried about snow in April? b) stay in Rekjavik and then keep driving out? or stay as you move around?

OP posts:
MotherofPufflings · 29/10/2025 15:57

I think you'll be able to see lots in 4 days but I'd stay longer if you can. Personally, I think a good tour is better than hiring a car because the guides will get you to places faster than if you're driving yourself on new roads with unpredictable weather. We did a tour with Nice Travel and our guide would do things like drop us off at one end of a footpath around a sightseeing area and then pick us up at the other end to save time. They have a number of multi day tours where you stay in hotels along the route, so no schlepping to and from Reykjavik every day. The guides' local knowledge was incredible too.