If you're visiting Iceland on a 6 Day Stopover you might want to get some ideas of what you can do and see while here. I'm sharing a 6-day stopover itinerary with you to get inspiration from or just grab the whole thing and claim it as your own!
If you're on a traditional stopover or treating yourself to a short-but-epic trip to Iceland, this six day stopover itinerary gives you a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
Stopover Quick View
- Day 1: Reykjavík and National Museum of Iceland
- Day 2: Blue Lagoon
- Day 3: Golden Circle
- Day 4: South Shore
- Day 5: Whale Watching
- Day 6: Reykjanes and Departure
What is a Stopover?
A stopover is a layover that lasts long enough to give travelers a chance to explore a destination before continuing on to their final destination. Thanks to Iceland’s perfect position between North America and Europe, airlines like Icelandair and Play Air offer fantastic stopover options, allowing you to spend anywhere from one to ten days in Iceland at no extra airfare cost.
Icelandair was one of the first airlines to introduce this genius travel hack, encouraging passengers to take a mini-vacation in Iceland before heading to their next destination. Play Air, a newer budget airline, has followed suit, making it even more accessible for travelers looking for a quick Icelandic escape. Whether you’re heading to Paris, London, or New York, adding a stopover in Iceland is one of the best ways to maximize your travel experience.
What is a Stopover Tour?
A stopover tour is an expertly crafted itinerary designed to help you experience the best of Iceland within a short time frame. These tours cater to travelers who are stopping over in Iceland and want to make the most of their limited time, whether it’s one, three, or six days.
You don’t need to be flying with Icelandair or Play Air to book a stopover tour—anyone visiting Iceland for a few days can book these experiences. Tour options range from quick Blue Lagoon trips to full-blown adventures, such as Golden Circle day trips, South Coast tours, or even northern lights excursions. With hotel pick-ups, transportation, expert guides, and even accommodation stopover tours help you maximize your time without the stress of doing it all by yourself.
Is a 6 Day Stopover Enough for Iceland?
Yes, six days in Iceland is a good stopover length. You get enough time to explore Reykjavík and discover the nature outside the city. You won’t see everything (Iceland is a land of endless discoveries), but you’ll experience a beautiful balance of adventure and relaxation.
This itinerary ensures you hit the must-see highlights like the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, and South Shore, while also giving you time to dive deeper into Icelandic culture, visit museums, and even go whale watching. You’ll leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and already plotting your return (trust me, Iceland has that effect on people).
So, if you’re wondering whether six days in Iceland is enough, the answer is a resounding yes — but fair warning, it might just leave you craving more.
With that in mind here's your 6 Day Stopover Itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival & Reykjavík Exploration
12:00–13:00: Arrival at KEF Airport & Transfer to Reykjavík
Welcome to Iceland! Once you’ve landed at Keflavík International Airport (KEF), collected your bags, and cleared customs, it’s time to head into Reykjavík. The best way to do this? A private airport shuttle, which will drive you directly to your hotel in around 45 minutes. Just this first drive is such a good introduction to Iceland as it looks like a different planet, with vast lava fields stretching as far as the eye can see. Not a single tree in sight just moss covered black lava.
13:30–14:30: Lunch in Downtown Reykjavík
After dropping off your luggage, it’s time for your first taste of Icelandic cuisine. Reykjavík has no shortage of fantastic lunch spots. If you want to try Iceland’s famous lamb soup, head to Íslenski Barinn. If fresh seafood is calling your name, Messinn serves up delicious pan-fried Arctic char. And if you’re craving something cozy and international, Kaffivagninn, Reykjavík’s oldest restaurant, offers hearty comfort food right by the harbor.
15:00–17:00: The National Museum of Iceland
To truly understand Iceland’s rich history and Viking roots, head to the National Museum of Iceland. This fascinating museum walks you through Iceland’s settlement, Viking heritage, and cultural evolution. Highlights include the Settlement Era exhibit, showcasing artifacts from the earliest Icelanders, and the Valþjófsstaður door, an intricately carved medieval church door depicting a legendary knight and dragon tale. It’s the perfect way to gain a deeper appreciation for Iceland’s past before diving into its landscapes.
19:30–21:30: Dinner at Fiskmarkaðurinn (Fish Market)
For your first dinner in Iceland, treat yourself to Fiskmarkaðurinn (Fish Market), an upscale spot that takes fresh Icelandic seafood to the next level. From sushi rolls with Arctic char to grilled cod with Icelandic butter sauce, the menu here is nothing short of spectacular. Pair your meal with a cocktail inspired by Iceland’s natural elements, and toast to the start of an incredible adventure.
Day 2: Blue Lagoon & Relaxation
08:00–11:00: Morning at Leisure
Start your day at a slow and cozy pace. Stroll through Reykjavík’s streets, peak into some store windows at Laugarvegur Shopping Street, grab breakfast at Brauð & Co (their cinnamon rolls are legendary), and visit Hallgrímskirkja Church, Reykjavík’s tallest building, for stunning city views.
12:30–17:00: Blue Lagoon Experience
A pre-booked shuttle will pick you up for a visit to Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s iconic geothermal spa. Relax in the steaming blue waters, enjoy a silica mud mask, sip a drink at the swim-up bar, and unwind in the saunas and steam rooms built into the lava field. If you want to take relaxation to the next level, book an in-water massage—it’s pure magic.
17:30–Late: Pre-Dinner Drinks, Dinner & After-Drinks
After freshening up, ease into the evening with pre-dinner drinks at Apótek Bar, where you can enjoy expertly crafted Icelandic cocktails. For dinner, Matarkjallarinn (Food Cellar) is a must-visit, offering a cozy atmosphere, great dishes made from fresh Icelandic ingrediens, often accompanied by live piano music. End the night at Kaffibarinn or Den Danske Kro for drinks.
Day 3: The Golden Circle
8:30 – Pickup for the Golden Circle Tour
After a solid breakfast at the hotel (or another cinnamon bun from Brauð & Co.—no regrets), it's time for the Golden Circle tour. The pick-up bus will arrive between 08:30 - 09:00 and you'll meet your friendly guide who will greet you and set the tone for the day ahead. The drive out of Reykjavík quickly swaps city streets for lava fields, rolling hills, and open landscapes, with mountains looming in the distance. Between stops, the guide usually shares stories about Iceland’s geology, sagas, and everyday life, to make the drive just as interesting as the stops themselves.
Þingvellir National Park
First stop: Þingvellir National Park, one of Iceland’s most historic and geologically fascinating sites. This is where Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament, was first established in 930 AD, making it one of the oldest in the world. But while the history is impressive, the landscape steals the show.
Þingvellir sits between two tectonic plates, where North America and Eurasia are slowly drifting apart. Walking through Almannagjá Gorge—a massive crack in the earth—is a surreal experience. The cliffs tower on either side, and the crystal-clear streams running through the valley look almost unreal.
A quick stop at Silfra Fissure, where divers explore some of the purest waters in the world, was a highlight. Even without diving in, just peering into the blue depths was enough to appreciate how special this place is.
Then there’s Drekkingarhylur—the so-called Drowning Pool, a reminder of Iceland’s brutal medieval justice system. (Let’s just say you didn’t want to be accused of witchcraft back in the day.)
Geysir Geothermal Area
Next up you visit Geysir, the geothermal area famous for boiling mud pots, steaming vents, and Iceland’s most famous geyser—Strokkur. While Geysir itself is mostly dormant these days, Strokkur is still going strong, erupting every 5–10 minutes like clockwork.
The whole area feels alive, with hissing steam rising from the earth and bubbling pools in bright mineral colors. Before heading out, you may want to grab a coffee and a pastry from the visitor center.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Nothing quite prepares you for Gullfoss. This massive waterfall sends thousands of liters of glacial water crashing into a rugged canyon, creating a roar you can feel in your chest. Your guide will give you plenty of info and tips, but what I usually do is start on the lower path, right at the water’s edge, and then hike up to the upper viewpoint, where you get a full panoramic view of the falls, the Hvítá River, and the surrounding highlands.
17:30 – Back in Reykjavík
By the time you roll back into Reykjavík, you'll certainly be ready for a good meal. After a quick refresh at the hotel, or a nap since you're on vacation and this is your time, you might want to head to a place like Messinn, a cozy seafood restaurant known for pan-fried fish served in sizzling butter.
After dinner, if you're not completely knackered you might want to take a slow walk back to the hotel. Reykjavík at night is quiet, calm, and just the right kind of peaceful after a packed day.
Day 4: The South Shore Adventure
07:00: Early Hotel Breakfast
Since you have an early, and long, day ahead of you you'll want to make sure to have a good hearty breakfast. If you are staying at a hotel arranged as a part of a Stopover Tour you'll have breakfast included. If that's not your arrangement there are great cafés all over the city with freshly baked pastries and delicious coffee.
08:30–19:00: South Shore Tour
Between 08:30 and 09:00 you'll be picked up from your hotel (or nearby bus stop) and start your journey along Iceland’s stunning South Shore, where dramatic landscapes await. You'll walk behind the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, feel the spray from Skógafoss waterfall, and walk around the iconic black sands of Reynisfjara Beach, where the powerful waves crash against basalt columns. The day will end with a stop in the village of Vík, a perfect spot for a cozy break and shopping at Víkurprjón before heading back to Reykjavík.
20:00–Late: Head our for Dinner
After a long day enjoy an unforgettable meal at a Reykjavík Restaurant. Some good options inlude Sjávargrillið, Grillmarkaðurinn, Höfnin, and Kol. Whether it’s seafood, Icelandic lamb, or a gourmet tasting menu, this dinner will be the perfect end to an incredible day.
Day 5: Whale Watching & Coastal Exploration
08:00–10:30: Brunch at Kaffihús Vesturbæjar & Scenic Walk
Start your morning with a slow and relaxing breakfast at Kaffihús Vesturbæjar, a beloved local café known for its fresh sourdough bread, creamy skyr bowls, and good coffee. After brunch, take a leisurely walk down to Ægisíða (a local's favorite street by the sea), stoll through Vesturbær, past the National Museum of Iceland and down along Tjörnin Pond to Bus Stop 1 (Ráðhúsið City Hall) where you'll be picked up from 12:15 for your Whale Watching tour.
12:15–16:00: Whale Watching Tour
Get ready for an unforgettable whale watching tour! At 13:00 you set sail from Reykjavík’s harbor into Faxaflói Bay, a prime spot for spotting humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and even orcas. The guides onboard will tell you everything you need to know about all types of whales, so you'll walk away well informed about these beautiful creatures. As you cruise through the North Atlantic, keep an eye out for sea birds, including puffins in summer.
16:30–18:30: Visit to Grótta Lighthouse
After returning from the tour, take a short drive (or a scenic 40-minute walk) to Grótta Lighthouse, located on a small tidal island at Reykjavík’s westernmost tip. It’s a fantastic spot for birdwatching, photography, and catching incredible views of the open ocean. In winter, this is also one of the best places to see the Northern Lights without leaving the city.
Closeby, you'll also find a small natural footbath, called Kvika Footbath. Just a small gift from nature fed warm water by a nearby borehole.
19:30–21:30: Dinner at Apotek Kitchen + Bar
Round off your day at Apotek Kitchen + Bar, a stylish restaurant serving a fusion of Icelandic and European cuisine. If you’re up for it, finish your night with a creative cocktail at the bar before heading back to your hotel.
Day 6: Departure (Reykjanes)
For day six I've assumed an early-ish departure so the itinerary includes a morning stop at a local café and a trip to the airport. But even though your Icelandic adventure may be coming to an end it doesn’t mean the morning has to be rushed. With a mid-morning flight, the best way to have a stress-free departure is to book a private airport shuttle. It's a door-to-door service that allows you to enjoy a relaxed final morning in Reykjavík before making your way to Keflavík International Airport.
07:00: One Last Stop at Brauð & Co
If you have a few extra minutes before heading to the airport, make a quick stop at Brauð & Co, Reykjavík’s famous bakery. Grab a warm cinnamon roll or freshly baked sourdough loaf, sip a final cup of Icelandic coffee, and just relax before heading to the airport.
08:00: Last minute Reykjanes Peninsula Detour
On the way back to the airport you'll drive through Reykjanes Peninsula. Now here's a recommendation if your flight is not too early and you might just have some time to kill in the morning. Okay so Snæland Travel is actually one of the very few travel companies that owns their own vehicles. This is perfect for travelers who want to take a detour or discover things that are harder to get to. Now since this itinerary doesn't include a visit to the (really interesting) Reykjanes Peninsula that has had nine eruptions since 2021, I figured that might be just the perfect detour before a flight on your last day. And you can book a private car that includes a city pickup and a KEF airport drop off.
Have a look at a ready-made private tour here or contact the company directly to customize your stops and the length of the drive so that you arrive at the airport two hours before your departure flight.