2-Day Iceland Itinerary: Must-See Waterfalls, Glaciers, and More
Two days in Iceland is not nearly enough time to experience all the beauty Iceland has to offer, but two days is far better than not going at all!
This 2-Day Iceland itinerary assumes you have two full days in Iceland, not including travel days, and it focuses on the highlights within a couple hours’ drive from Reykjavik.
To simplify your planning, I recommend staying in Reykjavik for both nights—especially due to the short duration of this trip.
For this itinerary, it would be best to visit during the summer months, June through August, for the best weather, easiest driving conditions, and long daylight hours in order to maximize your two days in Iceland.
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2-Day Iceland Itinerary
This 2-day Iceland itinerary focuses on the Golden Circle area (Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gulfoss) as well as some of the iconic sights along the southern coast.
These areas are all within a 2.5-hour drive from Reykjavik, making it reasonable for a day trip, since your home base will be in Reykjavik.
Day 1: Golden Circle & Sky Lagoon
For your first day in Iceland, we are going to visit the popular Golden Circle sights near Reykjavik.
Grab a Coffee & Pastry from Braud & Co
I recommend getting an early start on your first day in Iceland to make sure you can fit in all of the sights you want to see!
Braud & Co is the perfect place to grab a pastry and coffee before starting your day.
They open early at 6:30 am, and they seriously have the best cinnamon buns (rolls) I have ever had!
Please make sure you try these while in Iceland!
Thingvellir National Park
It would make the most sense driving wise to start off with visiting Thingvellir National Park.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s where Iceland’s ancient parliament, Alþingi, was founded over 1,000 years ago.
Cool fact – it is situated between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates!
Highlights:
- Öxarárfoss Waterfall: I would make sure to take the time to hike to Öxarárfoss Waterfall along the Almannagjá Trail. It is a 3-mile loop trail and is a pretty easy hike. I recommend parking at the P3 lot, which is the furthest away, but it is free and gives you more time to walk and see the beautiful views. Here is the All Trails hiking route I recommend.
- Silfra Fissure: If you’re looking for a unique experience, you can actually snorkel in the Silfra Fissure which is a rift filled with glacier water that was created by the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Meaning you would be snorkeling between two different continents’ tectonic plates! It is a super unique experience, and you will need to book reservations in advance. I recommend booking with Dive.is.
If you’re just doing the hike, I would budget around 1.5 to 2 hours here.
If you’re also adding on snorkeling, then I would budget closer to 4 hours.
Geysir Geothermal Area
This geothermal area is home to the famous and highly active Strokkur, which erupts every 5–10 minutes.
It is a pretty powerful geyser and shoots up pretty high into the air.
It was super cool to see, and you didn’t have to wait long between the eruptions until another one occurred.
I recommend staying for at least a couple eruptions because each one we saw was slightly different – some more powerful than others.
It was also a nice area to take a stroll around to see the other small boiling and bubbling pools of water.
I would give yourself around 30 minutes to an hour here.
There are plenty of spaces to park, and it is free.
Gullfoss Waterfall
In my opinion, Gullfoss is the highlight of the Golden Circle!
It is a massive two-tiered waterfall that cascades down into a deep canyon.
There is both a lower and upper viewing area to view the waterfall.
I recommend going to both to be able to see the waterfall up close and from the top as well.
Also, I would bring a waterproof jacket, as the mist can be intense, especially when standing on the lower platform.
There is a parking lot nearby which is free and only a short walk is required to reach the falls.
I would budget around an hour here.
P.S. If you’re in Iceland longer than two days, check out my 4-Day Iceland Itinerary for additional things to do!
Lunch at Friðheimar
You must not miss out on dining at Friðheimar during your two days in Iceland!
It is a unique greenhouse restaurant that uses geothermal energy to grow tomatoes year-round in Iceland’s cold climate.
Their all-you-can-eat tomato soup with freshly baked bread is amazing!
You might be wondering if that is filling enough on its own for dinner, but it definitely was for me!
They even make tomato-based drinks and desserts as well as additional appetizers and entree options like pasta.
I recommend making reservations a couple months in advance as they do fill up fast since it is such a popular spot.
If you aren’t able to make reservations, they do allow walk-ins for their bar area.
I recommend budgeting around one to 1.5 hours here for lunch.
They are open from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm so you won’t be able to go there for dinner.
Relax at Sky Lagoon
End your day with a relaxing soak at the Sky Lagoon, an oceanfront geothermal lagoon just a few minutes drive from downtown Reykjavik.
You get the chance to soak in the lagoon overlooking the Atlantic Ocean!
You also can partake in the seven-step ritual, which includes a cold plunge, steam room, sauna, and more.
There is a swim-up bar where you can grab a drink to enjoy as well.
We spent around 2 to 2.5 hours here.
Be sure to book your reservation in advance and be sure to pack a swimsuit!
We booked the cheapest option which includes the seven-step ritual, just not the private changing rooms.
I don’t think it is worth the extra cost to get a private changing room though. The public changing rooms still have private showers.
Dinner at Sjavargrillid Seafood Grill
Sjavargrillid Seafood Grill is a great restaurant in Iceland for some amazing food!
It is on the pricier side, but the food is amazing. I loved the lobster taco appetizer!
If you’re looking for a cheaper and faster meal, consider trying the famous Icelandic hot dogs from Baejarins Betzu Pylsur.
Below is a sample day 1 itinerary to help you budget your time.
| 6:30 am to 7:00 am | Coffee & Pastries from Braud & Co |
| 7:00 am to 8:00 am | Drive to Thingvellir National Park |
| 8:00 am to 10:00 am | Explore Thingvellir National Park |
| 10:00 am to 11:00 am | Drive to the Geysir Area |
| 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | Explore the Geysir Area & See Stokkur |
| 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm | Drive to Gulfoss |
| 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm | See Gulfoss Waterfall |
| 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm | Drive to Friðheimar Restaurant |
| 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Lunch at Friðheimar |
| 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm | Drive to Sky Lagoon |
| 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm | Relax at Sky Lagoon |
| 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm | Drive Back to Reykjavik |
| 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Enjoy Dinner at Sjavargrillid Seafood Grill |
Looking for a Hotel?
Explore Booking.com for your hotel needs – they offer budget-friendly prices and a variety of room types!
Need a Rental Car?
For all your rental car needs, head over to Expedia! It’s user-friendly and offers plenty of affordable options!
Guided Tours/Activities
When it comes to booking guided tours and excursions, my top pick is Get Your Guide!
Day 2: Southern Iceland Waterfalls
For your second day in Iceland, you will drive along the southern coast of Iceland to see some of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland!
Grab a Quick Breakfast at Deig
Deig is a great spot for an early breakfast before hitting the road.
It opens early at 7:00 am, and they serve some yummy bagel sandwiches and donuts.
I loved the creme brulee donut!
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi Waterfalls
Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous and photographed waterfalls in Iceland.
You can see it from the road while driving, so it is a short walk from the parking lot.
There is even a path to walk behind the waterfall allowing you to get up close to it which was super cool!
Be sure to continue along the path until you reach Gljúfrabúi which is a hidden waterfall inside of a “cave-like” opening.
It was pretty busy when we got there so we did have to wait in line to get into the canyon to see Gljúfrabúi since not very many people can fit in there at once.
So, the earlier you get there, the less crowds there will be.
The parking was definitely the most crowded we experienced so I recommend coming early. It did cost 1,000 ISK ($7.30 USD).
Tip: Be sure to wear a waterproof jacket as you will get wet walking behind Seljalandsfoss and getting up close to Gljúfrabúi!
➡️ Check out how much our trip to Iceland cost for 5 days to help you budget for your own trip!
Skógafoss Waterfall
Skógafoss is another iconic waterfall in Iceland along the southern coast.
From the parking lot, there is only a short walk required to reach the base of Skógafoss.
There is also a staircase you can climb to get a view from above which I recommend doing!
Lunch at Mia’s Country Van
Mia’s Country Van is the perfect place to grab a quick lunch, and they serve the best fish and chips I have ever had!
I highly recommend coming here – do not miss out on it!
They are open 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm everyday.
It is located close by the Skogafoss parking lot, so only a couple minutes drive away.
Kvernufoss
Kvernufoss, is a nearby but less-visited waterfall that is 100% worth a visit!
It is just a short drive away from Skogafoss, and you can park at the Skógar Museum which does cost a fee.
From the parking lot, it is about a 15 to 20 minute easy walk to the waterfall.
If you don’t want to pay for parking again, you could walk to Kvernufoss from Skogafoss. It would add on about 20 minutes to your walk.
It is similar to Seljalandsfoss as there is a path where you can walk behind the waterfall.
Kvernufoss was our favorite waterfall we visited in Iceland. It was stunning!
Sólheimajökull Glacier
Sólheimajökull is a massive glacier that extends from the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and is easily accessible from the Ring Road.
You can take a short walk up to the edge of the glacier for a close-up look at its crevasses and ice formations without having to walk on the glacier itself.
Here is the route you can follow to walk up to the glacier.
If you’re wanting to walk on the glacier itself, I recommend booking a guided glacier hike.
Dinner at Svarta Kaffid
Svarta Kaffid is the perfect place for dinner in Reykjavik if you want to enjoy a warm bowl of soup that is served in a bread bowl!
Below is a sample itinerary for day 2!
| 7:00 am to 8:00 am | Breakfast at Deig |
| 8:00 am to 10:00 am | Drive to Seljalandsfoss |
| 10:00 am to 11:00 am | See Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi |
| 11:00 am to 11:45 am | Drive to Skogafoss |
| 11:45 am to 12:30 pm | See Skogafoss |
| 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm | Lunch from Mia’s Country Van |
| 1:00 pm to 1:15 pm | Drive to Kvernufoss |
| 1:15 pm to 2:30 pm | See Kvernufoss |
| 2:30 pm to 2:45 pm | Drive to Sólheimajökull Glacier |
| 2:45 pm to 4:00 pm | Explore Sólheimajökull Glacier |
| 4:00 pm to 6:15 pm | Drive back to Reykjavik for Dinner |
| 6:15 pm to 7:30 pm | Dinner at Svarta Kaffid |
Where to Stay in Reykjavik
We stayed at this Airbnb in Reykjavik, and it was a great place to stay. I highly recommend it!
Here are some other hotels in Reykjavik to consider:
- Reykjavik Residence Hotel – centrally located in downtown Reykjavik and they offer accommodations with kitchens as well
- Sand Hotel by Keahotels – offers free breakfast
- Kvosin Downtown Hotel – some of the rooms have balconies
- Hotel Borg by Keahotels – free buffet breakfast
Do You Need a Rental Car in Iceland?
Yes, I recommend renting a car in Iceland–even for just two days.
It is the easiest way to maximize your short time in Iceland and gives you the flexibility to see all of the sights on your own time.
We rented our car from Lava Car Rental, and I highly recommend them! They pick you up from the airport and take you the short distance to their rental car center.
Some other popular local car rental companies that are highly reviewed are Blue Car Rental and Lotus Car Rental.
I checked all three of these companies when booking our rental car, and I ultimately went with Lava Car Rental since it was the cheapest.
➡️ Check out my blog post where we discuss tips for renting a car in Iceland!
Conclusion
In just two days, you can experience some of Iceland’s most iconic landscapes, from stunning waterfalls to glaciers, and even a relaxing soak at the Sky Lagoon.
While Iceland has so much more to offer, this 2-day Iceland itinerary lets you see the best of the Golden Circle and part of the Southern Coast within a reasonable drive from Reykjavik.
If you plan your days well and start early, you’ll be amazed by how much you can explore in a short time!
Check out these additional blog posts about Iceland to help plan your trip:
- An Epic 4-Day Iceland Itinerary to See the Best Sights
- 13 Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland Near Reykjavik (Within 2.5 Hours)
- 9 Jaw-Dropping Hikes Near Vík, Iceland
- How Much Does a 5-Day Trip to Iceland Cost? [Detailed Budget Breakdown]
- Iceland Summer Packing List: What I Packed for My Trip in July
- Reykjavik to Vik Drive: The Best Sights You Need to Stop at Along the Way
- Essential Tips for Renting a Car in Iceland: What You Need to Know
- The Ultimate Iceland Bucket List: 43 Adventures You Can’t Miss in Iceland
- 12 Unforgettable Things to Do in Vik, Iceland: A Complete Guide
