5-Day Iceland Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights City Break

Your five-day city break adventure in Iceland begins when you touch down at the Keflavik International Airport. An airport transfer service will then take you to your Reykjavik accommodation, which will be your home for the next five nights.

En route to Reykjavik, you can stop and relax at the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is a must-visit because it offers the best geothermal experience in Iceland. 

The lagoon's water, rich in minerals and heated by the Earth's geothermal activity, is beautiful and believed to have healing properties. Visitors flock to soak in the warm, soothing waters, enveloped by a steamy mist that adds to the otherworldly ambiance. 

If you want to visit the Blue Lagoon, remember to add an entrance package when booking. Your options are a comfort entrance package and a premium entrance package. 

The comfort package includes standard admission with amenities like a silica mud mask, towel, and a complimentary drink. On the other hand, the premium package offers the same items with added perks like additional masks, the use of a bathrobe, and a glass of sparkling wine if you dine at the Lava Restaurant.

If you choose to add a stop at the Blue Lagoon on your first day, your travel agent will arrange it according to your flight schedule. With the tour's flexibility, you can add the Blue Lagoon to another day if you have other plans for your first day in Iceland.

As you head to Reykjavik, you'll pass by beaches, volcanoes, and lava fields in Reykjanes Peninsula. It will be your first taste of the beauty of Iceland's nature, which you'll see more of in the coming days.

Once you reach the city, you can begin exploring the area, starting with the streets of Reykjavik. Check out the cafes and restaurants and grab a few bites before heading to the iconic Old Harbor.

Regarded as the heart of Reykjavik, the Old Harbor is a historic and vibrant waterfront area. Once a bustling hub for fishing, it has transformed into a lively district with seafood restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions.

After your first taste of Reykjavik, you will retire at night in a cozy accommodation in or near the city center.

Today is your second day in Iceland, with Reykjavik as your base. You can stay in the city to explore its charming streets independently or pack your day with optional tours.

Reykjavik is renowned for its beautiful and walkable streets. The city's compact size makes it perfect for exploring on foot, immersing you in its unique blend of natural beauty and urban culture.

While in the city, don’t forget to stop at the Hallgrimskirkja church. Standing 245 feet (74.5-meter) tall, the church is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. You can check out the church’s tower for a beautiful view of the cityscape.

From there, you can visit the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center. A masterful creation by Henning Larsen Architects and renowned Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson, the Harpa is a stunning glass structure reflecting Iceland's natural beauty. 

The building also serves as a prominent cultural hub, hosting concerts, conferences, and events, making it a must-visit destination for tourists and locals.

To help you explore, you can book a 24-hour City Card, a hop-on hop-off bus ticket, or a walking, beer, or food tour. 

Alternatively, if you wish to dive deeper into Iceand’s natural landscapes, you can join an optional guided tour of the Golden Circle on this day. The tour includes transfer from Reykjavik, so you don’t have to worry about transportation.

The Golden Circle stretches approximately 186 miles (300 kilometers) and features three primary attractions: the Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and the Gullfoss waterfall.

The Thingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site with historic and geological significance. It's where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates drift apart, creating a visible rift valley. 

Meanwhile, the Geysir geothermal area is home to the famous Strokkur geyser, erupting spectacularly every few minutes alongside bubbling hot springs and other geothermal phenomena. 

Finally, the Gullfoss waterfall is a powerful two-tiered waterfall showcasing the raw, untamed power of Iceland's wilderness. It is one of the most celebrated attractions in the country due to its beauty and rich history, which your guide will tell you more about.

If a Golden Circle tour doesn’t appeal to you, perhaps a helicopter tour will. If you wish to experience Reykjavik up high, booking a helicopter tour is your best bet. The tour involves riding a helicopter that will circle you around the city and the surrounding landscapes.

If you want to go hot spring bathing instead, enjoy the Sky Lagoon or Hvammsik Nature Baths.

No matter what you do today, you will spend your night in your cozy accommodation in Reykjavik. Before retiring, however, you can embark on a thrilling northern lights tour to witness the aurora borealis.

These tours are available by bus, boat, and even ATV.

Day three of your five-day city break is another chance to explore Reykjavik and its lively scenes. If your visit falls on the height of the winter, you will see the city in the cloak of snow and ice.

While you can discover Reykjavik on your own, you can do it with the help of local guides for a more informed and enjoyable experience. Booking guided cultural tours will help you learn more about Iceland through exciting trivia and local stories.

One of your best options is a Reykjavik food walking tour, where you can sample delicious and unique local dishes. The tour involves visiting several food places on foot, tasting their menus while learning about the city’s culture and history. 

Alternatively, you can join a Reykjavik beer walk, where you’ll visit multiple bars and taste microbrew beers or Icelandic schnapps. You’ll also learn about the history of beer-making in Iceland and how it has evolved.

Like the previous day, you can dedicate your time to exploring the breathtaking natural features of Iceland. This time, you can book an optional excursion to the South Coast, inclusive of a transfer from Reykjavik and a local guide.

The South Coast highlights popular destinations such as the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Skogafoss waterfall, Reynisfjara black sand beach, and Vik village. If you wish to take it further, you can even visit the spectacular Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

In the evening, don’t miss your chance to join an optional northern lights hunting tour. Booking this optional tour will double your chances of seeing the beautiful polar lights.

The standard aurora borealis tour is conducted on a bus departing from Reykjavik. The bus will take you to secret locations in the countryside where less light pollution will enhance your viewing experience.

If a regular bus doesn’t appeal to you, your other northern lights hunting options include a super jeep, ATV, or a boat. Booking the northern lights boat cruise will let you enjoy the aurora borealis from the open waters of Faxafloi Bay.

You will spend your night in the same hotel in Reykjavik.

For your penultimate day in Iceland, you can still customize your day to whatever you feel like doing or seeing in Reykjavik. If you have witnessed cultural attractions like Hallgrimskirkja church and Harpa Concert Hall in the past, perhaps you can dedicate your day to finding souvenirs to take home.

The best place to shop in the city is Laugavegur street, a bustling area in downtown Reykjavik. Laugavegur and its adjacent street are lined with boutiques, specialty shops, and souvenir stores. They feature local and international products, from cheap trinkets to more expensive clothes.

Some top souvenirs are Icelandic wool clothing, handmade ceramics, fridge magnets, Viking-inspired items, and locally made chocolates.

If you plan on shopping briefly, you can once again pack your day with optional excursions. While you can enjoy the walking tours, city tours, helicopter tours, and hot springs like the past two days, your top option is a guided small-group tour in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland.

Snaefellsnes is known for its breathtaking mountains, waterfalls, and other natural wonders, earning the nickname "Iceland in miniature." Here, you'll also visit some historical spots that played essential roles in shaping the country.

One of the highlights of the peninsula is Kirkjufell Mountain, standing 1,519 feet (463 meters) tall. It is one of Iceland's most iconic and picturesque natural landmarks with a fascinating cone that you may recognize as the "Arrowhead Mountain" in the popular TV show Game of Thrones.

Its distinctive shape and stunning backdrop have made it a favorite subject for photographers and travelers exploring Iceland's rugged beauty. The mountain is often photographed with the cascading Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground, creating a truly magical scene.

You'll also visit Djupalonssandur, a black sand beach known for its dark cliffs and remnants of shipwrecks. The beach features jagged lava formations and the relentless crashing of Atlantic waves.

Nearby is the coastal village of Arnarstapi. Nestled on the rugged shores of Iceland's Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Arnarstapi is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and lava fields. Check out the Gatklettur arch, a massive stone bridge formed by the forces of erosion.

Other highlights of Snaefellsnes are the Ytri-Tunga beach, Budir black church, and the imposing Snaefellsjokull glacier volcano.

After completing the Snaefellsnes day tour, you can add more adventures in Reykjavik. In the evening, you can join another northern lights bus, boat, ATV, or super jeep tour before returning to your hotel.