I discovered just how much Iceland has to offer during a four-night visit in February 2024, travelling with Icelandair as part of a package that included flights, accommodations and a rental car. While four nights may sound short, we managed to experience an incredible variety of Iceland’s landscapes and attractions!
Because we had a rental car, we stayed at the Reykjavik Natura, located just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Reykjavik. One of the biggest advantages was the large, complimentary parking lot. If you're planning to rent a car in Iceland, be sure to check whether your hotel offers parking, as spaces can be limited and parking downtown can be expensive.
Having a car gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace. One of my travel companions who had previously visited Iceland created a daily itinerary for us and took care of all of the driving. The roads were excellent, making driving a wonderful way to explore beyond Reykjavik.
One tip I highly recommend: rent a Wi-Fi unit with your car. Having reliable internet access made it easy to use our phones for directions as we travelled between waterfalls, hot springs and other attractions.
No trip to Iceland would be complete without experiencing its famous geothermal waters, and we managed to visit two very different lagoons.
We visited the Blue Lagoon on the day we arrived, which turned out to be a fantastic way to make use of our time while waiting for our hotel room to be ready. If you're arriving by air, there are convenient packages that can pick you up at the airport, take you to the Blue Lagoon and then transport you to your hotel afterward. It’s a great use of time on your first day!
At the other end of our trip, after checking out of our hotel and with plenty of time before our flight, we visited Sky Lagoon. The experience was quite different. Sky Lagoon felt more sophisticated and spa-like, with higher-end offerings such as massage packages. Both were memorable, but if you have the opportunity, I would definitely recommend experiencing both to appreciate their differences.
One of the highlights of our trip was a whale-watching excursion. It was a full-day adventure, beginning before sunrise and involving several hours of driving to reach our departure point. The long day was absolutely worth it.
We were fortunate enough to see dozens of killer whale pods, an experience that remains one of the most incredible wildlife encounters I’ve ever had. Seeing these magnificent animals in their natural environment was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Another bucket-list experience for me was snorkelling at Silfra, something I have wanted to do ever since my son experienced it with his Scout troop about a decade ago.
The water was breathtaking, some of the clearest water I have ever seen. The most challenging part was actually getting into the water. You wear a dry suit, which is bulky and takes some getting used to, but once you are in the water you don't feel cold at all.
Once you’re back on land, however, you'll definitely want warm clothing ready to change into!
If you're visiting Iceland during the winter, an ice cave tour is another experience worth adding to your itinerary.
Iceland's ice caves are constantly changing, meaning the landscape can look dramatically different from one visit to the next. Some caves can change from month to month, or even week to week! Walking through these natural formations felt surreal. At times, I genuinely felt as though I had landed on another planet.
The tour operator provided crampons for the glacier walk to the caves, but you'll want to dress appropriately and be prepared for winter conditions.
Throughout our journey we visited numerous waterfalls and every single one was spectacular. Iceland's landscape is unlike anything I've ever experienced before. Around every corner seems to be another dramatic vista, waterfall, volcanic formation or geothermal feature.
One of our stops was the Geysir Geothermal Area, where we watched the famous geyser erupt every few minutes. The area has a boardwalk that allows visitors to explore the surrounding hot springs and geothermal features, along with a large visitor centre offering parking, shopping and dining. If you're taking a Golden Circle tour, Geysir is one of the major highlights you'll likely encounter.
Back in Reykjavik, we found plenty of opportunities to experience some of the city's unique attractions. One of the most fun was an ice bar, where the tables, chairs and even the décor were made from ice. Ice carvings were scattered throughout the space, creating plenty of photo opportunities. Warm ponchos were provided with admission, making it possible to enjoy the experience without freezing!
And, of course, no visit to Reykjavik would be complete without trying one of Iceland's famous hot dogs. We grabbed one near the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church, which also gave us another great opportunity for photos.
Iceland can be an expensive destination when it comes to dining, so one of our best discoveries was the city's food halls. Food halls offer a variety of food stalls under one roof, along with shared seating areas. They're a great option when travelling with a group because everyone can choose something different. The food halls we visited had excellent food and beautiful common areas filled with plants and stylish décor. They were also a good way to keep meal costs more manageable.
Of course, one of the big reasons many travellers visit Iceland in winter is the chance to see the Northern Lights. We tried twice during our visit, but unfortunately, the lights were very faint to the naked eye. While we didn't get the spectacular show we had hoped for, it gives me another reason to return! We visited in late February and were incredibly lucky with the weather. Although it was cold, the conditions were dry, and we enjoyed sunny blue skies throughout our stay.
Four nights in Iceland gave us an incredible taste of what this extraordinary country has to offer, but I would love to return for a longer stay. On my next visit, I'd like to spend a few nights in some of the towns and cities along our route rather than returning to Reykjavik every evening. That would allow for a slower pace and even more opportunities to explore.
Still, our short visit proved that you don't necessarily need a long vacation to experience the magic of Iceland. With a rental car, a well-planned itinerary and a willingness to get out and explore, you can pack an incredible number of experiences into just a few days. From soaking in geothermal lagoons and swimming between tectonic plates to walking through ice caves, watching killer whales and chasing the Northern Lights, Iceland offers something truly unforgettable around every corner.
If Iceland isn't already on your travel wish list, it should be. You won't be disappointed!
By: Debby M.
Vacation Consultant Expedia Cruises - Windsor
