Iceland is one of the best places in the world for a short stopover. With direct flights connecting North America and Europe, many travelers spend 2–4 days here on their way to another destination. That’s exactly what we did: a three-day Iceland stopover on our way to Norway. From the famous Blue Lagoon to Reykjavik’s colorful streets, diving between continents at Silfra, chasing waterfalls, spotting puffins, and climbing a glacier — here’s our 3-day Iceland itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival, Blue Lagoon & Reykjavik

Blue Lagoon Iceland

No stopover in Iceland is complete without visiting the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s iconic geothermal spa. Straight from the airport, we picked up our rental car and made a beeline to the spa. The blue lagoon is 20 minutes from the airport, making it the perfect stop upon arrival (or prior to departure).

The mineral-rich, milky blue water is heated by geothermal energy, and stepping into the steaming pool while the icy wind hits your face is unforgettable. We tried the famous silica and algae masks while lounging around the lagoon. After we had enough spa time, we showered and went for lunch at Lava Restaurant for some delicious Icelandic cuisine. The restaurant overlooks the lagoon with panoramic views.

Exploring Reykjavik

That afternoon, we drove into Reykjavik, Iceland’s small but vibrant capital. After checking in to our hotel, we walked around the city centre and checked out the highlights, which include:

• Rainbow Street (Skólavörðustígur) leading up to the towering Hallgrímskirkja Church
• The glass-and-steel Harpa Concert Hall by the waterfront
• Street art, colorful houses, and cozy cafés throughout the old town

For dinner, we stopped at Dirty Burger and Ribs for comfort food before ending the night with live music at the intimate Bookstore Bar, a local favorite.

Day 2: Golden Circle & Silfra Diving

Thingvellir National Park & Silfra Fissure

The next day, we set out on the Golden Circle, Iceland’s most famous driving route. Our first stop was Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drift away from each other, creating dramatic rifts and valleys.

Silfra is the only place in the world where you can scuba dive and touch two continents. The water is so clear — visibility over 100 meters — that it feels like floating through space. The glacial water is cold (37F on our trip), but with a dry suit, hood and gloves, it’s relatively comfortable. Whether you dive or snorkel, Silfra is a surreal experience and well worth it.

Gullfoss Waterfall

After drying off, we walked around the park before continuing to Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls. Its sheer power is humbling — two tiers of glacial water roaring into a canyon, mist rising high into the air.

Puffins in Vik

By evening we arrived in Vik, just in time for prime puffin hour! At the lighthouse, we caught them swooping in and out of their cliffside nests, though the wind made it a challenge to track them.  So we headed down to a lower beach viewpoint for a closer look and got lucky to see a few nesting!

Day 3: Glacier Hiking in Iceland

Sólheimajökull Glacier Ice Climbing

Our last day was all about adventure. We hired Evangelos, private guide to take us on the Sólheimajökull Glacier, a massive outlet glacier of the larger Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. Equipped with crampons and ice axes, we spent the day ice climbing on the glacier, navigating crevasses, moulins and blue ice walls. It was spectacular – once further out on the glacier, there was no one else in site and we were surrounded by beautiful blue ice.

Waterfalls on the South Coast

On our way back to Reykjavik, we stopped at two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls:

                •              Skógafoss – a 60-meter drop with the chance to climb stairs to the viewpoint above

                •              Seljalandsfoss – where you can actually walk behind the waterfall for a 360° view

We ended the day with dinner in Reykjavik, wrapping up our 3-day Iceland stopover itinerary before flying on to Norway.

Final Thoughts: Is Iceland Worth a Stopover?

Absolutely. In just three days we experienced geothermal spas, Reykjavik’s culture, world-class diving, dramatic waterfalls, puffin cliffs, and a glacier hike. A stopover in Iceland is the perfect way to break up your trip to Europe, and this 3-day Iceland itinerary is proof that you don’t need weeks to see the highlights.