If you’re planning a weekend break to Iceland then I am so excited for you! Iceland is a magical place and I love it more with every visit.
While you could spend a whole week in this incredible country, a weekend trip to Iceland is perfect. It’s an expensive destination so keeping the trip short keeps the costs down and you can easily see a lot in a short space of time.
Where to stay in Iceland
You’re going to be incredibly busy during this weekend trip to Iceland so I’d recommend choosing budget-friendly accommodation in Reykjavik. You won’t be spending much time there so don’t waste too much money on a fancy hotel.
I’ve stayed at Kex Hostel and it was lovely. I know the word ‘hostel’ often puts people off but there are private rooms and it’s not full of 21 year old backpackers. It’s more like a sociable hotel.
Hilton Reykjavik Nordica is another good option for a simple hotel in a good location for a good price.
How to get around Iceland
I highly recommend hiring a car in Iceland. It’s a very easy country to drive in and car hire is cheap in comparison to taxis and public transport. It also gives you a lot of freedom and flexibility to see things at your own pace.
I’d pick it up from the airport and use a comparison site like Kayak to compare prices and options.
Best time of year to take a weekend break to Iceland
Honestly, Iceland is gorgeous at any time of year! I’ve been in October, November, March and June and they were all lovely times to visit.
One thing I’d say is that it’s unlikely you’ll get perfectly warm, sunny, clear-skied days. It’s not like other European destinations which really are much nicer to visit in the summer. It’s often a bit cloudy and grey so it doesn’t really matter when you go.
Your weekend break to Iceland itinerary
If you’re taking a weekend break to Iceland I’m going to assume you’re going Friday-Sunday.
I found these flights from Manchester to Keflavik with easyJet from Friday-Sunday and this would be the absolute ideal!
Day 1 of your weekend break to Iceland: Reykjavik + Sky Lagoon
When you arrive at Keflavik Airport, pick up your hire car and drive straight into Reykjavik. The drive takes about 45 minutes.
Here’s everything you can should see and do in Reykjavik
Hallgrímskirkja Lutheran Church
Make this your first stop because you can park for free here. It’s the tallest church in Iceland at 74.5 meters (244 feet) and the sixth tallest architectural structure in the country. You can go up the tower and get your bearings for the whole city! Make sure you check out the magnificent pipe organ with 5,275 pipes!
Visitors can go up the tower (tickets cost £8 and there’s a lift to take you up) to enjoy breathtaking (although very chilly!) panoramic views of Reykjavík and its surroundings.
Frakkastígur (get a snack at Brauð & Co Bakery) + street art
Stroll down the press street Frakkastígur and admire the traditional and colourful buildings as well as the street art. Pop into Brauð & Co Bakery for a coffee and a snack to fuel you a little further!
Sun Voyager
Keep strolling down Frakkastígur and eventually you’ll come to the waterfront and the Sun Voyager sculpture.
Sólfar was designed by Icelandic artist Jón Gunnar Árnason. It was unveiled in 1990 as a tribute to the sun and the sea, reflecting Iceland’s connection with nature, exploration, and history.
The sculpture resembles a Viking ship and is an ode to the spirit of discovery, symbolizing hope, progress, and freedom. Positioned against the backdrop of Faxaflói Bay and Mount Esja, the Sun Voyager becomes especially enchanting at sunrise or sunset, when light plays off its polished surface.
Harpa Concert Hall
From the Sun Voyager, walk a few minutes to Harpa Concert Hall which is absolutely stunning both inside and out. There’s a lovely bar/restaurant on the ground floor where we had a coffee (£5) and enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere.
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre was opened in 2011 and is also on the waterfront. The building’s striking, modern design was a collaboration between Danish-Icelandic artist Ólafur Elíasson, Henning Larsen Architects, and Batteríið Architects. Its façade is made up of a lattice of geometric glass panels inspired by Iceland’s basalt landscapes, reflecting the surrounding sky, sea, and city lights. By day, sunlight dances across its surface, while at night, the panels are illuminated by a dazzling LED display.
There are a range of performances happening inside the concert hall but if you’ve just got one day in Reykjavik then it’s unlikely you’ll have time to enjoy one. Nevertheless, make sure you go inside and enjoy the beauty of the building inside.
Rainbow Street
Keep strolling around the city and make your way to Reykjavik’s ‘Rainbow Street’. Also known as Skólavörðustígur, part of Rainbow Street is painted with a bright and bold rainbow design, a symbol of joy, support for the LGBTQ+ community and to celebrate diversity.
There are lots of great shops, bars, cafes and restaurants along this street so it’s a lovely place for a wander.
If you’re feeling peckish then stop for fish and chips at Reykjavik Fish. There are three locations around the city but we visited the one on Rainbow Street and the fish was delicious.
All in all, that first part of our Reykjavik one day itinerary took about 3.5 hours. This didn’t feel rushed so you could do it faster if you’re short on time.
Sky Lagoon – Aim for a sunset time slot
You’re then going to get back in your car for the 11 minute drive to Iceland’s Sky Lagoon. If you don’t have a car, you’d need to get in a taxi.
The Sky Lagoon will definitely be a highlight of your weekend break to Iceland. It’s a luxurious geothermal spa overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It opened in 2021 so it’s relatively new and competes with the Blue Lagoon.
I was absolutely blown away by the Sky Lagoon. It’s man-made but feels like it could be a natural lagoon with its moss-covered walls and stone paths and pools carved into the rock. But there’s also a bar, a waterfall and perfect seats to sit and overlook the sea as the steam billows around you.
There’s an incredible infinity pool that seems to merge seamlessly with the sea and the sky. With billowing steam and often cloudy skies, it really is difficult to see where one ends and another begins. The water is heated by geothermal energy, so it’s deliciously warm regardless of Iceland’s often-chilly weather.
Sky Lagoon is known for its Ritual, a seven-step wellness journey inspired by Icelandic bathing traditions. The journey includes a cold plunge (I definitely didn’t do this step!), sauna, body scrub, and steam bath, a fresh juice and then finishing with a warm rinse in the geothermal waters.
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You can also enjoy a drink from the swim up bar and I highly recommend visiting at sunset for the most breathtaking views as the sun goes down. (I booked the 15:00 time slot in November and this was perfect to watch the sunset!)
When booking your Sky Lagoon package, you can book either Saman or Ser. I accidentally booked Ser which was the more expensive option and includes the private changing rooms which, admittedly, were lovely, but I’m not sure I needed to pay an extra £17 for it! You do need to book your package in advance.
Icelandic Street Food
If you’re at a centrally located hotel then I’d definitely recommend heading out into Reykjavik for dinner and drinks. There’s such a great atmosphere at night time and I’d even say it’s better at night than it is in the day!
Head to Icelandic Street Food for dinner. Here you’ll find traditional Icelandic food with a modern twist and an informal ‘fast food’ vibe. It also isn’t quite as expensive as the more traditional restaurants!
Day 2 of your weekend break to Iceland: The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is Iceland’s ultimate sightseeing loop, packed with waterfalls, geysers, and history. Think of it as Iceland’s greatest hits album, but in road trip form and just a one-hour drive from Reykjavik.
So, what exactly is the Golden Circle? It’s a 300-kilometer (186-mile) route that takes you through three of Iceland’s biggest attractions: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Springs, and Gullfoss Waterfall.
If you’re short on time then you can actually drive the Golden Circle in 3-4 hours but I recommend taking your time and making a day of it.
Your first stop will be Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Not only is it where the world’s first parliament was established in 930 AD (yep, the Vikings were way ahead of their time), but it’s also where two massive tectonic plates—the North American and Eurasian—are literally pulling apart. You can actually walk through the rift valley where they meet, which is kind of like straddling two continents at once. Oh, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even snorkel or dive in the Silfra fissure, a crystal-clear glacial water rift between the plates. Pretty cool, right?
I actually did this way back in 2014 and it was incredible! Read more: Snorkelling between tectonic plates in Iceland.
Next, we hit Geysir Hot Springs. This place is where the word “geyser” actually comes from, thanks to the Great Geysir, which used to erupt regularly. These days, its little sibling, Strokkur, steals the show, blasting boiling water up to 30 meters (100 feet) in the air every few minutes. It’s the perfect spot for that classic “ooh-ahh” moment (and maybe a little surprise if you’re standing downwind). The whole area smells like sulfur, but hey, that’s just part of the geothermal charm!
Finally, we get to Gullfoss, the “Golden Falls.” This waterfall is an absolute beast—massive, roaring, and stunningly beautiful. The Hvítá River drops into a deep canyon in two stages, creating a dramatic, misty spectacle. If you’re lucky and the sun’s out, you might even catch a rainbow over the falls.
Back in the early 1900s, there was a plan to turn Gullfoss into a hydroelectric dam, but a local farmer’s daughter, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, fought to protect it. Thanks to her, we get to enjoy this natural wonder in all its glory.
The best part about the Golden Circle? It’s super easy to do. You can do it in your hire car and explore at your own pace, or hop on a guided tour if you’d rather sit back and enjoy the ride.
Either way, you’re guaranteed some mind-blowing scenery, fascinating history, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments. Oh, and if you have time, consider adding some extra stops like the Kerið Crater, a stunning volcanic lake, or the Secret Lagoon, a relaxing hot spring.
Make your weekend trip to Iceland extra special
On your second evening in Iceland you could definitely hit the bars and restaurants in Reykjavik. A great option here is to take an Icelandic food and drink tour to experience some of the best places to eat and drink in the city. Of course, you could just make up your own too!
If that’s not your vibe then consider a Northern Lights Tour! Of course, you’re never guaranteed to see the unpredictable Northern Lights but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and for lots of people it’s a risk worth taking!
Day 3 of your weekend break to Iceland: Adventure activity + The Blue Lagoon
Your final day during your weekend break to Iceland is really going to be dependent on your flight time home. If you’re lucky enough to have an evening flight home like the easyJet flights I mentioned at the top then you’ve got time to squeeze in a morning adventure activity and then a trip to the Blue Lagoon on your way back to the airport.
The Blue Lagoon is ideally situated 20 minutes from Keflavik Airport so it makes a great place to visit on your way back.
Of course, you may prefer to spend your final morning in Reykjavik relaxing but if you’re the adventurous type then here are some of my favourites!
Iceland Adventure Activities
You’re going to have one that departs early but there are plenty to choose from!
The Blue Lagoon
Now you might be thinking that you’ve already visited a geothermal spa during your weekend break to Iceland, do you really need to visit two? I would argue that yes, you 100% need to visit two!
The Blue Lagoon and the Sky Lagoon are such different experiences, neither one is better than the other, they’re just different and incredible in their own right. And as I said before, The Blue Lagoon is so close to the airport that it would be rude not to, right?
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most famous and photogenic spots! This place is like stepping into a dreamy, otherworldly spa where the water is a milky, electric blue, and the steam rises mysteriously into the air. It’s all thanks to geothermal magic—the lagoon is fed by superheated water from deep underground, rich in minerals like silica and sulfur. Supposedly, these minerals do wonders for your skin, so slathering on the complimentary silica mud mask is a must!
Despite looking like a natural wonder, the Blue Lagoon is actually man-made. It was formed in the ‘70s when water from the nearby geothermal power plant (don’t worry, it’s totally clean and natural) started pooling in the lava fields. People noticed the water left their skin feeling amazing, and voilà—the Blue Lagoon spa was born!
It’s the perfect place to unwind after a long day of adventuring through Iceland’s epic landscapes. Whether you’re soaking with a cocktail in hand from the in-water bar, chilling in a steamy cave, or getting a fancy in-water massage, it’s pure bliss.
Travel Hack Tip: Book your tickets in advance! This place gets packed, and you don’t want to miss out. Oh, and if you’re worried about your hair—yes, the silica can make it feel like straw. Just coat it in conditioner before you go in and try your best to not get it in the water.
The Blue Lagoon is 100% worth the hype—just be ready to never want to leave!
And there you have it. The absolute ultimate weekend break to Iceland. You’re going to get home feeling like you’ve been away for a week and there’s something so magical about Iceland that will stay with you forever. It’s a very special place!