Iceland in 4 Days: A PTO-Friendly Adventure for 4th of July
- Maddy Bridgman
- Jul 11, 2025
- 4 min read
Day 1: Arrival and Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates
Arrival Time: 7:00 AM (overnight flight)
Transport: Rental car with Blue Car Rentals: smooth pickup and friendly service at KEF airport
We hit the ground running despite the jet lag. After grabbing breakfast in Reykjavik and strolling through the colorful city center, we geared up for our first unforgettable experience.
4:00 PM – Snorkeling in Silfra
We drove about 50 minutes to Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park from Reykjavik, though it felt much shorter thanks to Iceland’s stunning scenery. Silfra is a glacial fissure where you snorkel between two tectonic plates in near-freezing water. It’s surreal, shockingly clear, and truly one of the most unique experiences I've ever had.
Tips:
Wear warm base layers because even in a drysuit, you'll feel the chill!
Explore Thingvellir a bit before or after your snorkel. The hiking paths and lake views are beautiful.
Iceland has no mosquitoes, but midges (tiny flying bugs) can be a nuisance in summer. If bugs bother you, consider packing a mosquito head net like this one on Amazon.
Day 2: Full-Day Tour with Arctic Adventures
Pickup Time: 7:45 AM
Tour Highlights: Fagradalsfjall volcano hike, Seltún Geothermal Area, and the legendary Blue Lagoon
We spent the entire day exploring Iceland’s wild geothermal beauty on a guided tour. Our guide was knowledgeable, hilarious, and patient with photo stops. This is the kind of guide that makes a long day fly by. The finale at the Blue Lagoon was nothing short of magical and super relaxing after a long day.
Tips:
Pack your own snacks and water, food stops are limited and pricey.
This tour is great for squeezing in a lot of iconic stops if your time is short.
Day 3: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Exploration
We left this day flexible to chase good weather and match our energy. We ended up road-tripping the Snæfellsnes Peninsula which is quieter and less touristy than the South Coast, but equally stunning.
Stops we made:
1:15 PM – Ytri-Tunga Beach (seal sightings and golden sand)
3:00 PM – Arnarstapi (small fishing village with a handful of local cafés perfect for a cozy lunch stop, and incredible views)
4:30 PM – Grundarfjörður / Kirkjufell (Iceland’s most photographed mountain!)
5:15 PM – Selvallafass (lesser-known gem where you can actually walk behind the waterfall)
Optional: Bogarnes on the drive back to Reykjavik
We made all our choices morning-of, following the weather and our mood!
Evening activity: Highly recommend this huge darts bar right in Reykjavik for fun games and drinks.
Tip: If you see something beautiful, pull over and explore it. The journey is the destination here.
Day 4: Sky Lagoon + Saying Goodbye
9:00 AM – Sky Lagoon Spa
We couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up the trip. Sky Lagoon was peaceful and luxurious, with a seven-step wellness ritual that included a cold plunge, sauna, steam room, and stunning ocean views. We walked out completely recharged, just in time to face reality again... with work starting bright and early the next morning!
Sky Lagoon vs. Blue Lagoon?
Sky Lagoon: Smaller, quieter, epic ocean views.
Blue Lagoon: Iconic milky-blue water, larger, busier. You honestly can’t go wrong, they are different but both worth experiencing.
12:15 PM – Quick Stop: Bridge Between Continents
On our way to the airport, we made a quick detour to the Bridge Between Continents, where you can literally walk from the North American tectonic plate to the Eurasian one. It’s a fun symbolic stop, and a cool photo op to wrap up the trip.
1:30 PM – Drive to KEF Airport
We squeezed in one last coffee and souvenir stop before heading to the airport!
Tip: Reykjavik is around 45 minutes from KEF, so plan accordingly!
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the Iceland Student Hostel for its convenient location and budget-friendly price. At ~$160 USD/night for a private double room with a bathroom, it was clean, quiet, and had easy parking plus it is easily walkable to downtown Reykjavik.
Food in Iceland
Iceland is incredibly scenic, and incredibly pricey when it comes to food. Expect:
Restaurant meals to cost ~$25–$40 USD per person
Gas station hot dogs to be shockingly good (and budget-friendly!)
Grocery stores (like Bónus or Krónan) to be lifesavers if you're trying to keep costs down
Final Thoughts
This trip reminded us how energizing it is to be completely immersed in nature that humbles and surprises you at every turn.
If you're heading to Iceland:
Say yes to the gas station hot dogs, Layer up (the wind and cold are no joke), and leave room for spontaneity!
Note: While four days isn’t nearly enough to take in everything Iceland has to offer, it is enough to be awed, inspired, and completely hooked. If you’re working with limited PTO and can snag a direct flight (especially within 5–6 hours), this kind of quick-turn adventure is absolutely worth it. I’ll definitely be back to see more, but I’m so grateful to have experienced even a glimpse of this magical place.
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