50 Hours in Iceland -- Itinerary expertise requested

We have been many times, and based upon my experience and what you are looking for, these are my suggestions:)

Day 1 is good, but you can fit a whole lot more into it. Rainbow road leads right up to the church, so that is easy. Be sure to buy tickets and go to the top of the church as the views are wonderful. Walk along the water to the Sun Voyager, visit Harpa inside and out, check out all the murals and street art, visit the Handknitting Association store for locally handmade woolen items (it is on Rainbow Road), walk up Pufa, and visit a local pool or go to Sky Lagoon.

Day 2 I would skip the Golden Circle entirely. I would head up to Snaefellsness where it is basically a mini Iceland in that there is a wide variety of things in a small area. Ytri Tunga is the seal beach, Budir, Gerduberg basalt cliffs, Raudfeldsgja, Arnastapi and the hike to Hellnar and back (45 minute search way, if you have the time), Djupalonssandur, Saxholl Crater, Hellisandur (mural capital of Iceland), Olavsvik, Kirkufjell, Helgafell, and Stikisholmur are all great places. You won't have time for all of this, but you can pick and choose or do drive by's. On your way back, go to Hvammsvik Hot Spring which is about 45 minute north of Reykjavik. It is our favorite hot spring in all of our trips, FWIW.

Day 3 you will need to be back at KEF no later than 1pm, so return the car a bit before that. So that gives you until about 12:30 that day. I would take that time to see some of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Then that will put you close to KEF. There is a lot to see in this area. Gardur lighthouses, the Bridge Between Continents, Hafnarberg, Reykjanes Lighthouse, Gunnuhver hot springs, Valahnukamol, and the shipwreck/Hopsnes lighthouse.

Thank you mikliz97!

This is exactly what I was looking for

Do you know if it’s possible to walk to the top of Hallgrimskirkja or is the elevator required? I’d like to walk all the way up if it’s allowed

moss--I only know of the elevator, and think that is the only way. It is about $8 to go up, and you buy the ticket inside to the left in the teeny tiny gift store.

Update

I’m back and it was spectacular. Thanks for all the tips and advice.

moss, you gotta give us more than that, lol! I am glad it was a good trip, but would love to read more about it.

moss, you gotta give us more than that, lol! I am glad it was a good trip, but would love to read more about it.

I'm not sure just saying what I did captures the feeling, but:

Day 1
Got rental car from Blue (just OK) and drove to Reykjavik. Checked into hotel around 4 and went out to explore. Hallgrimskirkja far exceeded expectations. Took elevator to 8th floor and walked up to the bell tower from there. Because it was a beautiful clear sky day, there were spectacular 360 views. Went back to rental car and drove up and down the coast near the city to get a lay of the land. Stayed up to watch the midnight sun at 2 am

Day 2
Drove to Snæfellsjökull National Park and back. Simply pointed the car toward the big snow-capped mountain and drove, stopping wherever possible. Expected a lot of other tourists, but it was mostly empty. Another stellar blue sky day. Was not prepared for the Hvalfjörður Tunnel. Very impressive.

Day 3
Walked around downtown Reykjavik in the early morning, because I hadn't seen much of it yet. I was the only one out except the trash collection crew. Checked out of hotel and drove to the airport in Keflavik along the south coastal route, stopping at various black sand beaches and the Seltún geothermal area. It was cold and rainy this day making the steam arising from the middle of the earth even more dramatic. Again, expected more people to be there, but there were just a handful of other cars on the road. Got on a plane and four hours later landed in 80 degree temperatures in one of the biggest cities in the US. i think my clothes still smelled a bit from the sulfur that engulfed me at Seltun.

Wish I could post pictures here. Again, words don't capture the overall vibe and feeling of Iceland. I can't wait to go back and see more

That sounds like a perfect trip!

Good to know about the elevator at the church and the stairs. Even in the winter the views from up there are stunning.

Yes, Snaefellsness has FAR fewer visitors than the south coast, so that is why I always recommend it. I am laughing at the tunnel, only because I am sort of oblivious to them (except the one lane ones!), but on our last trip I did not realize that my friend has a terrible fear of them. I did not know this until we were part way through it, so no turning back.

I too love the early mornings in Reykjavik when you can wander and be almost the only person around.

Thank you so much for sharing, and yes, I definitely got the vibe from it. It also makes me even more antsy for our next trip there this summer.

Would have preferred to walk all the way up Hallgrimskirkja, but you’re required to take the elevator most of the way.

The funny thing about the tunnel is that I sunglasses on and it was super dark, but I couldn’t take them off because they’re prescription and then I wouldn’t be able to see, so it was even darker. (On the way back, I just wore regular glasses.)

Also, didn’t mention in earlier comment, but I did go to the Sun Voyager as you recommended.

Only thing I didn’t do that I mentioned before I left was swimming in a hot spring. It didn’t seem as interesting when I was there.

I absolutely loved Iceland and am already planning my next trip.

I absolutely loved Iceland and am already planning my next trip.

It's a disease. :-) I just returned from Iceland on Saturday and am trying to figure out when i can get back.

moss and Carrie--Our trip in August will be our 8th, and we are already planning for next summer as well. It is so addicting as there is just SO much to see and so many ways to go.

moss--That's the great thing about travel, you get to decide what you want to do. If the lagoons were not of interest, then no worries. To me it is like a museum. If I am not interested I am not going:)