We will have 5-6 days the first part of April 2026. Plan to self drive and want to explore plus have a couple of days to ski, preferably on a glacier. 4 adults and 3 kids(8-13)
Posted by
Los Angeles
1714 posts
Rick Steves recommended itinerary:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/iceland/itinerary
Travel forum discussions re Iceland past year:
https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=1y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Iceland+
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
3464 posts
April is still winter in Iceland. Do you have significant winter driving experience? Iceland is more severe than anywhere in the US. Also skiing is not much of a thing there. Yes they have it, but even in the dead of winter they are not open like they are here.
With only 5-6 days you will only see a tiny bit of the country. Just know you will need to come back to really experience it, but this will give you an inkling at least.
If you are coming from the US, the day of arrival it is best to just go to Reykjavik and see the city on foot. Get a good nights sleep and venture out in the morning. So that leaves you with maybe 4 days , depending on what time you’re departing flight is.
With 4 days to venture out I would do one night in Vik, one night in the Golden Circle and two nights on Snaefellsness. Doing Vik first is because you go over a pass to get there so if you encounter bad weather and closed roads, you have a buffer of time so as to not miss your flight home.
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
3464 posts
FWIW I do not agree with RS’s itinerary. Driving that far on arrival day is extremely risky and puts you and everyone else on the road with you in danger. Falling asleep at the wheel is a big issue with visitors in Iceland and they are trying to curb that of course. Plus the itinerary has too much time in Reykjavik and the puffins will not have arrived yet so Westman will be limited in what you can do. The run boat safari rides are also not operating yet. In the summer, yes Westmann is great but not in April.