4 Day Iceland Road Trip Itinerary: Reykjavik, Kirkjufell, Geysers & Hidden Hot Springs

If you're searching for a 4 day Iceland road trip itinerary or wondering about the best places to visit in Iceland in 4 days, our adventure through this incredible island nation packed more unforgettable experiences into four days than we thought possible. From the dramatic drive to Kirkjufell and powerful waterfalls to hidden hot springs, geysers, and even walking from Europe to North America, Iceland delivered surprises around every corner.

What started as a short trip quickly became one of our favorite travel memories—and it all began with an overnight flight from Nashville.

Nashville to Reykjavik: The Adventure Begins

Our journey started with a flight from Nashville to New York before boarding an overnight flight to Reykjavik. Like many travelers arriving in Iceland, sleep was in short supply when we landed the next morning.

After clearing the airport, we grabbed a shuttle to the rental car facility and picked up what would become one of the best travel purchases we've ever made—a portable WiFi device, often called a MiFi. At first, it seemed like just another travel gadget. Within hours, it became clear that having reliable internet everywhere transformed the trip. Navigation was effortless, we could instantly look up attractions, find restaurants, check weather conditions, and stay connected no matter where we drove. Since then, portable WiFi devices have become a regular part of our international travels. We carry a GlocalMe (no affiliate - just a great product).

Driving to Kirkjufell Through Iceland's Incredible Landscapes

Rather than spending time in Reykjavik immediately, we pointed the car north toward Kirkjufell, one of Iceland's most photographed mountains.

The drive itself was an attraction. Every few miles seemed to reveal a new postcard-worthy scene with rolling green hills, lava fields, coastal views, waterfalls, and small towns that looked like they belonged in a storybook.

The challenge wasn't the scenery.

It was staying awake.

After a full day and night of travel, I asked Catherine to keep talking to me while I drove.

"Just help me stay awake for a bit."

"Sure," she replied.

About thirty seconds later she was asleep again.

To be fair, the combination of cool Icelandic air during stops and hikes followed by a rental car warmed by the sun made it nearly impossible not to drift off. We laughed about it later, but at the time I was relying heavily on open windows, fresh air, and frequent stops.

Fossatún Country Hotel and Waterfall Adventures

Our base for part of the trip was the charming Fossatún Country Hotel, located among beautiful waterfalls and Iceland's rugged countryside.

One of the joys of Iceland is that many attractions aren't crowded or commercialized. You simply pull over, walk a short distance, and discover something incredible.

That spirit of exploration led us to one of our favorite experiences: finding a local hot spring tucked away from the more famous tourist locations.

The geothermal activity beneath Iceland creates opportunities to discover warm pools throughout the country, and stumbling upon one felt like uncovering a local secret.

For the full story of our hot spring adventure, be sure to read our dedicated article on finding a hidden Icelandic hot spring. Trying not to get shot in Iceland

Geysir Park: Watching the Earth Come Alive

No Iceland itinerary would be complete without visiting Geysir Park.

Standing beside bubbling pools and steaming vents felt like watching the planet breathe. Every few minutes, visitors gathered around Strokkur and waited for nature's show.

The water would begin to swell.

A blue dome would rise from the ground.

Then a column of steaming water would explode skyward.

No matter how many times it happened, the crowd reacted with the same excitement every single time.

Walking from Europe to North America

One of the most unique stops of our trip was the Bridge Between Continents.

Yes, you can literally walk from Europe to North America in Iceland.

The bridge spans a rift created by the separation of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Standing in the middle gives you the rare opportunity to place yourself between two continents.

Technically speaking, we walked from Europe to North America!

Not many travel experiences allow you to say something that Unique.

Finding Fun in Iceland's Small Towns

One thing we love about road trips is the unexpected discoveries that never appear in guidebooks.

While driving through one small Icelandic town, we came across a giant half-blue exercise ball installed as part of a local recreation area.

Naturally, we stopped.

What followed was several minutes of completely unnecessary but highly entertaining attempts to bounce, balance, and avoid falling off this oversized playground feature.

Travel memories aren't always made at famous landmarks. Sometimes they're created on a random blue ball in a tiny Icelandic town.

Reykjavik's Harbor and Iceland's Famous Hot Dog

Before heading home, we spent time exploring Reykjavik.

The harbor area was lively and beautiful, with fishing boats, restaurants, colorful buildings, and views across the water. It was the perfect place to stretch our legs after several days of driving.

Of course, no visit to Reykjavik would be complete without trying Iceland's famous hot dog.

Simple, inexpensive, and surprisingly delicious, it has become one of the country's most famous culinary attractions. Sometimes the best travel foods aren't found in fancy restaurants but in places locals have loved for generations.

The Sun Never Set

One of the strangest and fascinating parts of visiting Iceland during the summer was the daylight.

It never really got dark.

At midnight, it looked more like late evening back home. The constant daylight made sightseeing easier and somehow encouraged us to keep exploring long after we normally would have called it a day.

At first it felt unusual.

By the end of the trip, we wished every destination offered extra daylight hours.

One Final "Adventure" at LaGuardia

As often happens in travel, the journey home had one last surprise waiting.

We flew back to New York and discovered our Southwest flight home had been canceled.

Like many stranded travelers, we considered getting a hotel room for a few hours of sleep. After evaluating the options, we looked around and noticed dozens of other passengers settling in around the airport.

Eventually, we found a collection of reasonably comfortable benches near the top of an escalator and decided that would be our hotel for the night.

It wasn't glamorous.

But it became another memorable travel story.

The next morning, tired but smiling, we finally made it home.

Final Thoughts

This 4 day Iceland road trip combined everything we love about travel: dramatic landscapes, spontaneous discoveries, unique geological wonders, local culture, and just enough unexpected challenges to create stories we'll tell for years.

From driving through breathtaking scenery on the way to Kirkjufell and soaking in hidden hot springs to walking between continents and surviving an overnight airport sleepover, Iceland delivered an adventure unlike any other destination we've visited.

If you're considering a short Iceland itinerary, don't worry about trying to see everything. Pick a few highlights, rent a car, stay flexible, and embrace the unexpected.

Some of the best moments happen when you least expect them.