Thursday: land and Blue Lagoon
Most flights land Keflavik between 6am and noon. Pick up the rental, drive 20 minutes to the Blue Lagoon or the cheaper Sky Lagoon in Kopavogur, soak for two hours, then into Reykjavik for check-in and a walking dinner on Laugavegur. Do not try to add a sight today; jet lag will beat you. Sleep central Reykjavik.
Friday and Saturday: Golden Circle then South Coast
Friday is the Golden Circle loop with a Secret Lagoon or Laugarvatn Fontana soak, ending back in Reykjavik. Saturday is South Coast: Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, lunch in Vik, then push east to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon if you left by 8am. The lagoon is 4.5 hours from Reykjavik one-way — you will not be back before midnight. Sleep in Vik or Kirkjubaejarklaustur instead.
Sunday: Snaefellsnes on the way back, or slow morning
If you slept in Vik, drive back Sunday morning via the same road. If you slept in Reykjavik Friday and Saturday, use Sunday for the Snaefellsnes peninsula — Kirkjufell, Arnarstapi cliffs, Djupalonssandur black pebble beach, back by 8pm. Flight home Monday morning. Sleep the last night near Keflavik airport at the Aurora or Airport Hotel.
Good to know
Questions, answered
Is Snaefellsnes worth a full day?
Yes. It is called Iceland in miniature for a reason — glacier, lava fields, fishing villages, black beach, all in one 200 km loop.
Should I fly to Akureyri instead?
Not on a long weekend. The north is spectacular but the logistics eat a day at each end.
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