My 3-Day Iceland Camper Van Itinerary

One of the biggest reasons I chose Iceland for a long weekend was that you can see an incredible amount in just a few days if you're willing to hit the road. Instead of booking hotels, I spent three nights traveling the South Coast in a camper van with Go Campers Iceland.

It gave me the freedom to wake up next to waterfalls, chase good weather, stop whenever I saw something beautiful, and avoid wasting time driving back to Reykjavík every night.

If you only have a long weekend, this is exactly how I would recommend spending it.

Thursday: Reykjavík, Food Tour, and Midnight Waterfalls

Picking Up My Camper Van

I landed at Keflavík International Airport early in the morning and immediately followed the signs outside to the rental shuttle pickup area. It was super straightforward, just a short walk outside the terminal where a van was already looping to take travelers to the pickup location. Within minutes, I was on my way to the Go Campers Iceland depot.

Once I arrived, the whole process felt smooth and efficient. Check-in was quick, and everything was explained clearly before I got handed the keys. The camper itself was already stocked and ready to go, with all the essentials I needed for the next three days. What stood out immediately was how well thought out everything was, from the cooking setup to the extra gear options if you need them for colder weather or longer stays.

They also provided WiFi in the van, which made it easy to navigate and adjust plans on the fly without worrying about signal in remote areas. I was given maps and itinerary suggestions too, which actually helped shape parts of my route once I got on the road. Inside the camper there was even a small “community pantry” setup where travelers can leave behind unused food or supplies, so you can grab anything helpful before heading out instead of wasting or overbuying.

Within about an hour of landing, I was already on the road driving toward Reykjavík, which honestly set the tone for the entire trip. It felt easy, organized, and stress-free, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to maximize a short time in a country like Iceland.

Sandholt Bakery and Reykjavík City Walk

My first stop was Sandholt Bakery, where I grabbed coffee and a pastry before wandering through the city center. Definitely recommend getting one of their freshly baked goods here and a warm coffee to fight the windy, chilly Icelandic air. I did a bit of journaling here before heading out to explore the city.

I spent a bit of time wandering through downtown Reykjavík, starting with Rainbow Street, which is one of the most photographed areas in the city. It’s a simple pedestrian street, but the painted rainbow running down the center gives it so much character. It leads directly toward Hallgrímskirkja, so you naturally end up walking through it as you explore the city. Even though it’s small, it has a really lively feel with cafés, little shops, and people just slowly moving through the area, especially in the summer when the city feels very open and walkable.

At the end of Rainbow Street stands Hallgrímskirkja, the massive church that overlooks all of Reykjavík. The design is inspired by Iceland’s basalt lava columns, which you also see throughout the country, so it already feels connected to the landscapes you’re about to explore. I took the elevator up the tower for panoramic views over the city, with colorful rooftops on one side and the ocean stretching out on the other. It’s one of the best ways to get your bearings in Reykjavík, especially on your first day, because you can literally see how small and coastal the city really is before heading out into the wider Icelandic landscapes.

Wake Up Reykjavík Food Walking Tour

That afternoon I joined the Wake Up Reykjavík Food Walking Tour, which ended up being one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip.

Over three hours, our guide led us through five different restaurants across Reykjavík while sharing stories about Icelandic history, culture, and how food traditions were shaped by the island’s harsh environment.

I tried everything from traditional Icelandic comfort food to modern dishes, including horse and fermented shark. Neither are everyday foods in Iceland, but they are deeply tied to the country’s history, especially survival during long winters when food preservation was essential.

The tour never felt rushed. Between stops, our guide shared fascinating stories about Reykjavík, pointed out landmarks I probably would have walked right past, and answered every question our group had. We ended the night at a cozy café with coffee and berry crumble, chatting as a group before heading our separate ways.

Drive to Seljalandsfoss (Midnight Sun Waterfall)

After dinner I drove south toward the coast.

One of the most surreal parts of Iceland in summer is the midnight sun. It never gets fully dark, which means you can explore at hours that normally feel like nighttime anywhere else in the world.

Around 10 p.m. I arrived at Seljalandsfoss and had it almost entirely to myself.

Walking behind the waterfall while the sky still glowed with soft evening light was one of those moments that felt completely unreal.

I camped nearby for the night, falling asleep to the sound of rushing water.

Friday: Waterfalls, Glacier, Black Sand Coast, and the Plane Wreck

GetYourGuide South Coast Tour (Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Glaciers, and Reynisfjara)

I started the morning by joining a full-day GetYourGuide South Coast Tour, one of the best ways to experience Iceland’s dramatic southern coastline in a single day.

The route feels like nonstop scenery: waterfalls, glaciers, lava fields, black sand deserts, and ocean cliffs all packed into one drive.

Our first stop was Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the waterfall and feel the spray hit your face.

Next was Skógafoss, a massive 60-meter waterfall that often creates double rainbows in the mist.

We then continued along the South Coast past endless volcanic landscapes before reaching Sólheimajökull Glacier, an outlet glacier where you can see deep cracks, blue ice formations, and glacial melt streams up close.

Finally, we arrived at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the world. Basalt columns rise from the cliffs while powerful Atlantic waves crash unpredictably along the shore. It is beautiful but dangerous due to sneaker waves, so staying behind marked areas is essential.

Vík Stop, Lunch, and Secluded Black Sand Beach with Horses

We stopped in Vík for lunch, but instead of staying in town, I went to a quieter stretch of black sand beach nearby.

It ended up being one of my favorite moments of the entire day.

There were almost no people, just black volcanic sand, open coastline, and endless space. At one point, Icelandic horses walked right along the shoreline, completely unbothered, which made the whole scene feel surreal.

It was calm, quiet, and completely different from the more tourist-heavy viewpoints.

Return to Hvolsvöllur and Transition Drive

After the tour ended, I was dropped back near my campsite in Hvolsvöllur.

From there, I continued driving independently along the South Coast as the evening set in.

Sólheimasandur Plane Crash (DC-3 Wreck at Night)

Around 8 p.m., I visited the Sólheimasandur Plane Crash site, one of the most iconic and eerie places in Iceland.

The wreck is a US Navy DC-3 that crash-landed in 1973 after running out of fuel. Thankfully, all crew survived, but the aircraft was abandoned on the black sand desert of Sólheimasandur.

Over time, the wreck became one of Iceland’s most photographed sites due to its surreal setting: a completely intact fuselage sitting alone in an endless volcanic desert with no surrounding structures.

Visiting it in the evening made it even more atmospheric. The crowds were gone, the wind was quiet, and the contrast between the white aircraft and black sand felt almost cinematic.

Afterward, I continued to Vík and camped there for the night.

Saturday: Vestrahorn, Glacier Lagoons, Sky Lagoon, and Reykjavík Nightlife

Vestrahorn Mountain (Stokksnes)

Saturday began early with a long drive east toward Vestrahorn at Stokksnes.

This is one of the most photographed landscapes in Iceland, where jagged mountains rise behind black sand dunes and reflect differently depending on the light and weather.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

On the return west, I stopped at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where massive icebergs float through a deep glacial lake before drifting toward the ocean.

The scale is hard to describe until you are standing there in person.

Diamond Beach

Just across the road is Diamond Beach, where icebergs from the lagoon wash up onto black sand and melt slowly against the shoreline.

The contrast between crystal-clear ice and volcanic sand is one of the most visually striking scenes in Iceland.

Sky Lagoon (7-Step Ritual)

That evening I returned to Reykjavík and went to Sky Lagoon, which was one of the most memorable experiences of the entire trip.

Unlike the Blue Lagoon, which is larger and more commercial, Sky Lagoon feels more natural, quieter, and directly connected to the ocean landscape. It sits right on the edge of the coast with cliffside views and a calmer atmosphere.

And bonus! You get a free drink voucher, so I snagged a glass of white wine. But be aware, you have a 3 drink limit here!

The seven-step ritual includes geothermal soaking, cold plunges, a sauna overlooking the Atlantic, and steam rooms that create a full wellness experience rather than just a spa visit.

After three days of driving and hiking, it was the perfect reset.

Reykjavík Night Walk and City Food Stop

After Sky Lagoon, I showered, changed, and headed into Reykjavík.

I walked Rainbow Street at night, grabbed a döner kebab, and spent time people-watching outside bars before heading back to my camper van parked in the city.

Instead of checking into a hotel, I simply parked, settled in, and fell asleep right in downtown Reykjavík.

That flexibility is one of the best parts of traveling by camper van.

Sunday: Reykjavík Morning and Departure

Sandholt Bakery (Final Stop)

Before heading to the airport, I returned to Sandholt Bakery one last time.

It felt like the perfect full-circle moment to end the trip.

I grabbed coffee, walked through Reykjavík one final time, and drove back to Keflavík to return the camper van.