At first glance, Iceland is a bit deceiving, sometimes it doesn't seem as big as it really is, but most importantly: the local landscape is so beautiful that you literally won't know where to jump, where to stop and what to see.
If you go on a blind and unprepared trip, you may miss out on a lot of beautiful places that you simply won't have time to visit.
Search for accommodation in Iceland
We've put together some tips on the most famous routes and excursions that can realistically and stress-free be done in a specific amount of time. Iceland is usually visited for 7, 10 or 14 days, but with the rise of low-cost airlines, many travellers only head to Iceland for long weekends.
Iceland for a week
The most common length of stay in Iceland is 7 days. What can be done and where to go? Take a look at 3 example itineraries:
South Coast
The south of Iceland is one of the most popular destinations as it is literally dotted with interesting destinations and beautiful diverse nature. Plus, it's perfectly accessible by any kind of car all year round. A trip down the south coast might look something like this:
- Day 1: Arrival and capital Reykjavik.
- Day 2: transfer to Vík í Mýrdal, 190 km away. On the way you will stop at the famous waterfalls Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss or the photogenic wreck of a DC-3.
- Day 3: Visit the most famous attractions around Vík: Reynisfjara beach, Dyrhólaey cliffs and Sólheimajökull glacier.
- Day 4: drive 140 km through Skaftafell National Park with its glacier, Svartifoss waterfall and hiking trails. On the way there is a possible stop at Fjaðrárgljúfur Gorge.
- Day 5: drive 130 km to the photogenic Vestrahorn mountain range with the famous Stokksness beach. On the way you will stop at the glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón.
- Day 6: drive back (455 km) to Reykjavík with a stop at the thermal river Reykjadalur.
- Day 7: departure or visit attractions on the Reykjanes Peninsula, such as the famous Blue Lagoon.
Variants: possible shortening of the trip by one day by skipping one night in Vík and instead a possible detour to the Golden Circle to the geysers.
The route is passable all year round by all types of cars.
Where to look for accommodation?
We list tips for specific hotels in the individual mini-guides under the links above. What places to look for accommodation?
- Vík í Mýrdal - booking.com/vík
- Skaftafell NP area - booking.com/skaftafell
- Höfn (Vestrahorn) - booking.com/hofn
Golden Circle + Rainbow Mountains
Another Iceland classic is a trip on the iconic Golden Circle, which can easily be extended to the magical Rainbow Mountains of Landmannalaugar for a week's stay.
- Day 1: Arrival and capital Reykjavik.
- Day 2: transfer 50 km to Thingvellir National Park, in the afternoon transfer approximately 70 km to the geysers and possibly Gullfoss waterfalls.
- Day 3: drive 150 km to the Rainbow Mountains with a detour to Háifoss waterfall.
- Day 4: hiking in the Rainbow Mountains.
- Day 5: drive 200 km back to Reykjavik with a stop at the thermal river Reykjadalur.
- Day 6: any excursion anywhere from Reykjavik, for example along the coast of the Reykjanes peninsula.
- Day 7: Fly back, stopping at the Blue Lagoon on the way to the airport.
The route is passable all year round, but during winter you can only get to the Rainbow Mountains by 4x4.
West Fjords
If you're drawn to hiking in lesser-known areas, but still visiting a few top tourist attractions, and you love the views of the ocean and sea fjords, then you'll love West Iceland.
- Day 1: Arrival and capital Reykjavik.
- Day 2: drive 180 km to the Snæfellsnes peninsula to the famous photogenic Kirkjufell mountain.
- Day 3: short excursions on the peninsula, for example to the village of Arnarstapi.
- Day 4: move 413 km to the Westfjords area, specifically to the bird cliffs of Látrabjarg, possibility to shorten the trip by ferry from Stykkishólmur to Brjanslaekur for 9 500 isk (1 person + car), see seatours.is for more.
- Day 5: drive 123 km to Dynjandi waterfalls.
- Day 6: return to Reykjavík (approx. 370 km).
- Day 7: flight back, on the way to the airport you can stop for example at the Blue Lagoon.
The route is passable all year round by normal car, but during winter you should take into account the closure of secondary roads in the Westfjords area.
Day trips from Reykjavik
If you're not comfortable staying somewhere else every night, but prefer to stay in one hotel for your entire stay, then Reykjavík is the most strategic choice for accommodation.
- Day 1: Arrival and capital Reykjavík.
- Day 2: a trip to the south coast, the furthest point for a comfortable return will be Vík í Mýrdal, 190 km away, with many attractions and possibly stops at Seljalandsfoss or Skógafoss waterfalls or Sólheimajökull glacier, in total you will travel about 430 km.
- Day 3: a trip along the Golden Circle, can be done in one day (total approx. 300 km).
- Day 4: trip to the 2nd highest waterfall in Iceland Glymur (round trip 140 km), or you can extend it to Hraunfossar lava waterfalls (+ another 160 km).
- Day 5: trip to the famous Kirkjufell mountain (total 360 km).
- Day 6: leisurely short hikes on the Reykjanes peninsula, alternatively a trip to the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago can be easily done in one day.
- Day 7: flight back, on the way to the airport you can stop at the Blue Lagoon for example.
The route is passable all year round by regular car.
Iceland for 14 days
If you want to explore the northern and eastern parts of Iceland as well, a week is definitely not enough, unless you want to sit behind the wheel and stop at each place for an hour or two at most. That's an option too, but our Iceland sightseeing itinerary is designed for more relaxed travel.
Ring Road or Around Iceland
- Day 1: Arrival and capital Reykjavik.
- Day 2: transfer to Vík í Mýrdal, 190 km away. Along the way, stop at the famous waterfalls Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss or the photogenic wreck of a DC-3.
- Day 3: Visit the most famous attractions around Vík: Reynisfjara beach, Dyrhólaey cliffs and Sólheimajökull glacier.
- Day 4: drive 140 km through Skaftafell National Park with its glacier, Svartifoss waterfall and hiking trails. On the way there is a possible stop at Fjaðrárgljúfur Gorge.
- Day 5: drive 130 km to the photogenic mini-mountain Vestrahorn with the famous Stokksness beach. On the way, an almost obligatory stop at the glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón.
- Day 6: drive 250 km to Egilsstaðir + trip to Hengifoss waterfall or Seyðisfjörður fjord.
- Day 7: drive 175 km to Lake Mývatn.
- Day 8: drive 170 km to Húsavík via Dettifoss waterfalls and Ásbyrgi canyon.
- Day 9: boat trip to see whales and in the afternoon transfer via Godafoss Falls and the town of Akureyri to the port of Dálvík.
- Day 10: boat trip to Grímsey Island to visit the Arctic Circle.
- Day 11: drive approximately 400 km over the Hvítserkur rock formation to the lava waterfalls of Hraunfossar.
- Day 12: return to Reykjavik, for example with a trip to Thingvellir NP, approx. 150 km in total.
- Day 13: reserve day
- Day 14: flight back, on the way to the airport you can stop for example at the Blue Lagoon.
The route is passable all year round by regular car.
Iceland for 4 days
Extra-cheap low-cost airline tickets can tempt you to take a short trip for a long weekend. After all, why not, even in 4 days you can have a great holiday in Iceland. During the 4 days, staying in Reykjavik will be the ideal option.
In order to see the most classic Icelandic attractions, we recommend combining the Golden Circle with a part of the southern coast, like this:
- Day 1: Arrival and capital Reykjavík.
- Day 2: drive 50 km to Thingvellir National Park, in the afternoon drive about 70 km to the geysers and possibly Gullfoss waterfalls.
- Day 3: a trip to the south coast, the furthest point for a comfortable return will be Vík í Mýrdal, 190 km away, with many attractions and possibly stops at Seljalandsfoss or Skógafoss waterfalls or Sólheimajökull glacier, a total of about 430 km.
- Day 4: return flight, on the way to the airport you can stop at the Blue Lagoon.
You don't need to return to Reykjavík to get from the Golden Circle to the south coast, but you can stay in Selfoss.
Iceland without a car
Although Iceland is primarily a road-trip destination, it is possible to get around Iceland even if you are not driving, although such travel will get quite expensive and not nearly as flexible. If you're not renting a car, it's essential to stay in Reykjavik the whole time, where the tourist buses depart from.
In some cases, the buses operate on a timetable basis, i.e. they will take you to your destination in the morning and back again in the afternoon; sometimes you will take the same bus all the way round with an organised tour, for example when travelling the Golden Circle.
Tour buses are operated by companies such as Reykjavík Excursions or Grayline.
It's really difficult to get around outside Reykjavík on the regular buses and most natural attractions are impossible to get to.
Destinations to go by bus from Reykjavík:
- Golden Circle - prices from 9 000 isk
- Landamannalaugar - prices from 14 000 isk
- Þórsmörk - prices from 15 000 isk
- Blue Lagoon - prices from 7 000 isk
- South Coast - many options from shorter half-day to 12-hour trips with prices varying between 12 000 isk and 25 000 isk