Reykjavík, Golden Circle & South Coast: Best Itinerary Ideas

How many days do you need in Reykjavík, Golden Circle & South Coast?

• Most travelers spend 5-6 days in Reykjavík, Golden Circle, and South Coast combined
• Visiting Reykjavík, Golden Circle, and South Coast in 2 to 4 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
• With 7 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
• The most common extensions are Snæfellsnes Peninsula, East Fjords, and West Iceland

How Many Days to Spend in Iceland

Recommended Itineraries for Reykjavík, the Golden Circle & South Coast

Recommended Itinerary for 5 Days

Explore some of the most popular highlights of Iceland on this five-day, self-drive trip. Visit Geysir, the meeting of the tectonic plates, and Gullfoss in the Golden Circle. Then, drive the South Coast to explore the waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and cliffs all around. Next, discover a few glaciers, including Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón. On the way back to Reykjavík, stop at a hot springs river and an ancient pool, along with another waterfall and a crater. Take in the highlights of the Reykjanes Peninsula on your way out, along with a comforting soak in the Blue Lagoon. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days

Starting in Reykjavík, this six-day Icelandic road trip lets you visit classic highlights along the country's south coast, including waterfalls, black sand beaches, basalt columns, massive glaciers, and icebergs at your own pace. You'll then join the popular Golden Circle route, where you can see Gullfoss waterfall, the geothermal area of Geysir (watch Strokkur erupt like clockwork), and Þingvellir National Park, where tectonic plates meet. Finish the adventure with a soak in the Blue Lagoon before your return flight home. Read more

Extended Itineraries

8-Day Itinerary Including Snæfellsnes Peninsula

This fun self-drive itinerary provides a mix of popular highlights (south coast, Golden Circle) with off-the-beaten-path gems (Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Reykjanes Peninsula) for a real Icelandic adventure. After a day in Reykjavík, you'll head west for hiking, lava fields, and small fishing towns along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula (called "Iceland in miniature"). You'll then hit the blockbuster sights of the Golden Circle before finishing on the south coast with black sand beaches, waterfalls, and massive glaciers. Read more

10-Day Itinerary Including Snæfellsnes Peninsula, East Fjords, Lake Mývatn & Akureyri

With 10 days on the road, you can discover a variety of regions and landscapes as you loop around Iceland's famous Route 1 (Ring Road). This moderately paced self-drive itinerary will take you to the best spots along the 828-mile (1,332 km) route, with stops in its two biggest cities, as well as volcanoes, waterfalls, lava fields, black sand beaches, small fishing towns, and massive glaciers, as well as major attractions in the Golden Circle. This is going to be one gorgeous ride! Read more

2-Week Itinerary Including Snæfellsnes Peninsula & Westman Islands

This 14-day self-drive tour of Iceland takes you on an excursion to some of the country's most amazing sights. Start in West Iceland and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, with visits to the crashing waterfalls and powerful hot springs of Reykholt. See black-sand beaches, walk through historic Þingvellir National Park, and ferry over to the Westman Islands for beluga whales and puffins. Walk among massive icebergs at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, then end your stay in the vibrant capital city of Reykjavík. Read more

How to travel between Reykjavík, the Golden Circle & South Coast

The South Coast of Iceland, spanning from just outside the capital city of Reykjavík to Jökulsárlón, is easily drivable along the Ring Road (Route 1). The beginning of the route is easily accessible from both the international airport in Keflavík and the domestic airport in Reykjavík, or via downtown Reykjavík, with a 45-minute drive. Read more