How many days do you need in Reykjavík, the Golden Circle, South Coast & East Fjords?
- Most travelers spend 6-7 days in Reykjavík, Golden Circle, South Coast, and East Fjords combined
- With 8 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Westman Islands, and Lake Mývatn
How Many Days to Spend in Iceland
Recommended Itineraries for Reykjavík, the Golden Circle, South Coast & East Fjords
Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival & Domestic Flight to Egilsstaðir | Seydisfjordur |
| Day 2 | Scenic Eastern Fjords - Egilsstaðir to Höfn | Höfn |
| Day 3 | Discover the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, South Coast, & Vík | Vík |
| Day 4 | South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand Beaches & the Start of the Golden Circle | Golden Circle |
| Day 5 | Golden Circle & Back to Reykjavík | Reykjavík |
| Day 6 | Morning in Reykjavík & Departure |
Make the most of your limited time by driving one way from Egilsstaðir to Vík to Reykjavík—without retracing your steps. On this six-day road trip, take in the dramatic landscapes of the Eastern Fjords, from Seyðisfjörður to Vatnajökull National Park, and enjoy more time seeing new places along the South Coast (Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Skógafoss, and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls) and Golden Circle (Gullfoss, Geysir, and Þingvellir National Park), rather than doubling back. You can embark on this route in either direction, but a domestic flight to Egilsstaðir at the beginning of your trip is more efficient, without large crowds, to explore remote areas on your own terms. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
10-Day Itinerary Including Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Lake Mývatn & Akureyri
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival and Downtown Reykjavik | Reykjavík |
| Day 2 | North to Glymur Falls and Snaefellsnes Peninsula | Snæfellsnes Peninsula |
| Day 3 | Scenic Drive from the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Akureyri | Akureyri |
| Day 4 | The North: Godafoss, Whale Watching, and Big Waterfalls | Lake Mývatn |
| Day 5 | Geological Wonders of Lake Myvatn | Lake Mývatn |
| Day 6 | Scenic Eastern Fjords | Seydisfjordur |
| Day 7 | Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Skaftafell | Kirkjubæjarklaustur |
| Day 8 | South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand Beaches & the Start of the Golden Circle | Golden Circle |
| Day 9 | Golden Circle & Back to Reykjavík | Reykjavík |
| Day 10 | Visit the Reykjanes Peninsula & Depart From Reykjavík |
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
12-Day Itinerary Including Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Lake Mývatn & Laugarbakki
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Keflavík, Reykjanes peninsula, ATV Tour | Golden Circle |
| Day 2 | Golden Circle, Fontana Geothermal Baths | Golden Circle |
| Day 3 | Hvolsvollur to Thorsmork, Thorsmork Nature Reserve, Transfer to Hvolsvollur, South Coast waterfalls & black sand beaches | Vík |
| Day 4 | Zipline Adventure Tour, South Coast waterfalls & black sand beaches, Icelandic horse riding tour | Vík |
| Day 5 | Fjadrargljufur canyon, Skaftafell Nature Reserve & Glacier Lagoons | Höfn |
| Day 6 | The Eastfjords, The Geothermal Vok Baths | Egilsstaðir |
| Day 7 | Studlagil canyon, The wonders of Lake Myvatn | Lake Mývatn |
| Day 8 | Dettifoss, Jokulsargljufur & Husavik, The wonders of Lake Myvatn | Lake Mývatn |
| Day 9 | North West Iceland, Akureyri & Godafoss, Bjórböðin Beer Baths | Laugarbakki |
| Day 10 | The wonders of Snaefellsnes | Snæfellsnes Peninsula |
| Day 11 | The wonders of Snaefellsnes, Lava cave tour, Reykjavik City | Reykjavík |
| Day 12 | Exploring Downtown Reykjavik, Departure |
Packed with exciting activities from the off-beat to iconic experiences, this 12-day self-drive adventure also explores a long wishlist of Iceland's top sites, from Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and the geological wonders of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Gullfoss, Dettifoss, and the Godafoss waterfalls. You'll thrill to ziplining, rides by ATV and horseback on black-sand beaches, hiking in Þórsmörk and Fjaðrárgljúfur canyons, and soaks in geothermal lagoons and even a beer-filled hot tub. Read more
How to travel between Reykjavík, the Golden Circle, South Coast & East Fjords
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
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