How many days do you need in Reykjavík, Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Westfjords, East Fjords, Lake Mývatn & Akureyri?
- Most travelers spend 12-14 days in Reykjavík, Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Westfjords, East Fjords, Lake Mývatn, and Akureyri combined
- With 15 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Varmahlid and Laugarbakki
How Many Days to Spend in Iceland
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Recommended Itineraries for Reykjavík, Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Westfjords, East Fjords, Lake Mývatn & Akureyri
Recommended Itinerary for 12 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival and Downtown Reykjavik | Reykjavík |
| Day 2 | North to Glymur Falls and Snaefellsnes Peninsula | Snæfellsnes Peninsula |
| Day 3 | Ferry From Snaefellsnes Peninsula to the Westfjords | Patreksfjörður |
| Day 4 | Southern Westfjords: Látrabjarg & Dynjandi | Ísafjörður |
| Day 5 | Isafjordur or Hornstrandir Hiking | Ísafjörður |
| Day 6 | Scenic Drive from Isafjordur to Akureyri | Akureyri |
| Day 7 | The North: Godafoss, Whale Watching, and Big Waterfalls | Lake Mývatn |
| Day 8 | Geological Wonders of Lake Myvatn | Lake Mývatn |
| Day 9 | Scenic Eastern Fjords: Seydisfjordur to Djúpivogur | Djupivogur |
| Day 10 | Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Skaftafell | Kirkjubæjarklaustur |
| Day 11 | South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand Beaches & the Start of the Golden Circle | Golden Circle |
| Day 12 | Return to Reykjavík |
This epic 12-day road trip is a perfect way to absorb Iceland as you traverse all four corners of the country. You'll visit popular spots along the famous 828-mile (1,332 km) Ring Road and head off the beaten path to detour through the Westfjords (great for mountain biking and kayaking). The self-drive loop also includes stops in Iceland's two biggest cities and numerous natural sites like volcanoes, waterfalls, lava fields, black sand beaches, glaciers, and more. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 13 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival and Downtown Reykjavik | Reykjavík |
| Day 2 | North to Glymur Falls and Snæfellsnes Peninsula | Snæfellsnes Peninsula |
| Day 3 | Ferry From Snæfellsnes Peninsula to the Westfjords | Patreksfjörður |
| Day 4 | Southern Westfjords: Látrabjarg & Dynjandi | Ísafjörður |
| Day 5 | Ísafjörður or Hornstrandir Hiking | Ísafjörður |
| Day 6 | Eastern Westfjords - Isafjordur to Holmavik | Drangsnes |
| Day 7 | Northern Iceland: Holmavik to Akureyri | Akureyri |
| Day 8 | The North: Godafoss, Whale Watching, and Big Waterfalls | Lake Mývatn |
| Day 9 | Geological Wonders of Lake Myvatn | Lake Mývatn |
| Day 10 | Scenic Eastern Fjords: Seydisfjordur to Djúpivogur | Djupivogur |
| Day 11 | Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Skaftafell | Kirkjubæjarklaustur |
| Day 12 | South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand Beaches & the Start of the Golden Circle | Golden Circle |
| Day 13 | Golden Circle and back to Reykjavik / KEF |
See the magic of Iceland's Ring Road with this 13-day self-drive tour. Start in Reykjavík for whale watching and a vibrant downtown scene. From here, drive the Snæfellsnes Peninsula with its crashing waterfalls and black-sand beaches, then ferry to the Westfjords. Hike the cliffs of Látrabjarg, kayak to Vigur Island, and ride horses along the Westfjords' "Alps." Walk among icebergs at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, visit breathtaking Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and end with a dip in the iconic Blue Lagoon. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 2 Weeks
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival and Downtown Reykjavik | Reykjavík |
| Day 2 | North to Glymur Falls and Snaefellsnes Peninsula | Snæfellsnes Peninsula |
| Day 3 | Snaefellsnes Peninsula - Black-Sand Beaches & Fishing Towns | Snæfellsnes Peninsula |
| Day 4 | Ferry From Snaefellsnes Peninsula to the Westfjords | Patreksfjörður |
| Day 5 | Southern Westfjords: Látrabjarg & Dynjandi | Ísafjörður |
| Day 6 | Isafjordur or Hornstrandir Hiking | Ísafjörður |
| Day 7 | Scenic Drive from Isafjordur to Akureyri | Akureyri |
| Day 8 | The North: Godafoss, Whale Watching, and Big Waterfalls | Lake Mývatn |
| Day 9 | Geological Wonders of Lake Myvatn | Lake Mývatn |
| Day 10 | Scenic Eastern Fjords | Seydisfjordur |
| Day 11 | Seydisfjordur to Djúpivogur | Djupivogur |
| Day 12 | Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Skaftafell | Kirkjubæjarklaustur |
| Day 13 | South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand Beaches & the Start of the Golden Circle | Golden Circle |
| Day 14 | Golden Circle and back to Reykjavik / KEF |
With two weeks in Iceland, you can complete the entire ring road and add some great detours. This grand tour will take you to all the best places giving you plenty of time to hike, explore, and soak it all in. This 14-day itinerary covers all the major regions except the highlands, which you can see with a couple more days or by spending less time in some of the areas below. Read more
How to travel between Reykjavík, Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Westfjords, East Fjords, Lake Mývatn & Akureyri
How to get to Lake Mývatn
Northern Iceland is home to the geothermal area of Lake Mývatn, a main stop on the country's 'Diamond Circle' comprised of Húsavík, the canyon of Ásbyrgi, and the Dettifoss waterfall. International travelers arriving at Keflavík Airport (KEF) can either rent a car and make the trek north via the Ring Road (Route 1) or transfer to Reykjavík's domestic airport for a short (45-minute) flight to Akureyri. Read more
How to get to the Westfjords
The Westfjords region of Iceland is a remote area in the northwest with fjords, wildlife, and untouched beauty. Self-driving is the most popular option for traveling here for the flexibility of exploring this removed area of Iceland. Read more
How to get from Reykjavík to Akureyri
Venturing the 241 miles (388 km) from Iceland's capital city of Reykjavík to the "capital of the north," Akureyri, can be done either by self-driving or flying via domestic airports. The northern city offers much by way of cultural and outdoor experiences, including some of the best whale watching in the world. It's also possible to arrange for a private or group transfer, though it's not the most flexible or affordable choice. Read more
How to get to Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is easily accessed by driving, and it's possible to tour the entire area in a full day—however, it's wise to allow for more time to really explore the expansive beauty. Read more
How to get to the South Coast of Iceland
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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