How many days do you need in Reykjavík & South Coast?
- Most travelers spend 5-7 days in Reykjavík and South Coast combined
- Visiting Reykjavík and South Coast in 2 to 4 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 8 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Golden Circle, Reykjanes Peninsula, and West Iceland
How Many Days to Spend in Iceland
Recommended Itineraries for Reykjavík & the South Coast
Recommended Itinerary for 5 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival and Downtown Reykjavik | Reykjavík |
| Day 2 | The South Coast to Vik: Waterfalls, Beaches, Cliffs | Vík |
| Day 3 | Vik to Skaftafell, Svartifoss, and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon | Vík |
| Day 4 | Drive & Explore South Coast Back to Reykjavik | Reykjavík |
| Day 5 | Visit the Reykjanes Peninsula & Depart From Reykjavík |
In less than a week, this classic self-drive tour allows you to visit the best highlights along Iceland's south coast, including waterfalls, black-sand beaches, basalt columns, cliffs, canyons, glaciers, and icebergs at your own pace. Start and end the trip in Reykjavík for two nights in Europe's most northerly capital—a growing city known for buzzing restaurants and nightlife. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Reykjavik - Explore the city | Reykjavík |
| Day 2 | Discover the waterfalls and geysers of the Golden Circle | Hvolsvollur |
| Day 3 | Explore Iceland's southern coast with stops in Skógafoss and Vík | Kirkjubæjarklaustur |
| Day 4 | Visit the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon | Kirkjubæjarklaustur |
| Day 5 | Relax in the thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon | Reykjavík |
| Day 6 | Depart Iceland |
This winter tour through Iceland's south coast explores some of the country's most beautiful scenery, stopping at the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Gullfoss, as well as the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara to observe the Dyrhólaey sea stacks. You'll hike along glaciers in Vatnajökull National Park and stop to admire the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, all while hoping to catch the northern lights in the evening. Finally, explore the capital city of Reykjavík and the popular village of Vík, ending the trip with a soak in the milky waters of the Blue Lagoon. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
6-Day Itinerary Including the Golden Circle
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival and Downtown Reykjavik | Reykjavík |
| Day 2 | The South Coast to Vik: Waterfalls, Beaches, Cliffs | Vík |
| Day 3 | Vik to Skaftafell, Svartifoss, and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon | Vík |
| Day 4 | Drive back along South Coast: Vik to the Golden Circle | Golden Circle |
| Day 5 | Golden Circle: Gullfoss, Geysir, and Thingvellir | Golden Circle |
| Day 6 | Visit the Reykjanes Peninsula & Depart From Reykjavík |
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
8-Day Itinerary Including the Golden Circle & Snæfellsnes Peninsula
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival and Downtown Reykjavik | Reykjavík |
| Day 2 | Drive to Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Hike in Glymur Falls, & Visit Borgarnes | Snæfellsnes Peninsula |
| Day 3 | Snaefellsnes Peninsula - Black-Sand Beaches & Fishing Towns | Snæfellsnes Peninsula |
| Day 4 | Explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula & Travel to Golden Circle | Golden Circle |
| Day 5 | The South Coast to Vik: Waterfalls, Beaches, Cliffs | Vík |
| Day 6 | Vik to Skaftafell, Svartifoss, and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon | Vík |
| Day 7 | Drive & Explore South Coast Back to Reykjavik | Reykjavík |
| Day 8 | Visit the Reykjanes Peninsula & Depart From Reykjavík |
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
8-Day Itinerary Including Snæfellsnes Peninsula, East Fjords, 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 | Back from South Coast, Reykjanes Peninsula, Departure |
This itinerary packs a lot into eight days, but if you have limited time and have your heart set on driving the entire Ring Road, then this guide will be your best friend for the journey. Read more
How to travel between Reykjavík & 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
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