Iceland Travel Insights
5 Days in Iceland - 7 Unique Road Trip Itinerary Ideas
Have only five days to explore Iceland? While it might be tempting to stay in Reykjavík and do day trips from there, we recommend heading out into the countryside using one of these unique itineraries that help you make the most of your time.
5 Days of Iceland’s Highlights: East to West from Egilsstadir via Jokulsarlon to Reykjavik
Have less than a week in Iceland and a lot on your bucket list? This itinerary will help you see lots of amazing sights in 5 days. You’ll start off with a spectacular local flight over the heart of Iceland followed by three days of scenic driving along the coast.
5 Action-packed days in South Iceland (+ extensions)
Pack your short trip to Iceland with adventures away from the crowds while still experiencing the most popular sights. This itinerary is perfect for travelers who have lots of energy and want to make the most of a short visit to Iceland.
Introduction to the Land of Fire and Ice in 5 days
This 5-day itinerary lets you experience the main highlights of Iceland: Iceland’s capital Reykjavik, the scenic South Shore, the famous Golden Circle, the popular Blue Lagoon, many other glaciers, waterfalls, natural formations, and if you’re lucky the elusive Northern Lights.
The Best of the North: 2-3 Days around Akureyri and Lake Myvatn
The North of Iceland may be the country’s best-kept secret. While crowds of tourists populate the South and Golden Circle, visitors to Akureyri and Lake Myvatn can enjoy the beautiful landscapes and wonderful volcanic areas all to themselves.
Best Sights of the Westfjords: 2-4 day Driving Tour
Escape the crowds of the south to experience Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes, where tiny fishing villages sit along calm fjords below towering flat mountain tops.
Volcanic Trails: The Wild Strútur Trail - 5 Days
This trek will take you along the south side of the imposing Torfajökull Volcano with its distinctive red, pink, orange, and blue-green stone, past the deep blue Álftavötn Lakes, and into the black desert of Mælifellssandur. Enjoy some of Iceland's most unique, interesting landscapes as you cross the wilderness on foot.
Winter Self-Drive in the West, Golden Circle & South Coast - 5 Days
This chilly, scenic self-drive tour is perfect for nature lovers and adventure fiends. Visit the famous Golden Circle, explore vibrant Reykjavík, and get off the beaten path for tours of ice caves and craters, snorkel trips between tectonic plates, and walks behind ice-covered waterfalls.
Laugavegur Hut-to-Hut Trek - 5 Days
Hike Iceland's best-known trail from the geothermal valley of Landmannalaugar, through the Þórsmörk valley, and along the base of the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano. On the 35-mile-long Laugavegur trail, you'll see colorful rhyolite mountains, cross black sand deserts, venture into canyons, and hike between birch tree groves. After each long day of exploring, stay the night in cozy, rustic mountain huts.
Tour of the North: Akureyri, Lake Myvatn, Waterfalls & Geothermal Hotspots - 5 Days
For a unique Iceland experience, avoid the crowds of the south altogether. This trip has it all: volcanoes, waterfalls, hot springs, nature baths, whale watching, fjords, and more. Below are two great ways to experience the north: all the highlights with only a fraction of the people. You can maximize your time by taking a domestic flight over the beautiful highlands of the interior to Akureyri, or you can drive one way and fly from Akureyri back to Reykjavík.
Núpsstaðarskógar to Skaftafell Trek - 5 Days
If you only have a week in Iceland, consider this compact and well-timed tour. Bookended by two days in Reykjavik — one to get ready and one to relax and recover — the tour takes the best advantage of a limited schedule, while also showing you plenty of unforgettable natural wonders, including glaciers, mountains, valleys and an iconic waterfall.
5-Day Self-Driving Tour: Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Akureyri, Myvatn Area
This 5-day self-driving itinerary is a great way to get away from the crowds of the south and explore the more remote areas in the north of Iceland. Maximize your time exploring with a one-way domestic flight from Akureyri back to Reykjavik.
Iceland South Coast Road Trip - 5 Days
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 Reykjavik for two nights in Europe's most northerly capital—a growing city known for buzzing restaurants and nightlife.
Iceland West Coast & Golden Circle - 5 Days
This fast-paced itinerary combines popular Icelandic highlights with off-the-beaten-path gems for a fun road-trip adventure. After a day in Reykjavik, you'll head west for hiking, lava fields, and small fishing towns along the rugged and remote Snaefellsnes Peninsula (called "Iceland in miniature"). You'll then hit the blockbuster sights of the Golden Circle before finishing with your choice of lesser-known natural attractions on your way to the airport.
How it works
Step 1
Tell us what kind of trip you want
Step 2
Chat with a local travel specialist
Step 3
Securely book your trip
Meet our Local Travel Specialists
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Born in Reykjavík, Iceland, and from a young age I was already travelling all over Iceland with my parents. After a short stint as a driver guide on modified SUVs in 2004, I came back to it full...
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Adam Warszawski
During several years of my Icelandic adventure, I worked in hotels and got to know the local tourism really well. But most importantly, I've had the chance to explore countless amazing places...
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Èric D
A while ago I was lucky enough to get a job in Iceland, and I must admit, I was completely unaware of what was ahead of me when I first set foot in the country. Working in the tourism industry...
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Emanuela Grieco
I am an Italian Travel Designer mostly based in Iceland. Traveling has been my passion since I was young, being always fascinated by other cultures and people. In 2005, after living and...
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Trip Reviews for Iceland
Great TRAVEL COMPANY
Iceland
|
Jun 20 - Jun 28, 2025
No water time.... But never rushed THANK YOU Read more
Thank you for the kind review Yvonne, I'm so glad that you were happy with the trip!
I hope we see you in Iceland again soon!
All the best
Gummi
Family Iceland Trip
Iceland
|
May 7 - May 14, 2026
The trip started with booking it through Gumi who was wonderful & easy to work with. I shared what we wanted to do & he provided all the details plus any thoughts on what else should be included or skipped for the specific time of year. The lagoons (hot springs!!), waterfalls, ice caves, iceberg. cold water snorkeling, coastal arches & food tour were all incredible. What a fabulous trip to be able to share with our daughter & son-in-law.
Thank you for the kind review Alyssa. I am so glad to hear you were happy with the trip :)
I do hope we'll see you all in Iceland soon again!
All the best
Gummi
Kudos to the Icelandic Kimkim team
Iceland
|
Apr 30 - May 12, 2026
Thank you so much, Cheryl! I loved working with you and Don and am so glad you enjoyed your time in Iceland. You stayed at some of my favorite hotels in Iceland and I'm glad you loved them too! I hope we get to work together again in the future.
