Reykjavík, Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, East Fjords, Lake Mývatn & Akureyri: Best Itinerary Ideas

How many days do you need in Reykjavík, Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, East Fjords, Lake Mývatn & Akureyri?

• Most travelers spend 9-10 days in Reykjavík, Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, East Fjords, Lake Mývatn, and Akureyri combined
• With 11 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
• The most common extensions are Westfjords, Hvammstangi, and Reykjanes Peninsula

How Many Days to Spend in Iceland

Recommended Itineraries for Reykjavík, Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, East Fjords, Lake Mývatn & Akureyri

Recommended Itinerary for 9 Days

For road trip enthusiasts, it doesn't get much better than encircling Iceland along its infamous Route 1 (Ring Road). This quick-paced, self-drive itinerary will take you to the best spots along the 828-mile (1,332 km) route with plenty of detours to work the leg muscles and camera batteries. With a bit more than a week, you'll experience a variety of landscapes, like geysers, hot springs, black sand beaches, volcanoes, lava fields, small fishing towns, and massive glaciers in protected national parks. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days

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

Extended Itineraries

2-Week Itinerary Including Westfjords

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, 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 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 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 highway (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