How many days do you need in Reykjavík, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Westfjords, Lake Mývatn & Akureyri?
- Most travelers spend 10 days in Reykjavík, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Westfjords, Lake Mývatn, and Akureyri combined
- Visiting Reykjavík, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Westfjords, Lake Mývatn, and Akureyri in 8 or 9 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 11 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Keflavík and Reykjanes Peninsula
How Many Days to Spend in Iceland
Recommended Itineraries for Reykjavík, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Westfjords, Lake Mývatn & Akureyri
Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days
| 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 | More of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula | Reykjavík |
| 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 | Akureyri, back to Reykjavik / KEF | Reykjavík |
This 10-day driving itinerary is great for the summer when the crowds of the south coast and golden circle area are at their peak and accommodation can be hard to find. Instead, escape to the more remote areas of the country to experience some of the best that Iceland has to offer, with few other people to share it with. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
2-Week Itinerary Including Golden Circle, South Coast & East Fjords
| 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
12-Day Itinerary Including South Coast, East Fjords, látrabjarg & Varmahlid
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Reykjavík, Explore Reykjavik and Sky Lagoon | Reykjavík |
| Day 2 | Snaefellsnes Peninsula | Stykkisholmur |
| Day 3 | Ferry From Snaefellsnes Peninsula to the Westfjords | látrabjarg |
| Day 4 | Dynjandi waterfall and Isafjordur | Ísafjörður |
| Day 5 | Around and about Isafjordur or Hornstrandir | Ísafjörður |
| Day 6 | Scenic Drive from Isafjordur to Varmahlid | Varmahlid |
| Day 7 | Discover North Iceland, Forest Lagoon | Akureyri |
| Day 8 | Visit the Diamond Circle | Lake Mývatn |
| Day 9 | Enter the Eastfjords | Egilsstadir |
| Day 10 | Enter the South Coast | Hofn |
| Day 11 | At the feet of the Vatnajokull glacier and glacier walk | Vík |
| Day 12 | ATV tour, South Coast and back to Reykjavik | Reykjavík |
| Day 13 | Golden Circle, The Secret Lagoon | Reykjavík |
| Day 14 | Depart Iceland, Departure |
Two of Iceland's more remote and scenically stunning yet lesser-visited regions—Westfjords and North Iceland—are the focus of this scenic 12-day active self-drive adventure, which also includes the mesmerizing Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The non-stop experiences range from clifftop hikes and wildlife viewing to helicopter flightseeing, as well as visits to many of Iceland's iconic and less familiar but equally spectacular sites. Read more
How to travel between Reykjavík, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Westfjords, 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
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