Before traveling to Iceland, you might face the questions: how many days does it take to get to know this country, and which route to take to travel in Iceland? We know that gathering all the information and deciding which path is the best can be challenging. Each Icelandic itinerary depends on the season, preferred travel style, and budget. It is unlikely that it will be possible to find a universal route for all travelers, so we decided to describe several different options depending on the duration of your visit to Iceland.
If you have already decided when and for how long you want to visit Iceland, then it is time to plan an itinerary. And of course, once you have started putting an itinerary together, you might decide that you need an even longer trip to Iceland – and that’s fine, of course! Here below is a simplified map to get you familiar with locations in Iceland. Based on a Reykjavik departure with a regular car, it might give you an idea of what areas could be comfortable to visit within 3, 5, or 7 days. To help you make a reasonable plan for your trip to Iceland, here below are the overall driving times (without stops): Start with a 5-day itinerary and add more regions and events if you have time. Our recommendation for the five-day itinerary is to focus on the South Coast and the Golden Circle route. Using a base route, you can plunge into the world-famous Blue Lagoon, visit the Strokkur geyser and waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. You will also walk along the black sand Reinisfjara beach, admire the Jokulsarlon Glacier, take a walk on a path at Skaftafell park and get to know the best in Reykjavik, including the National Museum of Iceland. It is easy to build on this foundation. For an entire week in Iceland (7 days), you can add to the Snafellsnes Peninsula route, with its iconic peaks, impressive cliffs, and quaint fishing villages. If you have more days (8-10 days), you can add the Northern part of Iceland, thus making a full circle along the famous Ring Road, and a 10-day trip includes whale watching in Husavik. And with a full two weeks to explore, you can slow down. Enjoy extra time for hiking, kayaking, and other adventure activities by adding the remote West Fjords to your itinerary. If you can make only a short break in Iceland, you can still see quite a lot during a few days. In the scenario of one to three-day trips, we would suggest staying in Reykjavik (to avoid packing every day) and making day trips to the highlights around the town within a three to four-hour drive. For example: Either reserving day tours can easily do this itinerary from Reykjavik or as part of a self-driving tour. If you have more than a couple of days, then four to seven days will give you lots of choices in Iceland. Our suggestion is to explore the West part of the country, starting from the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and continuing to the East up to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, highlighting the Golden Circle route, the Blue Lagoon, mighty waterfalls of the South Coast, and the region of Vatnajokull glacier. These could be performed as part of a self-drive tour or by joining a multi-day tour from Reykjavik. South Iceland has a lot to offer and can already give you a great overview of Iceland: glaciers, icebergs, geysers, geothermal areas, waterfalls. If you are limited in time, it is a great option to visit only the South. Here is the suggested itinerary for 5 days: Here is our version of the perfect trip to Iceland. This package tour combines the best excursions of the South and West of Iceland. The classic Golden Circle, the mysterious Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the stunning South Coast up to the Glacier Lagoon, highlights of Reykjavik, and visiting the famous Blue Lagoon. 6 Days in Iceland itinerary – Wonders of the West and North: North Iceland is less touristy; however more the land of the fire offers a great volcanic experience (volcanoes, pseudo-craters, lava pillars, steaming lava, etc.) plus some of the stunning waterfalls. Below is a suggested few days in Iceland Itinerary – wonders of the North: If you have more than a whole week to stay in Iceland and are not traveling in the middle of the winter season, then the itinerary along the Ring Road around the island might be your natural choice. During this incredible journey around the country, you shall be able to see the major highlights of Iceland with more photo opportunities than you can imagine. This popular option can be done either as a self-drive trip or as a part of a private or group tour. You can extend your trip by adding the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and West Fjords to your itinerary, and (if you have a 4 WD) a trip to Landmannalaugar in the Highlands area. If the time of your visit to Iceland is from fall to the spring season, when the daylight is short, and road conditions can be slippery, you should plan extra time for driving and less to see during the day. Here you can find an example of an 8-day itinerary for your trip to Iceland: Iceland is a country where you can see and do things that you cannot do elsewhere. Where else can you play golf, walk on glaciers, fish salmon in rivers, and all this on the same day? Iceland is full of activities so that everyone can find what suits you according to your abilities. If you are adventurous or looking for relaxation, you can challenge yourself according to your strengths, even if it’s just a little. For each activity you choose to do, you will always find the trained instructors who will help you and take care to return safely. We believe you will enjoy it if you have selected river rafting, snowmobiles on the glaciers, or bird watching! Here is a list of attractions and activities in Iceland, which we can add to your itinerary. The route to be chosen for visiting these attractions depends on your travel. As part of the trip plan, various optional activities depend on the season and the area. All trips can be preliminary booked for the same price through us or directly at dedicated companies operating these activities. Please let us know about the participants in your group, such as physical condition, an experience of the activities in question, and age, as there are reduced rates for children and seniors. Please also keep in mind that drivers of ATVs and snowmobiles must hold a valid driving license. Here are some of the most popular activities:
Driving time to consider your itinerary:
Read our recommendations for 5, 7, 10, and 14-day routes:
5 Days in Iceland itinerary – Wonders of the South:
6 Days in Iceland itinerary – Wonders of the West and South:
8 Days in Iceland itinerary – Ring Road + Golden Circle
8-Day Winter Highlights of Iceland
Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!