You’re going to do a circular road trip starting and ending in Reykjavik/Keflavík, combining the south coast, the glaciated southeast, the volcanic north, and the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The key here isn’t to see everything, but to sequence the highlights to minimize kilometers and park each night where it makes sense. In my case, I arrived at 14:00 and booked the glacier tour before flying; I also saved the Mývatn bath for the long northern day and Diamond Beach at sunset because the light asks for it.
Table of contents
Map and trip summary (Day 1 to Day 10)
Reference times (approx.)
These are realistic ranges with short photo stops and “normal” Icelandic weather. If there’s wind, rain, or snow, add buffer time.
- D2 Full Reykjanes → Selfoss: 3–5 h depending on stops.
- D3 Selfoss → Vík (waterfalls): 3–4 h.
- D4 Vík → Skaftafell with Eldhraun/Dverghamrar: 2.5–3.5 h + 1.5–2 h trek to Svartifoss.
- D5 Skaftafell → Jökulsárlón → Höfn: 2.5–3.5 h, with glacier in the morning.
- D6 Höfn → Egilsstaðir → (Dettifoss*) → Mývatn: 5–8 h (long driving day).
- D7 Mývatn → Goðafoss → Akureyri → Staður: 3.5–5 h.
- D8–D9 Full Snæfellsnes → Borgarnes/Reykjavik: 5–7 h over two days.
- D10 Reykjavik → Keflavík: 45–60 min.
* Dettifoss: only if the road is open (I stress it again below).
Day-by-day itinerary from Reykjavik
Day 1 — Arrival in Reykjavik (14:00) and downtown stroll
I land early afternoon and spend the day settling into the Icelandic rhythm without stress. Drop your bag, take a shower, and head out for a walk: Hallgrímskirkja to situate yourself, the Sólfar sculpture by the bay, Harpa with its honeycomb façade, and the Laugavegur strip for a simple dinner. If the sky opens, go up the Hallgrímskirkja viewpoint; if it rains, Perlan is a good shelter. Quick tip: buy a local SIM or make sure you have data to navigate with your 10‑day map. Night in Reykjavik.
Day 2 — Reykjanes: Garður, Gunnuhver, Krýsuvík and Kleifarvatn (+ optional Golden Circle)
I pick up the car in Keflavík and do a volcanic loop: the Garður lighthouse, the steam and mud pools of Gunnuhver, the fumaroles at Krýsuvík, and the mineral calm of Lake Kleifarvatn. It’s the perfect start to understand that Iceland is a geology factory. You’ll drive 3–5 h with stops and, if you’re on schedule, you can add the Golden Circle (Kerið, Geysir, Gullfoss, Þingvellir). Sleep: Camping Selfoss. Personal tip: bring a swimsuit from today; if you include the Golden Circle, a hot-spring stop may happen.
Day 3 — South Coast waterfalls: Urriðafoss, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss
A day of back‑to‑back waterfalls along the Ring Road. Start gently at Urriðafoss; continue to Seljalandsfoss (walk behind it if it’s not slippery) and finish with the power of Skógafoss. In between, stands for hot soup and fish & chips. The total stretch is short (3–4 h behind the wheel), so take your time for spray‑kissed photos. Sleep: Vík or nearby. My experience: I saved time to see Skógafoss in low light with the rainbow almost touching the ground.
Day 4 — Vík: black-sand beaches + Eldhraun and Dverghamrar → trek to Svartifoss
Morning at Reynisfjara and the black‑sand beaches of Vík; watch out for sneaker waves. Continue to the Eldhraun lava fields, make a technical stop among the basalt at Dverghamrar, and enter Skaftafell. Time for the trek to Svartifoss (1.5–2 h roundtrip, easy if you wear boots): it’s impossible not to stare at its basalt columns. Sleep: near the Skaftafell National Park. Personal extra: this day was perfect for a leg “reset”: short drive, longer walk.
Day 5 — Guided Vatnajökull glacier + Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach at sunset
Morning on the glacier: the guided tour on Vatnajökull is the trip’s high point (crampons, helmet, and guide—no solo adventures). In the afternoon, the Jökulsárlón lagoon with icebergs and, across the road, Diamond Beach. I went at sunset and that’s when the chunks of ice shine as if they’d been polished. Sleep: Höfn camping. Drive calmly (2.5–3.5 h total for the day); if you want more, there are langoustine restaurants in Höfn.
Day 6 — Long leg: Höfn → Egilsstaðir → Dettifoss (if the road is open) → Mývatn baths
Long driving day. Leave early and push to Egilsstaðir. If the road to Dettifoss (862/864) is open, detour to the north’s most brutal waterfall; if not, Plan B: continue toward the Mývatn area and head straight into the Nature Baths late in the day. I did it this way and soaking in the Mývatn baths after many hours at the wheel was medicine. Sleep: Reykjahlíð. Total time 5–8 h depending on detours and conditions.
Day 7 — Goðafoss and Akureyri (+ optional fjords and seals)
Before dropping into the “capital of the north,” stop at Goðafoss and play with compositions on both sides of the bridge. Akureyri is coffee, bakeries, and a stroll by the fjord. If you’ve got hours left, a possible detour to fjords for seal watching. Sleep: Staður or nearby, logging miles so the next day is easy. In my case, I appreciated this “transition night”: early dinner and straight to bed.
Day 8 — Snæfellsnes I: Stykkishólmur, Kirkjufellsfoss, Skarðsvík, Saxhóll, Djúpalónssandur
Snæfellsnes compresses “all of Iceland” into a small area. Start in Stykkishólmur, go up to Kirkjufellsfoss with the iconic Kirkjufell in the background, and cross to Skarðsvík beach (golden sand—a surprise after so much lava). Climb the Saxhóll crater (360º views) and finish at Djúpalónssandur (another black‑sand beach with maritime history). Sleep: on the peninsula (pick a campground/guesthouse). Driving time: 3–4 h plus stops.
Day 9 — Snæfellsnes II: Arnarstapi and Ytri Tunga → optional Hraunfossar → Borgarnes/Reykjavik
Cliff walk between Arnarstapi and Hellnar, easy and photogenic, and a visit to Ytri Tunga to see seals (remember the distance—don’t intrude). If you’ve got spare time, optional detour to Hraunfossar, a curtain waterfall that seeps out of the lava field itself. Finish in Borgarnes or return to Reykjavik. Sleep: Borgarnes or Reykjavik depending on the next day’s flight.
Day 10 — Last hours in Reykjavik and car drop-off in Keflavík
Free morning for souvenirs, a final coffee on Laugavegur, or the Tjörnin lake with ducks if the sun’s out. Check the car (basic clean and fuel) and drive to Keflavík with margin. I preferred to arrive early: calm traffic, trunk in order, and zero rush. Return flight and end of trip.
Quick tips & prep (car, campgrounds, hot springs and glacier)
- Car & driving: in summer a regular car is enough; off‑season or if you want F‑roads, 4×4. Don’t run low on fuel: on my route it worked well to refuel at 50–60%. Drive “the Icelandic way”: unhurried, pulling into lay‑bys for photos.
- Key bookings: the Vatnajökull glacier hike (morning of Day 5) and the Mývatn Nature Baths (evening of Day 6) if you travel in season. I booked ahead and the hot water after the long driving day was a blessing.
- What to pack: rain jacket, thermal layers, boots with grippy soles, swimsuit/towel, microfiber cloths for the camera at waterfalls, and a waterproof phone pouch.
- Stage‑by‑stage campgrounds (indicative): Selfoss, Vík/nearby, Skaftafell area, Höfn, Reykjahlíð (Mývatn), Staður, the Snæfellsnes area, and Borgarnes/Reykjavik at the end.
- Weather & roads: the wind calls the shots. Always have a Plan B (museums/hot pools) and check road conditions the day before. I rearranged an afternoon to hit Diamond Beach at sunset and it was the right move.
- Photo safety: on black‑sand beaches (Vík, Djúpalónssandur) respect the shoreline—sneaker waves give no warning.
Common questions before you go (weather, roads, bookings and Plan B)
What if Dettifoss is closed?
Keep the base plan without that detour and recycle the time in Mývatn (more baths, pseudocraters) or Akureyri.Blue Lagoon or Mývatn Nature Baths?
If you’re doing Reykjanes, Mývatn fits better on Day 6 because it works as a “spa‑after‑drive.”How many hours do you drive per day?
The real average on this route is 2.5–4.5 h; exception is Day 6 (long).Is a 4×4 essential?
In summer, no. If you’re traveling in winter or planning F‑roads, yes.Where to sleep without booking?
In high season, better to book. Off‑season, campgrounds give you leeway. I locked in Skaftafell and Höfn to align with the glacier.How to optimize photos?
Waterfalls with an ND filter if you have one; Diamond Beach at sunset and Kirkjufell with thin clouds work brilliantly.Express checklist (gear, driving, payments and useful apps)
- Layered clothing, rain jacket, hat, gloves, boots with grip.
- Swimsuit, towel, flip‑flops, dry bag.
- Car charger, power bank, lens wipes.
- Refuel when you drop below half a tank.
- Key reservations: glacier D5 and Mývatn D6.
- Offline downloads: Google Maps and your list of pins; have a Plan B for wind/rain.
- Money: contactless card; avoid fees by withdrawing little cash.
- Respect signs and closures: if an access is closed, it’s non‑negotiable.
Los mejores free tours
This "free" tour covers Reykjavik main sights and landmarks as well as the hidden gems in less crowded streets. I'll…
Join me on an unforgettable journey through Reykjavík, where every corner tells a story! As we wander t…
Hi everyone and welcome to Reykjavik! I'm Gigi. I'm originally from Mexico with a background as an art curator. …
