Plan a 10-Day Circular Iceland Road Trip from Reykjavik: South Coast, Vatnajökull Glacier, Jökulsárlón Lagoon, Mývatn, and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Suggested Timetable, Driving Tips, Campsites, and Essential Bookings to Optimize Mileage and Sunset Photos.
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).
Things to do in Reykjavik
Skarfabakki Cruise Terminal: One-way Private Transfer from Blue Lagoon
Reykjavik: One-way Private Transfer from Blue Lagoon
Skarfabakki Cruise Terminal: One-way Private Transfer from Blue Lagoon
Reykjavik: One-way Private Transfer from Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon: Private Transfer from Reykjavik
Blue Lagoon: One-way Private Transfer from Skarfabakki Cruise Terminal
Laguna Azul: Entrada con bebida, toalla y mascarilla de barro
Paquete confort Laguna Azul con traslados
Entrada confort a la Laguna Azul
Traslado a la Laguna Azul desde el aeropuerto internacional de Keflavík
Retreat Spa en la Laguna Azul
Reykjavík: Golden Circle Tour with Kerid Crater Lake
From Reykjavik: Full Day Whale Watching & Golden Circle Tour
From Reykjavik Port: Golden Circle Shore Excursion
Golden Circle: Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik + Snorkeling Experience
Círculo Dorado: Excursión en grupo reducido + Traslados a la Laguna Azul desde Reikiavik
Círculo Dorado y Laguna Secreta: Excursión desde Reikiavik
Círculo Dorado y FlyOver Islandia: Excursión desde Reikiavik
Círculo Dorado: Excursión Privada Personalizada desde Reikiavik
Golden Circle: Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik + Snorkeling Experience
Golden Circle, Fridheimar, Sky Lagoon & Kerid Crater: Tour from Reykjavik
Golden Circle & Sky Lagoon: Day Tour from Reykjavik
Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon: Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik
ISReykjavik: Northern Lights Motor Yacht Cruise
From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Boat Cruise
From Reykjavík: Spot the Northern Lights with Snacks & Drink
Reykjavík: Northern Lights Cruise
Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Boat Tour
Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Boat Tour with Photos
Northern Lights: 2.5-Hr Boat Tour
Northern Lights: 2-Hr Boat Tour + Alternative Plan
Reykjavik: Whale Watching & Northern Lights Combo Cruise
South Coast and Northern Lights: Tour from Reykjavík
Volcano Hike and Northern Lights: Tour from Reykjavik
Reikiavik: Excursión en grupo reducido a la Aurora Boreal
Reykjavik: South Coast Waterfalls, Beach, & Glacier Tour
From Reykjavik: South Coast and Glacier Hiking Tour
Sur de Islandia: Tour Privado Personalizado
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Roundtrip from Reykjavik
Vik, Skógafoss Waterfall & Black Sand South Iceland: Guided Tour + Transport
Sur de Islandia: Tour Privado Personalizado
Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride and South Coast Tour from Reykjavik
South Iceland: Waterfalls Exploration Guided Tour
Costa Sur y Laguna del Cielo: Excursión desde Reikiavik
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Roundtrip from Reykjavik
Laguna del Glaciar Jökulsárlón: Excursión guiada de día completo desde Reikiavik
South Coast Sagas: Black Sand Beach, Waterfalls and Glacier
Sólheimajökull Blue Ice Glacier Hike with Guide
From Húsafell: Into the Glacier Ice Cave Adventure
ISSólheimajökull Ice Climbing Tour
Skaftafell Glacier Explorer – Extended Small Group Trek
Sólheimajökull: Guided Glacier Hike
Langjökull Glacier: Guided Tour with Transport from Húsafell
Sólheimajökull Glacier: Guided Tour
Vatnajökull Glaciar: Visita guiada con transporte desde Skaftafell
Freedive Silfra Half Day Tour
Silfra Drysuit Snorkeling with Free Photos – Meet on Location
Reykjavik: Whale Watching & Lava Show
Reykjavík: Whale Watching and Food Lovers Combo
Reykjavik: Whale Watching Morning Expedition
Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat
Reykjavik: Best Value Whale Watching Boat Tour
Reykjavík: RIB Speed-Boat Puffin Watching Tour
Reykjavik: Premium Whale Watching – Flexible
Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat
Reikiavik: Excursión de avistamiento de ballenas, Exposición Ballenas de Islandia
ISFrom Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Speedboat
Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour
Reikiavik: Entrada a la Laguna del Cielo con Ritual de Spa en 7 Pasos
ISReykjavik: Icelandic Horse Ride & Sky Lagoon Escape
Hvammsvik Hot Springs: Admission Package
Ticket de entrada a la Laguna Secreta de Islandia
A day in Kerlingarfjöll: Highlands and hot springs
Sky Lagoon: Sér Pass con Ritual de Spa en 7 Pasos
Sky Lagoon: Traslado de ida y vuelta desde Reikiavik
Sky Lagoon: Sér Pass con Ritual de Spa en 7 Pasos
Sky Lagoon: Saman Pass + Transporte desde Reikiavik
Laguna de Laugarás: Entrada Premium
Sky Lagoon: Saman Pass con Ritual de Spa en 7 Pasos
Laguna de Laugarás: Entrada
Reykjavik: Snaefellsnes Peninsula Day Trip with Guide
Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike – Small Group with Local Guide
Geological Lava Tunnel Adventure – Arnarker Cave
Landmannalaugar: Helicopter tour with 3 Landings
From Reykjavik: Helicopter Tour to Hengill with Landing
IS1 Hour ATV Tour- Volcanic trails of Grindavik
Reykjavik: Lava Tube Caving Tour
ISReykjavik: Mount Esja Via Ferrata Climbing Tour
IS2-Hour Buggy Adventure Tour out off Reykjavik
From Reykjavik: New Volcanic Area Helicopter Tour
From Reykjavik: Fire And Ice Helicopter Tour with 2 Landings
Reykjavik: Private City and Food Walking Tour
ISReykjavík Old Town and Hallgrimskirkja Private Walking Tour
Reykjavík Tuk Tuk Tour
El CatWalk privado de Reikiavik
ISReykjavik: Express Walk with a Local in 60 minutes
Reykjavik: Guided City Walking Tour
Reykjavik: The Icelandic Woman Private Walking Tour
Reikiavik: Autobús Hop-On Hop-Off y Entrada al Museo Perlan
Reykjavik: City Walking tour in Small Group with Local Guide
Reikiavik: tour guiado a pie sobre el folclore
Reikiavik: tour turístico a pie con un vikingo
ISReykjavik: Harbor Cruise with 3-Course Dinner
Espectáculo de Lava en Reikiavik: Entrada
ISReykjavik Perlan Museum Private Tour Skip-the-Line Tickets
Reykjavik: LAVA SHOW – Immersive Experience Entry Ticket
ISReykjavík: Multi-Sensory Art Installation Chromo Sapiens
Reykjavik: Silfra Snorkel Tour & Fly Over Iceland VR Ticket
Reikiavik Ticket de entrada al Museo de Saga
Reikiavik: entrada al bar Magic Ice y bebida de bienvenida
Reykjavík City Card
Reikiavik Entrada al Museo de las Ballenas de Islandia
Reykjavik: Panoramic Observation Wheel – Harbor & City Views
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.
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Hi everyone and welcome to Reykjavik! I'm Gigi. I'm originally from Mexico with a background as an art curator. …
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