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
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: paquete de acceso con bebida, toalla y mascarilla
Skarfabakki Cruise Terminal: One-way Private Transfer from Blue Lagoon
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
Golden Circle, Fridheimar, Sky Lagoon & Kerid Crater: Tour from Reykjavik
Círculo Dorado: Excursión Privada Personalizada desde Reikiavik
Círculo Dorado + Invernadero Friðheimar: excursión desde Reykjavik
Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon: Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik
Círculo Dorado y FlyOver Islandia: Excursión desde Reikiavik
Círculo Dorado y Laguna Secreta: Excursión desde Reikiavik
Círculo Dorado y Laguna Secreta: Excursión desde Reikiavik
Círculo Dorado: Excursión en grupo reducido + Traslados a la Laguna Azul desde Reikiavik
Golden Circle Private Tour from Keflavik Airport (KEF)
Golden Circle: Full-Day Guided Tour from Reykjavik
Golden Circle: Small-Group Afternoon Tour from Reykjavik
Golden Circle & Kerið Crater: Grand Tour from Reykjavik
ISISReykjavík: New Year's Eve Northern Lights Yacht Cruise
From Reykjavík: Spot the Northern Lights with Snacks & Drink
Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Boat Tour
From Reykjavík: 5-Day Northern Lights Hunt & Glacier Lagoon
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
Reykjavík: Small-Group Northern Lights Tour
Aurora Boreal: Visita guiada para grupos pequeños con fotos gratuitas
Northern Lights: 3-Hr Small Group Bus Tour + Transfer
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Roundtrip from Reykjavik
From Reykjavik: South Coast, Plane Wreck, & Beach ATV Tour
Sur de Islandia: Tour Privado Personalizado
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Roundtrip from Reykjavik
Costa Sur de Islandia: Excursión de un día en grupo reducido desde Reikiavik
Vik, Skógafoss Waterfall & Black Sand South Iceland: Guided Tour + Transport
Sur de Islandia: Tour Privado Personalizado
Costa Sur y Cueva de Hielo de Katla
Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride and South Coast Tour from Reykjavik
South Iceland: Waterfalls Exploration Guided Tour
Laguna del Glaciar Jökulsárlón: Excursión guiada de día completo desde Reikiavik
South Coast Sagas: Black Sand Beach, Waterfalls and Glacier
From Húsafell: Into the Glacier Ice Cave Adventure
Sólheimajökull: Guided Glacier Hike
Langjökull Glacier: Guided Tour with Transport from Húsafell
Sólheimajökull Glacier: Guided Tour
Vatnajökull Glaciar: Visita guiada con transporte desde Skaftafell
Silfra Drysuit Snorkeling with Free Photos – Meet on Location
Silfra Snorkeling Between Continents Photos Included- Self Drive
Red Glacier Monster Truck on Langjokull Glacier from Gulfoss
Excursión de un día a Borgafjörður y al glaciar
Excursión de un día a la península de Snæfellsnes
Reykjavik: Whale Watching & Lava Show
Reykjavík: Whale Watching and Food Lovers Combo
Reykjavik: Best Value Whale Watching Boat Tour
Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour
Reykjavík: Express Whale Watching — Faxaflói Bay
ISReykjavik: Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Yacht Cruise
Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour
Avistamiento de ballenas: Excursión con Puffins Watching desde Reikiavik
Reykjavik: Whale Watching & Puffin Tour
Whale Watching: Elding's Wildlife Exhibition Entry + Tour from Reykjavik
Reykjavík: Luxury Yacht Whale Watching Cruise
Whale Watching: Tour from Reykjavik
Sky Lagoon: Saman Pass + Transporte desde Reikiavik
Sky Lagoon: Sér Pass con Ritual de Spa en 7 Pasos
Sky Lagoon: Saman Pass con Ritual de Spa en 7 Pasos
Sky Lagoon: Sér Pass con Ritual de Spa en 7 Pasos
Hvammsvik Hot Springs: Admission Package
Laguna de Laugarás: Entrada Premium
Laguna de Laugarás: Entrada
Sky Lagoon: Traslado de ida y vuelta desde Reikiavik
Reikiavik: Entrada a la Laguna del Cielo con Ritual de Spa en 7 Pasos
Sky Lagoon: Traslado de ida y vuelta desde Reikiavik
Entrada Sky Lagoon Incluyendo 7 – Ritual de Pasos
Volcán Fagradalsfjall: Excursión a pie desde Reikiavik
Geological Lava Tunnel Adventure – Arnarker Cave
Landmannalaugar: Helicopter tour with 3 Landings
From Reykjavik: Helicopter Tour to Hengill with Landing
ISReykjavik: Mount Esja Via Ferrata Climbing Tour
Senderismo por las Tierras Altas: Landmannalaugar y aguas termales en grupo reducido
From Reykjavik: New Volcanic Area Helicopter Tour
Reykjavik: 2-Hr Lava Field Buggy Tour
Fagradalsfjall Volcano & Sky Lagoon: Spa Entry + Hiking Tour from Reykjavik
The Lava Falls Adventure Tour
Litla Hrút Volcano: Hiking Tour from Reykjavik
The Lava Tunnel: Roundtrip from Reykjavik
Reykjavik: Folklore Walking Tour
Reykjavik: Guided City Walking Tour
Reykjavik: The Icelandic Woman Private Walking Tour
Reykjavik: Group City Bike Tour
Reykjavik: Private Literature Walking Tour with Guide
Reikiavik: tour a pie privado por la ciudad y el folclore
ISReykjavík by the Shore, Coast, City & Hidden Trails by eBike
ISReykjavik: EBike Tour of Nature, Coast, and City
ISReykjavik: Nature Loop Bike Tour from Nauthólsvík Beach
Reykjavik: Descubre el Alma Cultural de Islandia
Reikiavik: Tour privado a pie por el folclore y la gastronomía
Reikiavik: Visita Privada a Pie
Museo Saga: Entrada
Tarjeta Ciudad de Reikiavik: Entrada a Museos + Transporte Público
Espectáculo de Lava en Reikiavik: Entrada
Reikiavik: Entrada al Museo Nacional de Islandia
Reikiavik: entrada al bar Magic Ice y bebida de bienvenida
Reikiavik: Entrada al Centro Aurora Reykjavik La Aurora Boreal
Reikiavik: Perlan – Maravillas de Islandia.
Ticket de entrada al Museo de Arte de Reikiavik
Reykjavik: Icelandic Phallological Museum Entry Ticket
Reykjavik: Volcano Express Entry Ticket at Harpa
Espectáculo de Lava en Reikiavik: Entrada
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. …
