The Best 6-Day Iceland Itinerary
Iceland is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and its scenery makes you feel like you are on another planet. It has waterfalls, black sand beaches, multi-colored mountains, moss-covered canyons, hot springs, volcanoes, and some of my favorite landscapes I have ever seen.
I have visited Iceland multiple times, each time for about a week, so believe me when I tell you, the views never get old. Its rugged and untouched landscapes are incredible, so I know you will fall in love with Iceland as soon as you visit!
Although you can spend months, if not years, exploring everything Iceland offers, you can see many must-see attractions in about a week. I created this itinerary to explore some of the best places to visit in Iceland along the south coast, including waterfalls, highlands, canyons, and beaches. I took everything I learned from my trips to create the ultimate guide for you to use to create the best road trip itinerary.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Tips for Visiting Iceland
The sunlight varies drastically throughout the year. Iceland has about 21 hours of sunlight in June and July but only about five hours in December and January. As you can imagine, winter brings less tourism, which means attractions will be less crowded, but winters in Iceland are harsh. Summer has high tourism, and many must-see attractions have crowds, but the weather is much better. I have only visited in the summer, and it honestly was perfect because the weather was really nice!
Do not stay in the city during your entire trip. It is a long drive to many places on this Iceland itinerary, and you do not want to waste time driving. I include some great places to stay near each destination! I usually make base camps near Selfoss or Vik because they are closer to the attractions.
Some parking lots require a parking fee. Some trailheads have kiosks, while others use an app called Parka. I recommend downloading it in advance and entering your car information so it is easy to pay once you arrive at the trailhead. It saved us time doing this in advance!
Rent a car that is approved to drive on F roads. F roads are unmaintained mountain roads that lead to some of the most beautiful places in Iceland. Although you can stay on the Ring Road to see many of the highlights, I recommend renting a vehicle that is approved for F roads in case you want to visit the highlands.
Get all of the car rental insurance. I cannot stress enough how important insurance is when you rent a car in Iceland, especially if you will be driving on F roads. It is nice to have peace of mind while exploring!
Get a discount gas card. Gas is expensive in Iceland, so I highly recommend getting a discount gas card. Some rental car companies will even provide one to you!
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly. It is also crucial to only hike on the designated trails to avoid damaging restoration areas and fragile vegetation.
Where to Fly Into Iceland
The main airport on Iceland is Keflavík Airport. It has the most flight options despite it being pretty small. And it is only about an hour outside of Reykjavík.
Many rental car companies will pick you up directly at the airport. We learned that most rental car companies do not have cars at the airport, so they pick up a bunch of people at once and bring you to their office to get your car. It is usually a quick and easy experience!
Where to Stay in Iceland
Since your itinerary covers the entire South Coast of Iceland, you have a few options of where you can stay. I prefer staying in 1-2 places on a road trip, but you always stay in a new accommodation each night if you want to be closer to the attractions on your itinerary.
Nights 1-2: I recommend spending your first few nights near Vik. It is a cute town on the southern coast with accommodations, restaurants, and stores.
Night 3: Where you stay your third night depends on what you are doing on the third day because I provide two fun options for exploring the highlands. If you want to explore Thorsmork, I recommend staying in Vik an extra night. If you want to explore Landmannalaugar, I recommend staying in Selfoss, which is where you will stay for the next few nights.
Nights 4-5: I recommend staying in Selfoss since it is a good central location to this portion of your itinerary. Selfoss is an adorable town with many restaurants, and we loved staying here!
Night 6: Since you are leaving Iceland tomorrow, I recommend staying in Reykjavík or near the airport. We usually stay in the city so we have easy access to plenty of food options before we leave for our flight. Usually car rental companies have you drop the car off at their office, and then they will drive you to the airport. Make sure to give yourself enough time to include that!
What to Pack for Iceland
Iceland weather can be unpredictable, so it is crucial to pack the right gear and layers for the season you visit. Both times we visited, the weather changed quickly and unexpectedly throughout the day, and we were glad to have had layers and a rain jacket.
This is a great baseline for what to pack, and you can adjust as needed:
6-Day Iceland Road Trip Itinerary
I have visited Iceland multiple times, so I took everything I learned and created the ultimate road trip itinerary! This itinerary explores the South Coast and a section of the highlands, giving you a little taste of everything Iceland offers.
One of the best things about this itinerary is that it is flexible! For certain days, I offer a few options depending on what you want to do. Hopefully, this will make it easier for you to plan the best trip to Iceland!
Day 1 in Iceland: Reykjavík and Hot Springs
I recommend starting off your road trip with a relaxing day in the city before making the long drive along the south coast to your next destination. You can explore the beautiful city of Reykjavík and then soak in a hot spring.
Once you explore the city, I recommend making the long drive towards your destination for tomorrow. Give yourself plenty of time to make the drive because it is a bit long (about 5 hours)! And do not worry about all the beautiful places you pass along the way because you will explore those later in the road trip.
Reykjavík
Reykjavík has so much to offer, from delicious food to beautiful buildings and stunning views. I recommend enjoying a meal at one of the many great restaurants and visiting Hallgrimskirkja. Hallgrimskirkja is an iconic church that you probably have seen in photos. It is the tallest church in Iceland and beautiful!
Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon
Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon are the two most popular hot springs, and you must book your tickets in advance because they can sell out quickly.
The Blue Lagoon is the most popular of the two because of its beautiful bright blue waters. It is massive (around 8,700 square meters), so even though it becomes very crowded at times, you can likely find a quiet area to relax.
If you want to enjoy a smaller hot spring with fewer crowds, the Sky Lagoon is perfect for you. We loved the Sky Lagoon so much that we visited twice! We arrived just before sunset and got to watch it while soaking in the hot spring. It was so beautiful and relaxing!
Drive to Vik
After soaking in a hot spring, it is time to begin the long journey down the south coast. The drive is about five hours, so I recommend leaving enough time for the journey towards Vik.
Although it is a long drive, it is incredibly scenic. And as I mentioned, you will explore everything you pass on this scenic drive later in the itinerary.
Day 2 in Iceland: Vatnajökull National Park
Are you ready to explore the largest ice cap in Europe?! Vatnajökull National Park is huge, offering many ways to experience it, so you can find the perfect activity for you!
I highly recommend going on a tour to explore the glacier. You can enjoy tours for snowmobiling, exploring ice caves, kayaking on a glacier lagoon, or hiking on the glacier. It will easily become one of your favorite things you did on your trip.
And be sure to book your tour tickets in advance! These tours are popular, so I recommend buying your tickets in advance.
If you do not want to go on a tour, do not worry! I will include other fun things to do that will not disappoint. The views alone are stunning, and you will fall in love with Vatnajökull National Park.
Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull is one of the largest ice-caps in Europe and one of the best places for glacier hikes and ice cave tours. You can take a guided tour to the top of Vatnajökull, which is a fun experience! If you visit in the winter, you can take a guided tour of the ice caves below Vatnajökull.
I prefer doing the early morning tour then slowly making my way back towards Vik, stopping at some beautiful places along the way. But you can always book the afternoon tour and stop at the attractions on your way there.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach are quick stops after your tour and are stunning! The glacier lagoon is filled with icebergs, and Diamond Beach has large ice blocks that look like diamonds in the sun.
You can park near Diamond Beach and walk to both, or you can go on a kayak tour in the glacier lagoon.
Múlagljúfur Canyon
Múlagljúfur Canyon is probably one of the most beautiful places to visit on the drive back, so if you are up for a hike, you will not be disappointed. The 4.4-mile hike leading into the canyon is stunning and offers stunning views of the surrounding area and a waterfall.
Svartifoss
Svartifoss is another stunning waterfall surrounded by black basalt columns. The 2-mile hike brings you to several waterfalls, but Svartifoss is my favorite!
Fjaðrárgljúfur
If you do not want to hike, I recommend visiting Fjaðrárgljúfur! It is a 330-foot-deep moss-covered canyon, and it is stunning! You can hike to various viewpoints from the parking lot, and I recommend stopping at each overlook.
Day 3 in Iceland: Vik and Waterfalls
The South Coast is the most popular place to visit, and you will quickly see why. It has everything, including waterfalls, black sand beaches, and mountains, making it one of the most scenic places!
Since most of these attractions are within a short distance from each other, you can visit them in any order that works best for you. Each place is popular and will have crowds, but if you start your day early in the morning, you will avoid the midday crowds.
Reynisfjara
Reynisfjara is the infamous black sand beach in Iceland. The black sand is from eroded volcanic rock and is beautiful! Reynisfjara is home to the Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks, Hálsanefshellir Sea Cave, and Gardar Cliff.
NOTE: The waves on Reynisfjara are known for being dangerous because they can sneak up on you in a matter of seconds, so please be careful and stay aware.
Dyrholaey Arch
Dyrholaey Arch is a beautiful arch along the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. The viewpoint is on a cliff you can drive to and offers stunning views of the arch, beach, and mountains. You can also hike 3 miles to the arch from the beach, but I prefer driving to the top.
Depending on the time of year you visit, you may see puffins! We saw thousands of puffins during our second trip, and it was incredible.
Skógafoss
Skógafoss is 82 feet wide and 200 feet tall and is EPIC! You can walk up to the base of the falls or hike to the top. Both offer beautiful views, but I enjoy the views from the bottom more.
And if you want to enjoy more waterfalls, there is a 4.1-mile hike on top of Skogafoss. This trail wanders along the river bringing you to multiple smaller waterfalls.
Kvernufoss
Although Kvernufoss is next to Skógafoss, many people often do not know it exists. The 98-foot waterfall is in a beautiful moss-covered canyon, and it quickly became one of our favorite waterfalls.
An easy 1-mile hike brings you into the stunning canyon before traveling to the base of Kvernufoss. We honestly did not know this waterfall existed the first time we visited Iceland, but we were so happy to have added it to our itinerary for our second trip.
Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrafoss
Seljalandsfoss is an iconic waterfall in Iceland that you have probably seen in many photos. It is a short walk from the parking lot to the base of Seljalandsfoss, and you can enjoy the 197-foot, picturesque waterfall from the front or walk behind it!
If you want to walk behind it, be prepared to get wet. I wore my rain jacket to help, and I recommend doing the same.
Gljufrafoss is a 131-foot waterfall hidden behind a cliff next to Seljalandsfoss, making it difficult to see from the road. You can reach this waterfall by hiking an easy 1.2-mile hike from Seljalandsfoss.
You will also get wet when you get near Gljufrafoss, so keep your rain jacket close!
Day 4 in Iceland: The Highlands
You have two options for this day in the itinerary! No matter which you choose, you will not be disappointed in exploring the beautiful highlands of Iceland. I prefer Landmannalaugar, but honestly both areas are stunning, and you really cannot go wrong with either.
I recommend spending the entire day in the highlands because they offer so much to do! It also takes a few hours to get into each, so starting your day early in the morning gives you more time to enjoy the beautiful area.
Also, make sure to pack warm layers and rain gear. The highlands have unpredictable weather that can change quickly. The first time we visited Landmannalaugar, the day went quickly from a beautiful sunny day to a heavy downpour. I recommend packing warm layers and rain gear just in case!
Option 1: Landmannalaugar
Landmannalaugar, also known as the People’s Pool, is the land of multi-colored mountains, lava fields, and volcanoes. It is a popular area for hiking and offers natural hot springs.
We have visited Landmannalaugar twice but only hiked during our second trip. The weather was awful on our first trip with heavy rain, so we soaked in the hot spring. We had beautiful weather during our second trip, so we hiked along its many stunning trails.
The best way to get to Landmannalaugar is taking F208 from the north, which leads you in without any river crossings. I believe all other roads require river crossings, some of which are very deep.
Once in Landmannalaugar, you can enjoy many fun hiking trails:
Option 2: Thorsmork
Thorsmork is a beautiful valley and mountain range between three glaciers: Tindafjallajokull, Myrdalsjokull, and Eyjafjallajokull. You can enjoy the views from various driveable viewpoints or from fun hiking trails.
Since the drive has intense river crossings, it is not recommended to drive yourself. I highly recommend booking a ticket on a mountain bus that can easily take you into and out of Thorsmork. You can also take a Super Jeep Tour into Thorsmork with a guide!
Once in Thorsmork, you have many hikes to enjoy:
Day 5 in Iceland: The Golden Circle
Your second to last day explores beautiful waterfalls along the Golden Circle and more highlands! If you do not want to make the drive into the highlands, I recommend spending more time exploring the waterfalls nearby.
Make sure to start your day early. A few of these waterfalls are popular and have crowds all day, and I recommend visiting them in the morning to avoid most of the midday crowds.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss is the largest volume waterfall in Europe, fed by the second-largest glacier in Iceland, Langjökull. It has a 36-foot and 69-foot section that flows into the Hvítá River in a 1.6-mile-long canyon.
An easy 1.1-mile hike brings you from the parking lot to the rim above the waterfall, and it will take your breath away!
Stokkur
The Great Geysir, also known as Stokkur, is across the street from Gullfoss and is easily accessible. It erupts every 6-10 minutes and hits over 50 feet high! Strokkur is one of the most popular attractions in Iceland, so it will likely be very crowded.
Kerlingarfjöll
**If you do not want to go into the highlands, you can skip Kerlingarfjöll and start the rest of your itinerary at Brúarfoss. If you want to go into the highlands, you may not have time to hike to Brúarfoss.
Kerlingarfjöll is a breathtaking and remote mountain range in the highlands of Iceland. It is one of the lesser-known highland areas but does not lack beautiful views!
Kerlingarfjöll has beautiful multi-colored mountains, a small hot spring, and the Hveradalir Geothermal Area. The Hveradalir Geothermal Area was my favorite place because the views were unmatched.
You can explore both areas from various overlooks or hike on its many trails, including the beautiful 7.8-mile round trip hike from the Kerlingarfjöll resort to the Hveradalir Geothermal Area.
We drove to the geothermal area and hiked along its trails from there. We did not have time to hike the entire trail to the resort, so we stuck close to the parking lot, but the views were still breathtaking!
Tip: Give yourself plenty of time to drive to the highlands. If you want to explore the highlands, I recommend giving yourself plenty of time to drive on the F roads. It is about 1.5 hours from Gullfoss to Kerlingarfjöll.
Brúarfoss
Brúarfoss is one of the bluest waterfalls you will see in Iceland! It has a bright blue color because it is glacier-fed, and yes, the water is THAT blue!
The 4.1-mile trail wanders along the river until it reaches Brúarfoss. Although the trail has a few viewpoints of the waterfall, my favorite is from the bridge.
Secret Lagoon
It is time to soak in some hot springs! The Secret Lagoon, also known as Galma Laugin, is a beautiful hot spring. Although it is a man-made pool, it is fed by a natural hot spring and is the perfect place to relax. Beautiful mossy lava fields surround it, and a small geyser is nearby, erupting every few minutes.
Day 6 in Iceland: Thingvellir National Park
Your final day in Iceland explores the beautiful Thingvellir National Park and maybe even snorkeling in tectonic plates. You can enjoy the stunning views, hiking trails, and exploring waterfalls in the park.
Make sure to start your day early. Thingvellir National Park is popular and has crowds even in the morning, and I recommend starting your day early to find parking before the crowds arrive.
Thingvellir National Park is a historical place in Iceland because it was home to their first parliament in 930 AD. The national park is stunning and offers many things to do, including waterfalls, churches, and hiking trails.
Silfra
Snorkeling through tectonic plates is easily one of the coolest experiences in Thingvellir National Park! We spent an hour snorkeling through the clearest waters we had ever seen because Silfra has some of the clearest water on earth, allowing us to see up to 390 feet! Many companies offer this experience, but I highly recommend DIVE.IS. We had an incredible time with their guides!
Tip: If you want to snorkel, make a reservation for the first time slot. When we went snorkeling, we reserved the first time slot in the morning, and it paid off! The line for waiting to get into the water was shorter, and we had the water to ourselves and one other tour.
Öxarárfoss
Öxarárfoss is a 44-foot waterfall in Thingvellir National Park and drops over the Almannagjá Gorge. Although it is not as tall as other nearby waterfalls, it is incredibly picturesque!
You can hike a 2.7-mile trail as it wanders along the river to Öxarárfoss. The entire trail is really cool, so you will enjoy it.
Thingvellir Loop
If you have more time and want to hike a longer trail, I recommend the Thingvellir Loop! It is one of the best ways to explore everything the national park offers.
The 6.5-mile round trip hike brings you to basalt columns, Öxarárfoss, and many beautiful viewpoints in the park. It is a fantastic way to experience Thingvellir National Park!
If you want to spend a week exploring Iceland, you are in the right place. I created this guide to have everything you need to know about planning the best Iceland 6-day itinerary!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
Pin it for later!
