Start at Hallgrímskirkja around 9:00, before the central streets get busy. Allow about 45 minutes to admire the church’s distinctive architecture and take the elevator up the tower for wide views over Reykjavík—tower admission is roughly ISK 1,400 for adults, while the church itself is free to enter when services or events aren’t underway. From here, walk downhill along Skólavörðustígur toward the waterfront; it takes about 15 minutes and is one of the nicest central streets for a first look at Reykjavík’s colorful cafés and shops.
Continue to Sun Voyager for a relaxed half-hour by the sea. The sculpture is beside Sæbraut, around 20 minutes on foot from the church, or a short taxi ride if the weather is poor. Walk west along the harbor rather than lingering only for the photograph—the changing views toward Mount Esja are the real reason to be here. If you need coffee before the afternoon, Reykjavík Roasters on Ásmundarsalur is a dependable stop, though keep lunch light because the food tour is substantial.
Head to The Settlement Exhibition at Aðalstræti 16, an easy 15-minute walk from Sun Voyager through the old center. The museum is built around a Viking Age longhouse excavated beneath the street, and an hour is enough to see the archaeological remains and interactive displays without rushing. It is generally open from late morning into the evening, but check the official schedule for the exact September hours; admission is usually around ISK 3,300 for adults.
Meet for the Reykjavík Food Walk at its confirmed downtown meeting point in the mid-afternoon. The tour normally lasts about 2½ hours and costs approximately ISK 15,000–20,000 per person, with tastings of local specialties and stops at several central venues. Wear comfortable shoes and avoid booking a separate dinner afterward—the portions add up, and your guide will give you better neighborhood recommendations than a rushed first-night restaurant search.
After the food walk, take a taxi or bus to Sky Lagoon in Kópavogur; from central Reykjavík, allow roughly 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Reserve an evening entry in advance, ideally including the full geothermal ritual, and expect approximately ISK 10,000–18,000 per person. Plan on about two hours for the lagoon, sauna, cold plunge and steam experience. Bring a swimsuit and flip-flops, although towels are typically included with entry; arrive a little early for changing and showering. It is a particularly good first-night choice after a flight, and you can return to central Reykjavík by taxi or bus afterward rather than driving.
Pick up your rental car after breakfast and leave Reykjavík around 08:00–08:30, allowing extra time for paperwork, insurance checks, and photographing the vehicle. Drive northeast on Route 36 to Þingvellir National Park, roughly 45 minutes from the city. Follow the marked path through Almannagjá, where you can walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, then continue to the viewpoint over Þingvallavatn and the historic Lögberg area. Allow about two hours; parking is paid, usually around ISK 1,000, and card payment is straightforward. The park is exposed, so bring a windproof layer even if Reykjavík feels mild.
Continue about 35 minutes to Laugarvatn Fontana, arriving late morning. The lakeside geothermal baths are a good place to slow the pace: book a timed entry if possible, and allow 90 minutes for the pools, steam rooms, and views across the water. Admission is generally around ISK 6,000–8,000 per person, with towel rental extra. The café is convenient, but keep lunch light if you have a reservation later at Friðheimar.
From Laugarvatn Fontana, drive roughly 25 minutes to the Geysir Geothermal Area. The paths are short and easy, with Strokkur usually erupting every 5–10 minutes; stay behind the ropes and expect strong sulfur smells. After about an hour, continue 10 minutes to Gullfoss. Walk both main viewpoints for the best sense of the two-tier cascade plunging into the Hvítá canyon, but take care on wet or windy steps. The visitor centre has toilets, snacks, and a café if you need a quick break.
Finish at Friðheimar in Reykholt, about 35 minutes from Gullfoss. A reserved table is important, especially for the greenhouse’s tomato soup, fresh bread, and tomato-based menu; budget roughly ISK 5,000–8,000 per person and allow 1–1½ hours. After dinner, drive about an hour south to Hella on Route 30 and Route 1. Refuel before checking in—petrol stations are limited outside the main settlements—and keep the evening easy, as tomorrow’s South Coast stops are best started around 08:00.
Leave Hella around 08:00 on Route 1, heading west toward Seljalandsfoss; the drive is about 35 minutes before the day’s sightseeing begins. Arrive early, when the parking area is quieter, and allow roughly an hour to walk behind the waterfall if the path is open and conditions are safe. Waterproof outer layers and shoes with good grip are essential—the spray reaches far beyond the main viewpoint. Parking is paid, usually around ISK 700–1,000, and card payment is generally available. Continue about 25 minutes to Skógafoss, where you can admire the broad falls from below before climbing the staircase beside them for the elevated view; allow another hour.
A short drive or walk brings you to Skógar Museum, directly beside Skógafoss. Give the museum around 90 minutes to see its folk, transport and open-air turf-house collections; September hours are commonly around 10:00–17:00, but check the official schedule that morning, as seasonal hours can change. The museum café is convenient for soup, coffee or a light lunch, and this is a better place to refuel than waiting until Vík. After lunch, drive east for about 50 minutes to Dyrhólaey. Take the marked viewpoints slowly—the cliffs are exposed and windy—and look toward the sea arch and black shoreline. In early September, some bird activity may remain, though nesting restrictions and access can change.
Continue roughly 20 minutes to Reynisfjara Beach for the basalt columns and sea cave, keeping well back from the water. The sneaker waves here are genuinely dangerous: never turn your back on the surf, do not cross warning barriers, and follow any local closures. Spend about an hour, then drive 10–15 minutes into Vík for dinner at Smiðjan Brugghús, a relaxed local brewery with burgers, pizza and other hearty options. Budget approximately ISK 5,000–8,000 per person; opening hours and the kitchen’s last-order time vary by season, so check before leaving the beach. If you are driving afterward, keep the beer tasting to a minimum and use the brewery mainly for food—the surrounding roads are dark, windy and often wet after sunset.
Leave Vík around 08:00 on Route 1, carrying breakfast and water because services are sparse along this stretch. Your first stop is Fjaðrárgljúfur, near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, reached via the marked turnoff from the Ring Road. Allow about 1½ hours for the clifftop viewpoints; stay on the fenced path, as the moss is fragile and the canyon can be windy. Continue east to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, roughly an hour farther on. Park at the visitor centre, where facilities and trail information are available; parking is generally around ISK 1,000–1,500 per day. Set aside about three hours for the hike toward Svartifoss and the surrounding glacial scenery—sturdy shoes and waterproof layers are essential, even in September.
From Skaftafell, make the short drive to Svínafellsjökull for a quieter view of the glacier’s blue-white ice and rugged crevasses. The access road can be rough, so check your rental agreement before leaving the paved route and allow about 45 minutes. Continue east on Route 1 to Jökulsárlón, timing your arrival for the softer late-afternoon light. Spend an hour watching icebergs calve and drift toward the sea; boat tours are seasonal and should be booked ahead, but the shoreline itself is free. Keep a safe distance from the water and never climb onto the ice.
Walk or drive across the road to Diamond Beach, where chunks of glacial ice wash onto the black sand. Give yourself around 45 minutes, but allow extra time for photographs—the beach changes constantly with the tide, and waves can be surprisingly powerful. From there, continue approximately 80 minutes to Höfn and check in before dinner at Pakkhús Restaurant by the harbor. Reserve ahead if possible; its langoustine dishes are the local specialty, with dinner usually costing about ISK 7,000–12,000 per person. This is a long but rewarding day, so refuel in Höfn before setting out and check road.is for wind, flooding, and road-surface updates before departure.
Leave Höfn by 07:30–08:00 for Vestrahorn at Stokksnes, allowing roughly 25 minutes on Route 1 plus the access road. The mountain-and-black-sand landscape is at its best in soft morning light; allow 1½ hours for the beach viewpoints and dune paths. The access fee is typically around ISK 1,000–1,500 per person, and the road can be rough, so check conditions before turning off the Ring Road. Continue west on Route 1 toward Djúpivogur—about 1¼ hours—where a relaxed harbor stroll and the outdoor Eggs of Merry Bay sculpture make a good late-morning break. Cafés and fuel are limited, so top up in town and carry snacks.
Drive roughly 35 minutes from Djúpivogur to Stöðvarfjörður for Petra’s Stone Collection, usually open seasonally from late morning into the afternoon; check the September schedule before setting out. Allow about an hour and expect an admission fee in the region of ISK 2,000–3,000. The collection is a wonderfully personal stop, with rooms and gardens full of Icelandic minerals rather than a polished, formal museum. From here, it is about 20 minutes to Fáskrúðsfjörður. Spend an hour walking the waterfront and looking for traces of the village’s French fishing heritage, including bilingual street signs and the old harbor atmosphere. This is a good place for coffee if anything is open, but do not rely on late-afternoon food service in the smaller fjord villages.
Continue along the East Fjords and inland toward Skriðuklaustur, allowing around 1½ hours from Fáskrúðsfjörður, plus time for photo stops at the viewpoints. The cultural site and Gunnar Gunnarsson’s striking former home generally close by late afternoon or early evening in September, so check the day’s final admission time and arrive with a little margin; allow about 1½ hours for the house, grounds, and exhibitions. Afterward, drive approximately 30–40 minutes to Egilsstaðir and have dinner at Salt Café & Bistro, a convenient casual stop near the town center, with local-ingredient dishes usually costing around ISK 4,000–7,000 per person. Because this is a long day, reserve or confirm dinner hours in advance, and keep the final drive conservative—weather and autumn darkness arrive quickly in the East Fjords.
Leave Egilsstaðir around 07:00 with food, water, and a full tank; services are limited once you turn toward Jökuldalur. Drive to Stuðlagil Canyon via Route 1 and the marked turnoff near Grund, allowing roughly 1½–2 hours each way depending on road conditions. The main viewpoint is reached from the east side by a short walk, while the longer trail toward the canyon floor is on the west side and can be rough or muddy. Allow 2–3 hours overall, and check road.is before setting out—access roads may be gravelly, and the river’s color varies with glacial conditions.
Continue west toward Lake Mývatn and stop at Námafjall Hverir, just off Route 1. Spend about 45 minutes following the marked paths among steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots; stay strictly on the trails, as the ground is unstable and extremely hot. After lunch—pack something or use a nearby café in Reykjahlíð, since this is not a place to linger over a restaurant meal—drive a few minutes to Dimmuborgir. The lava labyrinth has several signed walks; the easy Kirkjuvegur loop is a good choice if you are feeling the day’s driving, while longer routes lead deeper among the formations. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a waterproof layer, even in September.
Book an evening entry at Mývatn Nature Baths in Jarðböðin, ideally around 16:30–17:00, and allow about 1½ hours to soak. Admission is commonly around ISK 6,000–8,000 per person, with towels and swimwear available to rent; reservations are wise because late-afternoon sessions fill quickly. From the baths, drive roughly 45 minutes north to Húsavík and settle in for dinner at Gamli Bærinn in the town center, budgeting about ISK 4,000–7,000 per person. It is a relaxed finish after a long day, but check the restaurant’s September hours and reserve if possible—small-town kitchens may close earlier than expected.
Leave Húsavík after breakfast and follow Route 1 west toward Goðafoss, allowing about 45 minutes of driving. Park in the signed lot on either side of the road and spend roughly an hour walking between the viewpoints; the eastern side gives the broadest view of the falls, while the western side is usually quieter. The paths can be slippery near the spray, so waterproof shoes and a windproof layer are useful. Continue toward Akureyri, another 35–40 minutes away, arriving around late morning.
After checking in or leaving luggage at your accommodation, walk or drive to Akureyri Botanical Garden, where a relaxed hour among Icelandic and northern European plants makes a good reset after the morning on the road. It is generally open from morning into the evening in September, with free admission; allow extra time for the upper paths and views toward the fjord. From there, continue downhill into central Akureyri—about a 15-minute walk—to Akureyrarkirkja. The church is usually open during daytime visiting hours, though services may limit access; allow 45 minutes to see the distinctive interior and stained-glass window. Parking is available nearby, but walking is easier than moving the car through the compact center.
Spend the later afternoon at Akureyri Art Museum on Kaupvangsstræti, a short walk from the church. Allow about an hour for its changing modern Icelandic and international exhibitions; September hours are commonly Tuesday–Sunday, roughly midday to late afternoon, so check the current schedule before setting out. Admission is typically around ISK 2,000–2,500 for adults. Between the museum and dinner, browse the small shops and cafés along Hafnarstræti rather than rushing on—the town center is at its most pleasant when the tour buses have thinned out.
Book Strikið for dinner and request a window or upper-floor table if available. Its elevated position gives excellent views across Eyjafjörður, particularly as the light fades, and dinner is typically around ISK 6,000–10,000 per person before drinks. It is only a few minutes’ walk from the museum, so leave the car parked and enjoy the center on foot. Afterward, take a quiet stroll along the harbor or back through the lit streets around Ráðhústorg; September evenings are cool, but the fjord views are worth one more short walk.
Leave Akureyri around 08:00 with a full tank and breakfast packed, following Route 1 west through the broad Öxnadalur valley. Your first stop is Hraundrangi, a quick roadside viewpoint of the sharp mountain peak and dramatic valley scenery. Allow about 30 minutes, but take care when pulling off: Icelandic roads have limited shoulders, and you should use only signed parking areas. Continue west toward the Vatnsnes Peninsula; the gravel sections of Routes 715 and 716 can be slow, so check road.is and Safetravel before committing to the detour.
By late morning, reach Hvítserkur, the striking sea stack just offshore. The main viewpoint is a short walk from the car park, while the lower beach path offers a closer perspective if the tide, wind, and footing are safe. Spend about an hour here, bringing waterproof layers and sturdy shoes—the peninsula is exposed, and the path can be muddy. There are very limited facilities, so use a restroom and stock up in Blönduós or Hvammstangi beforehand.
Return via the peninsula roads and continue to Kolugljúfur Canyon, where short paths lead to viewpoints over waterfalls slicing through dark basalt. Allow roughly 45 minutes; stay behind marked barriers, as the gorge edges are steep and slippery. From there, drive on to Hvammstangi for the Icelandic Seal Center, a compact museum that is particularly useful after seeing the coastal landscape firsthand. Set aside about an hour and check the seasonal closing time before you go—September hours can be shorter than summer hours. Finish with dinner at Geitafell Restaurant, where hearty Icelandic dishes make a good end to a long driving day; budget approximately ISK 5,000–8,000 per person, and reserve or call ahead because evening dining options around Hvammstangi are limited.
Leave Hvammstangi around 07:30–08:00 with fuel, water, and breakfast packed; today’s loop has long stretches with few services. Follow Route 1 south, then turn onto Route 68 and the rural roads toward Eiríksstaðir in Haukadalur—allow roughly 1½ hours of driving. The reconstructed Viking-age longhouse is a small, atmospheric visit rather than a large museum, so about an hour is enough. Check the seasonal opening schedule before leaving, as September hours can be limited; admission is generally around ISK 2,000–3,000. Continue toward the peninsula on Route 54, stopping for coffee or supplies in Búðardalur if needed.
Reach Kirkjufellsfoss near Grundarfjörður around early afternoon. The signed parking area is close to the classic viewpoint, and an hour gives you time to photograph the waterfall with Kirkjufell behind it without rushing. Stay on the marked paths—this is one of Iceland’s most photographed scenes, and the rocks can be slippery even in calm weather. From there, follow the peninsula’s northern coast west toward Djúpalónssandur in Snæfellsjökull National Park, allowing about 45 minutes of driving. Spend roughly 1½ hours exploring the black-pebble beach, lava formations, and remnants of the old fishing settlement; the descent from the car park is uneven, and powerful surf makes the shoreline unsuitable for swimming.
Continue around the south coast to Arnarstapi, arriving in the late afternoon. Park near the village center and walk the cliff path toward Hellnar, turning back whenever the light begins to fade—about 1½ hours is ideal. The route passes basalt cliffs, sea arches, and the dramatic Gatklettur rock formation; keep well back from the edge, particularly in windy weather. Return east along Route 54 and Route 55 to Stykkishólmur, where the harbor and colorful old houses make a pleasant short wander before dinner.
Book Narfeyrastofa in advance and aim for an early dinner, especially on a September weekend. The restaurant is known for seasonal Icelandic seafood and local produce, with mains commonly around ISK 7,000–12,000 per person. Afterward, take a slow walk around Stykkishólmur Harbour or up toward Súgandisey, if daylight and weather allow; otherwise, settle in early—the full peninsula circuit makes this a long driving day. Check road.is and safetravel.is before setting out, since wind can make the exposed coastal roads unexpectedly tiring.
Take one last unhurried walk around Stykkishólmur Harbour before leaving town, ideally around 08:00. Follow the waterfront past the fishing boats and brightly painted houses toward Norwegian House and the harbor viewpoints; the area is quiet at this hour, and the changing light across Breiðafjörður is worth lingering over. Allow about 45 minutes, then fuel up and collect coffee or a packed breakfast before joining Route 54. Check road.is before departure, as rural conditions can change quickly even in September.
After roughly 1½ hours on the peninsula’s rural roads, turn toward Gerðuberg Cliffs. The short walk to the basalt wall takes about 45 minutes, but wear shoes with good grip: the ground can be uneven and wet, and there is little shelter from the wind. Continue to Borgarnes for lunch and spend around 1½ hours at the Borgarnes Settlement Centre, whose exhibitions explain Iceland’s settlement period and the saga of Egill Skallagrímsson. The museum generally opens from late morning into the evening, but confirm the September schedule; the café is a convenient place for soup, sandwiches, or cake before the final drive.
Drive about 25 minutes north to Krauma in Reykholt, reserving an afternoon entry in advance if possible. Give yourself roughly two hours across the geothermal baths, steam rooms, and relaxation areas fed by Deildartunguhver. Admission is approximately ISK 6,000–8,000 per person, with towel rental and dining extra. Keep valuables in the lockers and bring sandals; the outdoor pools are especially pleasant late in the day when the main sightseeing crowds have thinned. From Krauma, allow about 1½ hours back to Reykjavík via Route 1, with enough buffer for traffic and the rental-car return process.
Return the vehicle at your booked downtown or airport-area branch, following the company’s instructions carefully and photographing the fuel gauge and car condition before handing over the keys. If you are returning at Keflavík International Airport, allow additional time for the shuttle or transfer into Reykjavík; if returning in the city, a taxi or a short walk may take you to your accommodation depending on the branch. Once settled, walk to Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur in the central harbor area for a classic Icelandic hot dog—roughly ISK 1,000–2,000 per person and usually a 30-minute stop. It is a fitting final bite before an easy evening wandering Reykjavík’s waterfront and nearby streets.