Iceland Roadtrip Itinerary for Adventure Enthusiasts

  • Day 1 - Reykjavik: Start your adventure by exploring the colorful streets of Reykjavik, Iceland's capital. Visit the Hallgrímskirkja Church and climb to the top for stunning views of the city. For breakfast, grab a delicious Icelandic pastry from Brauð & Co. For lunch, try the seafood at Sjávargrillið. In the evening, check out the quirky bars on Laugavegur street.
  • Day 2 - Golden Circle: Take a scenic drive to Iceland's famous Golden Circle region. Start with a hike in Thingvellir National Park, where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. For lunch, try the lamb soup at Friðheimar greenhouse. Next, visit Geysir geothermal area to see the erupting hot springs. End the day with a soak in the natural hot springs at Secret Lagoon.
  • Day 3 - South Coast: Drive along Iceland's stunning south coast, stopping at the picturesque Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. For lunch, have a picnic on the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. In the afternoon, take a glacier hike on Sólheimajökull glacier. Stay overnight in Vik and see the Northern Lights if conditions allow.
  • Day 4 - Glacier Lagoon: Start the day with a scenic drive to the stunning Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Take a boat tour to see the floating icebergs up close. For lunch, try the seafood at Hafnarbuðin in Höfn. In the evening, relax in a hot tub at Glacier World Guesthouse.
  • Day 5 - East Fjords: Drive along the rugged coastline of Iceland's East Fjords, stopping at the scenic Stokksnes black sand beach. For lunch, try the homemade pizza at Svarta Kaffið in Egilsstaðir. In the afternoon, hike to the Hengifoss waterfall for stunning views. Stay overnight in Seydisfjordur.
  • Day 6 - Lake Mývatn: Explore the otherworldly landscapes of Lake Mývatn, starting with a hike to the Hverfjall crater. For lunch, try the fish soup at Vogafjós Cowshed Café. In the afternoon, visit the natural hot springs of Mývatn Nature Baths. Stay overnight in Akureyri and try the Icelandic beer at Bryggjan Brewery.
  • Day 7 - Akureyri: Spend the day exploring Iceland's second-largest city, Akureyri. Visit the famous Akureyrarkirkja church and the charming Botanical Gardens. For lunch, try the sushi at Rub23. In the evening, take a whale watching tour from the harbor.
  • Day 8 - West Fjords: Drive to Iceland's remote West Fjords region, stopping at the picturesque Dynjandi waterfall. For lunch, have a picnic at Rauðisandur beach. In the afternoon, hike to the Latrabjarg bird cliffs to see puffins up close. Stay overnight in Ísafjörður.
  • Day 9 - Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Drive to the stunning Snæfellsnes Peninsula, stopping at the black pebble beach of Djúpalónssandur. For lunch, try the seafood at Fjörukráin. In the afternoon, hike to the top of the Snæfellsjökull volcano for panoramic views. Stay overnight in Stykkishólmur.
  • Day 10 - Reykjavik: Return to Reykjavik and spend the day exploring any attractions you missed on the first day. For lunch, try the hot dogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. In the evening, celebrate your adventure with a Nordic-inspired meal at Matur og Drykkur.

Time and Costs Estimates:

  • Hallgrímskirkja Church - 1 hour - Free
  • Thingvellir National Park - 2-3 hours - Free
  • Geysir geothermal area - 1 hour - Free
  • Secret Lagoon - 2 hours - ISK 3,200 ($25) per person
  • Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon boat tour - 1.5 hours - ISK 6,900 ($54) per person
  • Mývatn Nature Baths - 2 hours - ISK 4,900 ($38) per person
  • Whale watching tour - 3 hours - ISK 10,400 ($81) per person
  • Latrabjarg bird cliffs - 3 hours - Free
  • Snæfellsjökull volcano hike - 3-4 hours - Free
  • Total Estimated Costs: ISK 25,400 ($200) per person
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Transportation

To do the Iceland road trip, you need to rent a car. We recommend a 4x4 vehicle, as some roads might require it. Gas prices are high in Iceland at around ISK 230 ($1.80) per liter. Most roads are paved, but some can be gravel or dirt. Always check weather and road conditions before starting your drive.

Links to Key Attractions and Restaurants

Tips:

If you have more time, consider spending a night in the Westman Islands for a unique island experience. If you have less time, skip the West Fjords and drive directly from Akureyri to Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

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Itinerary created by AI-assisted, human-reviewed