Got 5 days, or better yet 8 days, for a once-in-a-lifetime Iceland road trip itinerary touring Iceland’s South Coast and Golden Circle? Do you like waterfalls, glaciers, and beautiful coastal towns with plenty of adventure travel opportunities along the way? 

If so, continue reading to learn how to maximize your travels with this summer road trip itinerary exploring the best of South Coast Iceland, the Golden Circle, and Reykjavik. Refer to this 5 to 8-day Iceland summer road trip itinerary to plan your next adventure on this picturesque island nation. Forego the guided tour that will leave you on a bus with 30 other tourists and no travel flexibility. This summer Iceland road trip itinerary is completely self-guided and can be catered to your every whim.

Quick disclaimer here, no sooner will you be traveling to Iceland and crossing this epic trip off your bucket list than you will want to plan another trip to explore Iceland further! 

If you have the luxury of more time available, I recommend you take 8 days for this Iceland road trip summer itinerary. This self-guided road trip itinerary involves A LOT of driving. While driving, you will see so many great Iceland gems along the way, but more time is definitely better here. If you can afford to add an extra 2 or 3 days (making this an 8-day itinerary), I would split up days 2 and 3 and convert them into two days each. I would also add an additional day in Reykjavik. Yes, Iceland is 100% THAT EPIC and worth it!

Iceland Road Trip Itinerary Day 1:  The Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik

Arrive at Keflavik International Airport and grab a rental car. I used Lagooncarrental.is and paid 471 Euros for my 5-day Subaru Forrester rental car. There are many car rental companies to choose from, but Lagoon Car Rental offered me the best price at that time.  

Is visiting Iceland’s most famous geothermal baths on your list? If so, I recommend you plan your Blue Lagoon visit as a stop to or from the Keflavik International Airport for this summer road trip itinerary through Iceland’s South Coast and Golden Circle. The Blue Lagoon is located 20 minutes from the airport and 50 minutes from Reykjavik city center. Make reservations well in advance as it is Iceland’s number one paid tourist attraction, and it often sells out. 

Once at the Blue Lagoon, you can expect to find healing waters, a spa, restaurants, accommodations, and many other tourists! 😉 As I said, it’s Iceland’s number one paid tourist attraction! Tickets start at $60 for an adult day pass (ISK 8 490).

Other things to do in Reykjavik include visiting the Hallgrimskirkja Church, otherwise known as “The Church on The Hill”. You can also visit the Sun Voyager Sculpture located on the Reykjavik waterfront. 

Wherever your time in Reykjavik takes you, I recommend you make time to walk around Reykjavik’s “main street”, Laugavegur. The street’s name translates to “the water road”. It was aptly named because women once brought their laundry here to be washed in the hot pools.

On the main street, you will find plenty of shops, restaurants, fun bars, cozy cafes, live music, and street art to keep your attention. 

Here’s great news for all my plant-based friends, Reykjavik has a number of vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based options for us! Here’s a link to a blog with some great Reykjavik plant-based restaurant info: Top Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Reykjavik.

If you have an extra day in Reykjavik, consider adding a day trip to this Iceland road trip itinerary to visit Silfra in Thingvellir National Park where you can snorkel (or SCUBA) between continents and tectonic plates https://adventures.is/iceland/day-tours/snorkeling-and-diving/silfra-fissure/. Day trips start out at $150/person. This price includes transportation to and from your Reykjavik hotel, snorkeling gear, a dry suit, and your entrance ticket into Silfra.

Depending on what time you fly into Iceland, you have some options for lodging locations this first night. You can either stay in Reykjavik or get a jump start on your next day’s long driving tour by heading east to Hella for the night. If you opt to stay in Hella, you can save these Reykjavik activities for day 5.

Note that if you prefer not to rent a car, you can easily make Reykjavik your home base and do guided day tours to all the locations in this summer road trip itinerary through South Coast Iceland and the Golden Coast. It will, however, involve A LOT of time in a car or bus driving back and forth each day.

Day 2:  South Coast Driving Tour including Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, Vik, Reynisfjara Beach, Diamond Beach, and Jokulsarlong Glacier Lagoon

Take advantage of summer’s long, light-filled days and get an EARLY start today. You will have a lot of car time and no shortage of sites to explore along the way! If you have an extra day to add to this itinerary, I would insert it here and divide this day into 2 days.

There is so much to see and do, and an extra day would allow more time to explore these amazing sites. It would also divvy up the day’s drive, which totals 245 miles from start to finish.

Seljalandsfoss:

Your first stop on this South Coast driving tour will be Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland’s most visited and photographed sites. This waterfall not only features an impressive 200-foot drop, but it also has a very unique walking path that completely encircles its misty cascade. The footpath allows you the opportunity to view the waterfall from the wide cavern that sits just directly behind the falls. You will want a rain poncho for this picturesque stop.

Skogafoss:

The next stop will take you to Skogafoss for another impressive waterfall at 200+ feet tall and a wow-worthy 82 feet wide. If the sun is out, you will likely see at least one rainbow within the waterfall’s spray. There were multiple rainbows present when we visited.

Skogafoss presents a couple of nice viewing opportunities for its visitors. Because the area around and under the waterfall is flat, you can walk right up next to the wall of the waterfall. Obviously, the closer your approach, the more soaked you will become. I recommend you take the stairs up alongside the falls to view Skogafoss from a platform that sits just above the waterfall’s cascade.

Skogafoss has an amazing hiking opportunity. Consider this hike if you have more time and you’re looking for an incredibly beautiful and underrated hike. This hike will also give you a chance to temporarily escape the crowds and tour buses stopping to quickly visit and photograph Skogafoss.

Search the internet for Skogafoss Waterfall hike or Skogar Trail, or Waterfall Way. It’s a 4.2-mile out-and-back trail that starts at the Skogafoss waterfall and follows the Skoga River upstream. The impressive waterfall views start immediately upon this walk up the side of the waterfall. You can make this walk as long or as short as you’d like and still get so much bang for your buck.

Skogar Folk Museum:

Skogar Folk Museum is also located nearby in Skogar, just south of the Eyjafjallajokull glacier volcano. This open-air museum hosts a cultural heritage collection of over 18,000 regional artifacts. It also allows an opportunity to explore an old turf farm.

Reynisfjara Beach and Vik:

After you’ve visited Skogafoss waterfall, head further east along the South Coast towards Vik. Here you can explore a spectacular volcanic black sand beach, dramatic rock formations, crazy cool basalt sea stacks, and, if luck will have it, which it did for us, a very large puffin colony at Reynisdrangar Beach. 

We enjoyed a picnic lunch on the beach while exploring the amazing geological features here. Be sure not to miss Dryholaey island’s spectacular arch. Always watch out for sneaker waves, as they are very common and dangerous on this beach.

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach:

It’s time to get back in the car and continue heading east to your final stops at Diamond Beach and Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.  Diamond Beach, located next to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon hosts very cool “beached” chunks of ice that range in size and resemble, you guessed it… ginormous diamonds! They are a fun site to see, especially as the light shines through them. The water provides a beautiful backdrop to the ice sculptures.

I recommend ending the day with a Zodiac boat tour (https://icelagoon.is/) at Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Your zodiac boat will take you right up next to the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, an outlet glacier of the larger Vatnajökull glacier. 

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is said to be one of the greatest wonders of Iceland. The lagoon is relatively new and is said to be a result of global warming. 

This same glacier will likely give you a few spectacular glacier-calving experiences to soak in. Enjoy nature’s show as your boat maneuvers around the tiny waves from the huge chunks of ice falling off the glacier and into the lagoon. The calving glacier creates the most beautiful sites and sounds all around you! 

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is an astounding 850 feet deep, making it the deepest lake in Iceland. These fallen chunks of ice create icebergs that float all throughout the lagoon. Calving glacier or not, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon’s surreal scenes of floating icebergs will not disappoint!

We enjoyed a dinner and night of affordable accommodations at Hali Country Hotel in Hali, Iceland.

Day 3:  Vatnajokull Glacier National Park Adventure Day and a walk to the abandoned DC plane crash site

Vatnajokull Glacier National Park:

Wake up early and head out to Vatnajokull Glacier National Park for your chosen adventure on Vatnajokull Glacier – Europe’s largest glacier! Vatnajokull Glacier National Park is Europe’s second largest National Park, with Vatnajokull Glacier covering 8% of Iceland’s land mass. 

For our adventure, we opted to do a private combo glacier hike and ice climbing tour with Extreme Iceland Tours. We had prior rock climbing experience, but you could probably get by with as little as an adventurous spirit and some courage! If less adventure is what you’re seeking, strap on some crampons and try a glacier hike or snow-mobile tour in this impressive National Park instead. 

The ice climbing and glacier trek on Vatnajokull Glacier was the highlight of our 5 days in Iceland. It was a highlight not just for us parents but also for our 15 and 17-year-old daughters.

Our passionate guide shared cool bits of history about the surrounding area while we rode in our 4×4 vehicle. We also took a short boat ride as we made our way toward the start of our glacier trek and ice climb adventures. The rough and beautiful off-road terrain in Vatnajokul Glacier National Park was beyond majestic. Here’s a link for more info on ice climbing tours in case you want to add this to your summer Iceland road trip itinerary… https://adventures.com/iceland/tours/private/glacier-hikes-ice-climbing/.

If you have an additional night to spare, this would be another great place to inject it. Otherwise, once you’ve completed your adventure of choice on Vatnajokull Glacier, it will be time to get back in the car. Drive to Jadar in Tungufell. Staying in Jadar tonight will set you up nicely for tomorrow’s Golden Circle driving tour.

Abandoned DC Plane Crash Site in Solheimasandur:

The drive to Jador in Tungufell is roughly 230 miles. This drive can be broken up with a fun stop to walk, stretch your legs and explore an old abandoned DC plane crash site on a black beach in Solheimasandur.

There’s no sign from the road indicating where to turn off to see this plane crash site. Make sure you google it and know what to look for to help you find the right parking lot. From the parking lot, you will have roughly an hour or so walk on the trail to reach the abandoned DC plane. Of course, there will be another hour or so walk back to the car at the end.

Jadar in Tungufell:

We loved our night’s stay in our two-bedroom apartment on a horse farm called “Jadar – The Old House” in Tungufell. The very friendly owners brought us food in the morning and insisted on giving us a driving tour of their incredible farm and horse ranch. Their ranch had this beautiful river (photo below) running through their property. 

The owners were also happy to dish out recommendations on local and less touristy hot springs that we would have wanted to explore had time allowed. Staying at “Jadar – The Old House” was actually what made us realize that we needed more time in Iceland. I would come back in a heartbeat to stay longer in these accommodations located on the Golden Circle, as we were nowhere near ready to leave this place! We hope to come back in October when there are fewer tourists and flies buzzing about.

Iceland Road Trip Itinerary Day 4: The Golden Circle and horseback riding with Laxnes Icelandic horses

Golden Circle Route:

Today’s road trip itinerary is all about exploring Iceland’s Golden Circle route. End the day with another adventure of your choice in the afternoon before heading back to Reykjavik for a final night in this lively and jazzed-up little seaside city that captured our hearts. 

Gullfoss:

Our previous night’s accommodations were perfectly situated for exploring the classic Golden Circle route. With the Golden Circle’s close proximity to the capital city and the amazing sites along the route, it’s no wonder it’s Iceland’s most famous attraction. 

Thingvellir National Park:

I recommend driving Iceland’s Golden Circle loop and stopping to visit Gullfoss waterfall, Thingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) along the way. Thingvellir National Park has a footpath you can take. Here you can walk in the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, as well as through the Geysir geothermal area.

Laxnes Icelandic Horses:

We chose to drive and explore the Golden Circle sites in the morning. After visiting the Golden Circle sites, we ended the day with an equestrian adventure riding Laxnes Icelandic horses through yet another picturesque Icelandic setting. 

Our afternoon riding tour with the Laxnes Icelandic horses proved to be another highlight for us all. The adorable Icelandic horses rode us through prolific wildflowers, green meadows, and a beautiful river. We booked our adventure directly with Laxnes Horse Farm, and they exceeded all of our expectations.

Other Adventuring Options:

If horseback riding isn’t your jam, I recommend you look into snorkeling or SCUBA diving in Silfra, exploring a lava cave, hitting a hiking trail, or finding your way to relax and soak in some of the area’s undeveloped geothermal hot springs. 

Our last night was spent in Reykjavik. We left our daughters to their own devices for an adult night out in what has now become one of our favorite little capital cities. Thank you Reykjavik!

Iceland Road Trip Itinerary Day 5: Reykjavik

Your last day in Reykjavik depends greatly on your travel plans and timing for leaving the country. You may want to swap day one in the itinerary for today or mix them up. Regardless, use today to do everything you wanted to do on day one but maybe didn’t have time for.

Iceland summer road trip travel tips and additional notes to share:

LODGING: We used Booking.com without any problems for all of our overnight accommodations. Our kids especially loved our accommodations on the working farms and ranches. I liked that my reservations were flexible and allowed for cancellations.

COST: Keep in mind that Iceland is EXPENSIVE! Expect to pay a ridiculous amount for every meal and beverage. Considering that a bowl of pasta with marinara sauce was $35, I ended up opting for the lobster ($60) and feeling like I had scored! I’ve never been inclined to order lobster because of the cost, but compared to another uninspiring bowl of over-priced pasta, my $60 lobster actually proved to be a great deal for me that night.

TOO MUCH TIME IN THE CAR FOR YOU?: If you don’t want to drive the entire distance to Hali (Iceland’s South East coastal town where Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and Vatnajokull Glacier National Park are located), then you can opt for an alternative glacier adventure at Solheimajokull. This glacier is still located on Iceland’s South Coast but much closer to Reykjavik. Here you can still trek on a glacier, take a snow-mobile tour, and even ice climb if you want to. Keep in mind when considering this option that Vatnajokull Glacier is definitely Iceland’s crown jewel as far as glaciers and ice caps go. 

For another adventure opportunity closer to Reykjavik, look into Kotlujokull, where you can take an ice cave tour year-round. This is pretty awesome because most ice caves are closed for the summer season.

GEOTHERMAL POOLS: Locals are big on the healing waters that the 170+ geothermal pools dotted around Reykjavik provide. These are regular pools but with chlorine-free, warm water that feels like magic on the skin! 

A great pool choice for families is the Laugardalslaug 50m outdoor pool. It also features an outdoor children’s and paddling pool, two water slides, a number of hot tubs, a steam bath, and a mini-golf course. You can bring your own towel or rent one there. Be prepared that upon entry, all patrons are required to strip down in the locker room (i.e., no privacy) and shower in front of other same-sex swimmers and employees.

SEASONS: This is a 5 to 8-day summer road trip itinerary. Some of these roads (and sites) may be inaccessible in the winter.

DRIVING IN ICELAND: We had zero issues driving in Iceland! As noted above, our rental car was a Subaru Forrester, but nowhere in this itinerary did we actually need an all-wheel drive vehicle. Navigation was never an issue with our paper map and GPS.

Driving in the winter is a horse of a different color, however. If I was traveling in the winter in hopes of catching the Northern Lights (not present in the summer), I would consider using Reykjavik as a home base. From Reykjavik, you could arrange tours for some or possibly even all of these sites and adventures.

Not sure if you’re up for all this adventuring in this Iceland summer road trip itinerary? Check out my beginner’s guide to how to become more adventurous here.

https://wakewanderrepeat.com/a-beginners-guide-to-living-a-more-adventurous-lifestyle/