5 Days in Iceland: The Complete Self-Drive Itinerary

Iceland has quickly become one of our favourite countries to explore. We’ve visited multiple times across summer and winter, and on our longest trip we spent four weeks driving the full Ring Road. So we’ve got plenty of first-hand experience to draw on when putting together an Iceland itinerary.

This post is a detailed, day-by-day itinerary for five days in Iceland on a self-drive road trip. It covers the Golden Circle, the south coast, and the glacier region around Jökulsárlón, before looping back to Reykjavik via the Reykjanes Peninsula. We’ve driven this route ourselves, stayed in the hotels we recommend, and visited every attraction on the list.

Is five days enough for Iceland? It is, if you plan well. You won’t see the whole country (for that, you’d want our seven day Ring Road itinerary), but five days gives you a fantastic introduction to Iceland’s highlights. You’ll see thundering waterfalls, black sand beaches, icebergs, geysers, and some of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet.

You’ll also see plenty of itineraries online that try to squeeze the whole Ring Road into five days, often by flying out of Akureyri rather than driving back to Keflavik. We don’t recommend it (more on that in a moment), and the south coast loop in this article is what we think five days in Iceland actually does well.

If you have a little less time, check out our three day Iceland itinerary. For a longer trip, we have that complete Ring Road itinerary, and Jess has put together a seven day winter Iceland itinerary on Independent Travel Cats.

We’d also recommend reading this alongside our guide to planning a trip to Iceland, which has lots of practical information including budget tips, packing advice, and step-by-step planning guidance.

Right, let’s get into the itinerary.

 

Planning a 5 Day Iceland Trip: What We’ve Learned

Iceland in five days is a brilliant trip when it’s planned around a few realities. We’ve run this south coast loop ourselves more than once, and we’ve watched friends do it too, some smoothly, some less so. There’s a small set of decisions that make the difference between a trip that flows and one that feels rushed at every stop. None of these are trip-breakers, just a few things worth knowing before you lock in the dates and the hire car.

 

About Day 1 (the Arrival Day)

If you’re flying in from North America, your flight is most likely to land at Keflavik somewhere between 05:00 and 06:30, which sounds like a free morning but really isn’t. Jet lag is real, and most hotels won’t have rooms ready until around 14:00. We treat Day 1 as a light day on purpose. The Blue Lagoon makes a great en-route stop on the way from the airport, then a slow afternoon in Reykjavik for Hallgrímskirkja, the Sun Voyager and a proper dinner. Don’t over-plan it.

 

Why We Don’t Recommend the Ring Road in 5 Days

You’ll see plenty of articles that try to fit the full 1,300 km Ring Road into five days, often by flying out of Akureyri rather than Keflavik. We’ve driven the full Ring Road and we don’t recommend trying it in five. The one-way rental drop fee is steep, Day 4 ends up exhausting, and you spend more time behind the wheel than out of it. The south coast loop in this article does what five days actually fits well, with proper time at each stop. If you want the full Ring Road, our seven day Ring Road itinerary is the article for you.

 

The Glacier Hike Question

Skaftafell’s glacier hike is one of Iceland’s best half-day experiences, but on a five day trip it tends to eat Day 4 (the operator transit and kit-up time makes it more like six to eight hours door-to-door). If glacier hiking is the priority, drop Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach that day and save them for a return trip. If the icebergs at Jökulsárlón are the priority, skip the glacier hike. You can’t really do both in a single day without rushing one of them.

 

Reynisfjara and the Colour-Coded Warning System

Reynisfjara, the famous black sand beach near Vik, is one of Iceland’s most photographed places. It also has a colour-coded warning system at the entrance that keeps visitors safe (yellow means moderate hazard, orange means stay 25 metres back from the water, red means the beach is closed). Six people have died at Reynisfjara since 2013 from sneaker waves that surge far up the beach without warning, most recently a nine year old girl in August 2025, so the system isn’t theoretical. Check the SafeTravel Black Beach safety page before you go and follow the signs. The beach was also reshaped by significant coastal erosion in February 2026; by March 2026 sand was returning but the layout looks different to older photos, and the Hálsanefshellir cave at the base of the basalt columns may be closed during red conditions.

 

Parking, and How It Works in 2026

Most stops on this itinerary now charge between 750 and 1,000 ISK for parking, paid via the Parka app (or checkit.is at Thingvellir and Seljalandsfoss). Pay before you leave the lot. Iceland’s rental companies pass unpaid parking fines back to you, usually with a service charge on top. Download Parka before your trip and it becomes a ten second tap at each stop rather than a hunt for a working payment machine.

 

Weather, and the “We Came for the Lights” Trap

Iceland weather changes hour by hour, and the forecast is part of trip planning, not a backup plan. We build a flexible day into any five day Iceland trip, usually Day 5 over the Reykjanes Peninsula, so if Day 2 or Day 3 gets rained out there’s a swap option. If you’re visiting between September and March in the hope of seeing the Northern Lights, build in two evenings in places with low light pollution (the south coast hotels are perfect for this) and check the Icelandic Met Office aurora forecast each evening. Lights are never guaranteed, but planning around them rather than for them is the right move.

None of this is meant to put you off. Iceland in five days is one of the great short trips, and once you’ve made these few choices the rest of the planning becomes much easier. Let’s get into the practical information, then the day-by-day.

 

Practical Information for This Itinerary

Before we get into the day-by-day breakdown, here are some practical things you’ll want to know.

 

Car Rental

For this itinerary, you’ll need a hire car. We recommend checking Discover Cars, which compares prices across multiple providers, or Northbound, an Iceland-based comparison site where you can also add the Iceland-specific insurances (gravel protection, sand and ash protection) during the booking process rather than facing the hard sell at the counter.

A standard 2WD car is fine for this itinerary in summer, as the route sticks to paved Route 1 and doesn’t include any F-roads. In winter, we’d strongly recommend a 4WD for added safety on icy roads. All rental cars should come with winter or studded tyres as standard during winter months.

For more detailed driving advice, see our guide to driving in Iceland and Jess’s tips for driving in Iceland in winter.

 

2026 Kilometre Fee

As of January 2026, Iceland has introduced a per-kilometre road tax of 6.95 ISK/km, replacing the old fuel-based tax. You’ll see this as a line item on your car rental bill. On the upside, fuel prices have dropped as a result, to a current band of roughly 250 ISK per litre (it’s worth a quick check on Bensínverð.is for the latest pump prices). For a five day trip covering roughly 1,200 to 1,600 km, expect the kilometre fee to add around 8,000 to 11,000 ISK (roughly $55 to $80 USD) to your rental cost.

 

Parking Fees

Parking fees at Iceland’s major attractions have expanded significantly in recent years. Most stops on this itinerary now charge between 750 and 1,000 ISK (roughly $5 to $7 USD) per vehicle. Here’s a summary of the fees you’ll encounter:

Golden Circle (Day 2): Thingvellir National Park 1,000 ISK (payment machines or checkit.is, valid all day across all park lots), Geysir 1,000 ISK (Parka app), Gullfoss free.

South Coast (Day 3): Seljalandsfoss 1,000 ISK (payment machines or checkit.is), Skógafoss 1,000 ISK (Parka app, valid 8 hours), Kvernufoss 750 ISK (Parka app, park at Skogar Museum), Dyrhólaey 750 ISK (Parka app), Reynisfjara 750 to 1,000 ISK (Parka app). The plane wreck at Sólheimasandur also charges 750 ISK (Parka app) if you decide to visit.

Southeast (Day 4): Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon 1,000 ISK (Parka app), Skaftafell 1,040 ISK (Parka app), Jökulsárlón 1,000 ISK (Parka app), Diamond Beach 1,000 ISK (Parka app). If you visit both Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón on the same day, you get a 50% discount on the second stop as they’re both in Vatnajökull National Park. The Parka app handles this automatically.

The two main payment systems are the Parka app (covers most locations) and checkit.is (covers Thingvellir and Seljalandsfoss). We’d recommend downloading Parka before your trip. Most locations also have card payment machines on site.

 

Staying Connected

Mobile coverage along Route 1 and at the major stops on this itinerary is generally good, but it can drop out in more remote stretches. We’d recommend picking up an eSIM before you travel. We use Airalo, which you can set up on your phone before you even land in Iceland. This is much easier than buying a physical SIM card, which would mean finding a shop in Reykjavik.

 

How Much Does 5 Days in Iceland Cost?

Iceland is not a cheap destination. For two people on a five day self-drive trip, expect to spend somewhere in the range of $4,000 to $6,000 USD total, depending on the time of year and your accommodation preferences. A rough breakdown would be $150 to $300 per night for accommodation, $80 to $150 per day for a rental car (including insurance and the kilometre fee), and $50 to $100 per day for food and fuel. Activities, parking fees, and the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon add on top of that.

Prices are noticeably higher in summer (June to August) than in winter. For detailed budget advice, check out Jess’s guide to visiting Iceland on a budget.

 

Blue Lagoon and Volcanic Activity

The Sundhnúkur eruption series on the Reykjanes Peninsula ran from 2023 to August 2025, temporarily closing the Blue Lagoon and roads around Grindavík multiple times. The most recent eruption ended on 5 August 2025, and the eruption sites themselves remain closed to visitors. Magma is still accumulating at Svartsengi though, and a new eruption is considered likely in the months ahead.

That sounds dramatic, but in practice it means one thing: check the Blue Lagoon website and SafeTravel.is in the days before you go, and again on the morning of your visit. The Blue Lagoon was open at the time of writing and operating normally. The Sky Lagoon, which is closer to Reykjavik city centre, sits well outside the eruption zone and has been operating throughout. Either way, both are bookable in advance and worth doing.

 

5 Days in Iceland: An Iceland Itinerary

This detailed itinerary goes into each day with all the key highlights you’ll want to see, and each day is then followed by recommended accommodation options for that night, grouped by budget tier.

 

Day 1: Reykjavik

You’re most likely going to arrive in Iceland at Keflavik International Airport, which is where most international visitors arrive.

From here, you can either pick up a hire car directly, or take an airport shuttle into the city centre and pick your car up on Day 2. Waiting an extra day may save you a bit of money, and you don’t really need a hire car to explore Reykjavik itself.

A quick note on car rental providers in Iceland. We recommend either Discover Cars or Northbound. Discover Cars compares a number of providers in the country so you can find the best price. Northbound is based in Iceland and also searches a range of providers, with the added advantage that you can add the various insurances that are unique to Iceland during booking, which avoids the hard sell you’ll otherwise get for these at the rental counter.

If you want to visit the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s most famous thermal baths, then doing this on the way from the airport is an excellent idea as it’s closer to the airport than to the city centre. Do check the Blue Lagoon website before booking, as recent volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula has caused temporary closures in the past. Also consider the Sky Lagoon, which is closer to the city centre and has not been affected by volcanic activity.

In fact, many companies offer a transfer service to and from the airport that includes a stop at the Blue Lagoon.

Both of these lagoons are popular and need to be booked in advance. You can book the Blue Lagoon here and the Sky Lagoon here.

Otherwise, we’d suggest you spend a bit of time sightseeing in Reykjavik. There’s a lot to see in the city, including the Hallgrímskirkja Church, which has a wonderful view from the top (a lift takes you to the 8th floor, then a short flight of stairs to the viewing platform; tickets are 1,500 ISK for adults and sold at the church shop), and the Sun Voyager statue, which makes for some fun photo opportunities.

There are also a number of museums, lots of restaurants and bars, and probably the best nightlife in Iceland if you want to start your trip off with a bang.

If you do plan on visiting some of the museums and sights in the city, consider a Reykjavik city card. A 24 hour card is good value and gets you free access to many of the city’s top attractions, as well as free public transport on the city bus services.

If you’d prefer to head straight out of town on your first day, and want to pack as much as possible into your itinerary, check out the optional Snaefellsnes Peninsula addition further down this article as an alternative.

 

Where to Stay (Day 1)

We recommend overnighting in Reykjavik on your first night in Iceland. Options across budget tiers:

Budget:

• KEX Hostel, a popular and well-located hostel on Skúlagata, offering both dorm beds and private rooms, with a great bar and restaurant on site. One of Reykjavik’s best-known budget options.
• B14 Hostel, central Reykjavik location offering both private rooms and dorm beds.

Mid-range:

• Guesthouse Galtafell, around ten minutes’ walk from the city centre and a quick walk from the BSI bus station. Offers both guest rooms and apartments with kitchenettes. We’ve stayed here.
• Berjaya Iceland Hotels (formerly Reykjavik Natura), near the city airport, this hotel offers free parking, on-site restaurant and spa facilities. We’ve stayed here.

Upscale:

• Grand Hotel Reykjavik, around 1.2 miles from the city centre, offering four star accommodation, free wifi, spa and fitness centre and free parking. We’ve stayed here.

If you’d prefer to stay near the airport (handy if you’re doing the Blue Lagoon on Day 1), we’ve stayed at the Northern Light Inn. This is conveniently located right next to the Blue Lagoon and is about a 17 minute drive from the airport.

See more lodging options in Reykjavik on booking.com here.

 

Day 2: Golden Circle

From Reykjavik you’re going to head to one of Iceland’s most iconic road trips, the Golden Circle.

There are three main stops on the Golden Circle. These are Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park, the Geysir Hot Springs Area, and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.

You can comfortably visit all three in a day if you start by around 9am. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours at Thingvellir (more if you want to hike to Öxarárfoss), an hour at the Geysir area, and 30 to 45 minutes at Gullfoss. Parking is 1,000 ISK at Thingvellir (valid all day, payable at machines or via checkit.is) and 1,000 ISK at Geysir (Parka app). Gullfoss is free to park.

Thingvellir is interesting to visit for a number of reasons, both culturally and geologically. It was the site of the first Icelandic parliament (the Alþing, which met here from around 930 CE), so there’s a lot of history to take in here.

Thingvellir is also the location of the continental divide, and you can actually see the split between the North American and Eurasian plates here. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even snorkel between them.

From Thingvellir, the next stop on the Golden Circle is the Geysir Hot Springs area. This is home to “Geysir”, the original geyser from which the English word comes. There are lots of bubbling mud pools as well as regularly erupting geysers here.

Finally, the last major stop on the Golden Circle trip is Gullfoss waterfall. This is a wide, multi-tiered waterfall that has a tremendous volume of water flowing over it, and it doesn’t fail to impress.

There are a number of viewing locations to enjoy the falls from, as well as an on-site café and information centre. A great sight at any time of year.

 

Where to Stay (Day 2)

For your second night, we recommend accommodation on or near the Golden Circle, around Fludir, Hella or Hvolsvöllur, so you’re positioned for an early Day 3 start. Options across budget tiers:

Budget:

• Midgard Basecamp, found in Hvolsvöllur, this highly rated hostel is a great budget option with an on-site hot tub.

Mid-range:

• Farmhotel Efstidalur, as the name suggests, this is found on a working farm. Private rooms are en-suite and there’s an on-site geothermal hot tub.
• The Hill Hotel (Flúðir), formerly the Icelandair Hotel Fludir. We’ve stayed here and it was very comfortable, with an on-site restaurant and outdoor hot tubs.
• Garður Stay Inn by the Secret Lagoon, well reviewed and handy for Fludir’s “Secret Lagoon”, a lovely geothermal bath.
• River Hotel, located by the Ranga River next to the town of Hella, this hotel offers dining, an open-air hot tub, bar and free wifi.

Upscale:

• Hotel Rangá, the upscale pick in this area, located next to the Ranga salmon river. It’s known for its on-site stargazing observatory (an astronomer gives presentations on clear nights) and an aurora wake-up service which staff will run for guests during peak Northern Lights season.

See more lodging options on booking.com here.

 

Day 3: South Coast to Vik

For your third day in Iceland, you’re going to start to head along the south coast. This is a magnificent stretch of road, with a great many attractions to enjoy, and you are going to have an incredible time exploring it.

A quick note here about staying safe on the road in Iceland. You’re going to see a lot of amazing sights as you drive along here, but it’s important you stay safe and only pull over in proper parking spaces.

Stopping on the side of the road can be really dangerous, and there’s quite a bit of traffic on the ring road, so please don’t do it. It’s not worth endangering your life for a photo, however cute that horse may be.

Ok, lecture over. The first highlight on the road you drive along here is going to be Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This is a beautiful sixty metre high waterfall that you can actually walk behind, and it makes for a wonderful photography stop. Easily one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, and almost unique in that you can walk behind it.

There is a parking fee of 1,000 ISK at Seljalandsfoss, payable by card at the on-site machines or online via checkit.is. Allow 30 to 45 minutes here, longer if you walk behind the falls (bring a waterproof layer, the spray is relentless). The nearby Gljúfrabúi is just a short walk along the cliff and is well worth the detour.

Next up is a less well known waterfall hidden right next to Seljalandsfoss. Whilst Seljalandsfoss and the below Skogafoss tend to get all the waterfall glory on this stretch of road, there are a couple more waterfalls the more discerning Iceland visitor might want to check out.

The first of these is Gljúfrabúi, a waterfall hidden in a canyon just a short distance from Seljalandsfoss.

To access it, you just have to walk across the river and follow the path along the cliff. After a fairly short walk, you’ll come to the canyon that holds Gljúfrabúi.

To actually access the waterfall, you’ll have to wade up the stream, but the view is worth it if you’re brave enough (although be prepared to be coated in water from the spray).

The next major stop on the south coast is Skogafoss. This is a thunderous sixty metre high waterfall that is much wider than Seljalandsfoss, and is properly dramatic.

You can get very close to the base of the falls for dramatic photos (just be aware you’re going to get very wet), or you can climb the many steps up to the top of the falls for another viewpoint.

Parking at Skógafoss is 1,000 ISK via the Parka app, valid for 8 hours. Allow at least an hour here, more if you climb to the top (the view is worth the effort). Kvernufoss, the lesser-known waterfall nearby, has its own parking fee of 750 ISK (Parka app, park at the Skogar Museum).

The other less well known waterfall in this area is Kvernufoss. This is also quite easy to find, just park at the Skogar Museum (same turn off Route 1 as Skogafoss), and follow the path across the field to the falls. Like Seljalandsfoss, you can also walk behind Kvernufoss (be prepared to get wet).

A little further east from Skogafoss is the famous Iceland plane wreck. It eats two to three hours via the paid shuttle bus, so on a five day trip we’d usually skip it unless photography is the priority. Our guide has the details if you want to make time for it.

The next stop on the south coast route is Dyrhólaey. This is a peninsula that juts out into the sea, and from the top you have fantastic views of a beautiful stretch of black sand beach with, on a clear day at least, the towering mountains of Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcano in the background.

Dyrhólaey is also home to a massive rock arch, which is worth the drive up the quite terrifyingly steep dirt road. Note that you can park at the bottom and hike up if you’d prefer not to tackle it, and 4WD vehicles are advised for this section of track. From May to July, you may also be lucky enough to spot puffins on the cliffs here.

Parking at Dyrhólaey is 750 ISK via the Parka app.

Just a short drive from Dyrhólaey you’ll find the popular stop of Reynisfjara Beach. Here, black basalt columns meet the black sand beach, and you can see the Reynisdrangar rock stacks out to sea. This is one of Iceland’s most photographed locations.

We’ve covered the Reynisfjara safety situation and the colour-coded warning system in the planning notes above, the short version is: check the SafeTravel Black Beach safety page before visiting, respect the colour code at the entrance, and stay well back from the water. The beach was significantly reshaped by coastal erosion in February 2026 and looks different to older photos. The Hálsanefshellir cave at the base of the basalt columns may be closed or inaccessible during red warning conditions. Parking is 750 to 1,000 ISK via the Parka app.

Finally, our third day on our five day Iceland itinerary will come to an end at the town of Vik.

This is a lovely little town with a beautiful church and lovely sea views. We suggest you overnight here, or depending on hotel availability, at the town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur a little further east along the road.

 

Where to Stay (Day 3 and Day 4)

We recommend staying in either Vik or Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Our suggestion is to book two nights and return to the same hotel on day 4 to save the hassle of unpacking and repacking. Options across budget tiers:

Budget:

• The Barn, a well-reviewed and popular hostel in Vik, offering both dormitory accommodation and private rooms.

Mid-range:

• Hotel Vík í Mýrdal, found just 450 yards from the black sand beach in Vik, this is a well rated hotel offering private en-suite rooms.
• Hunkubakkar Guesthouse, a family-run guesthouse found five miles from Kirkjubæjarklaustur. WiFi, on-site restaurant and cute colourful cottages.
• Hotel Klaustur, a modern hotel in Kirkjubæjarklaustur (formerly the Icelandair Hotel), with simple but comfortable rooms. We’ve stayed here and had a pleasant experience.

Upscale:

• Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, if you’d prefer to base further east and shorten the Day 4 driving, this Fosshotel near Hnappavellir is around 29 km from Jökulsárlón. Deluxe rooms, on-site restaurant and bar, spa access. It does mean you’d skip the Vik town base on Day 3 evening, so this works best if you’ve already visited Vik on a previous trip or are happy passing through.

See more options in Vik here and Kirkjubæjarklaustur here.

 

Day 4: Vik to Jokulsarlon

The fourth day of our five day Iceland itinerary is going to cover some more beautiful waterfalls and canyons, as well as an iceberg-filled lagoon and a glacier. Let’s get going.

The first stop on the day will be the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, which is just outside Kirkjubæjarklaustur. This is a two kilometre long canyon which is 100 metres deep, and offers spectacular views of the river winding through it. You may want to do some hiking here.

To get here, just follow road 206 off Route 1 towards Lakagígar. Follow this for a while then at the intersection, turn left away from Lakagígar. The road is gravel but easy to drive.

Parking at Fjaðrárgljúfur is 1,000 ISK via the Parka app. Allow about an hour for the walk along the canyon rim.

Our next stop of the day is Svartifoss, or the black falls, about an hour’s drive east along Route 1. These falls tumble magnificently over black basalt columns, and are found in the Skaftafell / Vatnajökull National Park.

It’s about a 1 hour round-trip to the falls, but we think you’ll agree it’s worth the effort for the view.

Parking at Skaftafell is 1,040 ISK via the Parka app, valid until midnight. If you’re also visiting Jökulsárlón the same day (which this itinerary has you doing), you’ll get a 50% discount at the second location, as both are in Vatnajökull National Park. The Parka app handles this automatically.

A little way on from the turning to Svartifoss on Route 1 is the turning for the viewpoint of the Svínafellsjökull Glacier.

Here, you can get very close to the tongue of this glacier, and see the incredible blue shades of ice. Just don’t be tempted to go for a walk on the glacier itself, if you want to do that sort of thing, you definitely want to take a tour with a qualified glacier guide.

Our final stop for the day is going to be two-fold, the Jökulsárlón Lagoon, and the Diamond Beach.

Jökulsárlón Lagoon is a lagoon formed from the meltwater of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, and is the deepest lake in Iceland.

Here, icebergs from the glacier bob around the lagoon, usually for around five years, before they either disappear or float out to sea. If you visit Iceland in the summer months, you can take a boat tour on this lagoon and get up close to the glacier itself.

Parking at Jökulsárlón is 1,000 ISK via the Parka app (or 500 ISK with the Skaftafell same-day discount). Allow at least an hour here, and more if you’re taking a boat tour.

Across the highway from Jökulsárlón is the final stop on our day, the Diamond Beach. This is where those icebergs often end up, strewn along the beach just like diamonds.

This is an incredible sight, and a wonderful photography location. A perfect place to end the day, perhaps with the sunset (depending on the time of year you visit of course).

Diamond Beach has its own parking area with a fee of 1,000 ISK via the Parka app.

Finally, we suggest you turn back and cover some of the distance back to Reykjavik, with a suggested overnight at Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Vik.

Day 4 Accommodation: Same as Day 3.

 

Day 5: Back to Reykjavik via the Reykjanes Peninsula

Your final day has you heading back to Reykjavik. If the weather cooperated on the way out, you might not need to revisit any of the south coast stops. In that case, we’d suggest spending the morning exploring the Reykjanes Peninsula, which is right on the route between Vik and Reykjavik (and very close to Keflavik airport if you’re flying out the next day).

The Reykjanes Peninsula became a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2015, and it’s become even more interesting since the volcanic eruptions that began at Fagradalsfjall in 2021. You can hike to viewpoints over the still-warm lava fields from the 2021 to 2023 eruptions (the eruption area at Sundhnúkur, which was active in 2023 to 2025, is currently closed to visitors; check SafeTravel.is on the day of your visit for the latest).

Other highlights on the peninsula include the Seltún geothermal area (bubbling mud pools and steaming vents), the Bridge Between Continents (where you can walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates), the Gunnuhver hot springs, and the Reykjanes Lighthouse. You could easily spend half a day here.

If you’d prefer to keep it simple, the drive back from Vik is a good chance to revisit any stops you missed or that had poor weather on Day 3. We’d also suggest detouring through the fishing villages of Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri, which are picturesque and only a short distance off Route 1.

If you didn’t visit the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon on your first day, you could also fit this in on your final afternoon. The Blue Lagoon is just 20 minutes from Keflavik airport, making it a good last stop before an evening or early morning flight.

If you have the time, you can also drive road 427 around the Reykjanes peninsula. This is a less-visited route that takes you past the beautiful Strandakirkja church, which is well worth the detour.

 

Where to Stay (Day 5)

For your final night, we recommend overnighting back in Reykjavik or, if you’ve got an early-morning flight out of Keflavik, near the airport. See the Day 1 Reykjavik options above, or for an airport-side option the Northern Light Inn is hard to beat.

 

Optional Alternative: Snaefellsnes Peninsula

If you want to skip Reykjavik on your first or last day, and really want to pack as much sightseeing in as possible, you could consider heading up to the beautiful Snaefellsnes Peninsula for a day.

This is better suited to a longer itinerary (like our seven day Iceland itinerary), but is possible if you wanted to squeeze it in.

This part of Iceland is home to a number of sights and attractions, and there’s a lot to see.

We’d suggest you include the Gerðuberg basalt columns, the Vatnshellir lava cave, the fantastic Kirkjufell mountain and, for the brave amongst you, a trip to the Shark Museum at Bjarnarhofn.

At the Shark Museum you can sample an Icelandic delicacy, fermented shark meat. It’s an acquired taste that, I must admit, we didn’t quite acquire.

There’s easily enough to do on the peninsula to fill a whole day.

Accommodation: If you choose to stay overnight on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, we stayed at Guesthouse Hof. For additional options, you can see lodging options on booking.com here.

 

Iceland Road Trip Map

To help you visualise this trip, we’ve put together this map which highlights the route we suggest you take, as well all the attractions we’ve mentioned. You can also see this map directly on Google Maps here.

 

5 Day Iceland Itinerary Road Trip Overview

Here’s an overview of each day and the main attractions you’ll be experiencing.

• Day 1: Reykjavik. Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon, Hallgrímskirkja Church, Sun Voyager statue.
• Day 2: Golden Circle. Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Springs Area, Gullfoss waterfall.
• Day 3: South Coast to Vik. Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Skogafoss, Kvernufoss, Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjara Beach, Vik.
• Day 4: Vik to Jokulsarlon and back. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Svartifoss, Svínafellsjökull Glacier, Jökulsárlón Lagoon, Diamond Beach.
• Day 5: Back to Reykjavik via the Reykjanes Peninsula. Seltún geothermal area, Fagradalsfjall lava fields, Bridge Between Continents, Eyrarbakki, Stokkseyri.

 

How To Book Your Iceland Trip

For a self-drive Iceland road trip like this one, you have a couple of options. You can book everything yourself, including the hire car (compare prices here) and hotels (see hotels here). This gives you the most flexibility, but is of course more work on your part.

Another option is to book a self-drive package. On one of our trips to Iceland we did a self-drive trip for eight days with TourRadar, and all our hotels, the hire car and all our breakfasts were included as part of the package. You can also see self-drive trips on Guide to Iceland, which offers a variety of tours from different operators.

You can often work with companies to add a day or customise tours a bit, and self-drive packages are pretty flexible as only your hotels, car and any tours are booked, so you can always detour from the suggested itinerary.

When you’re planning your Iceland trip, we recommend you take a look at our guide to planning a trip to Iceland, which has lots more information to help you plan the perfect Iceland adventure.

 

Do I Have to Drive in Iceland?

Our 5 day Iceland itinerary is for a self-drive road trip, and we have a guide to driving in Iceland here to help you prepare.

However, if you’d prefer not to drive in Iceland, there are other ways to get around and still see everything you want to see. Here are some options.

 

Day Trips From Reykjavik

One option would be to base yourself in Reykjavik, and do a series of day trips with a tour operator. We have a guide to the best day trips from Reykjavik that will give you ideas for all the things you can do.

In terms of matching the five day Iceland itinerary on this page, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding tours that cover all the highlights.

Our suggestion would be to take a full day Golden Circle tour and a full day south shore tour, both of which run year-round. You could also add in a Snaefellsnes Peninsula day trip, and if you’re visiting in winter, a trip to see the Northern Lights is well worth adding.

There are a number of different options for many of these day tours, check out all the day tours on Get Your Guide for more ideas.

Iceland used to have a hop-on hop-off bus passport system that let you travel around the country on a tour bus, choosing where to get on and off. This service was discontinued some years ago, but the day trip and multi-day tour options above are a good replacement if you’d rather not drive.

 

Group Tours of Iceland

Finally, you should definitely consider a multi-day group or private tour if you don’t want to drive yourself in Iceland.

These will feature a driver and transport, accommodation and the majority of your meals, and will likely be one of the easiest options for sightseeing in Iceland. You can let someone else handle all the logistics whilst you focus on just enjoying yourself.

Of course, you will be travelling to a fixed itinerary, and it won’t be as flexible as a self-drive trip, but it is a great option if you’d prefer to hand over the responsibility of planning and driving to someone else.

For our five-day Iceland itinerary, we’d suggest you take a look at the following tours.

• This 3 day tour which includes the Golden Circle, south coast, glacier lagoon and ice cave.
• This 4 day tour which includes the south coast, Golden Circle and Snaefellsnes peninsula.
• This 5 day tour which includes an ice cave, Golden Circle, south coast and Snaefellsnes peninsula.

These are just a small fraction of the tours available. We suggest you take a look at the group tour section of GetYourGuide, Viator, TourRadar and Guide to Iceland. Just input the time of year you are visiting, how long you are visiting for and the areas you are interested in, to see what’s available.

When looking for a group tour, always look beyond the advertised price and see what is included. A more expensive tour that includes meals and attraction entry might work out to be better value than a lower priced tour that excludes these extras.

We’ve also got a guide to some of the best multi-day guided tours of Iceland to give you an idea of what’s available for everything from 2 days to two weeks, across a variety of price points, which is a great starting point.

 

Add-Ons to Your Iceland Trip

Regardless of how you choose to travel in Iceland, we think there are a few add-ons you will likely enjoy to experience the country at its fullest.

 

Year-Round Activities

When you visit Thingvellir National Park, a popular activity is to go snorkelling in the Silfra Fissure. This is a fairly unique experience, and lets you see the gap between the continents from a whole new angle as you float through the crystal-clear waters. This activity is available throughout the year, with dry suits issued to keep you warm.

This can be done either as a day trip from Reykjavik (see here for details), or you can arrange to do it on site. We’d recommend you book in advance.

Another popular year-round activity in Iceland is whale watching. Tours depart from a number of locations in Iceland, including Reykjavik, Grundarfjordur and Husavik, so wherever your Iceland trip takes you, you should be able to fit in some whale watching.

You can see whale watching tour options and book in advance online here.

 

Summer Activities in Iceland

In summer, we think you’re going to want to take a trip on the Jökulsárlón Lagoon. This will let you see the beauty of the glacier up close, as well as the experience of getting up close to the icebergs in the lake.

There are a number of tour options available, including a Zodiac Boat tour and an Amphibious Boat tour. Whichever you choose, we recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment on the day.

One of the thrills of being in Iceland in summer is to experience the midnight sun, a time when it never really gets dark. There are a number of tours that capitalise on this experience, including this fun midnight sun ATV tour.

If you like wildlife watching, as well as whale tours, you can also go on wildlife watching tours to see all sorts of wildlife from seals to puffins and other birdlife. There’s a full list of wildlife tours you can take here, most of these only run over the summer when the wildlife is more active.

 

Winter Activities in Iceland

In winter, we think you have to make the effort to try and see the aurora borealis, or the northern lights. If you’re driving yourself, you just need to find a spot away from city lights with a good view of the sky, and hope for clear conditions and high solar activity. The Icelandic Met Office website has an excellent tool to help you find them.

If you’re in Reykjavik, there are lots of tour operators who offer northern lights tours. This is a good way to see the northern lights, as the drivers know the best places to go, and the tours will usually only go if there is a high chance of seeing the lights.

If you are planning on seeing the lights, see our guide to how to photograph the northern lights so you are prepared to get some great images.

There are plenty more opportunities for adventure in Iceland in winter, from skiing to snowmobiling to horse-riding. For more inspiration, check out our detailed guide to winter activities in Iceland.

 

When to Visit Iceland

In our experience, Iceland is a good country to visit at any time of year, with advantages and disadvantages in both halves. Summer is the most popular and busiest time, with the most attractions open and the best months for driving. Winter brings shorter days, lower prices, and a chance at the Northern Lights.

This itinerary works for both summer and winter, as it doesn’t include any serious mountain roads which would be closed in the winter months.

Here’s a rough month-by-month flavour:

January to February: Shortest daylight (4 to 5 hours), best chance of fresh snow, prime aurora season. You’ll cover less ground per day and Day 5 over Reykjanes works best compressed to half a day. Hire a 4WD.

March to April: Daylight lengthening fast (8 to 14 hours through the period), shoulder pricing, still a real aurora chance early in the period. Mixed weather and roads still potentially icy.

May: Long days, lower prices than peak summer, fewer crowds, all paved roads open. Too light for aurora.

June to August: Midnight sun, peak prices, peak crowds. Pack an eye mask (we recommend an eye mask like this one) as hotels don’t often have blackout blinds.

September: Aurora season returns, autumn colours arrive, daylight 12 to 14 hours, prices easing. A favourite shoulder month for many visitors.

October to December: Snow returning by late October in most years, aurora hunting prime, daylight dropping toward 5 hours by late December. Reykjavik’s Christmas markets and lights are a lovely backdrop if you visit in late November or December.

One date worth noting for 2026: a total solar eclipse will be visible across west Iceland on 12 August 2026, with the path of totality crossing the Westfjords, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik. The first total eclipse visible from Iceland since 1954. If you’re planning your trip around it, accommodation in the path of totality is booking up fast.

Disadvantages of visiting Iceland in winter are that there will be much less daylight available, driving conditions can be more challenging (we strongly recommend a 4×4 vehicle with studded tyres), and some attractions and tours might not be open or running. It will also be cold.

If you decide to visit Iceland in winter, do check out our Iceland winter packing guide for tips on what to bring, as well as our guide to all the best winter activities in Iceland for inspiration.

Summer in Iceland brings long days, a bit more warmth, and lush green landscapes. More tours and attractions are also going to be open. The disadvantages of visiting Iceland in summer are that prices will be much higher, there will be many more tourists, and it can be harder to find accommodation.

 

Where to Stay in Iceland?

Iceland has a wide range of accommodation options, from farm stays, vacation rentals and B&B’s through to higher end full service hotels. We’ve included links to where we stayed for each day of the above itinerary, and you can also check out Iceland’s listings on booking.com for a full range of options.

Booking.com are usually our preferred option when we travel, as they have everything from hotels to apartments and hostels. They have a huge choice, and the user review system makes it easier to find good properties.

We have also used apartment rental platforms like Vrbo in Iceland. We prefer to use these for longer stays, for short one-night stops, especially on a road trip where arrival times can vary, the requirement to arrange arrival times with a host can be problematic. Still, it can be an option.

We also use a number of other sites, check out our full guide to AirBnB alternatives right here.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is 5 days enough in Iceland?

Five days is enough to see Iceland’s major highlights along the south coast and Golden Circle, which is what this itinerary covers. You won’t have time for the north or east of the country, but you’ll see waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, geysers, and icebergs. If you have a week or more, consider our Ring Road itinerary instead.

 

Do I need a 4×4 for this Iceland itinerary?

In summer, no. This itinerary follows paved Route 1 and doesn’t include any F-roads, so a regular 2WD car is fine. The only slightly tricky section is the steep gravel road up to Dyrhólaey, which is signposted as 4WD only, but you can park at the bottom and walk up instead. In winter, we’d recommend a 4WD with studded tyres for the peace of mind on potentially icy roads.

 

What is the best time to visit Iceland?

Both summer and winter have their strengths. Summer (June to August) gives you long daylight hours (almost 24 hours around the solstice), warmer weather, and more open roads and attractions. Winter (November to March) offers the northern lights, lower prices, fewer crowds, and a completely different atmosphere. This itinerary works for both seasons, though you’ll cover less ground per day in winter due to shorter daylight. We’ve visited in both and loved each for different reasons.

 

How many kilometres will I drive on this 5 day Iceland itinerary?

Roughly 1,200 to 1,600 km total, depending on how many of the optional extras (Sólheimasandur plane wreck, Kvernufoss, road 427 around Reykjanes, the Snaefellsnes peninsula alternative) you fit in. The longest single driving leg is Day 4’s return from Diamond Beach to Vik (around 190 km, about 2.5 hours), and Day 5’s drive from Vik to Reykjavik via Reykjanes (around 280 km if you include the geothermal detours). At 2026’s 6.95 ISK/km road tax rate, expect to pay around 8,000 to 11,000 ISK in kilometre fees on top of your rental.

 

Can I extend this 5 day Iceland itinerary to 6 or 7 days?

Yes, six and seven day extensions are some of the most natural additions to this route. A six day version would add either the Snaefellsnes Peninsula (see the optional alternative section above) or a full second day at the Jökulsárlón glacier region, including a Skaftafell glacier hike. A seven day version essentially becomes our Iceland Ring Road itinerary, you’d swap the Vik return on Day 5 for a continuation east and north through the East Fjords and Akureyri, ending back in Reykjavik. If you have more than seven days, the full Ring Road is what we’d recommend.

 

Are there self-catering accommodation options on this route?

Yes, though they take a bit more searching than the standard hotels. Booking.com filter “Entire homes & apartments” surfaces a good range. Vrbo works well for two- and three-night blocks where you base in one spot. For Day 2’s Golden Circle stop, look around Fludir and Hella, a number of properties with kitchens cluster there. For Days 3 and 4 the Vik / Kirkjubæjarklaustur area also has options. The trade-off with self-catering on a road trip is the check-in coordination with hosts; on a one-night stop a hotel front desk is often less stressful.

 

What are the parking fees on this Iceland itinerary?

Most major stops now charge 750 to 1,000 ISK (roughly $5 to $7 USD) per vehicle. Key fees include Thingvellir 1,000 ISK, Geysir 1,000 ISK, Seljalandsfoss 1,000 ISK, Skógafoss 1,000 ISK, Skaftafell 1,040 ISK, and Jökulsárlón 1,000 ISK. Gullfoss is free. Download the Parka app before your trip, as it covers most locations. Thingvellir and Seljalandsfoss use checkit.is instead. If you visit both Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón on the same day, you get a 50% discount on the second stop.

 

Can I do this itinerary without driving?

Yes, though it requires some planning. You could base yourself in Reykjavik and take guided day trips covering the Golden Circle and south coast. Companies like GetYourGuide and Viator offer full-day tours that cover the highlights. You could also book a multi-day guided tour. See our guide to group tours of Iceland for options.

 

Can I see the Northern Lights on this itinerary?

If you’re visiting between roughly September and March, yes, there’s a good chance. You just need clear skies and decent solar activity. The southern coast locations on this itinerary are well away from Reykjavik’s light pollution, making them excellent spots for aurora viewing. We’d recommend checking the Icelandic Met Office aurora forecast each evening. If you’re based in Reykjavik, you can also take a northern lights tour. In summer, it doesn’t get dark enough to see them.

 

Further Reading to Help You Prepare for Your Trip to Iceland

We’re continuing to add more content about Iceland from our experiences travelling in this beautiful country, so check back often for more. In the meantime, the following resources will be useful for planning your Iceland trip:

• Our detailed guide to planning your Iceland trip covers everything from budget tips to practical information.
• If you’re doing this self-drive trip in winter, check out our guide to driving in Iceland in winter. We also have a general guide to driving in Iceland.
• Fans of Game of Thrones will want to check out our full guide to all the Game of Thrones locations in Iceland.
• We’ve created a list of some of our favourite photography locations in Iceland to give you ideas for where to aim for the best photos.
• Our guide to finding the Iceland Plane crash, which is a fun photography location (if a bit of a walk to get to).
• We have a full guide to Iceland’s Golden Circle.
• For a longer trip, Jess has put together a detailed post outlining a seven day Iceland itinerary. We also have a full Iceland Ring Road itinerary.
• If you’re visiting Iceland in winter, check out our guide to the best winter activities in Iceland and my tips for cold weather photography.
• On a budget? Here’s a guide to visiting Iceland on a budget.
• We have a guide to visiting the Blue Lagoon.
• We have a detailed packing guide to help you decide what to pack for Iceland.
• If you’re interested in seeing Puffins in Iceland, check out our detailed guide to Puffins in Iceland.
• We’ve also got a guide to the best day trips from Reykjavik should you wish to base yourself in the capital.
• The weather in Iceland can be fickle, the best website for real-time cloud cover is this one from the Icelandic Met Office.
• Whilst Iceland is a safe country to travel in for crime, the country itself is home to extreme conditions and all sorts of seismic activity. So to stay safe as you go, check out the SafeTravel Iceland page.
• If you’re not sure what camera gear to take, take a look at our guide to picking a travel camera, and our personal travel photography gear.

And that’s it. Have you been to Iceland, or have you got it on the list? Is there anywhere you’d add to our route, or any questions? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.