Day 1: Blue Lagoon and Fagradalsfjall Volcano (Directly from Airport)
# | What | Notes | Distance (km) | Driving Time (Min) | Stops (Min) | Start Time | End Time | |
1 | Blue Lagoon | 15 minute stop to see the lagoon, no plans to go in. | 22 | 20 | 15 | 11:00 AM | 11:35 AM | |
2 | Fagradalsfjall Volcano | 45 minutes one way hike, dependent on weather and eruptions. https://www.visitreykjanes.is/en/volcano-eruption/eruption-information/hiking-and-parking | 21 | 17 | 120 | 11:35 AM | 1:52 PM | |
3 | Drive from Kleifarvatn to krysuvik (Seltun Geothermal area) | Geothermal field walk After leaving Seltun (Look for Greenavtn or Green Lake Parking lot). Small crater lake. | 20 | 17 | 60 | 1:52 PM | 3:09 PM | |
4 | Kleifarvatn Lake | 50 Km from KEF. Nice views, recommended to kill time. | 5 | 5 | 15 | 3:09 PM | 3:29 PM | |
Drive home to apt. | Urðarhvarf 2, 203 Kópavogur, Iceland | 28 | 31 | 0 | 3:29 PM | 4:00 PM |
Day 2: Golden Circle (Start at 9 AM)
What | Notes | Distance(km) | Driving Time | Stops (Min) | Start Time | End Time |
Drive from Reykjavik to Þingvellir National Park – Gorge (Almannagja) – Divides North America and Europe. | Take the scenic route through Nesjavallaleið (Take Route 435) Pass hot water pipe that heats Reykjavik Stop at Dyradalur Valley (Benches for views) Observe the Nesjavellir Geothermal plant Pass through shores of Lake Pingvallavatn | 60 | 63 | 90 | 9:00 AM | 11:33 AM |
Drive to Laugarvatn | Lunch @ Laugarvatn | 32 | 31 | 60 | 11:33 AM | 1:04 PM |
Drive to Geysir Geothermal Fields | Stokkur eruption | 30 | 25 | 20 | 1:04 PM | 1:49 PM |
Drive to Gulfoss Waterfalls | 10 | 11 | 30 | 1:49 PM | 2:30 PM | |
Drive to Kerid Crater | Optional stop at Skalholt Cathedral | 56 | 44 | 15 | 2:30 PM | 3:29 PM |
Drive to Selfoss | 16 | 15 | 0 | 3:29 PM | 3:44 PM | |
Drive back to Reykjavik | Enjoy views, grab a snack or dinner | 64 | 58 | 0 | 3:44 PM | 4:42 PM |
Day 3: South Coast (Start at 9 AM)
# | What | Notes | Dist. (km) | Drive Time | Stops (min) | Start Time | End Time |
1 | Drive from Reykjavik to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall +Gljufrabui Waterfalls (Optional) | Walk behind the falls Walk up to Gijufrabui falls till the entrance of the canyon, unless you want to get wet. This falls can also be seen from far, but its is known for its view within the canyon. | 133 | 111 | 90 | 9:00 AM | 12:21 PM |
2 | Skogar to see falls | Can take stair to see the top view of the falls | 30 | 25 | 30 | 12:21 PM | 1:16 PM |
2 | Lunch @ Skogar | 5 | 5 | 60 | 1:16 PM | 2:21 PM | |
3 | Sólheimajökull to see Glacier (Skippable) | 15-30 min walk from the parking lot to glacier | 12 | 15 | 60 | 2:21 PM | 3:36 PM |
4 | DC Plan wreck site (Skippable) | 45 minutes one way boring trek. Good for insta post, but not worth given the time is limited. Do it if time permits after black sand beach. | 7 | 10 | 120 | 3:36 PM | 5:46 PM |
5 | Dyrhólaey Promontory | Great views of black sand beach, and rock formations. Also a light house. | 17 | 15 | 30 | 5:46 PM | 6:31 PM |
6 | Reynisfjara | Shahrukh khan black sand beach | 19 | 18 | 60 | 6:31 PM | 7:49 PM |
7 | Vik | Enjoy views, grab a snack or dinner | 10 | 11 | 15 | 7:49 PM | 8:15 PM |
8 | Drive back to Reykjavik | We can stop 30 minutes at Hvolsvollur or other towns like Selfoss and Hveragerdi for dinner | 191 | 154 | 30 | 8:15 PM | 11:19 PM |
Day 4: Snaefellsnes (Start at 8 AM)
# | What | Notes | Dist. (km) | Driving Time (Min) | Stops (Min) | Start Time | End Time |
1 | Drive from Reyjavik to Borganes | Have breakfast in Café | 77 | 67 | 15 | 8:00 AM | 9:22 AM |
2 | Gerduberg Cliffs | See from far to save time | 44 | 31 | 15 | 9:22 AM | 10:08 AM |
3 | Stop @ Rjukandi Cafe before taking Vatnaleio road (i.e. 56) | Coffee/WC | 20 | 14 | 15 | 10:08 AM | 10:37 AM |
4 | Bjarnarjofn Shark Museum | Skippable in the interest of time. Check it out from the outside | 24 | 20 | 15 | 10:37 AM | 11:12 AM |
5 | Checkout Lava fields @ Berserkjahraun | 6 | 7 | 15 | 11:12 AM | 11:34 AM | |
6 | Grundarfjörður + Kirkjufellsfoss (Falls) | Main highlight. | 20 | 18 | 60 | 11:34 AM | 12:52 PM |
7 | Drive thru Olafsvik, Rif (Svodafoss falls before entering the town), Hellisandur towns and have lunch at Cafe Gilbakki @ Hellisandur. | Stop at Svodafoss Falls before entering the town of RIF | 28 | 27 | 15 | 12:52 PM | 1:34 PM |
8 | Stop @ Gilbakki Café in Hellisandur | Good place for Lunch | 9 | 12 | 60 | 1:34 PM | 2:46 PM |
9 | Saxholl Crater @ Snaefeilsjokul National Park | Climb the stairs (Skippable, since the view does not change much) | 12 | 10 | 10 | 2:46 PM | 3:06 PM |
10 | Djupalonssandur Black sand beach) | Climb up to see the beach, but don’t need to visit, Better beach at vik. | 14 | 13 | 15 | 3:06 PM | 3:34 PM |
11 | Malarrif Lighthouse + Longrangar (Basalt Rock Formations) | Enjoy views, take a walk if you want | 10 | 13 | 60 | 3:34 PM | 4:47 PM |
12 | Arnastapi (8 km, 8 mins) (More Basalt Rock Formations) (Lava Cave Optional, Average Ratings). | Views, Rock Formations | 8 | 8 | 15 | 4:47 PM | 5:10 PM |
13 | Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge and Falls | To get to the falls have to walk through narrow openings in the Gorge. | 5 | 6 | 15 | 5:10 PM | 5:31 PM |
14 | Bjarnarfoss (quick view) | Drive by view | 14 | 13 | 5 | 5:31 PM | 5:49 PM |
15 | Detour to Budakirkja (Black Church) | Nothing special, but interesting for Pics | 3.6 | 6 | 15 | 5:49 PM | 6:10 PM |
16 | Ytri Tunga (Beach which has Seals) | Skippable, can do a quick stop. | 20 | 19 | 15 | 6:10 PM | 6:44 PM |
17 | Back to Reykjavik | May be stop at Borganes for Dinner | 159 | 123 | 0 | 6:44 PM | 8:47 PM |
Day 5: Central Iceland (Laugavegur)
Drive using 4×4 to central Island (Make sure you have the heart and adventure to cross streams in your 4×4. Good to travel in a group in case you get stuck or have car trouble. Well worth the risk for magnificent views.
Beautifully captured!