Ultimate 2-Week Iceland travel Itinerary

Iceland is a dream destination for many, and it’s easy to see why! After traveling to numerous places, Iceland still ranks among my top countries to visit. But don’t make the mistake of limiting your travel itinerary in Iceland to just driving around the Ring Road in 10 days. There’s so much to discover in this land of extraordinary nature! It would be a shame if your Iceland trip involves more time spent switching accommodations than actually enjoying the country. Here’s our travel itinerary through the southern part of Iceland, which we explored over the course of two weeks.

Day 1: Reykjavik, the beginning of this travel itinerary in Iceland

For our first week, we chose a hotel outside of Reykjavik—mainly for the tranquility. Additionally, staying in an apartment or hotel outside the city center can save you a lot on your travel budget! Our eye fell on hotel Kriunes. This hotel located on a small lake in a quiet neighborhood a fifteen minute drive from the center of Reykjavik. There were barely any guests during our stay. Breakfast was the best! We booked on Booking.com, but we got a discount from the hotel on the Booking.com prize because of the pandemic. More information about the flights, hotels and some general information you can find here.

You can use the hotel’s kayaks to explore the lake or borrow their bikes to discover the surrounding area.

Water, tea, and coffee are available free of charge at any time of the day.

Day 2: Exploring the center of Reykjavik

It’s best to plan for two days to explore this colorful city. The world’s northernmost capital is unlike any other. The city center is relatively small, and the absence of high-rise buildings gives it the charm of a cozy village, making it easy to explore on foot. Recently, an electric scooter-sharing system called HOPP has been introduced. Just download the app, scan the QR code on the scooter, and you’re good to go. You’ll often see locals zipping around on these scooters!

Must see’s of Reykjavik

Hallgrimskirkja church

One of the must-see attractions in Reykjavik is the iconic Hallgrimskirkja church. Standing at 74.5 meters tall, this striking landmark offers breathtaking views of the city from its tower. While entering the church is free, there is an entrance fee to access the tower.

Stroll around on the Laugavegur

This vibrant shopping street is arguably one of the most colorful and charming in the world. When the weather is nice, you can wander around and enjoy a drink on a terrace. Be sure to take a moment to look around; you’ll discover some fantastic murals along the way!

Harpa concert hall

Another must-visit spot is the Harpa Concert Hall, renowned for its stunning geometric architecture designed by Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson. This cultural landmark hosts a variety of world-class performances. This is from classical music to contemporary shows, making it a vibrant hub for the arts in Reykjavik. Entrance to the building is free, and if you’re lucky like us, you might catch some rehearsals or even free concerts that are sometimes held in the foyer. This allows you to experience the incredible acoustics of the venue.

Day 3: Golden circle

The golden circle offers several highlights. You can easily visit them in one day. This can be part of your travel itinerary in Iceland while staying in Reykjavik.

Þingvellir

Take the Ring Road (N1) to Mosfellsbær, then turn right onto Route 36 and follow it until you reach Þingvellir. This is one of Iceland’s three national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Þingvellir is rich in history, culture, and geology, making it a must-visit destination—though it can get crowded! The park is situated in a rift valley. And is marking the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. To the south lies Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake. While it’s possible to dive into the cold, clear waters here, we decided to skip it—too chilly for us!

Geysir

If you continue driving and take Route 365 on your left, then follow Route 37, and finally take Route 35, you’ll arrive at the second stop of the Golden Circle: Geysir. Don’t worry if these directions sound a bit confusing—there are already plenty of signs pointing the way from Þingvellir!

There are many geothermal areas in Iceland, and Haukadalur is one of the best-known. It’s home to the iconic ‘Geysir,’ from which the English word geyser (a periodically spouting hot spring) is derived. Geysir itself has cooled down. It is less active nowadays. However, nearby Strokkur puts on an impressive show. It spouts hot water up to 20 meters in the air approximately every 10 minutes. We spent a lot of time here—the kids couldn’t get enough of watching the geyser in action! Just across the road, you’ll find a large shop, restaurant, and gas station, as this spot is well-prepared for welcoming large numbers of tourists.

Gullfoss

…and there’s even more natural beauty to admire in this area. If you continue down the road, you’ll soon arrive at Gullfoss, a stunning waterfall located in the canyon of the Hvítá river. From the parking area, a well-maintained hiking trail leads you to different viewpoints of the falls. It’s a breathtaking sight, with water cascading down two tiers into the canyon below. Take your time to soak in the view—on sunny days, the mist creates rainbows that add an extra touch of magic to the scene!

We drove back to Reykjavik via Route 35, connecting to the ring road just after Selfoss. The landscape along the way is absolutely stunning. The rolling hills, expansive lava fields, and glimpses of distant mountains, making it a picturesque journey back to the city.

Day 4: Iceland Whale watching

We were initially hesitant to book a whale watching tour. Having already seen whales in South Africa, we were mindful of the cost and uncertain about whether the tours would operate due to COVID-19 (yes, it’s July 2020 when I write this!). However, after some research, we discovered that there were still two tours per day instead of the usual four. Additionally, since Ruben was under a certain age, he qualified for a half-price ticket, making it an easy ‘yes.’

The boat departs from the old harbor in Reykjavik, just behind the Harpa building. At that time, booking in advance wasn’t necessary. However, during a typical summer without COVID restrictions, it’s highly recommended. Our 3-hour trip ultimately stretched to 4 hours. Despite the good weather, it was freezing cold on the boat. But we weren’t disappointed: we spotted whales swimming close to us, which was incredibly impressive, along with hundreds of puffins!

And if you find yourself hungry after an afternoon in the fresh sea air, there’s a great and very affordable burger restaurant (Hamborgarabulla Tomasar) near the boat departure point. It has a waiter who looks remarkably like Ed Sheeran! 😉

Day 5: West Iceland

The west of the island is definitely worth a visit. A day trip from Reykjavik allows ample time to explore the stunning scenery here. North of Reykjavik, you can take a tunnel under Hvalfjörður fjord to reduce your travel time. We opted to use the tunnel in the morning but chose to drive around the fjord on our way back. This turned out to be a fantastic decision. The views are absolutely breathtaking!

We drove to Borgarnes, a small village that, according to our travel guides, doesn’t have much to see. However, we found it to be a peaceful spot with a beautiful coastline. There are lovely walking trails, and one tiny museum dedicated to the history of Iceland that is definitely worth a visit. The museum features a cozy restaurant with a buffet at very reasonable prices. During our lunch, the American ambassador happened to stop by. This led to a memorable selfie for my daughter with an interesting background! 🙂

We took Road 50 back to Reykjavik, traveling through the interior. It wasn’t always easy to find our way, but even when we were unsure of our location, the views were absolutely stunning! Along this road near Borgarbyggð, there’s a real troll path, complete with a giant chair, a troll pot, and some whimsical statues. The entire troll walk is only a few kilometers long and is definitely fun for kids! In Saurbær, we reconnected with the fjord and followed Road 36 around it. If you have the time, a stop at Glymur offers a fantastic opportunity to witness one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls.

Day 6: West Iceland: Reykjadalur

A visit to the Hellisheidi power plant is a must. This flash steam combined heat and power (CHP) plant, located at Hengill in southwestern Iceland, is the third-largest geothermal power station in the world. Conveniently situated near the Ring Road, it’s easy to reach. The exhibition is quite spectacular; you can explore it on your own or join a guided tour.

As you continue along the Ring Road toward Vik, you’ll pass the charming village of Hveragerði, which lies in a geothermal hotspot. You’ll see plumes of steam rising all around. A scenic walk to Reykjadalur, a popular hot spring, begins just 4 kilometers outside the village. While the hike is only 3 kilometers, the ascent is mostly uphill (the return journey is a breeze!), so be sure to allocate enough time. The hot springs themselves are a delight; there’s nothing better than relaxing in warm water surrounded by nature!

Do keep in mind that there are no changing rooms at the springs. Bring a large towel if you’d like some privacy! We also noticed tours that offer the hike on horseback. While it looked like a unique experience, we found the idea of riding a horse along steep slopes with deep ravines a bit daunting. Still, it’s an option to consider!

Day 7: Time to leave the Reykjavik area

​Leaving Reykjavik behind on this travel itinerary, we drove to Vik in the south of Iceland. The journey was effortless, as the Ring Road is well-maintained, making it nearly impossible to get lost!

Not far from our next accommodation, we passed Seljalandsfoss, one of the most beautiful and spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. You can actually walk behind this waterfall. Therefore, a raincoat is essential—even on sunny days!

We stay in a fantastic place: The Garage. Just a few miles from Skoga and perfectly located for further exploration of southern Iceland. We booked this apartment at Booking.com. To get a fabulous place like this you have to book early!!

Day 8: Next chapter on this travel itinerary – South of Iceland: Vik

Just a few kilometers from our apartment is the small village of Skógar. From the Ring Road, you can see the spectacular waterfall named after the village: Skógafoss. This majestic waterfall stands 60 meters high and 25 meters wide. On sunny days, the sunlight creates beautiful rainbows, perfect for stunning photographs. You can also experience the grandeur from above by taking the stairs on the right side of the falls. This spot is the starting (or ending) point of a multi-day hike that connects to the trails from Landmannalaugar. On the first part of the hike, which spans 7 kilometers until you reach a bridge crossing the river, you can see no less than 26 waterfalls!

As a popular tourist hotspot, Skógafoss offers camping options, several restaurants, and a shop for visitors.

On the way back to our apartment, we discovered the real hidden gem of the area: the hot springs of Seljavallalaug and Iceland’s oldest swimming pool.

You can reach these hot springs via a small road located about 10 kilometers before Skógar when driving toward Vik. There are no direction signs, but entering the name of the springs into your GPS will guide you there. The springs are situated on private property, and visitors are asked not to stay longer than 3 hours, so overnight camping is not allowed. After a short 1-kilometer walk from the parking area, you’ll arrive at the springs. While there is a changing room available, don’t expect too much from it! The water in the pool is delightful, and you can also cool off in the cold river flowing nearby. A little further along, you’ll find a few smaller springs that are perfect for those seeking a more private swimming experience!

Day 9: Black beaches and a plane wreck

Not far from Vik lies another intriguing site: the wreck of a DC-3 plane. This aircraft was en route to America in 1973 when it encountered problems due to a fuel shortage. It managed to make an emergency landing, and thankfully, everyone onboard was unharmed. However, no one has removed the wreckage, which has since become a tourist attraction. Even during the pandemic, it drew quite a crowd. While we didn’t find the plane itself particularly special, the hike to and from the wreck was quite challenging! The wreck is located about 4 kilometers from the parking area. The walk involves heading straight ahead without any shelter, battling chilly winds under a bright sun. Fortunately, there are markers along the way; otherwise, you might feel a bit lost! It’s a unique experience, but don’t underestimate this hike!

Day 10: Vik and Reynisfjall, beautiful stops on this Iceland roadtrip

Today, it’s time to explore Vík! This charming village is the southernmost in Iceland and is located along the main ring road. So no mather how you plan your travel itinerary in Iceland, this is a place you will always pass. With a population of just 300 inhabitants, Vík attracts a significant number of tourists each year.

Vík is one of the wettest places in Iceland. The cliffs west of the black beach are home to many seabirds. If you’re lucky, you might spot puffins nesting in the shallow soils during the nesting season. Offshore, you’ll see impressive basalt rocks that are remnants of a once more extensive cliff line known as Reynisfjall.

You can reach the beach from the town. Another option is a small road that begins about a mile before Vík when coming from the Reykjavik side.

This area is a true tourist hotspot—you’re never alone here, and there are shops and restaurants right by the beach! But the views are spectacular, and a beach is always fun, even if it’s black instead of white!

A few miles after Vík, you’ll find another hidden gem: the road to Pakkil (Road 214). While it’s not an F-road, it can be tricky to navigate in a rental car (trust me, we tried!). Pakkil is nestled between the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the Mýrdalssandur plain. It is giving you the feeling of being on another planet! Parts of this area served as a filming location for Game of Thrones.

This breathtaking valley boasts some of Iceland’s most impressive natural wonders, including towering mountains, sparkling glaciers, and crystal-clear rivers. Pakkil is truly a nature lover’s paradise, offering plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife spotting. Don’t miss the chance to discover this stunning part of Iceland!

Day 11: Vestmannaeyjar islands

A visit to the Vestmannaeyjar islands is a must. The good news is that it fits perfectly in the iceland travel itinerary as it’s not far from the ringroad. The road to the ferry starts near Seljalandsfoss, about 12 kilometers away. If you plan to take your car on the ferry, book your spot well in advance. This is the only practical way to explore the Vestmannaeyjar islands.

The trip to the largest island, Heimaey, takes about 30 minutes. The island has a population of about 4,135, most of whom live in the main town, Vestmannaeyjabær. The other islands in the archipelago are uninhabited, though six of them have single hunting cabins. Vestmannaeyjar gained international attention in 1973 due to the eruption of the Eldfell volcano. The eruption destroyed many buildings and forced the entire population to evacuate to mainland Iceland for several months. Approximately one-fifth of the town was lost to the lava flow. There is a museum on the island where you can relive this event through videos, photos, and remnants of houses. It’s incredibly impressive and absolutely worth a visit!

Heimaey offers many hiking trails, including one that leads to the top of Eldfell. This hike gives you a magnificent view over the entire island. This is also an excellent spot for puffin-spotting—we saw dozens of them during our visit.

Day 12: Jökulsarlon: diamond beach and floating ice

Today day we visit one of the highlights of this travel itinerary in Iceland. We drive all the way from Vik to Jökulsarlon, about 200 km (and back!). 

It was a beautiful route with some beautiful glaciers and waterfalls on the way. After almost two weeks filled with the most beautiful waterfalls, we get used to it a bit. We don’t stop anymore everytime we see one. The glacier of Jokursalon really defies all imagination, it is breathtaking. Pieces of ice break from the glacier into the gigantic lagoon. At low tide the ice flows towards the sea. You are not alone at this place, even in corona time we found it quite busy here. You can take boat trips on the lagoon. These tours are not cheap and you can actually admire the spectacle from the shore perfectly. Some pieces of ice are still scattered on the beach a little further.

Just before this glacier is the one of Fjallsarlon. Also very beautiful, but much quieter! You can also take boat trips here. There is a restaurant here (which we did not really like …).

Day 13: Dyrholaey

One last spot near Vík that we didn’t want to miss: Dyrhólaey. The name means “door hill island” in Icelandic, and Dyrhólaey is actually the southernmost point of mainland Iceland. It was once a volcanic island, now a stunning peninsula with an elevation of 120 meters, crowned by the Dyrhólaey Lighthouse facing the sea. There is a road leading to the top. But it’s only accessible for 4×4 vehicles, so we chose to hike up instead. It’s an easy hike, and we were treated to the sight of puffins perched just a few meters away! Perfect for capturing some photos.

From the top, you can see the massive Mýrdalsjökull glacier to the north. You can also see the striking black lava columns of Reynisdrangar rising from the sea to the east. Additionally, the vast black coastline stretches toward Selfoss to the west. Just off the peninsula, a gigantic black arch of lava stands in the sea—a truly spectacular sight!

Day 14: Blue Lagoon

Time to head back to Reykjavik. We had made a reservation at the Blue Lagoon for the afternoon. Making a reservation is a must—this place is incredibly popular, and the number of visitors is limited!). It’s the perfect way to end an Iceland trip! While it can be a bit pricey, kids up to the age of 13 can enter for free. You can stay as long as you like. We spent the entire afternoon here, soaking in the warm, mineral-rich waters. Since we had a 7 a.m. flight the next morning, we booked a hotel in Keflavik and stayed at Bergas Guesthouse. It’s a great choice if you have an early flight!

Day 15: Back home

Time to return home on our private jet. Yes, due to the pandemic, we had the Boeing 767 to ourselves. We are leaving with many beautiful memories. We also have numerous plans for the next trip to Iceland. That will be a beautiful travel itinerary to the north of Iceland!

Here you find some general tips when you want to travel to Iceland!

-> looking for a 7 day itinerary? You’ll find one here!