Day by day

Day 1: arrival. Land at Keflavík. The Flybus takes about 45 minutes to the BSÍ terminal in Reykjavik and can drop you at selected hotels; a shared transfer costs €27 to €33 in the listing. With a car, the Blue Lagoon is on the way: it sits about 20 minutes from the airport. Book a timed slot before you arrive, then continue to Reykjavik, about 45 minutes away.

Day 2: Golden Circle. Morning: the guided Golden Circle tour takes 7 to 8.5 hours and picks you up at one of about 20 Reykjavik stops. It visits Hveragerði, Kerid crater, Gullfoss, the Geysir geothermal area (about 80 minutes for lunch) and Þingvellir. Optional: Silfra snorkeling, 3 hours in Þingvellir, which you can book with a Reykjavik pick-up (2.5 to 6 hours in total) if you do not drive. Evening: walk the free sights of the centre, such as Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa.

Day 3: South Coast. Drive Route 1 to Vík, about 180 km, or take the South Coast tour, a 10-hour day that returns to Reykjavik, so choose one or the other. The stops are Skógafoss (30 minutes), Sólheimajökull (45 minutes), Vík (50 minutes for lunch), Reynisfjara (30 minutes) and Seljalandsfoss. At Reynisfjara the waves are dangerous: never turn your back on the sea. Evening: sleep in Vík.

Day 4: glacier. Morning: the Sólheimajökull blue ice hike includes the gear and runs 4 to 13.5 hours depending on the transfer you choose. Without a car, the glacier day tour from Reykjavik takes 11 hours and costs from €168.47. Afternoon or evening: drive east to Skaftafell, 70 km east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, and stay in the southeast.

Day 5: Jökulsárlón. Jökulsárlón is about 380 km from Reykjavik, so most travellers sleep in the southeast the night before. Morning and afternoon: the glacier lagoon is the stop of the day. In winter, the Katla ice cave starts in Vík instead, and the tour lasts from 3 to 12 hours depending on the start option you choose.

Day 6: back to Reykjavik. Drive about 5 hours on Route 1. Check road.is before you set off: conditions change quickly in winter.

Day 7: departure. If you have time before your flight, Reykjavik has free sights and a City Card at ISK 6,100 for 24 hours, which covers pools, museums and buses. Flybus departures from BSÍ run from about 04:00 to 22:30, so check the timetable for an early flight.

What to book ahead

  • Blue Lagoon: pre-booking is essential, with timed slots. Hours are 08:00 to 22:00 from 21 August to 31 December and 08:00 to 20:00 from 1 January to 31 May.
  • Glacier walk: the blue ice hike and the glacier day tour both depend on weather.
  • Ice cave (winter): the Katla tour runs in the November to March season, from €166.50.
  • Northern lights (September to mid-April): a 4-hour tour from Reykjavik, if you can spare one evening.
  • Silfra: book the Reykjavik pick-up if you are not driving.

Practical notes

  • Car: see car rental. Route 1 is paved; F-roads need a 4x4. Standard insurance often excludes sand and ash damage, according to the UK government.
  • Season: see best time to visit. In December there are only about 4 hours of daylight.
  • Budget: see the budget.

FAQ

Is seven days enough for Iceland?

For the south and southeast, yes; the full island loop takes longer.

What should I book ahead?

Lagoons (the Blue Lagoon states that pre-booking is essential), northern lights, glaciers and ice caves.

Do I need a car?

Yes for this route; otherwise, tours from Reykjavik.

The Iceland Authority editorial team, 6 November 2026.