South Iceland Itinerary: Ultimate 7-Day Spring or Autumn Road Trip

In this blog post, we’ll share our detailed 7-day South Iceland itinerary, which is ideal for a road trip in spring or autumn. We’ll also provide a map and break down of the costs of our trip, and other essential information.

Visiting Iceland had been a long-time dream of mine. I spent a lot of time preparing for this trip, and it turned out perfectly. We spent seven days exploring the south of Iceland and were incredibly lucky with the weather, allowing us to visit nearly all the places in our itinerary. These included stunning mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, beaches, geysers, and much more. We were also extremely lucky to witness the Northern Lights.

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Iceland One-Week Itinerary with Map

Here’s a map of our one-week itinerary in Iceland, which primarily focuses on the southern part of the country. If you want to explore the entire island (via the Ring Road), you’ll need at least 12 days for a more comfortable trip.

Click on the image to open the map in Google My Maps.

You can also check the table below for a summary of the itinerary we put together to make the most of our stay in Iceland.

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South Iceland One Week Itinerary and Tips (Table of Contents)

How to Get to Iceland?

Iceland’s main international airport is Keflavík International Airport (KEF), located about 45 minutes from Reykjavík. Some airlines that fly to Iceland include Icelandair, Play Airlines, Wizz Air, Transavia, KLM, and others.

We flew directly with Play Airlines, a low-cost company, on a direct flight from Oporto.

Tip: To find cheap flights and all options with all kinds of layovers, we usually use Kiwi website. Depending on the price, we either buy the flights on the Kiwi website or directly with the airlines.

How many Days for a Road Trip in Iceland?

If you’re visiting just the southern region, including the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and the Golden Circle, six to seven days should be enough. However, if you want to include a glacier tour and a visit to the Blue Lagoon’s thermal waters, I recommend planning for at least a week.

For those planning to drive the entire Ring Road, which circles the island, it’s recommended to allocate 12 days to two weeks to avoid feeling rushed.

Additionally, be prepared for sudden weather changes, hazardous road conditions, or road closures, which may require adjustments to your itinerary

How to Get Around Iceland?

The best way to get around Iceland is definitely by renting a car. Make sure to take a look at our guide for renting and driving a car in Iceland for more details about this topic.

However, if you don’t drive, you can still visit many of the most popular places in southern Iceland through organized tours.

Recommended reading: Renting and Driving a Car In Iceland: 13 Essential Tips

Best Time to Go to Iceland?

Iceland is a year-round destination, but for a better chance of good weather combined with the opportunity to see the Northern Lights, consider visiting in spring (late March to mid-April) or autumn (September to mid-October). During these months, you’ll still have long daylight hours, the weather won’t be as harsh as in winter, and you’ll also have a chance to catch the Northern Lights.

Taking a road trip in the summer is another great option if you want an even higher chance of good weather and the experience of the midnight sun. Summer also allows for exploring the highlands, but be aware that prices will be at their peak.

If you want to see puffins, the best time to visit is between May and July.

We went at the beginning of April, which was a great choice. We had mostly good weather, saw the Northern Lights, and enjoyed plenty of daylight hours for exploring.

In summary:

• For Road Trip: Late March to Early Ocotber
• For the Northern Lights: September to Middle April
• For Puffins: May to July

The following chart explains in great detail when to go to Iceland depending on your preferences and on what you intend to do.

What To Wear in Iceland in Spring and Autumn

Iceland Spring and Autumn are still quite cold, even though the temperatures usually don’t drop much below 0ºC. However, Iceland is known for its strong winds, which makes it feel colder than what it actually is. The weather in Iceland is always quite unpredictable, so you better be prepared.

We visited at the beginning of April, and temperatures oscillated around 0 and 5ºC. We were never cold because we were well prepared in terms of clothing.

I really recommend a good waterproof/windproof outer jacket. Mine could withstand up to -20ºC and my boyfriend’s up to -10ºC. Good waterproof ankle-boots are a must and good wool socks that can warm your feet and suck up moisture. Avoid jeans and use waterproof/windproof trousers—they are not fashionable, but they really make a difference. This way, you can comfortably walk when it’s snowing, raining or windy.

Also, don’t forget a thermal first layer: this includes both shirt and leggings. Obviously, you also need a beanie and gloves, and I also recommend a neck warmer that can also cover your nose. In terms of gloves, I had two pairs: one thin pair of gloves with capacitive touch so that I could use my phone to take pictures, and waterproof snowy gloves that I used over the thin ones. Don’t forget your sunglasses, and if you have crampons bring them in case any paths are covered with ice. All our gear and clothing was bought at Decathlon and we have used it several times in different winter cold destinations and it always suited us well.

Packing for Iceland

Here’s a quick video packing for Iceland that you may find useful. We also brought our binoculars (not included in the video). We used one 20kg suitcase to pack all of this for two people.

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Day 0: Arrive and Check-In at Your Accommodation

We arrived at Keflavik Airport (KEF) around midnight. So, we just picked up our luggage, got our car and drove to our accommodation. The car rentals were already closed at that time, but they send us a code to automatically pick-up your car—most car rental companies in Iceland do that.

Tip: We got a cheap flight from Play airlines. This is a low-cost airline flying to Iceland. If you’re flying from Europe this can be a good option.

Because we were arriving late, we decided to pick-up the cheapest hotel close to the airport. We stayed at the Bank Guesthouse (all rooms have shared bathroom). The place was nothing special, but it was clean and warm and the bed was comfortable and it was super cheap considering the proximity to the airport.

Accommodation: Bank Guesthouse by KEF Airport

Day 1: Keflavik to Kirkjufell

On this first day, we went to the supermarket to stock up on food and snacks and we started driving northwest in direction to Kirkjufell. We also made small detours to see other amazing places along the way. The landscapes while you’re driving are so amazing, they don’t even seem real. Additionally, the beautiful Icelandic horses don’t pass unnoticed.

Keflavik to Kirkjufell – Main places to visit:

• Stock up on food (supermarket)
• Hraunfossar Waterfall and Barnafoss
• Deildartunguhver
• Gerðuberg Cliffs
• Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss

Accommodation: Grundarfjordur Hostel

Stock Up on Food

This might sound weird, but your first stop must be at the supermarket. You must stock up on food and snacks for your road trip. Most accommodation options don’t provide breakfast or dinner (but they have a shared kitchen) and restaurants are scarce and super expensive.

Just search for the closest Bonus or Kronan supermarket before heading to Kirkjufell. We mostly relied on instantaneous noodles, mac n cheese, fresh ravioli, sandwiches, and toast. Also, don’t forget to try the famous and delicious Skyr Icelandic yogurt.

Hraunfossar Waterfall and Barnafoss

We started driving north and our first stop was at the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls. Hraunfossar consists of a series of waterfalls that flow from the lava field into a river. The water is extremely blue and makes a beautiful contrast with the dark volcanic colors of the landscape.

Barnafoss is a different waterfall located closed to these series of waterfalls. You can see both at the same place along the walking paths and viewing platforms. In early April, part of the waterfall was still frozen.

You can park your car right next to the waterfalls. Parking is free in this place.

Deildartunguhver Hot Spring (District Heating)

Next, we made a quick stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring, because it was on the way. This is the most powerful hot spring in Iceland and produces boiling water used for the district heating in nearby towns through an extensive pipeline system (you can see some of the pipelines as you drive through the country).

You can feel the steam rising from the hot spring. You can almost “disappear” though the steam. There’s also a spa right next to it, but we didn’t go there.

This is an interesting place for a quick stop, but if you don’t have time, you can skip it.

Gerðuberg Cliffs

We continued driving north and made a quick stop at the Gerðuberg Cliffs. This is a huge natural cliff made up of hexagonal basalt columns. When we visited, these were almost all covered in snow.

To get there you just need to make a quick detour from the main road. We were there alone, and the landscape is just amazing.

Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss

Finally, at the end of the afternoon, we arrived at Grundarfjörður to see the iconic Kirkjufell mountain, which was featured in the Game of Thrones series. We got there around 7 PM (it was still a clear day in April) and had the place all to ourselves.

For better views of the mountain, park at the Kirkjufellsfoss parking lot and walk the small trail to the waterfalls. From there, you’ll have an incredible view of the waterfalls with the Kirkjufell mountain in the background.

At the time of our visit, everything was completely covered in snow and the waterfalls were half frozen—it was such a beautiful winter landscape, it was the highlight of our day.

Parking for Kirkjufell was 1000 ISK.

Where to Stay Near Kirkjufell

To stay close to Kirkjufell, you’ll want to find accommodation in Grundarfjordur. We stayed at the Grundarfjordur Hostel that was just a four-minute drive to the Kirkjufell parking lot. This was a simple place with bedrooms with shared bathroom and shared kitchen. The rooms were simple, but the beds were comfortable and the rooms were warm. Additionally, it was quite cheap considering you’re in Iceland. Additionally, if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see the northern lights with the Kirkjufell mountain in the background.

Day 2: Kirkjufell to Selfoss

Our idea for this day was to explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from one end to the other, but the road was closed, so we didn’t follow the itinerary that we had in mind. Either way, we found an alternative itinerary that I’m sure was equally interesting.

Kirkjufell to Selfoss – Main places to visit:

• Snæfellsnes Peninsula
  • Budir Black Church (iconic black church)
  • Saxhóll Crater
  • Djupalonssandur (black sand beach and cliffs)
  • Arnarstapi stone bridge
• Kolgrafarfjördur
• Ytri Tunga
• Glymur Waterfall

Accommodation: Hotel Selfoss and Spa

Kolgrafarfjördur

We started our day driving east, and made a quick stop to see the Kolgrafarfjördur fjord and its calm waters (despite the strong winds).

The landscape was all covered in recent white snow. It was a sunny day, so driving in this beautiful landscapes all covered in show was just out of this world (specially for us that never see snow in our country).

Ytri Tunga

Our next stop was Ytri Trunga (fortunately, the road was open and in good condition) to see the seals on the coast. Here you can see two species of seals: the Harbour seal and the Grey seal.

They are easily visible from the coast, but you may need to walk a bit to see them closer. It is also a good idea to have binoculars.

We had a lot of fun watching the seals with our binoculars, this was the highlight of this day. We had never seen seals in their natural habitat before.

The parking lot for Ytri Tunga cost 1000 ISK.

Búðakirkja (black church)

After Ytri Tunga, we tried to drive to Búðakirkja (black church), but we were caught in a whiteout. It was super scary not being able to see a single thing in front of us. So, we decided to turn around and give up on the idea.

Glymur Waterfall

After a quick stop in Akranes to eat some pizza for lunch, we decided to visit the nearby Glymur waterfall. This waterfall is the second highest in Iceland and to reach the waterfall you need to a do a 3-hour hike (way and back) that involves crossing a log bridge over the river.

Unfortunately, it was not possible to cross the river at the time of our visit, so we couldn’t see the waterfall up close. But, we saw beautiful views of the canyon and a small cave. And on the way back, we had great views of the fjord we’ve driven before. So, it was still worth it.

Where to Stay in Selfoss

We stayed at the Hotel Selfoss and Spa. The hotel was super clean, the beds were comfortable, all bedrooms had private bathroom, and it was located right in the center of Selfoss. The spa area requires a fee to enter (we didn’t try the spa). The hotel doesn’t have a kitchen (but i has a restaurant), but all rooms have a kettle if you want to prepare some instant food or hot drink. Nonetheless, there are several restaurant options nearby.

Day 3: Selfoss to Vík

This third day includes some of the most famous and beautiful waterfalls in south Iceland.

Selfoss to Vík – Main places to visit:

• Urriðafoss
• Gluggafoss
• Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui
• Rutshellir Cave
• Skógafoss and Kvernufoss
• Sólheimajökull glacier
• Dyrhólaey Lighthouse
• Reynisfjara Beach
• The Soup Company

Accommodation: Puffin Hostel

Urriðafoss

We started our day driving to Urriðafoss, only a 20-minute drive from Selfoss. This is a large and super powerful waterfall—the biggest in terms of water flow rate.

When we visited, a great part of the waterfall was defrosting and huge chunks of ice were floating—what a spectacular place to see the power of the water and feel Icelandic’s strong winds.

Parking for Urriðafoss waterfall was free of charge.

Glugafoss

The next waterfall is Glugafoss (also called Window Falls). This is usually not included in travel guides, so you’ll probably find the place to yourself as we did.

The waterfall is mainly divided in two sections that will give you different views of different parts of the waterfall. The upper section of the waterfall falls down between a narrow opening on the cliffs—make sure you walk up there.

You can also walk to the top of the waterfall and see it from above and the views of the surrounding landscape.

Parking for Glugafoss was free.

Seljalandsfoss

Continue driving along the ring road until you find Seljalandsfoss, you can clearly see it from the road. This is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland and must be included in every travel guide. It stands for its impressive height but also because you can walk behind the waterfall.

Unfortunately, due to the ice on the path, it was not possible to walk behind the waterfall, but still you can get pretty close to it.

Walking just a few meters from Seljalandsfoss to your left, you’ll encounter a narrow opening in the rocks that will lead you to a sort of cave with the Gljufrabuin waterfall. Make sure you’re using waterproof clothes as the splash from the waterfall will make you all wet.

Parking for Seljalandsfoss was 900 ISK.

Rutshellir Caves

Next, we made a quick stop at the Rutshellir Cave. You can go inside and take pictures. This is one of the many man-made caves in southern Iceland and it is associated with many myth and legends.

It is free to visit. However, it seems that parking is paid even though we didn’t see any notice about it when we went there. You can also add Drangurinn and Drangshlíð to your itinerary, which are just a three-minute drive from this one.

Skógafoss

The Skógafoss is one of the most popular southern Iceland waterfalls and no wonder why. The waterfall is tall and large, it is just stunning. When the sun shines, it creates a rainbow at the bottom of the waterfall—it’s just beautiful.

Additionally, you can climb a ladder to the top of the waterfall and see it from above on a metal platform. You can also continue walking and see other smaller waterfalls along the river.

You can also visit the nearby Kvernufoss waterfall. This is not very popular, you probably won’t find much people there. However, it is one of the most spectacular waterfalls I’ve ever seen not for the waterfall itself, but for the whole surrounding geology inside a canyon. We visited Kvernufoss on another day on our way back.

Sólheimajökull Glacier

Next, we went to see the first glaciar of our trip, the Sólheimajökull Glacier. From the parking lot to the viewpoint is approximately a 10-minute walk. This is a black glaciar, different from the blue ones we’re used to see in pictures. The melting of the glacier has created a small lagoon where several chunks of ice are floating.

Walking to the glacier viewpoint is free, but if you want to walk on the glaciar, you need to go with a guide. There are multiple excursions to choose from. If you’re interested, it’s better to reserve with some advance.

Parking at Sólheimajökull Glacier was 750 ISK.

Dyrhólaey Lighthouse

The next stop was the Dyrhólaey Lighthouse where you’ll have some of the best panoramic views of the coast of Iceland. On one side, you have a great view to the black sand Reynisfjara Beach, including its characteristic tall standing rocks (that are said to be trolls turned into stone).

This is a great place to see puffins when they are in the region, which usually occurs from late April to early September (unfortunately, we were out of season). Even if you don’t see puffins, there are other species of birds here, so if you like bird-watching, bring your binoculars.

On the other side, you’ll see another Black Sand beach inserted in one of the most amazing volcanic landscapes I’ve ever seen. I can clearly say this was the most beautiful panoramic viewpoints of all our trip.

Also, don’t forget to notice the Dyrhólaey viepoint, where you’ll see a beautiful arch in the sea.

The Soup Company Vík

Finally, we arrived in Vík, where we spent the night. Before heading to our accommodation, we stopped at the Soup Company to enjoy a warm bowl of soup.

I really recommend this place, they have different types of soups with unlimited bread and you can even refill the soup (the same or a different soup). We had the lava soup (served inside a black bread) and a fish curry soup. Both soups were delicious and fulfilling.

Watching the Northern Lights

On this night, we had clear skies, so once it was dark (around 11PM in April), we ventured out to a dark place and waited and waited… and waited… to see the Northern Lights.

Despite the clear skies, the activity for that day was very weak, but sill, after waiting more than two hours in the car, we finally saw 30 seconds of strong aurora.

Where to Stay in Vík

In Vík, we stayed at the Puffin Hostel in a private room with shared bathroom. A simple place, but as all the others we stayed at, it was very clean, with a comfortable bed and super warm inside. It also had a shared kitchen to prepare our breakfast the day after. Here are some suggestions:

Day 4: Vík to Jökulsárlón

This fourth day includes incredible landscapes with a great variety: black sand beaches, waterfalls, canyons, and glaciers. Iceland doesn’t stop surprising us.

Vík to Jökulsárlón – Main places to visit:

• Reynisfjara Beach (if you didn’t on the day before)
• Panoramic View of Vík Church
• Eldhraun (Moss fields)
• Fjaðrárgljúfur
• Skaftafell
• Svartifoss
• Jökulsárlón Glaciar Lagoon
• Diamond Beach

Accommodation: Skyrhúsid HI-Hostel

Reynisfjara Beach

We started the day by driving to the Reynisfjara Beach, which we didn’t have the time to visit the day before. This is a beautiful black sand beach, with peculiar basalt columns and its characteristic standing rocks.

This is where you can find the place where people take pictures seated on hexagonal basalt columns. Unfortunately, at the time we visited, it was too dangerous to get up close (even though some tourists were there anyway).

We were lucky enough to spot some whales in the ocean using binoculars, which was quite a surprise since we hadn’t expected to see them.

Panoramic View of Vík Church

In Vík, you cannot miss the panoramic view of the village with the church. To get that view, you need to drive up to the Vík Cemetery.

Eldhraun (Moss fields)

When driving along the ring road, you’ll eventually pass through the Eldhraun moss fields. Make sure to do a quick stop to see the landscape covered in moss.

The type of moss that grows there is the Wolly fringe-moss that formes a smooth continuous carpet over the Eldhraun lava field. The moss is super fragile and sensitive to damage. You should not touch it or step on it.

Fjaðrárgljúfur

This was one of the places I was most excited to visit, and after seeing countless pictures and videos, it did not disappoint. In fact, it’s even better in person than in the photos.

Fjaðrárgljúfur is a stunning canyon, over 100 meters deep and slightly more than 1 kilometer long, with sheer cliffs and a serpentine, narrow path. Many of its rocks are covered in a beautiful green lush moss. I have no words to describe how beautiful this place is. Once you’re there, it doesn’t even feel real.

There’s an easy hiking trail along the canyon with viewing platforms. Make sure to see the canyon from different perspectives, but don’t step on the moss and only walk in designated areas.

Parking at Fjaðrárgljúfur cost 1000 ISK.

Svartifoss

Park at the Skaftafell National Park and hike to the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall. It’s an easy trail that takes 30 to 45 minutes. This waterfall is quite interesting because it is surrounded by a black basalt column wall. When we visited, it was snowing—it was quite a magical moment.

Skaftafell National Park is a popular starting point for many glacier tours. Although we didn’t visit the glacier that day, we had a tour booked for the following day.

Parking at Skaftafell was 1000 ISK.

Jökulsárlón Glaciar Lagoon

Continue driving on the ring road until you reach the Jökulsárlón Glaciar Lagoon. This was one of the most spectacular places I’ve ever seen.

A huge blue glacier with a big lagoon with huge chunks of ice that slowly break off and drift toward the ocean. The whole landscape is so incredibly blue that it feels almost unreal. This was definitely our favorite place of the entire trip.

Parking at the Glaciar Lagoon was 1000 ISK.

Diamond Beach

The Diamond Beach is right next to the Glacier Lagoon. The chunks of ice that melt away from the glacier go straight to the sea.

The ocean waves carry the ice back to the shore, where the pieces break into smaller, polished fragments resembling large diamonds, hence the name of the beach.

Where to Stay Near Jökulsárlón?

We stayed at the Skyrhúsid HI-Hostel which was just a few minutes away from Jökulsárlón by car. The place we stayed at was nice and cozy and had a big shared kitchen. We were offered a piece of cake as a welcome gift.

Day 5: Jökulsárlón to Skógar

On this day, we began driving west, as we weren’t planning to complete the full Ring Road around the island. We had an unforgettable experience hiking on a glacier and exploring an ice cave. Along the way, we also stopped at several interesting spots along the main road that we hadn’t had time to explore on previous days.

Jökulsárlón to Skógar – Main places to visit:

• Glacier Hiking and Ice Cave Tou
• Yoda Cave
• Skogar Museum
• Kvernufoss

Accommodation: Kverna Guesthouse

Skaftafell – Glacier Hiking and Ice Cave

On this day, we returned to Skaftafell for our glacier hiking and ice cave adventure.

We chose Icelandic Mountain Guides for our glacier tour because they were the only provider offering a longer hike combined with an ice cave. We opted for the “Only the Brave” tour. The company specializes in small group experiences, and our group had just four people, which made the experience even better.

Recommended reading: Iceland: Glacier and Ice Cave Tour—What to Expect

This tour was quite expensive, but it was worth every cent. Additionally, we were super lucky with the weather: clear skies and no wind at all, which is unusual for Iceland.

After learning how to use crampons and practicing for a bit we were on the glacier for about four hours. Two hours walking on the glacier to an ice cave, more two hours back. It included a small and easy via Ferrata.

The views of the glacier are breathtaking—it’s definitely a unique experience. So, make sure to go on any tour that allows you to put your feet on the glacier. This is one of the biggest and most accessible glaciers in the world.

We wrote an article documenting our whole experience on the glacier that includes essential tips to help you choose the perfect glacier and ice cave tour: Iceland: Glacier and Ice Cave Tour—What to Expect.

Yoda Cave

After the Glacier tour and quick stop at a gas station to have lunch, we started driving west and stopped at the Yoda Cave.

The cave is named after Yoda from Star Wars because of the silhouette of its entrance. The cave is quite small inside. I was expecting it to be a bit bigger. Even though this is a unique place, the parking fee felt a bit excessive, considering it takes less than five minutes to see the cave.

Parking at the Yoda Cave: 1150 ISK.

Kvernufoss

Our next stop was Kvernufoss. This waterfall is located close to the most popular Skógafoss waterfall, so you can visit both at once. But, due to the location of our accommodation for this day, we decided to visit the waterfalls on separate days.

You don’t hear much about Kvernufoss in most travel guides, but it turned out to be a great surprise. Located in a beautiful setting nestled in a canyon, the sound of birds echoes all around. It’s impressive how nature can create such beautiful sights.

Since we parked our car in our accommodation just a few meters away, we didn’t have to pay for parking.

Skógar Museum

If you still have time, you can make a quick visit to the Skógar Museum that is located right next to the waterfall entrance. Here you’ll find three museums and six historical buildings. Unfortunately, the museum was already closed when we arrived.

Where to Stay Close to Kvernufoss?

We stayed at Kverna Guesthouse, which is located in a former high school building. The classrooms have been converted into bedrooms, and the canteen serves as the breakfast area. They also display old class pictures of former students on the walls, which is quite interesting but gives the place an eerie vibe.

Despite the negative reviews online, I really liked the place. The room was quite spacious compared to others we stayed at in Iceland, with super comfortable beds and a nice, warm atmosphere. We had a large window that offered a beautiful panoramic view. Additionally, breakfast was included, which is usually not typical for low-cost hotels and guesthouses in Iceland. I highly recommend this place, and I believe the negative reviews are likely from before the renovations were completed.

Day 6: Golden Circle

From our accommodation near Kvernufoss, we drove to Selfoss to stock up on snacks and started exploring the Golden Circle. We did it counterclockwise returning to Selfoss, but another great option is to end it in Reykjavik. The Golden Circle is one of the most popular routes in Iceland because you can see a lot in just one day and it is quite close to Reykjavik.

Recommended reading: Iceland Golden Circle Self-Driving Itinerary (with Map)

Golden Circle – Main places to visit:

• Kerid Crater
• Faxafoss
• Geysir
• Gullfoss
• Efstidalur II
• Thingvellir National Park
• Öxarárfoss

Accommodation: Hotel Selfoss

Kerid Crater

Our first stop was at the Kerid Crater. This is a volcanic crater with a beautiful blue lake that contrasts with the surrounding red volcanic rock. This rock is quite different from other volcanic rocks we’ve seen in other places in Iceland.

There is a walking path around the crater to see it from different perspectives. When we visited, the lake was still frozen. The whole landscape around the crater is also worth seeing for its different shades of red and brown.

Parking at Kerid Crater is free, but you need to pay 500 ISK per person.

Faxafoss

Not far from Kerid Crater is the impressive Faxafoss waterfall. This is a wide waterfall with a width of approximately 80 meters. There are viewpoint platforms from above, but you can also get quite close to the waterfall down there.

Next to the waterfall, there is a small man-made ladder, that I later learned was to help the salmon in migrating upstream.

Geysir

This is one of the most popular places in the Golden Circle because you can witness the eruption of a geyser. There are several geysers in the area, including the famous Geysir, which gave name to the area, but it’s mostly dormant now.

Only Strokkur erupts periodically—approximately every 5 to 12 minutes—shooting water up to 20–40 meters high. In this area, you can also see bubbling hot springs and fumaroles—there is a strong smell of sulfur in this area.

Gullfoss

On the Golden Circle, you cannot miss the Gullfoss waterfall. This is one of the most powerful waterfalls I’ve seen. It has two main drops that go into a deep canyon.

There are several walking paths to see the waterfalls from different perspectives and you can get quite close.

Efstidalur II

On our way to Thingvellir National Park, we made a quick stop at Efstidalur II to enjoy some homemade ice cream made from milk sourced from their own cows. You can even see the cows from the ice cream shop.

Thingvellir National Park

Our final stop of the day was at Thingvellir National Park. Here, you can walk between two tectonic plates: the North American and Eurasian plates. The park is located in a rift valley, where the plates are slowly drifting apart.

One of the most unique activities here is diving or snorkeling in Silfra, a unique underwater fissure between the plates— this is one of the few places on Earth where you can swim between continents.

Öxarárfoss

Another highlight of the National park is the Öxarárfoss waterfall. It’s quite unique due to its black basalt rocks in cube shapes.

Where to Stay in Reykjavik?

After exploring the Golden Circle, we recommend ending in Reykjavik. That way you’ll have some time to explore the city before getting your flight back home on the following day.

In our case, we stayed in Selfoss, at the same hotel we stayed at the beginning of the road trip—because we also wanted to go to the Reykjadalur Hot Springs, but we didn’t have the time. This way, it would have been a smarter idea to stay closer to Reykjavik and explore it in the morning before going home. Here are some suggestions for accommodation in Reykjavik:

Day 7: Explore Reykjavik and Flight Back Home

Our flight was in the early afternoon, so we didn’t have much time to explore Reykjavik.

Reykjavik

Some of the most popular highlights include the rainbow street and the Hallgrimskirkja cathedral. We still had time to take a couple of photos of the cathedral.

Blue Lagoon

If you still have time before your flight, a good option is to spend some relaxing time at the Blue Lagoon, that is located right close to the airport. This is one of the most popular places in Iceland, where you can relax on its milky blue mineral-rich waters naturally heated by geothermal activity. The pools are surrounded by black lava rock, which makes a great contrast with the light blue waters.

Entrance to the Blue Lagoon is quite expensive. There are other options not so expensive and not so touristy like the Secret Lagoon or Sky Lagoon.

Alternatively, you may also want to seek natural hot springs like the Reykjadalur River that has a specific place where you can bathe in the hot waters. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to add it to our itinerary.

One Week in Iceland – Total Cost Breakdown

Iceland is not a cheap destination. It is one of the most expensive countries in the world. However, visiting this beautiful country was much cheaper than I expected due to our travel style… and it is possible to visit this country on a budget (and cheaper than other popular European destinations).

The following table shows our expenses during one week in Iceland:

The only thing where we didn’t budget was the car. I wanted a good car that could withstand Iceland harsh weather and safe in case we had an accident. Additionally, I also wanted total insurance in case anything happened (which is not cheap in Iceland). To add to the costs, gas is extremely expensive.

When it comes to accommodation, we always stayed at the cheapest available place on the region we wanted to stay. Most budget places have shared bathrooms and shared kitchen. Even though we stayed in the cheapest places, their cleaning and comfort standards are pretty high—so, don’t be afraid to choose the cheapest option.

Because there are not many options for restaurants outside Reykjavik, you have to prepare most of your meals. For lunch, we usually made sandwiches or ate pizza or something else at gas stations. For dinner, we always had something from the supermarket like instant pasta or noodles.

Most places are free to visit. You only need to pay for parking, which is usually between 500 to 1000 ISK, regardless of the number of people.

Tours are extremely expensive, but I recommend going at least on a glacier tour. Watching the Northern Lights is free and if you rent a car, you can venture out to a dark place and wait for them to show up.

Do You Need More Reasons to Visit Iceland?

Here’s why you should visit Iceland.

Wrapping Up

We hope you found our itinerary for an unforgettable trip to Iceland useful. This itinerary is most suitable for Spring and Autumn, but can also be adapted for Winter and Summer.

Visiting Iceland was a dream of mine for a long time and it did not disappoint. Our road trip was just perfect. We hope you have a wonderful time too.

Other Iceland Travel Guides:

• Iceland: Glacier and Ice Cave Tour—What to Expect
• Iceland Golden Circle Self-Driving Itinerary (with Map)
• Renting and Driving a Car In Iceland: 13 Essential Tips
• Planning a Trip To Iceland: 25 Things You Should Know
• >> All our Iceland Travel Guides <<

Finally, you can use our links to book your accommodation, and activities and find cheap flights. You won’t pay more for it and you’ll be supporting our work.