Iceland has caught the fascination of many for so many years and it is not hard to imagine why. If there is one destination that is really high on my wishlist, then it is Iceland. I have been dreaming of it for as long as I remember. I have been planning my perfect Iceland roadtrip itinerary for a while now and I hope I can visit Iceland soon. So, without further ado, here are the top places I want to visit in Iceland during my Iceland itinerary.
Table Of Contents
- 1 10 days Iceland Roadtrip Itinerary
- 2 One day in Reykjavik
- 3 Self-Driving the Golden Circle route
- 4 Snaefellsnes Peninsula
- 5 Visiting North Icelandic town of Akureyri
- 6 Visit the waterfall of the Gods and Myvatn Lake
- 7 Skutustagigar, Leirhnjukur and Detifoss
- 8 Taking a detour to the East Fjords
- 9 The most awaited Jokulsarlon & South East Coast during an Iceland 10 day itinerary
- 10 Exploring parts of Iceland around Vik
- 11 South Coast of Iceland
- 12 Conclusion
10 days Iceland Roadtrip Itinerary
As many of you know, road trips are my weakness. I am currently on a road trip around Germany exploring the castles of Bavaria. And I usually have to plan each and every one of my road trips, especially if I am doing them alone. That is why I decided to write a wishlist about my idea of a perfect 10 day Iceland itinerary. I am hoping that a 10 day Iceland road trip would be enough to cover the 800-mile drive around the island.
One day in Reykjavik
Many people tend to miss the capital city, Reykjavik. But I would definitely love to start my journey by spending a day in Reykjavik. I would love to go walking in the city like I always love to do. While there, I would love to visit the largest church in Iceland, Hallgrimskirkja, the Harpa concert hall and the Sun voyager sculpture as well.
I would love to head to the Blue Lagoon on my day trip around Reykjavik. I have heard that the crowds are lesser towards the evening and I would definitely be booking my appointment in the evening. Yes, you need an appointment to visit one of the most crowded places in Iceland. But a natural spa would definitely be worth it.
Self-Driving the Golden Circle route
I would spend the next day exploring the Golden Circle. This is one of the most popular self-drive roadtrips in Iceland and can be done in a day as well. Thingviller National Park, the geysers at Haukadalur and the Gullfoss waterfall are the three must-visit stops on the Golden Circle route. I would love to go snorkelling/diving between the two continents at the Silfra fissure in the Thingviller National park. How cool would it be to touch two continents at once?
I have never seen a Geyser in real life and it is definitely on the wishlist to see one. I would also love to pet one of those gorgeous Icelandic horses on the way here.
Bruarfoss waterfalls is also another place I want to visit.
Recommended Reading – Need more ideas for itineraries around Europe?
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
The next stop on our Iceland roadtrip would be the Snaefellsness Peninsula. Most of you must have seen the iconic mountain picture in many Icelandic pictures. This is the Kirkjufell mountain (the Church Mountain) and has been part of many Game of Thrones episodes. This mountain and the adjoining waterfalls are said to be the perfect place to spot the Northern Lights during winter.
Another place I want to visit in Snaefellsnes Peninsula are the rock pinnacles in Londrangar, particularly to see the Puffins in summer. I guess I have to make two trips to Iceland during summer and winter.
Visiting North Icelandic town of Akureyri
If you want to catch some Glaumbaer turf houses (the ones with grasses on top of them), then head to North Iceland from Snaefellsness peninsula. I would also love to spend some time in the town of Akureyri.
Read this post
Visit the waterfall of the Gods and Myvatn Lake
I have always been fascinated with mythology and now I have slowly started reading some Norsic mythology as well. That is one of the reasons I would love to visit Godafoss waterfall or the waterfall of the Gods. But even if you are not too keen on mythology, you definitely cannot say no to a stunning waterfall.
Next stop on the roadtrip is the Myvatn lake. Since it is a volcanic lake, there are many naturally heated lagoons and hot springs known for their health-giving properties as well as fumaroles, mud pools and cracks of the geothermal area. I know it is an ambitious project but I would love to cover at least some of them around the Myvatn lake like Hvevrir, Myvatn nature baths. While I am here, I would definitely love to head to the whale watching capital of the world, Husavik.
Skutustagigar, Leirhnjukur and Detifoss
Since one day is not enough to cover everything around the Myvatn lake, I would first start with the pseudo-craters at Skutustagigar. Next stop would be the Detifoss waterfall which is known to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Also, on the way, I would love to see Leirhnjukur, which is an active volcano in Iceland.
Taking a detour to the East Fjords
Before we head to the southern coast, I would love to head to some of the lesser known East Fjords. Maybe while we are here, we may get to see the legendary Lagarfljot Worm, Iceland’s own version of the Loch Ness monster.
The most awaited Jokulsarlon & South East Coast during an Iceland 10 day itinerary
This is definitely one of the places that is high on my Iceland wishlist. Who can resist seeing a beautiful lagoon where icebergs have detached themselves from the Glacier. If I am going in the winter, I would definitely go for an Ice cave tour near Vatnajokull. Also, would definitely love to see the Diamond beach, where you can walk around the icebergs from the glacier on the beach.
Exploring parts of Iceland around Vik
I would start the day by exploring the Skaftafell National Park and glacial hiking to the Svartifoss among the massive basalt columns. I would then love to head to the black sand beaches of Vik and explore the surrounding cliffs and sea stacks around the Reynafjara beach. On the way, would definitely try to walk the 2.5-mile hike to the famous plane crash site of Solheimasandur. I have heard that this hike can get a little challenging if the weather is bad.
South Coast of Iceland
I would spend my last day in Iceland exploring the waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. I definitely think it would be cool to walk in a cave behind a waterfall.
Conclusion
I really hope that I get to visit Iceland in the near future. So what do you think of my ambitious 10 days in Iceland roadtrip itinerary? Do you think it is feasible and do you have any suggestions of places that I need to add to my itinerary? Please do let me know in the comments below while I go learn how to pronounce some of the names of places in Iceland.
Find my recommendations for guide books on Iceland.
Recommended: Ring of kerry, ireland
BOOKING RESOURCES
Looking to book your trip now? Find some of my favorite resources I use while booking my trip. You can also find my travel gear here.
Book Your Flight
I am a Skyscanner fan when it comes to booking international flights. I use Makemytrip and Yatra for domestic flights.
Book Accommodation
Booking is my go to resource for booking hotel accommodation and I use Airbnb for booking my homestays. I also compare prices on Tripadvisor always.
Travel Insurance
As an Indian, I prefer ICICILombard and I am always insured when I am traveling outside India. In addition, I have used World Nomads and SafetyWing for some of my trips.
Book Tours
I do go on a lot of day tours especially when I am traveling solo. Depending on convenience, my choices are Viator or Getyourguide.
Incredibly gorgeous Soumya. Iceland feels like one of those epic places all travelers must see, like my current location of New Zealand. Pristine, inviting folks and even though more expensive than most lands, totally worth the greater costs. You really do get what you pay for with these places.
Some places need to be expensive to keep mass tourism away.
Well said 😉
Keep me posted if you are planning. It’s on my radar.. will try to join, we can split the costs like car rental
Sure, will definitely let you know. I just never plan so far ahead though. Always the last minute person.
Stunning photos. Iceland is still in my top 5 to visit and it’s about time I actually booked it haha! Thanks for sharing!
Such a stunning destination! Totally on my bucket list when I make it to that side of the world 😉 Thanks for this itinerary, I will keep it handy!
I love wishlists. I hope you get to make this a reality because it sounds like an amazing journey!
Excellent post, Iceland is so stunning I can’t wait to visit. I’d also add the abandoned dc plane on solheimasandur to my Wishlist.
Iceland sounds like the perfect place for a road trip destination, Soumya. These are some exceptional places you added to your itinerary. Thanks for sharing it and I really hope I get to follow this itinerary when I explore Iceland!
This is truly a great piece of content. Keep up the good work.
Yes! It’s totally doable 🙂
I travel very frequently, and spend almost half of my year traveling. But I have never been to Europe, and Iceland is on the top of my list of places I want to visit in 2019.
Also, this article is very well written and the pictures are amazing.
This looks amazing!! Every spot looks so beautiful!
Hi Soumya
What a amazing story and the photographs. Good work always appreciated. Thanks for sharing.
Such a wonderful place! Thanks for sharing!
Iceland is my dream destination and definitely in my bucket-list to see its pristine beauty. The information you have provided is going to help me a lot in planning the trip to Iceland. Earlier, all I knew about Iceland was the magnetic lights Aurora Boreolis. But now I also got to know about the whale watching capital of the world, Husavik; Kirkjufell mountain to spot the Northern Lights during winter; Myvatn lake Hvevrir, Myvatn nature baths, etc. it is wonderful.
Hi Soumya. Amazing your 10 Day Iceland RoadTrip. It seems exciting and adventure. Iceland feels like it is a destination for all travelers including me. I’m thinking about backpacking if i plan for such a road trip.
Impressive wishlist. I hardly believe in planning a trip but this plan of yours is fascinating. Soumya, wish I could do it as well. Iceland looks so gorgeous in the pictures you curated.
I have been to Iceland in Oct’2017 and must say that this is an amazing place, I’m visiting London this December and probably may visit Iceland again
Those who have been there, please share your itinerary would be a lot of help for those planing for the near future
I really liked the post so much. Thanks for sharing the information.
Some of my friends are in Iceland for their work and education; I think this is a great chance to catch up with them and explore this beautiful place. I’ll re-read this article once I plan to go there. Thank you for this. 🙂
I am planning my next trip to Iceland and I was looking for such itinerary. After reading this blog, I got what I want. Surely, would be following the itinerary.
Road Trip journey would be thrilled and should have enough courage to drive on zig-zag roads. Tourists who are on a ride for Iceland turf get to experience every corner.