12-day itinerary

12 Days Trip to Iceland

Iceland

An unforgettable 12-day family road trip circling Iceland, packed with steaming geothermal pools, dramatic waterfalls, volcanic craters, and majestic northern scenery.

1. Day 1: Reykjavík Arrival and Pool Time

   Overnight in Reykjavík · Driving 12 km, 25 min

   • Arrive to Reykjavík

     Arrival 1h

     Arrive to Reykjavík and pick up your rental vehicle.

   • Sun Voyager & Waterfront

     Landmark 14:00 · 1h

     See the Viking ship sculpture at Sun Voyager & Waterfront.

   • Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool

     Wellness 15:30 · 2h

     Soak in heated outdoor pools at Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool.

2. Day 2: Northward Journey to Akureyri

   Overnight in Akureyri · Driving 390 km, 4h 50m

   • Glanni Waterfall

     Nature 10:30 · 1h

     Walk through woods to see river rapids at Glanni Waterfall.

   • Grábrók Volcano Crater

     Hiking 11:45 · 1h 15m

     Climb wooden stairs to look into Grábrók Volcano Crater.

   • Kolugljúfur Canyon

     Nature 14:15 · 1h

     View glacial waterfalls from the railings at Kolugljúfur Canyon.

3. Day 3: Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn

   Overnight in Reykjahlíð · Driving 105 km, 1h 30m

   • Goðafoss Waterfall

     Nature 09:30 · 1h 15m

     View Goðafoss Waterfall from paved viewing platforms.

   • Dimmuborgir Lava Formations

     Nature 11:30 · 1.5h

     Walk among lava pillars and stone arches at Dimmuborgir Lava Formations.

   • Mývatn Nature Baths

     Wellness 14:30 · 2h

     Soak in mineral-rich waters at Mývatn Nature Baths.

4. Day 4: Mývatn and Giant Waterfalls

   Overnight in Reykjahlíð · Driving 145 km, 2h 15m

   • Skútustaðagígar Pseudocraters

     Nature & landscapes 09:30 · 1h 15m

     Walk around grassy craters formed by steam explosions at Skútustaðagígar Pseudocraters.

   • Námaskarð Geothermal Area

     Nature & landscapes 11:30 · 1h

     Follow marked boardwalks past bubbling mud pots at Námaskarð Geothermal Area.

   • Dettifoss Waterfall

     Nature & landscapes 14:30 · 1h 30m

     View Dettifoss Waterfall from the west-bank paved trail.

5. Day 5: Forest and East Fjords

   Overnight in Egilsstaðir · Driving 225 km, 3h 10m

   • Hallormsstaður Forest Easy Trails

     Hiking & outdoors 10:30 · 1h 30m

     Follow flat paths through the forest on Hallormsstaður Forest Easy Trails.

   • Seyðisfjörður Village Walk

     Family friendly 12:45 · 1h 15m

     Follow the rainbow-painted street on Seyðisfjörður Village Walk.

   • Vök Baths Geothermal Pool

     Relaxation & wellness 16:00 · 2h

     Float in Vök Baths Geothermal Pool directly in Lake Urriðavatn.

6. Day 6: Coastal Eastfjords to Höfn

   Overnight in Höfn · Driving 250 km, 3h 30m

   • Fáskrúðsfjörður Village Waterfront

     Family friendly 09:30 · 1h

     Walk past French-Icelandic street signs at Fáskrúðsfjörður Village Waterfront.

   • Djúpivogur Harbour and Eggin í Gleðivík

     Family friendly 11:45 · 1h

     See 34 granite eggs at Djúpivogur Harbour and Eggin í Gleðivík.

   • Eastfjords Coastal Drive

     Nature & landscapes 14:30 · 1h 30m

     See North Atlantic waves and sea cliffs on Eastfjords Coastal Drive.

7. Day 7: Glaciers and Diamond Beach

   Overnight in Vík · Driving 272 km, 3h 40m

   • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

     Sightseeing 09:30 · 1.5 hours

     Watch icebergs drift toward the ocean at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.

   • Diamond Beach

     Beach 11:15 · 1 hour

     Walk among stranded ice chunks on Diamond Beach's black sand.

   • Skaftafell Svartifoss Trail

     Hiking 13:30 · 2 hours

     Hike Skaftafell Svartifoss Trail to see a waterfall framed by basalt columns.

8. Day 8: Vík Coast and Easy Hiking

   Overnight in Vík · Driving 75 km, 1h 20m

   • Reynisfjara Beach Viewpoint

     Sightseeing 09:30 · 1.5 hours

     Observe sea stacks from a safe distance at Reynisfjara Beach Viewpoint.

   • Dyrhólaey Peninsula Viewpoint

     Scenic Viewpoint 11:30 · 1.5 hours

     See the natural rock arch from Dyrhólaey Peninsula Viewpoint.

   • Sólheimajökull Glacier Walk Viewpoint

     Nature Walk 14:00 · 1.5 hours

     Follow the flat path to the lagoon at Sólheimajökull Glacier Walk Viewpoint.

9. Day 9: Waterfalls to the South Coast

   Overnight in Selfoss · Driving 130 km, 1h 50m

   • Skógafoss Waterfall

     Waterfall 09:30 · 1.5 hours

     Look for rainbows in the mist at Skógafoss Waterfall.

   • Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi Waterfalls

     Waterfall 11:30 · 2 hours

     Find a canyon waterfall at Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi Waterfalls.

   • Selfoss Swimming Pool (Sundhöll Selfoss)

     Water Park 15:00 · 2 hours

     Relax in geothermal hot tubs at Selfoss Swimming Pool (Sundhöll Selfoss).

10. Day 10: Golden Circle Natural Wonders

    Overnight in Selfoss · Driving 185 km, 2h 45m

    • Kerið Volcanic Crater

      Crater Lake 09:45 · 1h

      Walk the rim trail overlooking the lake at Kerið Volcanic Crater.

    • Gullfoss Waterfall

      Waterfall 11:15 · 1.5h

      Watch Gullfoss Waterfall drop into a canyon in two tiers.

    • Geysir Geothermal Area

      Geothermal Area 13:00 · 1.5h

      Watch Strokkur erupt at Geysir Geothermal Area.

    • Þingvellir National Park

      National Park 15:00 · 2h

      Stroll the easy paved pathways set between dramatic continental tectonic plates.

11. Day 11: Reykjanes Peninsula and Capital Stay

    Overnight in Reykjavík · Driving 160 km, 2h 20m

    • Reykjanes Peninsula Coastal Drive

      Scenic Drive 11:30 · 2h

      See mossy lava fields on Reykjanes Peninsula Coastal Drive.

    • Blue Lagoon (Grindavík)

      Geothermal Spa 14:30 · 2.5h

      Soak in warm waters surrounded by lava at Blue Lagoon (Grindavík).

12. Day 12: Relaxed Morning and Airport Departure

    Overnight in Reykjavík · Driving 55 km, 50m

    • Reykjanesbær Waterfront Walk

      Scenic Promenade 10:00 · 1.5h

      Follow the paved coastal pathway on Reykjanesbær Waterfront Walk.

    • Depart from Reykjavík

      Departure 14:00 · 1h

      Depart from Reykjavík for your flight home.