Explore Iceland in 5 Days: Your Ultimate Summer Road Trip Itinerary

When taking a red eye to Iceland, what better way to decompress from a long night of travel than a trip to the Blue Lagoon? After renting a car at Keflavík Airport, take a short drive to relax and recuperate in the calming geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon. After spending a few hours taking in the sights and experiencing ultimate levels of relaxation, head to Reykjavík to check into your accommodation and unwind. When venturing out for dinner, I recommend La Primavera Ristorante at Marshall House, a 1948 fish factory turned Icelandic cultural center. The restaurant reopened in 2018 on its 25th anniversary after a seven-year hiatus and has been serving Northern Italian classics with Icelandic influence. Don’t miss their handmade pastas and seemingly never-ending Italian wine list! If there is still room for something sweet, head over to OmNom, or more specifically OMNOMSPHERE, a small ice cream shop nestled in the larger bean-to-bar chocolate shop.

Begin the day with breakfast at your accommodation in anticipation of a full day of adventure. Before leaving the city center, be sure to stop for coffee and a pastry to go from Sandholt Bakery, one of the oldest bakeries in Iceland. Pro Tip: Don’t miss their cinnamon buns - maybe even snag a few extra for the perfect road trip snack!

The first stop of the morning will be Thingvellir National Park, our first stop on the famous Golden Circle, to experience the only place in the world to snorkel between two tectonic plates. The edges of the North American tectonic plate and the Eurasian tectonic plate cannot be seen as clearly as they can in Thingvellir National Park. Fun fact: Iceland is the only place in the world where a rift like this can be seen above sea level! After gearing up in a drysuit, let a guide take you through the crystal-clear, icy blue waters of the Silfra Fissure. After warming up, head to Öxaráfoss to check out the first of many waterfalls to experience in Iceland.

Continue the road trip to Fridheimar, a family-run restaurant and greenhouse where the focus is tomatoes, which they grow all year round, even in the dark winter months. The tomato soup is a must and can be enjoyed right in the greenhouse space among the tomatoes!

After lunch, consider two more stops on the Golden Circle before heading back to homebase in Reykjavík. Take the short, scenic drive to the Geysir geothermal area, where you can witness two prominent Geysirs. While Great Geysir is less active, Strokkur Geysir erupts every six to 10 minutes - make sure to have your camera ready!

After all the bubbling excitement of the Geysers, head to Gullfoss waterfall, where you can walk along a path next to the waterfall’s two drops. Come prepared with rain gear, where even on the sunniest of days, the waterfall's powerful spray is enough to soak anyone who gets close!

After taking in all the spectacular scenery of the Golden Circle, make your way to dinner at Skál! in Hlemmur Food Hall for small share plates focused on Icelandic ingredients. Don’t miss the Icelandic scallops with red currant granita or the Feykir Cheese with crispy rye bread.

Get an early start this morning to experience Iceland’s iconic south shore. Home to some of the most incredible beaches and waterfalls, the natural beauty of Iceland is on display along the Ring Road (Route 1). The first, and farthest, stop of the day will be Reynisfjara Beach, a black sand beach framed with incredible basalt stacks and roaring ocean waves. Pay careful attention to the basalt rocks along the beach, as it is a popular nesting place for puffins and other seabirds!

Head into the southernmost village in Iceland, Vik, for a mid-morning snack of crepes and coffee at a food truck along Route 1 (Crepes.is Food Truck).

Next, head to Skógafoss Waterfall, one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland. Climb about 500 steps to get to the top of the waterfall, and you will be rewarded with the most incredible views of the coastline. Skógafoss is known for creating incredible rainbows on sunny days, and you are likely to see plenty of rainbows from both the bottom and top of the falls. Once at the top, hike inwards along the Skógá River for more waterfalls and rolling green hills.

Drive back along Route 1 towards Selfoss and have a late lunch at The Old Dairy, a historic building that operated as the first dairy factory in Iceland. It reopened in 2021 as a food hall with eight restaurants and two bars, featuring cuisines ranging from Thai food to tacos; you can find something everyone will enjoy.

After exploring Selfoss, choose to take a city break and check into Ion Adventure Hotel, in Nesjavellir, a half-way point between Selfoss and Reykjavík. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in their natural spa and outdoor heated pool while continuing to take in the breathtaking scenery of Iceland’s southern coast. Indulge in dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Silfra, where chefs specialize in new Nordic cuisine.

Depart Ion Adventure Hotel and make your way back to Reykjavík for a day of exploring by both land and sea. Stop at Bruad & Co before heading to the Old Harbour in downtown Reykjavík to join a whale-watching tour with Elding. The crew at Elding takes immense pride in their work and goes above and beyond to ensure that both themselves and their guests interact with the whales and other wildlife in a responsible manner. Elding holds multiple certificates with environmental tourism boards, such as EarthCheck and Blue Flag. The tour not only offers the possibility of seeing whales and other marine life that call Iceland home but also provides incredible views of Reykjavík from the Faxaflói bay.

After your whale-watching adventure (hopefully, you spotted some whales!), wander along the waterfront towards the Sun Voyager, a stainless steel sculpture by artist Jón Gunnar Árnason. On the way, you’ll pass by the Harpa Concert Hall and take in more views of the Faxaflói bay.

From there, head up to do some shopping on Laugavegur Street. Pick up any souvenirs you wish to bring home as you bop in and out of the shops. Make sure to stop by Farmer’s & Friends, a shop featuring clothing from the Icelandic design company. They also sell books, household items, and Icelandic music in addition to the incredible clothes that are made with natural fibers like Icelandic wool from their local yarn mill.

Stop by Reykjavík Roasters on Kárastígur street for a coffee and relax in the laid-back atmosphere. The shop is adorned with windows on all sides, great for people watching with an excellent view of Hallgrímskirkja, a modern cathedral that towers over the city.

A trip to Iceland wouldn’t be complete without visiting another lagoon. Sky Lagoon is just minutes away from downtown Reykjavík. Sky Lagoon's design seamlessly blends manmade luxury with awe-inspiring surroundings, creating a haven that feels both indulgent and connected to nature. Whether it's the panoramic ocean views, the invigorating sea breeze, or the captivating infinity edge – every moment at Sky Lagoon is an invitation to unwind and savor the beauty of Iceland in style.

On your last night in Reykjavik, indulge in a tasting menu for dinner at MATUR og DRYKKUR. Located in the former Alliance saltfish factory, built in 1924, it is now preserved as a historical monument. Experience modern Icelandic cuisine rooted in traditional ingredients from both land and sea. If it is something more casual you're after, check out Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar, a cozy, chic wine bar on Laugavegur street where the staff is pouring a unique selection of wine and pairing it with delicious small plates like prawns with chili and garlic or asparagus with miso butter.

Enjoy a leisurely morning on your last day in Iceland! Head about 10 minutes west of the city center to the charming seaside town of Seltjarnarnes to take in the last moments of your Iceland Adventure. Debrief with your travel companions or engage in some self-reflection about your solo adventure, either way, do it over brunch at Rádagerdi, all while enjoying uninterrupted views of the Grótta Lighthouse and the Atlantic Ocean. Bid farewell to Iceland as you make your way to the airport dreaming of your return - plan to come back in the winter to see the Northern Lights!