5 Day Southern Iceland Itinerary

For your introduction to Iceland, take a day to explore the capital city of Reykjavík. Take a stroll up Skolavordustigur, Iceland’s famous rainbow street, and explore all of the shops around it. From there you will see Iceland’s largest church and one of the tallest structures in all of Iceland, Hallgrimskirkja. The old Harbor is also a half mile away, where you could join a whale watching tour.

Blue Lagoon
In the afternoon, consider taking a short trip to one of Iceland’s geothermal spas. The most famous being Blue Lagoon. Known for its baby blue, mineral rich water, the Blue Lagoon has healing properties. This is Iceland’s most popular attraction, and if you have seen videos of Iceland on social media, then you’ve likely seen the Blue Lagoon. It is about a 50 minute drive to Blue Lagoon from Reykjavik, and children under 13 get in for free.

Tip: Blue Lagoon is only a 15 minute drive from the Keflavik airport, so if that is where you are flying into and you don’t mind taking a dip right after your flight, go for it!

For dinner in Reykjavik, take a look at KRÖST. Lamb is a staple in Icelandic dishes, and the lamb chops at KRÖST are mouthwatering. They also serve a good steak if that is your preference.

Kerid Crater
The first of three stops along Iceland’s famous Gold Circle is Kerid Crater. There is a 400 ISK (about $3) entry fee that can be paid by credit card. Kerid Crater is a lake inside of a volcanic crater. The contrast of the blue lake surrounded by the red volcanic rock and green moss make for a unique photo opportunity. The easy walk to the crater is less than a mile (about 1.4 km) long, which make this an easy, quick stop. Keep in mind that there are no facilities at the crater.

Strokkur Geyser
Another stop on the famous Golden Circle is the country’s most famous geyser, the Strokkur Geyser. Visitors gather around the geyser to watch it erupt every six to 10 minutes. The eruptions can reach heights of over 100 ft., which makes this a must-see attraction. Better yet, its free!

Gullfoss Falls
Make time for a stop at Gullfoss or “Golden Falls.” This majestic waterfall is the second largest in Iceland. It sits in the middle of the golden Circle and is also Iceland’s most visited waterfall. As with most popular tourist spots, visit Gullfoss in the early morning or evening to avoid the biggest crowds. If you take the walk down to the lower viewpoint be ready to be blanketed by the mist coming off of the falls, another reason to always have a rain jacket with you while in Iceland.
Tip: You have to pay to use the outdoor bathroom, but if you enter the Gullfoss Visitor Center, there is a free and warm bathroom.

Hrunalaug Hot Spring
On your way back toward your hotel, take a dip in the Hrunalaug Hot Spring. This natural hot spring is in the middle of nowhere. A perfect place to wind down and relax before the end of the day. The temperature of the water is around 98°F (37°C). This hot spring will have less crowds, as it is more out of the way, is smaller, and has a 1 hour and 30-minute time limit. The entry fee is 2000 ISK (about $14.55) per adult. There is a small bathroom next to the parking lot, which is about 430 ft. from the hot spring. Be aware that many people choose to change in the open hut in the hot spring.

For a unique dining experience, make sure to stop at Ingólfsskáli Viking Restaurant on your drive back toward civilization. The restaurant is set in a Viking longhouse and serves up some traditional Icelandic cuisine.

Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands)
Get ready to set off on a more laid back journey, as you board a ferry to Heimaey, in Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands). Bring your rental car along, so that you can explore the entire island on your own. The ferry ride into the volcanic Island invokes an adventurous spirit, as you pass a number of small, uninhabited islands that tower over the ocean below. The ride sets the mood for the very best part, puffins! Iceland is home to about half of the world’s puffin’s, and the world’s largest puffin colony calls the Westman Islands home!

Puffin Lookout
Take an eight-minute drive to the puffin lookout located on the Stórhöfðaviti Peninsula. You may begin to see puffins flying as you approach the lookout but take a short walk toward the sea cliffs to see thousands of them flying and sitting around! This area is also home to a few grazing sheep, and if you’re lucky, they will run right by you and greet you with their bleats.

Another very short drive brings you to Herjólfsdalur. Either take the challenging hike up or enjoy this natural amphitheater from the bottom. The scenery here, as with most of the island, will blow you away.

For a meal on the island, head over to Gott. Don’t be surprised if you have the best meal you’ve had in Iceland at this restaurant, and that is no small feat, as Iceland has some exceptional restaurants. Great service, fresh, modern dishes and a unique vibe is what they’ve Gott to offer.

For animal lovers, leave enough time to pay a visit to Sea Life Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary/Sæheimar Aquarium. While the aquarium is very small, it gives you the chance to see rescued puffins up close, and a couple of very playful beluga whales. One adult ticket costs 3560 ISK (about $26). The aquarium is just a 1-minute drive from the ferry port, making this the perfect final stop prior to boarding the ferry back to the mainland.

Iceland’s South Coast
This part of the trip is the longest, but most rewarding drive, as the attractions were my favorite of this entire trip. It could also be broken up into two days if you book accommodation along ring road.

Seljalandsfoss
Set off in the morning to make your first stop at Seljalandsfoss. A 200-foot waterfall that you are able to walk behind, which means it is another unique photo opportunity.

Skógafoss
The next stop is arguably the most beautiful waterfall in all of Iceland, Skógafoss! Revel in the strength and beauty of this almost 200-foot-tall waterfall surrounded by mossy green cliffs. Walk right up to the falls if you aren’t afraid of getting wet or take the short hike up to the viewing platform above it.

Reynisfjara Beach
Continue along ring road (Route One) until you reach Reynisfjara Beach. This is a black sand beach, once voted as one of the top 10 non-tropical beaches to visit on the planet by National Geographic. The beach features a few sea stacks just off the shore, and basalt columns on shore.

The next stop on this Icelandic road trip is diamond beach (Breiðamerkursandur). This beach is also a black sand beach but has a distinctive attribute that separates it from the rest. Its location at the mouth of the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon means that icebergs from the glacier float out of the lagoon and wash up onto the beach’s shores. The icebergs resemble glistening diamonds, hence the name diamond beach.

Last but not least, complete your trek along Iceland’s southern coast at Vestrahorn. This drive is particularly scenic, which helps to break up the ride with several stops along the way. Vestrahorn is a mountain that may look familiar to the fans of Game of Thrones, as it was one of the filming locations of the show. The mountain is as picturesque as it gets, as it is the backdrop of a black sandy, tidal lagoon. A must see all year round, as in the winter the mountain is covered with snow, and there is a higher chance to see the northern lights at the same time. No matter when you go, try your best to time your visit on a day with clear skies, so that low-lying clouds don’t obstruct your view of this awe-inspiring mountain.

For dinner on the southern coast, consider Drangar Restaurant. Located, near Reynisfjara Beach, in Vik. Another restaurant in Iceland that will dazzle you with its vibe, as well as the presentation and flavor of the food. There is no shortage of good food here!

Journey back toward Reykjavík and wind down by exploring the capital city further or checking out the nearby attractions.

A 50-minute drive away from Reykjavík is the hike to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River. The moderate hike is about an hour long, and while on the hike you will see steam rising from the ground. The river is a natural hot spring, which is a popular place to soak in. The river’s temperature lowers the further down you go, so you can try different places along the river until you find your sweet spot. There is a boardwalk along the river as well, so you will know where it is safe to go for a swim.

If something more luxurious is what you’re after then pay a visit to Sky Lagoon, another one of Iceland’s geothermal spas just 13 minutes away from Reykjavík’s city center. Packages start at 6,790 ISK (about $50) entrance fee per adult. They offer other packages that include their seven-step wellness ritual, which takes you through different experiences at different water temperatures.

Another restaurant in Reykjavík worth trying is Grillmarkaðurinn. No surprise here, just another restaurant with great ambiance and even better food. There is something for everyone here, but for the more daring diners they have some Icelandic treats. Reindeer mini burgers, engrilled puffin and grilled whale steak just to name a few.