Two weeks will allow you to tour the country, even spending two nights in some of the must-see places. In fact, we've designed this itinerary to allow you to see the country's most beautiful sites, without being so fast-paced that you don't have time to appreciate them. We've created a loop that starts and finishes in Reykjavik, where the main airport is located. So here's our 15-day Iceland itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavik
Although most people call it "Reykjavik airport", Iceland's main airport is not actually located in the capital, but in Keflavík, some 50 kilometers from Reykjavik. But don't worry: there are bus and shuttle transfers to Reykjavik. Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is by far the best served airport in Iceland. The airport is well-equipped, with car rental agencies and an exchange office where you can convert your money into Icelandic krona. Please note, however, that credit cards are widely used in Iceland, and some shops refuse to accept cash. So it's best to bring an international credit card.
Relax at the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland's most famous spas, is located very close to the airport. Depending on your time of arrival, it might be a good idea to head there directly after your flight, to get into the swing of things, literally. Go here to book your entry to the Blue Lagoon including: transfer between downtown Reykjavík and the Blue Lagoon and the spa package of your choice.
The article to read: for more inspiration on planning your trip to Iceland, take a look at our top 5 Iceland tours.
Day 2: The Golden Circle
After spending a night in Reykjavik, hit the road to start your 15-day Iceland itinerary towards the Golden Circle. This is a tourist circuit forming a loop some 300 km south of Reykjavik. In one day, explore the three main sites of the Golden Circle: Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, then spend a night in Selfoss.
To book: we recommend this Golden Circle tour departing from Reykjavik. Admire the breathtaking natural scenery and discover the Geysir region, Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park.
Visit Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir National Park, or Þingvellir in Icelandic, is one of Iceland's most beautiful national parks. It is located where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. It is also of historical interest, as it was on its plains that the Althing, one of the world's oldest parliaments, was founded in 930, marking the birth of the Icelandic nation. For both these reasons, the national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Admire the geysers of the Geysir geothermal field
The Geysir site is characterized by its volcanic hot springs, not to be missed on your 2-week Iceland itinerary. Fascinating geothermal phenomena occur here, including the formation of geysers. Geysir, for example, is named after all the other geysers in the world, even though it is now inactive. Not far away, Strokkur is active and erupts every 5 to 10 minutes, spouting water some 20 metres into the air.
Photograph one of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls at Gullfoss
Gulfoss is the third and final site in the Golden Circle, and perhaps the most impressive. It's also known as the Golden Falls. It consists of two successive waterfalls, 11 and 21 metres high, collapsing into a deep canyon.
Days 3 and 4: South coast from Vík
Continue your 15-day Iceland itinerary towards Vík, where you'll spend two nights. From Selfoss, it's a 1 h 45-minute drive. You'll see a lot of scenery along the way, so make several stops, as indicated below. The next day, take a day hike to Fjaðrárgljúfur before returning to your accommodation in Vík, a town south of Katla, one of the world's most active volcanoes.
You can also discover this part of Iceland by booking this day trip to South Iceland from Reykjavik, which includes a stop at Vík.
Stop off at Seljalandsfoss waterfall
After an hour's drive from Selfoss, you'll arrive at Seljalandsfoss, a roadside waterfall. It drops 65 metres into a green setting. A special feature of Seljalandsfoss is the possibility of passing behind the waterfall.
Make a second stop at the Skógafoss waterfall
Follow the road back to Cascade Skógafoss, a second waterfall, this time falling 62 meters. You can climb a 400-step path to reach the top, which offers spectacular views.
Once there, visit Reynisfjara beach
It's only a half-hour's drive to Vík. As soon as you arrive, head for Reynisfjara beach. Quite spectacular, sometimes even classed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it features black volcanic sand dominated by rock pillars.
Day hike to Fjaðrárgljúfur
The next day, drive an hour to Fjaðrárgljúfur. This is a superb canyon, in places 100 metres deep and 2 kilometers long. Several trails criss-cross the site, making for unforgettable hikes. However, the site is threatened by overcrowding. It is therefore essential to stay on the marked trails andadopt environmentally-friendly practices.
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Day 5: Vatnajökull National Park
Continue your 15-day Iceland itinerary by heading for Vatnajökull National Park, one of three national parks in this ecological destination. It's a one-hour drive. You'll spend the day visiting it, then spend a night in the surrounding area, notably in the Skaftafell region.
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Explore Vatnajökull National Park
Vatnajökull National Park is the largest in Iceland, and indeed in Europe, and one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. It is home to the glacier of the same name, a landscape of ice, rivers, plains and hills. The hike to the Svartifoss waterfall, famous for its columnar rock formations, is one of the most beautiful in the park. The national park is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
What to book: Visit one of the crystal-clear ice caves of the Vatnajökull glacier on an excursion from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon , bookable here. Discover Europe's largest glacier and enter the cave in the company of a certified guide.
Day 6: Jökulsárlón from Höfn
On this sixth day of your 15-day Iceland itinerary, drive for 1 h 45 towards Höfn, where you'll spend the night. But first, make a stop en route at Jökulsárlón.
Admire the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón
On the edge of Vatnajökull National Park lies Jökulsárlón, a superb glacial lagoon whose bluish waters are peppered with icebergs from the glacier. The site is considered Iceland's deepest lake, with a maximum depth of 284 meters! The lagoon can be explored by boat, the better to see the icebergs breaking off, or perhaps even come across grey seals. Nearby is Diamond Beach, named after the shiny icebergs that come ashore on its black volcanic sand.
Days 7 and 8: East Fjords from Egilsstaðir
In the morning, leave Höfn, where you'll have spent the night, and head for Egilsstaðir, which takes 3 hours 30 minutes, one of the longest drives of this 15-day itinerary in Iceland. The road is particularly scenic, and you'll stop at a few of the sites of interest described below. You'll spend two nights in the village, exploring the surrounding area.
Stop off at Djúpivogur en route
Along the scenic road from Höfn to Egilsstaðir, one of your first stops after an hour and a half's drive will be Djúpivogur. It's a charming fishing village, and a real change of scenery. The small houses and fishing boats dominated by mountains and fjords are a photographer's delight.
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Take a detour to Seyðisfjörður
Continue on your way and make a detour to Seyðisfjörður before returning to Egilsstaðir. Seyðisfjörður is another beautiful fishing village, all the more so as it's nestled in a particularly deep fjord. Take the time to visit the village and its picturesque little blue church.
The next day, hike in the Hallormsstaður forest
After spending a night in Egilsstaðir, drive twenty minutes or so to the Hallormsstaður forest, Iceland's largest forest. There are several hiking trails through it, most of them short and easy. There are several fully-equipped campsites on site, ideal if you're traveling in a van.
Reindeer watching
The Eastern Fjords are a reindeer-rich region, and reindeer can be seen here, particularly on the plains around the lakes. In Egilsstaðir, the Museum of East Iceland even includes an exhibition on this animal.
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Day 9 and 10: Mývatn
Continue your 2-week itinerary in Iceland by heading back northwest. It's a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Mývatn, where you'll spend two nights. On the way, stop off at Dettifoss.
Stop off at Dettifoss
Dettifoss is a beautiful 44-metre waterfall that's well worth a detour. It's best known for its flow, one of the most spectacular in Iceland. You can get close enough to the waterfall to appreciate its power.
The article to read: don't forget to read our selection of the year's best destinations.
Discover Lake Mývatn
Once you've arrived at Lake Mývatn, which is actually made up of two shallow water basins, take the time to explore the rich surroundings. Linger at Hverir and Dimmuborgir, two geothermal fields. And don't forget to bask in the milky waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths.
Click here to book your ticket for the Myvatn Nature Baths.
Whale watching in Húsavík
On your second day in Mývatn, take the 50-minute drive north to Húsavík. This coastal town is well known as one of the best whale-watching sites. Several tour operators offer excursions.
Days 11 and 12: Akureyri
Continue your 15-day Iceland itinerary by leaving Lake Mývatn and driving a good hour to Akureyri, where you'll spend two nights. Make stops en route, as shown below.
Stop at Goðafoss en route
After about 40 minutes on the road, stop at Goðafoss, one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls. Although it's only 12 metres high, it's its width, some 30 metres, that makes it so beautiful.
Discover Akureyri
With a population of 18,000, Akureyri is considered an important city, so much so that it is nicknamed the "capital of the North". It offers a better understanding of Icelandic culture, notably through its various museums, as well as its botanical garden, which brings together Icelandic plant species.
What to book: Search for humpback whales in Iceland's longest glacial fjord on this guided humpback whale-watching tour guided whale-watching tour departing from Akureyri departing from Akureyri.
Day 13: Snæfellsnes from Stykkishólmur
Drive to Stykkishólmur, which takes almost 5 hours and is the longest drive of this 15-day itinerary in Iceland. Stay overnight. Before arriving, explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
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Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is an outcrop of land in the sea, ending in a dormant volcano. This is Iceland's third national park, offering a wide variety of lunar landscapes only a short distance away. Here you can admire black beaches, lava fields, cliffs and mountains, including Mount Kirkjufell, famous for its iconic pointed shape. Don't forget to stop off at the charming village of Arnarstapi.
To book: We recommend this day trip by bus from Reykjavik to the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Admire the Snæfellsjökull glacier, black sand beaches, a fishing village and Mount Kirkjufell.
Days 14 and 15: Reykjavik
Conclude your magnificent two-week road trip in Iceland by returning to Reykjavik, your point of departure and arrival, a 2.5-hour drive away. You'll sleep there until you catch your flight home. Take advantage of this respite to explore Iceland's capital.
Explore Reykjavik's historic center
Take a stroll through Reykjavik's charming historic center to round off your trip. Take a stroll down Aðalstræti Street, home to the capital's oldest building, dating from 1752, Laugavegur Street, where you'll find charming boutiques, and Skolavordustigur Street, which leads to the famous Hallgrimskirkja Church.
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