Iceland
5 Full Days in Iceland: My Reykjavik Road Trip Itinerary
Iceland was one of those trips where having a rental car completely changed the experience.
We went in September, had five full days to explore, and renting a car gave us the freedom to move at our own pace, make random stops, and pull over whenever something looked worth seeing.
And trust me, we made some random stops.
At one point, we somehow got lost in the woods and the whole thing was giving Blair Witch Project.
Very scary in the moment.
Very funny now lol.
That is kind of what I remember most about Iceland though. Yes, we did the Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, a glacier snowmobile ride, and all the major stuff, but some of the best memories came from having the freedom to just explore and see where the day took us.
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Day 1: Reykjavik + Perlan + Local Pools
I would use the first full day to actually experience Reykjavik before immediately disappearing into the countryside.
Hallgrímskirkja Church
Start at Hallgrímskirkja, probably the most recognizable building in Reykjavik.
The architecture alone makes it worth seeing, but I also like that it gives you a sense of the city before you start driving all over Iceland.
Spend some time walking around the surrounding streets afterward instead of treating it like a quick photo stop.
Perlan Museum
Next, head to Perlan.
This was a good way to understand some of the landscapes we were about to see in real life.
And yes, there is an indoor ice cave.
Obviously it is not the same thing as standing on an actual glacier, but it is still a cool experience and makes the museum feel more interactive than just walking around reading exhibits.
Try a Local Swimming Pool
This is something I would absolutely keep because it feels much more local than going straight from tourist attraction to tourist attraction.
Reykjavik has public swimming pools with heated pools and hot tubs that are actually part of everyday life there.
We used the Reykjavik City Card, which included access to participating pools, so it was an easy thing to work into the trip.
And honestly, sitting in a hot tub outside when the Iceland air is cold?
I get it.
Day 2: Golden Circle Road Trip
This is the day I would dedicate to the Golden Circle.
Having the rental car made this especially good because we could move at our own pace instead of spending the whole day following a tour group.
Þingvellir National Park
Start at Þingvellir National Park.
This is one of those places where the landscape feels huge.
Give yourself time to walk around and actually take it in instead of just getting the picture and leaving.
Strokkur Geyser
Next, head toward the geothermal area and see Strokkur.
This one is fun because you know what is about to happen, but everybody still stands around waiting for the eruption like:
“Okay...is this the one?”
And then it goes off.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Finish the major Golden Circle stops at Gullfoss.
This was one of those places where photos do not really communicate the scale.
You need to hear it.
Feel the mist.
See how much water is actually moving through there.
Kerið Volcanic Crater
I would also work in Kerið Crater while you already have the car.
It adds something completely different to the day because now you are looking down into this colorful volcanic crater instead of another waterfall or geothermal area.
💡 SHANE’S TIP
This is exactly why I recommend renting a car if you are comfortable driving in Iceland.
The major stops are great.
But some of the best moments were the places where we basically went:
“Wait...pull over.”
Day 3: South Coast Road Trip
This is the biggest addition I would make to your itinerary.
If you already have a rental car and five full days, I would absolutely give one day to Iceland’s South Coast.
Seljalandsfoss
Start with Seljalandsfoss.
This is one of Iceland’s most recognizable waterfalls, and depending on conditions, you can walk around behind it.
Bring something waterproof.
Seriously.
Skógafoss
Then head to Skógafoss.
Another waterfall, yes.
Completely different experience.
This one is massive and much more dramatic when you are standing directly in front of it.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Continue toward Reynisfjara.
The black sand, basalt columns, cliffs, and ocean make this one of the most visually distinctive places in Iceland.
But this is also one where I would be very serious about respecting the ocean and posted safety warnings.
Those waves are not something to play with.
Vík
Stop in Vík before heading back toward Reykjavik.
Grab food, walk around a little, and give yourself a break before the drive back.
I would not overload this day with another five attractions.
The drive itself is part of the experience.
Day 4: Glacier + Snowmobile Experience
This deserves its own day.
Snowmobiling on a Glacier
Snowmobiling on a glacier was one of those experiences where I remember thinking:
Okay...this is why we came to Iceland.
You are not just looking at the landscape anymore.
You are actually out on it.
Between the snow, the scale of the glacier, and the fact that you are riding across it on a snowmobile, this is one of the experiences I would absolutely prioritize again.
I would not try to cram a bunch of sightseeing around this either.
Let the glacier be the main event.
BOOK AN SNOWMOBILING EXPERIENCE →
Keep the Evening Easy
Afterward:
Head back toward Reykjavik
Get dinner
Warm up
Maybe hit another local pool
Go to bed
Not every night needs another attraction attached to it.
Day 5: Blue Lagoon + Flexible Final Day
Blue Lagoon
I would save the Blue Lagoon for the last full day.
After several days of driving, walking, waterfalls, cold air, and a glacier excursion, sitting in geothermal water feels earned.
Yes, it is one of Iceland’s most famous tourist experiences.
And yes, I would still do it.
Sometimes the popular thing is popular for a reason.
BOOK AN SNOWMOBILING EXPERIENCE →
Leave the Rest of the Day Flexible
Depending on your Blue Lagoon reservation time, I would keep the rest of the day open.
You could:
Spend more time in Reykjavik
Go back to a restaurant you liked
Shop
Visit another local pool
Make one last spontaneous drive
Stop somewhere you passed earlier but did not have time for
Just relax
After several full road-trip days, I would not force another packed itinerary.
What I’d Prioritize
If I had five full days again, I would make sure these stay:
Golden Circle
Snowmobiling on a glacier
Blue Lagoon
South Coast
Kerið Crater
Hallgrímskirkja
Perlan
At least one local swimming pool
And honestly?
The rental car itself belongs on that list.
It gave us the freedom to experience Iceland instead of just being transported through it.
A Note About Driving in September
September was a great time for this kind of trip because we still had enough daylight to explore, but Iceland weather can change quickly.
Before driving each day, I would check:
Weather conditions
Road conditions
Estimated drive times
Fuel
How much daylight you have
Whether any routes are affected by wind or closures
And I would never let the itinerary pressure me into driving somewhere that did not feel safe.
The trip will still be there.
The Bottom Line
Iceland is one of the few places where I think the drive between attractions can be just as memorable as the attraction itself.
The Golden Circle was incredible.
The glacier was incredible.
The Blue Lagoon was incredible.
But some of my favorite moments came from being able to see something from the road and decide, right then:
We’re stopping there.
That freedom made the trip.
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