If you’re in the process of planning a trip to Iceland and wondering how many day in Iceland you actually need, you’re in the right place. For most travelers, 7 to 10 days in Iceland is ideal. This allows enough time to explore multiple regions without rushing, account for changing weather, and travel comfortably by car. Shorter trips are still worthwhile, while longer trips are best suited to summer travel.
In this article, we answer the most important questions about how many days in Iceland is enough, including how long specific activities take, how to maximize your time, and the best way to get around the country no matter the length of your stay.
Even one day spent in Iceland can leave you with memories to last a lifetime. However, the country offers so much variety that most visitors quickly realize they need more time to truly experience its landscapes. So, how many days do you really need in Iceland?
Careful planning is essential for any Iceland road trip. One of the most important decisions you’ll make is how long to stay, as this directly affects how many regions and attractions you can realistically include. If you are visiting Iceland for more than a day or two, the most efficient and flexible way to travel is by rental car, especially if you want to explore at your own pace.
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1–5 Days in Iceland: Exploring Iceland’s Gems
One to five days is suitable for a short trip focused on Iceland’s most iconic sights. Most travelers arrive via Keflavík International Airport, the main gateway to Reykjavík and the surrounding attractions.
Reykjavik
With one day in Reykjavik, you can visit one or more of the city’s famous geothermal lagoons, including the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon. You can also explore Hallgrímskirkja church, Reykjavík’s museums, restaurants, and cultural landmarks.
Additional highlights include the National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavík City Hall, and Harpa Concert Hall, which regularly hosts concerts and events. Within 24 hours, it is possible to complete a Golden Circle tour, but your stops will be need to be brief. This route includes Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall.
If you have a few extra days, the Golden Circle can be explored more thoroughly. You can spend more time hiking at Þingvellir, see the rift between two continents, and visit quieter stops such as the Secret Lagoon, Iceland’s oldest swimming pool.
South Iceland (South Coast)
If you’re spending four to five days in Iceland, dedicating at least one full day to the South Coast is strongly recommended.
Here, you can experience Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, explore the village of Vík, and travel as far as Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. The region also features ice caves, glaciers, and dramatic black sand beaches, including Reynisfjara and Diamond Beach, where ice fragments wash ashore from the nearby glacier lagoon.
6–10 Days in Iceland: A More Complete Road Trip Experience
A stay of six to ten days allows for a much more comprehensive experience, with time to explore multiple regions without feeling rushed.
Route 1 Ring Road
With between six and 10 days of vacation in Iceland an itinerary that includes the attractions on Iceland’s Ring Road becomes a realistic option. This route circles the entire country and connects most major Iceland attractions.
You can explore South Iceland, North Iceland, West Iceland, and parts of the Eastfjords. If time is limited, we recommend moving more quickly through the Eastfjords to allow additional time in other regions.
North Iceland
Northern Iceland is centered around Akureyri, often called the capital of the north. While smaller than Reykjavík, Akureyri offers a strong selection of museums, restaurants, and outdoor activities.
The region is known for wildlife experiences, including whale watching in Eyjafjörður and Húsavík, as well as Iceland puffin spotting during the summer months. Key attractions include Lake Mývatn, the Mývatn Nature Baths, Dettifoss waterfall, and Goðafoss, known as the Waterfall of the Gods.
South Iceland Extended
A longer stay, between six and 10 days, in Iceland will also allow you to dive deeper into the beauty of South Iceland. You can enjoy the black sands of Reynisfjara Beach and the Sólheimajökull Glacier, which has excellent hiking opportunities. Enjoy a more extended stay at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and go Icelandic horseback riding along the beaches in Vík.
The Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve in the south is also home to the iconic Dyrhólaey lava arch and lighthouse. When visiting the Dyrhólaey area, be sure to check the availability of its attractions, as they can be closed off during the bird nesting season in May.
West Iceland-Snaefellsnes Peninsula
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is often referred to as “Miniature Iceland” due to its diverse landscapes within a compact area.
From the iconic Búðir Black Church, built in the 18th century, to the imposing Kirkjufell Mountain, which rises 1,500 feet and was featured in the hit TV show Game of Thrones, the peninsula is full of incredible scenery.
Snaefellsjökull National Park is another major attraction in the area and gets its name from the Snaefellsjökull subglacial volcano, its main highlight. It is also home to Djpalónssandur beach and the Lóndrangar basalt stronghold, which all hold unique appeals, especially for first-time travelers who have some time to spare.
Extended Journey: 11+ Days, Summer Only (June to August)
To fully experience all that Iceland has to offer, you’ll want to aim for at least 11 days or more, during the summer months, when the majority of the country’s routes are accessible. With this amount of time, you can complete the Ring Road comfortably and still explore remote regions that most visitors never reach. An extended trip allows you to slow down, hike longer trails, take scenic detours, and even camp in Iceland’s pristine landscapes.
During summer, road conditions are safer, daylight stretches late into the evening, and highland F-roads are open. This is when Iceland feels at its most expansive.
East Iceland – Eastfjords
East Iceland is defined by dramatic fjords, coastal drives, and some of the country’s best hiking opportunities. The pillar of the region is Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Europe, covering approximately 5,460 square miles. Within the park, you’ll find Vatnajökull glacier, black sand beaches, volcanic craters, ice caps, and rugged mountain terrain. With extra days in your itinerary, you can explore lesser-known hiking routes and scenic viewpoints that shorter trips simply cannot accommodate.
Don’t miss the charming village of Seyðisfjörður with its iconic blue church and the Skaftfell Center for Visual Arts. Nearby, Hallormsstaður Forest offers rare woodland hiking in Iceland and botanical areas that feel completely different from the more volcanic south coast. The winding coastal roads of the Eastern Fjords reveal quiet fishing villages, wildlife viewing opportunities, and far fewer tourists than the Golden Circle or South Coast.
Westfjords
The Westfjords are one of Iceland’s most remote and visually dramatic regions, located in the far northwest of the country. This area is off the beaten path and characterized by deep fjords, towering mountains, waterfalls, geothermal hot springs, and extensive hiking trails. The Westfjords require additional driving time, which is why they are best suited for travelers spending 11 days or more in Iceland.
Access is significantly easier in summer, as many roads in this region are unpaved and include Iceland F-roads that are typically closed during winter due to snow, ice, and harsh weather conditions. Top attractions in the Westfjords include Dynjandi waterfall, Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, and Látrabjarg Cliffs, one of the best places in Iceland to see puffins up close during the summer nesting season.
Because of its isolation and road conditions, this region is ideal for travelers who want to experience a quieter, more untouched side of Iceland.
Highlands
If you are looking to escape the more populated areas entirely, the Highlands of Iceland provide another level of adventure. This remote interior region is accessible only by 4×4 vehicle, as the routes leading into the Highlands are F-roads that require river crossings and rugged terrain driving. Because of this, access is typically limited to the summer months.
One of the most famous destinations in the Highlands is Landmannalaugar, known for its colorful rhyolite mountains, lava fields, and natural hot springs. The Laugavegur Trail, approximately 55 kilometers (34 miles) long, is one of Iceland’s most renowned multi-day hikes. It takes between three and five days to complete and includes mountain huts along the route for accommodation.
Spending 11 days or more in Iceland allows you to include these remote regions without rushing the rest of your itinerary. However, due to weather and Iceland road conditions, these areas are best visited between late June and early September.
Best Months to Visit Iceland: How Timing Affects Your Trip
The best time of year to visit Iceland will largely depend on your itinerary and what you plan on doing while touring. The best time to visit Iceland depends on your itinerary and activities.
Iceland summer offers full road access, milder weather, and the midnight sun, making it ideal for longer trips and remote regions such as the Highlands and Westfjords. Winter is best for northern lights, ice caves, glacier hikes, and fewer crowds, but shorter daylight hours mean trips are typically more focused and slower-paced.
Spring and autumn provide a balance between accessibility and affordability. These shoulder seasons have fewer crowds, moderate daylight, and lower prices on accommodation, activities, and rental cars.
The Best Way to Travel Regardless of Trip Length
The most effective way to see Iceland is by renting a car and driving yourself. Public transportation is limited, and guided tours follow fixed schedules that will have restrictions on how much time you can spend at each location.
Without a rental car, many of Iceland’s natural attractions are difficult or impossible to reach. A self-drive trip allows you to build a custom itinerary, adjust plans around weather, and make spontaneous stops along the way.
There are rental options for every type of traveler, from compact cars for short summer stays to 4×4 SUVs for families or Highland travel. Choosing the right vehicle helps ensure comfort, safety, and access to the regions you plan to explore. Check out our Iceland car rental tips to choose the best rental option for your group.
How Many Days in Iceland Do You Need?
No matter how many days you have in Iceland you can still have a fulfilling experience. With an extensive list of things to do, regardless of how long you have available, a trip to Iceland is an adventure of a lifetime. To get the optimum experience, planning your itinerary and figuring out how long it will take to do everything on your chosen route is crucial.
When you decide what you want to do and see in Iceland and how long you want to stay, it’s essential to book a rental car online and in advance of your trip. In order to maximize your time, you can pick up your rental car from Hertz directly in the Iceland International Keflavik airport arrivals hall at the airport so you can start your adventure as soon as you land!
