Iceland is one of the most otherworldly places in Europe — a volcanic island where you can walk between tectonic plates, swim in geothermal rivers and see the northern lights above a glacier all in the same week. Five days is the minimum to experience the main attractions without rushing. This itinerary follows the Ring Road south and east from Reykjavík, returning via the Blue Lagoon.
Day 1 — Reykjavík
Arrive and acclimatise in Reykjavík, Iceland's compact capital. Walk to Hallgrímskirkja, the rocket-shaped Lutheran church, and take the lift to the tower for a 360-degree view over the city and the bay. The National Museum of Iceland on Suðurgata covers the full sweep of Icelandic history from settlement to the present. In the evening, eat on Laugavegur — the main street — then walk along the Seltjarnarnes peninsula at dusk; in summer it never gets fully dark.
Day 2 — The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle covers three major sites within a 300km loop east of Reykjavík: Þingvellir National Park (a UNESCO site where you can walk in the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates), the Geysir geothermal area (where Strokkur erupts every five to ten minutes), and Gullfoss — a double-tiered waterfall that drops 32 metres into a canyon. Rent a car or book a guided day tour. If you rent independently, add Kerið volcanic crater to the loop on the way back — it takes 30 minutes and is worth the detour.
Day 3 — South Coast to Vík
Drive east along Route 1. The first stop is Seljalandsfoss — a waterfall you can walk behind (bring waterproofs). A kilometre further, Skógafoss is wider and just as spectacular. Continue to the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, made famous by the 2010 eruption that grounded European air traffic. The Reynisfjara black-sand beach near Vík is one of the most dramatic beaches in the world — black basalt columns, sea stacks and waves that can be genuinely dangerous. Stay overnight in Vík or the nearby farmhouses for a chance at northern lights in autumn and winter.
Day 4 — Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Drive east to Jökulsárlón — Iceland's most spectacular natural sight. Icebergs calved from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier drift across the lagoon and out to sea, where they wash up on the 'Diamond Beach' as clear blocks of ice on black sand. Take an amphibious boat tour on the lagoon itself — it gets you close to the icebergs and the seals that rest on them. Skaftafell Nature Reserve, an hour west, has excellent glacier hiking on the Svínafellsjökull glacier.
Day 5 — Blue Lagoon and departure
Drive back west on Route 1. The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is 50 minutes from Keflavík airport, making it a perfect final day stop on the way to a late-afternoon or evening flight. Book well in advance — the Blue Lagoon sells out and entry must be pre-booked. The Comfort tier includes a silica mud mask and a towel; the Premium tier adds a bathrobe, Prosecco and a table at the in-water bar. Arrive at least three hours before your flight to allow for the soak, the drive and check-in.
Practical tips: driving and seasons
A 4WD is recommended year-round; in winter, F-roads (highland routes) are closed and conditions on the Ring Road can change within hours. Summer (June–August) brings near-24-hour daylight — the midnight sun is extraordinary, but you will not see the northern lights. Northern lights season runs from September to April; the best conditions are clear skies away from city light pollution, ideally two to three nights into a clear weather window. Check the Icelandic Met Office aurora forecast daily.
