We are strong believers that the only way to truly explore the island is by making a road trip out of it. And we highly recommend setting aside at least 10–14 days on the island to truly discover everything that Iceland has to offer.
Still, most travelers cannot plan a trip that's more than one week. Sadly, work responsibilities and other commitments get in the way. So, how do you make the most of your stay in Iceland with a 6-day itinerary?
In this article, we will give you a variety of 6-day itineraries to choose from based on routes, seasons, and preferences. But that's not it, these will all allow you to experience some of the most-loved attractions and activities on the island!
So, without further ado, here are some of the best itineraries to explore Iceland in 6 days:
1. The Ring Road 6-days Itinerary
The Ring Road is one of Iceland’s most popular routes that, as the name suggests, take you all the way around the island. This way, you’ll get to see and do many of the top attractions and activities. Likewise, you will get a taste of the various and different landscapes and regions on the island.
Although the Ring Road is open all year round, you might hit a few snags in the north during the colder months. You might have to deal with some challenging road conditions and sudden road closures. So, please keep a close eye on the Iceland weather forecasts and the Iceland road conditions and adjust your trip accordingly.
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
1 | Selfoss | |
2 |
| |
3 |
| |
4 | All the things you missed along the way during day 3 | Selfoss |
5 | Grundarfjördur Campground or the town of Grundarfjördur | |
6 |
|
This 6-day itinerary starts with a bang by departing from Reykjavík and taking on the popular Golden Circle route. This route is jam-packed with some of Iceland’s natural wonders and local activities.
Your second day is marked with some of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island. Afterward, we'll head for a quick visit to the famous airplane wreck on one of Iceland’s black sand beaches. Don’t worry, no one got hurt in the crash, so there’s no reason to feel odd whilst taking snaps at the plane.
Day 3 also begins with a walk on a black sand beach before heading to the magical Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. If you have the time available, you can make a quick detour along the way. Stop to explore Dryholaey, Fjadrargljufur Canyon, and hike a glacier at Skaftafell. The latter is now a part of the larger Vatnajökull National Park.
Just ensure that you still leave enough time at Jökulsarlon because this is not a place you want to feel rushed. Day 4 marks the official return back to Reykjavík, and you’ll have a 6-hour drive ahead of you (which is why many spread it over 2 days). If you have missed any stops along the way on day 3, now is the time to play catch-up.
Day 5 is an extraordinary day spent discovering the beautiful landscape of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Your last day will very much depend on your flight time (which we recommend you book late in the day). This will leave you enough time to explore Reykjavík and all its attractions, as well as take a dip in the Blue Lagoon on your way to Keflavik Airport.
2. The Ring Road Alternative Itinerary to See Iceland in 6 Days
This is simply another option depending on how you want to spend your 6 days in Iceland:
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
1 | Borgarnes or Snæfellsnes Peninsula | |
2 |
| Borgarnes or Akranes |
3 |
| Hella |
4 |
| Hella |
5 |
| Close to Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon |
6 | All the South Coast Route Attractions that were Missed on Day 5 | Reykjavik or On the Plane Home |
Day 1 might need to be adapted a little bit, based on your arrival time at Keflavik Airport. But if you arrive early, you should be able to work in a dip in the Blue Lagoon, exploring the capital city and driving to Snæfellsnes Peninsula. You can opt to stay over at Borgarnes or somewhere in Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Day 2 will be spent exploring Snæfellsnes Peninsula. After that, you can either return to your accommodation in Borgarnes or drive to Akranes. On day 3 you will tackle the Golden Circle route and all the attractions and activities that it brings along with it. Spend the night in the town of Hella. Day 4 will differ depending on when you’ll be traveling to the island.
If you’re visiting between May and August and would like to see some Puffins, we suggest that you go to Heimaey Island. If you’re not so keen on seeing the Puffins and you’re coming to visit from mid-June to August, we suggest you explore the Highlands, specifically Landmannalaugar.
Just keep in mind that the Highland F-roads can only be accessed via a 4x4 vehicle. At the end of the day, return to your accommodation in Hella. On day 5 you’ll be heading towards Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon all along the South Coast.
It’s important to remember that you will essentially be doing this route twice. You will be taking the same road back to Reykjavík. So, know that you can mix and match your day 5 & 6 itineraries based on your preferences and the time you have available. On the last day, you’ll need to drive straight to Reykjavík or straight to the Airport, depending on your flight.
3. The best 6-days Itinerary for Summer in Iceland
During the colder winter months, there are many roads and regions that are closed. Especially in the Highlands and the Westfjords. So, if you intend to visit the island during the summer, we highly recommend that you travel through these places. Such roads won’t be available to you at other times of the year.
Taking this into account, the following make the perfect itinerary for 6 days in Iceland during the summer:
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
1 | Vik | |
2 |
| |
3 |
| Hellnar or Olafsvik in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula |
4 |
| |
5 |
| Isafjördur |
6 | On the Plane Home |
This road trip won’t be spent dilly-dallying around Reykjavík on the first day. In fact, once you’ve landed at Keflavik you’ll need to take a domestic flight to Hornafjördur Airport in Hofn as soon as possible. From the airport, you’ll go straight to the magical Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon where taking one of the boat tours come highly recommended.
From here, you can also pop around “next door” to Diamond beach, one of Iceland’s black sand beaches. Just keep an eye on the time, as you’ll still need to drive to Skaftafell National Park in the afternoon. There you can choose between a variety of hiking trails (although we suggest taking the hike to Svartifoss Waterfall).
From there, whilst driving to your overnight accommodation in Vik, you’ll also find quite a few waterfalls along the way. There is a glacier close to the town! So, we suggest grabbing the opportunity and starting your day off with either a snowmobile tour or a glacier hike at Myradalsjökull Glacier. After lunchtime, be sure to visit Dyrholaey that’s every bird watcher’s dream.
You’ll also find a lighthouse there overlooking the infamous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Thereafter, it’s time to take a relaxing dip in the Slejavallalaug thermal pool. Once again, keep an eye on the time, as you’ll still need to get to Reykjavík by late afternoon. This way, you can explore the capital a bit, and you really want to stop at Seljalandsfoss Waterfall on the way.
On day 3 you’ll drive the 300 km loop of the Golden Circle and stop along its many attractions along the way. Once you’ve done the entire circle, you can start driving towards the Snæfellsnes Peninsula where you’ll be spending the night. Start day 4 with a 5 km Arnastapi coastal walk where you’ll be walking across the Budahraun Lava Field with beautiful basalt column cliffs.
From there, you’ll need to drive to Stykkisholmur where you need to board the Baldur Car Ferry to the Westfjords. The ferry usually leaves at 9 in the morning, so adjust your day and schedule accordingly. Once you’re off the ferry, you’ll drive to Latrabjarg, another bird watcher’s dream location. And if you’re lucky enough to visit between May and August, you’ll get to see the Icelandic Puffins.
After that, drive about 3 km from the junction to Route 612 where you’ll find a picnic spot. Treat yourself with a magnificent view over the fjord before retiring for the night. Spend day 5 exploring the Westfjords and then take Route 614 south to Raudisandur, the red sand beach of Iceland.
From there, drive up to Isafjördur where you’ll be staying over (but leave enough time in your itinerary to explore the small fishing village a bit). On your final day, you’ll catch an early flight to Reykjavík. Where you’ll (hopefully) still have enough time to explore the capital before your flight back home.
4. Explore Iceland in Winter With This 6-days Itinerary
During winter, it will, of course, be cold outside and some roads on the island may be closed. Still, the season is turning Iceland into a winter wonderland full of unique natural wonders and phenomena. You just cannot afford not to have the road trip of a lifetime!
The following itinerary will give you the ultimate winter experience within 6 days in Iceland:
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
1 |
| |
2 |
| Kirkjubæjarklaustur |
3 |
| Kirkjubæjarklaustur |
4 |
| Selfoss |
5 |
| Reykjavik |
6 | On the Plane Home |
From Keflavik Airport, you’ll go straight to your overnight accommodation in the capital city. This way, you can spend the day exploring and having a delicious local cuisine dinner. The next day you’ll start driving along the South Coast.
Make sure you stop at Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Skogafoss Waterfall, and take a glacier hike on Solheimajökull. All of that before heading to Kirkjubæjarklaustur for the night. Start your day 3 by exploring Skaftafell and join a glacier hike if you didn’t do on the previous day.
From here, stop at Fjallsarlon Lagoon and the impressive Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, before ending the day at Diamond Beach. Thereafter, you’ll return to your accommodation in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. The next day, you’ll continue on your drive along the south coast.
Ensure that you stop at the black sand beaches of Vik and the Dyrholaey Rock Formation. Visit the Reynisdrangar Basalt Columns, and the Lava Center at Hvolsvöllur too. Spend the night in Selfoss. Day 5 marks the day you’ll officially start driving back to the capital city. To do so, you’ll be taking the Golden Circle route and stopping at the attractions along the way.
Just keep an eye on the time so that you’re back in Reykjavík by the evening. Spend your last day in the capital, seeing and doing the things you couldn’t squeeze in on the first day. And make sure you stop at the Blue Lagoon on your way to Keflavik Airport.
5. 6-days in Iceland Hunting the Northern Lights
Although the Northern Lights is not a phenomenon technically purely associated with wintertime, it does rely heavily on the daylight hours and the weather conditions on the island.
If you plan on doing this Northern Lights 6-day itinerary, we highly recommend that you pick a month that gives you enough darkness (you can’t see light without darkness, right?). That means that the mid-summer months that have 22+ daylight hours each day are out of the question. With enough darkness and armed with the following 6-day itinerary, you’re guaranteed to see the Northern Lights:
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
1 | ||
2 |
| Reykjavik |
3 |
| Reykjavik |
4 |
| Reykjavik |
5 |
| Reykjavik |
6 | On the Plane Home |
Day 1 will consist of you traveling to Reykjavik and exploring the capital city. Book your first Northern Lights tour and wait for the night to fall to experience the spectacular display of the Aurora Borealis. On day 2 you’ll take on the Golden Circle along with its activities and attractions along the way.
We also recommend that you work in a visit to the idyllic Fridheimar Greenhouse Cultivation Center. Here you can enjoy a menu of all things tomato – even the beer! Day 3 will be spent exploring the south coast of Iceland ‘till you reach Vik I Myrdal, where you will turn back to the capital city. Day 4 will be spent in and around the city.
Soak in the healing waters of the Blue Lagoon (just 50 minutes from Reykjavík). Then book yourself a spot on a Northern Lights boat tour departing from Reykjavík harbor. On day 5, you will travel to Langjökull, the second-largest glacier in Iceland. Here you will book your spot on an unforgettable ice cave tour.
On your way to the glacier be sure to stop at Deildatunguhver Hot Spring, Hraunfossar Waterfall, and Barnafoss Waterfall. End your day with a Northern Lights Super Jeep Tour. Your last day will be spent working in all the activities and attractions in and around the city you haven’t been able to get to yet before your flight later that day.
Go on a whale watching tour from Reykjavík Harbor, or shop ‘till you drop on Laugavegur Street.
An Iceland 6-days Itinerary; Whatever You Prefer
Have you thoroughly read through our article? Then you’ll be able to pick the 6-day itinerary that suits you based on your preferences and the season you’ll be visiting the island. If by any chance you can stay longer and take on a 7-day itinerary, 10-day itinerary, or 14-day itinerary, we have plenty of plans available. We’ve even catered to those limited to even less than 6 days with a 5-day itinerary!
If you’ve made your decision, all that’s left to do is to book your flight andbook your car in Iceland! (the latter is extremely important to do in advance if you’re planning on visiting during the busy summer months). May you have a wonderful week here on our beautiful island and a memorable 6-day itinerary!
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