Trying to figure out how many days in Iceland is enough? This guide breaks down the ideal trip length based on what you want to see and do—so you can make the most of your time in this incredible country!
Planning a trip to Iceland but not sure how long to stay? You’re not alone! With its otherworldly landscapes, dramatic waterfalls, and endless outdoor adventures, Iceland is the kind of place where you could spend months exploring and still not see it all.
So this begs the question…
How many days do you need in Iceland?
The short answer: Ideally, 7–9 days will give you enough time to see Iceland’s highlights, from the Golden Circle to the South Coast, and even venture further along the Ring Road.
The long(er) answer: The perfect trip length depends on what you want to see and do. Whether you’re planning a quick stopover in Reykjavik or a full road trip around Ring Road, your itinerary will look very different based on your travel style, time of year, and how much ground you want to cover.
But don’t worry—we’re here to give you the rundown on how many days you should spend for various activities like seeing the iconic Golden Circle or driving the entire Ring Road.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how many days you need in Iceland based on what you want to see and do. From quick stopovers in Reykjavik to full-on road trips around the island, we’ll help you make the most of your time in this breathtaking country.
Our Experience: Why trust us?
We’ve explored Iceland on multiple trips during different seasons giving us firsthand experience with different trip lengths and travel styles.
Our first visit was a weeklong camping road trip along the stunning southern coast. Later, we returned for a longer campervan adventure, driving the entire Ring Road and uncovering even more of Iceland’s hidden gems.
We’ve also visited in winter on multi-day stopovers, basing ourselves in Reykjavik and exploring nearby attractions like the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon.
We’ve learned how to maximize every trip—and now we’re sharing our insights to help you plan yours!
Article contents
How many days in Iceland is enough?
After visiting Iceland multiple times on very different trips, we’d suggest spending a minimum of one week in Iceland to give yourself a good taste of what this beautiful country has to offer. In our opinion, 2-3 weeks is ideal if you can swing that much time.
That said, we do have some suggestions based on what you want to explore:
Reykjavik & the Blue Lagoon: 3-day stopover
You could spend as little as 1 day in Reykjavik and see a majority of the main sites and landmarks around downtown. In fact, many people visit Reykjavik during a stopover (free stopovers offered by Iceland Air!) so you won’t be disappointed even if you’re working on a time crunch.
Two to three days will give you more time to explore outside of downtown and many of the fun things to do in Reykjavik, including the iconic Blue Lagoon.
Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon & the Golden Circle: 5 days
Spending 5 days in Iceland will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the city of Reykjavik, join a guided tour, see the Blue Lagoon and even make a day trip to the Golden Circle.
The Golden Circle & South Coast to Vik: 7-9 days
If you only have 7 days for your trip, you’re in luck: we have a one-week itinerary that is perfect for first-time visitors! It includes driving the iconic Golden Circle and seeing the highlights of the South Coast.
Bonus: If you have a full 9 days, you can add a day exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula!
Ring Road: 10 days (minimum) to 2 weeks
We’d highly recommend allocating at least 10 days to driving the Ring Road.
While you can certainly do it with less time and still see some of the major attractions along the way, it will likely feel rushed and you will have to pass by some pretty spectacular places.
If you have two full weeks, even better! You’ll have more flexibility to enjoy Iceland’s stunning landscapes without constantly being on the move. Personally, we think the beauty of this route is getting to explore some lesser-known spots and being able to take your time along the way.
Perfect done-for-you Iceland itinerary
Want to skip the stress of trip planning?
Planning a trip to Iceland can feel overwhelming—there’s so much to see, and it’s easy to miss hidden gems if you don’t know where to look. That’s why we created our done-for-you Iceland Southern Coast Itinerary—so you can spend less time researching and more time soaking in Iceland’s epic landscapes.
This 7–9 day itinerary takes you along Iceland’s breathtaking Southern Coast, blending adventure with a touch of luxury. You’ll visit iconic sights like Skogafoss and Diamond Beach, plus off-the-beaten-path spots most tourists miss (like a hidden waterfall that’s one of our all-time favorites!).
With detailed daily plans, insider tips, driving directions, and hand-picked stays, this guide takes the guesswork out of planning so you can experience Iceland stress-free.
Grab your itinerary here and start planning your dream trip!
Best time to visit Iceland
This is sort of a loaded question as the answer will depend entirely on your personal travel style and reasons for visiting Iceland.
If hiking, warmer temperatures, whale watching or road tripping are on your to-do list, you’ll want to visit Iceland during the spring and summer months. Especially if you are planning to rent a car and do some driving!
If you are hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, want to experience sunrise at a reasonable hour, or just want to avoid the crowds, you’ll want to visit during the fall or winter months.
We put together an entire article that goes over what to expect in each season and how to decide which is best for you. Find out the best time to visit Iceland for your personal travel needs.
Plan your trip to Iceland
We have TONS of resources on travel in Iceland and how to make the most out of your trip. Check out our Iceland Homepage for all the answers to your most burning questions, or read some of our favorite articles below.
- Check out all of our top recommendations for things to do in Iceland.
- Read up on Icelandic foods so you know what to try and what to skip.
- Get a complete cost breakdown for your Iceland trip and follow our sneaky budget tips to save money!
- Save this list of cool Iceland Airbnbs for when you’re ready to book your accommodation.
- And don’t forget camping in Iceland is one of the best ways to save money!
- You’ll want to keep this guide handy if you plan on driving Iceland’s Golden Circle.
- Read up on all the actually cool things to do in Reykjavik.
- Be sure to download these essential Iceland travel apps before your trip!
Don’t miss your chance to grab our Iceland packing list!
Click the banner to download our complete packing list for Iceland! It’s packed with good suggestions and insider tips to help plan your Iceland trip.
And it’s completely FREE, so why not!?
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We want to hear from you!
Do you have more questions about how much time to spend in Iceland? Leave your comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!