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Route through Iceland in 9 days | Map with places of interest
If you're planning a trip to the land of ice and fire and want to do a 9-day Iceland itinerary, you're in the right place! I'm going to share the best route for you. make the most of the days.
In this article you have a itinerary based on our knowledge of the country thanks to having lived there. It is a perfect route for summer since there are many hours of daylight, but it is also adaptable to winter with fewer stops.
- PREPARATIONS BEFORE ARRIVAL IN ICELAND
- MAP: ROUTE THROUGH ICELAND IN 9 DAYS
- DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT KEFLAVIK AIRPORT
- DAY 2: ROUTE THROUGH THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
- DAY 3: BLACK BEACH AND SOUTHERN WATERFALLS
- DAY 4: SKAFTAFELL NATIONAL PARK
- DAY 5: JÖKULSARLON LAGOON AND EAST FJORDS
- DAY 6: TOURING THE EAST, ROUTE THROUGH ICELAND IN 9 DAYS
- DAY 7: LAKE MYVATN AND HÚSAVIK
- DAY 8: WHALE WATCHING AND DRIVING
- DAY 9: REYKJAVIK AND BLUE LAGOON
Throughout the itinerary you will find links to other articles with detailed information about each place. I invite you to read them to learn much better about everything that this country hides. Are you ready to discover the best route through Iceland in 9 days? Let's go there!
PREPARATIONS BEFORE ARRIVAL IN ICELAND
Before starting your trip to Iceland you have to make some preparations so that nothing is left in the air. First of all, decide the style of travel you are going to do and budget what you want to allocate.
Vehicle rental and accommodation
If you are going to rent a car to tour the island and you are going to sleep in hotels, it would be interesting to book the car and accommodations well in advance since Iceland is a country with limited supply, especially for those with a tighter budget.
If your idea is Tour the island with a camper You don't need so much organization but I do recommend renting the van The sooner the better since in high season there is a lot of demand and the cheapest ones sell out months before.
Money in Iceland
The Icelandic krona (ISK) is used in Iceland, so I recommend you bring one commission-free card. Iceland is already enough carso that you end up paying much more due to the bank feescarbad IAS and/or exchange rates.
Everything in Iceland can be paid by card so you won't need cashBut if you want tocar You can also do it with TradeRepublic at any bank.
Luggage for Iceland
Another important aspect to consider is the weather. Iceland is known for its unpredictable and changing weather, so it is essential that you prepare your luggage according to the weather conditions you might encounter.
Even during the summer months it is recommended to wear warm, waterproof clothing and footwear suitable for walking on uneven terrain.
We have written a very complete article so that you do not forget anything, prepare your luggage with this list of What clothes to pack for a trip to Iceland.
Travel insurance for Iceland
To travel to Iceland as a European citizen, travel insurance is not mandatory but it is highly recommended.
We have written an article to clear up any doubts about why it is necessary and what the differences are with the European Health Insurance Card. Healthcare in Iceland is not free.
🚑 Is the European Health Insurance Card valid? Lee the differences between TSE vs. Travel insurance in Iceland.
What is the Ring Road?
It is knownlike Ring Road carretera 1, what translated means carring, so called because it surrounds the island. The Ring Road is 1.322 km long, it is the carThe most well-equipped road in the country, simple and fully pavedIt's from a carIt has a maximum speed of 90km/h and can be driven in each direction.
The center of the country is known as «Highlands» or highlands and is accessible by 4×4 only during the summer so Most tourists only travel along the Ring Road. Although of course there are many others carsmall loops that you will also use to reach different points along the route.
MAP: ROUTE THROUGH ICELAND IN 9 DAYS
You can enter the map and filter the day to day
DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO KEFLAVIK AIRPORT
Most tourists arrive via Keflavik Airport, located half an hour from the center of Reykjavik.
Depending on your arrival time, you can do more or less things on your first day. If you have rented a vehicle with airport pick up Go to the office of the company in question, some are in the surrounding area but have a transportation service.
If you go to Reykjavík first, I recommend booking the pick-up service. shuttle bus that leaves the airport.
To start your route through Iceland in 9 days in Iceland you can visit some places near Keflavik. The best known point is the very famous Blue Lagoon, although we recommend visiting it on the last day as a final touch. Remember to buy tickets weeks in advance, they sell out quickly.
Through Reykjanes you can visit the Reykjanesviti lighthouse or walk through the laundry Fagradalsfjall volcanowhich erupted in 2022. Not many people visit this peninsula, but in our opinion its volcanic landscape is impressive and it's a good way to start.
To sleep, I recommend heading towards the Selfoss area. If you land very late in Keflavik and choose to sleep near the airport, you can stay in the Keflavik hotels with free shuttle to the airport.
DAY 2: ROUTE THROUGH GOLDEN CIRCLE
Distance 170km
The Golden Circle is the most famous area in Iceland This is due to its proximity to Reykjavik. Many tours depart daily from the capital, and it's visited by almost everyone.
No It is one of our favorite areas from Iceland, but it has some amazing stops that we recommend see in the Golden CircleOne of our favorite places is the Thingvellir National Park, where you can walk between two tectonic plates.
Another unique attraction is the Strokkur geyser which erupts impressively every few minutes. Not far away you will find Gullfoss waterfall, one of the largest in the entire country.
To sleep in this area I recommend the hotel EldhestarIt includes a good breakfast, comfortable rooms, and a jacuzzi. If you're camping, you can stay at the Reykholti.
Do you want to discuss something with other travelers? We have a WhatsApp group that you can join.
DAY 3: BLACK BEACH AND WATERFALLS FROM THE SOUTH
Distance 130km
Of this 9-day Iceland itinerary, this will be the day for waterfalls. The area you'll explore on the third day. concentrates some of the most beautiful and iconic.
One of my favorites is without a doubt Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Being able to walk behind her is wonderful, but don't forget your raincoat and a... overtrousers because you'll end up soaked. Not far away is the Gljúfrafoss waterfall which stands out for being in the interior of a cave which you can enter. You can go from one to the other on foot along a designated path that connects them.
Near Seljalandsfoss, there is Gluggafoss, a little-known waterfall I love it, sign it up!
A few kilometers further on is Skógafoss, one of the most famous waterfalls on social media. It's very easy to access—you can see it right from the parking lot! Its water flow is incredible year-round, it's 60 meters high, and if you visit on a sunny day (morning or midday), it's common to see a rainbow.
Very close to Skogáfoss is Kvernufoss, a waterfall we love but is very little-known. To reach it, you have to take a 15-minute hike through a beautiful canyon.
Do you have more details about all the waterfalls in the area in the following article:
➜What to see and do in South Iceland: Best waterfalls
Continue your 9-day Iceland itinerary by exploring the area of the black beach of Reynisfjara, is a very famous spot that you've surely seen some photos of. Try to go late in the day or during lunchtime to enjoy it without the crowds. This beach is special because it has many interesting and unusual features on a normal beach. The cliff where the beach ends is enormous. hexagonal basalt columns which look like steps that also form the Hálsanefhellir cave. The sand is completely black, the waves are terrible and among the waves emerge the Reynisdrangar rocks.
If you have enough time, I recommend making a stop at the Dyrhólaey cliffs to have a good perspective of the area.
In that area there is route to the abandoned plane of Iceland, if you want to visit it you will have to cut out another stop since it takes about two hours to visit it.
To stay for VII recommend the the barn and if you go to campsites the Vík municipal.
In addition, Vík has a church at the top of the town with beautiful views, you can go up by car to see the sunset or even see auroras at night.
DAY 4: NATIONAL PARK SKAFTAFELL
Distance 140km
For many people this is the area most impressive which you will pass through on your route through Iceland in 9 days. The landscape from the window is unforgettable.
It starts with a quick visit in Gígjagjá, a giant rock formation with a cave that resembles Baby Yoda. You can also visit the canon Fjadrárgljúfur before the glacier zone.
At caryou will see the retera Fields of Eldhraun moss for miles, It is a type of super leafy moss that grows on volcanic rock. It is extremely fragile, please do not step on it.
If you want to do the glacier trekking in Skaftafell You have excursions early in the morning, mid-morning, and at midday. I recommend reading our guide about the best glacier treks to choose the right one.
If you're on a tight budget or not interested in walking on a glacier, there are still plenty of other things to do, such as visiting the lagoon. glacier Svínafellsjökull.
In winter, this area is also visited the ice caves. There are different very similar tours, I I recommend you do it 5h, in those of 3 you spend very little time on the glacier.
You can also go trekking early in the day on the glacier Sólheimajökull, very close to Vík.
In Sólheimajökull they do a tour in which you walk on the glacier and climbing is done for the ice! It lasts 4 hours and you can to take a look.
If you are going to do this route between October and March I recommend you choose an option that includes a visit to one of the ice caves that are formed every year.
I know, too many options. It's hard to choose! But whatever you choose, you will surely love it.
If you don't do any trekking on the glacier or you have a few hours left in the afternoon, I recommend doing one short route in Skaftafell National Park.
You can take the route to the Svartifoss waterfall which inspired the design of Reikaivik Cathedral or the path that leads to Sjónarnípa viewpoint (the one in the photo above).
This area is very popular and the hotel offer is VERY limited, so it is advisable to reserve in advance. One option is the Hotel Skaftafell and if you go to campsites Svinafell it's very good.
DAY 5: LAGOON JÖKULSARLON AND EAST FJORDS
Distance 315km
You have to get up early because it's a day when you spend more hours behind the wheel. route through Iceland in 9 days. Drive towards the famous Jökulsarlon glacial lagoon. Halfway there is Fjallsárlón Lagoon, is located almost at the foot of carIt's a bit of a mess, so it's worth watching for 10 minutes. Shortly after, you'll arrive at... Diamond beach and the own Jökulsarlon lagoon where hundreds of blocks of ice float and sometimes there are some seals swimming around them.
In this lagoon you can take a tour of the lake by amphibious boat, zodiac or by kayak.
Continue driving towards Höfn until you reach Vestrahorn, a sharp mountain at the foot of the beach. The sand here is black and during high tide creates a mirror effect.
After your visit to Vestrahorn and Stokksnes Beach You will cross a tunnel that will take you straight into the eastern fjords, a truly spectacular landscape.
DAY 6: TOURING THE EAST, ROUTE THROUGH ICELAND IN 9 DAYS
Distance 270km
Having lived in this part of the country, I have a very long list of suggestions. We're going to recommend too many, so... Choose the ones that interest you most.
Visit the picturesque town of Seydisfjordur, known for appearing in some films and series. The one herself carThe area is very beautiful and has several waterfalls at its foot. carretera.
If your route through Iceland in 9 days is between the end of May and the beginning of August You're in luck, it's nesting season puffins And one of the best colonies is in the area, specifically in Borgarfjardarhöfn.
In the afternoon you can visit the waterfall Hengifoss, Strutsfoss If you prefer a lesser-known option. If you enjoy the mountains, spend the afternoon venturing into the highlands (a 4x4 is not necessary) to visit the Waterfall Circle, a very cool route that passes through five waterfalls and a canyon.
When you return to Egilsstadir, I think you deserve to have a delicious pizza for dinner. Askur.
Want more alternatives? Read our Guide East Iceland. You won't find any more complete!
DAY 7: LAKE MYVATN Y HÚSAVIK
Distance 275km
We headed north making a stop at the basalt canyon Studlagil. Continue towards Myvatn until you reach the turnoff to DettifossDettifoss, the most voluminous waterfall in Europe, is enormous. After Dettifoss, continue to the Lake Myvatn, one of the areas with the greatest geothermal activity in Iceland.
La Hverir geothermal area is a mandatory stop and if you liked it, also visit the Leirhnjukur about 10 kilometers. Here you will find pools of boiling mud and lava fields from an ancient eruption.
You can't miss the Grjótagja cave, Game of Thrones scene and the fissure of the tectonic plates that are there.
End the day on the coast, specifically in Húsavik, the whale watching capital.
You can sleep in Húsavik Cape Hotel or at the 66.12 North campground.
DAY 8: WHALE WATCHING AND DRIVE
Distance 330km
With some luck this will be another unforgettable day of this route through Iceland in 9 days. Start with a whale watching tour, an unforgettable experience
I recommend you hire it in a traditional icelandic boat. It is almost 100% certain that you will see them, but if you do not see any, the company lets you repeat the excursion for free.
Drive to Akureyri, the most populated city in the country. north of the island. Icelandic cities are nothing out of this world, but taking a walk down the main street and buying something to eat never hurts.
On your way west you can make a stop at the free hot springs of Fosslaug, 10 minutes from the carMain trail next to a waterfall. Iceland is full of free hot springs.
Are you traveling to Iceland in the winter? The north of the country is the best area to see the auroras. We have written a guide about How to see the aurora in Iceland and how to photograph them.
Continue west along the carRoute 1, along the way you can stop to see the rhino shaped rock known as Hvítserkur or the Kolugljúfur canyon.
I recommend spend the night in the town of Bordeyri at the Guesthouse Tangahús. For camping I recommend the Saeberg which has some beautiful Fjord views and a free thermal pool For customers: If your flight leaves very early the next day and you're going to be short on time, I recommend continuing to drive towards Reykjavik to sleep as close as possible.
DAY 9: REYKJAVIK And BLUE LAGOON
Distance 400km
The end of this intense route through Iceland in 9 days is approaching. Unless you have advanced the route the day before you will spend much of the morning driving through the beautiful Icelandic landscapes in the direction Reykjavik. When you arrive you can take the opportunity to take a walk around the city and eat something typical.
Heading towards the airport is Blue Lagoon, if you want to visit these famous hot springs This is your moment, remember buy tickets weeks before.
I hope this itinerary has given you ideas and helped you organize your route through Iceland in 9 days. To read more about Iceland here you can access all articles, or see our featured stories from Instagram. Thanks for reading us!
I'm going to Iceland on June 7... can you give me the service of putting together a SELF tour?