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6-Day South Iceland Tour | Detailed Itinerary
If it's your first time in Iceland, you have six days, and you want to explore some of the country's most stunning landscapes... you've come to the right place. Based on our experience living in Iceland, these are the best places to visit. What to see on a 6-day route through southern IcelandAn itinerary designed to make the most of your time and enjoy an unforgettable experience.
Imposing glaciers, movie-like waterfalls, geysers, lava fields and impossible mountains await you on this adventure. This route through southern Iceland It's designed for months with long daylight hours (spring, summer, and early fall). If you're traveling in winter, you'll need to adapt your itinerary, as there's not enough time to cover everything in such a short time.
The itinerary includes several easy hikes, so it's ideal for active travelers, but you can modify it according to your pace or interests. The important thing is that you enjoy it. Iceland in 6 days your way.
It tienes 7 days in Iceland It's eating to do this itinerary through the south and on the seventh day of the route visit the peninsula of Snaefellsness or take a tour to Landmannalaugar (only accessible in summer)Ready to explore the best of South Iceland in 6 days? Let's go!
SUMMARY AND MAP OF ICELAND IN 6 DAYS
Before going into detail, we leave you with a summary of the route, map, and then the preparations. before your trip through South Iceland.
- Day 1: Arrival, Reykjanes Peninsula and Reykjavik
- Day 2: route through the Golden Circle
- Day 3: black beach and southern waterfalls
- Day 4: glaciers, glacial lagoons and Vestrahorn
- Day 5: Skaftafell National Park
- Day 6: return and swim in Blue Lagoon
PREPARATIONS ROUTE THROUGH ICELAND IN 6 DAYS
Vehicle rental and accommodation
If you are going to tour Iceland by car and hotels book as far in advance as possible It's possible since the offer isn't very large and the cheapest options sell out quickly. However, to tour the island in a camper van you won't need as much organization, just rent the camper with a good company with a little advance notice.
- Lava – Company of car rental recommended
- GoCamper – Company of camper rentals recommended and with the code viajeros5 you have a 5% discount.
How to pay in Iceland
In Iceland the official currency is the Icelandic krona (ISK), so I recommend you carry a card that do not charge commissions for currency exchangeas the TradeRepublicIceland is already an expensive country, and it doesn't make sense to spend more because of bank fees.
The good news is that you won't need cashYou can pay for absolutely everything with a card, even at automatic gas stations or roadside stands. In fact, it's not even essential to carry a physical card, as almost everything can be paid for with your mobile phone.
ᐈᐈ You may be interested in reading… Best travel cards abroad and not pay commissions (Updated 2026) ✅
What to bring to Iceland
Another key aspect to take into account is the Icelandic climate, famous for being unpredictable and change in a matter of minutesTherefore, preparing your luggage well is essential to enjoy your trip without surprises.
Even in summer, you'll need to bring warm clothing, a good waterproof jacket, and suitable footwear for walking on uneven, wet terrain.
If you are not sure what exactly to bring, here is our complete guide on the clothes for iceland, with everything you should put in your backpack depending on the time of year.
Travel insurance
To travel 6 days through Iceland as a European citizen, travel insurance is not mandatory but it is highly recommended. We have written an article to clear up doubts about why it is necessary and what the differences are with the European health card, with which healthcare in Iceland is not free.
It serves the European Health Card? Read the differences between TSE vs. Travel Insurance
What is the Ring Road
La Ring Road, also known as the 1 road, is Iceland's main road. Its name literally means "ring road", as surrounds the entire island forming a large circle. It has a length of 1.322 km, is completely paved, has one lane in each direction and the maximum speed allowed is 90 km/h.
During this route through southern Iceland, the Ring Road will be the main road you will travel, combined with some detours on secondary roads, such as the one that crosses the famous Dora Circle
ICELAND IN 6 DAYS | Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Keflavik, Reykjavik and Reykjavik
- (I.e. Guest House Pavi
- 🚐 Reykjavík Campsite
This itinerary of Iceland in 6 days It begins, like most trips to the country, in the Keflavik International Airport, located about 50 km from Reykjavík.
If you are not going to rent a car directly upon landing, you can reach the center of the capital by shuttle bus, comfortable and with frequent departures.
In case your flight arrives late, the most practical thing is to sleep the first night in a hotel near Keflavik AirportMany accommodations in Keflavik offer free shuttle, ideal if you just need to rest and start the route the next day.
But if you arrive with time and feel like starting to explore, I suggest you take advantage of the day to visit some of the most emblematic places in the Reykjanes Peninsula, where the airport is located. You can tour the volcanic coast, visit the bridge between two continents, the Reykjanesviti lighthouse and other areas full of spectacular rock formations.
One of my favorite plans in this area is to walk on the lava flow. Fagradalsfjall volcano, which erupted in 2023. The lava is still fresh and the landscape is breathtaking.
To end the day we arrived in Reykjavík where you can take a walk through the center to visit its curious Hallgrímskirkja church, debut in the hot springs with a bath in Sky Lagoon or have a beer at the Hús Máls og menningar bookstore. If you want more ideas, here you go. 10 plans for Reykjavík.
Day 2: Golden Circle Route
- (I.e. Ocean Breeze Apartments
- 🚐 Úlfljótsvatn Camping
- 📍Distance 220km
El golden circle It is one of the most visited areas in Iceland, especially due to its proximity to Reykjavik. Both those passing through and those making a stopover come here. 6-day route through southern Iceland or more. Although it's not one of our favorite areas, it has several stops that are well worth the trip.
Our favorite is the Thingvellir National Park, where you can literally walk between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It's also a place of great historical significance: the world's first parliament was founded here in 930.
The next essential stop is the Strokkur geyser, which shoots out a column of water every few minutes. It is surrounded by steaming pools, hot springs, and other small geysers. Nearby is Gullfoss, one of the most powerful and flowing waterfalls in the country.
If you have time, you can add other stops such as the Kerid crater and Faxafoss waterfallIn this article, we'll give you more details about everything to see in the area, including a very original restaurant inside a greenhouse.
To end the day with a different plan, we suggest a walk to the Reykjadalur hot springs, one of our favorite places in the south icelandThis is a hot spring river where you can bathe for free, surrounded by nature.
complete guide to visit the Golden Circle in your journey
✹ Lee our article with best campsites in iceland and our guide to the best things what to see in the Golden Circle.
Day 3: South Cascades and Black Beach
- (I.e. the barn
- 🚐 Camping Vík
- 📍Distance 160km
We reach the equator of this 6-day route through Iceland with a day full of spectacular waterfalls. This area is home to some of the country's most iconic waterfalls, although there are also many others that don't even have names.
One of our favorites is seljalandsfoss, famous for its waterfall that you can walk behind. Bring a raincoat and overpants, because you'll end up soaked. It's very close Gljúfrafoss, hidden inside a crevice in the rock. Although it's no longer a secret, it's still impressive and is just a few meters from the parking lot.
Just a few kilometers away is Skogafoss, another of the great waterfalls in the south, visible from the parking lot itself. It's 60 meters high, and if the sun is shining, it's easy to see a rainbow at its base. Nearby, and much less known, is Kvernufoss, which can be reached by a 15-minute walk through a small canyon. A quieter gem, highly recommended.
In this other article we leave you more details about these waterfalls and a trekking route from Skógafoss if you want to extend the adventure. → What to see in South Icelanda
For the afternoon, I suggest you visit the Dyrhólaey cliffs, shaped by the wind and the sea. If you travel in summer, it's one of the best places where to see puffins on freedom.
And, of course, the spectacular black beach of Reynisfjara, one of the most photogenic spots in the south. Try to go at lunchtime or at the end of the day to avoid the crowds. You'll see the hexagonal basalt columns, the Hálsanefhellir cave, and the towering Reynisdrangar rocks emerging from the sea.
If you have some time before bed, go up to the Vík Church, at the top of the village. The views from there are wonderful, and you can get there either by car or via a trail from the campsite.
Day 4: Glaciers and canyons, Iceland's most impressive day in 6 days
- (I.e. Guesthouse Nypugardar o Hotel Skaftafell
- 🚐 Höfn Campsite or Svinafell
- 📍Distance 290km or 210km
The fourth day of this route through southern Iceland It starts with incredible landscapes from the road. Today you will cross areas dominated by the glacial tongues of Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe, but before that there are several stops that are worth including in your plan.
The first is Gígjagjá, a rock formation with a cave that, if you look at it from the inside, is surprisingly reminiscent of Baby Yoda. Nearby is the spectacular Fjadrárgljúfur canyon, which you can visit in an easy 10-15 minute walk from the parking lot.
During the journey you will also cross the Eldhraun Moss Fields, a volcanic expanse covered in lush green moss. It's a very delicate environment, so remember not to step on it. There are designated areas with trails so you can admire it without damaging it.
Although you'll pass by several points of the glacier today, we'll leave them for the next day. Instead, I suggest a stop that doesn't usually appear on classic itineraries. Iceland in 6 days, but it is very much worth it: the Múlagljúfur canyonIt's a 7km round-trip hiking trail with fairytale views, ideal for those looking for less touristy spots.
This fourth day of the 6-day route through Iceland we missed several stops in the glacier area because we will do them tomorrow on the fifth day. Where it would stop is in the fairy tale cannon Múlagljúfur, a route of 7 kilometers in total that in my opinion you cannot miss on your route through Iceland in 6 days.
After the walk, the route continues towards Jökulsarlon, the glacial lagoon, and the nearby Diamond beachHere you'll see ice blocks break off from Vatnajökull, float through the lagoon, and end up stranded on the black sand. The contrast between the shiny ice and the dark beach is dramatic, and it changes every day.
As a closing of this Day 4 of Iceland in 6 days, you can stay overnight in the lagoon area or continue a little further to Vestrahorn, one of the most impressive mountains in the country. It's located next to Stokksnes Beach, and its size will leave you speechless. It's ideal for visiting at sunset or early the next morning. If you go at the right time, you'll see a perfect reflection. We'll tell you about it in how to visit Vestrahorn.
Day 5: Skaftafell National Park
- (I.e. Hotel Skaftafell Be careful, there is very little accommodation in the area!
- 🚐 Svinafell Camping
- 📍Distance 310km
From the Skaftafell National Park Several of the most popular glacier hikes depart from here. Several companies offer similar routes, so we've put together an article comparing the options and recommending the best ones. best glacier treks in Iceland.
In our opinion, the 5 hour tour It's the best: you'll have more time on the ice, learn from a guide, and enjoy incredible views. It's a popular activity, so we recommend booking in advance. It has free cancellation, in case you need to adjust your route later.
To those who do not want to do this activity You can take your time yesterday, visit Vestrahorn today, and hike a couple of short trails, which we'll tell you about below.
After trekking, you can rest a bit and try one of the hiking trails that start from the Skaftafell parking lot. The most popular one leads to Svartifoss, a waterfall surrounded by basalt columns that inspired the design of Reykjavik CathedralYou can also go up to the viewpoint of Sjónarnípa, with spectacular views over the glacier tongue.
If you have the time and energy, it's worth doing both. They're short routes, with no steep inclines, and are well-marked. Each route will take approximately an hour.
Day 6: Return to Keflavik and Blue Lagoon
- ✈️ Last day of the route through southern Iceland
- 📍Distance 370km
This last day of your 6-day route through Iceland You can take it easy. If your flight leaves at night, you'll have the whole day to explore further. And if you're flying the next day, we recommend sleeping in a hotel near Reykjavik airport to rest before returning home.
You can start the day by saying goodbye to the ice with a visit to the Svínafellsjökull glacier tongueFrom the parking lot, there's an easy 10-15 minute trail that takes you very close to the glacier. Seeing the ice up close and experiencing the silence of this place is a well-worthwhile experience.
Then it's time to head back for miles toward Keflavik. Very close to Vík, almost halfway to the airport, is one of the most interesting stops on the trip: the famous abandoned plane in Iceland, a US Army DC-3 that made an emergency landing in 1973. To reach it from the parking lot, you'll have to walk for about 50 minutes each way, so allow between 2,5 and 3 hours total for the visit.
And if you want to close your route through southern Iceland In style, I propose one last plan: relax in the waters of the Blue LagoonThis geothermal spa is just 30 minutes from Keflavik Airport. Its mineral-rich, azure waters are the perfect way to end your trip with an unforgettable soak. Of course, book in advance because places usually sell out.
I hope that this day-to-day itinerary with everything that See and do in Iceland in 6 days has helped you plan your route and get the most out of your trip. If you want to continue organizing your adventure, here you can access all our Guides for traveling to Iceland with practical information, tips, and lesser-known places you'll love.
And if you prefer more visual inspiration, check out our Instagram, where we have featured stories with videos, maps, and moments from this same route.
