Iceland 10-Day Itinerary: Complete Day-by-Day Plan

Iceland 10-Day Itinerary 2026: Complete Day-by-Day Plan

A 10-day Iceland itinerary covers the complete Ring Road (1,332 km) plus Westfjords + Snæfellsnes — the ultimate self-drive adventure through fjords, waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches.

Quick Itinerary Summary

A 10-day Iceland itinerary covers the complete Ring Road (1,332 km) plus Westfjords + Snæfellsnes — the ultimate self-drive adventure through fjords, waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches.

10

Days

10

Day Plans

2026

Updated

Iceland 10-Day Itinerary: Day-by-Day Plan

Day 1

Reykjavík + Blue Lagoon

Land Keflavík, soak at Blue Lagoon (book 60+ days ahead), drive to Reykjavík. Hallgrímskirkja + Harpa + Laugavegur dinner.

Daily spend: $140-200/dayNote: Blue Lagoon $90

Day 2

Golden Circle (Þingvellir + Geysir + Gullfoss)

Self-drive Golden Circle 250km. Þingvellir National Park (tectonic plates), Strokkur geyser, Gullfoss waterfall. Stay Selfoss.

Daily spend: $130-190/dayNote: Free entry

Day 3

South Coast (Seljalandsfoss + Skógafoss + Vík)

Walk behind Seljalandsfoss, 60m Skógafoss, Reynisfjara black sand beach + basalt columns. Stay Vík.

Daily spend: $130-200/dayNote: Watch sneaker waves

Day 4

Jökulsárlón + Diamond Beach + Höfn

Glacier lagoon + icebergs on black beach (best in Iceland). Drive to Höfn (langoustine capital).

Daily spend: $150-220/dayNote: Boat tour $50

Day 5

East Fjords + Egilsstaðir

Scenic east fjord drive — quiet, dramatic, fewer tourists. Stay Egilsstaðir.

Daily spend: $120-180/dayNote: Slowest day

Day 6

Mývatn Lake + Dettifoss

Geothermal Mývatn area — pseudocraters + Hverir mud pots + Dettifoss (Europe’s most powerful waterfall). Stay Akureyri.

Daily spend: $130-190/dayNote: Mývatn Baths $50

Day 7

Akureyri + Húsavík Whale Watching

Akureyri (Iceland’s 2nd city). Húsavík whale watching (75 min away, 98% sighting rate).

Daily spend: $140-200/dayNote: Whale tour $90

Day 8

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

“Iceland in miniature” — Kirkjufell mountain, black church Búðir, Snæfellsjökull volcano. Stay Stykkishólmur.

Daily spend: $130-190/dayNote: Photographer’s heaven

Day 9

Westfjords (Látrabjarg cliffs + Dynjandi)

Remote dramatic fjords. Látrabjarg puffin cliffs + Dynjandi waterfall (Iceland’s most beautiful).

Daily spend: $140-200/dayNote: Long drive day

Day 10

Return Reykjavík + Departure

Drive back to Reykjavík (5-6 hrs). Last shopping + dinner. Fly home from Keflavík.

Daily spend: $120-180/dayNote: Buy lopapeysa sweater

Budget Breakdown

Style | Daily | Total Trip Cost
Budget | $120/day | $1,200 + $700 car rental
Mid-Range | $200/day | $2,000 + $900 4WD
Luxury | $500/day | $5,000 + $1,500 SUV

Pro Tips for this itinerary:

Book ALL accommodation 6+ months ahead (limited beds outside Reykjavík)

Check road.is daily for road closures (F-roads closed Oct-Jun)

Northern Lights season Sep-Apr (peak Oct-Feb)

Midnight sun May-July — no headlamps needed

Bring waterproof + windproof layers ALWAYS

Don’t flush toilet paper in mountain huts — bin it

Planning your Iceland trip? See our Iceland travel guide, visa requirements, trip cost, packing list, or the Ultimate Bucket List.

Iceland 10-Day Itinerary FAQ

How much does 10 days in Iceland cost?

Mid-range $3,500-5,500 USD per person including flights + car. Budget $2,300-3,500. Luxury $7,000+.

Is 10 days enough for Ring Road + Westfjords?

Yes — Ring Road alone is 7 days. Adding Westfjords + Snæfellsnes uses 3 more days. Pace is intense but covers all highlights.

Best time for 10-day Iceland trip?

June-August for accessible F-roads + midnight sun + open campsites. September for Northern Lights + fewer crowds.

Do you need 4WD for Ring Road?

No for Ring Road itself (paved). YES for F-roads (highlands), Westfjords (some gravel), winter driving.

Best Iceland itinerary order — clockwise or counterclockwise?

Clockwise (south first) lets you save best (East Fjords + Snæfellsnes) for end. Most tour buses go counterclockwise — counterprogram.