A Flexible Iceland Road Trip Itinerary

Are you the kind of person that likes to have every part of your Iceland road trip itinerary planned out in meticulous detail or do you like to let your plans evolve over the course of your trip? If it’s the latter, then you’ll still want to have an idea of the kinds of things you can do and the places that you shouldn’t miss: appealing locations such as the Golden Circle and the south coast, luxurious geothermal lagoons and rustic hot springs plus, of course, Iceland’s striking black sand beaches, waterfalls and glacier lagoons.

With Gray Line, it’s possible to keep your options open and book many of our tours last minute. Here’s how to explore a flexible Iceland road trip itinerary with scenic routes, hidden gems, and customizable stops for every type of traveler.

What Type of Tours Would Work Best?

 Just because you want to remain flexible doesn’t mean you can’t have a tour shortlist. Let’s start with a recap of the must-sees that overseas visitors to Iceland could include on their road trip itinerary.

The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is a perennially popular choice among travelers to Iceland. The reason why you should take a Golden Circle tour is obvious: because of its trio of standout sites and its proximity to the capital. This 140 mile long scenic route can be done as a loop drive though most people opt for an out and back tour that takes in Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss waterfall.

Thingvellir National Park

At Thingvellir National Park, history and geology intertwine to tell the story of Iceland’s formation and settled history. Here, the tectonic plates are slowly edging apart; as you stroll down into the Almannagjá Gorge the rawness of the landscape quickly becomes evident. This is also where the Althing met; Iceland’s parliament was established in 930AD and is widely held to be the oldest continuously functioning legislative assembly in the world.

Geysir Geothermal Area

You’ll move on to Geysir Geothermal Area. As you cross the road from the parking lot, you’ll no doubt notice steam rising and perhaps hear the coos and woos from the gathered crowd as Strokkur, the site’s more powerful geyser, bursts into life. Don’t worry that you’ve missed it: Strokkur is highly active and performs every five or ten minutes to the delight of everyone watching.

Gullfoss waterfall

Rounding out the trio is one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls. In a country that boasts an estimated 10,000 waterfalls, Gullfoss is one of the most impressive. The Hvitá River crashes over a double step into the canyon below churning itself white as it jostles against the rock and sending a cloud of spray into the air and over the surrounding paths. During a visit you’ll stand right beside it – no wonder it’s such a must on any Iceland road trip itinerary.

Working out a schedule

It’s usually possible to book a Golden Circle tour at the last minute as there are multiple tours each day. Throughout the year, the tour operates at least three times a day, with departures at 8am, 10am and 12.30pm. If you’re keen to maximize your time doing other things, then Gray Line’s Golden Circle Direct excursion is the way to go. You’ll only need to allow about six and a half hours in your schedule to complete this express version of the sightseeing tour.

Travel in peak season and there’s also a 3.30pm tour. This will suit anyone who has plans in Reykjavik in the morning such as a whale watching tour or some of the city’s visitor attractions such as Perlan, Lava Show or FlyOver Iceland. The 12.30 and 3.30pm tours are also ideal if you prefer to avoid the busiest times as most tourists opt for the morning departures.

It’s a great option to kick off your time here as it’s basically a sampler of what to expect from the Icelandic countryside. Also, it’s worth noting that some travelers combine the sights of the Golden Circle with another activity. For instance, you could pair your tour with a relaxing soak in one of Iceland’s premier geothermal lagoons, a thrilling snowmobile ride on the surface of a glacier or even a tasty lunch in a tomato-filled greenhouse at Friðheimar.

Geothermal lagoons and hot springs

Another activity that’s easy to slot in to your Iceland itinerary last minute is a visit to one of the country’s luxurious geothermal lagoons or hot springs. Iceland has an abundance of geothermal energy and as a consequence, geothermal lagoons have opened across the country with the largest concentration close to the capital and along the Golden Circle route.

As such, no Iceland vacation could be considered complete without a soak in at least one of these upscale geothermal spas. Fortunately, with so many to choose from, you won’t have a problem finding a slot somewhere, even if you’re being spontaneous. Each has their own distinct character and vibe, so you’re sure to find one that fits your idea of perfect. Let’s go over a few of your options that can be booked with transfers included:

• Blue Lagoon

You may have noticed a sign for the turnoff to the Blue Lagoon on your way from Keflavik Airport. This iconic geothermal bath was established in the late 1980s to capitalize on the mineral-rich water from a nearby power plant. In the intervening years it’s had a bit of a glow up and has been considered one of the country’s top spas for a long time. Iconic milky blue water juxtaposed with charcoal gray lava make this a real treat for the eyes as well as the body. Find out how to do the Golden Circle right with our handy guide.

• Sky Lagoon

Located closer to Reykjavik, Sky Lagoon is Blue Lagoon’s main competitor and it’s not hard to see why. This spa features a gorgeous infinity edge pool looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean and a fabulous seven-step ritual which will leave your skin feeling revitalized. High end finishes make this a place where you can feel pampered. Yet, as it’s situated on the edge of the city, you can slot in a visit to suit you without having to factor in much time to ger there and back – perfect if you have dinner plans.

• Laugarás Lagoon

We highly recommend this newcomer on the Golden Circle which boasts a dreamy location looking out over the Icelandic countryside. You might see horses trotting past or simply lay back and relax in the soothing, warm water of the lagoon. No detail has been overlooked here and it’s this that makes it such a pleasure to experience. We team it with a tour of the Golden Circle so that you can fully immerse yourself in this delightful part of Iceland before you return to the city.

• Reykjaböð

You’re unlikely to have heard about Reykjaböð quite yet as it’s a brand new addition to Iceland’s geothermal lagoon scene. Until word gets out, that’s good news both for trailblazers and visitors who like to book on the spur of the moment. This complex combines warm water baths, with a spa and sauna in the wonderful Reykjadalur Valley close to Hveragerði. If you know your Icelandic geography then you’ll also know that this makes it ideal for combining with a South Coast tour.

The South Coast

You may also wish to consider the south of the country as part of your Iceland road trip itinerary. This remarkably scenic region is littered with impressive waterfalls, extraordinary black sand beaches – read all about Reynisfjara black sand beach here – and breathtaking views of glaciers and their iceberg-strewn lagoons. For many travelers, it’s the highlight of their trip; our guide to the south coast has all the information you’ll need in one place.

However, to experience these south coast wonders can involve a long drive, and depending on how many days in Iceland you have, you may wish to book a tour rather than resort to renting a car. Even though the country’s ring road is well maintained, in summer it can get a little busy with traffic and outside peak season the weather can make driving challenging at times. It’s best to leave the driving to someone else and fully concentrate on that glorious scenery that you’ll see through the window. These key sights form part of any tour:

• Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls

Jaw-droppingly beautiful, this pair of waterfalls sits almost on the ring road just twenty minutes apart. Each is worthy of a stop. Seljalandsfoss is a staggering 60 meter high drop which plunges down from the cliff into a sheltered plunge pool. Unless it’s icy, you can follow a rocky trail behind the curtain of water and peer through it to the countryside beyond.

Its near-neighbor is equally eye-catching if you’re into chasing waterfalls. Skógafoss is broader but just as tall; set back from the road it often catches the light and you’ll often see a rainbow tangled within in its spray. Tours stop long enough that you can admire the waterfall from the bottom and also climb up the metal steps beside it for one of the most incredible views of the south coast.

• Reynisfjara

This famous black sand beach is located just outside the village of Vik and has long been a popular stop with visitors on our South Coast Wonders tour. A huge cave flanked with basalt columns overlooks a strip of black sand; it has been eroded by the ocean but is still a sight worthy of your time. Offshore, you’ll notice some sea stacks whose craggy form provides an interesting focal point.

Beware, though: you need to keep an eye on the waves too as they can be more forceful than you’d imagine, with the power to sweep you off your feet. Always take notice of the traffic light system that has been installed here because of those sneaker waves and never turn your back on the shoreline.

• Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

If you’re up for a longer tour, then consider venturing as far as Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. To reach this part of Iceland is a five hour drive from Reykjavik, though the scenery along the way is some of the most special in the country and will keep you occupied as the bus eats up the miles.

There are a few glacial lagoons in Iceland but none so impressive as Jökulsárlón. Chunks of ice calve from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier into the calm waters of the lagoon. Take a closer look: seals often frolic here as tourists putter across the lake on Zodiac and amphibious boats. You’ll notice a path that leads beside a channel; the ice bobs out to the sea and is washed back onshore by Atlantic breakers. As you admire the glittering sight, you’ll be left in no doubt how this place got its nickname – Diamond Beach. Hang around a while: it’s also one of the best places where you can do glacier hikes in Iceland.

Team a South Iceland tour with an adventurous activity

Two activities are especially popular combos with a south coast excursion. The opportunity to hike on the surface of a glacier is not to be missed. You need to have a reasonable level of fitness, but you’ll be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide so no prior experience is necessary. Getting up close to the ice gives you the chance to appreciate the detail in its striations and crevasses that can’t be seen from the road.

Other adventurous activities that you can add to a South Coast tour include glacier kayaking, where you’ll experience a tranquil lagoon from a different perspective. You might also choose to do something uniquely Icelandic: take a fun ATV ride to the wreck of a cargo plane that’s been slowly weathered by the elements for more than 50 years.

When to fix up your Northern Lights hunt

After dark, between late August and April, Iceland’s skies are the backdrop to another bucket list activity. Countless off-season visitors arrive in Iceland in the hope of seeing the Northern Lights. Nothing is guaranteed: you need cloudless skies to align with significant solar activity, but if it works out – as it often does – this is sure to be a moment that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. 

Many visitors, even those who prefer to lock in their plans well up front, arrange their Northern Lights tours at the last minute once there’s a better chance of assessing predicted conditions.  If you are hoping to retain a flexible Iceland road trip itinerary, then this will suit you down to the ground, as there’s likely to be availability for Northern Lights tours on the day.

However you intend to spend your time in Iceland, don’t feel you need to have every minute planned out before you get here. Embrace spontaneity and take advantage of our last minute booking for Iceland tours to do what makes you happy. Þetta reddast, as Icelanders say: it will all work out okay in the end.

TL;DR (In short)

With Gray Line, it’s possible to keep your options open and book many of our tours last minute. You can even grab a great deal on our last seats if you're open-minded and flexible. Keep your eyes open for great last-minute prices and try to see at least either the Golden Circle or the South Coast highlights while you're here!