Iceland: Itineraries

Long Weekend Fly into Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and stop by the Blue Lagoon en route to Reykjavik. Spend your days hitting up the city’s museums and attractions and shopping along Laugavegur. If you have time, bike out to the Grótta Lighthouse or book a whale- and puffin-watching tour.

One Week Spend 3 days in Reykjavik and 4 days following the Golden Circle northwest of the city and back down to the South Shore route along the Ring Road, visiting as many waterfalls and glaciers as possible. Leave at least a half-day for soaking in the Blue Lagoon.

Two Weeks Iceland is so small that you can easily travel its perimeter in two weeks (the main highway spans around 830 miles). Start with 3 days in Reykjavik, then follow the Ring Road along the South Shore, past Vatnajökull, up along the east coast and back along the northern border. You’ll find hotels in most small towns along the entire route. If you’re particularly adventurous, you can set up camp or crash in any of the emergency huts located along the way (they’re highlighted on any map from the tourist office).