Ten days in Iceland fit Reykjavik, Þingvellir National Park, the hot springs around Flúðir and Laugarvatn, and the south coast from Seljalandsfoss to Vík, with Reykjavik as the first base. Addresses and sights are easy to find along this route, but driving times between stops aren’t given, so leave room in each day and keep the city’s parking rules in mind from the first morning.
At a glance
- Recommended length: 10 days
- Start: Reykjavik
- Hot springs: Sky Lagoon, Fontana, Secret Lagoon
- South coast stops: Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Dyrhólaey, Vík
- Campsites: around 200 registered, most open from the beginning of June to the end of August or mid-September
- Lodging tax: 800 kr. per unit for hotels and guesthouses, 400 kr. for campsites
Is 10 days enough in Iceland?
Ten days cover the capital, Þingvellir, two hot springs outside the city and a full stretch of the south coast. That is enough for a first visit, with a day each for the big stops and a spare day in Vík.
With one more day, add the National Museum’s second site at Keldur á Rangárvöllum, in Hella, or give Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon a day of its own. The canyon is about 98 feet (30 meters) deep and about 1.2 miles (two kilometers) long.
With one day less, drop Sky Lagoon in Kópavogur or the Vík museums. The waterfalls and Dyrhólaey are the stops to keep.
When to plan 10 days in Iceland
The climate facts for Reykjavik cover January to April. Sunshine climbs from 0.7 hours a day in January to 5.5 hours in April, and rainy days fall from 15 in January to 12 in April. For a plan built around waterfalls, a headland and open-air pools, April gives the most light and the fewest wet days of those four months. Outside the capital, the campsites that keep to the June to August season are closed in these months, so book guesthouses or hotels.
Where to stay in Iceland for 10 days
Reykjavik suits the first three nights: Hallgrímskirkja, Laugavegur, Perlan and the National Museum are all in the city, and Sky Lagoon is in Greater Reykjavík. For the hot springs and Þingvellir, a night near Flúðir or Laugarvatn shortens the day. Vík works as the base for Dyrhólaey, the canyon and the two museums.
Most campsites are open from the beginning of June to the end of August or mid-September. The Grindavík campsite is open from mid-March into November. Camping outside organised campsites in tent trailers, tent campers, caravans or camper vans is illegal without landowner permission. A traditional tent may be pitched for one night on uncultivated land along public routes in inhabited areas. The lodging tax is 800 kr. per unit at licensed hotels and guesthouses and 400 kr. at campsites.
Getting around Iceland in 10 days
Parking rules in Reykjavik matter on the city days. You may only stop or park on the right-hand side of the road. Parking is not allowed on a crosswalk or within 16 feet (5 meters) of it, nor at an intersection within 16 feet (5 meters) of the nearest edge of the crossing lane. At a bus stop, keep 49 feet (15 meters) from the sign.
A stop of less than three minutes to let passengers in or out, or to load and unload, does not count as parking. That covers a quick drop at a hotel door.
10 Days in Iceland, day by day
Day 1: Hallgrímskirkja and Laugavegur
Start at Hallgrímskirkja, both a parish church and a national sanctuary. It is the largest church in Iceland and houses the largest organ in the country. From there, walk down Laugavegur, the main shopping street, which runs through the city centre.
Park once and go on foot.
Day 2: Perlan, Tjörnin and Harpa
Perlan is a nature exploratorium with interactive exhibits on Iceland’s natural wonders. Tjörnin is one of the popular landmarks of the city, along with Mount Esja.
A self-guided walking tour can take in sights from Hallgrímskirkja church to Harpa concert hall, which makes an easy second half to the day.
Day 3: National Museum and Sky Lagoon
The National Museum of Iceland is at Suðurgata 41, 101 Reykjavík. Sky Lagoon is at Vesturvör 44 to 48, Kársnes, Kópavogur, in Greater Reykjavík, so it fits the same day.
Do the museum first and finish with the lagoon.
Day 4: Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir National Park is located at 806 Selfoss.
Park at the Service Center and plan the day around the park alone.
Day 5: Fontana and Secret Lagoon
Fontana is at Hverabraut 1, 840 Laugarvatn. Secret Lagoon, at Hvammsvegur, 845 Flúðir, is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, made in 1891 at Hverahólmi near Flúðir.
Secret Lagoon has three pools: a main pool, a hot paddling pool and a cold pool.
Day 6: Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi
Gljúfrabúi, about 131 feet (40 meters) high, stands on the land of the abandoned farm Hamragarðar.
Day 7: Dyrhólaey and Vík
Dyrhólaey is a 120-meter (394-foot) promontory rising out of the black sand just west of Vík. A small, square, orange-roofed lighthouse, built in 1927, stands on the highest point of the headland.
Finish the day in Vík.
Day 8: Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon and Vík
Walk it as the day’s main stop.
Return to Vík for the evening.
Day 9: Katla Visitor Centre and Hafnleysa Maritime Museum
Katla Visitor Centre is at Víkurbraut 28, 870 Vík, in the historical Brydebúð building. Hafnleysa Maritime Museum is at Víkurbraut 17, 870 Vík.
Both are on the same street, which makes this a good slower day or a swap for a rainy one.
Day 10: Tjörnin, Mount Esja and Laugavegur
Back in Reykjavik, spend the last day on what the first days left out: Tjörnin, a look at Mount Esja and a last walk along Laugavegur for shopping.
Leave time for the return from Vík.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- reykjavik.is (https://reykjavik.is/en/parking/parking-violations), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/frequently-asked-questions), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/afangastadaaaetlun/moya/toy/index/place/seljalandsfoss), checked 2026-10-30
- island.is (https://island.is/en/bilastaedi-og-lagning-oekutaekja), checked 2026-10-30
- skatturinn.is (https://www.skatturinn.is/english/companies/tax-issues/lodging-tax/lodging-tax), checked 2026-10-30
- icelandair.com (https://www.icelandair.com/en-gb/arora/guide-to-reykjavik/), checked 2026-10-30
- thjodminjasafn.is (https://www.thjodminjasafn.is/en), checked 2026-10-30