Iceland’s south coast packs waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers and an iceberg lagoon into one road, which makes it the best use of a single week. This route drives Route 1 from Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón and back, with the Golden Circle on the way out. It is a self-drive trip: public transport does not reach most of these stops on a usable schedule, and tours cost more than a rental car for two or more people.
Day 1: Reykjavik
Keflavík airport is about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. If your flight lands early, the Blue Lagoon is near the airport and needs a booked time slot. In town, walk up to Hallgrímskirkja (the tower lift has the best view over the colored roofs), down Skólavörðustígur to the old harbor, and along the waterfront to the Sun Voyager sculpture and the Harpa concert hall. Pick up groceries here, since food is far cheaper in Reykjavik supermarkets than at roadside stops.
Day 2: Golden Circle
Start at Þingvellir National Park, about 45 minutes from Reykjavik, and walk the Almannagjá gorge between the North American and Eurasian plates. Drive on to the Geysir geothermal area, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes, then 10 minutes further to Gullfoss.
The upper Gullfoss viewpoint has the classic canyon angle; the lower path takes you almost to the edge of the first drop.
Instead of looping back to Reykjavik, stay the night near Hella, Hvolsvöllur or Flúðir, where the Secret Lagoon is a cheaper, quieter hot spring than the Blue Lagoon. It puts you an hour closer to the south coast.
Day 3: South Coast to Vík
Seljalandsfoss is the first waterfall on Route 1, and a path runs behind the curtain of water (bring a rain jacket; the path may close in winter). Walk five minutes north to Gljúfrabúi, hidden inside a narrow gorge. Skógafoss is 30 minutes further east: see it from below first, then climb the steep stairs for the view and the start of the Skógá river trail. Finish near Vík, about two and a half hours from Reykjavik without stops, at the Dyrhólaey headland and Reynisfjara black sand beach with its basalt columns. Stay far back from the water at Reynisfjara: sneaker waves have killed visitors there.
Day 4: Fjaðrárgljúfur and Skaftafell
Drive east across the Eldhraun lava field to Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, a short walk along the rim, then on to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, about two hours of driving from Vík. The hike to Svartifoss, a waterfall framed by black basalt columns, takes about 90 minutes return. A shorter trail leads to the Skaftafellsjökull glacier tongue. Sleep near Skaftafell or at Hof, since beds along this stretch are few and sell out in summer.
Day 5: Jökulsárlón
Jökulsárlón is about 50 minutes east of Skaftafell. Walk the shore early before the tour buses, or take an amphibian or zodiac boat among the icebergs (book ahead in summer). Across the road, Diamond Beach is where broken ice washes up on black sand. Fjallsárlón, a smaller lagoon 10 minutes back west, is usually quieter.
Seals often swim in the channel where the lagoon empties into the sea, next to the Route 1 bridge.
Start heading back west in the afternoon and overnight around Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Vík, which breaks up the long drive back.
Day 6: Back toward Reykjavik
The drive from Vík to Reykjavik takes about two and a half hours, so there is time for stops you skipped on the way out. Good options are the Sólheimajökull glacier (guided glacier walks start from the car park) and the Reykjadalur hot river hike from Hveragerði, about an hour each way on foot to a stream warm enough to bathe in.
Day 7: Reykjanes and departure
Spend the last morning on the Reykjanes peninsula near the airport: the Gunnuhver hot springs and the sea cliffs at Reykjanesviti. The area has had repeated volcanic eruptions near Grindavík in recent years, so roads and sites can close at short notice. Check safetravel.is before you go.
Practical tips
Check road.is for road conditions and closures and safetravel.is for alerts every morning; weather changes fast and wind can close roads, especially in winter. Hold the car door with both hands when you open it, since wind damage to doors is a common rental claim and often not covered. Gravel protection insurance is worth considering. Speed cameras are common and fines are high. Many sites charge for parking, usually paid by app or card machine. Iceland is almost entirely card-based, but some fuel pumps ask for a card PIN. From October to March, plan for short daylight hours, icy roads and more flexible days; from June to August, book cars and rooms early.
