A Campervan 5-Day Iceland Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide for the First-Time Visitor

Visiting the Land of Fire and Ice for the first time is extremely exciting. But with all our breathtaking landscapes, spectacular natural wonders, incredible landmarks, and exciting activities, it can feel overwhelming trying to cram it all into just one trip. That’s why we’ve simplified things for you. It might be impossible to explore everything the island has to offer on your first trip. But you can certainly get to see and do some of the “musts” here in Iceland if you follow our nifty 5-day Iceland itinerary.

This itinerary focuses on the attractions and activities along the Golden Circle, a popular road trip route where you’ll find many of our most famous sights, as well as the south coast. Adding to the adventure of it all, you’ll be exploring the island in a campervan! So, without further ado, let’s get into what you can expect from your 5-day trip to Iceland!

Why Choose a Campervan for Your 5-Day Iceland Itinerary?

There are many reasons why renting a campervan in Iceland makes for the perfect way to explore the country:

• It adds to the uniqueness and adventure of the experience. Most of us sleep in a standard bedroom on a standard bed every day of our lives, so a campervan is another type of experience the island can offer you.
• It makes for a budget-friendly trip. Traveling in a campervan is probably one of the best budget-saving hacks you can find here in Iceland. By renting a camper, you’ll have both your transport and accommodation sorted (the latter usually being the most expensive part of any trip). 

You’ll also be able to take advantage of our super affordable campgrounds, which means that you’ve turned a potential $70 to $400 per night into a much more affordable $10 to $25 per night. If you make use of our Camping Card here in Iceland, the savings will simply keep racking up. 

The card that costs only €179 will grant access to a family of 2 adults and up to 4 children per stand at various campsites across the country for a stay of up to 28 nights! If you do the maths, the savings are incredible! Add on the fact that the Camping Card also has certain gas discounts attached to it, and it’s your ticket to a very cost-effective getaway.

• It is incredibly convenient. Traveling with a campervan means that you can be a bit flexible with your overnight stays. Since you’ll be camping (where availability isn’t such a big issue compared to a hotel or self-catering accommodation), you’re itinerary doesn’t have to be overruled by strict accommodation bookings and check-in and check-out times.
• A camper allows you to go camping without “roughing” it. You’ll have all the creature comforts you could possibly want and need – even another level up from glamping!  
• You can have a front-row seat to some of our most spectacular and famous attractions. There are certain camping spots in Iceland where you can open your campervan door and look out onto a glacier, mountain, or lake or be just a short walk away from one of our biggest waterfalls! Camping with your campervan is probably the most immersive yet comfortable experience you can have with Icelandic nature. 

Your Iceland Trip Itinerary for 5 Days

Below, you’ll find a detailed outline with plenty of resources for your 5-day self-drive itinerary in Iceland:

Day 1: Arrival and Exploring Reykjavik

You’ll be arriving at Keflavik Airport, where you’ll also be picking up your campervan rental. Just remember that the rental companies are a ways off, so you’ll need to make use of the shuttles right outside the airport entrance. Once you’ve got your camper sorted, it’s time to drive to your first stop: the capital city of Reykjavik.

Things to Do/See:

• Hallgrimskirkja – A landmark church in Iceland inspired by the natural features found on the island. It’s crazy to think that this remarkable building was the result of a design competition held in the capital city.
• Saga Museum – Explore Iceland’s history, intertwined with legend, with these life-sized wax figures and famous scenes. “Fake” people and a history that reads like an adventure novel make this a great family outing.
• Sun Voyager – An art installation found at the waterfront that makes for incredible photos, especially at dawn and dusk, with the light creating all sorts of interesting shadows on the structure.
• Harpa Concert Hall – This modern architectural gem is home to Iceland’s national opera and orchestra and plays host to many artists coming to perform here.
• Laugavegur Street – This is our big shopping street, where you’ll find everything from clothes and souvenirs to outdoor gear, home décor, and much, much more. With everything this street has, it’s hard not to have your credit card take a punch.

Where to Stay:

• Reykjavik Eco-Campsite 

Day 2: Exploring the Golden Circle

Today will be your big Golden Circle adventure. This route is a 300-kilometer (190-mile) loop road that will take you to some of the most impressive and historical places in Iceland.

Things to Do/See:

• Thingvellir National Park – Not only is it one of our beautiful national parks, but it’s also one of the most important historical landmarks in Iceland. Althingi (hence the name of the park) can be found here and was the first parliament of Iceland, where many important decisions were made.
• Geysir Geothermal Area – This area is filled with all things hot and steamy, including the OG of geysers and the very reason we call them that in the first place: Geysir. Although dormant, its sister geyser, Stokkur, still erupts regularly, launching liters of boiling hot water up in the air.
• Gullfoss Waterfall – A two-tiered waterfall of 11 and 21 meters each that often has rainbows that can be seen through their mist and spray. The name translates to “Golden Falls,” and legend has it that a Viking has hidden his gold there.
• Diving or Snorkeling the Silfra Fissure – The Silfra Fissure is a tear in the earth’s surface where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates push apart. This gap has filled with the clearest glacial water, allowing visitors to go snorkeling or diving, essentially “hanging out” between two continents. As a side note, snorkeling can be done by anyone, but diving requires a valid diving license and sufficient experience.
• Fridheimar Tomato Farm – Exactly what it sounds like. Just remember to pop into the eatery, where you can choose from all sorts of tomato-inspired dishes and even taste tomato beer! 

Where to Stay:

• Geysir Campsite
• Skjol Campground

Day 3: Moving Down the South Coast

Today, you’ll start moving down along the coast through the south of Iceland. This part of the island is especially known for its beaches, waterfalls, glaciers, and picturesque little villages. 

Things to Do/See:

• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – This waterfall is also known as “the waterfall you can walk behind” since a trail going up the 60-meter waterfall allows you to look through its veil of tumbling water over the spectacular Icelandic landscape.
• Skogafoss Waterfall – One of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland, standing 60 meters tall and 25 meters wide.
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – Probably the most famous black sand beach in Iceland. It’s characterized by its kilometres-long stretch of beach and basalt column cliffs lining the coastline.
• Dyrholaey Rock Formation – This rock formation is a testament to the power of nature and time. This piece of land stretching out into the ocean has been eroded away to have a hole in the middle, turning it into an arch.
• Solheimasandur Plane Wreck – A dramatic plane wreck that was never the result of a dramatic plane crash but merely an emergency landing that left all crew completely unharmed. 

Where to Stay:

• Vik Campground 

Day 4: A Glacier Lagoon and a Diamond Beach

Today, the focus will be on the glacier lagoon and its neighbor, Diamond Beach, where you will get some pretty spectacular up-close-and-personal encounters with Iceland’s wildlife and icy features. 

Things to Do/See:

• Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – A glacier lagoon found next to the Breidamerkurjökull Glaciier, where all the pieces of ice breaking off the glacier can be found bobbing and drifting in the water.
• Go on a Boat Tour of the Lagoon – Jökulsarlon is full of pretty impressive sights, such as the glacier and seals lying on sheets of ice or playing around in the water. You can choose from two different types of boat experiences (the Zodiac or the Amphibian) to get you within almost touching distance of the lagoon’s most impressive features.
• Diamond Beach – A beach that’s the result of what’s happening “next door” at Jökulsarlon. All the ice from the glacier and the lagoon needs to go somewhere, and while many drift off into the ocean, others wash ashore at Diamond Beach. The name becomes evident when the sunlight starts dancing on all the ice scattered along the sand, making them glisten like Diamonds. 

Where to Stay:

• Skaftafell Campground
• Höfn Campground 

Day 5: Reykjanes Peninsula and Departure

Today will be spent exploring the Reykjanes Peninsula, a region in southwest Iceland. Here, you’ll encounter quite a lot of the Land of Fire and Ice’s fiery side. Currently, it’s for this very reason that you will need to double-check the accessibility of the area, with eruptions having occurred regularly in Grindavik and the surrounding area since 2023. 

But don’t worry, the eruptions are not like a Pompeii catastrophe. These eruptions are merely lava slowly pouring out from a tear in the earth’s surface – you won’t be dodging projectile rocks and tsunami-like rivers of rushing lava on your trip. At most, certain areas of the peninsula may be temporarily closed during your visit. 

Things to Do/See:

• Blue Lagoon – Probably the island’s most famous geothermal pool. Its warm waters are a bright turquoise blue and have healing properties.
• Fagradalsfjall Volcano – The volcano that’s seen the most eruptions in recent years. Depending on safety restrictions, there are tours that will actually take you to see what such an eruption looks like up “close.”
• Reykjanes Lighthouse – Reykjanesviti is the oldest lighthouse in Iceland, having been erected in 1878. It, unfortunately, had to be rebuilt because of damage caused by an earthquake in 1907, but has pretty much just been maintained since.
• The Bridge Between Continents – This is essentially the drier version of the Silfra Fissure experience. Here, you’ll find a short footbridge of 15 meters “connecting” the two continents.
• Gunnuhver Hot Springs – Gunnuhver is found close to Reykjanesviti, but they’re not the type of hot springs you want to swim in here in Iceland. Bubbling mud pools and steaming vents are at the order of the day here, and if you don’t stay on the clearly marked paths of this jaw-dropping landscape, you can end up with some serious injuries (Ed Sheeran can tell you all about what a misstep in Iceland can look like). 

The End of the Road: Returning Your Campervan and Preparing for Departure

You’ve now officially come to the end of your 5-day Iceland itinerary, and it’s time to head home. This will essentially be your arrival journey in reverse; go back to Keflavik Airport, drop off the campervan at the rental agent, and take the shuttle to the airport to catch your flight. Please just ensure that you account for enough time to do all you have to do and still have 2.5 to 3 hours before your flight’s departure time.

***Please note that although our compact 5-day trip itinerary may have come to an end, you don’t necessarily have to leave the island if you don’t have to. You are more than welcome to look into a few other road trip itineraries, such as the Ring Road, the Diamond Circle, or the Westfjord’s Way, if you’d like to explore the island a little longer. 

The Best Time for this 5-Day Iceland Trip Itinerary

If you’re wondering when to book those flight tickets for your 5-day Iceland adventure, there are a few things we’d tell you to consider:

The Seasons

The roads you’ll be taking with our 5-day trip itinerary are mostly paved and well-maintained and located in the warmer south of the island. This makes it easier to take on, irrespective of the season. But that being said, the weather will still play a role, and if you’re not used to ice or snow or you’re a bit of a nervous driver, we really won’t recommend you visit during the colder months of the year.

Especially not if you would like to extend your stay and explore the island further north, where it’s even colder, with more extreme weather conditions. Instead, plan your trip for the warmer months of the year, which can be the summer months (June to August) or one of the summer shoulder months.

The Phenomena

We have a couple of natural phenomena here on the island that draw crowds from all over the world. But you’ll need to visit the island at the right time to experience them, and you will never be able to experience them on the same trip. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are bright neon lights that dance across the dark sky during extremely dry and cold conditions. 

That’s why the best time to view them is mid-winter here in Iceland. The Midnight Sun is when the sun quickly dips behind the horizon, but darkness never really falls, essentially giving you 24-hour “days.” This phenomenon can only be experienced mid-summer between mid-June and the end of June.

The Things on Your Itinerary

Except for our natural phenomena, there are also a few sights and activities that are restricted to specific times throughout the year. For example, the Iceland Puffins can only be seen during their breeding season from late April till early September. Most of our ice caves are also kept closed throughout the warmer months of the year due to safety concerns (think what happens to Olof of Frozen “in the summer!”). 

Attempting to hike and fish during the colder months of the year also might be possible in a Bear Grylls type of way. But it most certainly won’t be very comfortable or pleasant. So, you’ll need to take the things on your itinerary and Iceland bucket list into account when planning on when to come to Iceland.

Your Tolerance for People

If you’re the kind of person who tries to avoid crowds and usually wants to go to the cinema or the beach when it’s not too busy, then you’ll need to avoid our peak season periods here on the island. This includes the summer season as well as the festive season till after New Year.

Your Budget

If you’re on a tight budget, we’d also not recommend visiting during our peak season times since peak season goes hand-in-hand with peak season prices. If you’d like some of the seasonal benefits of peak season but without the price tag attached to it, we suggest opting for a shoulder month trip.

A Few Essentials for a 5-Day Campervan Adventure

Below, we will dive into a few important things you’ll need to know and could come in handy during your five days in Iceland:

Packing Essentials for Campervan Travel in Iceland

Wondering what to pack for your campervan trip around Iceland? Use our nifty packing list below so you have all the essentials:

• Thermals (underwear, leggings, etc.).
• An all-weather jacket.
• Waterproof jacket.
• Sweaters (if you’re planning on buying souvenirs in Iceland, you can actually skip packing the sweaters and buy our traditional woolen Icelandic sweaters here – they are a bit on the expensive side, but well worth the price!).
• Long-sleeve shirts and t-shirts (this is irrelevant of the season – in Iceland, we layer).
• Informal pants.
• Waterproof pants.
• Gloves.
• Woolen beanie.
• Woolen scarf.
• Woolen socks.
• Informal shoes.
• Flip flops (you’ll use these at geothermal pools and communal ablution facilities).
• Waterproof hiking boots.
• Swimwear (irrespective of season; the hot springs remain a favorite even when it’s winter).
• Towel (we recommend using a quick-drying towel so you don’t end up carrying a bunch of wet stuff around).
• Sunglasses & Sunscreen (these summer items are also essential irrespective of the season or the weather since the glare coming off the watery surfaces or the ice and snow is more than enough to leave you squinting, and you can still get a nasty sunburn on a cold or overcast day).
• Toiletries & Medication (just keep flight restrictions and certain prescription medication restrictions in mind).
• Your camera (if you’re not planning on just using your phone).
• Flashlight/Headlamp.
• A backpack that can double as an outing and overnight bag.
• Electrical appliances/devices (cables, chargers, phones, laptops, etc.).
• Food (you can buy this at the grocery store once here; just don’t stock too much at a time and limit fresh produce so it doesn’t end up spoiling).
• Refillable water bottle (Iceland has some of the purest water on the planet, so you can just top up along the way).

Navigating Icelandic Roads Safely

There are a few things about our roads to consider to ensure a pleasant and safe trip:

Stick to Our Speed Limits

We may not have the same speed limits you’re used to back home, and traffic violations are taken very seriously here. In general, the speed limit in a residential area is 30 km/h (19 mph). In a city/town, it’s 50 km/h (31 mph). On our larger, paved main roads, it’s 90 km/h (56 mph). And our gravel roads are restricted to 80 km/h (50 mph).

Find Out if There are Any F-roads in Your Future

Our 5-day Iceland itinerary is restricted to mostly paved main roads and well-maintained short gravel roads. However, if you’re thinking of exploring the island further, you’ll need to take note of our infamous F-roads. These are the island bad boys of gravel roads and not for the faint of heart. They are uneven, rough, rocky, and filled with obstacles and water crossings. 

They are so challenging that they are only open during pristine weather conditions throughout the summer. The F-roads are mostly found in the Highlands and the Westfjords. We highly recommend you have a chat with your rental agent to ensure you rent the right campervan for the job and have the correct and sufficient insurance coverage.

Consider Getting Sand Insurance When Driving Down the South Coast

Our winds are pretty notorious here in Iceland and don’t make a good combo with sand (which you get a LOT of traveling down the south coast). In these instances, we usually recommend you get additional sand insurance if the rental should sustain any damage with the wind whipping sand against the vehicle. But just have a chat with your rental agent, who will be able to advise you accordingly.

Don’t Park Just Anywhere

It’s very important to note that it is illegal to park outside of a designated parking area here in Iceland. This means no spur-of-the-moment overnight “camping” or taking a quick snapshot of something by parking on the side of the road. 

This is not just for your own safety since certain roads can get really narrow here on the island, but most importantly, to protect our environment and ecosystem. For example, we have a special type of moss that grows here in Iceland, which can take up to 10 years to recover from any damage, if at all.

Watch Out for Road Conditions Taking a Weather Beating

You’ll need to take our weather conditions into consideration and how that impacts road conditions. This can include our legendary winds that can often feel like they’re doing the steering. And, even in the springtime, you can still find patches of unmelted snow and ice on the road. This can make driving challenging and can make the journey take longer. 

Helpful Tips for Your Campervan Trip Through Iceland

The following tips and advice will come in handy during your trip to Iceland:

Always layer up here in Iceland.

We have a saying: “You can experience all four seasons in a day in Iceland.” So, you may wake up to a cold, rainy morning, but by noon, it can be sunny with bright blue skies, and by mid-afternoon, it can be overcast with winds practically blowing you away. The best way to prepare for our fickle weather is to always wear layers. This will enable you to always take something off or put something on as the situation dictates.

Download and Keep a Few Hard Copy Maps With You

It doesn’t matter where in the world you go technology and signals can fail you. What you don’t want is for that technology to be your GPS or have no WiFi or phone signal in the middle of a road trip. While our itinerary is fairly easy to follow, it takes just one wrong turn to go from the itinerary of a lifetime to losing out because you got lost. So, while it’s nice to plan out your road trip in Google Maps or Waze, it’s always good to have a backup plan.

Stay Updated About the Weather and Road Conditions

We already mentioned our fickle weather and how our road conditions can sometimes be challenging. But we haven’t even touched on our harsher weather and unforeseen circumstances that can lead to sudden road closures and derailing planned activities. To stay up to date with the weather and what’s happening on the roads, check out the Vedur and Umferdin websites.

Keep Space in Mind When Packing for a Campervan Road Trip

When road-tripping in a campervan, space will be limited. So, to make life easier and less cramped, it’s not the time to pack various “but what if?” items. If you follow our packing list and even take a few laundry days into account if you decide on staying longer, your campervan space will be neat and tidy, and outings manageable.

Make Use of Opportunities to Leave the Campervan Behind

Many people think road-tripping in a campervan means driving in it 24/7. This is simply not the case. For example, on your first day exploring Reykjavik, you can leave the camper at the campsite. Most things are within walking distance, and if you get the Reykjavik City Card, you can even have unlimited use of the hop-on-hop-off bus services. The same goes for many other spots. You don’t have to feel like you and the camper are always tied to the hip.

Frequently Asked Questions About a 5-Day Iceland Itinerary

Below, you will find the answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions we receive about a 5-day Iceland itinerary:

Is 5 Days Enough to See Iceland?

No, 5 days is definitely not enough to see Iceland. But unless you have at least a year to explore every inch of the island and all it has to offer, you’ll need to discover Iceland in bite-sized chunks.

Are There Enough Campsites on the South Coast?

Yes, there are plenty of campsites on the south coast. Iceland itself has over 100 campsites across the country, with 65 located in the south.

Can I Drive the Ring Road in 5 Days?

Technically, you can drive the Ring Road in less than 24 hours if you never stop or rest along the way, but that would entirely defy the point of road-tripping that incredible route. It’s recommended you set aside between 7 and 10 days for a Ring Road road trip, giving you enough time to explore all it has to offer.

Final Thoughts: Making the Most of Your 5-Day Iceland Campervan Adventure

This 5-day Iceland campervan itinerary is the perfect introduction to the Land of Fire and Ice and all the incredible things one can see and experience here. Renting a camper in Iceland simply makes it more convenient, comfortable, and affordable and adds another unique dimension to your trip. If you follow all our helpful tips and advice in this guide, you’re guaranteed to make the most of your 5-day Iceland campervan adventure and leave the island with memories that will last a lifetime!