A rental car is the most practical way to cover this loop, as most sights sit along Route 1 and the Golden Circle road. From Reykjavik, the Golden Circle circuit takes about three hours one way, and the South Coast to Vatnajökull is a two to three hour drive each day. Within Reykjavik, walking is best for the Old Town and museums, with Strætó buses filling gaps. For short hops or evenings out, use the Hreyfill or Taxi Reykjavik apps, roughly $2.1 per kilometer. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is a two hour drive from the capital, best done as a round trip in a single day.
Budget Breakdown
$562Trip total · $141 per day
Accommodation / night
$80
Food / day
$20
Transport / day
$11
Activities / day
$30
Daily total
$141
Trip total
$562
Accommodation is approximately $80 per night. Food includes restaurant meals or street food averaging $20 per day. Transport includes taxi rides or public transport averaging around $10.5 per day. Activities budget set at $30 per day for typical tourist activities.
Explore the rift valley and historical site along the park's main trail starting near the visitor center on Route 36.
Explore the park's trails starting from the Skaftafell Visitor Center on Öræfajökull road. Key highlights include Svartifoss waterfall and the glacier viewpoints, suitable for moderate hiking.
Explore the compact streets around Austurstræti and Laugavegur, focusing on shops, cafés, and landmarks like the Parliament House and Hallgrímskirkja church.
What to order in Iceland, with a fun fact for each
Traditional Savory Dishes
Lamb stew
Icelandic lamb stew often uses meat from free-roaming sheep that graze on wild herbs and seaweed, which gives the stew a distinct, delicate flavor and makes it a beloved comfort food.
Plokkfiskur
Plokkfiskur began as a frugal fishermen's dish of mashed fish, potatoes, and onions, and today it is celebrated for its creamy texture and simple, savory flavors served with dark rye bread.
Traditional Sweet Dishes
Kleina
Kleina are small twisted fried pastries often enjoyed with coffee during festive occasions, their crisp exterior and chewy interior make them a uniquely addictive Icelandic treat.
Skyr cake
Skyr cake swaps heavy cream for skyr, resulting in a tangy, high-protein dessert that tastes like a cross between cheesecake and thick yogurt.
Traditional Beverages
Brennivín
Brennivín is a potent caraway-flavored schnapps famously nicknamed "Black Death", and it is the traditional pairing for the intensely flavored fermented shark.
Skyr smoothie
Skyr smoothies blend Iceland's ancient cultured dairy with fresh fruit, creating a thick, protein-packed drink that became a popular breakfast on the go.
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