Like this trip? Copy it in one click
Duplicate and make it yours
A 12-day Icelandic self-drive trip focusing on the South Coast, highlands (guided), and the Golden Circle, arriving mid-July.
An Iceland trip expert planned this 12-day route for a real client's July trip: South Coast, the Highlands and the Westman Islands. It passed our checks for daily driving, highland roads and season, which is why it is one of the 177 expert-built plans in our Iceland itineraries.
The day-by-day plan below has every stop, with photos and what to see. Duplicate it to set your own dates, change the pace or swap stops; the original stays as the expert wrote it.
Open any day for the full plan — stops, drives, and where to stay.
Late arrival at 18:45.
Car pick up, grocery shopping.
Took ferry from Landeyjahöfn to Vestmannaeyjar.
Trip to Landmannalaugar with two options provided in itinerary.
Lava show is a cultural/exhibition experience.
Early start for glacier walk.
Visiting canyon near Vik.
Returning to Hella for stay.
Guided tour to Thorsmork.
Full day in Golden Circle.
Heading towards Borgranes.
End of trip.
Each stop below has a full guide on iceland-trip.com, our sister site written by the same team: how to get there, parking, seasons and what to expect.
Reykjadalur Hot Spring: 2 Hikes to Iceland’s Thermal RiverHike to Reykjadalur's natural hot river. Discover how to find the perfect soak temp, navigate the 3km mountain trail, and bathe safely in Iceland's Steam Valley.Golden Circle · Read the guide
Kerið Crater: The Golden Circle Volcanic LakeKerið is a 3,000-year-old volcanic crater you can actually walk into. Discover the geology, the vivid turquoise lake, and how to visit this Golden Circle highlight.Golden Circle · Read the guide
Hella & HvolsvöllurHella and Hvolsvöllur guide: South Iceland towns, the LAVA centre, Njáls saga links and Katla UNESCO Global Geopark.South Iceland · Read the guide
Heimaey (Westman Islands)Discover Heimaey in Iceland's Westman Islands. Plan your ferry, find the best puffin viewpoints, hike Eldfell volcano and explore the island's attractions.South Iceland · Read the guide
SigöldugljúfurSigöldugljúfur is a highland canyon with waterfalls above turquoise water. Learn about the F-road access, fords and rim viewpoint before a summer visit.Highlands · Read the guide
Seljalandsfoss WaterfallVisit Seljalandsfoss in Iceland. Learn how to walk behind the waterfall, explore nearby Gljúfrabúi, check parking fees and avoid the crowds.South Iceland · Read the guideAlso on iceland-trip.com: Kvernufoss · Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon · Skaftafell · Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon · Fjallsárlón · Svínafellsjökull · Þakgil (Thakgil) Canyon · Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach · Dyrhólaey · Skógafoss · Thorsmork Travel Guide · Geysir Geothermal Area · Gullfoss Waterfall · Snowmobile on Langjokull · Þingvellir National Park: Parking, Walks & Visiting Tips · Hraunfossar and Barnafoss: Visitor guide · Sky Lagoon
12 days Expert-builtOvernights in Selfoss, Vík, Egilsstaðir and Akureyri, with Forest Lagoon, Petra's Stone Collection and Rauðhólar on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real June trip.
12 days Expert-builtOvernights in Vík and Akureyri, with Gjáin, Hengifoss and Sky Lagoon on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real August trip.
12 days Expert-builtOvernights in Höfn, Egilsstaðir and Akureyri, with Heiðmörk, Barnafoss and Hveravellir on the way. Planned by an Iceland expert for a real July trip.
Duplicate this itinerary, tell us your dates and travel style — we'll save a personalized version to your account that you can edit freely.