5 days, 4 nights · From Manchester
5 days in Iceland from Manchester
A four-night Iceland itinerary from Manchester pairing the highlights of Reykjavík with a self-drive loop of the Golden Circle and the South Coast. Two adults will hire a car at Keflavík to reach waterfalls, geothermal sites and Iceland's famous black-sand beaches at Reynisfjara and Nauthólsvík. Evenings are kept flexible so northern lights hunting can be slotted in when the cloud cover and aurora forecast cooperate.
Published · Costs are indicative, not live quotes.
Trip highlights
- Hallgrímskirkja church, Reykjavík
- Þingvellir National Park (Golden Circle)
- Geysir geothermal area (Strokkur)
- Gullfoss waterfall
- Reynisfjara black-sand beach
- Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavík
Morning: Arrive Keflavík, collect rental car and drive the 50-minute route into central Reykjavík. Drop bags at the hostel and ease into the day.
Lunch: Casual lunch in central Reykjavík — try Bæjarins Beztu pylsur near the harbour or a bakery on Laugavegur.
Afternoon: Climb the Hallgrímskirkja tower for sweeping city views, then walk down to the Old Harbour to see the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall from the outside.
Evening: Dinner in central Reykjavík (lamb stew or fish of the day). Check the aurora forecast on vedur.is; if skies are clear, drive 10–15 minutes west to the Grótta Lighthouse area for dark skies.
Places and stops
- Keflavík International Airport (KEF) — Pass through customs, collect checked luggage and pick up the pre-booked rental car from the airport compound.
- Hallgrímskirkja — Visit Iceland's tallest church and ride the lift up the tower for panoramic views over Reykjavík's colourful rooftops and Mount Esja.
- Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach — Walk along Reykjavík's small golden-sand beach and try the geothermally heated lagoon (small entry fee for the hot pots) — a beach highlight without a long drive.
- Sun Voyager & Harpa Concert Hall — Stroll along the Old Harbour seafront to see the Sun Voyager sculpture and admire Harpa's glass façade lit up at dusk.
Day 2: Golden Circle loop
Morning: Depart Reykjavík around 09:00 and drive east to Þingvellir National Park. Walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates at Almannagjá gorge and view the historic Lögberg parliament site.
Lunch: Eat at Friðheimar greenhouse restaurant (tomato soup + bread) near Reykholt, or at the Geysir café area.
Afternoon: Continue to the Geysir geothermal area to watch Strokkur erupt every 6–10 minutes, then drive 10 minutes to Gullfoss — a powerful two-tier waterfall dropping into a basalt canyon.
Evening: Drive back to Reykjavík (about 1h 25min). Casual dinner near the accommodation; check aurora forecast for a late-evening Grótta lighthouse stop if conditions look promising.
Places and stops
- Þingvellir National Park — Walk the Almannagjá fissure between tectonic plates, visit the historic Lögberg parliament rock, and stop at the Öxarárfoss waterfall.
- Geysir Geothermal Area — Strokkur erupts every 6–10 minutes, sending water up to 20m. Walk the short circuit past bubbling mud pools and the dormant Great Geysir.
- Gullfoss Waterfall — Walk the two viewing platforms to feel the spray of one of Iceland's most powerful waterfalls, dropping 32m in two tiers into the Hvítá river gorge.
- Reykjavík (return) — Drive back to the capital; stop for dinner and an optional aurora check on the western headland.
Day 3: South Coast: waterfalls to Reynisfjara black-sand beach
Morning: Leave Reykjavík and drive the scenic Route 1 (Ring Road) south along the coast. First stop: Seljalandsfoss, where a path runs behind the 60m cascade — bring waterproofs.
Lunch: Late lunch in Vík í Mýrdal — small village cafés serving lamb soup, fish and chips, or flatbreads.
Afternoon: Visit Skógafoss (climb the 500+ steps for the top view), then continue east to Dyrhólaey headland for puffin-spotting and the lighthouse viewpoint, finishing at Reynisfjara black-sand beach with the basalt sea stacks of Reynisdrangar.
Evening: Check in to a guesthouse near Vík or Skógar. Light dinner; if skies are clear, step outside — the South Coast's low light pollution makes for excellent aurora viewing.
Places and stops
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall — Walk the path behind the 60m waterfall — wear waterproofs as spray is heavy. Gljúfrabúi, a 10-minute walk north, is a quieter cave waterfall.
- Skógafoss Waterfall — Stand at the base of this 25m-wide, 60m-drop waterfall, then climb the 500+ steps to the top for views back down the Skógá river gorge.
- Vík í Mýrdal — Stop for a late lunch and a stretch in Iceland's southernmost village, with views over the black coastline.
- Dyrhólaey Headland — Drive up to the lighthouse viewpoint for sweeping views of the black-sand coast, sea cliffs and arch. Puffins nest here in summer.
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach — Walk Iceland's most famous black-sand beach past the Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks and the cave at Hálsanefshellir. A key beach highlight.
Day 4: South Coast return to Reykjavík and aurora evening
Morning: After breakfast, head west along the South Coast. First stop: the Sólheimajökull glacier viewpoint — get close to an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull without a guided hike.
Lunch: Stop in Hella or Hvolsvöllur for lunch and a coffee before continuing west.
Afternoon: Short detour to Kvernufoss, a quieter 30m waterfall reached by a 20-minute walk from the Skógar museum. Continue the 2-hour drive back to Reykjavík for late afternoon free time.
Evening: Dinner in Reykjavík, then if the aurora forecast looks good and skies are clear, drive out of the city for a northern lights hunt (self-drive or book a guided minibus tour).
Places and stops
- Sólheimajökull Glacier Viewpoint — Walk from the car park to the glacier snout viewpoint for a close look at crevasses and the ever-changing ice wall.
- Kvernufoss Waterfall — Take a 20-minute walk from the Skógar heritage museum up a quiet canyon to a 30m waterfall — far less crowded than nearby Skógafoss.
- Reykjavík (Laugavegur) — Free time on Reykjavík's main shopping street for coffee, souvenirs or a visit to the National Museum of Iceland.
- Aurora viewing (Grótta or guided tour pickup) — If aurora forecast and clear skies align, head west of the city to the Grótta lighthouse area, or meet a guided minibus tour for darker-sky viewing. (optional)
Day 5: Departure day
Morning: Slow start with breakfast in Reykjavík. Walk along the Old Harbour or pop into Kolaportið flea market if it's a weekend.
Lunch: Light lunch before heading to the airport — a hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu or a sandwich at the hostel.
Afternoon: Optional Blue Lagoon stop (must be pre-booked): allow ~3 hours including travel and changing. Otherwise drive straight to Keflavík, return the rental car and check in for the flight home.
Evening: Departure flight from Keflavík back to Manchester.
Places and stops
- Reykjavík Old Harbour — Final wander along the harbour front — good spot for last photos of Harpa and the Sun Voyager.
- Blue Lagoon (optional) — Soak in the geothermal milky-blue waters before flying home. Pre-book a time slot in advance. (optional)
- Keflavík International Airport (KEF) — Return the rental car at the airport compound and check in for the flight to Manchester.
Places along the route
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Indicative budget
£2,400 for the trip
Total for 2 adults on a per-trip basis (i.e., £1,200 per person × 2 = £2,400). Indicative only — not a live booking quote.
Where to stay
- Kex Hostel (or similar central Reykjavík hostel) · Skuggahverfi, central Reykjavík (101)
Well-established hostel-style property a short walk from Hallgrímskirkja and the Old Harbour, with private double rooms available — matches the hostelling preference while keeping comfort. Expect a basic but characterful stay with shared kitchen and on-site bar/restaurant.
- Hótel Kría (or similar) near Vík · South Coast, ~190km east of Reykjavík near Vík í Mýrdal
Convenient for Day 3 beach stops at Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara so the South Coast can be done at a relaxed pace without a long evening drive back. A practical mid-range option with on-site restaurant.
- Sand Hotel (or similar boutique Reykjavík hotel) · Laugavegur, central Reykjavík (101)
Boutique property on Reykjavík's main shopping street — a comfortable treat-yourself base with design-led rooms and easy walking access to restaurants and bars. Suits evenings spent aurora-hunting or dining out.
Getting around
Outbound: Indicative direct flight Manchester (MAN) → Keflavík (KEF), approx 2h 50m. Operators typically include EasyJet and Icelandair. Indicative £280–£350 per person one-way.
Local transport: Rental car collected at Keflavík airport for the full 5-day stay; small/compact category sufficient for sealed roads. Walking in central Reykjavík.
Return: Indicative direct flight Keflavík (KEF) → Manchester (MAN), approx 3h 05m. Same operator pool. Indicative £280–£350 per person.