The capital
Almost every trip starts in Reykjavík, a small, colourful capital of geothermal pools, harbour restaurants, galleries and live music, about forty five minutes from Keflavík Airport.
The classic day trips
The Golden Circle links Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot spring area and Gullfoss waterfall in one easy loop from Reykjavík, with greenhouses, farms and warm pools along the way.
The south
The South Coast is Iceland's postcard: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, glacier walks at Sólheimajökull, the black sand of Reynisfjara by Vík and, further east, the icebergs of Jökulsárlón.
The west
The Snæfellsnes peninsula packs lava fields, a glacier capped volcano, fishing villages and Kirkjufell mountain into a two hour drive from the capital.
The north
Akureyri and the north brings Iceland's friendliest second city, whale watching from Húsavík, the volcanic landscapes of Lake Mývatn and the thundering Dettifoss.
Putting it together
A classic week pairs Reykjavík with the Golden Circle and the South Coast. Ten days adds Snæfellsnes or a flight north, and two weeks lets you loop the whole Ring Road in summer. Use the places to visit list and the free trip planner to shape it.