Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Reykjavik — Arrival on the Land of Ice and Fire
Morning Arrivée à Keflavík & route vers Reykjavik
Land at Keflavík International Airport (45 km southwest of Reykjavik). Pick up your 4x4 rental — essential for some Icelandic tracks. The road to Reykjavik passes moss-covered lava fields, an already surreal landscape setting the tone for the trip. Check into your city center accommodation.
Afternoon Exploration de Reykjavik — Hallgrímskirkja & centre-ville
Explore downtown Reykjavik on foot. Climb to the top of Hallgrímskirkja, the iconic church whose architecture evokes Icelandic basalt columns, for a 360° panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains. Stroll along shopping street Laugavegur, admire the ubiquitous street art and visit Harpa, the spectacular opera house with colorful glass facades on the old harbor.
Evening Dîner islandais & préparation du road trip
Dine in central Reykjavik to taste Icelandic cuisine. Try fresh fish (cod, Arctic char), free-range Icelandic lamb, or for the adventurous, hákarl (fermented shark) and brennivín ('black death' — the local spirit). Stock up on supplies at Bónus supermarket (Iceland's cheapest, with its yellow pig logo) as dining options are rare and expensive on the road.
Day 2 Snæfellsnes Peninsula — The Arrowhead Mountain
Morning Route vers Snæfellsnes & Kirkjufell — La Montagne Pointe de Flèche (GOT)
Leave early for the Snæfellsnes peninsula (2h30 from Reykjavik). Your destination: Kirkjufell, Iceland's most photographed mountain and the famous 'Arrowhead Mountain' from Game of Thrones (season 7). This is where the Hound has his vision in the flames and where Jon Snow's team marches north. With Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground, the site is breathtakingly beautiful. The mountain rises to 463 meters with a perfect conical shape.
Afternoon Côte sud de Snæfellsnes — Arnarstapi, Djúpalónssandur & glacier Snæfellsjökull
Explore the peninsula's south coast. Stop at Arnarstapi, a fishing village with spectacular ocean-sculpted basalt cliffs and a natural stone arch. Continue to Djúpalónssandur, a volcanic black pebble beach with shipwreck remains and 'lifting stones' that fishermen used to prove their fitness. Snæfellsjökull glacier (immortalized by Jules Verne in 'Journey to the Center of the Earth') dominates the landscape. This is Iceland at its wild best.
Evening Nuit sur la péninsule & Búðakirkja
Before reaching your accommodation, stop at Búðakirkja, the iconic little black church isolated amid a lava field. This postcard image is one of Iceland's most emblematic. The evening light (lasting hours in summer thanks to the midnight sun) creates a supernatural atmosphere. Spend the night in the Stykkishólmur or Grundarfjörður area.
Day 3 Golden Circle — The Bloody Gate & the Eyrie
Morning Route vers le Cercle d'Or & Þingvellir — La Porte Sanglante (GOT)
Head back towards Reykjavik then to the Golden Circle (2h30 from Snæfellsnes). First stop: Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO site. This site has dual importance: historically, the world's oldest parliament (Alþingi) was founded here in 930. Cinematically, the Almannagjá gorge and rocky landscapes served as the set for the road to the Eyrie and the Bloody Gate in Game of Thrones (season 4). Arya and the Hound walk through these narrow gorges between tectonic plates.
Afternoon Geysir & Gullfoss — La puissance géothermique islandaise
Continue to Geysir, the geothermal site that gave its name to all geysers worldwide. The great Geysir is now dormant, but Strokkur erupts faithfully every 5-10 minutes, shooting boiling water 20-30 meters high — a fascinating sight. Then head to Gullfoss ('golden waterfall'), one of Europe's most powerful. The Hvítá river water crashes in two tiers into a 32-meter deep canyon, creating permanent mist and often a rainbow.
Evening Secret Lagoon de Flúðir — Bain géothermique authentique
End the day with a relaxing soak in the Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) in Flúðir, Iceland's oldest geothermal pool (1891). Unlike the hyper-touristic Blue Lagoon, the Secret Lagoon offers an authentic experience in 38-40°C water, surrounded by fumaroles and a small geyser. The atmosphere is relaxed and local. A moment of pure wellbeing after a day of driving.
Day 4 South Coast — Mythical Waterfalls & Black Beach
Morning Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi — Cascades de la côte sud
Take Route 1 east and stop at Seljalandsfoss, a unique 60-meter waterfall: a path allows you to walk behind the curtain of water, offering a spectacular perspective. Just nearby (200 m), the hidden Gljúfrabúi waterfall cascades into a narrow cave — you must squeeze between rocks to discover it, making it a well-kept secret. These waterfalls don't appear in GOT or Interstellar but are South Coast essentials.
Afternoon Skógafoss & épave du DC-3 — Paysages cinématographiques
Continue to Skógafoss, a monumental waterfall 60 meters wide and 25 meters high. Its power and the permanent mist it generates create an epic atmosphere. Climb the 527 steps on the side for a vertiginous view from the top. Then, if you have the energy, reach the US Navy DC-3 wreck (1973 crash on Sólheimasandur black sand beach). This isolated plane carcass in a black desert has been used in many music videos and films and perfectly embodies the 'other planet' aesthetic of Interstellar.
Evening Reynisfjara — La Plage Noire au-delà du Mur (GOT)
Arrive at Reynisfjara, the world's most famous black sand beach. The hexagonal basalt columns, caves and Reynisdrangar sea stacks emerging from the ocean create an otherworldly landscape. This site served as a backdrop for 'beyond the Wall' scenes in Game of Thrones, and its desolate landscapes evoke the hostile planets of Interstellar. Settle in for the night in Vík, Iceland's southernmost village.
Day 5 Vík & Dyrhólaey — Desolate Lands of Westeros & Cinema
Morning Cap Dyrhólaey — L'arche de roche & les macareux
Head to Cape Dyrhólaey, a volcanic peninsula east of Vík with a spectacular natural rock arch large enough for a plane to fly through. From the lighthouse at the top (120 m), the 360° view over black sand beaches, Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers and the ocean is one of Iceland's grandest. From May to August, Atlantic puffin colonies nest on the cliffs — you can observe these iconic birds up close.
Afternoon Canyon Fjaðrárgljúfur — Le canyon secret
Take Route 1 east (1h from Vík) and stop at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, a geological gem 2 km long and 100 meters deep. Its winding moss-covered walls and turquoise river below create a landscape that seems unreal. This canyon, made famous by a Justin Bieber music video, is one of Iceland's best-kept secrets. The ridge trail offers vertiginous viewpoints.
Evening Route vers Skaftafell — Déserts de sable noir volcanique
Continue to Vatnajökull National Park (Skaftafell section). The road crosses Skeiðarársandur and Breiðamerkursandur, vast volcanic black sand plains — sandur — stretching endlessly between glaciers and ocean. These lunar landscapes directly inspired Interstellar's planet scenes. Christopher Nolan chose Iceland precisely for these desolate expanses that look like nothing else on Earth. Settle in for the night near Skaftafell.
Day 6 Svínafellsjökull — Dr. Mann's Planet & Beyond the Wall
Morning Randonnée glaciaire sur Svínafellsjökull — Interstellar & GOT
This is THE highlight of the trip. Svínafellsjökull, a glacier tongue of Vatnajökull (Europe's largest glacier), is the shared filming location for Interstellar (Dr. Mann's ice planet, where Cooper fights for survival) and Game of Thrones ('beyond the Wall' scenes, the Fist of the First Men). Join a guided glacier hike (mandatory with a certified guide). You'll walk on millennia-old ice, between blue crevasses, moulins and time-sculpted ice formations.
Afternoon Randonnée à Svartifoss — La cascade aux orgues basaltiques
After the glacier, hike to Svartifoss ('black waterfall'), in the heart of Skaftafell park. This waterfall is framed by hanging black hexagonal basalt columns like organ pipes — a unique geological spectacle that inspired the architecture of Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavik and Harpa. The hike is about 5.5 km round trip (1h30-2h) on a well-marked trail through birch forest.
Evening Coucher de soleil sur le glacier — Contemplation
In the late afternoon, return to the Svínafellsjökull viewpoint (accessible by car, small parking at the end of a track). The glacier takes on blue and silver tones in the evening light. It's a moment of contemplation before nature's power — the same that Christopher Nolan wanted to capture in Interstellar. Dine and spend the night in the Skaftafell area or continue to Höfn if you prefer to push on.
Day 7 Jökulsárlón — The Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
Morning Lagune glaciaire de Jökulsárlón — Icebergs à perte de vue
Discover Jökulsárlón, Iceland's largest glacier lagoon (18 km²). Massive blue, white and black icebergs calve from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and drift slowly toward the ocean. This surreal site has been used in two James Bond films (Die Another Day, A View to a Kill), Tomb Raider, Batman Begins and — of course — Interstellar scenes. Take an amphibian boat or zodiac tour to navigate between icebergs — an unforgettable experience.
Afternoon Diamond Beach — La Plage de Diamants
Just opposite Jökulsárlón (across Route 1), Diamond Beach is one of Iceland's most photogenic spectacles. Icebergs that left the lagoon are washed back by the ocean onto the volcanic black sand beach, where they glitter like giant diamonds. The combination of translucent ice / black sand / waves is extraordinary. Every day is different depending on tides and the size of stranded ice blocks. Photographers can spend hours here.
Evening Route vers l'Est — Vestrahorn & Stokksnes
Continue east toward Höfn. On the way, stop at Vestrahorn (also called Stokksnes), a dramatic 454-meter mountain reflected in the wet black sand. While not used in GOT or Interstellar, Vestrahorn is often cited as Iceland's most cinematic landscape — it looks like another planet. Access is through Viking Café (paid entry). Spend the night in Höfn.
Day 8 Road North — Eastern Fjords & Dettifoss
Morning Fjords de l'Est — Route panoramique vers Egilsstaðir
Take Route 1 north through the Eastern Fjords, Iceland's wildest and least visited region. The road winds between deep fjords, steep mountains and isolated fishing villages. Landscapes are grandiose and you'll encounter very few tourists. Stop at Djúpivogur, a charming port village with giant stone eggs (Eggin í Gleðivík sculpture). Continue to Egilsstaðir, the east's 'capital' (5,000 inhabitants).
Afternoon Dettifoss — La cascade la plus puissante d'Europe (Interstellar)
From Egilsstaðir, take Route 862 to Dettifoss (2h). This colossal waterfall is Europe's most powerful: 193 m³ of water per second plunge into a 44-meter deep canyon. Dettifoss was used in the opening scene of 'Prometheus' (Ridley Scott), and its primordial atmosphere recalls Interstellar's extraterrestrial landscapes. The roar is deafening and the spray is visible for kilometers. Upstream, don't miss Selfoss, smaller but equally photogenic.
Evening Arrivée à Mývatn — Le territoire des Sauvageons
Reach the Lake Mývatn area (1h30 from Dettifoss), the heart of Game of Thrones filming in Iceland. This volcanic lake surrounded by surreal lava formations, craters and hot springs served as the backdrop for most 'beyond the Wall' scenes. Settle in for two nights in the area — guesthouses around the lake offer an exceptional setting.
Day 9 Mývatn — Jon Snow's Cave & the Wildling Camp
Morning Grjótagjá — La Grotte de Jon Snow & Ygritte (GOT)
Start at Grjótagjá, a small lava cave housing a turquoise hot spring. This is where the famous romantic scene between Jon Snow and Ygritte was filmed (season 3, episode 5) — one of the series' most iconic moments. The cave is small but strikingly beautiful: turquoise water under volcanic rock creates magical light play. Note: bathing has been prohibited since the 1980s as temperature sometimes exceeds 50°C following a volcanic eruption.
Afternoon Dimmuborgir — Le Camp de Mance Rayder (GOT) & Námaskarð
Explore Dimmuborgir ('the dark castles'), a labyrinth of spectacular lava formations created by an eruption 2,000 years ago. These black lava pillars, arches and caves served as the set for Mance Rayder's Wildling (Free Folk) camp in Game of Thrones (seasons 3-4). It's easy to see why: the place has a supernatural, eerie atmosphere. Several marked trails (30 min to 2h) wind through the labyrinth. Then head to Námaskarð Pass (Hverir), a lunar geothermal field with bubbling mud pools and sulfur fumaroles — a true hostile planet landscape.
Evening Mývatn Nature Baths — Bain géothermique sous le ciel arctique
End this epic day at Mývatn Nature Baths (Jarðböðin), the northern alternative to the Blue Lagoon. The natural hot water pools (38-40°C) overlook Lake Mývatn with spectacular views of mountains and volcanic formations. The water is mineral-rich and the rising steam creates a mystical atmosphere. Much less crowded and cheaper than the Blue Lagoon, it's one of Iceland's finest geothermal baths.
Day 10 Return to Reykjavik — Goðafoss & Departure
Morning Goðafoss — La Cascade des Dieux & route vers Akureyri
Leave Mývatn toward Akureyri (1h), stopping at Goðafoss, the 'Waterfall of the Gods'. 30 meters wide and 12 meters high, it gets its name from the year 1000 when chieftain Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði threw Norse god statues into it to symbolize Iceland's conversion to Christianity. While not used in GOT, it perfectly evokes the world of Westeros. Continue to Akureyri, the 'Capital of the North' (19,000 inhabitants), for your flight to Reykjavik.
Afternoon Vol Akureyri → Reykjavik & Blue Lagoon
Take a domestic flight Akureyri → Reykjavik (45 min, much faster than the 5h drive). From Reykjavik's domestic airport, head to the Blue Lagoon (near Keflavík airport, 45 min). This world-famous geothermal spa, with its milky blue silica-rich water at 39°C, is the perfect ending to this road trip. Relax in the pools while reflecting on the glaciers, volcanoes and filming locations that marked these 10 extraordinary days.
Evening Dernière soirée & départ — Bless bless, Ísland
Head to Keflavík Airport for your international flight (the Blue Lagoon is ideally located between Reykjavik and the airport, 20 min away). If your flight is next morning, spend a final evening in Reykjavik for a farewell dinner. This trip will have taken you from King's Landing's streets to Interstellar's glaciers, from Jon Snow's cave to the Wildlings' lava camps. Iceland is a country like no other — and one that stays in your memory long after you return. Bless bless (goodbye in Icelandic)!