The Ultimate 10-Day Iceland Itinerary
Day 1 - Reykjavik
- Day 2 - Caving & Hveragerdi
Day 3 - Waterfalls, Reynisfjara, & Klaustur
Day 4 - skaftafell & jokulsarlon.
- Day 5 - The East Fjords & Egilsstadir
- Day 6 - Asbyrgi
Day 7 - Myvatn
Day 8 - husavik & akureyri, day 9 - husafell.
- Day 10 - Reykjanes & Homecoming
Discover 10 adventure-filled summer days of authentic travel—our ultimate 10-day Iceland itinerary is sure to cater to your highest expectations. In addition to guiding you to incredible landscapes and secret natural gems, this well-thought-out selection of Iceland's must-see attractions covers the Ring Road and more. Read on to explore the best 10-day Iceland itinerary.
Many travelers wonder how much time they need in Iceland. We believe 10 days is optimal to take in a range of incredible attractions and activities.
- Book this 10-Day Summer Self-Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road with a Taste of the Central Highlands
- Join this fantastic 10-day guided circle trip around Iceland in winter
Popular package tours
Scenic 4-day northern lights tour of vatnajokull ice cave, jokulsarlon & the south coast, amazing 5-day northern lights winter vacation package in iceland with ice caving & the blue lagoon, breathtaking 6-day northern lights hunting package of iceland with ice caving.
Other Considerations for This 10 day Iceland Trip Itinerary
- The following is a 10 day Iceland summer itinerary. Take this trip between May and September to allow sufficient daylight hours to see all our recommended attractions.
- You will spend one night in each location, allowing you to complete the entire Ring Road and uncover hidden gems.
- Because the summer months in Iceland are busier, we advise you to pre-book your accommodation .
- Although this is a summer itinerary, you will still need to bring warm clothing to Iceland.
- See also The Right Clothes and Gear for Tours in Iceland
Mode of Transport for Your 10 day Iceland Travel Itinerary
Iceland has no railway system, and although the Icelandic bus system is relatively accessible and straightforward, trips are both expensive and infrequent.
When traversing the country, therefore, we recommend that you rent a car , as it allows you to control your own pace and explore hidden paths and less-used roads where you are sure to discover many secrets.
With the speed limit set at a modest 56 miles per hour (90 kilometers per hour), Iceland's quiet highways provide ideal road trip conditions where you have ample opportunities to marvel at the breathtaking scenery.
And remember that if you do not have the necessary means of driving by yourself, you always have the option of going on a Guided Ring Road of Iceland Tour .
With your sights set on central Reykjavik , where you have booked your accommodation, pick up your car at the Keflavik International Airport . First, drive through the lunar vistas that make up the Reykjanes Peninsula . Here you can immerse yourself in Iceland's spectacular landscapes, spontaneously discovered by simply looking out your car window.
Over 70 percent of the people who visit Iceland make their way to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, making it Iceland's single most popular attraction, and with good reason. Named in 2012 as one of National Geographic's "25 Wonders of the World," this outdoor spa is in the middle of a rugged black lava field in Grindavik . The Blue Lagoon, located 13.4 miles (21.6 kilometers) from Keflavík Airport, has warm milky-blue water and supposed extraordinary healing powers.
Should you arrive in Iceland early in the morning, a visit to the Blue Lagoon would be an ideal choice for the day. The journey ahead will provide you with ample opportunities to bathe in many of Iceland's magnificent natural and artificial pools. You could also visit the Blue Lagoon on your last day or skip it altogether.
When you have checked into your accommodation, take advantage of the closeness to Reykjavik's thriving city center. You can discover a multitude of shops, museums, restaurants, and cafes and explore the old harbor district of Grandi . It recently transformed into a vibrant arts venue filled with workshops, restaurants, and galleries.
In the evening, dine at one of the best restaurants in Reykjavik before joining the radically liberal nightlife in Reykjavik , which is famed for its avant-garde atmosphere and flamboyant crowds.
Just make sure that you save some energy for the journey ahead.
Top Blue Lagoon Tours
- See also Top 10 things to do in Reykjavik
Day 2 - Caving & Hveragerdi
Start the second day of your 10-day Iceland itinerary by driving 12.4 miles (20 kilometers) east of Reykjavik into the Blafjoll Country Park . Spend the late morning and early afternoon exploring what is widely considered the most magnificent natural phenomenon of its kind, the empty magma chamber of the Thrihnukagigur volcano.
Photo from 6-Hour Volcano Tour Inside the Magma Chamber of Thrihnukagigur with Transfer from Reykjavik
After a 1.8-mile (3-kilometer) hike through Blafjoll's volcanic wonderland, an open cable car will take you through a narrow, funnel-shaped opening and slowly lower you 393 feet (120 meters) into the enormous Thrihnukagigur magma chamber.
A Thrihnukagigur volcano tour is an excursion into the cold heart of a dormant volcano, where orange and scarlet walls tell stories of ancient cataclysms and terrible destruction.
Hot water perpetually pours from the Reykjadalur's surrounding hills, forming a warm stream at the bottom of the valley, where you can bathe and unwind while enjoying the mesmerizing scenery.
If you are thirsty for a more daring approach, a guided horseback tour takes you further into the mountains above Hveragerdi. Here you will discover mighty lava fields and geothermal hot spots of bubbling mud pools, solfataras, and fumaroles. At the same time, you will enjoy riding the pony-sized Icelandic horse .
The third day of your 10-day Iceland road trip takes you further east, across the southern lowlands where Seljalandsfoss , one of Iceland's highest waterfalls, awaits you by the highway.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall drops over 197 feet (60 meters) over a misty cavern where you can walk behind the cascade. Experience its mystical force from the point of view rarely granted by mother nature.
Your next stop of the day is Seljavellir, where an old path takes you to Seljavallalaug outdoor pool , one of Iceland's oldest swimming pools and the south's most iconic construction.
Since 1923, the pool has collected the lukewarm water that steadily seeps from the hills. You are free to bathe in this stunning example of organic architecture to this day.
Six miles (10 kilometers) east of Seljavellir, the mighty Skogafoss waterfall, one of Iceland's most significant, plummets 197 feet (60 meters) from the towering cliffs that make up the border between the coastal lowlands and the Icelandic Highlands .
After accosting this mighty aqueous guardian of the south, you would do well to visit the Skogar Folk Museum , whose six buildings display more than 15,000 regional folk craft artifacts.
Spend the late afternoon exploring Reynisfjara beach, one of the world's most beautiful black sand beaches.
Perpetually hammered by the ruthless North Atlantic surf, Reynisfjara has titanic rock formations and hexagonal basalt columns that make up an enormous cliff face on which strange dark caves gape towards the open sea.
Please be advised that strong undercurrents, heavy surf, and cold water temperatures make entering the sea extremely dangerous , and one should not do so under any circumstances.
- Book a Reynisfjara South Coast Tour now
Photo by Regina Hrönn Ragnarsdóttir
After exploring Reynisfjara, you head east towards Kirkjubaejarklaustur town, where you will lay your head for the night.
The bright summer evening provides the perfect conditions for exploring the Systrafoss waterfall and the magnificent Systrastapi (Sister's Rock). This strange rock hill towers from the southern lowlands, 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers) from the village.
Top South Coast Tours
On the fourth day of this epic 10-day Iceland Ring Road itinerary, enjoy the journey into Skaftafell nature reserve. This incredible landscape covers over 2,982 square miles (4,800 square kilometers) of utterly surreal wildlands. Black desert sands meet a birchwood oasis under a spur of the Vatnajokull ice cap.
Skaftafell is famed for its warm summer climate, and locals offer excellent services, including guided glacier hiking tours and ice cave tours , transportation, food, and accommodation. From Skaftafell's visitor center and campsite, many hiking trails will take you into dreamlike realms of mesmerizing beauty.
On Fossaleid (Trail of Falls ), Hundafoss waterfall will be the first and highest of a set of cascades on the path to the majestic Svartifoss (Black Falls) waterfall. It tumbles from a tall row of black basalt columns in a forest clearing, like a reality gap.
Thirty-four miles (54.7 kilometers) east of the campsite, you will find one of Iceland's most treasured masterpieces of nature, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
Jokulsarlon is a glacier lagoon in which you can join countless seals traveling amongst the towering mountains of ice that have broken off from the Breidamerkurjokull glacier in the north.
For decades, Jokulsarlon tours have attracted large crowds worldwide, and to this day, they remain one of Iceland's most popular tourist activities.
But when the titanic icebergs of Jokulsarlon have melted to the size of a mere cubic meter, the Jokulsa a Breidamerkursandi glacial river ferries them south into the sea. Here, the waves polish them into table-sized blocks of ice that eventually wash onto the obsidian sands called Diamond Beach .
Diamond Beach is where 1,000-year-old glacier fragments slowly fade into unity with the significant drop of water called the Atlantic Ocean.
Spend the rest of your day here before heading back to Skaftafell for a well-deserved good night's sleep under a glacier bathed in the scarlet rays of the midnight sun .
Top Jokulsarlon Tours
Day 5 - the east fjords & egilsstadir .
On day five of your 10-day trip to Iceland, you set your sights on the small township of Egilsstadir , the largest settlement in the Eastern Region , where folklore and science have waged a fierce battle for centuries.
Lagarfljot , Iceland's third-largest river, splits the unofficial Eastern capital. It is allegedly home to the Icelandic equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster , the serpentine creature known as Lagarfljotsormurinn .
Documented sightings of the great worm of Lagarfljot first occurred in 1345 and continued well into the 21st century. Still, it wasn't until 2012 that a video recording finally provided the irrefutable evidence that ultimately proved the creature's existence.
And within the blink of an eye, legend had become fact.
Before you have the possibility of chancing upon a close encounter with the Lagarfljot Worm, enjoy the three-hour morning drive towards Egilsstadir. Your reward is crowd-free vistas of windswept mountains, picturesque villages, and an array of waterfalls so stunning that they are even said to rival their southern counterparts.
The dramatic east coast has long fjords with steep sides and jagged glacier-forged peaks. The fjords contrast with fertile farmlands, blooming meadows, and green groves.
Fifteen miles (25 kilometers) south of Egilsstadir, the Hallormsstadaskogur National Forest covers over 740 hectares (7.4 square kilometers) of varied landscapes, making it the largest forest in Iceland.
Forests are a rare phenomenon in Iceland, and before you reach Egilsstadir, a visit to the forest would be well worth your while. Hallormsstadarskogur boasts over 24.8 miles (40 kilometers) of footpaths and marked trails, two fully-equipped campsites, and boat and horse rentals.
Top Eastfjords Tours
Day 6 - asbyrgi .
Day six of your 10-day Iceland road trip takes you 118 miles (190 kilometers) northwest of Egilsstadir and into the mystical horseshoe-shaped Asbyrgi canyon (The Shelter of Gods). According to numerous local sources, their steep sides are towering cliffs that are the principal dwellings of the hidden Icelandic people (Huldufolk).
Photo by Regína Hrönn Ragnarsdóttir
One of those paths is a stone-stepped trail that leads to the crystal clear and still Botnstjorn pond. This small body of water is all that remains of a nameless waterfall, which in primordial times fell roaring from the cliffs above.
Today, Botnstjorn has a viewing platform that allows for a peaceful moment where you can pay a silent tribute to the aquatic spirit that once was the master of this realm.
Legend claims that Asbyrgi formed when Odin's eight-footed horse, Sleipnir, graced the earth with a touch of one of its hooves. Most geologists, however, maintain that catastrophic ice-age flooding of the Jokulsa a Fjollum glacial river brought Asbyrgi into existence.
Spend the day in Asbyrgi's soft but rocky embrace and secure a night of sweet dreams by remembering to pay your respects to the hidden people in the cliffs above you.
- Book a Ring Road Self-Drive Tour With Asbyrgi here
From Asbyrgi, head northeast inland and onward to Lake Myvatn , 55.7 miles (89.7 kilometers) away. Here you will traverse ethereal landscapes formed in a cataclysmic volcanic explosion more than 2,000 years ago.
Myvatn is one of Iceland's largest lakes, famed for its multiple bird communities, vibrant plant life, and the many natural wonders surrounding the lake itself. These include the bubbling sulfuric mud pools of the Namaskard pass, the enormous tuff ring volcano crater of Hverfjall , and the massive Krafla volcanic caldera. Krafla is fiercely active and last erupted in 1984.
You will find one of Iceland's most precious natural marvels, the Dimmuborgir (Dark Cities) lava fields east of the lake.
Legend has it that Dimmuborgir came into existence when Lucifer was banished and cast from the heavens. Upon landing east of Myvatn, the fallen angel quickly amassed an infernal hoard of lost souls and established the Catacombs of Hell, much to the dislike of the local light elves.
There was chaos and confusion. Demons fought light beings under a burning sky. Still, eventually, the elves drove Satan's army far into the nether regions before turning the unusually shaped lava fields into a cross-dimensional elven capital of their own.
Stories like this may come across as nonsensical at first. Still, when you consider the area's incredible geothermal potency, Myvatn's mythological association with fire, brimstone, and burning underworlds becomes quite understandable.
Around the lake, you are more than likely to happen upon numerous caves filled with hot water, many of which rank amongst the world's most magnificent natural baths.
But since small earthquakes regularly alter the area's geothermal conditions—sometimes raising water temperatures to extreme and even life-threatening levels—you should always connect with locals before bathing in the caves.
From Myvatn, a picturesque morning drive takes you into the northern Skjalfandi Bay and the quiet little town of Husavik , which has made a name for itself as the whale watching capital of the world.
Because of the multiple species of whale that flock to their feeding grounds in the waters of Skjalfandi bay, Husavik is the very best whale watching harbor in Iceland, with local operators boasting an unmatched 99 percent success rate.
On a Husavik traditional whale watching tour , you are more than likely to encounter the white-beaked dolphin, the harbor porpoise, and even the titanic blue whale. However, the gentle minke whale is by far the most commonly sighted animal, its curious nature often allowing visitors to watch it from a very short distance.
In the early afternoon, visit the local Whale Museum and the Exploration Museum , whose ancient artifacts and fishing vessels witness Iceland's incredible maritime history.
Top Whale Watching & Puffin Tours
From Husavik, a 56-mile (90-kilometer) drive takes you west to Akureyri , the largest town in Iceland outside of the capital area, with a population of 20,000.
Although Akureyri lies only 62 miles (100 kilometers) below the arctic circle , the town greets you with mild, pleasant weather and an easy-going atmosphere.
Akureyri has started to rival Reykjavik as Iceland's go-to cultural hot spot. Before you rest for the night, spend the late afternoon and evening exploring the town's many attractions, including an abundance of cafes, restaurants, and museums.
- See also: 13 Best Things to Do in Akureyri
On the second to last day of your 10-day Iceland road trip, start your day early and drive to the old pastoral hamlet of Husafell , 196 miles (316 kilometers) from Akureyri.
Set in dense birchwood forests between two glaciers, this ever-popular outdoor activity center makes for an ideal place to spend a day of easy hiking and sightseeing.
Excellent footpaths and hiking trails lead into the beautiful Husafellsskogur forest, towards the Ok and Eiriksjokull glaciers, and onto the vast Hallmundarhraun lava field. The lava field is home to numerous caves, including Surtshellir and the enormous Vidgelmir .
Vidgelmir cave is 0.9 miles (1.5 kilometers) long, with gigantic domes reaching astonishing heights of over 49 feet (15 meters). These measurements make it the most extensive cave of its kind in Iceland and one of the largest lava caves in the world.
Although Vidgelmir's sheer size is spectacular to behold, the cave's true uniqueness lies not in its enormity but its beautiful vibrant colors. They come to life in numerous locations, where a lights system ensures that visitors thoroughly enjoy their underground adventure.
- Book a Vidgelmir Cave Explorer Tour here
Just over 9 miles (15 kilometers) southwest of Vidgelmir, you will find another natural marvel, the Hraunfossar waterfalls flowing into the Hvita River.
Do not miss Hraunfossar waterfalls, ranked among Iceland's most magnificent waterfalls. They are only a short drive from Husafell's service center. Husafell has a small grocery store, a filling station, a swimming pool, and an information booth where you can book cottages, reserve space on the campground, or book a room for the night in the local Hotel.
Day 10 - Reykjanes & Homecoming
On the very last day of your 10-day Iceland road trip itinerary, you will travel 119 miles (192 kilometers) southwest of Husafell onto the ultra-volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula . Marvel at the massive ridge of black and red lava fields where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates drift apart.
Around every turn, you will stumble upon superb examples of Iceland's volcanic nature, such as the steaming Kleifarvatn lake and the vibrant Gunnuhver and Seltun geothermal fields with bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles.
In Sandvik , a footbridge overarches a small canyon on the peninsula's southern point. Here, you can walk between the two separating continents.
It is easy to lose track of time and space in Reykjanes' volcanic landscape, so make sure to save a moment for the Blue Lagoon, should you not have gone there on your first day.
The steamy world of black rock and milky-blue water makes for the perfect finish to your visit to Iceland. In the misty lake, you are bound to soak away all of your tension and prepare your body for the journey back home.
Popular articles
Guide to Iceland | The Story of the Leading Travel Agency of Iceland
The Complete Guide to the Midnight Sun in Iceland
Top 20 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland
22 Photos of the Aurora in Iceland
Mountains in Iceland
Other interesting articles.
What to Do With 7 Days in Iceland | Best Itinerary Ideas
How to Drive Iceland's Golden Circle: A Complete Guide with Maps
Iceland on a Budget | 7 Affordable Days of Adventure
Download Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace to your phone to manage your entire trip in one place
Scan this QR code with your phone camera and press the link that appears to add Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace into your pocket. Enter your phone number or email address to receive an SMS or email with the download link.
Top things to do in Iceland
Book your complete trip with the best companies only
Explore an Ice Cave
Visit a Live Volcano
Find the Northern Lights
Visit the Blue Lagoon
Go on a Road Trip
Do the Golden Circle
See the Glacier Lagoon
South Coast Tours
Finding the Universe
Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor
5 Days in Iceland: The Perfect Iceland Itinerary for Any Time of Year
Last updated: March 6, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 74 Comments
Iceland has quickly become one of our favourite countries to explore. It has beautiful landscapes, stunning waterfalls (I love waterfalls!), warm thermal pools to bask in, and a fascinating history and culture. In this post, I’m going to share with you a suggested Iceland itinerary for 5 days in Iceland, which has you driving yourself on an epic Iceland road trip.
Iceland is generally an easy country to get around, either on a self-drive road trip like the one in this post, or as part of a group tour. And whilst this Iceland itinerary is for a self-drive trip; if you would prefer not to drive, you have other options.
In particular, a popular option is to take a group tour of Iceland . Tours that we suggest that closely mirror our five-day Iceland itinerary are this six day tour , and this five day tour . There is also this 4 day option , which includes the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
I’ve provided further details after the itinerary for all your options on how to do this itinerary without driving yourself, which you should definitely check out.
If you have a little longer in Iceland, check out our seven day Iceland itinerary , which covers a few more highlights, and is aimed at those visiting in winter. We also have a shorter three day Iceland itinerary if you have a bit less time, as well as a complete Iceland ring road itinerary .
We’d also recommend reading this post in conjunction with our guide to planning a trip to Iceland , which has lots of practical information on travelling in Iceland including detailed planning steps and practicalities.
For now though, let’s get started with our suggested Iceland itinerary for 5 days.
5 Days in Iceland: An Iceland Itinerary
This detailed itinerary goes into each day in detail with all the key highlights you’ll want to see, and each day is then followed by some recommended accommodation options for that night.
Day 1: Reykjavik
It is likely that you’re going be arriving into Iceland at Keflavik International Airport, which is where most international visitors to Iceland arrive.
Here, you can either pick up a hire car directly, or take an airport shuttle transfer into the city centre, and pick your car up on Day 2. Waiting an extra day may save you a bit of money, and you are unlikely to need a hire car to explore Reykjavik.
A quick note if you are looking for car rental providers in Iceland. We recommend you either check out Discover Cars here , or Northbound here .
Discover Cars compare a number of providers in the country so you can find the best price for you.
Northbound is based in Iceland, and they also search a range of providers with the added advantage that you can add the various insurances that are unique to Iceland should you so choose. This can help avoid the hard sell that you will otherwise likely get for these insurances at the checkout counter when you pick up your car.
See more on insurance in Iceland, plus general advice for driving in the country, in our tips for driving in Iceland post . Back to the itinerary!
If you want to visit the Blue Lagoon , Iceland’s most famous thermal baths, then doing this on the way from the airport is an excellent idea as it’s closer to the airport than the city centre. In fact, many companies offer a transfer service to and from the airport that includes a stop at the Blue Lagoon. Also consider the Sky Lagoon , which is closer to the city centre.
Both of these lagoons are popular and need to be booked in advance. You can book the Blue Lagoon here and the Sky Lagoon here .
Otherwise, we’d suggest you spend a bit of time sightseeing in Reykjavik. There’s a lot to see in the city, including the beautiful Hallgrimskirkja Church , which has a wonderful view from the top, and the Sun Voyager statue , which makes for some fun photo opportunities. There are also a number of museums, lots of restaurants and bars, and probably the best nightlife in Iceland if you want to start your Iceland trip off with a bang!
If you do plan on visiting some of the museums and sights in the city, consider a Reykjavik city card . A 24 hour card is good value and gets you free access to many of the cities top attractions, as well as free public transport on the city bus services.
If you’d prefer to head straight out of town on your first day, and are desperate to fit as much as possible into your itinerary as possible, check out my optional addition of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula at the end of this section as an alternative.
Where to Stay
We recommend overnighting in Reykjavik on your first night in Iceland. Some options to consider include:
- Grand Hotel, around 1.2 miles from the city center, offering four star accommodation, free wifi, spa & fitness center and free parking. We’ve stayed here.
- Reyjkavik Natura Icelandair Hotel , near the city airport, this hotel offers free parking, a free city bus pass to all guests, on-site restaurant and spa facilities. We’ve stayed here.
- Guesthouse Galtafell – A good value option around ten minutes walk from the city center and quick walk from the BSI bus station. Offers both guest rooms in the main house as well as apartments that come with a small kitchenette. We’ve stayed here.
- Galaxy Pod Hostel – this well located hostel offers dormitory accommodation with a twist – each bed is in a self-contained pod, offering more privacy than a normal hostel. Pods vary in standard, but most come with TV’s, power and WiFi.
If you’d prefer to stay near the airport, we’ve also stayed at the Northern Light Inn . This is conveniently located right next to the Blue Lagoon and is about a 17 minute drive from airport. Travellers on more of a budget will like The Base by Keflavik airport , which offers both hotel and hostel style accommodation, as well as an airport shuttle.
See more lodging options in Reykjavik on booking.com here .
Day 2: Golden Circle
From Reykjavik you’re going to head to one of Iceland’s most iconic road trips – the Golden Circle .
There are three must-visit stops on the golden circle. These are Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park , the Geysir Hot Springs Area , and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.
Thingvellir is interesting to visit for a number of reasons, both culturally and geologically. It was the site of the first Icelandic parliament, and as such, there is a lot of to see here that involves the history and culture of Iceland.
Thingvellir is also the location of the continental divide, and you can actually see the split between the continents here, and, if you’re feeling adventurous, even snorkel between them !
From Thingvellir, the next stop on the Golden Circle is the Geysir Hot Springs area. This is home to “Geysir”, the original geyser from where the word in English comes from. There are lots of bubbling mud pools as well as regularly erupting geyser’s here.
Finally, the last major stop on the Golden Circle trip is Gulfoss waterfall. This is a wide, multi-tiered waterfall that has a tremendous volume of water flowing over it, and will not fail to impress.
There are a number of viewing locations to enjoy the falls from, as well as an on site café and information centre. A spectacular sight at any time of year.
For your second night we recommend accommodation on or near the Golden Circle. We’d suggest somewhere near Fludir specifically. Options to consider include:
- Farmhotel Efstidalur – as the name suggests this is found on a farm. Private rooms are en-suite and there’s an on-site geothermal hot tub
- Fludir Icelandair Hotel – We stayed here on one trip to Iceland and it was very comfortable, with an on-site restaurant.
- Garður Stay Inn by the Secret Lagoon – well reviewed and handy for Fludir’s “Secret Lagoon”, a lovely geothermal bath
- River Hotel – located by the Ranga River next to the town of Hella, this hotel offers dining, an open-air hot tub, bar and free wifi.
- Midgard basecamp – found in Hvolsvöllur, this highly rated hostel is a great budget option with a hot tub
See more lodging options on booking.com here .
Day 3: South Coast to Vik
For your third day in Iceland, you’re going to start to head along the beautiful south coast. This is a magnificent stretch of road, with a great many attractions to enjoy, and you are going to have an incredible time exploring it.
A quick note here about staying safe on the road in Iceland. You’re going to see a lot of amazing sights as you drive along here, but it’s important you stay safe, and only pull over in proper parking spaces. Stopping on the side of the road can be really dangerous, and there’s quite a bit of traffic on the ring road , so please don’t do it. It’s not worth endangering your life for a photo, however cute that horse may be!
Ok, lecture over. The first highlight on the road you drive along here is going to be Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This is a beautiful sixty metre high waterfall that you can actually walk behind, and is a stunning photography opportunity. Easily one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, and almost unique in that you can walk behind it.
Note that there is a parking fee for parking at Seljalandsfoss (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), which is enforced by on site wardens. At time of writing this was 700 krona, payable by credit card.
Next up is less well known waterfall hidden right next to Seljalandsfoss. Whilst Seljalandsfoss and the below Skogafoss tend to get all the waterfall glory on this stretch of road, there are a couple more waterfalls the more discerning Iceland visitor might want to check out. The first of these is Gljúfrabúi, a waterfall hidden in a canyon just a short distance from Seljalandsfoss.
To access it, you just have to walk across the river, and follow the path along the cliff. After a fairly short walk, you’ll come to the canyon that holds Gljúfrabúi. To actually access the waterfall, you’ll have to wade up the stream, but the view is worth it if you’re brave enough – although be prepared to be coated in water from the spray!
The next major stop on the south coast is Skogafoss. This is a thunderous sixty metre high waterfall that is much wider than Seljalandsfoss, and is truly dramatic. You can get very close to the base of the falls for dramatic photos (just be aware you’re going to get very wet), or you can climb the many steps up to the top of the falls for another viewpoint.
The other less well known waterfall in this area is Kvernufoss. This is also quite easy to find – just park at the Skogar Museum (same turn off Route 1 as Skogafoss), and follow the path across the field to the falls. Like Seljalandsfoss, you can also walk behind Kvernufoss – although be prepared to get wet!
A little further east from Skogafoss is the famous Iceland plane wreck . This will eat up a couple of hours of your day because it takes a while to get to, so unless you are a keen photographer (or don’t mind a long day!), you might want to skip this. Still, I’ve put it in here so you know where to find it.
The next stop on the south coast route is Dyrhólaey. This is a peninsula that juts out into the sea, and from the top you have fantastic views of a beautiful stretch of black sand beach with, on a clear day at least, the towering mountains of Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcano in the background.
Dyrhólaey is also home to a massive rock arch, which is worth the drive up the quite terrifyingly steep dirt road. Note that you can park at the bottom and hike up if you would prefer not to tackle it, and 4WD vehicles are advised for this section of track. From May – July, you may also be lucky enough to spot puffins on the cliffs here.
Just a short drive along from Dyrhólaey you’ll find the popular stop of Reynisfjara Beach. Here, black basalt columns meet the black sand beach, and you can also see a series of rock stacks out to sea. This is a beautifully wild part of Iceland and quite a unique photography opportunity.
Finally, our third day on our five day Iceland itinerary will come to an end at the town of Vik. This is a nice little town with a beautiful church and lovely sea views. We suggest you overnight here, or depending hotel availability, at the town of Klaustur a little further east along the road.
We recommend staying in either Klaustur or Vik . Our suggestion is to book two nights and return to the same hotel on day 4 to save the hassle of unpacking and repacking. Options to consider include:
- The Barn – this is a well reviewed and popular hostel in Vik, offering both dormitory accommodation and private rooms
- Hotel Vík í Mýrdal – found just 450 yards from the black sand beach in Vik, this is a well rated hotel offering private en-suite rooms
- Hunkubakkar Guesthouse – a family run guesthouse found five miles from Kirkjubæjarklaustur. WiFi, on-site restaurant and cute colourful cottages.
- Icelandair Hotel in Klaustur – a modern hotel in Klaustur, with simple but comfortable rooms. We’ve stayed here and had a pleasant experience
See more options in Vik here and Klaustur here .
Day 4: Vik to Jokulsarlon
The fourth day of our five day Iceland itinerary is going to cover some more beautiful waterfalls and canyons, as well as an iceberg filled lagoon and a glacier! Let’s get going.
The first stop on the day will be the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, which is just outside Klaustur. This is a two kilometer long canyon which is 100 metres deep, and offers spectacular views of the river winding through it. You may want to do some hiking here.
To get here, just follow road 206 off Route 1 towards Lakagígar. Follow this for a while then at the intersection, turn left away from Lakagígar, The road is gravel but easy to drive.
Our next stop of the day is Svartifoss , or the black falls, about an hours drive east along Route 1. These falls tumble magnificently over black basalt columns, and are found in the Skaftafell / Vatnajökull National Park . It’s about a 1 hour round-trip to the falls, but we think you’ll agree that it’s worth the effort for the view.
The national park also has a parking fee for vehicles, which you can pay by card at the visitor centre, or by cash with the reception staff.
A little way on from the turning to Svartifoss on Route 1 is the turning for the viewpoint of the Svínafellsjökull Glacier.
Here, you can get very close to the tongue of this glacier, and see the incredible blue shades of ice. Just don’t be tempted to go for a walk on the glacier itself – if you want to do that sort of thing, you definitely want to take a tour with a qualified glacier guide.
Our final stop for the day is going to be two fold – the Jökulsárlón Lagoon, and the Diamond Beach.
Jökulsárlón Lagoon is a lagoon formed from the meltwater of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, and is the deepest lake in Iceland.
Here, icebergs from the glacier bob around the lagoon, usually for around five years, before they either disappear or float out to sea. If you visit Iceland in the summer months, you can take a boat tour on this lagoon and get up close to the glacier itself.
Across the highway from Jökulsárlón is the final stop on our day – the Diamond Beach. This is where those icebergs often end up – strewn along the beach just like diamonds.
This is a truly incredible sight, and a wonderful photography location . A perfect place to end the day, perhaps with the sunset (depending on the time of year you visit of course!).
Finally, we suggest you turn back and cover some of the distance back to Reykjavik, with a suggested overnight at Klaustur or Vik.
Day 4 Accommodation: Same as Day 3.
Day 5: Vik to Reykjavik
Our final day has you retracing your steps on the way back to Reykjavik. This is a good chance to get any photos you missed at any of the highlights when travelling in the opposite direction – perhaps due to the weather, or maybe you just ran out of time.
We’d also suggest on your way back to Iceland that you stop off at some of the fishing villages along the way, which are quite picturesque. For example, the towns of Eyarbakki and Stokkseyri are only a short detour.
If you have the time, you can also drive road 427 around the Keflavik peninsula – this is a pretty drive that is less popular, and takes you past the beautiful Strandakirkja church, which is well worth the visit. If you didn’t visit the Blue Lagoon on your first day, you could also do it on your fifth day.
Finally, this five day Iceland itinerary has you back in Reykjavik for your final night.
We recommend overnighting in Reykjavik on your final night. Our recommended options include:
Optional Alternative: Snaefellsnes Peninsula
If you want to skip Reykjavik on your first or last days in Iceland, and really want to pack as much sight-seeing in as possible, then you could consider heading up to the beautiful Snaefellsnes Peninsula for a day. This would be better suited to a longer itinerary – such as our seven day Iceland itinerary – but would be possible if you wanted to squeeze it in.
This part of Iceland is home to a number of sights and attractions, and there’s a lot to see here. We’d suggest you include the Gerðuberg basalt columns, the Vatnshellir lava cave, the fantastic Kirkjufell mountain and, for the brave amongst you, a trip to the Shark Museum at Bjarnarhofn.
At the Shark Museum you can sample an Icelandic delicacy – fermented shark meat. It’s an acquired taste that, I must admit, we didn’t quite acquire.
There’s easily enough to do on the peninsula to fill a whole day.
Accommodation: If you choose to stay overnight on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, we stayed at Guesthouse Hof . For additional options, you can see lodging options on booking.com here .
Iceland Road Trip Map
To help you visualise this trip, we’ve put together this map which highlights the route we suggest you take, as well all the attractions we’ve mentioned. You can also see this map directly on Google Maps here .
5 Day Iceland Itinerary Road Trip Overview
Here’s an overview of each day and the main attractions you’ll be experiencing.
- Day 1 : Reykjavik. Blue Lagoon, Hallgrimskirkja Church, Sun Voyager statue
- Day 2 : Golden Circle. Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Springs Area, Gullfoss waterfall
- Day 3 : South Coast to Vik. Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Skogafoss, Kvernufoss, Iceland plane wreck, Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjara Beach, Vik
- Day 4 : Vik to Jokulsarlon and back to Vik. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Svartifoss, Svínafellsjökull Glacier, Jökulsárlón Lagoon, Diamond Beach
- Day 5 : Vik to Reykjavik. Eyrarbakki, Stokkseyri
How To Book Your Iceland Trip
For a self-drive Iceland road trip like the one we mentioned, you have a couple of options. You can book everything yourself, including the hire car ( compare prices here ) and hotels (see hotels here ). This will give you lots of flexibility, but is of course more work on your part.
Another option is to book a self-drive trip. On one of our trips to Iceland we did a self-drive trip for eight days with this company , and all our hotels, the hire car and all our breakfasts were included as part of the package.
Another company to consider is Northbound, an Icelandic operator who specialise in car rental but who have expanded their services to include comprehensive trip planning. They can help you customize a tour to meet your exact needs, a process you can start here . Feel free to send them this blog post and ask them to help you plan a similar trip!
You can also see self-drive trips on TourRadar here and on Guide to Iceland here , both of which offer a variety of tours from different companies in Iceland.
You can also often work with companies to add a day or customize tours a bit and obviously self-drive tours are pretty flexible as only your hotels, car, and any tours are booked so you can always detour a bit from the suggested itinerary.
When you’re planning your Iceland trip, we recommend you take a look at our guide to planning a trip to Iceland , which has lots more information to help you plan the perfect Iceland adventure!
Do I Have to Drive in Iceland?
Our 5 day Iceland itinerary is for a self-drive road-trip, and we have a guide to driving in Iceland here to help you prepare.
However, if you’d prefer not to drive in Iceland, there are other ways to get around and still see everything you want to see. Here are some options.
Day trips from Reykjavik
One option would be to base yourself in Reykjavik, and do a series of day trips with a tour operator. We have a guide to the best day trips from Reyjkavik that will give you ideas for all the things you can do.
In terms of matching the five day Iceland itinerary on this page, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding tours that cover all the highlights.
Our suggestion would be to take a full day Golden Circle tour and a full day south shore tour , both of which run year-round. You could also add in a Snaefellsnes Peninsula day trip , and if you’re visiting in winter, a trip to see the Northern Lights is a must.
There are a number of different options for many of these day tours – check out all the day tours on Get Your Guide for more ideas.
Bus Passports in Iceland
Another option is to look into a bus passport. These let you travel around the country on a tour bus, choosing where you want to get on and off. This can be a cost effective way to get around, and they stop at almost all of the tourist highlights in Iceland, depending on the itinerary you choose. However they are only an option from June to August.
Group Tours of Iceland
Finally, you should definitely consider a multi-day group or private tour if you don’t want to drive yourself in Iceland. These will feature a driver and transport, accommodation and the majority of your meals, and will likely be one of the easiest options for sight-seeing in Iceland. You can let someone else handle all the logistics whilst you focus on just enjoying yourself.
Of course, you will be travelling to a fixed itinerary, and it won’t be as flexible as a self-drive trip, but it is a great option if you’d prefer to hand over the responsibility of planning and driving to someone else.
For our five-day Iceland itinerary, we’d suggest you take a look at the following tours.
- This 6 day tour which includes a lava cava, blue ice cave, south coast, golden circle and the Blue Lagoon
- This five day tour which includes an ice cave, golden circle, south coast and Snaefellsnes peninsula
- This 4 day tour which includes the south coast, golden circle and Snaefellsnes peninsula
These are just a small fraction of the tours available. We suggest you take a look at the group tour section of GetYourGuide , Viator , TourRadar , Guide to Iceland , and G Adventures for inspiration. Just input the time of year you are visiting, how long you are visiting for and the areas you are interested in, to see what’s available.
When looking for a group tour, always look beyond the advertised price and see what is included in a tour. A more expensive tour that includes meals and attraction entry might work out to be better value than a lower priced tour that excludes these extras.
We’ve also got a guide to some of the best multi-day guided tours of Iceland to give you an idea of what’s available for everything from 2 days two weeks, across a variety of price points, which is a great starting point.
Add-ons to your Iceland Trip
Regardless of how you choose to travel in Iceland, we think there are a few addons you will likely enjoy to experience the country at it’s fullest.
Year-Round Activities
When you visit Thingvellir National Park, a popular activity is to go snorkelling in the Silfra Fissure. This is a fairly unique experience, and lets you see the gap between the continents from a whole new angle as you float through the crystal-clear waters. This activity is available throughout the year, with dry suits issued to keep you warm.
This can be done either as a day trip from Reykjavik (see here for details ), or you can arrange to do it on site. We’d highly recommend you book in advance.
Another popular year-round activity in Iceland is whale watching. Tours depart from a number of locations in Iceland, including Reykjavik, Grundarfjordur and Husavik, so wherever your Iceland trip takes you, you should be able to fit in some whale watching.
You can see whale watching tour options and book in advance online here .
Summer Activities in Iceland
In summer, we think you’re definitely going to want to take a trip on the Jökulsárlón Lagoon. This will let you see the beauty of the glacier up close, as well as have the experience of getting up close to the icebergs in the lake. There are a number of tour options available, including a Zodiac Boat tour and an Amphibious Boat tour . Whichever you choose, we recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment on the day.
One of the thrills of being in Iceland in summer is to experience the midnight sun – a time when it never really gets dark. There are a number of tours that capitalise on this experience, including this fun midnight sun ATV tour .
If you like wildlife watching, as well as whale tours, you can also go on wildlife watching tours to see all sorts of wildlife from seals to puffins and other birdlife. There’s a full list of wildlife tours you can take here – most of these only run over the summer when the wildlife is more active.
Winter Activities in Iceland
In Winter, we think you absolutely have to make the effort to try and see the aurora borealis, or the northern lights. If you’re driving yourself, you just need to find a spot away from city lights with a good view of the sky, and hope for clear conditions and high solar activity. The Icelandic Met Office website has an excellent tool to help you find the northern lights.
If you’re in Reykjavik, there are lots of tour operators who offer northern lights tours . This is a good way to see the northern lights, as the drivers will know the best places to go, and the tours will usually only go if there is a high chance of seeing the lights.
If you are planning on seeing the lights, see our guide to how to photograph the northern lights so you are fully prepared to get some great images.
There are plenty more opportunities for adventure in Iceland in winter, from skiing, to snowmobiling to horse-riding. For more inspiration, check out our detailed guide to winter activities in Iceland .
When to Visit Iceland
In our experience, Iceland is a good country to visit at any time of year, with advantages and disadvantages to both times of year. Summer is definitely the most popular and when most people visit and the most attractions are open and the best months to drive in Iceland.
This itinerary on this page works well for both summer and winter in Iceland, as it doesn’t include any serious mountain roads which may be closed in the winter months.
Visiting Iceland in winter holds the advantage that prices are lower, there are less people visiting and finding accommodation will be easier. It’s also the best time to see the northern lights, which can’t be seen during the summer months.
Disadvantages of visiting Iceland in winter are that there will be much less daylight available, driving conditions can be more challenging (we strongly recommend a 4×4 vehicle with studded tires), and some attractions and tours might not be open or running. It will also be colder!
If you decide to visit Iceland in winter, do check out our Iceland winter packing guide for tips on what to bring, as well as our guide to all the best winter activities in Iceland for inspiration.
Summer in Iceland brings with it very long days, a bit more warmth, and lush green landscapes. The advantages are long hours of daylight, warmer weather and better driving conditions. More tours and attractions are also going to be open.
The disadvantages of visiting Iceland in summer are that prices will be much higher, there will be many more tourists and it can be harder to find accommodation. If you visit during the time of the midnight sun, you might also find it hard to sleep – we highly recommend packing an eye mask to block out the light, as hotels don’t often have black out blinds.
Where to Stay in Iceland?
Iceland has a wide range of accommodation options, from farm stays, vacation rentals and B&B’s through to higher end full service hotels. We’ve included links to where we stayed for each day of the above itinerary, and you can also check out Iceland’s listings on booking.com for a full range of options.
Booking.com are usually our preferred option when we travel, as they have everything from hotels to apartments and hostels. They have a massive choice, and the user review system makes it easier to find good properties.
We have also used apartment rentals platforms like Vrbo in Iceland. We prefer to use these for longer stays though, we think that for short one night stops, especially on a road trip where arrival times can vary, the requirement to sometimes arrange arrival times with a host can be a problematic. Still, it can be an option.
We also use a number of other sites like Vrbo, check out our full guide to AirBnB alternatives right here.
Further Reading to Help you Prepare for your Trip to Iceland
And that sums up our guide to spending 5 days in Iceland! Hopefully you’ve found this post useful. We’re continuing to add more content about Iceland from our experiences travelling in this beautiful country, so check back often for more. In the meantime, we think you’ll find the following resources useful for planning your Iceland trip:
- We’ve put together a detailed guide to help you plan your Iceland trip, which has everything you could need to help you plan an awesome adventure in Iceland, from budget tips to practical information and more. A must read and a good place to start your trip planning!
- If you choose to do this self-drive trip in Iceland in winter, check out our detailed guide to driving in Iceland in winter to help prepare yourself. We also have a general guide to driving in Iceland .
- Fans of the TV show Game of Thrones will want to check out our full guide to all the Game of Thrones locations in Iceland
- We’ve created a list of some of our favourite photography locations in Iceland from our travels there to give you some ideas of where to aim to get the best photos
- Our guide to finding the Iceland Plane crash , which is a fun photography location (if a bit of a walk to get to!)
- We have a full guide to Iceland’s Golden Circle
- For a longer trip Jess has put together a detailed post outlining a seven day Iceland itinerary to give you some route ideas. Even if you are planning more or less time, this detailed guide can help you figure out where to go. We also have a full Iceland ring road itinerary .
- If you’re visiting Iceland in Winter, check out our guide to the best winter activities in Iceland and my tips for cold weather photography
- On a budget? Here’s a guide to visiting Iceland on a budget to help you make the most of your trip
- We have a guide to visiting the Blue Lagoon
- We have a detailed packing guide to help you decide what to pack for Iceland
- If you are interested in seeing Puffins in Iceland, check out our detailed guide to Puffins in Iceland , which has everything you need to know!
- We’ve also got a guide to the best day trips from Reykjavik should you wish to base yourself in the capital
- The weather in Iceland can be fickle – the best website for real-time cloud cover is this one from the Icelandic Met Office .
- Whilst Iceland is a safe country to travel in when it comes to things like crime, the country itself is home to extreme conditions and all sorts of seismic activity. So to stay safe as you go, check out the safetravel Iceland page
- Finally, if you’re not sure what camera gear to take with, take a look at both our guide to picking a travel camera , and our personal travel photography gear
And that’s it! Is Iceland on your list, or have you already visited? Is there anywhere you’d add to our list, or any questions at all about travelling in Iceland? We’re happy to help out – just pop your thoughts and feedback in the comments below!
Enjoyed this post? Why not share it!
There are 74 comments on this post
Please scroll to the end to leave a comment
4th May 2023 at 3:16 pm
We are under the gun for hotels for the week 6/24-6/30. We are booked in Reykjavik 2 nights- 6/24 & 25. Based on your itinerary, is it best to spend 2 nights near Vik, or 2 nights Gulfloss? Our last night (night 6) is near the airport as we have very early flt on 6/30. We’re trying to figure out if we should start south in Vik (after leaving Reykjavik) and head north to Gulfloss or vise versa, and which area is best for the itinerary you suggest. Sure hope that makes sense. Thanks
Laurence Norah says
4th May 2023 at 6:24 pm
So I would probably say being closer to Vik will probably make more sense for those two nice, as otherwise you’re going to be having a very long drive to get out to the south coast highlights. So that would be my recommendation. You can easily do the Golden Circle as a day trip from Reykjavik if that makes things easier?
3rd April 2023 at 6:13 am
We will be arriving in Iceland on Sept 10 (early morning on an overnight flight) and departing Sept 16 (12:10 am) over to mainland Europe. With these dates are we looking at more of the summer itinerary? What adjustments to that as we will be later in season? Any chance that we will have a chance to see the Northern Lights? Thanks and lots of great information
3rd April 2023 at 10:54 am
Yes, September would be more of a summer time itinerary for sure. The advantage of September is that you do indeed have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights, although of course it will be weather dependent and dependent on solar activity. Honestly you shouldn’t need to adjust the itinerary a great deal, it should be pretty much ready to go as it is, although of course we always recommend tweaking based on your own interests 🙂
Have an amazing time in Iceland and let me know if you have any more questions!
12th February 2023 at 6:41 pm
Hi, your site is wonderful and very helpful. We are hoping to go to Iceland at the end of May. My son has allergies and very hard to cater for so we need self catering. Do you have any suggestions for self catering? If not do you think your 5/6 day itinerary would be possible from staying in one or two self catering accommodation and if so where would we need to base ourselves? We understand this would involve a bit more driving. Would it still work as a great adventure with an 8 and 13 year old? Many thanks Sarah
13th February 2023 at 10:34 am
Thanks very much! So we have stayed in accommodation with basic self-catering facilities (more like a kitchenette though than a full self-catered set up). That said, there are certainly lots of options on the main apartment rental sites. My suggestion might be to base yourself in Reykjavik for three nights and around Vik for two nights. I think you should be able to find a self-catering option easily in Reykjavik at least, and then Vik should also have some options. It’s worth bearing in mind that the most comprehensive supermarkets are going to be in Reykjavik so that is where I’d recommend doing the most of our shopping, especially as you have specific requirements.
I hope this helps, let me know if I can offer any more advice, and have an amazing time in Iceland with your family 🙂
19th September 2022 at 6:04 pm
Im sorry if you already answered this question…But can this itinerary be done with a 2 wheel drive vehicle or will there be F Roads that require 4×4? Thank you for all of your advice!
19th September 2022 at 6:56 pm
This can definitely be done with a normal 2 wheel drive vehicle. The only tricky bit might be the drive up to Dyrholaey, last time I did that the road was a bit steep and unpaved, but it is possible in a two wheel drive car. The route doesn’t include any F roads 🙂
Have a great time in Iceland!
20th January 2023 at 4:55 pm
I’ve been reading your website all afternoon – it’s a fantastic resource, thank you. Would a normal 2WD vehicle be okay in late Feb/early March? We’re travelling with my parents and our little girl (who will have her 4th birthday in Iceland!) next month. 🙂 Thank you.
23rd January 2023 at 2:21 pm
Thanks very much! So snow and ice is definitely still possible at that time of year, but the car rental should come with winter tyres. So 4wd is only something you might want for peace of mind, it won’t necessarily be needed. The roads are good and regularly cleared,especially those used by visitors. We have always had a 4wd in winter (even if it’s an estate style car) but it’s a personal choice rather than a necessity.
Have a great time in Iceland, happy birthday to your daughter, and do let me know if you have any further questions!
Diego Alexandre says
29th August 2022 at 2:34 pm
Hi Laurence,
All your posts have been really helpful. I am traveling to Iceland from Saturdar afternoon (2 pm) to Friday morning (really early morning).
Therefore I was following your five day trip, i already book the hotels and I realized that I have one more day free. Could you please provide a recommendation on what to add to the trip considering that I already booked the trip and hotels as you recommend it. Thanks!
29th August 2022 at 2:48 pm
Sure thing, and I’m glad you found our posts helpful. If you are following the main itinerary, then my suggestion would be to spend the extra day visiting the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, which you can definitely do as a day trip. If you have a car it’s easy to do, alternatively there are a number of day trips which visit it.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have additional questions 🙂
29th August 2022 at 3:29 pm
Thanks for your prompt respond. So if I was leaving from Vik to Reykjavic on day 5, I should instead go from Vik´s hotel to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula for the whole day. After that, where should go and where should I stay (hotel) that fifth day. On the sixth day I will go to Reykjavic. Any attractions that you recommend in that Peninsula? Thanks!
29th August 2022 at 3:42 pm
Yes, that would probably be the best option. There’s lots to see on Snaefellsnes, but highlights for us were the Gerðuberg basalt columns, the Vatnshellir lava cave, Kirkjufell mountain and the Shark Museum at Bjarnarhofn.
We have some more tips and also suggestions on where to stay in our 7 day Iceland itinerary . If you check out the section for Day 3 it has some recommended htels and an itinerary for the day as well 🙂
Have a great trip, let me know if you have any more questions!
4th July 2022 at 11:49 pm
Dear Laurence and Jessica, I just wanted to say thanks for your blog! I just returned from a 5 day trip to Iceland and pretty much followed your itinerary, which worked out great.
5th July 2022 at 10:44 am
We are glad to hear you had a great time, and thank you so much for taking the time to come by after your trip and let us know. It is much appreciated!
Safe travels 🙂
Lars Kaa Andersen says
13th June 2020 at 9:17 pm
Hi, I really liked your 5 days suggestion❤. We have 6 days available and would love to do a full day house riding. Do you have a recommendation for this? Much appreciated. Kind regards, Lars
14th June 2020 at 11:11 am
This is a great question. We only did a little bit of horse riding near Akureyri, so don’t have first hand experience of a company. However, the following have good reviews:
– this tour from Reykjavik is suitable for beginners and advanced riders – this is another full day tour from Reykjavik which is suitable for beginners and advanced riders
One thing to note is that most of the full day experiences seem to involve a more beginner section in the morning and a more advanced section in the afternoon. So I am not sure what your experience level is, or if you were looking to spend the whole day riding, in which case you might want to contact a provider directly and try to arrange a private session, although this will be more expensive.
15th June 2020 at 12:13 pm
Many thanks Laurence, much appreciated.
Mirela says
4th February 2020 at 6:29 pm
Thanks so much for the wonderful information. My family is planning a trip to Iceland from June 9-15, 2020 and we will follow your guide. We would like to have an ice cave tour though, if possible. Would we be able to book such a tour in June? Many thanks, Mirela.
4th February 2020 at 6:44 pm
Delighted to have been able to help. So the main ice cave season in Iceland is in winter, from around November through to March. This is when those really blue ice caves are accessible, and this is when most ice cave tours run.
However, there are a couple of ice caves you can visit in winter, including Katla ice cave (see this tour for example ) and this combination glacier hike and ice cave tour .
So yes, it is possible 🙂
Lucy Rinaldi says
30th September 2019 at 7:28 pm
Do you have a printable version of this article? I found it has a wealth of information and I’ve used it to set up our trip to Iceland in 10 days’ time – but I’d love to be able to take it with us so we don’t miss out on anything! Thanks for writing it.
30th September 2019 at 8:49 pm
Thanks very much 🙂 We don’t have a printable version per se – most browsers have built in printing capabilities, which should work. It is something we do get requested from time to time, I just haven’t figured out how to implement it. Is there a specific format you would want the post to be in to make it more printer friendly?
30th September 2019 at 9:21 pm
If I press Print in my browser, it tells me that it will take 82 sheets of paper!!!! The problem is that you have all the beautiful photos – and of course all the adverts. Ideally, a printable version would just be the words, without the pictures. If you had a link to a pdf of the words, that would be perfect.
30th September 2019 at 9:51 pm
That is an awful lot of paper. I will definitely have to put this further up my to-do list as an option, thanks for the feedback!
14th October 2019 at 9:43 pm
So I have taken your feedback to heart and there is now a “print” icon in the floating share button to the side of the post when you view it on desktop. I’ve just implemented this, but hopefully it should give you a version of the post without ads and images 🙂 Most browsers let you print to PDF from the Print menu.
We’re going to make this button more obvious and probably tidy the wording up a bit, but hopefully this should get you what you were looking for in the meantime! Any feedback, let me know 🙂
I appreciate your trip has already started…
Shelley says
8th September 2019 at 5:30 am
Dear Laurence and Jessica,
We just got back from our 5 day trip to Iceland and I just wanted to thank you so very, very much for all your incredible information. I used everything you said to create a fantastic self-drive itinerary for us and we saw everything on the southern border. Our 15 and 23 year old boys loved the snorkling and the raft trip at Jökulsárlón the best, but we loved it all and plan to return to see the north. Just loved your site. So kind and helpful of you to do this! Thanks again!! Happy travels to you!
8th September 2019 at 10:24 am
Dear Shelley,
Thank you so much for your comment and letting us know that we helped you have a great trip! Comments like this make all the hard work worth it, and we really appreciate you taking the time to contact us.
Happy travels!
Laurence & Jessica
Jerry Kings says
30th June 2019 at 7:41 pm
We just decided on a last minute spontaneous trip to Iceland for end of July and had to scramble to finalize our accommodations given the crowds. Loved your itinerary, but had to adjust slightly to fit our plans, so wanted to use your expertise to make sure you do not see any flaws. We land early morning 7/23 and depart early morning 7/29.
7/23: Snaefellsnes Peninsula (stay there) 7/24: Reykjavik 7/25: Golden Circle (stay in Fludir) 7/26: Vik (stay in Vik) 7/27: Hofn (stay in Hofn) 7/28: Drive back to Reykjavik, stay there before flying out in the AM
Also, any pluses or minuses of Air BnB and guesthouses? Thanks so much!
1st July 2019 at 10:20 pm
This trip definitely looks doable to me. The only negative of an airbnb is that you usually have to coordinate an arrival time which can restrict your sight seeing and make you less flexible. It’s not a big deal, just something to think about.
Have a great trip!
Yinghua says
25th June 2019 at 5:28 am
Thanks for all the great info/suggestions! My family of 4 is planning a trip in mid August, for 5 days. Love your plan. I’m inclined to book car rental and hotels myself. How do I sign up for the special activities such as snorkels or glacier hike? It seems that Iceland Travel and Guide to Iceland have either the self-drive tour package or day tour. Thanks again!
25th June 2019 at 2:31 pm
Hi Yinghua,
So whilst the two sites you mention do offer day tours, you can also book individual tours that don’t include transport as well. It’s just a question of finding them, and the search functionality doesn’t always make this super easy. However, as an example, here is a link for booking the Silfra snorkelling without transport.
So it is definitely possible to book these activities in advance without booking a full day tour 🙂
Andrew Meadows says
23rd May 2019 at 1:01 pm
Hi im looking at possibly heading to Iceland in mid to late August, and your 5 day itinerary sounds awesome, but wondering is it possible to see the Northern Lights around that time ? and is it getting cold or would be cold i did notice in one of your comments there was snow in june ! ! Thanks Andrew
23rd May 2019 at 1:11 pm
So in theory it is possible to see the northern lights in late August. The main issue is that it will not be fully dark until quite late, and there will only be a few hours of true darkness, so the window of opportunity is quite small.
In terms of weather – Iceland is never truly a warm place 😉 Even the warmest days aren’t usually much above 20C, and the wind can make it seem much cooler. So I would advise packing warm clothes and waterproofs whatever time of year you visit. And yes, we had snow in June when we last visited, and it rained a lot, and the temperature was around 12C most of the time!
Definitely don’t go to Iceland for the warm weather 😉
Have a great time though!
14th May 2019 at 2:06 am
Hey, loved your post! My friend and I are trying to figure out how much money we’ll need for gasoline. About how many miles was this trip? Super helpful post!
14th May 2019 at 9:06 am
Thanks very much!
I’d say likely 1200 – 1600 miles, depending on side trips and detours 🙂
2nd April 2019 at 1:16 am
Hi! Love the post! I’m planning to travel in October this year. Would we follow advice for summer or winter for theatre time of year?
2nd April 2019 at 10:06 am
Well, you’re on the boundary! I would err more towards winter though, as wintery conditions are definitely more common that summer conditions (we had snow in June!), so I would plan for it to be colder and with the possibility of snow. You should also be able to see the northern lights 🙂
Tiffanie O. says
28th March 2019 at 3:07 pm
Let me say i have learned so much reading all of the comments and thank you for all of the information. Below is the self drive itinerary we have put together for when we visit in August, with the help from Guide to Iceland. We did change a few things and does it look doable to you…
Day 1- arrive airport, get car, head to Blue Lagoon, then spend night in Reykjavik (walk around Reykjavik after blue lagoon). Day 2-we want to do the first snorkel 9:00 in Silfra and then head to Snaefellsnes Peninsula to spend the day exploring and then spend the night in Stykkisholmur. Day 3-make our way to Thingvellir National Park (explore, take pics), head to Geysir, then Gullfoss, Kerid Crater, Sellfoss then stay the night in Vik. (i know this sounds like alot but we plan to get up early and head out, plus we will be there in August so daylight will be on our side). Day 4-I believe we are booking an ice cave tour (Myrdalsjokull) so we would do this first then make our way to Hofn (any suggestions for along the way ?), spend night in Hofn. Day 5-explore Hofn, as we head back to Vik stop at Jokulsarlon and black diamond beach. spend night in Vik. Day 6-head back to Reykjavik from Vik but stop at Reynifjara Beach, Dyrholaey, maybe plane wreck, skogafoss, Eyjafjallajokull, Seljalandsfoss. Spend night in Reykjavik. Day 7- fly home (will probably be depressed about leaving)
Does this itinerary make sense? I had messaged you yesterday about fuel and gas cards. Our math was way off when trying to figure out how much to budget for fuel. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.Thank you so much!
28th March 2019 at 3:23 pm
Hi Tiffanie,
We’re happy we’ve been able to help 🙂 Just so you know we did reply to your comment about fuel cards which you can see here: https://independenttravelcats.com/visiting-iceland-in-winter-7-day-iceland-itinerary-by-car/#comment-300016
For your itinerary, I just have a couple of bits of feedback on what otherwise looks like a great itinerary 🙂
On Day 2 you have yourselves going to Silfra for the snorkelling. As Silfra is in Thingvellir National Park, I think this would make a bit more sense to do on Day 3, where you visit Thingvellir, otherwise you are doing a bit of a detour on Day 2. You should still be able to see the rest of your itinerary on Day 2 I would think if you do the 9am tour, just bear in mind you would have to leave the Snaefellsnes peninsula early.
Of course, I appreciate that you have likely thought about this, and that is why Silfra is on Day 2 🙂
Otherwise this looks good to me!
27th March 2019 at 12:15 am
Hi there, what a wonderful website you’ve got! So much valuable information and beautiful pictures. Do you have an estimate of how much this five-day tour cost for two people?
Thank you in advance! 🙂
27th March 2019 at 11:27 am
So giving prices is a bit tricky for Iceland as the currency seems to fluctuate a lot! However, Iceland is definitely a relatively pricey destination, and it will also depend on a few factors (what sort of accommodation you want, what time of year you visit).
My suggestion is to check out our guide to how much it costs to travel in Iceland: https://independenttravelcats.com/iceland-budget-tips-how-to-save-money-in-iceland/#How-Much-Do-Things-Cost-in-Iceland
Which has some indicative costs for everything from car hire to groceries to accommodation, and from that you should be able to easily come up with a budget 🙂
Have a great trip, and let me know if I can help any more!
27th March 2019 at 4:49 pm
Thanks so much, Laurence! Very helpful information, it’ll really help me plan my trip. Thanks again! 🙂
27th January 2019 at 1:29 am
Hello, I am planning to visit Iceland around april 12 for 5-6 days. I intend to follow your itinerary, with maybe the addition of Snaefellsnes peninsula. Looking at the map, it seems it is more convenient to add this before the rest of the itinerary, am I right? Also, any suggestions for travelling in April? Any chance to see northern lights?
27th January 2019 at 9:48 am
Yes, adding the Snaefellsnes peninsula at the start would make the most sense. For April there’s nothing specific – just be aware that Iceland can be cold and windy / wet at any time of year, so just make sure you bring enough warm clothes. There is still the chance to see the northern lights in April, all you need is clear skies and a display to happen! Good luck 🙂
26th January 2019 at 6:17 pm
Hello, what hikes would one be able to do in these areas?
Thank you!!
26th January 2019 at 7:21 pm
It really depends on the length of hike you are interested in doing and the time of year you visit. Iceland is home to shorter hikes of an hour to half a day, as well as longer multi-day hikes. For multi-day hikes though I’d advise doing something different as this itinerary isn’t really about hiking.
For shorter hikes, you have quite a few options, although of course you’ll want to adjust the itinerary as it doesn’t currently account for many hikes.
Areas you might want to consider hiking are the short hike to Kvernufoss, the hike up to (and beyond) Reykjadalur hot springs and the hikes in Skaftafell up to and beyond Svartifoss.
There are loads more hikes, including the hike out to Glymur, and the Mt Esja hike, both of which are accessible from Reyjkavik.
I hope this helps a bit 🙂
Ethan Plous says
21st January 2019 at 11:32 pm
Hi Laurence and Jessica! My name is Ethan, and my friends and I planning a trip to Iceland during the summer of 2019 (June 14-17). Unfortunately amongst the five of us, there is no one who is old enough to rent a car (we are all 18 years old). I noticed that there is a public bus system and I was wondering if that is an effective way to get around. I had read the portion of your post that mentioned bus passports, but my friends and I were planning to spend one night in a different part of Iceland for the duration of our stay and an hourly bus pass does not seem particularly efficient. Moreover, I am extremely grateful for the patience you guys had to write such an informative and extensive guide, and I am extremely open to suggestions as where to visit in our time in Iceland!
Thanks a Ton,
22nd January 2019 at 12:20 pm
So the main issue with the public bus system is that it doesn’t tend to stop at the major tourist sights, and even if it does, many of the sights don’t take very long to see, and then you’d have to wait for another bus to come along.
The bus passports: https://guidetoiceland.is/book-holiday-trips/return-bus-ticket-to-the-highlands-golden-hikers-pass?a=133265 https://guidetoiceland.is/book-holiday-trips/iceland-by-bus-south-coast-passport?a=133265
One of them is just for hiking and the other is just from July, so I don’t think these will help.
So I have two main options for you. You can maybe rent an apartment in Reyjkavik, and then do some day tours from the city, as I suggest here: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/day-trips-from-reykjavik-iceland/
Or you could do a multi-day guided tour, which might be the easiest option. I suggest some here: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/best-guided-group-tours-of-iceland/
But if you take a look at the following sites you’ll get some ideas:
Iceland Travel Get Your Guide Guide to Iceland
I hope this helps a bit!
Have an awesome trip, and do let us know how it goes or if you have any more questions for us 😀
8th January 2019 at 2:24 pm
Hello, many thanks for this excellent guide! I’m planning to go to Iceland in March, from Saturday (arriving in the evening) to Friday (leaving in the morning) and I was thinking to follow pretty much this itinerary. Is it feasible in your opinion to start on Sunday morning from Reykyavik and visit the Snaefellsnes peninsula (Stykkisholmur, Bjarnarhofn, Kirkjufell, shall I add/remove something?) and sleep at Borgarnes? The following day I would continue with your Day 2 (Thingvellir and so on) .
Thanks, Marco
8th January 2019 at 5:16 pm
Hi Marco – our pleasure!
So yes, if you don’t mind skipping Reykjavik then that would definitely be achievable 🙂 I also think you should be able to see everything you mention without too much trouble. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to catch your flight on the Friday morning!
8th January 2019 at 8:10 pm
Yes because my idea was to do the peninsula on day 1, keep your day 2, 3 and 4 and the fifth day go back towards Reykjavik (with long stop at the blue lagoon :)) and on day 6 take the flight back. I’ve also came up with a different solution: Day 1: From Reykjavik to Vik (Seljalandsfoss,Skogafoss ecc.. basically your day 3 but driving from Reykjavik) Day 2: same as your day 4 Day 3: from Vik to Borgarnes (visiting Geysir, Gelfoss, Thingvellir) Day 4: visiting Snaefellnes penisula and sleep a Borgarnes Day 5: blue lagoon and sleep at Reykjavik
Any suggestions on which one is better? 🙂
Many thanks, Marco
8th January 2019 at 9:49 pm
This would work. Depending on the car you have you can also take road 48 to leave the Golden Circle route, and go past þórufoss, which is a really nice waterfall. It’s a gravel road which we drove in March a couple of years ago with no problems, but it’s always worth checking road conditions of course 🙂 Of course, you could do this the other way as well, from the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
To be honest either way will be pretty similar, it just depends which way you want to go!
5th January 2019 at 9:44 pm
Hi Laurence and Jessica,
My wife and I are planning to follow your itinerary in late January 2019. It is our first time in Iceland and really would like to see the Northern lights if we get lucky. Will it be visible in any of the locations in this road trip? if not, where is the best place to see it without deviating too far from this 5 days plan? Thank you in advance.
5th January 2019 at 10:31 pm
Yep, you can see the northern lights pretty much throughout Iceland, with the best viewing possible when you are away from artificial lights. Generally, that just means going a short distance from wherever you are staying – most towns are not too big in Iceland. Even in Reykjavik you can just travel a short distance to get good viewing! So you shouldn’t need to divert from the plan at all – you would just need to hope for clear skies and good conditions!
Have a wonderful trip 🙂
12th September 2018 at 12:58 am
In Iceland now and following this itinerary pretty closely, starting day 4 tomorrow: South Coast & Vík. Can you tell me roughly how long this day took you and if you started the day early? It seems like a jam-packed day! Thanks!
12th September 2018 at 10:24 am
Hey! So you are likely on the road now, but this is certainly a full day. We tend to start most of our days relatively early, around 8am. That said, the goal of the itinerary was to try and make every day a similar length. We’d love to hear your feedback though as to how you found it!
13th September 2018 at 10:49 pm
I booked a room last minute in Thykkvibaer, quite west of Vik/Klaustur, so I didn’t do the full itinerary for day 4 as it would’ve been too long of a drive back to the hotel afterward, so I can’t comment on the length of your itinerary for that day. I will say that there are signs in front of both the steep drive to Dyrhólaey and the entrance to Fjaðrárgljúfur that specify 4×4 vehicles only, and I had rented a small 2WD. Many blogs said a 2WD would fine on gravel roads, but it was raining and there were many potholes, and I tried it but it felt like a bad idea, so I turned back. I will definitely rent a 4×4 next visit, no doubt. The good news is there is a steep rocky pedestrian footpath from the parking lot below up to the Dyrhólaey viewpoint so hiking is an option if you can’t or don’t want to make the steep drive due to a small car or just nerves!
14th September 2018 at 11:24 am
Thanks very much for the update. You are correct, the drive up to Dyrhólaey is quite steep, and if the signs say 4WD only then it is a good idea. I’m not sure if those signs are relatively new, but I will update the post to reflect this information. Thanks very much!
8th January 2019 at 8:19 pm
Hi RB, Haven’t understood: did you manage to do day 4 starting and coming back to Vik?
Andrew Scheier says
30th August 2018 at 3:54 pm
We followed this itinerary pretty closely (added Gjain on day 2 and did the Snaefellsnes Peninsula on day 6.) Had a great time. Thanks!
30th August 2018 at 3:57 pm
Hey Andrew – that’s great! We always love to hear feedback about how things went, and we’re pleased you had a good time 😀
Victor says
18th August 2018 at 3:58 am
Thank you for all the great tips! Do you recommend a 4×4 for this trip or a regular car will be okay?
18th August 2018 at 8:40 am
Hey Victor, our pleasure 🙂
A regular car should be fine, all the roads in this itinerary are paved. If you travel in Winter you might prefer a 4×4 for some added safety, but even standard cars should come with winter or studded tires, so it should be ok. Either way, just drive safely and to the road conditions and you should be fine!
15th August 2018 at 3:19 pm
Thank you very much for providing inspiration for my future trip to Iceland.
15th August 2018 at 8:22 pm
Our pleasure – thanks for commenting!
12th July 2018 at 5:13 am
This guide is wonderful! Thanks for all the great information
12th July 2018 at 11:53 am
Our pleasure – thanks Kate!
Amanda says
27th January 2018 at 2:01 pm
I’ll be back in Iceland later this year with my dad on our way over to Greenland – this is a great first-time guide for a shorter trip! I’ll have to send it to Dad so he can start getting some ideas.
28th January 2018 at 9:46 am
We’ll be there in June 😀 Maybe we’ll run into each other!
Kristin says
23rd January 2018 at 4:45 pm
I love how moody and dramatic all these shots are, but the beauty image up top with the red jacket tops it all in my book! It’s now been 11 years since I was in Iceland, and MAN do I want to get back. My husband still hasn’t ever gone!
23rd January 2018 at 4:48 pm
Yeah, we did actually get a lot of nice days in Iceland too, but these ended up being the shots I chose for this post for some reason! You guys definitely need to get back 😀
sally-anne grainger says
28th July 2019 at 7:01 pm
I am looking at going for New year and my 40th (Jan). What is it like please? We are going for 5 days and I don’t want to be going here there and everywhere. I am after seeing the lights, blue lagoon, waterfalls, and other nice naturey stuff nearby. Done whale watching so many times I feel this is not for me. Suggestions would be appreciated. Also looking at staying at one place only where the views are good for the lights. We are looking at hiring a car also rather than pay extra for tours. Many thanks, Sally
29th July 2019 at 7:45 pm
Hi Sally Anne!
So the main thing to consider at that time of year is that it will be dark a lot of the time (the days can be as short as just a few hours of daylight). This means that you won’t be able to fit as much in in terms of sight seeing as it will be dark. However, you will have lots more opportunities for the northern lights, so that is a benefit. I think a good option would be to base yourself in Reyjkavik and to explore from there. I’d say the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon and parts of the south coast would be good options for your time, especially with a car rental. We also have a guide to Iceland in winter which might give you some more inspiration, as well as some ideas of day trips from Reykjavik. You can see those here:
https://independenttravelcats.com/visiting-iceland-in-winter-7-day-iceland-itinerary-by-car/ https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/day-trips-from-reykjavik-iceland/
Have a great time!
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Let me know when there's a reply to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise!)
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips. This also makes you eligible to enter our monthly giveaways!
We only ask for your e-mail so we can verify you are human and if requested notify you of a reply. To do this, we store your data as outlined in our privacy policy . Your e-mail will not be published or used for any other reason other than those outlined above.
Get My PNW Presets!
This preset collection can enhance your photos and will help you define your style and save you time.
The Absolute Best Iceland Itinerary: 7 days
Iceland is one of those countries that seems to be popping up on everyone’s Instagram lately. The stunning country is filled with so many jaw-dropping views. It has become wildly famous for good reason. The country is full of waterfalls, black sand beaches, white peaked mountains, cute churches, blue glaciers, hot springs galore, and so much more. It is honestly a nature lover’s dream paradise. And, the best part is that it is super easy to plan a trip. With the acceptance of credit cards everywhere and most attractions being just a car drive away, its no wonder people flock to Iceland every year. After spending my Thanksgiving in this magnificent place, I have decided to make it easy for everyone and listed out the perfect 7 days Iceland itinerary which also includes tours if you are not in the mood to rent a car. So keep reading on for the best Iceland Itinerary 7 days edition!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.
Download my free Outdoor Photography Guide
Iceland winter itinerary vs iceland summer itinerary.
Choosing when to visit Iceland can be difficult, especially if you are spending 7 days in Iceland. On one hand, the summer months bring easy weather; but on the other hand, winter has fewer crowds. Either way, you will not be disappointed no matter what time of the year you go. I went in the winter to save money and it was still epic. My winter trip just made me want to come back in the summer to experience a different landscape.
- In the Winter: Weather can be unpredictable, it is cheaper, less sunlight, snowy landscape, less crowded, the best sunrise and sunset pictures.
- In the Summer: Weather is the best, super crowded, green landscape, more sunlight, more costly.
How To Travel Around Iceland
There are three options on getting around Iceland in 7 days:
- Rental Car: We chose this option. I am from Texas where we drive everywhere, so I don’t like to be limited on where I go. Plus, I love getting away from the crowds so it was an easy choice to rent a car. Since we went in the winter, we stayed in hotels instead of campsites. I do not advice camping in the winter as it can be dangerous. The Iceland roads were pretty easy to travel in as the road conditions were good. I will warn you that driving in Iceland in winter can be dangerous due to random snow storms, so be wary.
- Tour Guides: There are soooo many tours in Iceland that you no longer need a car to explore. Throughout the article, I have listed the most popular tours for you. Tours are a great option if you don’t feel like planning much 🙂
- Rent a Campervan: This is a great way to save some money! You don’t need camping gear or a hotel, just your campervan. >Rent Your Campervan Here
Read More: 11+ Tips on Renting a Campervan in Iceland
Iceland Road Map
Below is the Iceland 7 day Itinerary map. You can download the map and turn on and off all the layers as needed:
Iceland Tips
- Even though Iceland is part of the EU, the country uses the Icelandic Króna instead of the EUR. Many people exchange their money, but I feel it is unnecessary. Most places accepts credit cards, and if you have a credit card that has no international/foreign exchange fees, you can skip the hassle of getting the Krona.
- If you want to avoid the crowds, the best approach is to travel further away from Reykjavik. It is easiest by renting a car or an RV. In my opinion, the best way to see Iceland is to rent a car.
- Spending one week in Iceland can be expensive. The best way to save money is to not eat at restaurants. I suggest going to grocery stores and buying food in Reykjavik or Vik. Another way to save money is to purchase sandwiches from gas stations. Most days, my husband and I ate sandwiches from the gas station and they were quite tasty. I would get different types every time so I wouldn’t get tired of them.
- Don’t go driving off-road because it is illegal.
- Only hike on established trails.
- Book all your tours in advance. Iceland is a popular travel destination so they might get sold out.
- Bring the correct type of clothing. Summer months do not mean warm months. Come prepared.
Iceland Itinerary 7 days
Day 1: fly into keflavik, blue lagoon and hang out at reykjavik.
Blue Lagoon
There are so many articles on why you should or shouldn’t visit the famous Blue Lagoon. The articles over-analyze the super touristy spot. I am one of those individuals who needs to experience it on my own to form my personal opinion. So of course, I booked my ticket right away.
My conclusion is that if you are on a fence, add it to your Iceland travel itinerary. Experience it at least once in your life. If you hate it, then never go back again. But at least you tried it out.
It is a bit crowded, but the smokey, baby blue colors and the relaxation is worth it. I recommend booking a ticket early in the day (8:00 am or 9:00am) just so there are fewer people. Based on the setup, I can imagine the place can become a madhouse at peak hours.
When you arrive, you are given a bracelet, which will allow you to lock your belongings in a locker. Right after you put your personal items in the locker, you are required to take a shower prior to jumping into the lagoon. I recommend women to put their hair in a bun and then slather conditioner all over your hair. Don’t worry, conditioner is provided in the showers. The blue lagoon waters do dry out your hair so avoid getting your hair wet.
After the shower, you walk outside and enter the lagoon. Once the toes hit the water, all of your problems and stress magically melt away. I recommend exploring all the areas of Blue Lagoon. The lagoon has three “stands” which offer different things such as drinks, massages, and mud mask products. The drink stand will give you your first drink free, and the silica mask is free as well. Your bracelet will be assigned to you which allow you to “purchase” drinks or face masks. At the end of the experience, you will be able to check out and pay your tab.
- Blue Lagoon Admission Ticket – Buy this ticket as soon as you buy your airplane ticket to Iceland since the Blue Lagoon admissions tickets tend to sell out. Schedule it the day you arrive in Iceland or the day you leave Iceland >Buy The Admission Ticket Here
- From Reykjavik Airport Transport – If you are not renting a car, getting transport to and from is a great option. >Buy Your Transport Here
First Day in Reykjavik
After spending some time at the Blue Lagoon, it is time to head to the capital city of Iceland – Reykjavik. Reykjavik is located on the south western part of Iceland, making it quite nice and easy to explore the rest of the country from here.
Blue Lagoon/Keflavik to Reykjavik is about 45 minutes to 1 hour drive away. Upon arriving at Reykjavik, head to your hotel to check-in. We stayed at Ion City Hotel , which is such a chic, beautiful hotel. After checking in, it is time for some quick exploration. It is recommended that you explore Reykjavik by walking – as some of the lanes don’t allow for vehicle entry.
First stop is the Laugavegur Street. This is one of the prettiest streets in Reykjavik and also their main street. You will find beautiful murals on the walls, street art, great restaurants, bars and souvenir stores at Laugavegur Street. Our favorite restaurant here was the Scandinavia and Joe and Juice, which became a morning ritual.
The city offers numerous wonderful tours which are conducted in the afternoons. These walking tours are an amazing way to learn about Iceland’s history – from Vikings to the establishment of the Alpingi (parliament) and the modern day economic recession and revival of Icelandic economy with the tourism and nationalized banks. The tours typically last 2-3 hours.
If you like to explore on your own, then head to the Hallgrímskirkja Church next. Hallgrímskirkja Church is an iconic landmark of Iceland. You can see this tallest church from anywhere in the city of Reykjavik. This is a Lutheran church and it is open to public everyday. Entry to the church is free, but to access the towers, there is an additional charge of $10 USD per adult. We highly recommend that you take the church tower access, you will be rewarded with amazing city views of Reykjavik, with its red, blue and multi-colored houses. You can easily spend 1-2 hours here.
By now, the sun is likely setting. This is the best time to stroll around the city, eat, and grab a drink or two. Reykjavik comes alive in the evening, so definitely check it out.
It is true that Reykjavik is expensive when it comes to food. For meals everyday, it is a good idea to get some Icelandic delicacies from one of their grocery stores (Bonus, Kronas, 10-11 – grocery stores located in downtown Reykjavik). There is a budget eating place in downtown Reykjavik (all you can eat style) – called Reykjavik Street Food. You have to try their Icelandic lamb soup. Not only is it delicious, but it is noticeably cheaper when compared to other restaurants.
Where to Stay In Reykjavik
- Ion City Hotel is the hotel we stayed at in Reykjavik. It is chic, fancy and in an entertaining area. I love how close everything is and being able to walk around with all the Christmas decorations. Sigh… So magical! >Check Pricing and Availability
- 101 Hotel is located only a few minutes walk from the Icelandic Phallological Museum and usually has incredible rates. I stayed here in the summer and I am in love with the black and white modern look of the rooms! >Check Pricing and Availability
- The Hotel Lotus is an affordable accommodation with Kringlan Shopping Center only 0.6 miles away! There is also an in-house restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. >Check Pricing and Availability
Looking for more places to stay in Reykjavik? Read About The Best Places To Stay In Iceland
Day 2: Explore Reykjavik
Next morning, explore more of the Reykjavik city. Reykjavik is located by the Faxa Bay, so you can expect amazing river-front views. Take a stroll along the harbour front and visit some of the other popular tourist spots in the capital city. The Sun Voyager is a sculpture located by the harbor front. It is accessible 24/7. Close to the Sun Voyager is the stunning Harpa Concert Hall. Built in the 2000s, the “Harpa” is home of Icelandic festivals and Orchestra and is characterized by the shiny glass architecture.
There are quite a few interesting museums in the Reykjavik city, that are definitely worth a visit. Iceland Maritime Museum, Icelandic Phallological Museum, Icelandic Art Museum, the National Gallery of Iceland – to name a few.
There is also the new amazing Sky Lagoon that everyone is talking about. This lagoon is located in Reykjavik and is less crowded than the blue lagoon. The views are absolutely gorgeous too. I even did the seven-step ritual and had an amazing experience. >You can book a ticket here
I also recommend doing some shopping around Reykjavik. Iceland is known for its wool, so I bought some sweaters, jackets, blankets, and hats. Icewear Iceland is the best place to shop at for Icelandic wool.
Looking for more things to do in Reykjavik? Read the free and cheap things to do in Reykjavik here .
Reykjavik area written by Mayuri at To Some Place New
Day 3: Golden Circle
Thingvellir National Park (Þingvellir National Park)
One of the most famous national parks and a world heritage Unesco site in Iceland is Thingvellir National Park. Thingvellir is a must for your 1 week in Iceland trip. The park is filled with waterfalls, old churches, ruins, and mid-Atlantic rifts which means you will be walking on two continents/ tectonic plates: The North American Plates and the Eurasian Plates. Iceland is the only place in the world where you can walk on two different tectonic plates.
When we entered the park, we slowly walked around and took in all the beauty and took pictures of the waterfalls and the unique landscape. Many people also scuba dive or snorkel in the Silfra. You can book your Silfra snorkel tour here. If you do book a snorkel or dive tour please note that it will probably take half a day so you might not have time to explore the other areas listed on this day.
The Geysir is an easy attraction to add to your Iceland road trip itinerary. The area has restaurants, tourists shops, and it even has a Geysir! This was our first time seeing a Geysir, so I was super impressed. Parking is free, and it was easy to find a spot even with the crowds. The Geysir sprays water every few minutes (up to 20-40 meters high) so make sure to take videos and pictures of this phenomenon. Just don’t get too close as the water is sweltering:-)
Note: This is a great area to stop and have lunch at.
Gullfoss Waterfall
When we arrived at this waterfall, we were in absolute shock! Gullfoss was the largest waterfall I have ever seen, and there was a 360° rainbow! The only downside was that it was pretty crowded and the floor was slippery, so be careful. I almost fell on my face a couple of times, not going to lie 🙂
Gullfoss translates to “Golden Falls” which was exactly how I felt described this place. I mean look at that picture above, if that doesn’t describe golden falls, I don’t know what will. The waterfall should be thought of as two separate features with one cascade measuring at 11 meters and the taller one measuring at 21 meters.
Kerid Crater
When planning a trip to Iceland, make sure to add this volcanic crater to your list. I loved how the green water looked with the dark red color of the crater. It is a perfect detour from the Gullfoss, Thingvellir, and the Geysir since it isn’t as crowded as the other three sites. You do have to pay for parking which we did with our credit card (about 400 ISK).
You can either hike around the crater or hike down to the water. We decided to get closer to the crater and take more pictures as shown below.
Take Pictures With Icelandic Horses
This honestly can be done on any of the days when seeing Iceland by car, but I decided to add this here since we took pictures with the horses while exploring the Golden Circle. You will have so many opportunities to hang out with the horses because they are everywhere!
Just make sure not to feed the horses and not to touch them. Feeding them or petting them does more harm than good.
Golden Circle Tours
- Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full Day Tour with Kerid Crater – One of the most popular tours in Iceland, takes you to see Gullfoss Waterfall, the geyser of Strokkur, the volcanic crater at Kerið, and Þingvellir National Park. This tour lasts about 8 hours, and they pick you up at Reykjavik. >Buy Tour Now
Where To Stay Near The Golden Circle
I recommend staying in Reykjavik on this day. But, if you are driving in Iceland on your own then you can probably stay at a hotel much closer:
- Ion Luxury Adventure Hotel – We stayed at the Ion hotel while we toured the Golden Circle. Super Chic and away from the hustle and bustle. The hotel has a delicious restaurant and a pretty rad looking pool. Perfect for Instagram pictures. >Book Your Stay Here
Day 4: South Iceland
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Day four consists of exploring South Iceland. The first stop is one of the most famous waterfalls called Seljalandsfoss located on route 1 Iceland. The waterfall is about 60 meters tall and is part of the Seljalands River.
When traveling around Iceland, you can usually spot the beautiful waterfall a long ways away before you get to it. It truly is magnificent. You do have to pay for parking, and it is 700ISK per car. There is a Kiosk machine that takes credit cards.
The best part about this waterfall is you can actually walk behind the waterfall. If you want to go behind the waterfall, I highly recommend a raincoat because you will get soaked! In the wintertime going behind the waterfall can be closed due to the path being too slippery.
Gljúfrabúi Waterfall
Located right next to the famous Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi Waterfall is a must stop. The waterfall is located walking distance away from Seljalandsfoss, and it is less crowded. The waterfall is 40 meters high and is blocked from view behind a massive cliff. Bring good rainboots and raincoat as you will get soaked.
Skógafoss Waterfall
One of the most well-known waterfalls in Iceland, Skógafoss should be on everyone’s South Iceland itinerary. The waterfall stands at 60 meters, is 25 meters wide, and is located right off the Iceland highway 1. There is even an option of walking up the steps to view the beautiful waterfall from above (525 steps worth).
Hidden Waterfall
One of my favorite parts of my Iceland road trip itinerary was discovering a hidden waterfall called Kvernufoss. The waterfall is located near the Skogar Museum, and if you walk east, you will find a fence that you will need to hop over. Eventually, the path will lead you to a wonderful waterfall. Make sure to take care of Kvernufoss, and to keep it hidden away from the hordes of tourists.
Dyrhólaey Lighthouse Viewpoint
When we were visiting Iceland, we loved seeing the Dyrhólaey Lighthouse. It was our first time seeing a black sand beach so getting the views from the top were surreal. The area is unfortunately not open all year long for cars due to bird nesting season.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
One of the most famous black sand beaches is located on the south coast near the small city of Vik. This place is usually crowded with tourists, but I still feel it is necessary to stop. The beach is one of a kind and includes crazily shaped basalt rocks, basalt cliffs, and of course black sand. You can usually walk away from the crowds to take some pictures on your own.
The two Basalt Cliffs are called Reynisdrangar and legend has it that the two cliffs are trolls that turned into stone when they stayed too long in the daylight.
South Island Tours
South Island is one of the most popular spots in Iceland. Getting a tour in this area is not difficult at all. Here is the most popular South Island Tour from Reykjavik:
South of Iceland Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik – The duration is about 10 hours, and you get to visit Seljalandsfoss, Vik, Sólheimajökull glacier, Skógafoss waterfall, and see the black sand beaches of the southern coast. >Book Your Tour Here
Vik is such a cute town to explore. It is also a great place to grab food, or go grocery shopping. I liked exploring the Vík i Myrdal Church. If you go around the right time (June/July) the area will be filled with wildflowers. It is pretty epic.
Where To Stay In Vik
If you are not doing a south island tour and you are driving around Iceland on your own, I recommend staying at Vik for the night. Driving all the way back to Reykjavik will make you lose precious Iceland exploring time.
- Vik Apartments are pretty much a home away from home. The hotel comes with a full kitchen, living room, an awesome balcony with stunning views of the black beach. I recommend this place for families or friends traveling together as there are multiple bedrooms. >Check Pricing and Availability
- Black Beach Suites was my FAVORITE accommodation in Iceland. I loved that it had a full kitchen and dining table. Hubby even cooked me breakfast in the morning. You can walk to the famous black sand beach from the patio. I wish we had stayed more than one night. >Check Pricing and Availability
- The Barn is one of the fanciest hostels I have ever seen. This place is exceptionally chic and clean. I had to go inside to check into our Black Beach Suites, and I was surprised to find out it was a hostel! If you are on a budget, I HIGHLY recommend this place. >Check Pricing and Availability
Day 5: South East Iceland
Tour around Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
The glacial lagoon was probably my favorite part of my Iceland one-week itinerary. The area is absolutely epic and has so much to offer! You can take a boat tour, visit ice caves, go glacier hiking, or take amazing Instagram pictures at the shores. Regardless of what you do, it will be amazing.
Since we visited Iceland in the Winter, we decided to do the one thing that can not be done all year round: Ice Cave exploring . You must hire a guide for this, and it can only be done in the winter time. I enjoyed it, but one thing that bugged me was how rushed it felt. But, it is understandable since so many people trying to see the Ice Caves as well.
The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is a popular destination for tours leading to many other adventure options besides the Ice Caves; like boat tours, and glacier hiking. Most tours start early in the morning near the lagoon.
Our ice cave tour ended in the early afternoon. Afterward, we ate at one of the two food trucks located on site. The food was delicious!
Diamond Beach
Make sure to add this to your Iceland trip itinerary because this beach is spectacular. The ice comes in all shapes and sizes, and they are always changing. This is a great spot to take drone photos and to practice your photography skills (especially during sunset). Winter time is the best time to visit this beach as the diamonds are huge compared to the summer. See the pictures above and below.
Southeast Island Tours
Due to different seasons, I recommend two tours near Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. One tour is for the summer, and the other is for the winter:
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Tour – This tour departs from Reykjavik and also includes Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and Vik. This is a 14-hour tour. This is an excellent option for the summer. >Book Your Tour Here
- Crystal Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – The tour meets in the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon so you will have to find transportation to the lagoon yourselves. This is the tour we took, and we enjoyed it. >Book Your Tour Here
Where To Stay In Höfn
Staying at Höfn is an excellent idea after exploring around Jökulsárlón all day. The city has several accommodations and isn’t as crowded as many of the other towns near Reykjavik. If you have extra time and want to soak in a hot tub, check out the Hoffell hot tubs near Höfn.
- Seljavellir Guesthouse is a great hotel with big patio window doors with wonderful views of the outdoors. There is even a bar and a terrace to relax. >Check Pricing and Availability
- Milk Factory is a cute bed and breakfast that used to be an actual Milk Factory! Recently renovated the B&B has some great views of the surrounding mountains. >Check Pricing and Availability
- Höfn Hostel If you are looking for cheap accommodation the Hofn Hostel is for you. This hostel is an environmentally friendly place with a guest kitchen and laundry services. >Check Pricing and Availability
Day 6: Explore Höfn and Stokksness and Drive Back To Reykjavik
If you are touring Iceland by car, you need to stop by Stokksnes. The peninsula holds the stunning and tall mountains called Vestrahorn. You do have to pay for a small entrance fee but doing so is entirely worth it. The black sand beach next to tall spiring mountains is a perfect spot for photographers.
We also got some killer sunset and sunrise shots in this area (as seen below). I just loved how there were fewer crowds near Höfn. After being surrounded by people every step of the way, it was nice to get some pictures without people around.
Svartifoss should be in your Iceland self drive itinerary. The waterfall is about 20 meters tall and has black columnar basalt walls. The waterfall is located in Skaftafell which is part of Vatnajökull National Park.
Get to the Skaftafell visitor center and ask for a hiking map to get to Svartifoss. The hike is about 1.5Km from the visitors center and can take 1.5-3 hours to complete (depending on how long you like to take pictures).
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
If you are driving around Iceland, make sure to stop at the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. The canyon is believed to be formed at the end of the last Ice Age, about nine thousand years ago. You can hike around the edge of the canyon to view from above. There are many stopping points throughout the canyon to take pictures. At the end of the hike, there is a stunning tall flowing waterfall.
More than likely you will be coming back to Reykjavik either in the late afternoon or evening. On our last night, we went to the Staff Kitchen and Bar . The tapas plate we ordered to share was pretty good.
Day 7: Head to The Airport
After a road trip around Iceland, it is time to get back home. If you didn’t rent a car, then book a bus transfer from Reykjavik and Keflavik here.
Additional Readings
Welp this is how we spent a week in Iceland. Make sure to check out some of my other blog posts and let me know if you have any questions in the comments below:
- Things to Do In Iceland In The Winter
- Ultimate Guide to What To Wear In Iceland
Also, follow me on Instagram, where I discuss all things hiking, camping, and backpacking. You can get ready for your next outdoor adventure! Follow Me Here .
Claim your FREE Hiking Checklist
Ready to start hiking? Grab my free hiking checklist and never forget anything at home!
Pin For Later:
Similar Posts
The Best Guide To Hiking Corcovado National Park In Costa Rica
Where to Stay in Olympic National Park – 10 Best Cabins & Rentals
The 15 Best Hikes In Utah
11 Best Things To Do in Big Bend National Park, Texas
12 Best Things To Do in Canyonlands National Park, Utah
20 Best Hikes in Glacier National Park: Trails You’ll Love
32 comments.
Your maps are fantastic! It is so helpful having an idea of where everything is, especially when all the names look similar!
Thank you 🙂
Your Iceland itinerary looks amazing! The crater and waterfall look out of this world, and I so want to see the super cute Icelandic horses. I’ll pin this for my trip!
I can’t believe how many stunning photos you’ve fit into one post! I’d love to do a campervan trip around Iceland someday, and this is the first guide I’ve read that’s seriously made me consider going in the winter– those ice caves! Diamond Beach!
I know Diamond Beach is such a dream!
This looks like an amazing itinerary and it’s very well written! I’m trying to plan a trip to Iceland and this has given me so much inspiration on where to start!
Awww I am so glad you liked it!
Wow! Phenomenal post, map, and itinerary! I spent 21 days in Iceland in 2011 and am planning a week-long trip for my family to go next summer. This is very helpful and has me fired up! Your images are spectacular and the writing is top-notch as well. I have one question. The map seems to be missing day two; is it me or am did I do something on my end to remove the second day? Thanks for sharing this fantastic work and I wish you many more journeys! Todd
Hey Todd! Wow, thank you for your kind words I can not appreciate it enough! Yes, you were so right! My map was missing the 2nd day so I have updated it! I really appreciate you telling me and I really hope you have a great time with your family 🙂 Cheers!
I really enjoyed reading your blog. I’m planning a 7 day self guided road trip to Iceland next summer and this helped so much with getting some ideas. I loved how you incorporated map and pictures as well as suggestions of where to stay.
I am so glad you liked it! I love when blogs include maps and places to stay. It makes it so much easier for us!
I love your outfits and hats so much. What are the brands of the boots and jackets you have in the pictures you have posted? You are so cute in them!!
Hey Sherry here is my packing list 🙂
Hello! I just wanted to say thanks so much for this post. We recently took a road trip through Iceland, and I followed this post for inspiration and a route. I agree, we really liked Black Beach Suites and Seljavellir Guesthouse. You saved me a lot of time! Thanks again!
Thank you so much! That makes me so happy to hear 😀
Hi, Looking to go to Iceland in January. Where would I go the see the Northern lights? Thanks, Al
The best time to see them is in the winter. You can usually see them in most places in Iceland. But it is better if you get out of Reykjavik. Just keep on looking online to see updates on when it is out. You can also get the hotel to wake you if there is any activity.
I have been searching near and far for some tips on a Feb. Iceland trip and I cannot thank you enough for this post! Seriously the most perfect fit for our trip – THANK YOU!
Thank you Karin! So happy you liked it 🙂
Your pictures are phenomenal! What camera are you using? Your itinerary has been so helpful and have saved me so much time!
Thank you! I used the Sony A6000!
What would you recommend if you had one extra day? We are planning on following your itinerary but have one extra full day!
I recommend Snaefellsjokull National Park!
This is incredible! My boyfriend and I are planning to go to Iceland next June. I told him I would be happy doing everything on your blog. This is very informative and makes me so excited to go!! Thank you for such great info!
Yay I am so happy you like it 🙂
This looks like an amazing trip! I’m trying to plan for next year (hoping travel is okay from a COVID standpoint by then). Did you see the Northern Lights? If so, where did you see them? Thanks!
I saw them but they were not as pretty as I have seen in pictures. It looked like a cloud. I think I was just not lucky.
I just used your itinerary as the basis for my own trip (June 2022) and I have to say it was balanced, well-paced, and super fun. I even cross-referenced your stops with other sites like Lonely Planet and Reddit and this definitely has the highlights you want to see. We ended up making some changes to accommodations and tacked on some extra days in Reykjavik at the end, but if you are thinking of visiting Iceland (and not doing the Ring Road), I really recommend doing a version similar to this. If you are going in summer, instead of the Ice Cave, I highly recommend going kayaking in the Glacier Lagoon instead. Thanks for posting this!
Thank you so much for this comment! As a blogger, I rarely get feedback after people’s trips, so good to know you enjoyed it. I will be going back next month so hopefully, I can write a 14-day itinerary:-D.
Hi Michelle, Thank you for your itinerary. My husband and I just got back from Iceland, and we used it as our planning tool. It was awesome 🙂 Allison
Yay so glad you liked it!
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .
Going Awesome Places
Detailed itineraries + travel guides
Ultimate 8 Day Iceland Itinerary – An Iceland Road Trip Guide
Last Updated June 29, 2023 William Tang
You are here: Home » Travel Itineraries » Ultimate 8 Day Iceland Itinerary – An Iceland Road Trip Guide
I’m just going to put this out there. Iceland is ridiculously beautiful. There’s been a rise in tourism there and a ton of hype. Over these past 5 years, you couldn’t go on Facebook without seeing one of your friends sharing photos of Iceland. I needed to see for myself and now that I’m back, I can confidently say that everything they say is true. This Iceland road trip is one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had. Overrated? Hell no!
The inspiration for this 8 day Iceland itinerary guide came from the trip planning process. There was a lot of information out there on individual attractions and of the country. So if you also just so happen have 8 days to work with in Iceland, this is for you. Even if not, I think there’s a ton of insight here as I was pretty careful about writing down every small detail about the trip along the way where I went “this would be TOTALLY helpful for my readers”.
Deep dive into planning your Iceland trip
- Top 5 Hotels in Rekyjavik on a Budget
- 12 Best Things to do in Iceland
- The 6 Day Iceland Itinerary
- Reasons to go to Iceland
- 12 Icelandic Souvenirs You Need To Buy
How to get the best deals in travel
- Hottest deals – Bookmark the travel deals page .
- Car rentals – stop getting ripped off and learn about car rental coupon codes .
- Hotels – Use corporate codes or get Genius 2 tier with Booking.
- Flights – Have you ever heard of the “Everywhere” feature ?
- Insurance – Make sure you’re covered and learn more about where to buy the best travel insurance .
Table of Contents
This Iceland guide is broken into three main parts – trip planning decision points, the comprehensive itinerary and my personal planning tips.
Getting Started is a small section devoted to some of the trip planning struggles that I encountered and my thought processes around it. Itinerary covers the 8 day journey on the island in September. Valuable Trip Planning Advice started as a laundry list of notes I typed into my phone as the trip unfolded. It contains the need to knows, things you probably didn’t think about, and everything else in between that’ll make your trip kickass.
- Getting Started
Day 1 – Black and Blue
Day 2 – exploring reykjavik + buubble, day 3 – golden circle, day 4 – snaefellsnes surprise, day 5 – foss and truly secret pool, day 6 – beauty of the south, day 7 – glacier climbing, day 8 – rewind.
- How The Itinerary Changed During The Trip
- How The Itinerary Kicked Ass
Driving in Iceland
Recommended gear, photography, getting your iceland itinerary started.
I’ve been putting a lot of thought into this and if I were to sum up into words what makes Iceland so incredible, it’s this – Every corner of the land is so vastly varied and completely stunning because it’s a a visual wonderland of landscapes that covers all the elements. Iceland is somewhere you thought only possible in fairy tales or science fiction movies but it’s totally real.
I was skeptical before the start of the trip. I mean how could I not be. Everyone and their Mom has been to Iceland. Could it be really THAT good? The worry I had was whether it was going to be over-hyped or just a haven for tourists.
Having gone there and back, I can safely tell you that my trip there was everything I was hoping it would be and more.
Trust me, Iceland is a place you have to go. It’s the best road trip you’ll ever go on.
The section below details out some of the basics that you’ve already been thinking about as you start planning your epic Iceland road trip. It covers the high level stuff but if you want to get into more details, I have a Valuable Trip Planning Advice section which has even more information.
If you’re a fan of this itinerary, make sure to check out other incredibly detailed ones like this. Here are a few to get you started:
- Greek Islands 14 day itinerary
- 12 day Japan itinerary
- 14 day Tahiti itinerary
- 12 day Taiwan itinerary
- 10 day Patagonia itinerary
To Ring Road or Not?
Iceland is almost perfectly designed to allow drivers to fully explore the island. At 1,332 kilometers, you can easily just start driving on Route 1 and if you don’t stop, you’ll arrive back at the same spot that you started 17 hours later. The entire island is insanely beautiful all the way around so it’s a no brainer to do the full loop right?
Thing is, it was a much more complicated question than that and at the beginning of putting together this 8 day Iceland itinerary , this was probably the most hotly debated topic. With 8 days to work with, it seemed completely do-able to drive the Ring Road but the more and more I dug into it, the more and more it didn’t make sense. The bottom line is that it was possible but we’d be rushing from one place to the next. We’d be crunched for time which would mean less time for random stops (oh we made many) and we’d have to make careful choices about what to see and what to skip.
Here’s why we didn’t do Ring Road:
- Excursions – Once you introduce any sort of excursion, this was almost out of the question. The problem is that almost all activities originate from Reykjavik so if you plan on doing any of them (most are full day), you’ll have to plan to base yourself in the capital for a few days before hitting the road. The only exception for us was our ice climbing experience in Skaftafell which we were able to meet with them on-site.
- Pick and choose – As I was building out a test itinerary for doing the Ring Road, it felt that I was continuously making compromises on where we could stop. For instance, if a secret hot spring was too far from the main road and add too much time, you just had to cut it even if it was spectacular. FOMO completely taking over in this case.
- Race to the next destination – What I didn’t like about doing the Ring Road in roughly a week was the fact that every day seemed to be a rush to get to the next hostel. The prospect of seeing only a few things along the way and the rest focusing on getting to the next town would be too stressful.
- Weather – This wasn’t much an issue for September but it definitely crossed my mind. There was some risk that if there was heavy snowfall that roads would be closed and that we’d be snowed in or have to bypass an area.
Ultimately for us, it made more sense to do a smaller portion of the island really well than to rush through it all just to check off the list.
That being said, it totally sucks we didn’t get to do the north or Westfjords. I really wanted to go there but couldn’t swing it. If we had 12+ days, I think we could’ve done it but it is what we had to work with. More of a reason to go back right?
Do I regret not doing Ring Road? Nope, not at all .
When To Go?
When planning your Iceland itinerary, it’s pretty critical to think about what time of the year you’re going to be going because it will make a big difference. The three main factors to think about are: weather, northern lights and seasonality. These will dramatically change the type of experience you’ll have in Iceland.
For all intents and purposes, you can think of Iceland as having two primary seasons – cold and not as cold/borderline warm with frequent weather changes sprinkled in. For simplicity, let’s just call it summer and winter.
Seriously though, Iceland is not as chilly as its namesake sounds.
During the summer months, the weather is actually quite pleasant. Hovering around 20C (70F), you’re totally in the t-shirt zone but of course, the fickle nature of the climate means that things can change on a dime and before you know it, you’re in the middle of torrential downpour.
Another thing that is unique to the summer months is that you’re looking at almost continuous daylight. Midnight sun can totally trip your sleep schedule but what’s great about this is that you have all 24 hours to do and see stuff if you really wanted to. Imagine that! That being said, you will not be able to see the aurora borealis because it relies on darkness and clear skies.
Summer is of course high season . This means that there will be a larger amount of tourists on the island which drives prices up and the bring large crowds to the popular sights.
All roads are open in the summer and ferry schedules are better so you can get to pretty much every part of the island. In particular, Westfjords becomes very much accessible and places like Hornstrandir (Iceland’s northernmost peninsula, situated in the Westfjords) open up.
If you’re hoping to see puffins , you’ll find them from May to August each year.
It gets cold in the winter especially when that polar wind sweeps its way down. That means you’ll want to make sure you bring ALL of your warm clothing and then some when you come in this season between October and April.
Winter is pretty much the polar opposite to summer. Instead of midnight sun, you get extremely shortened days (4-6 hours). This means less daylight to explore but you have extremely high probability to see the northern lights.
What you’ll need to deal with in the winter is the fact that there will be road closures due to snowfall. Areas like Westfjords will be difficult to get to because the ferries basically don’t run there and access to any areas that are way off the Ring Road may be blocked off.
There will also be fewer tours offered in the off-season so self-drive becomes the most viable option. With that though, you’ll have to be very careful behind the wheel because the roads can be hazardous and there’s always the possibility of small towns being snowed in.
However, what you gain in the winter is the majestic ice caves which aren’t accessible in the summer due to structural stability. The snow covered landscape is also stunning and gives the island and completely different look.
As the low season, you’ll deal with much smaller crowds and prices to drop (particularly flights). Don’t expect any price breaks on car rentals except if you use the Blue Car Rental coupon code which you’ll find in the Driving in Iceland tips.
In between you have the shoulder season in May and September. These are the transitional months between summer and winter. What’s great about this season is that you get the best of both seasons.
With light becoming normalized with sunrise at 7PM and sunset at 8PM, you get decently long days but with enough twilight to get the chance to see the northern lights. Depending on the year, you might also
What you’ll have to contend with is more tumultuous weather though. During our time in Iceland in September, we experienced many overcast days where we were always on the precipice of rain (made for a lot of rainbows though). The rain was very on and off though where some pockets of the island would be rainy but if we kept driving along Ring Road, it would clear up.
What’s great about shoulder season is that tourists drop off in these months pre and post summer so you don’t have to deal with as many crowds. Temperatures are also quite reasonable in the high teens (C)/50s (F). This is a great time for an Iceland road trip.
How Many Days Do You Need?
As many as you can take would be my answer to everyone that asks. There’s a temptation to treat Iceland as a stopover destination based on how flight packages are bundled these days but seriously Iceland is the main event – there’s no question.
I may be a bit biased here but I feel that you need at least 7 days to see a substantial part of Iceland. This gives you time to do at least one excursion and at a minimum see the southern part of the island which is where a majority of the popular destinations are located.
If you have less than 7 days, you will have to decide whether you want to base yourself in Reykjavik the entire time and do day trips through tours or you have to hit the road right away and see what you can along Ring Road and the Golden Circle.
For the full Ring Road, I’d recommend at least 12 days for a road trip itinerary.
Things To Pack and Prep
Lots of layers – Weather is constantly changing in Iceland and you never know when it’ll change. The best way to handle this and pack efficiently is to bring layers. Bring t-shirts for when it’s warm and layer up with base layers, sweaters, hoodies, long johns, and jacket as necessary. More must-pack gear can be found in the Valuable Trip Planning Advice section.
Waterproof everything – There’s no rainy season per say but chances of rain peak in October – February. I would include September in the mix as well from personal experience. Since everything you’re doing in Iceland is outdoors, I was so glad I was fully decked out in waterproof exterior clothing. I was so glad to have my Columbia waterproof jacket and waterproof pants , and Keen waterproof shoes .
Mapping – You’ll quickly realize that as simple as it is to drive around Ring Road, finding places is not as easy as you think. The reason is that Icelandic names are crazy difficult to pronounce and type in. As a result, GPS is a must. You’ll rely on GPS to either do an address, point of interest or coordinate search (your first time I am sure). When that fails (oh and it will), you’ll want a backup and that’s when your phone comes in. Assuming you don’t have any cellular data like us, we heavily relied on the Google Maps app to pre-pin our daily itinerary and use the “OK maps” trick to save maps offline. Since GPS signal is free, you can track your blue dot and use that as a navigation signal to get to where you need to go. If I knew about the app beforehand, I would’ve used the maps.me app on this trip.
Track the weather – Particularly important in the winter, you’re going to want to know the weather and road conditions. There is a super helpful aurora borealis tracker that will tell you what the chances are of seeing the northern lights. What you’re looking for is white space. This page also gives very accurate weather forecasts for the entire island. For road conditions, you’re going to want to head here to figure out whether the roads you’ll be driving are passable or not.
Money – I didn’t believe at first when my friends told me but Iceland is dominated by the credit card. I withdrew 10,000 ISK at an ATM in Reykjavik and that was it. I honestly can’t remember any instances where I was forced to use cash. The only time that it came in handy was the toll for the Hvalfjörður Tunnel when we made our way up to Snaefellsnes. However, this tunnel is now free as of September 2018!
Where to Stay?
Accommodations in Iceland get scooped up quick . Once you lock in your dates and your itinerary, you’ll want to making your bookings ASAP.
In some ways there are a lot of choices for accommodations and in other ways, it can be quite limited. There a couple of routes that you could take. There’s the traditional hotel, youth hostels, Airbnb, guest houses, and campervans. The underlying thing about all of these options is that you’re not really going to find a “bargain” in Iceland. Account for every night to be at least $100 USD a night.
Hotels are typically going to be the nicest in terms of providing full-service accommodations. They’ll be clean, provide all the basic facilities, and usually have an attached restaurant. The flip side of them is that they’re typically the most expensive option in Iceland.
Luckily, I still have a stash of hotel points and I found a pretty good cash & points rate with the Hilton .
Hotel we used:
- Hilton Iceland Nordica
Hostels, Guest Houses, Airbnb
The truth is that you won’t find too many big hotel chains outside of Reykjavik and that means you’ll have to look at other options. In the absence of big properties, Icelanders have gotten pretty savvy in terms of converting property into guest houses or hostel type accommodations. With the vast amount of land and space, old farms are looking to tourism and so you’ll find a lot of farm holidays as options. Airbnb has also grown significantly on Iceland.
For us, most of all of our searches started with Booking.com which seemed to have the most complete inventory. We then augmented this with searches on Hey Iceland , and Airbnb. Ultimately it came down to what was available in the location we wanted to end off in each day and picking one that had low cost without going into sketchy territory.
With the exception of the youth hostel, I was pleasantly surprised about every guest house we stayed in. The guest houses in Iceland are very well done in terms of the renovation work, cleanliness, and service. A few even had free breakfast included which was always a nice bonus.
In regards to Airbnb, you’ll of course find a ton of options between the airport and Reykjavik. Beyond that circle, you’ll see diminishing results. In certain parts of the island such as Snaefellsnes, you’ll barely find anything and in the south you’ll find a bit more.
Ultimately farm houses were way out of budget for us so we never got to stay in one. Our most expensive accommodation ended up being the one by Skaftafell (Hof 1 Hotel) simply because there aren’t many options in that area.
Alternative accommodations we used:
- Öxl in Budir
- Hostel Sjónarhóll
- Hekla Room No. 2. (Airbnb)
- Hof 1 Hotel
- Hofn Guesthouse
- Private Room with Private Entry Airbnb in Reykjavik (Airbnb)
Camping and Campervan
If you’re looking to rough it out a bit more, a potentially cheaper option for you that also gives you more control in terms check-in/check-out time and where you can stay. By camping or renting a campervan, you can literally sleep right where you want to be the next morning to catch that beautiful sunset and hit the ground running.
Campervans may not be for everyone but these vans that have their own beds built into the rear compartment are going to be your best bet in terms of saving money because you’ll be able to combine the cost of a car rental and accommodations all together. It may not be glamorous but it is very practical and if I were to do Iceland again, I’d definitely go this route. Give companies such as Happy Campers and Campervan Iceland a browse!
You’ll find out in our itinerary below that we picked up a few hitchhikers along the way and what we learned from these ambitious kids is that camping is totally viable. What’s beautiful about Iceland is that there’s this culture of camping and so the country has built a ton of facilities around the island which gives you free access buildings where you can clean up and land to set up camp. On the hitchhiking front, they told us that they had a lot of trouble getting rides especially when in more remote areas.
8 DAY ICELAND ITINERARY
Now with the basics out of the way, you’re part of the way through your planning. The next step is to start figuring out how you’re going to be laying out your Icelandic adventure .
The following is a high level outline of everything we did, sights we saw, and all the things I learned that I wish I knew. By no means is this meant to be a copy and paste job but if you’re tight on planning time, you’re certainly welcome to it and grab the spreadsheet by signing up .
For a more personal recounting of our Icelandic experience head over to my other article.
If you’re coming in from North America, you’ll most likely land super early in the morning as we did. Pick up your rental car at the airport and head into the city. You’ll be tempted to take a nap but try your best to stay up. The best way to do this is to book an adrenaline-filled excursion like Black and Blue which combines lava tube caves with snorkelling Silfra. Crash early your first day and get ready for tomorrow.
If Black and Blue isn’t available, this is a recommended snorkeling experience that just focuses on the Silfra fissure.
What You’ll See
- Thingvellir National Park
- Lava Tube caves
- Silfra fissure
- Hradlestin – Surprisingly awesome Indian restaurant in the city
- Hilton Iceland Nordica – To my surprise, we were able to check in at 9AM (unheard of!)
TIPS AND TRICKS
- Booze – Before you leave the airport, make sure you pick up your alcohol supply. This is the duty free that you have to cross through before you get your bags and not the duty free that is in the gate area. You can’t miss it.
- Check before you drive off – Make sure everything works in the car and you do a thorough walk around.
- Renting cars in Iceland – Make sure you read the Car Rental section below to learn about companies I researched and the importance of built-in insurance coverage.
- Excursions in Iceland – Most excursions start and end in Reykjavik so when you plan your itinerary, make sure you plan things out accordingly.
- Snack on – Always have a healthy stash of snacks with you. Particularly for Black and Blue, it was nice to have a bunch of bars on hand since no food was included
- Black and Blue – It’s not very clear in any of the trip instructions but you’re going to want to make sure you wear long johns and drifit-type top. One thing to note is that there’s no private area to change so expect to be stripping down out in the open or in the Arctic Adventures van. In terms of valuables and your shoes, you’ll be able to leave everything behind in the van which will be guarded by your driver/guide. They recommend brining waterproof clothing but you don’t necessarily need it. I ended up taking off my waterproof pants in fact and just went into the drysuit with my long johns. Oh and if you’re planning on recording the experience, don’t make the same mistake as I did and use a head mount. You’re better off using putting your GoPro on something like a XShot Pro Pole .
- Alternative Black and Blue – Similar tour offering can be found on Guide to Iceland .
Reykjavik is a vibrant and artsy city that has much to offer. Spend the day to get to know the capital. I recommend orienting yourself by taking a free city walking tour with CityWalk . Make sure to try the hotdogs here.
While you’re in the capital, also make a point to do any of the shopping you want to do and to buy the Icelandic souvenirs for yourself of friends and family back at home. This could also be your only opportunity to buy any outdoor gear you forgot.
Before you hit the road, stock up on supplies at the Bonus grocery store in town and start making your way towards Selfoss. Grab dinner here like we did and then make your way to one of the most unique stays here – the Bubble Hotel. Time permitting, you can also squeeze in 1) a shower and 2) relaxation at the Secret Lagoon.
While there were no guarantees when I made the booking at Buubble, we were lucky enough to watch the Northern Lights this evening. It was a light show to remember.
- Downtown Reykjavik
- Hallgrímskirkja Church
- Baejarins Beztu Pylsur
- The Sun Voyager
- Secret Lagoon /Gamla Laugin
- Northern Lights (cross your fingers!)
- Tryggvaskali Restaurant – Highly reviewed restaurant that’s converted from an old hotel. Excellent seafood!
- Buubble Hotel
- Parking in Reykjavik – There a few quasi-lots in the city but these are really just street parking spots by North American standards. We did our drive around to see if there was any free parking which we were told were closer to the residential areas but we couldn’t find them so we just settled for a spot right off of Laugavegur.
- Free Walking Tour – Make sure you reserve your spot ahead of time online. There are a number of time slots available and I’d recommend doing this at the beginning of your trip as a way to orient yourself in Reykjavik.
- Secret Lagoon – I thoroughly enjoyed this hot spring experience. Sure it was $30 (2,800 ISK) but I would take this any day over Blue Lagoon to deal with less crowds, a much more natural experience, and the ability to bring your own booze. We learned afterwards that the Secret Lagoon was also a brilliant idea when paired with our Bubble night because we didn’t have shower facilities there. Coming out of the hot springs, we showered at the lagoon and head back just in time for the northern lights show which worked out beautifully. Note, no need for a combination lock here since it’s one of those lockers that give you a key.
- Bonus – The go-to grocery store to pick up supplies in Iceland. We literally planned our resupply trips around when we could drop by a Bonus. More on this in the Eating section below.
- Bubble Hotel – More details about Buubble to be more precise can be found in my review post .
- Northern lights – There’s no real formula here other than to get yourself outside of the city which we did. September is tough because it’s overcast all the time so the best you can do is just give you the most chances to see them and check the aurora borealis tracker religiously.
What Should You Pack?
Not sure what to pack for your trip? Make sure to check out our handy packing list for Iceland!
Every Iceland itinerary is going to have the famed Golden Circle. Despite this route being heavy on tourists, you can’t miss the trio of Geysir, Gullfoss, and Thingvellir National Park.
The awesome thing about our bubble is that it’s right along the Golden Circle so all you have to do is hop in your car and start driving counterclockwise.
From here you’ll be making the drive all the way up to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula to get away from the crowds and part of the country that has some of the most epic dynamic landscapes. Arrive in the Budir area and crash for the evening.
- Faxi Waterfall
- Icelandic Horses
- Thingvellir National Park
- Hotel Budir (their bread and butter is to die for)
- Golden Circle – The big bus tours are pretty much unavoidable but I’m sure if you start right at the morning, you should be able to dodge most of them. Another thing to note is that you’ll definitely want to account more time than you think you’ll need here (kind of applies to everything in Iceland). Blame the photography.
- Driving to Snaefellsnes – The drive itself is pretty straightforward but if you set yourself to get there in the shortest amount of time, the GPS will take you through the Hvalfjörður Tunnel. This used to be a tolled tunnel but it is now free (as of September 2018).
- Gullfoss – For the most part, we didn’t have any bathroom problems but I do distinctly remember that the washrooms were paid here so make sure you relieve yourself at Geysir or at Thingvellir’s information center.
Weather permitting, I personally feel that the 4th day around Snaefellsnes offers the most stunning of landscapes. You’ll be driving along the coast and making many stops along the way. Start the day off with the Arnarstapi hike and make your way around to eventually the iconic view of Kirkjufell. End off in Stykkishólmur to close out the day.
On a personal note, this is the day that I proposed to my now wife. The weather didn’t quite co-operate but it sure made a memorable proposal.
- Hotel Budir
- Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge
- Arnastapi Coastal Walk
- Snaefellsjokull National Park
- Djupalonssandur Beach
- Stykkishólmur Lighthouse
- Sjavarpakkhusio
- Rain – I’m speaking from September experience here but rain definitely puts a damper on things. Good thing I had waterproof gear on me or otherwise, we would have skipped a ton more spots along the way. With Iceland, you have to be prepared and just work with what the weather gives you.
On this day, you’ll be leaving Snaefellsnes and dropping down to the south. Watch the landscape dramatically change as you make your way along this popular route. Here, waterfalls are going to dominate your view including the impressive Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss.
If you can swing it, look for Seljavallalaug Pool which is set in the middle of a canyon and quite the tranquil experience. Best part is that it’s free.
- Stykkishólmur town
- Seljalandsfoss
- Seljavallalaug Pool (Seljavellir)
- Bar Bistro (by Skogafoss) – We ended pretty late this day and there weren’t many options so we ended up at this casual restaurant. Prices are reasonable and the Skyr cake was phenomenal.
- Seljavallalaug Pool Directions – This one was one heck of a place to find. As you’re driving along the ring road and going eastbound, you’re going look for Road 242 marked Raufarfell. Start looking for it right after you pass by the Iceland Erupts exhibition that will be on your right. Take the road all the way to the end and there should be a sign that says Seljavellir (GPS: 63.558878 N, -19.622353 W). Park your car in this large dirt lot and you’ll want to walk 20 minutes. The trail is not marked at all and for us we were thankful to bump into various people along the way to confirm we were going the right way but looking back on it, we were essentially hugging the left side of the valley, crossing a few small streams and hiking over a rocky ground. You won’t see the pool until the very end so keep going and you’ll eventually see it. Just before, you’ll also pass by a small water pumping machine. If you’re heading there near sunset or sunrise, make sure you bring headlamps.
- Seljavallalaug Pool Facilities – In terms of facilities, it’s pretty bare bones here and the concrete building there is in a bit of decay. There are “rooms” with doors but don’t expect to find any benches. What they do have are some hooks so you can hang your clothes inside. Other people simply changed at the back of the building away from the pool.
Continue the drive along the south and feast your eyes on unique basalt columns, gorgeous canyons, and rugged plains. Luckily there isn’t too much driving until you make that final stretch to Skaftafell National Park. There aren’t too many accommodations in this region unfortunately and in fact Hof 1 Hotel turned out to be the most expensive of the entire trip.
There will still be quite a bit of tourists along this section with day trip tourist busses from Reykjavik so be prepared for some crowds.
- Reynisdrangar
- Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
- Service station cafeteria just outside of Skaftafell National Park
- Dyrholaey – I thought there wasn’t much to see here other than the arch but turns out there are a lot of interesting view points here no matter what direction you’re looking at. Make sure you account for more time here.
- Reynisdrangar – Similar with Dryholaey, I found ourselves spending more time here than I thought we would. We were here a good 1.5 hours and some of that was accounted by us posing around the basalt columns. Also note that there are bathroom facilities here and they are free.
- Fjadrargljufur Canyon – This one may seem hard to find as there isn’t too much information on it but right off of Ring Road, past the small village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur is Road 206 that goes to Lakagígar. Once you’re on this road, you’re only 2KM out. Eventually you’ll make it to an intersection where left will lead to the canyon and right leads to Lakagígar. I remember the signs to be pretty clear here so you won’t get lost. Technically after, this turns into an F-road but to be honest it’s doable with any car. Just drive slow and carefully. While we only hiked the top part of the canyon, the bottom of the canyon is accessible and in the summer a great spot for wading in the river. There’s also an eco-friendly bathroom here which is free.
The whole reason why you want to stay near Skaftafell National Park is so that you don’t have to do a long drive in the morning to make the glacier climbing excursion. Expect most of the day to be dedicated for this.
At the time of our visit, we were on Falljökull Glacier which is in Vatnajökull . The names can be a bit confusing but to set things straight, Skaftafell National Park was integrated with the newly established Vatnajokull National Park in 2008 so they’re really one and the same. Most tours don’t mention the glacier you’ll be on but a popular one is Falljokull.
I highly recommend this 4 hour glacier experience which also includes ice caves if they’re in-season.
If you want to make sure ice climbing is included, there’s ice climbing on Vatnajokull from Skaftafell which is very close to what we did. The other one I’d recommend is ice climbing Solheimajokull which is a slightly different location.
The tour we did was called Glacier Xtreme which has been rebranded as Blue Ice since they operate out of Solheimajokull now.
Finish the day with a sunset at Jokulsarlon iceberg lagoon before driving the furthest east as you’ll go in Iceland.
What You’ll See and Do
- Skaftafell National Park
- Falljökull Glacier ( Glacier hiking and ice climbing )
- Jokulsarlon Lagoon
- Pakkhus Restaurant – Known for their langoustine
- Glacier Xtreme – The costs were adding up for Iceland but this was one of those experiences we didn’t want to miss out on. On top of glacier hiking, this was the only one where you could also ice climb as well. When talking to the locals, they said the Falljökull Glacier was much better than the others due to less traffic and being able to get way closer to the icefall. How about things to pack and all of that? I found that the booking sites weren’t very good about explaining this so let me clear the air. Do you need waterproof pants? I would say no unless it’s raining that day. We had a beautiful sunny day and so any hiking appropriate pants are fine. What else should I bring? Bring gloves. They don’t necessarily have to be waterproof but the ice can be sharp when you’re trying to keep balance or even during the ice climbing. Also bring sunglasses. The sun will reflect intensely off of the white ice but more importantly you want your sunglasses to protect you from the flying chips of ice that will be coming at you when you dig your ice axe into the wall. Any other tips? That main parking lot at Skaftafell fills up FAST. I would show up early to get a good spot in the main lot. Otherwise you’ll have to go to an adjacent one that is a bit farther away.
- Glacier Guides – The operator that runs Glacier Xtreme is Glacier Guides which in turn is owned by the larger company, Arctic Adventures . That is why you can’t find a separate website for Glacier Guides if you’re as confused as we were.
- Jokulsarlon Lagoon – This place gets pretty busy around sunset so you might have to jockey a little for tripod space. From a photography perspective, don’t be afraid to move around as there are a ton of different angles to shoot at. If you’re not doing a whole lot of photography here, you could be done in 15 minutes or if you’re like me, 2 hours. Lastly, be on the lookout for seals in the water. They pop their head up once in awhile or sometimes you can catch them swim. Let me know how many you find! If you’d rather get out on one of those boats that take you right up to the icebergs, I recommend tours like this amphibian boat tour .
The last day has a lot of driving but the nice part about it is that you’ll be able to hit up all the spots that you missed. For instance, you’ll be able to do Svartifoss and the Sólheimasandur plane wreck. Treat yourself at the very end with a little bit of rest and relaxation at Blue Lagoon .
- Mossy Lava Rocks
- Vik Red Church
- Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck (aka Crashed DC 3 Plane)
- Blue Lagoon
- Svartifoss – From the research, I always thought these falls were like the others where you could drive up to alas it’s a 20 minute hike there and back. Instead of the up and back down path that we took, there are alternative paths you can take on the way down to make it more of a loop. We read that these had some pretty good views and interesting sights along the way but unfortunately they would’ve taken too much time so we had to do the most optimal route. When you get to the falls, there’ll be a metal barrier to prevent you from going closer to the falls.
- Plane Wreck – The specific GPS coordinates are 63.4912391,-19.3632810, but nowadays this is such a well-known sight in Iceland that you’ll be able to find the pin on Google Maps and you’ll also see the pile of cars on the side of the road (past Skogafoss if you’re coming from the west). Yes it’s true that the landowners have fenced off the area from cars to drive through (can’t blame them). This means that you have to do the 50 minute hike each way so make sure you have plenty of time to work with. Also, remember to relieve yourself before going because there isn’t going to be a bush out there to use since it’s completely flat there. Lastly, while we were taking photos of the plane, I remember seeing a big truck pull up at the end of the road, presumably to patrol the area and make sure nobody somehow gets passed the fence by vehicle or does anything stupid at the plane. Photography wise, I recommend bringing a tripod as the lighting may not be the greatest if it is as overcast as it was for us. Read the latest reviews to see what the situation is like.
- Blue Lagoon – Everything in my research about Blue Lagoon was true. Sure it’s a bit of a zoo but it’s still a unique experience that can be a great way to relax. With that in mind, I had decided that it made the most sense to put this at the very end of the trip which allowed us to do all the (in my opinion) better ones earlier. The one thing that everyone suggested was to reserve in advance and I’d say the same thing. You’ll notice that bookings 2 hours prior to closing are cheaper so if you want to save a bit of money, I’d go with that. We only needed 1.5 hours and I felt like we got to see and try all the different spaces. Bonus on top of that is that if you go at 6PM, you’ll be able to watch the sunset as well. Package wise, I’d recommend getting the Comfort package which primarily is good for that free drink and extra algae mask. There’s the towel too but I was very frustrated with the fact that our towels were flat out stolen when we finished up at the lagoon. I can’t blame the person that did it but that area in front with all the towel racks is not a good solution with the amount of people that are there. It’s hard to remember where you put it and of course all the towels look the same. If I were you, put your towel in a separate area away from everyone else’s. Lastly, show up 30 minutes earlier than your time slot because there’s going to be a line to check-in. This way you can maximize your time.
How The Iceland Itinerary Changed During The Trip
The fun part about travel is just how unpredictable it is sometimes and how you’ll need to improvise and adjust based on things that happen along the way. You might meet some interest people along the way, bad weather might roll in, or maybe you love one place so much that you decide to stay longer.
For us, the Iceland itinerary largely stayed the same with a few exceptions. As with what happens with my trips every time, I always took too long at every single destination. Thank goodness I loosened up the itinerary to account for this, all the random side-of-the-road-stops, and surprise view points/monuments that we encountered. In most cases, you need to account for at least 2 hours in each main spot and Google Map drive times need to be bumped up by 30 minutes. The lesson : Being less ambitious is a good thing.
Where I had to make adjustments to the schedule:
- I had naively assumed that the hike to Svartifoss inside Skaftafell National Park was few minutes walk from the parking lot. It is in fact 20-30 minutes away. Since we got to the park pretty late on Day 6 there was no way we could complete it. Instead, we used our make-up day to see this waterfall.
- We spent too much time at Dyrholaey and Reynisdrangar on Day 6 that we had no time to stop in Vik . Again, we remedied this by visiting on our way back.
- On Day 3, I thought we were going to have enough Kerið Crater but as it turns out, we passed it along our way up to the Bubble Hotel. In the interest of time, we started Day 3 by going counterclockwise up to Geysir first instead of dropping down to Kerið and then back up.
- There were a number of lunch restaurants selected initially but as the days went on, we realized that 1) proper lunches were too expenses and 2) we couldn’t afford the time to stop and it’d be more efficient to eat while driving so we more or less cut all of them from our itinerary.
- Originally there was the idea that we could do sunrise at Jokulsarlon for sunrise on Day 7 before the Glacier Climb but as the trip went on, sleep was more precious and we ended up doing this as a sunset. The same can be said for Sólheimasandur plane wreck where I thought it’d be cool to do this for sunrise. I’m glad we didn’t because it would’ve been quite miserable to walk the entire 50 minute stretch in the dark.
- Mossy lava rocks was on our itinerary and we would’ve stopped by on Day 6 but we had no idea how long the stretch was in the south and whether there’d be a better place to stop ahead. That’s why it make sense to do it on our way back on Day 8.
- Lastly, rain did a number on several days where we really had to quickly run out of the car to take a peek or brave the pouring. I wish we got to see more of the cliffs in Snaefellsnes and had better views Dyrholaey but it is what it is.
Why This 8 Day Iceland Itinerary Kicked Ass
This was honestly the perfect 8 day Iceland itinerary road trip in September. We hit up everything we wanted to see and we did it at a pace that wasn’t crazy. Sure, the weather could’ve been more cooperative but that’s kind of what you’d expect during the shoulder season.
Initially I thought that we’d be doing a lot of wasted driving because we had to double back twice – once to go up to Snaefellsnes and then another in the south, driving all the way out to Hofn and back. What ended up being a disadvantage of not doing the full loop around the island turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We never felt rushed throughout and in the south, we had the advantage of skipping a few things (some due to weather) on the way out east to Hofn and making them up when we drove back to Reykjavik.
The Iceland itinerary itself was very well balanced between seeing the natural beauty of the country and also trying out local activities. It was also a balance between the popular sights that were tour bus central to a few spots that we really struggled to find and when we were there, the path wasn’t clear or marked – going truly off the beaten path.
Budget wise, we controlled it as best as we could without roughing it too much. Ultimately cost cutting came down to food where we snacked on grocery food for breakfast and lunch, and “splurged” on dinner.
VALUABLE TRIP PLANNING ADVICE
Oh so much information I want to share with you guys here. As I was travelling I literally had an Evernote note set up just for tips and tricks. I’ve cleaned it up considerably and so here’s everything you need to know before you go to Iceland.
Driving is a must in Iceland. The only other way to get around to see the island is through tour buses and you really don’t want to go there. With your own car, you will have the freedom to follow your own schedule and more importantly, stop whenever you wish. Trust me, you’ll want to stop A LOT .
When picking a rental car, you’ll have to decide on a few things including the car rental company, transmission, whether you want a 4×4 or not, and size.
Read this first: We have a full guide on how to rent a car in Iceland including secret car rental coupon codes.
Car Rental Companies
I researched a number of companies when I was looking for my car rental including the large international brands and the smaller local ones.
While price is one thing you’ll have your eye on, what’s more important to pay attention to is the insurance coverage that they offer and build in. There are a lot of unknown factors when driving in Iceland and you want to make sure you’re covered because I’ve heard stories of other travellers wishing they had the insurance or glad that they had it.
We cast a wide net when looking for car rentals in Iceland. We started with what we knew and checked out companies like National and Avis but we found that they didn’t include any extended car insurance so then we turned to local car rental agencies. That’s when we discovered Blue Car Rental . They had the most positive reviews, actually had good availability, and reasonable rates.
Most Popular Car Rental Company in Iceland
Blue Car Iceland is the most reputable brand in Iceland and we would definitely rent from them again. Book through our special link below to save 5% on your rental.
Check out Blue Car Rental
Blue Car Rental as a base includes:
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) Insurance – This covers the bodywork of the car.
- Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) Insurance – Deductible on bodywork damage in collisions is 90,000 ISK on 2WD and 120,000 on 4WD.
- Gravel Protection (GP) Insurance – This protection includes damage to windscreen, headlights and the car when gravel or rocks get thrown on the vehicle by another car. The deductible is 20,000 ISK.
- Theft Protection (TP) Insurance – The likelihood of this happening on Iceland is low but this covers theft of rental. No deductible.
There’s an option Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP) Insurance which covers against ash and sandstorm damage but we elected to not add it. In retrospect, we learned quite quickly how erratic the weather can be in Iceland. While we didn’t encounter any sand or ash damage, I could totally see it happening out of the blue.
Some rental car companies also have a Liability Waiver (LW) which brings down the deductibles down to zero.
Something they also made clear is that the the underside of the car nor damage caused by wind pulling hard against the door is covered. This means that you want to be careful when there are heavy winds and also be careful driving on gravel roads and potholes.
The bottom line is to make sure you do your research and run the math on total cost of renting a car. Some companies bundle insurance together while others make it an option.
Transmission
Most cars available will be in the manual transmission format. I wasn’t surprised about this since most of Europe is like this. What this means is that there’ll be more affordable options and increased availability if you’re able to drive a manual car. If not, you’ll definitely want to make sure you reserve early.
Do I Need a 4×4?
The reason why you’d want a 4WD is because you can only drive on Iceland’s infamous F-roads which are mountain roads in the highlands. These are off-road terrain roads that have restrictions on the type of vehicles that can drive them, are only open certain times of the year, and also have restrictions on time of day. Only an SUV can power through these roads and you certainly don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere.
That’s great and all if you take one of these roads but I’ll be honest with you, the itinerary that I followed didn’t take us through any of these types of roads. Our path stuck primarily to the main roads and there were only a few times where it felt like we actually went off-path.
I remember the road to Saxoll Crater and Fjadrargljufur Canyon were perhaps the most bumpy and pothole ridden but everywhere else was well paved and easy to get around. While it was certainly nice to have the spaciousness of an SUV for our road trip, we would’v been just fine with a compact sedan. In fact even on the most challenging roads, I saw the tiny cars get by just as fine with a little careful driving.
Driving The Roads
Driving in Iceland isn’t hard per say but as with anywhere, you need to be smart and careful. A few things you’ll want to be mindful of are lane passing, singe lane bridge crossings, side of road stops, gravel driving, and night time driving. Each of these of course get augmented in the winter time when you have to deal with snow, limited visibility and black ice.
- Lane Passing – Icelandic roads are thin and mostly one lane. Pass when safe and definitely not at bends or uphills. Common courtesy is to signal to show intent, speed up, and once you’ve passed the vehicle, turn your emergency blinkers for two flashes to thank the driver behind.
- Single Lane Bridge Crossing – There quite a number of single lane bridges especially in the south. Make sure you stop where at the drawn line in order to wait for oncoming traffic to come through. When crossing, double check to make sure there are no cars on the other side or they have stopped. At night time, be extra careful here and flick your high beams or use your horn to let other cars know you’re crossing.
- Side of Road Stops – The week I was in Iceland, there was a fatality from someone stopped at the side of the road to take a photo at night. Look out for side roads to stop safely and turn on your emergency blinkers. When getting in and out of the car, make sure there are no cars on the highway.
- Gravel Driving – Some areas are going to have pretty deep potholes so make sure you drive slowly over them, take them at an angle, or avoid them altogether if possible.
- Night Time Driving – There aren’t any street lights outside of the main towns so expect to rely on your low-beams and high-beams. Make sure you obey high-beam etiquette as to not blind any oncoming drivers.
For safety, make sure you also know where you spare is and you know where your tools are. Worst case, you get a flat while on the road and you’ll need to replace the flat on your own. Also make sure you know what the emergency and roadside assistance numbers are.
Another common question I get is about speeding and cops. Officially the speed limit is 90 km/h on the highway. Unofficially 100 km/h is acceptable as long as the roads are clear. On empty roads though, I was cruising upwards to 120 km/h. During our time in Iceland, we did not encounter any speed traps but I have heard from people that they have gotten ticketed. The only police we saw were typically around the larger towns.
There are actual speed cameras along ring road in the south in and around towns. There are signs that warn you about upcoming cameras along the road. Some are real and others are duds. To be cautious, I’d recommend slowing down when you’re in a speed camera zone.
Filling Up Gas
This was supposed to be an easy task but for some reason we had a ton of trouble filling up at the N1 gas stations. Whereas we had no problems entering the PIN number for our credit card on the machines at the pump, N1 was just not going to take any of our cards. We tried ALL of them.
Ultimately, at N1 specifically, we needed to buy their prepaid cards inside the station first. They sold the cards in 3,000 and 100,000 ISK denominations. Since we didn’t know if we’d spend 100,000 (we did), we just bought 3,000 every time we filled up at N1. With the prepaid card, we were then able to pay at the pump.
We later learned that debit cards worked without any issue so give that a shot if you’re okay with that.
I’ll start off by saying that the food in Iceland is amazing. I don’t know what blog or review I read that said the food is terrible but having spent 8 days there, I can definitively tell you that you don’t need to worry about having good food.
Now where you’re going to have a bit of a shock dealing with is the exuberant price you’ll be paying for a meal in Iceland. Throw away everything you know about your own standards of eating back home because it’s easily double and often times triple here.
The good news is though that despite dishing out Michelin-restaurant level money for meals, the quality of the food makes it all a bit more swallowable. Something about the freshness of seafood and world-class chefs has something to do with it. I don’t remember any meal where we came out of it disappointed. The way we thought about it was that every dinner was equivalent to a nice meal out in the city. On average, dinners were on average $50 a person.
The way we offset this was to have less full meals. This meant we ate our own breakfast and lunch using the supplies we brought from home or purchased at the grocery store. We picked up things like sandwiches, fruit, cookies, snack bars, juices, and yogurt to keep our energy up during the day and we’d reward ourselves with a good meal at the end of the day.
Grocery Stores
The friend we met up with in Reykjavik strong encouraged us to only pick up food at this grocery store. We were warned not to be tempted by the convenience of the 10-11 convenient store which can be block to block. As a result, we more or less stuck with Bonus throughout the trip. Look for the piggy logo. You can’t miss it!
Food You Have To Try
Being a seafaring nation, anything related to seafood is a must. We found that time and time again, fish whether grilled or fried was a winner.
Other recommendations would be:
- Water – Don’t buy water EVER on the island. I can’t believe I’m raving about water but seriously the H2O in Iceland is the freshest I’ve had. Pro tip: Before filling up your water bottle at the tap, run the cold water for 10 seconds to lush out the hot water since some parts of the island bring them in from a local spring which may have some traces of sulphur smell.
- Skyr – This has to be my biggest find of the trip. Think Greek yogurt but even richer and thicker.
- Icelandic hotdog – The most popular hotdog stand in Reykjavik is of course Baejarins Beztu Pylsur but there are other places in the city where you can try these traditional hotdogs topped with ketchup, a sweet brown mustard, raw onions, fried onions, and remoulade.
- Fish jerky – This may not be for everyone but we very much enjoyed trying different types of dried fish. They made for great snacks on the road and sometimes to keep me awake during those long night time drives.
- Fish and chips – The restaurant Icelandic Fish and Chips in Reykjavik we had on our last day was delicious. The Halibut in particular was very tender and flaky.
- Langoustine – These are large prawns with claws or miniature lobsters that Hofn is well known for. They’re expensive but I hear is quite succulent.
- Liquorice – Not sure what the story is here but liquorice is everywhere here. Almost all the chocolate here involves some sort of liquorice as well (so be careful if you’re not a fan).
If you’re feeling adventurous and don’t have any issues with eating shark, whale, puffin, or horse, those options are available although we stayed away from these.
While packing for a trip like Iceland was business as usual as I cover in a number of my packing guides , it was also challenging in a number of ways because of the time of year we went and the constraints we had to work with since we were flying WOW Air.
NOTE: WOW Air has since gone under so your best way to fly to Iceland is with Icelandair or your own local carrier. In Canada for instance, Air Canada does have direct routes to Reykjavik.
Suitcase or Backpack?
A common question. Do you you lug around a big suitcase or do you go nimble with a backpack? The easy answer is that it honestly doesn’t matter on a road trip like this because you’re going to be travelling with a car the entire time. You’re going to have the luxury of space and you won’t be running around with everything on your back.
I say if you prefer to travel with a backpack, go for it. Otherwise, a suitcase will suit you just as well.
The only thing to consider is a case like ours where we were flying WOW Air and it was the most economical to check in one bag. With us sharing the space, a suitcase was just a lot easier organizationally.
I’m not going to list out everything we packed. Instead, I want to focus on the things that you absolutely have to have on any trip to Iceland. For some items, we learned the hard way that we wished we had packed them.
- Waterproof everything – I debated for a long time whether I should bring my waterproof pants along with waterproof jacket and shoes. I’m so glad I did because we needed almost every day of the trip. My fiance didn’t have waterproof pants and it really sucked . Things got so desperate that one point, we had to make our own make-shift pant cover out of clear plastic bags. Waterproof all the things. I highly recommend Columbia’s OutDry collection including their pants and jacket that I wore all trip.
- Gloves – These are necessary to keep your hands warm. Experiencing as much rain as we did, I wish I had more than just my thin fabric gloves. If I were to do it again, I’d definitely bring waterproof gloves.
- Layer layer layer – Weather is dynamic out here so have layers to stay warm when you need to and strip down when it gets too hot. Layers also allow you to pack more efficiently. I recommend a thermal base layer + t-shirt + zip-up + fleece + jacket to complete all your layers.
- Good hiking shoes – This goes without saying. My Keen Aphlex hikers were amazing at keeping my feet warm, provided grip even in slippery conditions and were also completely waterproof which is a mandatory feature in my opinion for a trip like this.
- Headlamp – This was super handy when we were staying at the Bubble Hotel where we were out in the dark.
- Swimsuit – This one’s easy to forget but remember there’ll be all those hot springs in Iceland.
- Towel – Glad we packed this one as it was a must-have when we went to Seljavallalaug Pool.
- Flip flops/sandals – In the same vain as the towel, you’ll want flip flops if you’re going to Blue Lagoon or Secret Lagoon to avoid having to walk around bare feet. Also, if you’re staying at anywhere other than a hotel, you’ll want flip flops to act as your slippers and also something to wear to the communal bathrooms.
- Snacks – You’ll see below in the cost breakdown that food is a heck of an expense. The more you can bring from home, the better. I recommend bringing granola bars, trail mix, and chocolate.
What about long johns? September wasn’t quite cold enough to need these thankfully so we did not pack them but I can see these being necessary as you go deeper into winter.
Hand Washing
I’d say this is pretty much inevitable so you might as well be prepared to do this during your trip. Thing is that you just won’t have time to waste finding a laundromat. In fact, I don’t think I saw any at all.
The good thing is that you won’t be sweating a whole lot out here so you won’t need to wash as often. What worked for us is a daily routine before we slept where we washed our underwear and socks. To dry our clothes, we made good use of the radiator heaters that are used all over the country (thanks to all the hot springs) by draping the clothes over them. By morning they were usually fully dry and good to go.
If you haven’t yet, check out my video on how to wash your clothes while on the road .
Throughout our trip, I did our best to keep a tally of our expenses. I may have missed a few things here and there but this should give you a high level view of how much it would cost to spend 8 days in Iceland.
For simplicity, I’ve converted everything to USD . Also keep in mind that these are for 2 travellers.
- Air – $1,316.82 (includes stopover in Alicante)
- Accommodation – $781.52
- Car Rental – $792.08
- Auto Expenses – $202.34
- Souvenirs – $139.45
- Food and Drink – $697.59
- Excursions – $895.37
TOTAL = $4,826.17 ($2,413.09 per person)
I’m not going to sugarcoat it, unless you’re planning on doing some serious roughing out and you don’t care for any excursions, be prepared to pay a lot of money on this trip.
Iceland is not a cheap trip . Flights are getting cheaper and cheaper to get to the island but what most people don’t realize until they get to Iceland is just how expensive everything else is. Food is expensive. Gas is expensive. Excursions are expensive. Hotels are expensive. Car rentals are expensive. You get the picture.
There are definitely ways to cut costs through food and car rental/accommodations hacks to a certain extent but once you introduce any sort of guided excursion and the inevitable good meal here and there, it adds up quite quickly.
To Tip or Not To Tip
The simple answer here is that no. There are no customs or expectations of tipping and you are completely in the clear if you leave no tips. Of course, it’s not illegal to tip so if you’ve had exceptional service, feel free to round up or leave a bit extra behind.
Remember Tax-Free
If you buy 6,000 ISK or more at a single store, you’re eligible for tax refund (only at certain stores). You’ll want to take advantage of this since you can get a whopping 24% back in tax.
It goes without saying that the photography here is out of this world . There are so many opportunities and special moments that you’ll want to capture. Landscape wise you have the waterfalls, black sand beaches, mountains, glaciers, cliffs, volcanoes, canyons, icebergs and northern lights. In Reykjavik, you get you fix of urban photography with its abundance of interesting architecture, sculptures, and graffiti. Then you have the wildlife where you’ll have a ton of fun shooting sheep, Icelandic horses, and of course the puffins.
Planning vs. Spontaneity
While travelling, I always struggle with wanting to plan for specific shoots because light and time of day matters but the truth is that if you’re not on a photography-centric trip, you’ll drive your travel partner(s) mad and you’ll limit the flexibility of what you’ll see.
That being said, if you’ve got a specific shot in mind, you could totally plan it in your schedule. Just remember to make sure you watch the time because it’s so easy to spend a lot of time in one place or likewise very easy to get away with side of the road stops.
Sunsets and Sunrises
As much as I wanted to do a sunrise, it never ended up working out for me because we were simply too tired or good weather wasn’t a guarantee. If you’re up for it, I’d definitely try to work one or two in.
Sunsets are a lot easier to see but from my experience hard to schedule just because you’ll always be on the go and it is hard to be disciplined with time. For us the only time we got to watch the sunset was at Jokulsarlon Lagoon which as far as sunsets go was average because of the amount of overcast we had.
Camera Gear
The most important part is that you want to have all the gear you need to be set up for success in Iceland. Here are a few things you’ll want to think about and the specific gear that I brought.
As much as you can, make sure your gear can stand the wild weather that Iceland can and will throw at you. Rain is going to be your biggest enemy both in damaging your gear and getting rain spots all over your lens. Luckily my Olympus set up is fully weather sealed but it was incredibly frustrating when it was almost impossible to keep the front of the lens clean. I got to the point where my Lenspen and microfibre cloths were completely useless because they would either create water streak marks or were completely soaked with water. I didn’t come prepared with enough it and it got to the point where I was forced to use the inside of my thermal layers or my Buff.
Cold is another aspect you’ll want to think about. Freezing temperatures do a number on batteries whether it be for your camera or your phone. One second you’ll be at 80% and the next it’ll be completely dead. Now this only applies if you’re travelling to Iceland in the winter but make sure you account for this and either bring lots of batteries or have a way to keep your batteries warm. I suggest travelling with a lot of these heatpacks .
What You’ll Want to Bring
- Camera – I am the least likely to discriminate the type of camera you bring. I’m going to be focusing on mirrorless and DSLR because those are what I know best. For those wanting a super lightweight set up, I’d recommend micro four thirds .
- Lenses – Unless you’re shooting puffins, I feel that bringing a long zoom lens will be a waste. I’d recommend a good all-around lens in the 24-70mm range (12-40mm in the M43 world) and pair that with a super wide angle like the 16-35mm (7-144mm for M43). A fun addition for your trip would be a fisheye lens. I brought the Olympus 8mm f1.8 Fisheye which worked out very well for my northern lights shoot.
- Filters – If you want to have any hope of shooting silky smooth water shots, you’re going to need to bring the right ND filters. I’d recommend an ND8 at a minimum. Another filter that you’ll want to have is a circular polarizer to cuts glare and reflections, allowing deep, natural colours to show through with great saturation. Lastly, if you have the money, you can also invest in a more sophisticated glass plate kit such as the one by Formatt Hitech .
- Tripod – Key for any sunset, sunrise, star trail, geyser, long exposure water, or northern lights shots. I recommend bringing a lightweight carbon fibre one to make it easy to carry in your pack while hiking. I travel with the Sirui T-024X which isn’t exactly a well known brand but it is affordable, sturdy, and gets the job done when travelling.
- Microfibre cloths – Bring lots and lots of these. As I mentioned above, all of mine were soaked when I was out shooting in the rain.
- Lots of batteries and memory cards – Depending on your camera, bring what you think you’ll need and then some.
- Car charging accessories – Remember you’ll be driving around the island in a car and to keep up with my battery demands, I always made sure I was queueing up the next dead battery.
- Protection from water – If your camera isn’t weather sealed, you’ll want to protect it somehow. If it’s your camera, you should consider picking up rain sleeves . If it’s your phone, one of these waterproof cases should do.
- Carrying bag – Last but not least is a good backpack. Yes it’s true that you’ll have the luxury of keeping your gear in the car most of the time but once you’re out and about, you’ll need to bring your selected gear with you. I travelled with the discontinued Kata 3N1-30 which I quite liked. I’ve since retired it and right now the best travel bag out there on the market has to be the Peak Design Everyday Backpack which I review here .
Want to learn how to shoot the northern lights?
Step By Step How-To
What you should read next
- Iceland 6 Day Itinerary Road Trip
- Top 5 Hotels in Reykjavik On A Budget In Iceland
- Reasons To Go To Iceland
- Top 12 Things You Absolutely Must Do In Iceland
- Iceland Bubble Hotel Review – Unique Stays
About William Tang
William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.
Find us on social media
- Work With Us
- Blogging Bootcamp
- Van Conversion Academy
- Campervan Shop
- Campervan Rentals
- Plan a Trip
- Itineraries
- Destinations
- Responsible Travel
- Family Travel
- Budget Travel
- Scuba Diving
- Travel Credit Cards
- Digital Nomad
- Teach English Abroad
- Blogging Resources
- Income Reports
- Travel Shop
- Meet Katie & Ben
- About Two Wandering Soles
- Personal Stuff
- Portfolio & Press
Perfect 7 Day Iceland Itinerary
Home » Blog » Europe » Iceland » Perfect 7 Day Iceland Itinerary
Whether you have a layover, or Iceland is your final destination, we’ve got the perfect trip planned for you! This detailed Iceland itinerary for 7 days is complete with day-by-day instructions, photos and tips that will bring you to the southern coast and through the iconic Golden Circle. Follow this one week itinerary for an epic Icelandic road trip you’ll remember for a lifetime!
Before our first trip to Iceland, we began searching where to go and we were immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of things to see and do in this country.
We realized that although this volcanic island is small, there is so much natural beauty packed in that you could spend a lifetime exploring its nooks and crevices without seeing it all.
All the waterfalls, hot springs, glaciers and beaches looked incredible and we wanted to see as much as possible in just one week. But we were having a hard time figuring out how to connect the dots on a map in one epic road trip.
Since that first trip, we’ve had the opportunity to return to Iceland and explore more of what this incredible country has to offer. In total we’ve spent a lot more than 7 days in Iceland, but we’ve put all that experience to good use just for YOU.
We spent hours compiling all the information from both our trips on which we experienced many different places and all the best things to do in Iceland . We finally came up with what we think is the very best Iceland itinerary for 7 days!
This article will help you plan your one-week road trip to this stunning country in the north Atlantic.
Article contents
Best time to visit iceland.
- 7 day Iceland itinerary map
- Renting a vehicle
- Iceland Itinerary
More or less time? What to add or cut
- Road trip tips
- What to pack
Want to save time and energy on planning?
If you want to save yourself the hours of research and planning, we’ve got you covered with our ultimate done-for-you Iceland South Coast Itinerary . This itinerary includes a lot of what you’ll find in this article, plus so much more!
It covers ALL the bases, from driving directions and timing of activities, to necessary reservations and recommended places to stay.
The itinerary is customizable for 7 days, with 8- or 9-day options , hitting all of the highlights of the Southern Coast of Iceland.
This is sort of a loaded question as the answer will depend entirely on your personal travel style and reasons for visiting Iceland.
If hiking, warmer temperatures, whale watching or birding are on your to-do list, you’ll want to visit Iceland during the spring and summer months. If you are hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, want to experience sunrise at a reasonable hour, or just want to avoid the crowds, you’ll want to visit during the fall or winter months.
We put together an entire article that goes over what to expect in each season and how to decide which is best for you. Find out the best time to visit Iceland for your personal travel needs.
Iceland 7-Day Itinerary Map
Here is a map of the general route for 7 days in Iceland (starting and ending in Reykjavík):
A note about this itinerary: This Iceland itinerary is based on a 7 day/6 night trip. The itinerary covers many highlights of the southern part of Iceland’s Ring Road and is intended to be followed using a rental vehicle. We think the best (and cheapest!) way to follow this plan is to camp along the way, whether with a tent or a campervan. Be sure to check out our guide to Ring Road for everything you need to know about this iconic route and how to drive the full circle around Iceland if you have more time.
Renting a vehicle in Iceland
Renting a car in Iceland is different from many other countries, and even if you’re a pro at car rentals you might be surprised by a few things. We put together a huge guide to Iceland car rentals to share all of our insider information with you.
Be sure to book your rental gear and a rental car before your trip begins. And don’t forget travel insurance ! Picking a policy that covers your rental car is often cheaper than buying a separate policy through the rental company.
Psst! We’ve got you covered with all the info you need to plan your Iceland road trip!
Also, one of the best ways to travel around Iceland is in a campervan. Out of all the camper van companies out there, we like Happy Campers the best. They are a family run company providing excellent vehicles with all the gear you need for an epic road trip in Iceland.
And the best news… We’ve partnered with them to give our readers a 5% off their campervan rental when you use our coupon code: TWS5. Just enter the coupon code TWS5 at checkout on Happy Campers website .
We also put together a HUGE Iceland campervan rental guide with tons of insider tips and advice for choosing the best campervan rental for you. Make sure to give it a read before booking your trip!
Iceland Campervan Rental Guide (+ Discount!)
Iceland Camping Guide: Essential Tips + Best Campsites in Iceland
Renting a Car in Iceland: 14 Essential Tips
Iceland 7 Day Itinerary Overview
Day 1: gear up and drive to snaefellsnes peninsula, day 2: waterfalls, hot springs and hiking (oh, my), day 3: the golden circle, day 4: more waterfalls, an abandoned plane, and spectacular views, day 5: fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, “black waterfall” and sights along the southeastern ring road.
- Day 6: Hiking glaciers, canyons and and Ice Beach
Day 7: Drive back to Reykjavík
- Day at a glance: Get your rental car (or campervan ) and camping gear and head north of Reykjavík for some stunning views and set up camp on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
- Approximate Driving Time: 2.5 – 3 hours
- Approximate Distance Covered: 200 km
Everyone flies into Keflavik International Airport (REK) so this is where your journey will begin. You will have to pick up your rental vehicle from here because the bus to Reykjavík is just crazy expensive.
Note: If you only have a short layover, there are plenty of things to do near the Keflavik Airport .
If you’re not renting a campervan, be sure to check RentalCars.com for the best deals on getting a car. They sometimes have special deals and show all the rental car company’s prices at once. And be sure to read through our ultimate Iceland rental car guide that answers all your questions about driving around the country in a rental.
A 45-minute drive north on Highway 41 will take you to Reykjavík, where you can stock up on groceries and pick up your camping equipment .
You can do a little exploring of all the things to do in Reykjavík now if you arrive in the morning. Try taking a Reykjavík Food Walk (use code TWS10 for 10% off your tour when you book online). But remember you have almost a 3 hour drive ahead of you so you might want to get on the road. You’ll have time to see Reykjavík on your last day.
Note: Iceland’s natural landscape is beyond beautiful and you’ll want to stop for pictures around every curve. Our rule of thumb was for every hour of driving (according to the time Google maps gives you), add at least 10 more minutes for photo ops. Check out our collection of Iceland photos here .
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Make your way northwest of Reykjavík to Snaefellsnes Peninsula for some pretty incredible views of giant mountains and remote lakes. If you have time, you can drive Highway 54 around the whole peninsula. Get out at Hellnar and walk along the seaside cliff for some spectacular views (pictured above).
But if you’re like us and you didn’t get out of Reykjavík until 4:30 p.m. on our first try, you can cut through the peninsula on Highway 56 and still see some incredible views overlooking hilltop lakes.
If there is still daylight, head to Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall for sunset, or just wait for the morning to visit. To find out how to get there, check out our round up of Iceland’s best waterfalls .
Where to stay: We camped our first night in the town of Grundarfjörður at the local campground . It was nothing too fancy; just a flat grassy area with a toilet and sink for dishes.
Tip: There is a tunnel that cuts under Hvalfjörður and continues on Highway 1 (Ring Road), so be sure to take this short cut if you are short on time. Highway 47 loops around the fjord and is a much prettier drive than a dark tunnel if you have time. Also, if you have extra time, head for Glymur Waterfall at the far east side of the fjord. It’s a challenging, but very rewarding hike!
- This Day in a Glimpse: Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall, Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River hike and the colorful Kerið Crater at sunset
- Approximate Driving Time: 4.5 hours
- Day at a glance:Covered: 300 km
Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall
Situated very close to your campground on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, is the famously beautiful Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall. This series of waterfalls has a great view of the triangle-shaped peak, Kirkjufell, resting in the background.
It’s an amazing sight, but can quickly be ruined by groups of people so get there early. To beat the crowds, you should wake up early (around 7 a.m.), leave your tent at the campground, and drive a few minutes to Kirkjufellsfoss.
Once you’ve had your fill of pictures, have breakfast back at the campground, pack up and drive off.
Today is a long day of driving with many incredible viewpoints along the way, so you’ll have to manage your time at the stops wisely.
Optional detour: We drove east on Highway 54 on the north side of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and accidentally missed a turn (we may have been a little too focused on jamming out to our music) and ended up in the harbor town of Stykkishólmur. It’s popular for people to take ferries from Stykkishólmur to the tiny island of Flatey and then continue on to the West Fjords, but only having 7 days in Iceland we didn’t have time for that. Since it was a nice little surprise, we climbed to the overlook by the harbor, took a few photos and drove back south to find the right road.
Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River
Head south towards Ring Road (Highway 1) and continue on towards Reykjavík for just under two hours.
Optional detour: If you didn’t get a chance the previous day, instead of driving through the tunnel, take Highway 47 and drive around Hvalfjörður stopping to take photos along the way.
Once you’re back on Highway 1, or if you’ve taken the tunnel to save time, continue on Ring Road for another hour or so until you reach the turn off for the tiny town of Hveragerði.
The hike to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is a 5-mile out and back hike with moderate elevation gain. It takes about 1 hour each way, so you’ll want to plan about 3 hours for the entire experience.
This was one of our favorite hot spring experiences in Iceland and totally worth the trek in our opinion.
Read more about the hike and what to expect at Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River in our round up of the best Iceland hot springs .
The hike begins at a paid parking lot in the town of Hveragerði. You can find it on Google maps just past this cafe which also makes a good bathroom stop before the journey.
Tip: After your hike, stop at Fjöruborðið for dinner. This seaside restaurant is known for langoustines, and it was one of our most memorable meals in Iceland ! Definitely put this on your itinerary if you love seafood like we do!
Kerið Crater for Sunset
Depending on your timing and the time the sun is setting during your visit to Iceland, you’ll want to plan this stop either before or after you stop for dinner (and remember to account for extra driving time if you decide to detour to Fjöruborðið).
Take Highway 35 north from Ring Road for about 13 km (or about 8 miles) to reach the parking lot for Kerið Crater. Note that while parking is free, there is a small entrance fee of 400 ISK (~$3 USD) per visitor that goes towards preserving and protecting the crater.
Picture an aquamarine lake sparkling inside a volcanic caldera flanked by red volcanic rock and bursts of lime green mossy accents. This shocking display of Mother Nature’s artistry is one of the most colorful stops on our Iceland itinerary.
Take a very short hike up to the rim of the perfectly circular crater and walk the gravel trail that circles the rim. The walk is about 1 mile that shouldnt take you much more than half an hour in total, including stops for photos.
Where to stay: Thingvellir National Park campsites offer well-kept facilities with no reservations needed. Or you can book a nearby guesthouse such as the top-rated Héradsskólinn Historic Guesthouse .
Psst! Looking for some more ideas of romantic things to do? We’ve got you covered with our Iceland Honeymoon guide !
- Day at a glance: Your choice of some combination of Thingvellir National Park, Brúarfoss falls, Lauvgarvatn Fontana Rye Bread Tasting, Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, Faxi waterfall, Hrunalaug Hot Spring or Secret Lagoon, Gluggafoss Falls, and Seljalandsfoss waterfall at sunset
- Approximate Driving Time: 4 hours
- Approximate Distance Covered: 250 km
Almost everyone who has a few days in Iceland incorporates the Golden Circle in their itinerary, and for good reason. It’s a condensed area that has many points of interest that attract thousands of people every year. You can get a more detailed look at all the things listed below in our Golden Circle Travel Guide .
You’ll want to get an early start today because there are lots—and I mean lots —of activities to pack into your day. You may have to pick and choose a bit based on your timing and energy levels throughout the day.
Thingvellir National Park: The Continental Divide
Thingvellir is Iceland’s first National Park and the location where two continents meet. The park is full of easy walks, gorgeous waterfalls, unique geological formations, and rich Iceland history.
Your first stop of the day will be Þingvellir (Thingvellir) Visitor’s Center. It’s here that two tectonic plates, the North American and the Eurasian plates, are slowly drifting apart at a place known as the Silfra Fissure. Walk to the observation deck and look out over Þingvallavatn, the biggest lake in Iceland.
You might even get a glimpse at the people preparing to scuba dive between the two continental plates. Follow the path down the canyon that is formed due to the continental divide with North America on your left and Europe on your right. You can walk in the canyon for about 2 km and reach Öxarárfoss waterfall.
Brúarfoss
Known as the bluest waterfall in Iceland, this was an off-the-beaten-path spot on the Golden Circle we really enjoyed and highly recommend.
That being said, it’s a 2+ hour round trip hike covering 7 km (but with relatively little elevation gain) to get to the falls. If you’re pressed for time or just don’t feel like walking too far from the comforts of your vehicle, you can go ahead and skip this stop.
Important note: There used to be a much shorter path to Brúarfoss, but it was on private property and has been closed due to tourists being disrespectful. Be sure to park in the proper lot ( here’s the location on Google Maps ) and follow the path so you don’t trespass.
You can read more about what to expect at Brúarfoss and all the falls listed in this itinerary in our guide to the best waterfalls in Iceland .
Laugarvatn Fontana Rye Bread Tasting
You may recognize this place from Zac Efron and Netflix’s original series, Down to Earth . The Lauvgarvatn Fontana is best known for its lakefront thermal baths, but we opted to experience the geothermal energy in a different way on our trip: by tasting rye bread that has been baked underground with geothermal heat.
The Rye Bread Tour is just 30 minutes long and you’ll learn about geothermal cooking while helping bury the bread that’ll be tasted by visitors on the following day. During the tour you’ll also unearth 2 large pots of rye that have been baking underground since the previous day.
The tour finishes up inside where you’ll have ample opportunity to taste the Icelandic rye bread, which is one of our top foods you should try in Iceland .
Tip: Be sure to make a stop at nearby Efstidalur II Creamery for ice cream. Try the black licorice flavor ice cream, you’ll thank us later!
Another popular stop on the Golden Circle is Geysir, a natural geothermal area. While there were plenty of sulfur-scented steam clouds coming from boiling pools, the main attraction here is the Great Geysir.
People will wait around this giant hole in the ground guessing when the next explosion of water will occur shooting 50 meters in the air. (Hint: it happens about every 5-10 minutes.) The water is not too hot by the time it comes back down, just try not to get too soaked (Like we did! See picture above!).
Gullfoss Waterfall
Continue driving up the road to the enormous Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland’s largest waterfall by volume. Walk to the top and middle sections of this two tiered waterfall with more water passing through it annually than Niagara Falls. You’ll get wet because the mist over takes the paths so make sure to bring your rain jacket.
Don’t hangout too long at Gullfoss, because you still have plenty more of the Golden Circle to see before your last stop. And trust me, you do not want to miss the sunset at Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.
Tip: Make a stop at Friðheimar Tomato Farm for a late lunch of bottomless tomato soup and gourmet bread served to you inside a greenhouse. This place is no secret so it’s best you make a reservation ahead of time if you don’t want to wait over an hour to get a table.
Faxi Waterfall
This lesser known waterfall on the Golden Circle may not be very tall, but it stretches all the way across the Tungufljót River in a powerful cascade. With far fewer visitors than it’s more famous neighbor, Gullfoss, Faxi Falls makes a great quick stop for a peaceful moment and a photo opportunity without strangers getting in the way.
Hrunalaug Hot Spring or Secret Lagoon (choose one!)
Hrunalaug Hot Spring looks like a scene straight out of the movie Lord of the Rings. With lush rolling hills and a quaint little changing room, you’ll feel like you’re actually in the Shire.
The hot spring is just a short walk from the parking lot and while it is open to the public, there is a small honesty box where the landowner requests 1,000 ISK ($8) per visitor to help maintain the area.
We stopped here after a long day of exploring the Golden Circle and really enjoyed a nice peaceful soak.
Contrary to the name, the Secret Lagoon is no secret. In fact, it’s recommended that you make a reservation ahead of time to be sure you can get in. However, this natural pool will still be a lot less crowded than the more famous Blue Lagoon.
Said to be the oldest natural swimming pool in Iceland, entrance tickets cost 3,000 ISK ($23) per adult. Another good thing to note: While this place has no private shower stalls, it is expected that you shower naked (not in a swimsuit) prior to entering the pool and it is considered rude not to do this. Just wanted to warn ya!
Our recommendation: Though they are both very different experiences, unless you have lots of extra time (aka 2 full days for the Golden Circle), we’d recommend choosing either the Secret Lagoon or Hrunalaug Hot Spring.
Gluggafoss
While this little-known waterfall is not on the Golden Circle, per se, it makes for a convenient stop on your way to the last waterfall of the day and your sunset destination.
Gluggafoss, which is sometimes called Merkjárfoss, is a very short walk from the small car park, and if you’re lucky like we were, you may even have it completely to yourself.
There are two tiers at this waterfall. Walk up the short set of stairs to get a better view of the falls, or hike up to the top of the lower tier for a better view of the upper tier. And you can take pleasure in the fact that you’re seeing a place that most tourists never see.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall at Sunset
Head back to Highway 1 Ring Road and continue east toward Vík for about 55 km until you find an incredible waterfall tumbling over the huge rock wall. Sunset at Seljalandsfoss is the best time to be there because the water shines like liquid gold.
What makes it unique is you can walk all the way behind the falls, right up against the green moss and the tan rock face for some incredible pictures. Stay until the sun has fully disappeared behind the horizon and then the gold turns sadly back into clear water.
Note: Like we said, sunset (on a clear evening) is the absolute best time to be at this waterfall. We were there in the morning and again in the afternoon, and neither were nearly as impressive. Plan ahead and look up what time the sun sets on the day you plan to be there.
Where to stay: Hamragarðar Campsite is just 500 meters down from Seljalandsfoss waterfall and a convenient place to stay for the night. It’s fully equipped with bathrooms, showers and even has a gift shop. There’s plenty of space here so you don’t have to worry about being close to your neighbors.
We pitched our tent so the opening faced the waterfall and fell asleep to the splashing water. It was pretty incredible to wake up to the sight of the waterfall and grazing sheep right outside our tent! If you are not planning on camping during your Iceland trip, you can stay at a nearby guesthouse like Sólheimahjáleiga Guesthouse , or Hótel Skógafoss , both of which are within 30 minutes from Seljalandsfoss, further down Highway 1.
- Day at a glance: A local swimming pool, Skógafoss Waterfall, Sólheimasandur plane crash, a black sand beach with puffins and a lava show in Vík.
- Approximate Driving Time: 1.5 hours
- Approximate Distance Covered: 100 km
If you thought yesterday was packed full of sites, wait until you see what’s in store for today. It may not seem like a lot of driving, but there are some pretty epic things packed into today and it will definitely take you all day. Plan to leave your campsite at the latest by 8:30 – 9 a.m.
Gljufrabui Waterfall
First things first, a visit to Gljufrabui Waterfall in the morning is a must if you’ve spent the night at Hamragarðar Campsite. Nestled inside a hidden canyon, steps from the campsite, this is another waterfall many visitors miss, even when they are right there visiting Seljalandsfoss next door.
You’ll have to walk over some boulder and possibly through some water to get into the crowded canyon, so you’ll want to be sure to wear sturdy hiking books. But the walk is short and the reward is a beautiful falls seemling coming out of nowhere which makes for a great photo op.
We recommend heading out first thing in the morning and leaving your tent or campervan at the campsite, then going back for breakfast before hitting the road before 9:00 a.m.
Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool
Only 2.5 km from Ring Road and a 20-minute walk from the parking lot, the Seljavallalaug swimming pool is a hidden local spot we’d recommend visiting if you’re up for a bit of an adventure, or if you’re looking for an alternative to visiting the more expensive Blue Lagoon.
This free open-air swimming pool was built in 1923 to teach local fishermen how to swim. A natural hot spring trickles off the hill straight into the 25-meter long pool.
Today it has a couple simple changing rooms and we read it’s serviced once a summer to have the algae removed. The pool’s temperature was warm with hotter water poured into the deep end.
I think the only downside is the water is not crystal clear. It’s more like murky lake water and we joked it should be named the “Green Lagoon”. I had some algae stuck to my suit when I got out, but I was able to scrub it off when my suit dried. However, you could not ask for a better atmosphere.
The pool is located in a beautiful green valley with numerous streams rolling down the surrounding hills. And with only 5 other couples in the pool, there’s plenty of space for everyone to relax.
How to get there: From Hamragarðar Campsite to Seljavallalaug swimming pool, you’ll drive 22 km east on Ring Road to Highway 242 and turn left (this highway is a semi-circle, so you have to take the first left turn for Highway 242, but if you miss it, you can double back at the second left turn).
Drive for about 1 km north on Highway 242 and when the road turns right, you should continue going straight following the dirt road. Be careful because there are many potholes on this gravel road, but continue for about 1.5 km until you can’t go any farther.
There should be a parking lot here. There will be a flat path heading north into the valley which you will walk for about 20 minutes until you reach the swimming pool.
We have a complete guide to visiting Seljavallalaug swimming pool with all the other information you should know.
Skógafoss Waterfall
The second waterfall stop of the day is at Skógafoss Waterfall. Be sure to walk right up the bottom of this astounding 200-foot waterfall. There is a short staircase trek up to the top of the falls where you can typically see rainbows because of all the mist.
This is also the start of Iceland’s famed Fimmvörðuháls hike . It’s a single-day hike that takes you past 26 waterfalls, over snowfields, lava fields and glaciers and is quite possibly one of the best day hikes we’ve done in the world!
If you have an extra day, we’d highly recommend planning this hike into your itinerary. If you’re pressed for time and want to stick to our 7 day Iceland itinerary, you can see tons of waterfalls at the very start of the hike. Just follow the trail along the Skoga River for as long as you’d like and then double back to the base of Skógafoss when you’re ready to be on your way.
Kvernufoss Waterfall
Not too far down the road from Skógafoss, many visitors miss this hidden waterfall because they simply don’t know of its existence. This was what happened to us on our first trip to Iceland, but lucky for you, we found this gem the second time around.
To find the falls you can park in the lot at the Skogar Museum. There are signs toward the back of the parking lot for this trail, and a place to pay for parking. Stay on the trail for a quick 15-minute walk and you’ll be rewarded with views of this stunning waterfall from a small canyon.
Sólheimasandur Plane Crash
The next stop is quite unusual but surprisingly popular among tourists. In 1973 a U.S. Navy airplane crash landed on the beach of Iceland’s southern coast. Instead of removing the plane’s shell, it was just abandoned.
Today you can still visit it, but you’ll have to be ready for a hike because there are no roads to the crash site. There is a parking area right off of Highway 1, and from there it’s a deceivingly long 40-minute flat walk through the sand to the plane.
Once you’re there, it’s pretty cool and kind of eerie.
You should plan about 2.5 hours into your schedule to visit this plane crash.
How to get there: Drive east on Ring Road from the Skogar Museum and keep an eye out for a bridge with yellow blinking lights that has a dirt road after it heading toward Sólheimajökull Glacier. Continue driving east on Ring Road for another 2 km after the bridge.
There will be a dirt road turn off to your right with a fence blocking the road. Park your car here and start the 40-minute walk toward the beach.
After about 35 minutes, the road will slightly turn left and you should follow it. The plane is hidden behind a sand dune so you won’t be able to see it right away.
Dyrhólaey rock formation & puffin nesting ground
Continue on Highway 1 (Ring Road) heading east to Dyrhólaey. There are two different viewpoints for Dyrhólaey rock formation: one that overlooks the black sand beach, and one that’s higher up which overlooks the iconic rock with the hole.
The second overlook was a little bit tricky to drive up, but we made it in our little Hyundai i10 so I think anyone can do it. The lighthouse on top of the overlook is stunning and the arched rock wall jutting out into the ocean makes the steep drive worth it.
If you’re visiting Iceland during the summertime, you will have the opportunity to see the puffin nesting area here. These cute little birds burrow into the grass near the cliff’s edge. The nesting area is fenced off to keep visitors at a safe distance and allow the birds some peace, however, you can still observe them from a few meters away.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Known as one of the most famous black sand beaches in the world, Reynisfjara is absolutely stunning and unlike anything you’ve ever seen. With otherworldly rock formations both on shore and off, plus the unique volcanic black sand, this beach is well worth a visit on your Iceland itinerary.
Find out more about what to expect when visiting Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach , plus insider tips and the best photo spots.
The summer months in Iceland are prime puffin spotting season and Reynisfjara houses thousands of these little cuties. In the morning and evening are the peak times to see these miniature birds dive off the cliffs and flap their wings like drunken penguins out to sea to catch their food.
When we arrived it was a fury of puffins heading in and out of the ocean for their catch of the day. And plenty of seagulls trying to snatch what the puffins had worked so hard for.
Lava Show in Vík
Your next stop of the day is the seafront village of Vík. It’s the largest town in this part of south Iceland and a good place to “return to civilization” (so to speak) on your road trip. However, the real draw here is the Lava Show.
Known as “the only place in the world where you can safely experience hot molten lava in close proximity,” the Lava Show is quite the unique experience.
Take a front row seat for the hour-long show where you’ll get to watch molten lava (1,100°C / 2,000°F) flowing right in front of you.
Tip: Be sure to try the Lava soup during the show, it’s super tasty!
The creator of this experience, Júlíus, is extremely passionate about all things volcanoes and lava, and makes it an entertaining and educational show for both adults and children.
Note: Show times are at 1:30 p.m and 5 p.m. daily and you’ll want to book your tickets online ahead of time as they do sell out. Plan your day accordingly so you don’t miss this unique experience.
Other things to do in Vík:
- Skool Bean coffee (open until 5pm)
- visit the beach in town
- climb up to the church viewpoint
Note: If you didn’t have time to fit in everything above before the lava show, you can skip Dyrhólaey (puffins) or Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and go back after the show if there is still daylight. You can also visit them in the morning on Day 5 or on your last day as you drive past back to Reykjavík.
Where to stay: We stayed at Vík tjaldsvæði Campground while in town on night 4. This is one of the better campgrounds with plenty of tent space, indoor cooking area, bathrooms, showers and even a playground.
If you are not planning on camping, you can stay at a nearby guesthouse like Vík Cottages , or Guesthouse Carina , both of which are in the town of Vík.
- Day at a glance: Big driving day with a few hikes sprinkled in between; Gígjagjá Yoda Cave, moss-covered lava fields, Green Canyon Fjaðrárgljúfur hike, a couple of waterfalls and a glacier.
- Approximate Driving Time: 3 hours
- Approximate Distance Covered: 175 km
Grab a cup of coffee at Skool Bean (opens at 9 a.m.) in the town of Vík if you didn’t visit there yesterday. You may also want to visit the black sand beach in town with cool rock stacks out in the water or climb to the church viewpoint if you didn’t get to any of these activities the day before.
When you’re ready, head East out of Vík.
Hjörleifshöfði Cape & Gígjagjá (aka Yoda Cave)
Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or not, the Hjörleifshöfði Cape, where you’ll find a cave dubbed “Yoda Cave” for it’s uncanny resemblance to the fictional character, is worth a short visit.
From Ring Road take a right at Hjörleifshöfði Road. There are signs saying not to drive on the sand so you’ll have to park at the end of the road and walk the 200 or so meters to the cave. May the force be with you.
Laufskálavarða
Laufskálavarða is a quick stop at a lava ridge, surrounded by stone carines (stacked stone towers). There is not much to do here except read a lovely tale about leaving cairns for future travelers. However, we’d recommend not setting up your own cairn because there are far too many there already!
You can walk to a viewing platform to see Mýrdalsjökull where the famous Kalata volcano is located.
Scenic Green Lava Walk
As you continue on Ring Road past Vík, you will soon become aware that the grassy fields on either side of the road have now turned into miles of moss covered rocks. These rocky fields were once lava and now the moss has taken over and makes a pretty cool photo op.
Make your way to the parking area for the Scenic Green Lava walk or the Mossy Lava Fields stop just off Ring Road. Get out and stretch your legs a bit as you meander through the other-worldly landscape. Just be mindful of where you walk because this ecosystem is pretty fragile.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon Hike
This is a little embarrassing to admit, but we watched Justin Bieber’s music video for a song called “I’ll Show You” where he gallivants around Iceland (only for the scenery, says Ben). But after we were done watching, we Googled “Iceland valley in Justin Bieber’s video”.
Watch the video and you’ll know what we’re talking about! The beautiful lush valley carved into the Icelandic countryside that Bieber hops, jumps and runs around is called Fjaðrárgljúfur, and you too can explore it even if you’re not a pop singer.
Fjaðrárgljúfur is a luscious green serpentine canyon that continues on for 2 km with a picturesque waterfall at the end. You can hike up the side of the canyon and the views get better along the way. Just please don’t hop around like Bieber, because it’s a long way down.
How to get there: Continuing east on Ring Road towards Skaftafell, take a left at Road No. 206, Holtsvegur. It is about 3 km on the gravel road to reach the parking lot . The unpaved road can be accessed by any type of car in the summer months, but it is recommended to have a 4×4 car if attempting this in wintertime.
There is a marked trail from the parking lot that continues along the rim of the canyon for about 2 miles, out and back. The hike is easy with little elevation gain and many different viewpoints along the way. Allow about 1.5 hours to do this hike and stop for plenty of photo ops!
Note: Due to the popularity of this canyon, there are now measures to restrict access to the trail during certain times of the year due to weather conditions. It is important you respect the occasional closures so as to protect the delicate vegetation. You can check the current trail conditions on the SafeTravel.is website.
Tip: If you have the time, make a quick stop at Foss á Síðu for a glimpse of yet another breathtakingly gorgeous Iceland waterfall! This location makes for a sweet drone shot of the falls if you have good weather.
Hike to Svartifoss the “Black Waterfall”
Continue driving east on Ring Road until you get to Svartifoss (a.k.a. Black Waterfall) – This hidden falls is one of the best waterfalls in Iceland . It’s not just on the side of the road like so many others, and the short hike to get there makes you feel a bit more accomplished than simply stepping outside your car.
Another plus is you won’t find the hordes of people from the tourist buses. Oh, and did we mention the waterfall itself is stunning?!
How to get there: When heading east, take a left toward Skaftafell (there is no sign for the waterfall). Take the road until you see a small parking lot on your right. If the road gets pretty rough, you’ve gone too far. From the parking lot, it is a 2.5 mile loop trail hike to get to the waterfall.
The hike is moderately easy – a bit uphill, but nothing too challenging. After about 10 minutes, you’ll see a waterfall that could trick you into thinking it’s the black waterfall, but keep going! You’ve still got about two-thirds of the way to go.
But it’s worth it – the waterfall at the end of the trail is far more impressive than the first one you see. You should allow around 1-1.5 hours to hike these falls.
Svínafellsjökull view point
Just a few minutes drive east of Svartifoss is a sign that says Svinafellsjökull – yeah, that one’s a mouthful! We almost passed it by (actually we did, but then we turned around, and we were glad we didn’t miss it!). Take a left at this sign and in 2 km you’ll be at the foot of a massive glacier.
Note: The 2 km road there is gravel and has many potholes, so drive slowly and with caution. This road may be closed depending on the conditions.
Hike up the rock on the side of the glacier for the best view.
Where to Stay: Spend the night at Svinafell Campground , a bare bones campground (no electricity hookups for RVs here) with a shared kitchen and bathroom/shower facilities. The campsite does offer indoor sleeping bag accommodations in dorm-style rooms. However, if you are looking for something a bit more luxurious, the Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is a 4 star hotel in the area.
Wherever you choose to make your accommodation for the night, you can leave your things here, or be sure to book 2 nights because you’ll be returning on the following evening.
Day 6: Hiking Glaciers, Canyons and Ice Beach
- Day at a glance: Guided glacier hike tour, Múlagljúfur Canyon, Glacier Lagoon and Ice Beach
Glacier Hike
Being that the glaciers in Iceland are melting at unprecedented rates, taking the opportunity to do a glacier hike was one of the top things we were looking forward to on our second trip.
Hiking on a glacier in Iceland is an activity you must do with a guide, and there are quite a few tour companies to choose from. A guided tour includes all the equipment you’ll need, like a harness, an ice axe, crampons and a helmet, as well as a guide who is experienced with the area and glacier safety.
After doing a bit of research, we decided to go for the 5 hour glacier hike instead of the 3 hour tour because there is so much we’d miss with the shorter option. We went with the Skaftafell 5-Hour Adventure Glacier Hike by Troll Expeditions.
The experience was a bit of a splurge at 15,500 ISK (~$120 USD) per person, but totally worth it in our opinions. We traversed a pretty large section of the glacier and saw some pretty incredible things. We even got (safely) lowered into a small ice cave, which feels like an entirely different world.
Are you visiting Iceland in the winter? You may want to also look into visiting an ice cave with a tour guide. This looks like a pretty incredible experience, but with the exception of a couple, most ice caves can only be visited during the late fall and winter months.
To save yourself time, consider doing the Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave Tour & Glacier Hike combination tour in lieu of the glacier hike we mentioned above.
After your morning glacier hike, you’ll get back on Ring Road heading east towards Hof. Your first stop is Hofskirkja, an old grass-covered church.
What’s so exciting about a grass-covered church you ask?
Well Hofskirkja just so happens to be the last turf church ever built in Iceland. The construction of turf buildings is a trend from Scandinavia that took hold in Iceland in the 1800s. With the scarcity of lumber to be used as a building material, Icelanders resorted to the creative use of sod.
Make a quick pit-stop on your road trip to visit this historic property and snap a few photos while you’re there.
Múlagljúfur Canyon Hike
Sometimes compared to the better-known Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon that you hiked yesterday, Múlagljúfur is equally as stunning and lush, but with less visitors. As a relatively hidden gem in southern Iceland, this 3.6 mile round trip trek is one of Iceland’s best day hikes .
How to get there: Follow Ring Road east and take the turn off just 5 minutes before you reach Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Turn off onto the gravel road that’ll lead you to this parking area . There is not a lot of signage here, so it’s best to mark the location on Google Maps before you go.
Park here and climb the small hill to your right to find the start of the trail. The hike includes about 1,200 ft of elevation gain and takes about 2 hours to complete. During your hike you’ll see trail markers in different colors, all leading to Hangandifoss waterfall at the end of Múlagljúfur Canyon.
Tip: Bring a drone if you have one. This place looks even better from the sky!
Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
After your hike, make your way just 5 more minutes down Ring Road to the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. This ice beach and lagoon is one of the most unique places we’ve ever been. There are three stops here, and we recommend doing all three to get different views.
The first stop is right before the bridge on the left, and is less crowded. Be sure to walk down next to the lagoon to get up close to the ice chunks as they float by.
Across the street is a stop for the beach where the ice chunks wash up. It’s pretty fun watching the waves have their way with the ice. Walk down the beach to the right to find the bigger pieces of ice.
And the final stop, across the bridge at the lagoon, is the busiest and is where the tour buses park. From here, you can walk up a little hill for a nice view overlooking the lagoon. If you’re lucky, you can see families of seals swimming around the drifting ice.
If you have more time in Iceland, be sure to check out Fjallsarlon, Iceland’s other glacier lagoon .
Unfortunately, with only 7 days in Iceland, this is as far on Ring Road as you’ll have the time to venture (without being rushed).
Tip: Park before the bridge on the southwest side. If you have clear weather and you have the time, try to also make a stop at the second glacier lagoon, Fjallsárlón. But skip this one if you don’t have time.
Where to stay: After this you’re going to make your way back towards where you came from on Ring Road and stay at the same accommodation as the night before.
- Day at a glance: Make your way back to Reykjavík, choose between the Blue Lagoon or exploring more of Reykjavík
- Approximate Distance Covered: 325 km
Today is the day you’ll be heading back to Reykjavík to catch your flight out. The drive will take about 4.5 hours without traffic or stopping so you should plan for about a 5 hour travel day.
Take this opportunity to make any stops along the way that you may have missed before because of the weather or timing. This could be another change to see the puffins if you didn’t get lucky the first go around.
If you head out early enough and have the time before an evening or late-night flight, you’ll have two options to spend your afternoon: exploring the city or relaxing in the Blue Lagoon
Option 1: Blue Lagoon
If you want to chill after a long week of travel, head straight to the Blue Lagoon (it’s pretty close to the airport anyway if you want to squeeze in a dip before your flight out).
Undoubtedly the most famous hot spring in the entire country, the Blue Lagoon is best known for its milky blue waters. Surrounded by lava stones, this popular hot spring makes an excellent last stop before getting on a long flight. Plus, with a complimentary beverage (prosecco, please!) and silica face mask, you’ll feel totally pampered soaking here.
Reykjanes Peninsula: Seltún Geothermal Area and Kleifarvatn Lake
If you have more time, we highly recommend checking out the Seltún Geothermal Area and Kleifarvatn Lake.
Right off Highway 42 on Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland, Seltún Geothermal Area. It’s another place that’s similar to Geysir, but with a much stronger smell of sulfur. There are many hot pools of bubbling water and mud on either side of a wooden walkway.
It’s a small area but worth a stop for 10 minutes. As you drive north on Highway 42, you’ll pass by the stunning Kleifarvatn Lake with its multicolored rocky banks. Then head straight to the airport or back to Reykjavík if you have one more night in town.
Option 2: Explore more of Reykjavík
If you’re not done exploring, or want to extend your trip by a few days, there are plenty of things to do in the capital city of Reykjavík . Here are just a few ideas:
- Have dinner in the new harbor
- Take in the view at the top of the bell tower of the church
- Join a free walking tour
- Go to a public hot pool and mingle with locals
- Indulge on a food tour
Where to stay: In the northeastern part of the city is Reykjavík Campsite located on the street called Sundlaugavegur. This is the best campsite we stayed at in all of Iceland, but it’s also the most expensive.
It was 2100 Icelandic Krona ($18.20 USD) per person per night. But it did include free WiFi, bathrooms, hot showers, dishwashing stations, an indoor kitchen, a game room, grills and laundry machines (for an extra charge).
If you’re looking for more options, check out the “ Where to Stay ” section of our Reykjavík guide for hotels, Airbnbs and hostel recommendations.
Truthfully, we think this is the perfect 7-day Iceland itinerary for your first trip and we wouldn’t change a thing! You’ll see so much in less than a week, but also have time to relax and soak up the beauty without being rushed.
If you are lucky and have some extra time, or if your trip is shorter, we have some suggestions for things you could add or cut from your Iceland itinerary:
If you have more than 7 days:
- You may have time to do the entire Ring Road circuit. There are lots of places in the north of the country that we are excited to show you!
- We’ve also heard great things about the Highlands (though you’ll need a 4X4 to get there) as well as the Western Fjords.
If you have less than 7 days:
- We would suggest cutting Day 1 from this Iceland itinerary and start your trip heading south from Reykjavík (Day #2 on this itinerary).
- You can also cut out whatever sights don’t appeal to you as much on this itinerary to fit your time restraints!
Road trip tips for Iceland
Driving in Iceland may be a bit different than what you’re used to so we’re going over our top tips for making your Iceland road trip as smooth and care-free as possible.
- Gas in Iceland is expensive. Use an app like Bensin to locate nearby gas stations and compare current gas prices. Check if your car or campervan rental company offers special discounts at specific gas stations.
- Don’t let your tank get emptied. This should go without saying, but the last thing you want to do on your Iceland road trip is run out of gas in the middle of nowhere. There are long stretches of road in Iceland without anything around, so be sure you’re keeping an eye on your gas gauge and filling up often.
- Watch your speed. Of course this is for your personal safety and the safety of other drivers on the road. But there are also speed traps set up around the country (mostly around Reykjavík) to catch drivers over the speed limit and slap them with a hefty fine.
- Be prepared for sudden changes in the weather. The weather in Iceland is notoriously fickle and can turn on a dime from sunshine and blue skies to wind, rain or even snow. Be prepared for strong winds on the open roads and exercise caution particularly when opening your car doors in the wind.
- Know what to do at a single-lane bridge crossing. Ring Road has quite a few single-lane bridges, and there’s a good chance you might wind up at one at the same time as another car. The rule of thumb is the car that’s closest to the bridge will have the right of way while the other waits for them to cross.
- Watch out for sheep! Self-explanatory…
- Know the limits of your vehicle. If you’re renting a regular 2-wheel-drive vehicle, there are some roads you cannot drive on. And I’m not just saying you shouldn’t drive on them. You literally CAN’T because a) it’s illegal, and b) your car will not make it. This rule applies to all “F-roads” – similar to fire roads in the US.
- Don’t ever drive off the road. It is illegal to go “off roading” in Iceland. Be a responsible traveler , and stick to the roads!
- Understand roundabouts in Iceland. There are tons of roundabouts in Iceland, especially around Reykjavík, and they can be confusing to navigate. Just remember, when you’re driving a 2-lane roundabout, the inner lane has the right of way.
- Drive with your headlights on at all times. This is the law in Iceland and it’s meant to keep you safe in the occurrence of heavy fog.
For more tips and plenty of insider information, check out our guide to renting a car in Iceland .
What to pack for your 7-day Iceland itinerary
Here are some items we’d recommend packing specifically for traveling in Iceland.
- Lots of layers
- Quick-dry sports clothing
- Rain gear such as waterproof hiking pants and a heavy-duty rain jacket
- Decent hiking boots
- Swimsuit (for hot springs!)
- Packable down jacket
- Winter hat and gloves (even if you are visiting in the summer months!)
Organization:
- Packing cubes : an essential for keeping your stuff organized
- Hanging toiletry organizer : makes it easy to hang in public restrooms at campgrounds and keeps your toiletries organized
- Dry bag : essential for keeping valuables dry in Iceland’s wet climate
- Reusable grocery bag: for grocery shopping and organization
- Reusable baggies : come in super handy for snacks and storing small items
- Quick-dry towel
- Hand sanitizer ( this one is our favorite! )
- Snacks: dried fruit, nuts, protein bars (it’s hard to find these kinds of things in Iceland grocery stores )
- Eye mask: especially helpful during the summer months where the sun sets very late
- Travel pillow: good to have just in case you don’t love the ones provided (or so you can have more pillows for sitting up in the bed)
- Headlamp : nice for midnight runs to the toilet if you’re camping
- Portable charger : good for charging your devices on the road
- Car Inverter : Your campervan will likely have USB outlets for charging devices like your phone. But if you need to charge larger devices like a laptop or drone, this car inverter will come in clutch. And yes, you can fly with it!
- Portable jumper cables (optional): This tiny little device has a power pack that effectively jumps your vehicle (without another car). Our campervan battery died in the middle of nowhere during a torrential rainstorm, and it took us hitchhiking to a nearby farm to find jumper cables. We wished we would have had one of these (in fact, we bought one as soon as we got home!).
Be sure to download our complete packing list for Iceland ! It’s packed with good suggestions and insider tips to help plan your Italy trip. And it’s completely FREE , so why not!?
FAQs about planning your Iceland itinerary
We’ve got answers to some of your most common questions about planning your Iceland itinerary.
How many days in Iceland is enough?
In order to get a good taste of all that Iceland has to offer, we’d suggest spending a minimum of one week in Iceland. If you happen to have more time than that, great!
There is so much to see and do in this country you could spend months here and not get bored.
We think 7-9 days is the perfect amount of time to soak up plenty of the highlights and get to know the country a bit better.
Can you do Iceland in 1 week?
If you are really pressed on time, yes, you can see Iceland in just one week . We’d recommend sticking to just Reykjavik, the Golden Circle and the southern coast to Vik so you don’t over extend yourself.
Is 3 days enough in Reykjavik?
You could spend as little as 1 day in Reykjavik and see a majority of the main sites and landmarks around downtown. In fact, many people visit Reykjavik during a stopover so you won’t be disappointed even if you’re working on a time crunch.
Two to three days will give you more time to explore outside of downtown and many of the fun things to do in Reykjavik .
More than three days will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the city, join a guided tour, and even make a day trip to the South Coast.
Do I need a car in Iceland?
There aren’t many options for public transportation in Iceland, outside of the capital city of Reykjavik. For this reason, we’d highly recommend renting your own vehicle to explore more of the country at your own pace.
We’ve traveled Iceland in both a rental car and in a campervan and highly recommend both, depending on your preferred travel style.
- Read about our experience and tips for renting a car in Iceland
- Find out the best campervan rentals in Iceland (including a discount code for you!)
- Plan your Iceland road trip with our insider tips and advice
Is it better to drive or take tours in Iceland?
In our opinion, self-driving is without a doubt the best way to go. Driving yourself will allow you to go at your own place and stop at places along the way if you want. It also lets you customize your route to be exactly what you want to see.
However, if the thought of self-driving is too overwhelming to you, know that there are many companies that offer organized tours around Iceland.
Are you planning a trip to Iceland?
We have TONS of resources on travel in Iceland and how to make the most out of your trip. Check out our Ultimate Iceland Travel Guide for all the answers to your most burning questions, or read some of our favorite articles below.
- Best Time to Visit Iceland: When to Go & When to Avoid
- Iceland Trip Costs + Surprising Budget Tips
- Iceland Campervan Rental Guide (+ Exclusive Discount)
- Absolute Best Things to Do in Iceland
Save this article on Pinterest for later!
We want to hear from you!
What do you think of this 7 day Iceland itinerary? What would you add or skip? We’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below!
Comments (63) on “ Perfect 7 Day Iceland Itinerary ”
I seen you rented the camper van but you mentioned “pitching a tent” Did you have a tent with the camper van or was this an extension added on to the camper van? I would love to do the Happy Camper but there are 3 of us.
I was interested in if we have an extra day what you would think to add? We also can’t do the glacier hike because we will have a baby with us, do you have any other ideas for that time frame? Also do you guys by chance have this itinerary in a PDF form so I could print it out? Thanks and the information was great we cant wait to get there in two weeks!
We are hoping – covid permitting! – to visit Iceland in May 2023 and I’ve really been inspired by reading your comprehensive blog! We are going to hire a campervan so will definitely give Happy Campers a go. Thank you for this great guide.
Great blog, great photos. Thank you for sharing. We did 13 days in Iceland in the beginning of June (it never got dark)… it was phenomenal, Can’t wait to go back. There is just so much to see and do. We drove the ring road and saw most of your highlights and much more (Volcano). We missed Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and glacier beach due to rain. For those who enjoy nature, hot springs, waterfalls, and more waterfalls. Iceland is the place to go. …..and you can drink out of the stream. Tanks for sharing!!!!
I am trying to decide when to book our Iceland honeymoon! I was thinking December (for cheaper prices and chances to see northern lights) or September (for increased chances to see northern lights and have not as cold of weather). Honestly, I don’t mind cold weather. I just want to experience the most of Iceland I can (I def plan on doing another trip during Iceland summertime in the future). We are renting a camper van. Would you recommend Sept or Dec of this year to go? What month did you guys go? Thanks!
I am planning a 10 day trip to Iceland in January 2022. So we are prepared for cold weather. That is something we are excited to have. What we are curious about is should we do day out tours from Reykjavik where we leave and return to Reykjavik every day or should we go out for 2-3 day tours, meaning stay out and don’t go back to Reykjavik each night and stay. We know we have limited day time hours and want to make the most of our trip. And can we visit the North at all during Jan time frame? Thanks.
I wanted to go to Iceland this year to gather travel information and pictures for my website about waterfalls
I have listed 200 waterfalls in Iceland on my website and there are so many outstanding waterfalls that it is difficult to choose which one to visit and where other hotspots are. Then the information, like on your website, is very helpful (for next year)…
Nice article:)
Thanks for sharing this nice post. Iceland is throughout the entire year prime travel goal for tourists. Summer is the most specific time, however, different seasons are extraordinary as well on the off chance that you need to see Northern Lights, fall foliage and exploit lower costs and fewer groups. One of my friends had visited there with the help of Discover Iceland who helped them t the time of trip.
Thanks for sharing such an informative blog. The tips shared is really helpful to get to know about various things about iceland trip.
HI! Great info! I was wondering what month you traveled to Iceland? We are debating on going in Summer or in November…really want to explore an Ice Cave with our child…
I have done camping twice this year. It was really amazing experience. Everyone should try at least once in a lifetime.
This is great!! Amazing itinerary. Love the local hot spring idea! We did the camper van experience and loved it! Thank you for the ideas for our next Iceland adventure.
Amazing itinerary! My sister and I are planning on going to Iceland for 10 days and aren’t sure we can handle camping out every night. Do you happen to know if it is easy to find hotels or Airbnb’s in all of these areas?
Thank you for sharing! We are going in May 2020 and this looks so amazing ;o)
This road trip looks amazing! When I was there, the weather sadly was not good. I hope to have a do over in Iceland one day. I really would love to see a puffin colony!
Great itinerary. We had 18 days in Iceland and just can’t believe how stunning the country is.
OMG, my husband is Filipino and I would love to bring him to this kind of country. Iceland looks beautiful, these views are amazing! Ice beach is stunning, it is definitely on my bucket list.
thanks for the informative posts. the photos are so beautiful, what camera gear did you use for the trip? i don’t have a DSLR 🙁
Hello Katie and Ben. Thank you for this wonderful blog on Iceland. We have purchased tickets to Iceland in June 2019 (9-19th) and your itin has definitely helped in permeating our travel route as well. We will have 8 full days (plus 2 arrival and departure days), hence will include a few more stops. Reading ur blog, we are excited to do camping too! Will it be ok, I mean weather wise, to camp in June? Will it be very cold? I understand that it will be the midnight sun season, so I think its less cold, right? We appreciate any travel tips. Thank you.
Hey Rohizani, Iceland in June is supposed to be really nice. It’s one of the least rainy months of the year but it will be an average temp of 45-50 degrees. It can spike up to 50-60 degrees though, it all depends.
What an amazing and fascinating place to visit. I really didn’t know much about this but after reading this post I will surely visit one day. Thanks for sharing such an amazing post. John
Hey Katie and Ben,
Thank you so much. I am going to Iceland in August (three weeks from now) and your itinerary has saved my life! I was feeling so overwhelmed with how to plan a trip due to confusing names. I do have a few questions.
I am taking a camper van, do I need permits for parking? I have 8 days in Iceland. I have never driven in another country before, do you have any tips to be safe?
Again, Thank you so much for this blog, saved me allot of trouble. -Meagan
Hi Meagan, Sounds like you have a great trip planned. You do not need a permit to park in Iceland, however if you do stay at any campsites you will have to pay for those when you arrive. Driving in Iceland is fairly easy since most of the time you will be on open road. Familiarize yourself with the types of street sign you’ll see and have a plan of where you will be traveling so you won’t get lost (though it’s pretty hard to in Iceland, everything is pretty well marked).
Hi guys, Thanks for your detailed 6 day itinerary! This is very helpful. We are thinking of going to Iceland late August in to September for five days. We are not sure whether to get a Happy Camper or just rent a car and camp like you guys did. I’m assuming campervan’s are allowed at the campsites, correct? Also, which would you recommend, Campervan or camping? Any suggestions for places we can rent a car?
Hey Kaupy, first off, yes campervans are allowed at campsites, and campsites are mostly filled with them. To answer which one is better, it really depends on what type of experience you would like to have while in Iceland. Honestly we had a great time camping. But it may not be for you. We had to set up our tent every night and take it down every morning. We cooked in the ground and slept on the ground. After having a campervan around the Western US last summer, we really loved the van life too! However, I might be a tad bit more expensive than camping, but it is a one-stop shop with Happy Camper.
When we rented a car, we went with SadCars, but it doesn’t hurt to check RentalCars.com ( https://bit.ly/2mAQhlA )
Hi guys, just found your blog and so happy I did! We are going in Iceland late October, do you think there are still campsites open? Also, did you travel with any money at all or just credit cards? Thank you
Hey Melodie, so happy you found us too!
You’re going to have an amazing time in Iceland (we’re itching to get back soon!). I have heard that campsites start closing down in September. There might still be some open, or perhaps there will be some public areas you can camp as well, but a better option might be to rent a campervan since October can be verrrry cold. And if it’s a self-contained campervan you can park anywhere you’d like. Most of the ones in Iceland are winterized, so you should be fine in October.
We’d recommend Happy Campers because we’ve heard amazing things about their vehicles and customer service.
We wrote an entire article about campervan rentals in Iceland and even include a Happy Campers discount code here: https://www.twowanderingsoles.com/blog/iceland-campervan-rental
If you have any other questions about Iceland, don’t hesitate to ask 🙂
Thank you for putting this guide together and sharing it. Just got back from Iceland and followed Day 2-6 of your guide. It was perfect. One update to make … Svinafellsjökull Glacier … if you don’t have a 4X2 and 4X4 … SUV type vehicle don’t try it. I had a KIA hatchback and made it out barely alive and fingers crossed my car rental was not damaged.
Hey Singh! Thanks for following our Iceland Itinerary! Glad you liked it! And thanks for the update. Gravel roads are tricky to drive on and they constantly change. We made the drive in our small sedan when we visited, but the road conditions may have changed. Thanks!
Katie, I just traveled to Iceland last week, and followed your itinerary almost exclusively fro the 6 days I was there. You did a fantastic job creating this plan, as a solo traveler I felt safe and well informed based on all of the information you provided here as well as the other page about traveling to Iceland on a budget. Thank you for all of the work you put into this and for making it available for other tourists! I am going to recommend this itinerary to all of my friends visiting Iceland in the future.
One update I have is that they have put a fresh layer of gravel on the road to the Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool. The last 1/8 mile and the parking lot are still pretty rough but other than that it was good as new. The prices for some of the campgrounds have also slightly increased.
Thanks for making my trip planning a breeze and for all of the helpful tips and directions you included. I plan on continuing to follow your blog and use some of your other itineraries as well!
Peace from the Northwoods, Hannah
Hey Hannah, thanks so much for taking the time to write this comment. It is messages like yours that keep us doing what we do! (And you really just made our day!)
We are so happy you enjoyed Iceland and that our tips were helpful! And thank you for the updates. It’s always a bit tricky to keep up with changes like that, so that will help us keep this article as up to date as possible!
Thanks again for the kind words. We appreciate it more than you know! Keep in touch, we’d love to hear about your future travels!!
xx Katie and Ben
We just took a week and followed this entire itinerary, minus the last day. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Every recommendation was spot on and your directions and details were incredibly helpful. Couldn’t recommend this route more, it was a fantastic trip!!
Aww Teejay thank you so much for you kind words! This message just made our day! Glad you liked the Iceland Itinerary.
Thank you for this great resource. Don’t know if I missed it but can you give a breakdown of the drive times for each day and total for the 6 days? How many hours did you spend driving?
Hey Olivia, not sure the exact drive times, I think Google Maps could give you a good idea of how long it takes each day. But I remember our longest day, we were in the car for about 5 hours, just driving, not including stops. Hope that helps, check out the map in the article for reference.
Katie, Is there any way you can add a map to show us your route? You week’s plans are incredible – and while I am trying to wrap my head around it and manipulate it for my own family – I’d love to see where you went and how easy it would be to add additional days using your trip….
Many thanks! Julia Michel
Hi Julia, this is a great idea. I’ve just updated the article with a map of where we traveled in Iceland. If you have any specific questions, just ask below and we can get back to you.
A map of your route would have been terrific addition to the write-up!
Hi Miroo. Article Updated: The map is in the article now. When are you planning on going to Iceland?
Hi! I really loved reading you article. Always good to see someone loving Iceland as much as we do. Do you have any plans of going back there anytime soon? We wrote a post with 13 tricks for a visit. Would love to hear if you find them useful?
We would love to go back, but as of now we don’t have any plans to travel to Iceland any time soon. Thanks for your tips.
Hello! I’m planning on a trip to December and your itinerary is so detailed and I’m inlove with it but the thing with my upcoming trip is – limited day light. Do you think we can still go from one place to the other with the limited daylight that we will be experiencing? I was also planning on staying at Vik and Reykjavik.
Hi Rochelle, That’s a great question. We didn’t run into any daylight trouble because we were there in August. But I would imagine you could see all the things ini this itinerary even in December. Day 1 might be a little tight depending on when you land and the long car travel day. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hello! Such a useful blog! Thank you! I’m travelling over to Iceland in October to celebrate my birthday 🙂 and have spent many hours researching suggested itineraries, rentals, accommodation etc. I’m assuming I won’t be able to camp (apparently most camp sites will be closed in Oct) so it will be hostels/guest houses for us. Anyway – my question to you – did you manage to access the sites of interest (waterfalls etc) for free or do they charge entrance fee’s? Just working out my budget! Hope you are having fun wherever you are now!! Michelle
Thanks for reaching out to us. An Iceland birthday trip sounds amazing! You’ll love it. All of the natural sites in Iceland (waterfalls, glacier lagoon, geothermal sites, black sand beaches, etc.) are all free and open to everyone, which is super nice because most everything else in Iceland has a high price tag. If you are looking for ways to make your trip more budget friendly, we would recommend skipping the touristy Blue Lagoon. We ended up not going because it was too expensive and we thought we would be going just to say we had been there. As an alternative, there is a free hot spring near the Skógafoss Falls. It used to be a local swimming pool to teach sailors how to swim (which apparently not many back in the day knew how to keep afloat). We describe how to get to the swimming pool hot spring in this post.
I am so happy I stumbled across your blog, I am so keen to visit Iceland, and especially to camp there! How much did you budget/spend all in to visit |celand? I am trying to get a sense of how much we should save.
Hey Megan, So glad you found us 🙂 Great question! We actually broke down all the costs from accommodation to food to entertainment in another article, so you can get a really good idea of how much it will cost.
You could definitely spend more, or you could probably do it a little cheaper, but this should give you a good starting point. Hope this helps!
Your post just saved my brain! I’m so happy I found this. Did you use 4×4 or ever feel like you should have rented a 4×4?
Hey Ashley, so glad you found us! We just had a little front wheel drive and it did really well. I will say that if you are going to the northern part of the country or in some of the highlands, a 4×4 would be the way to go. But if you do a similar itinerary to us, a little car is just fine! Happy planning! (And let us know if you have any other questions!)
Hey! My husband and I are planning a car camping trip to Iceland in late August- we’re trying to figure out if campsites need reservations or if it is a first come first serve situation. Would you guys know? Your trip looked amazing by the way-thanks for the great info! Linda
Hi Linda, that’ll be such a great trip! We didn’t reserve any campsites at all, and there were always spots. We were there in mid to late August, for reference. I didn’t run into anyone who did actually make reservations, so you should be fine without them. Just an FYI: the campsites are much different than in the US – they are mostly just grassy areas where everyone camps, and then depending on the campground there might be places to cook your food, bathrooms, etc. (But not individual sites, per se). Have lots of fun!
Do you guys have a map of your itinerary to help display the geography of your route?
Hi Jennifer, we actually don’t have a map, but that is something I am looking into adding now. Thanks for the idea.
We typically use Google Maps when in a different country to figure out where we are going. If you input all the cities/landmarks into Google Maps , you’ll be able to plot the itinerary easily. Hope this helps!
i could almost do the trip, but im afraid you have a bit too much driving for my taste, we will be with a child. if you had to cut either Snaefellsnes Peninsulaia in the beginning or black water fall and glacier (to avoid the back peddling), which would you cut?
Hey Chris, I think you’re completely right – it’s a good idea to limit the amount of driving since you’re traveling with a child. And we’re always under the belief that slow travel is better than trying to fit too much in.
To answer your question: We’d recommend cutting the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and simply head east. The glacier lagoon/ice beach is just something you have to see (if you have the time, of course!). I hope this suggestion helps. Best of luck!
Hi! Thank you so much for sharing your travels & this great information 🙂 how much were the campsites? Did you need to book the sites ahead of time?
Hey great question, the price actually varies quite a bit – some are free and the most expensive one we stayed at was $21 a piece just outside of Rekjavik. We didn’t book any in advance – just saw how far we were able to get each day, and it really didn’t seem like you’d need to book in advance. The only one that was pretty full and might have the possibility of filling up during busy times was in Rekjavik, but if it had been full there would have been plenty of other campgrounds not too far away. I’m glad the information has been helpful! Have a great time in Iceland, and don’t hesitate to ask if you have any more questions.
You’ll love it there! Have lots of fun 🙂
thanks for the great itinerary! I’m looking forward to my trip the end of April!
We’re jealous you’re going to Iceland so soon! Have an amazing time!
Thanks! This looks awesome. My husband and I are going for a week for our 20th anniversary in June. My question: did you guys get the camping card? Was it worth it for just a week? Thanks!
Hi Juliet, congratulations on 20 years! That is certainly something to celebrate and Iceland will be a perfect anniversary for you two!
That is a great question. We didn’t get the camping card. I think it can be a real money-saver, but with a week in Iceland, I don’t think it would be worth it. It’s not necessarily a bad idea, I just don’t think it would save you enough money to be worthwhile, and it would limit where you can stay.
There are plenty of privately-owned or city-owned campgrounds all around the place that are not included on the card. Some are more expensive and some are very cheap – they range in price quite a bit, especially with what type of facilities they have. If you have the card though, you’d be more limited with where you can stay. You’ll have to be sure you plan out exactly where you’re going to camp instead of seeing how far you get and finding a campground nearby. For example, we’ve heard that between Vik and Egilstadir (which are 6 hours apart!) there’s no campsite that’s valid with the camping card.
With a week in Iceland, I don’t think the camping card would actually save you all that much money, so I would opt against it. That way, you will have more flexibility, and if a campground doesn’t look all that nice you can just move onto the next one without being locked in. If someone was going for an extended amount of time, it might make a bigger difference savings-wise. I hope this helps. Happy planning and happy early 20th anniversary! I hope to one day be taking a similar trip for our twentieth 🙂
Awesome itinerary guys! Your pictures are absolutely stunning. We visited in late October and the skies weren’t nearly as clear. Next time we’ll be sure to visit in August.
Thanks Katherine. We did have great weather in August, but I want to go back sometime in the fall. I’ve seen pictures of the leaves turning colors and it looks amazing!
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
The Ultimate 7 Day Iceland Itinerary
By Author Roxanne Weijer (she/her)
Posted on Last updated: October 19, 2022
Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries we’ve ever visited. Black sand beaches, waterfalls, geysers, glaciers, lagoons, mountains, colorful churches, Iceland has it all. And with this 7 day Iceland itinerary you get to see those amazing places too!
Every year, Iceland gets more popular. And we definitely get why, as Iceland’s nature is simply breathtaking. It’s the perfect country to go to if you love nature and are looking for adventure. Iceland is different than any other country you’ve seen before.
7 days in Iceland is enough to see the highlights of the country. We recommend to rent a car or campervan and drive around the island yourself. This way you can visit and stop at the places you want to see! Because to be honest, there’s so much to see and do in Iceland that you easily stay for weeks without getting bored. If you rather go on a tour, we will also include our tips in this Iceland in 7 days itinerary.
If you have more days to spend in Iceland, you can also use this 7 day Iceland itinerary, as we recommend extra stops on the way. Just in case you have more time, or if want to skip other spots.
When to Visit Iceland?
Planning when to visit Iceland is very important, as it will decide your itinerary and how many days you need in Iceland. Which season you visit Iceland will form your Iceland experience. Every season in Iceland has its pros and cons, and we will explain to you what those are.
This 7 day Iceland itinerary is for the summer and spring months; during those months you have the most daylight. You could do this itinerary during the winter months, but you will need more time. We recommend visiting Iceland between May and September if you want to see Iceland in 7 days.
Fall & Winter in Iceland
During the winter months, between November and March, there isn’t much daylight. On the shortest day of the year, there are only 4 hours of daylight. Therefore there’s less time to explore and traveling will take longer because of the snow and icy roads. And roads can be closed during the winter months.
The perks are that there are fewer tourists and you will get to experience Iceland how many people imagine Iceland to be: cold, lots of snow, and beautiful winter landscapes. During wintertime, you also have the best chances to see the northern lights. And think about those cool icy adventures like ice caves.
September and October is fall time in Iceland. The temperatures are getting cooler, nature is changing colors and you are also able to see the northern lights. Remember: northern lights can never be guaranteed.
Spring & Summer in Iceland
Temperatures begin to rise, the days are getting longer and longer, nature wakes up, snow melts, hello spring! In May and April, it’s springtime in Iceland; June, July, and August are the summer months.
During these months you can experience the midnight sun, which happens between mid-May and mid-August. This natural phenomenon happens in places close to the poles, bringing long bright days and never-ending daylight. So the sun is still visible at midnight. Imagine how many hours a day you have to explore Iceland! Also, this time of year you can see puffins (May-August), Lupines (May-July), and whales.
The downside is that there are a lot more tourists and prices are more expensive. Make sure to book things in advance this time of the year!
Weather in Iceland
We’ve talked about the different seasons in Iceland in the previous paragraph, but it’s also good to know a few things about the weather in Iceland.
The weather in Iceland is unpredictable and changes a lot. When in Iceland you might hear the joke ‘if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes’. It changes constantly!
In general, South Iceland gets more rain, is windier, and is warmer than North Iceland. But it’s the sunniest in East and North Iceland. So don’t worry if you have bad weather in one part of Iceland, as it can be totally different in another part.
When you hear Iceland, you probably think ‘super cold’. But the temperatures aren’t too cold in Iceland (even in winter), thanks to the Gulf Stream bringing warmth all the way from the Caribbean. Be aware that summer temperatures are colder than other summer temperatures around the world.
Driving in Iceland
Like we said in the introduction, we highly recommend to hire a car or campervan in Iceland and drive around the island yourself. This way you can visit and stop at the places you want to see and explore Iceland at your own pace. Make sure to check the best deals and compare prices for car rental in Iceland . For this 7 day Iceland itinerary it’s not necessary to rent a 4×4 car or campervan, though if you visit Iceland in winter it might be handy.
We explored Iceland with a campervan from Happy Campers and we loved it. A campervan gives you the opportunity to cook for yourselves and go camping in Iceland. But you can also still choose to go to a restaurant and stay in one of the coolest hotels in Iceland.
There’s one road in Iceland that goes around Iceland. That road is called the ring road or simply Route 1 and is a total length of approximately 1300 kilometers (807 miles). You will use this road most of the time and you can either drive clock-wise or counter clock-wise. We drove around the island counter clock-wise but if you want to do it the other way around, that’s possible too.
Iceland Tours
Not looking forward to driving in Iceland yourselves?! Luckily there are many Iceland tours that either go around the island , only explore South Iceland , go on a Golden Circle day trip , or go to West Iceland.
Make sure the tours include the stops of this Iceland 7 day itinerary!
Iceland Budget
Yes, Iceland is expensive, though this trip is worth saving up for. And to be honest, for us Dutchies, the prices were okay. It’s more expensive than the Netherlands, but there are ways to keep your Iceland budget low.
Campervan rental is more expensive than car rental, for example, but with a campervan, you are able to cook yourselves (which saves money on restaurants) and you can sleep on a camping (which are a lot cheaper than hotels).
If you want to splurge on the most amazing hotels and restaurants, then Iceland is also the perfect place.
Below we will tell you the estimated cost of a trip to Iceland:
- Accommodation: €100-150 for a double room per night in a standard hotel (hostels and guesthouses are cheaper, luxurious hotels more expensive)
- Camping: €7-11 per person per night
- Food: €50-60 a day (you can save a lot of money if you get groceries yourself and cook)
- Transport rental: € 160 per day (car rental is cheaper than campervan rental)
- Gas: €350 for 7 days
- Activities: €50-200 per activity
We spent roughly € 3000 for a 7 days in Iceland trip for two people, including our flights from Europe.
Read the ultimate Iceland packing list for all year round about what to bring to Iceland!
7 Day Itinerary Iceland
Like we said before, you can easily stay in Iceland for weeks without getting bored. You need at least 7 days in Iceland to make the whole round around the island.
In this Iceland itinerary, we share the must-visit highlights. But we will also share a few extra stops that are lesser-known, in case you have extra time or you want to skip some other highlights.
Good the know: Iceland is so pretty that you want to stop everywhere, but that’s not possible if you just have 7 days in Iceland. And 7 days also isn’t enough to go on long hikes every day.
Continue reading for our day by day Iceland itinerary. Including places to stay and eat!
Iceland Map
Day 1: reykjavik.
Reykjavik is the capital city of Iceland and is the most northern located capital city in the world. Iceland only has a population of a little over 360.000 people and many people live in Reykjavik.
If you fly to Iceland, you will probably arrive at Keflavík international airport. This is the most popular airport in Iceland and is located about a 45-minute drive from the city center of Reykjavik.
Depending on the time you arrive at the airport, we highly recommend going directly from the airport to the Blue Lagoon, as this is just a 15-minute ride. The Blue Lagoon is a beautiful (Instagrammable) spa and is the perfect place to relax after a flight. And it’s a great place to start your Iceland road trip.
Use the rest of your day to explore Reykjavik. Must see places in Reykjavik are:
- Hallgrimskirkja
- Sun Voyager
- The rainbow path on Skólavörðustígur
- Harpa Concert Hall
- Laugavegur street (there are many bars, shops, and restaurants here)
- Cafe Babalú (try their Icelandic traditional skyr cake)
More time? Take a look at our one day in Reykjavik blog for more sightseeing and things to do in Reykjavik!
Where to stay in Reykjavik
We highly recommend staying in or close to the city center of Reykjavik. As you only have one day in Reykjavik, you don’t want to spend too much time traveling back and forth. Most Reykjavik sightseeing spots are in the city center.
Where to stay in Reykjavik: Hotel Klettur , Freyja Guesthouse & Suites , Kvosin Downtown Hotel , and Black Pearl Apartment Hotel .
If you are on a budget and want to park your car convenient at the hotel, we recommend staying at Hotel Cabin .
Looking for a unique place to stay in Reykjavik? Check out Reykjavik Domes (or book via Airbnb )! What could be more fun than sleeping under the stars (and maybe even the northern lights?) in Iceland. These glass-roofed domes in Reykjavik are just 10km from the center, so you get the best of both worlds. Make sure to book the luxury dome with a hot tub for the most romantic evening.
Day 2: Golden Circle Iceland
It’s time to leave Reykjavik again (the earlier the better) because today we are going to explore the famous Golden Circle. The Golden Circle is one of the most well-known routes in Iceland and is especially popular because it’s located close to Reykjavik. People that don’t have much time in Iceland, often only explore Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, and South Iceland. The Golden Circle can’t be missed on this Iceland in 7 days itinerary!
The Golden Circle is a route between 3 popular attractions, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and the waterfall Gullfoss. Though there are more beautiful places where you can stop on the way. If you drive from Reykjavik and back the route is about 230 kilometers (140 miles). Sadly, you can’t find gold on the Golden Circle, it’s just a nickname!
The Golden Circle is free to visit, but at some spots you need to pay an entrance fee or pay for parking (but not at many places).
If you don’t want to drive the Golden Circle yourself, we recommend going on this Golden Circle tour .
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir (in Icelandic Þingvellir) is a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s historically and geologically a very special place. You can call the national park the birthplace of Iceland, as the Icelandic parliament assembled here for the first time back in 930.
What makes the national park geologically special is the two tectonic plates located in the park, the Northern American plate and the Eurasian plate, which move about 2 centimeters each year. At the Silfra fissure, you can snorkel and dive between those continental plates. It’s the only place in the world where you can do this!
Snorkeling in Silfra is one of the most stunning snorkeling experiences we’ve ever had. So if you like the underwater world, make sure to schedule some extra time for a Silfra snorkeling tour .
Other spots to visit in the national park are Almannagjá gorge, the waterfall Öxarárfoss and make sure to spot the lake Thingvallavatn and the Langjökull glacier.
Geysir Geothermal Area
The next stop is the Geysir geothermal area. This is the most famous geothermal area in Iceland and is a great place to wander around. Enjoy the geysers, hot springs, and bubbling mud pots. The area is named after the geyser Geysir, which sadly isn’t active anymore.
Luckily there’s still the geyser Strokkur nearby. Strokkur erupts between every 6 and 10 minutes (though sometimes it can also take 15 minutes if you are unlucky). Strokkur can shoot hot water 40 meters (130 feet) high into the sky. Make sure to have your camera ready. Don’t stand too close, you and your camera gear might get wet!
Gullfoss Waterfall
The waterfall Gullfoss is the last stop of the Golden Circle before we make our way to South Iceland. This is a very impressive waterfall with two different layers. And if it’s sunny you might be able to see a rainbow created by the large amount of spray water from the waterfall!
Next to the waterfall, there’s a trail you can walk to get to the edge of Gullfoss (you will get a little wet when you walk here). For here you can see and hear how powerful the waterfall really is.
Good to know: foss means waterfall in Icelandic!
Like we said before, there’s so much to see and do in Iceland that you easily stay for weeks without getting bored. If you have more time during this second day, here are some other spots to visit: Bruarfoss waterfall, Kerid crater, the Secret Lagoon, the town Skáholt, Faxifoss waterfall, and Reykjadalur Thermal River. And the restaurant Minilik is an unique place to go to for Ethiopian food (make a reservation before you go).
Where to Stay in the Golden Circle Area?
Tonight it’s best to stay in the direction of South Iceland, in the town Selfoss for example. But if you want to stay on the Golden Circle route we recommend Hotel Litli Geysir and Hotel Gullfoss .
For a super unique stay, we highly recommend staying the night in a Bubble or at a Glass Lodge . Both are stunning places!
Day 3: South Iceland
Iceland has many many many waterfalls (around 10.000!). Especially in South Iceland, there are quite some waterfalls to visit. We’ve included the (in our eyes) must-see waterfalls in this Iceland in 7 days itinerary, though if you want to skip some to have more time, that’s possible.
South Iceland is beautiful and has many stunning places to see. Therefore today is going to be a busy day exploring! And make sure to look around while driving, as the scenery is going to be beautiful.
Stops in South Iceland:
- Gljúfrafoss (also known as Gljúfrabúi)
- Seljalandsfoss
Gljúfrafoss and Seljalandsfoss are two waterfalls located close to each other. It’s about a 7-minute walk from one to another. We recommend parking at Gljúfrafoss if you don’t want to pay for parking, as at Seljalandsfoss there’s a parking fee. Both waterfalls are worth the visit. You might get a bit wet at Gljúfrafoss.
Not many people know about Kvernufoss (yet), so make sure to visit this waterfall as soon as possible! It’s one of my favorite places in Iceland, as I simply love the canyon and waterfall combination. It’s a short walk from the parking area next to the Skogar Museum and so worth it! You need to climb over the fence, but luckily there’s are stairs to climb over it. This is how the farmer tells people it’s okay to enter their land!
- Solheimajokull glacier
- DC-3 plane wreck
This DC-3 plane wreck is a famous place in Iceland, especially for photos (you’ve probably seen this airplane on Instagram!). In 1973, the plane crashed on this beautiful black sand beach and it stayed there ever since (luckily nobody died during the crash). It isn’t possible to drive to the plane wreck, so you need to walk. The walk takes about 45 minutes one way. So as you can see it takes quite some time to see the plane wreck. We think it’s especially worth it if you are a photography lover. It can be crowded during the daytime though.
- Dyrhólaey viewpoint + lighthouse
- Reynisfjara beach
The last stops of the day are Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara beach. To get to the Dyrhólaey lighthouse you need to have a 4×4 car or you can walk up the mountain. The viewpoint is accessible for every car. If you visit Iceland between June and mid-August you might see puffins here!
Hotels Vik Iceland
We recommend staying the night in Vik , the southernmost village in Iceland. Hotel Icelandair Vik , Hotel Kria , and Black Beach Suites are great places to stay at. When in Vik, don’t forget to spot the beautiful church on the mountain. It can’t be missed!
Day 4: Southeast Iceland
From Vik we continue driving in the direction of East Iceland. It’s going to be another exciting day. Day 4 of this 7 day Iceland itinerary includes canyons, a glacier lagoon, lava walks, a diamond beach, and surprise: a waterfall!
Stops in South East Iceland:
- Green lava walk
- Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Svartifoss is s beautiful waterfall that’s surrounded by basalt columns. The meaning of Svartifoss is black waterfall. To get to the waterfall you need to hike for about 45-60 minutes. On the way, you get to see other waterfalls too!
- Diamond Beach
- Glacier Lagoon Jökulsárlón
Diamond Beach is the beautiful black sand beach with icebergs on it! The icebergs float from the glacier lagoon into the sea and are pushed back on the beach again. When it’s sunny the icebergs sparkle like diamonds, hence the name! There are many seals in the area, and if you are lucky, you might spot an orca from shore.
Where to stay in South East Iceland?
The hotels and bed and breakfast options in this part of Iceland are limited. Depending on the time of day you end at Diamond Beach and the glacier lagoon we recommend either drive to Höfn or to find a place on the way. From Diamond Beach, it’s about an hour drive to Höfn.
Places we recommend to stay on the way to Höfn: Hali Country Hotel , Skyrhúsid Guest House , Guesthouse Nypugardar , and Fosshótel Vatnajökull .
Places we recommend to stay in/close to Höfn: Milk Factory , Seljavellir Guesthouse , Aurora Cabins , and Hotel Edda Höfn .
Höfn is a fishing village in East Iceland. It’s located close to the largest glacier of Europe, Vatnajökull. If the weather is clear, you are able to see the glacier from Höfn!
Day 5: East Iceland
It’s day 5 and you’ve already seen so many epic things by now! Today will include lots of driving, and less stops. But don’t worry as today’s drive is going to be a scenic route. The drive itself is the attraction! And don’t be surprised to see the paved road changing into an unpaved road.
This part of Iceland is where you will see fewer tourists, as South Iceland is where most tourists go to. Therefore you will notice fewer people driving on the road.
Stops in East Iceland:
- Stokksnes/Vestrahorn
- Viking Village
Stokksnes peninsula can’t be missed on this 7 day Iceland itinerary. The peninsula is famous for the Vestrahorn mountains, one of the most beautiful mountain range in Iceland. With cool steep mountain cliffs, 454 meters (1490 ft) tall peaks, and black sand beaches, it’s an impressive area.
The area is a private area and there’s an entrance fee to enter (around €5/$6 per person). Before you go, make sure to check the weather forecast. When it’s misty or when there’s a low cloud, the mountains will disappear and you won’t see anything.
In the same area, you will find a replica Viking village. The village was built for a movie, but the movie was never filmed. In case you visit Stokksness it’s fun to visit the Viking village too, but we won’t recommend only going there for the village.
- Egilsstaðir
We will be driving all the way to Egilsstaðir and this is where we will be staying tonight. In case you have more time today and want to add some stops to your itinerary continue reading the next paragraph.
More time in East Iceland?
If you have more time in East Iceland, we recommend checking the following places. Iceland in 7 days isn’t enough to see everything, but we do want to mention these stops in the area: Hengifoss (one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland), Borgarfjarðarhöfn (puffin island), and Seydisfjordur (here you can see the picturesque Seyðisfjarðarkirkja and rainbow path).
Egilsstaðir Hotels
Egilsstadir is a fun and lively city in East Iceland. It’s the biggest city in Eastern Iceland. We recommend the following places to stay in/close to Egilsstadir: Icelandair Hotel Herad , Lake Hotel Egilsstadir , Hotel 1001 Nott , and Ormurinn Cottages .
Head to Askur Pizzeria in Egilsstadir for delicious pizza!
Day 6: North Iceland
Day 6 of this 7 day Iceland itinerary is full of exciting stops (including our favorite canyon in Iceland)! Today we are heading to Akureyri, Iceland’s second-biggest city. On the way, you will see Iceland’s latest hot spot, waterfalls, mars like landscapes, and a geothermal area.
Stops in North Iceland
- Stuðlagil Canyon
The Studlagil canyon is Iceland’s latest hot spot and you might wonder why. Until recently you weren’t able to see the canyon as the canyon was always filled with water. Due to a newly built hydroelectric power station, the water level reduced. So at first, you couldn’t see the canyon, but now you can. And it’s not just a canyon, it’s a stunning canyon with basalt columns. Our absolute favorite canyon in Iceland.
When we visited the canyon in August 2020 there were many locals, who wanted to see the canyon for themselves. As they heard many stories from other locals about it.
There’s a viewpoint on the East side of the canyon, though we highly recommend parking your car at the bridge and walk to the canyon. The hike takes about an hour one way. It’s a quite boring walk but this time it’s all about the destination itself! It’s very worth it.
If you are planning on hiking to the canyon, make sure to start the day early. Or skip any other stop of this 7 day Iceland itinerary, otherwise, it’s too much to do in one day.
Read more about the Stuðlagil canyon !
There are two roads that lead to the Dettifoss waterfall. The west road is the best road (road 862) as it’s partly paved. The east road (864) is bumpier, but many consider the view better for pictures as you can get closer (picture above is taken at the east side).
Myvatn is a lake with many islands located in a volcanic region. The landscape here is very mysterious and amazing to explore. It’s an active geothermal area, so don’t be surprised to see smoke coming out of the ground. The area is also great for bird lovers! And if you want to relax, head to the Myvatn nature baths.
Note: in the area of Myvatn and Hverir there are may black flies. We noticed that people that are staying longer in the area buy nets for over their heads.
End the day in Akureyri, Iceland second biggest city. Make sure to check out the heart-shaped traffic lights in Akureyri!
If you have more time, then add the Viti Crater in Krafla (if you have a 4×4) and the Grjótagjá cave to your itinerary. Are you a Game Of Thrones fan? You might recognize the Grjótagjá cave, it’s a filming location of the series.
Whale Watching Iceland
Akureyri and Husavik are two popular places to go whale watching. Husavik is even called the whale watching capital of Iceland. So if you want to see whales in Iceland, you might want to do it in Northern Iceland.
If you have the time to travel to Husavik, we highly recommend it. Husavik is one of our favorite cities in Iceland. Otherwise, go on a tour from Akureyri. End the day while watching whales when the sun goes down. Go on a RIB boat to get faster and closer to the whales.
Accomodation in Akureyri
We recommend the following places to stay in Akureyri: Hotel Kea , Icelandair Hotel Akureyri , Centrum Guesthouse , and Halllandsnes Apartments .
Day 7: West Iceland
It’s the last day of this 7 day Iceland itinerary. Depending on when you are leaving Iceland you can either directly drive back to Reykjavik from Akureyri (about a 5-hour drive) or stop in the Snæfellsnes peninsula. We highly recommend the latter (if you have the time).
For the Westfjords (Europe’s most Western point) there’s definitely no time, so you just have to come back! Same for us, as we heard driving there can be quite difficult, we skipped the Westfjords. But it’s good to leave things for next time right?! So you have an extra good reason to come back.
In case you will visit the Snaefellsnes peninsula, we will tell you the places to visit.
Stops in the Snaefellsnes peninsula
- Kirkjufellsfoss
Kirkjufell is the most-photographed mountain in all of Iceland. So if you are a photographer, definitely make your way to this beautiful mountain. The mountain reminds us of Lion’s Head in South Africa, maybe you see the comparison too! What makes the mountain extra stunning, is the waterfall in front of it (from the right angle). Head to Kirkjufellsfoss for the best shot.
- Ingjaldshóll
Iceland has many beautiful churches, and Ingjaldshóll is one of them. The mountains and road toward this church make the church extra special. This is a great spot for photographers.
- Snæfellsjökull National Park
Snæfellsjökull National Park is a national park located on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. You can either drive through this park and enjoy the scenery or make a few stops in between. And if the weather allows it you will be able to see the Snæfell volcano, which is covered with the Snæfellsjökull glacier. Places you could stop at in the National Park are the Saxholl crater, Dritvik & Djúpalónssandur, Londrangar, and one of the caves. Afterward, you can continue driving back to road 54.
- The village Anarstapi
- Búðakirkja (black church)
- Gerðuberg Cliffs
- Landbrotalaug Secret Hot Springs
The Landbrotalaug Secret Hot Springs is a geothermal area with one super cute and romantic hot spring to sit in. Sadly, the area is not as secret as the name tells you. Many people visited Landbrotalaug and left rubbish behind. Therefore the landowner ‘closed’ the area. If you decide to go there, make sure to not leave any rubbish behind.
The drive from Akureyri to the Snæfellsnes peninsula and Reykjavik is quite long. If you want to do something fun on the way, we highly recommend going on a horse riding tour in Varmahlíð. We did an hour horse riding tour through the Icelandic nature with Hestasport and absolutely loved it. You don’t need to have any experience. They also have amazing cottages .
Icelandic horses are special horses, as it’s the only horse breed in the world that can do 5 different gaits. Gaits are different ways of walking.
Where to stay in West Iceland?
Depending on where you want to end the last day of this Iceland 7 day itinerary, we recommend spending the night on either the Snaefellsnes peninsula, on the way to Reykjavik, or in Reykjavik itself.
Places we recommend to stay on the Snaefellsnes peninsula: Drangar Country Guesthouse , Hotel Búdir , Hotel Stundarfridur , and Sodulsholt Cottages .
Accomodation on the way to Reykjavik: Icelandair Hotel Hamar , Hotel Laxarbakki , Kría Cottages , and Esjan .
Where to stay in Reykjavik: Hotel Klettur , Freyja Guesthouse & Suites , Kvosin Downtown Hotel , and Black Pearl Apartment Hotel .
End of 7 Day Iceland Itinerary
By now, hopefully, you’ve fallen in love with Iceland as much as we have. Iceland was already on our bucket-list for such a long time, and we are so grateful we finally could make our way to this amazing country. We know, many people have Iceland on our bucket-list and we hope with our tips you can fulfill those Iceland dreams too!
Driving through Iceland exceeded all our expectations. In just 7 days in Iceland, you are able to see the most stunning nature. From basalt columns, waterfalls, black sand beaches, volcanos, glaciers, hot springs and so much more. And don’t forget about Iceland’s cool capital city Reykjavik and all the beautiful animals you are able to see. Icelandic horses, puffins, whales, and perhaps even an Icelandic fox.
There’s so much to see and do in Iceland that one visit will never be enough. We can’t wait to come back one day and explore even more (hidden) gems in Iceland. We hope this 7 day Iceland itinerary helps and inspires you for your Iceland trip.
ENJOY your time in Iceland! Do you have any questions? Drop them below or send us a message. Find us on Instagram , YouTube , and Facebook .
Not sure what to bring to Iceland? Read our ultimate Iceland packing list to not forget anything!
If you enjoyed our blog post, don’t forget to share it with all your friends and family! Thank you so much!
PIN THIS ARTICLE
Monday 5th of October 2020
This is a great itinerary :) and I found your price estimation very helpful too! I have wanted to visit Iceland for a while, so I hope I can go there soon. It looks so beautiful and out of this world.
Roxanne & Maartje
Tuesday 6th of October 2020
Thanks so much! We hope you can visit in the near future!
Sunday 4th of October 2020
Love this itinerary and all of the tips. We did 5 days in Iceland last year and loved every minute of it. Your blog post is making me want to go back!
Omg that's amazing! We already want to go back haha so we get it!
Zara Aitken
Saturday 3rd of October 2020
Ah I loved Iceland! We were there for 7 days but there's still so much more to see. Can't wait to go back.
Oh yes you must! Did you go in summer? Then at least the days are long!
I love how clean and beautiful Iceland looks. I can almost feel the fresh air looking at these pictures!
Oh it is absolutely fresh!!
Great Guide. We've been twice to Iceland, but still you named a few new places for me.
Oh that is lovely, we hope to revisit too!!
Thanks for visiting nordicvisitor.com! For the very best browsing experience on our website, we urge you to upgrade to the most recent version of your browser . Some of our site features may not function properly on older versions.
Iceland is open: volcano update
- Search Suggested Results View All Results
- EUR (€)
- GBP (£)
- Self-Drive i
- Privately Guided i
- Guided Small Groups i
- Multi-Day i
- Northern Lights i
- Honeymoon & Romance i
- Solo Travel i
- All Types & Themes
- All Iceland Tours
- Best Sellers
- Special Offers
- Book With Confidence i
- ICELAND IS OPEN i
- Iceland Volcano Update i
- Why book with us i
- Travel Update
- Booking Terms i
- Sustainability Policy i
- Iceland at a Glance i
- Useful Information i
- Iceland Attractions i
- Iceland Blog i
- Scandinavia
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Manage Booking
- Privacy policy
Iceland Bíldshöfði 20 110 Reykjavík +354 578 20 80 View Map
Sweden Scotland View Details
7-Day Tours in Iceland
Planning 7 days in Iceland? You have plenty of options, whether you use Reykjavík as the base for each day's adventures or you spend some nights in the countryside. The local travel experts at Nordic Visitor have you covered, with flexible 7-day packages that allow you to travel independently or with a guide – or a little of both.
EXPERIENCE ICELAND'S HIGHLIGHTS IN 7 DAYS
You can see and do a lot with a 7-day itinerary in Iceland . One option is to drive around the Ring Road on an express full circle tour.
Alternatively, you could easily explore the many wonders of South or West Iceland in 7 days. Choose between a self-drive adventure , activity-filled city break , guided small group tour or private tour .
Plus, when you book an Iceland trip with Nordic Visitor, you get tried-and-tested accommodation, transportation reservations, daily breakfast and access to our 24/7 helpline. Your personal travel consultant will arrange everything on your behalf.
Get in touch with the Iceland travel team today to start planning your trip. You can reach us via our toll-free numbers, contact form or LiveChat.
Want to drive the Ring Road? To travel the full circle around Iceland at a relaxed pace, we recommend a tour of 10 days or more.
— WHY US?
Why book with nordic visitor.
- Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
- Flexible & customisable tour options
- Value for your money
- Professional service from local experts
- 24/7 emergency helpline during tour
Explore at your own pace with a car
Enjoy the freedom of a road trip, but with a helping hand. Here are some self-drive tours in Iceland you might like.
South Iceland at Leisure
Iceland ring road express, south iceland at leisure - winter, highlights of westfjords & west iceland, 4x4 highland adventure in the south, enjoy a city break with day tours.
Stay in Reykjavik and see the countryside on planned excursions. Here are some of our favourite multi-day tours.
Best of South & North Iceland
Golden circle, south coast & mývatn, best of south & north iceland - winter, golden circle, south coast & lake mývatn, travel with your own local guide.
Experience Iceland’s famous sights and hidden gems on your terms with one of these privately guided tours.
Highlights of the Ring Road - Private
1043480 ISK
South Iceland at Leisure - Private
1013560 ISK
Iceland Luxury Escape - Summer
Best of south iceland & blue lagoon retreat.
1572270 ISK
Iceland Luxury Escape - Winter
Northern lights, south iceland & blue lagoon retreat.
1794264 ISK
Stay longer and discover more
Why not take more time to explore If you have more than 7 days to spend in Iceland, here are our top picks.
Iceland Full Circle Classic
Natural wonders of iceland.
South & West Iceland Classic
Northern lights circle tour, iceland full circle classic - winter, south & west iceland classic - winter, northern lights circle tour - private.
1217702 ISK
South & West Iceland at Leisure - Winter
The natural wonders of iceland - private.
1599766 ISK
Natural Wonders of Iceland - Winter
Local travel agency.
As a travel agency with offices in Reykjavík, Edinburgh, Stockholm and Lucerne, Nordic Visitor knows how to make the most of your time in Europe. Choose from a variety of carefully curated tours that include must-see attractions as well as lesser-known highlights.
You can also make customisations to your itinerary by adding extra nights, optional activities, or upgrades to your tour. Or ask your personal travel consultant for advice and they will tailor your itinerary. This way you get a travel experience that is perfectly suited to you.
Your dedicated travel consultant will arrange all the local details for you. You get accommodation, activities, transport, and other services included in your package. If you need to rework your itinerary, we’ll handle it for you so you can relax and look forward to your getaway.
Different ways you can experience Iceland
We have tours for all varieties of travel styles and interests. See our options for exploring Iceland below.
Guided Small Groups
Multi-day tours, privately guided, northern lights packages, self-drive winter, best seller, what do our customers say.
The reviews speak for themselves. See what Nordic Visitor travellers said about their experience with us.
Scott, United Kingdom
Iceland full circle classic - winter, november 2023, we had an amazing time.
We cannot recommend our tour enough. We had an amazing time and have already told friends and family about it. Iceland is an amazing place and I am sure we will be back and will use Nordic Visitor again!
James, United States
Iceland full circle classic, september 2023, experience of a lifetime.
I primarily wanted to use Nordic Visitor as a resource for creating our 14-day trip itinerary, to help weed through what seemed to be an endless array of choices, and to help us to get the very most out of our time in Iceland. Yes, we could have pieced it together ourselves but I needed an advocate in Iceland, an advisor, and maybe a resource for us if issues were to arise. That piece of mind was important to my wife and me and I'm glad we chose them to frame our trip. It made it much easier to piece in the parts that were important to us to see and experience. That allowed us to just enjoy the trip and not get bogged down in the details of planning each and every moment.
There are so many things I could say about our experience, an experience of a lifetime and after posting snippets of our trip on social media I have found that several friends of mine want to know how we planned this trip. I told them the same thing I am saying here, save a little money if you want and plan it yourself or trust a reliable source like Nordic Visitor and let them give you the trip framework and essential advice. I would do it the same way if I were doing it over.
Dean, United States
Highlights of the ring road - private, july 2023, went off without a hitch.
Everything was well-organised and went off without a hitch. The private guide was amazing. He could not have been better. I highly recommend him to anyone considering a private guide as an option. He's extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area. He knew all of the best places to go and was entertaining and delightful as well. Accommodation was all spectacular.
Christopher, Australia
Winter highlights - private, november 2023, warm and engaging guide.
Great tour. The sights are of course amazing and the tour made the most of our time, weather and our interests/priorities. Driver and guide David managed all of these very well. He was also very knowledgeable and personally warm and engaging. Could not have asked for more.
Jerine, Canada
Natural wonders of iceland, august 2023, perfect for solo traveller.
A beautiful itinerary, exceptional guide and perfect weather made this a trip I will never forget. Nordic Visitor made the process easy, and Iceland opened her arms. My 10-day small group tour was perfect for a solo traveller who wanted to see it all.
Cynthia, United States
Best of south iceland, april 2023.
Working with Nordic Visitor was wonderful. Our travel consultant, Heddy, was quick to respond when we had a question or concern. She helped us plan a fabulous itinerary. Everything we booked through Nordic Visitor was fantastic. I have already recommended Nordic Visitor to friends, and I will continue to do so.
Kimberly, Canada
Iceland road trip, october 2023, trip of a lifetime.
Overall this was an amazing experience! A trip of a lifetime that I could never have planned myself. Any questions I had during planning were answered faster than expected and I felt safe and well looked after during the trip. Trip was smooth and hassle free.
Patricia, United States
Scenic south iceland, august 2023, 5-star experience.
Not only did we absolutely love every stop on the Scenic South Iceland tour, but prior to the tour we stayed for 4 days in Reykjavík. I appreciated Nordic Visitor's recommendations for things to do and places to eat there and felt highly supported by Marko, our travel consultant, in every regard to booking our flight and own hotel, day trips I was interested in, and taking public transport around. A definite 5-star experience!
Janice, United States
Winter highlights & northern lights, march 2023, i will certainly travel with nordic visitor again.
I cannot thank Nordic Visitor enough for providing me with a wonderful and memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience. Everything was seamless, from the pickup at the airport, to the excellent hotels, delicious food served and our friendly, knowledgeable guide, Jakob. Nothing was too much trouble - we all thoroughly enjoyed our experience in Iceland, and all came away with wonderful memories of many of the amazing sights of such a scenic country. We were even lucky enough to see the northern lights. I will certainly travel with Nordic Visitor again and would recommend them to anyone thinking about visiting the countries where they offer tours. Thank you Nordic Visitor!
David, Australia
Iceland full circle classic - winter, october 2023, many thanks to nordic visitor.
Absolutely amazing. No issues whatsoever. We saw it all from North to South and much of in between. From reindeer to whales and more beautiful waterfalls and volcanic bits than you could hope to see in a week. Every hour the scenery seemed to change dramatically. Just a great experience. Many thanks to Nordic Visitor.
Robert, United States
Romance around iceland, july 2023, best vacation we have had.
Everyone at Nordic Visitor were very responsive to all questions we had during our 30-year anniversary trip to Iceland. We had airline travel issues and the representative adjusted our itinerary so we were able to see the whole island. The accommodation were beautiful and everyone was so friendly. This was the best vacation we have had, we left Iceland relaxed!
Seth, United States
A new year's to remember, december 2022, an amazing and unique experience.
Our tour was great! Went for our honeymoon and it was everything we wanted. First night we got to see the northern lights which were fantastic! Second day, most certainly our longest, visited several sites (Geysire & Þingvellir) and went snowmobiling on a glacier. Such an amazing and unique experience. The walking tour around Reykjavik was surprisingly educational and our guide pointed out things that we ordinarily would have missed. The NYE dinner was delicious and going out to see the firework displays by (what seemed to be like) everyone was something. Practically had to dodge fireworks! Our 4th day was spent at the Blue Lagoon; perfect after a night of partying! Our last day was nice and relaxing, did some final shopping before we headed off to the airport. Hope to go back & visit Iceland again!
Travel Guide
Be prepared for just about anything on your Icelandic adventure.
Reynisfjara
Reynisfjara is without a doubt the most famous beach in all of Iceland, and you’ll see it...
Fjaðrárgljúfur
Just west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon has been hollowed out over millions...
Located at the foot of the impressive Eyjafjöll mountain range is Skógafoss, a magnificent...
What to pack
Layers, layers, layers! Come prepared for all type..
Driving in Iceland
Are you prepared for your road trip? Learn the rul..
Climate & weather conditions
How icy is Iceland? You might be surprised
Time & Daylight
When to expect sunrises, sunsets, northern lights ..
Our services
Whether you choose a guided tour or a self-drive vacation, all customers receive personalised service with a designated travel consultant , tailor-made quality travel documents, and our self-drive clients receive a hand-marked map that outlines their route, overnight stays and highlights along the way. Furthermore, Nordic Visitor has long-standing professional relationships with local tour operators , which are carefully selected by our staff and are recognized for consistent, quality service.
Book with confidence
- Protect your money & plans with our flexible booking terms .
- Get peace of mind with a 24/7 helpline during your stay.
- Enjoy personal service from Iceland-based travel experts.
- We’re here for you in case of unforeseen circumstances.
- 97% of customers say they’d recommend us to friends.
- As a local agency, we work closely with trusted suppliers.
- We’re a fully licensed and insured company in Iceland.
Whether you have queries about our tours or want to add activities to existing bookings, we’re here to help. Get in touch with our friendly team for any of your travel questions.
Our Icelandic phone number is +354 578 20 80
How about a live chat with one of our local travel experts?
Blog posts you might like
Top 10 experiences to have in iceland, what to wear in iceland : your guide, driving iceland's ring road: all you need to know, in brief: spending a day in reykjavík.
Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.
- Work with Me
- Start a Blog
- Yearly Roundups
- 101 in 1001 Goals
- how to start a travel blog
- tips for new bloggers
- write me a guest post!
- Work With Me
A Passion and A Passport
Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5
7 Days in Iceland: A Full Iceland Itinerary (No Car Necessary)
last Updated: December 8, 2022 iceland reykjavik
FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.
Heading to Iceland and looking for the best one week in Iceland itinerary? Continue on, my friend, to learn how I saw the highlights of Iceland in just seven days, without doing a road trip!
Most people visiting Iceland decide on a road trip around the Ring Road, and while it’s definitely an option to consider, the fact that I was traveling solo and hence didn’t want to drive the country alone made me find other ways to see Iceland in one week.
With that being said, it’s more than possible to see OH SO MUCH of Iceland without renting a car/doing a long-distance road trip. And if you’re just beginning to venture into the world of solo travel, Iceland is a WONDERFUL place to begin, being one of the safest countries in the world and all.
→ All my female solo travel tips over here (useful for you men as well, but it’s catered towards women, just FYI). 🙂
I recently returned home from my first trip to Iceland, and can honestly say the country took me by surprise. I had high high expectations to say the least – Iceland has become a trendy destination in the past few years – but would it live up to the hype? Why, yes. Yes it did. Easily.
Sure, I was expecting vivid landscapes and sweet-natured people, but wow. Never in a million years did I imagine what my eyes saw in those 7 days in Iceland. With the midnight sun glowing 22 hours of the day (I visited in June), I was definitely not short on daylight and made sure to take extra advantage of this.
Never in my life have I been more in awe of my surroundings. I experienced more 360 degree unparalleled views in just one week in Iceland than ever before – and you don’t get many of those in a lifetime.
AND GOOD NEWS: This may in fact be the easiest trip you ever plan, since all you really need to do is book a few tours (links below), airfare, and hotels, and your one week Iceland itinerary is basically complete.
General Tips for Visiting Iceland:
1) Iceland is very credit card friendly. If you’re going to exchange money, do as little as possible. We decided not to exchange any money at all and used our credit cards everywhere. Iceland is very credit card friendly. At the time of this publication (early 2018), the exchange rate is approximately 100 Icelandic Krona to 1USD. To make figuring out prices super easy, just move the decimal point two places to the left. For example, 780 krona = ~$7.80. Easy peasy.
2) Food is expensive. There’s no way around it. There are, however, a few iconic foods and places to eat that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. And while we’re talking about food, I made sure to try a few of Iceland’s famed eats, on the cheap of course. Check out what it really costs to travel throughout Iceland here .
3) Stock up on groceries at BONUS , an Icelandic budget grocery store. I bought a loaf of bread, some fillings (nutella, peanut butter, bananas) and a whole lot of snacks which kept me full for all of my lunches. I easily saved at least $20 a day by doing this.
4) Pack appropriately. Just because you’re visiting Iceland during it’s summer months, don’t expect warm weather. The best thing is to dress in layers so you can easily adjust your clothing depending on the weather, which seems to change frequently everywhere in the country! When I visited in June, the temperature hovered between 55-65 degrees F, although it seemed a bit warmer some days in the sun, and a bit chillier in the wind and near the glaciers (obviously).
5) Book your tours in advance , especially if you’ll be traveling in prime winter months (December-February) or prime summer months (June-August). Tours sell out frequently, and although there are numerous companies to take you around, each are a bit different and offer different things. Do your research ahead of time. I’ll share exactly which tours I took below if you’d like to book the same ones I did (all highly recommended).
Golden Circle | Blue Lagoon with Transfers | Southern Iceland and Glacier Lagoon | Snaefellsness Peninsula
Iceland Planning Logistics
Where to stay in iceland.
For the duration of my week in Iceland, I based myself out of Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city and most populated area. If you’re hoping to take day trips to other areas of Iceland, staying in Reykjavik is your best option.
If you’re traveling solo and are looking for hostel accommodations, I highly recommend both Reykjavik Loft HI Hostel (where I stayed and absolutely loved it) and Kex Hostel and Bus Hostel (where numerous people I met in Iceland stayed and raved about). Note that hostels are much more pricey than other areas of Europe and the world in general, and I spent roughly $70 a night for one bed in a 6-bed female dorm.
There are a bunch of cute hotels in the area (including 101 Hotel , Apotek Hotel , and Canopy Reykjavik ), but they will cost you at least double. If you’re traveling with others and are undecided between a hostel and hotel, be sure to figure out which is a lower cost per person, as hostels sell individual beds, and when booking a hotel room you can obviously share, lowering the cost of the room per person.
How to Get to Your Accommodation from the Airport
Everything in Reykjavik is walkable, so there’s no need to worry about transportation once you arrive in the city. I highly advise you take FlyBus to get from Keflavik Airport (where you’ll most likely be arriving in Iceland) to your hotel/hostel as private taxi’s will be way over priced. It’s possible to book this transfer at the airport, but I found it much easier to book my FlyBus ticket ahead of time .
Be sure to buy the ticket that takes you directly to your hotel (the other cheaper ticket will only take you to the Bus Terminal, which you’ll then need to figure out your own transportation to your hotel). BUY FLYBUS TICKETS HERE . And remember, you’ll need a ticket back to the airport after your week in Iceland is up. 😉
WiFi and Staying Connected
Although you will most likely have wifi at your accommodation, it’s a good idea to bring along a pocket-sized personal WiFi hotspot , to keep you connected during your time in Iceland. WiFi hotspots are a cost effective option to ensure you can use GPS apps like Google Maps, check your emails, and catch up with friends and family while away.
With this portable device , you’ll have WiFi wherever you go (even if your phone doesn’t have service), unlimited internet (on up to five devices at a time!!!), and it’s fast and reliable. At less than $9 a day, this device can’t really be beat.
Note that some cell phone plans allow for international use, but many of these are costly. I once accidentally turned on my phone service for LESS THAN 2 MINUTES and got charged $150 by my phone carrier! I desperately wished I had a personal WiFi hotspot with me then!
Find more information and plan options here . HIGHLY RECOMMENDED especially when you don’t speak the native language of the country you’re going.
And now what you’ve been waiting for: a full one week Iceland itinerary!
A Complete Seven Days in Iceland: The Ultimate Week in Iceland Itinerary
Day 1: explore reykjavik, iceland’s capital city.
If you arrive in Iceland in the morning, or even mid-day (if it’s summer), you can see so many of Reykjavik’s highlights in only a few hours. My flight from Montreal arrived at 6am in the morning, so thankfully I had the WHOLE day to explore (despite ending up overly exhausted and falling asleep with my head on the table at Perlan → true story). A few things to check out and not miss in Reykjavik:
- Hallgrimskirkja : This is Iceland’s most famed cathedral, and you can climb to the top for fantastic 360degree views of the entire city.
- Perlan : A bit removed from the city center, but if you’re up for a half hour or so walk, it’s more than worth it! Make sure to hang out on the viewing platform on the 4th floor and grab a coffee/pastry at the cafe. The architecture is so cool!
- Explore the street art: Everywhere in the city you’ll find colorful murals and pieces of art just waiting to be discovered. I absolutely LOVED this aspect of Reykjavik! Also – don’t miss all the quirky doors! So much fun!
- Take a toilet selfie at Babalu : If you’re a star wars fan, head inside the bathroom. Yes, you read that right – the bathroom. The whole room is decorated with original star wars characters and big mirrors – you’ll see what I mean once you go in! Get a cheesecake to go as well!
- Harpa Concert Hall : If you only have time for 1-2 things during your time in Reykjavik, make the Harpa a top priority. This modern concert hall by the water is absolutely stunning, and if you don’t mind shelling out a bit of cash, I heard the one hour performance of “How to Become Icelandic in 60 Minutes” is roll on the floor hysterical. But even if you don’t want to book tickets to a show, you can walk around the Harpa free of charge.
- The Sun Voyager : An iconic steel boat sculpture besides the sea in Reykjavik, and not to be missed as well, even if it’s just for a quick photo.
Day 2: Southern Iceland and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
If you have less than 7 days in Iceland, I highly urge you to choose this tour over some of the others. Why?! Because each and every stop is absolutely stunning. Not only will you visit 2 spectacular rushing waterfalls, but you’ll also take a boat ride amongst glaciers – which happens to be one of the coolest things I’ve done in my life (along with a Jurassic Park helicopter ride in Hawaii and bobsledding on an Olympic track in Park City).
Note that many people opt for a tour of Southern Iceland without visiting the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and while you’ll still see the waterfalls and charming town of Vik, you’ll miss out on the real attraction of today, being the glaciers themselves. Yes, it is a ridiculously long day, and can be a bit pricey, but thankfully if you book a tour you won’t be driving and can use the ample bus time to relax and stare out the window at the stunning landscapes passing you by.
Get a cheapie hot dog at the lunch stop to save a few krona and book yourself on a tour that includes the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – you won’t be disappointed.
Read more about my experience in southern Iceland and the Glacier Lagoon. | BOOK TOUR.
Day 3: Relax in Morning /Free walking tour – Blue Lagoon in afternoon/early evening
It wouldn’t be a proper 7 day Iceland itinerary without the inclusion of the Blue Lagoon, now would it?! Your best bet is to visit the Blue Lagoon in the afternoon/early evening (depending on daylight hours) as it’s not as crowded at this time. Most people visit the Blue Lagoon in the morning, but spend a few hours before the lagoon taking a free walking tour of Reykjavik and grabbing some lunch in Reykjavik. You’ll learn all about the history of Iceland and it’s general culture on this 2-hour comical tour.
I had a friend meet up with me in Iceland for two days and I’m glad I decided to visit the Blue Lagoon with her instead of going alone. While the area surrounding the lagoon was beautiful (take a few photos before you head inside the entrance), I suspect I would have gotten a bit bored chilling in the lagoon by myself (although we did meet a few people quite quickly who we hung out with for a while). It’s just always more fun to lather up and take silly silica selfies with a friend. Oh, and make sure you get a blueberry Skyr smoothie – the BEST!
A few things to keep in mind when booking entry tickets to the Blue Lagoon:
- There are different packages to choose from. We opted for the least expensive package, and I advise doing so if you don’t mind bringing your own towel and would rather save a few krona in lieu of robes and slippers.
- If you aren’t renting a car (which I did not do), you need to make sure you book shuttle tickets along with your entry tickets to the Blue Lagoon. These can be bought together here.
Read more about my experience at the Blue Lagoon. | BOOK TOUR and shuttle tickets .
Day 4: Golden Circle
As soon as I booked my flight to Iceland, I signed up for the “ Premium Golden Circle Tour ”. Sure, it’s a tad touristy, but yes, this route is popular for a reason! There’s a reason everyone and their mother raves about the Golden Circle. However, if you want an even better experience, I highly suggest you book the “Premium” tour as I did. Not only does it visit all the typical stops on the Golden Circle, but you’ll also get to see a bunch of others that most people don’t even know exist (like the crater below).
Rushing waterfalls, homemade ice cream (with accolades for the best ice cream in all of Iceland), shooting geysers, volcanic craters, and sweet, sweet Icelandic mini horses, what can be better?
I highly advise signing up for a tour to ensure you’ll see everything the route has to offer without any worry of getting back to Reykjavik for dinner time. Plus, who wants to deal with the hassle of a car rental and drive anyways? Not I, that’s for sure, especially since I was traveling solo.
Read more about my experience on the Golden Circle . | BOOK TOUR .
Day 5: Snaefellsness Peninsula
Today’s day trip from Reykjavik was the one I had researched the least, and honestly wasn’t really sure what to expect. But OMG, you guys – it ended up being one of my favorite days of the entire trip. Completely underrated, and the quietest and most picturesque.
Commonly referred to as “Iceland in a Nutshell”, it really comprises a whole world of diversity, from its wildlife, beautiful yet very unique landscapes, and charming seaside towns. It’s almost a miniature version of the island!
With black sand beaches, bird cliffs, waterfalls, spectacular mountains, and volcanic craters making up our stops for the day, I was completely in awe with all the nature I was witnessing. So many differing landscapes in such a small section of the country, each one more epic than the last. This is an exquisite, unspoilt area of natural beauty – let’s keep it that way! Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you have clearly blown me away in the best way possible.
Read more about my experience on the Snaefellsness Peninsula . | BOOK TOUR .
Day 6: CHOICE DAY
On day 6 of your 7 days in Iceland, you’re undoubtedly going to be quite drained and tired. It’s hard work seeing so much natural beauty day after day, wink wink. Use this last full day on your Iceland itinerary to relax a bit or choose to plan another epic adventure day – my top recommendations of additional activities below.
Some ideas of how to spend your last day during your one week in Iceland:
Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik : Leaving from Reykjavik’s old harbor, you’ll sail in style on the Andrea, the largest whale-watching ship in Iceland, complete with cafe and a panoramic deck offering 360-degree views of the ocean! In the summer, you can also join an express tour on a faster express whale watching boat. The waters off Reykjavik are rich with aquatic life. Most commonly spotted creatures are minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises – and even humpback whales. BOOK TICKETS
Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure : Snorkeling in the Silfra fissure is a unique and exotic underwater experience. Frequently rated as one of the world’s top 10 dive sites, Silfra offers up to 100 m (300 ft) of underwater visibility. Beware, the waters are absolutely freezing, but they’ll provide you with the necessary clothing to bare the frigid glacier temperatures.
Although the chilly waters are too cold to support much in the way of marine life, Iceland’s Silfra crack runs down between the American and European continental plates and offers amazing underwater views – the most dynamic and beautiful greens and blues you’ll ever see. I’m so upset I missed out on this during my week in Iceland, and I’ll be sure to put it on the Iceland itinerary for my next trip. BOOK TICKETS
Secret Lagoon Transfer and Entrance : Want another relaxing day on your 7 day Iceland itinerary? Head to the Secret Lagoon, one of Iceland’s hidden treasures and frequented by locals and tourists alike. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Iceland as you drive through the countryside to Flúðir.
The natural, crystal-clear lagoon is one of the oldest natural geothermal pools in Iceland. Marvel at the spectacle of one of the surrounding hot springs erupting every few minutes. Take a relaxing bath in the hot water of the “Secret Lagoon” and enjoy its comfortable temperature of between 36-40°C. BOOK TICKETS
Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava Fields : Horse lover? After getting a glimpse of these beauties on our Golden Circle Tour, I so wish I had signed up for this 2-hour horse riding excursion. On this tour, you’ll ride through lava fields and along beautiful green hillsides, while looking for different rock formations in the lava while experiencing the special gait of these horses.
The Íshestar Stables is unique in Iceland with facilities as good as they get. It’s set in beautiful surroundings just outside the town of Hafnarfjörður, about 10 minutes drive from Reykjavík, with hotel pickups available and different time options. BOOK TICKETS
Day 7: Wander Reykjavik | Head to Airport
Your one week in Iceland has come to an end, so make one last stop at Braud & Co Bakery for a croissant and pack up! Depending on what time your flight home leaves, wander Reykjavik one last time and check off any bucket-list worthy things to do in the city that you may have missed on your first day.
And don’t forget to buy tickets to the airport ahead of time to save yourself some last-minute hassle.
Feel free to share this 7 day Iceland itinerary with a friend, and get started planning your trip! Have you been to the country before?! What things on your Iceland itinerary were your favorite?!
TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY SOON? Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of SafetyWing when traveling abroad. Recently, I’ve been using SafetyWing since they cover pandemic-related claims (most travel insurance companies do not). Be sure to protect yourself from possible injury, lost baggage, travel delays, and theft before it happens. Learn more and Sign up here.
Did you know that …
When you purchase something through our links, we earn a small fee (but you still pay the same) ! Win-win! If you found this article useful, consider using the links within the article or below. Thanks for your support!
- Book a hotel
- Best place to find tours
- Second favorite place for tours
- Favorite travel insurance
- Book a rental car
- My favorite packing items on Amazon
- Start your very own blog!
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
You may also love...
Subscribe To The Newsletter
FOR TRAVEL INSPO and FUN
No spam, only fun!
Favorite Destinations
- About Jessica
- How to Plan a Trip
- Fave Travel Companies
- Shop My Faves
Destinations
- World Travel
- San Francisco
- Northern California
- Southern California
- Central Coast
Complete Iceland Ring Road Itinerary (+Map & Tips for Your Trip)
By Author Jurga
Posted on Last updated: October 17, 2023
Are you planning a road trip in Iceland and looking for the best itinerary that covers the entire Ring Road? This guide is for you! This ultimate Iceland Ring Road itinerary brings you to all the must-see places in 10 days. Find out!
There are so many amazing places to see in Iceland and so many different ways to plan your Iceland itinerary ! But if you are planning your first trip to Iceland and want to see all the ‘musts’, there is really no better way to do it than driving the entire Ring Road of Iceland. Iceland’s main road #1 (Þjóðvegur 1, aka Route 1) goes all around the island, and driving it is the best way to explore the main landmarks and tourist sights in Iceland.
In this article, we share the best itinerary for the complete Ring Road of Iceland in 10 days . Why 10? Because – in our opinion – this is really the shortest amount of time you need in order to enjoy all the main sights and not just tick the boxes and say that you’ve done it.
Even with 10 days for the entire Ring Road, your itinerary will be quite packed, but in a nice way, without being too stressful. If you have less time, we recommend this 7-day Iceland itinerary instead.
To help you plan your trip, we also created a map of the complete Ring Road itinerary indicating all the places mentioned in this article. You can see a photo of the map below. At the bottom of this article, you can also find an interactive version of this map that you can save to your phone and use during your trip.
Top experiences not to miss in this itinerary:
- Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon (do one at the beginning and the other one at the end of your trip).
- Silfra Snorkeling .
- Katla Ice Cave .
- GeoSea or Myvatn Nature Baths .
- Whale Watching in Husavik .
Good to know: The Ring Road trip itinerary described below can best be done between May and September – the beginning of October. While – weather permitting – you can drive the Ring Road of Iceland in any season, we don’t recommend a self-drive road trip in winter because Icelandic weather is really unpredictable. Driving in Iceland in winter is often not for the faint-hearted.
If you are visiting Iceland between mid-October and mid-April, please take a look at our recommended Iceland winter itinerary . Be sure to also check our winter travel tips for Iceland .
✓ We recommend renting your car via the RentalCars website . Not only can you compare different providers and find the best car hire deals in Iceland, but you also have a much better cancelation policy. Furthermore, you are better protected in case a local company goes bankrupt as recently happened with our favorite car rental company in Iceland. We now use RentalCars for all our car hire, all over the world, and they have refunded all our bookings for the trips we had to cancel.
TIP: Using the detailed Ring Road itinerary, our suggestions, and tips below, you will be easily able to plan your own perfect self-drive road trip in Iceland . However, if you find it overwhelming, you can also book a guided multi-day tour that covers the entire Ring Road.
If you are visiting in winter and/or rather go with an organized tour , this 8-day tour is one of the best options for the entire Ring Road. Plus, you have to add a day in Reykjavik at the beginning and also at the end of the trip, so it’s also 10 days in total.
This is our recommended 10-day itinerary for Iceland’s Ring Road:
Day 1: Arrival, Blue Lagoon & Reykjavik
Driving distance/ time: 70 km (45 miles), 1 hour .
Upon arrival at Keflavik airport, pick up your rental car . We recommend checking this website for the best car rental deals . You don’t need a 4×4 for this Ring Road trip, but a 4WD is always a good idea in Iceland, especially if you are visiting outside of the warmest months between June and August.
Many people like to start their Iceland trip with a soak in the warm geothermal waters of the famous Blue Lagoon . Located just 20 minutes drive from the airport, this is indeed a nice stop, especially if you are coming on a red-eye flight from the U.S. Just be sure to book your (timed) Blue Lagoon tickets in advance or you risk not being able to visit!
Alternative: The recently-opened Sky Lagoon is a very popular alternative to the famous Blue Lagoon (and the majority of our readers who visited both lagoons, prefer Sky by far). It’s located closer to Reykjavik center and is easier to visit. Also here, you really have to book tickets in advance .
Then head to Reykjavik , about 40 minutes drive from the Blue Lagoon.
The rest of your day will depend a bit on how much time you have. The city center is not big and quite walkable, so you could leave your car in the hotel and go explore some of the highlights of Reykjavik on foot.
TIP: If you are too early and can’t check in at your hotel yet, you could first go to Perlan, the Wonders of Iceland . It’s one of the best museums in Reykjavik, with a real ice tunnel, a fantastic aurora show, and great views of the city and surroundings. Because this museum is located a bit outside the center, it’s easier to go there by car anyway.
In Reykjavik city center, go for a walk along the waterfront where you’ll find the Sun Voyager statue and the impressive Harpa concert hall building. A bit further along the shore, you’ll find two other great attractions – Whales of Iceland and FlyOver Iceland . These are both AMAZING attractions that are well worth your time. It’s also something nice to do on a rainy day and definitely if traveling with a family.
Then check out the Althingi Parliament House and Tjornin Lake . Walk on the main shopping streets Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur, and be sure to go up the Hallgrimskirkja church tower for the best views of the city.
You’ll also find plenty of cafes, bars, and nice restaurants in Reykjavik’s city center. Or you can opt for this popular Icelandic food tour instead – there are various departure times throughout the day and it’s a nice way to familiarize yourself with the local dishes at the start of your trip.
Where to stay: There are many nice accommodations and hotels in Reykjavik city center. Since you’ll have a car, we recommend Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel as one of the best choices – it has a great location and free parking. Here you can find our complete guide to the best places to stay in Reykjavik .
Day 2: Golden Circle
Driving distance/ time: 225 km (140 miles), 3 hours . This is purely driving time, not counting any stops.
Today, you visit one of the most popular areas in Iceland, known as the Golden Circle . There are three main places that you have to see here: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall.
Your first stop today is Thingvellir National Park , about 45 minutes drive from Reykjavik. This is where you can see the mid-Atlantic Ridge , where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. The best views can be found at the visitor center, and you can take a short walk here. Be sure not to miss the Öxarárfoss Waterfall , the Nikulasargja Gorge, and Thingvellir church.
TIP: Lake Thingvallavatn is home to the impressive Silfra Gorge where you can go snorkeling between the two continents . Snorkeling in the crystal-clear glacial waters here is one of the most unique things you can do in Iceland!
If you book the first snorkeling tour available in the morning (usually around 9-10 AM), you’ll still have plenty of time left for the other Golden Circle attractions. You can find all the practical information and book the best-rated Silfra snorkeling tours here .
Your next stop is Geysir Geothermal Area , about 50 minutes drive from Thingvellir.
Here, you’ll find Geysir, the original geyser that gave name to all the others, but it’s been dormant for years. The good news is that the Strokkur geyser just next to it is still very active. It erupts every 5-7 minutes, spouting water up to 30 meters (100 ft) into the air – always an amazing sight!
Don’t forget to explore the nearby Geysir Center where you’ll find interesting displays about geothermal activity and earthquakes that keep on shaping Iceland. You can even try their earthquake simulator…
The next must-see place along the Golden Circle is the Golden Waterfall – Gullfoss , about 10 minutes drive from Geysir.
Gullfoss is fed by Iceland’s second biggest glacier, Langjökull, and is a very powerful waterfall. It’s usually quite windy and cold here, but if the sun is shining, you are likely to see some spectacular rainbows over the falls.
There are several walking paths here allowing you to see the waterfall from various angles. In the summer, you can walk really close to the waterfall – see the picture below.
TIP: Langjokull Glacier is a very popular place for snowmobile tours in Iceland (and they are available the whole year). If this is something you are interested in, here you can find more information and book the best glacier snowmobile tour (or this tour that also includes a visit to an ice cave).
Usually, these tours run at around noon, so it’s quite easy to fit a tour like this in your itinerary. Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to do much afterwards anymore (which may not be a big deal since you cover all the musts before you come here).
If you start your day early and don’t do any special tours, you’ll likely be done with all the sightseeing at the Golden Circle in the early afternoon. In that case, head to the nearby Fridheimar Tomato Farm and Restaurant for lunch.
This is the most popular restaurant in the area. It’s located inside a greenhouse where they also grow tomatoes, and their menu includes all kinds of tomato dishes. Tomato soup is delicious, but we weren’t particularly fond of tomato ice cream. In high season, you really should reserve a table here in advance.
Another nice stop in this area is Kerid Crater , where you can walk around the dormant volcano crater or even take the stairs down to see the bottom of the crater. Count at least half an hour for a visit. This is also one of the few nature destinations in Iceland where there’s a small entrance fee.
There are several geothermal pools in this area as well, so if you still have some time and energy, you may want to go for a warm soak there. In that case, we recommend going to Secret Lagoon before you go to Kerid Crater.
Alternatively, head to your accommodation. Depending on where you’re staying, you could go for a swim in one of the local pools or relax in a hot tub at your hotel.
Where to stay: Stay in Hella or in Hvolsvöllur – this area fits this itinerary best and there’s a nice public pool in Hella. The best luxury hotel in this area is Hotel Ranga . On a mid-range budget, check out Stracta Hotel Hella – both these hotels have hot tubs. Hotel Kanslarinn Hella is a good no-thrills option on a somewhat lower budget. If you are looking for hostel-style accommodation, then Midgard Base Camp is the place to be.
Day 3: South Coast
Driving distance/ time: 290 km (180 miles), 3.5 hours .
Today, you drive Iceland’s Ring Road in the easterly direction and visit the beautiful South Coast of Iceland. After the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle, this is another one of the most visited places in the country.
There are many great things to do on the South Coast of Iceland , and you could spend several days just exploring this area. However, if you are driving the entire Ring Road in 10 days, you’ll have just one day for this area and will have to be more selective.
The main places that you have to see along the South Coast are Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls and the black sand beach in Vik . Another popular stop is Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon .
TIP: If you want to visit a natural ice cave or go hiking on a glacier in Iceland , the South Coast is the best place for that.
With just one day on the South Coast, we recommend that you do the following.
Start your day early and drive to Seljalandsfoss waterfall (about half an hour drive from Hella). This is one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland, famous for the fact that you can walk behind it. Prepare to get wet! Just a short walk to the left of the falls, there’s another waterfall hidden inside a gorge – Gljúfrabúi waterfall . Be sure to check it out too!
Afterwards, continue further east to Skogafoss , another must-see waterfall along the South Coast. Here, you can take a staircase to the top of the falls, and also visit the nearby Skógar Museum . This is a great place if you want to see some turf houses in Iceland.
Another half an hour’s drive further, you’ll find the small town of Vik. It’s best known for the black sand beach Reynisfjara and it’s really a must-see.
Another nice place to check out in Vik is the Dyrhólaey Lighthouse and rock formations . In summer, this might be a good place to see puffins, but not ideal during the day because they are usually ‘gone fishing’ then. Also, there’s a better place for that on the next day of this itinerary – more info further below.
TIP: If you want to visit a natural ice cave in Iceland , this is the only place where you can do that at any time of the year. In that case, be sure to prebook this ice cave tour . It starts in Vik, takes about 3 hours, and has several departure times during the day, including one at around noon, which would fit this itinerary best.
Please note that most glacier tours in Iceland don’t allow kids under 8, but there’s also another tour to this same ice cave and they say they allow children from 6 years old. A nice alternative family-friendly activity in Vik is the Icelandic Lava Show .
After that, continue to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon , stopping at the Eldhraun lava field along the way. The Hofskirkja turf church is another nice short stop further down the Ring Road.
If you don’t do the ice cave tour, or if you are visiting in summer when the days are very long, be sure to also stop at Skaftafell Nature Reserve . There are several really nice hikes here, and they have a visitor center where you can get all the info. If you do just one short hike, the best option is Svartifoss (aka the Black Waterfall), about 3 km (2 miles) in total, and will likely take you at least 1.5 hours.
The Skaftafell area is also one of the best places to go glacier hiking and this is one of the best tours , with several departure times during the day. But since you only have time for one tour, my personal recommendation would be the earlier-mentioned ice cave tour from Vik.
Where to stay: The nicest and best-located hotels in this area are Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon (higher budget) and Hali Country Hotel (mid-range). Here you can find more suggestions on where to stay near Jokulsarlon .
TIP: If you still have some energy, you may want to check out Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach in the evening. It’s nice to be here without the crowds of day-trippers, and this place is truly beautiful at sunset.
Day 4: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Stokksnes & East Fjords (+Puffins)
Driving distance/ time: 270 km (170 miles), 3.5 hours. This doesn’t include sightseeing or detours.
Today, you’ll be visiting one of the most popular landmarks of Iceland – the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon . This glacial lake is filled with big chunks of ice that come from a nearby glacier, and the scenery changes all the time. So even if you visited last night, it will likely be totally different in the morning.
You can simply walk along the lagoon and one of the beaches across the road , popularly known as the Diamond Beach. Depending on the season and the weather, you’ll often find icebergs washed ashore here. It’s especially impressive in winter, but always worth checking out since you really can’t predict what you’ll find here.
If you want to get very close to the icebergs (and seals), you can also opt for a boat tour on the lagoon. This is one of the most popular tours on the South Coast and you have an option between amphibian boats or zodiac boats.
The amphibian boat tours are cheaper and take just half an hour, whereas zodiac boat tours take about 1 hour and are usually able to get a bit closer to the ice. Both are really nice experiences, and you’ll get to see amazing scenery either way. If you are planning on taking a boat here, opt for the earliest tour available (it’s best for this itinerary)!
Next, stop at Stokksnes . This is a beautiful coastal area with black sand and an impressive Vestrahorn mountain backdrop that makes for some spectacular pictures. Since it’s located on private land, there’s a small fee to enter.
Afterwards, continue your journey to the Eastfjords . This is one of the least developed regions along Iceland’s Ring Road, and a good place to see wildlife, especially reindeer.
There are several places where you can stop when touring the Eastfjords. Petra’s Stone Collection is one of the quirkiest places and also Lagarfljót Lake is worth a quick photo stop, and potentially also Hallormsstaðaskógur, the biggest forest in Iceland, or the picturesque village Eskifjörður , but it’s a bit out of your way.
Another popular place is Seydisfjordur . This is a small town best known for its rainbow path leading towards the local church, but one of the nicest things to do is simply the drive to get there.
Where to stay: Stay in Egilsstaðir , the biggest town in this area. Lake Hotel is the nicest hotel in town, but Icelandair Hotel Herad also offers great value for a much better price and is perfect for a one-night stay. On a budget, check out Lyngas Guesthouse .
TIP: About a 1-hour drive northeast of Egillstadir, there’s a tiny village Borgarfjörður Eystri . If you drive all the way to the end of the road here, you’ll find a place called Borgarfjarðarhöfn . This is one of the best places to see puffins when driving the Ring Road of Iceland. And yes, it’s a detour from the Ring Road, but since you are staying in Egillstadir for the night, it’s perfectly doable.
The best time to see puffins is from mid-May to mid-August, and going there in the evening is always better since the birds return from the sea for the night. The days are endless at this time of the year, so there’s no need to worry about having to drive back in the dark.
TIP: Just north of Egillstadir, you can find one of the newest geothermal baths in Iceland, Vök Baths . They are usually open until 10 PM and can be a nice place to end your day of sightseeing. It’s actually probably worth your time more than many of the stops along the Eastfjords (not to mention that it’s more relaxing).
Day 5: Myvatn Area
Driving distance/ time: 300 km (185 miles), 3.5 hours. This includes detours as described below, but not the time for sightseeing.
There are several ways how you could fill this day. Doing the trip as we recommend below means that you can spend the night in Husavik, which tends to be somewhat cheaper and less popular with groups than the hotels around Myvatn. But you could perfectly stay in Myvatn as well and go to Husavik the next morning.
Your first stop today is Dettifoss , about 2 hours drive from Egilsstadir. This is Europe’s most powerful waterfall and a must-see in North Iceland! This waterfall can be visited from two sides – via road 864 on the east, or via road 862 on the west.
Both sides are very impressive, but the western side is easier to get to and the road is paved all the way to the parking lot. From there, it’s about 15-20 minutes walk to the viewing platforms at Dettifoss, and you can also see another nice waterfall – Sellfoss. If you have a 4WD car, you can also visit the eastern side, but doing both would mean that you’ll lose about half a day for this waterfall alone.
Next, head in the direction of Lake Myvatn, where you’ll find quite a few interesting places. First, take a small road to the right off the Ring Road in the direction of the Krafla Power Plant. At the end of the road, you’ll find the Viti volcano crater (aka Krafla Volcano) with a green lake inside it.
It’s just a short walk from the car to the crater (or you can go all the way around it), and it’s well worth seeing. You can also stop for a short walk in the Leirhnjukur area.
The next stop is the Námaskarð geothermal area , aka Hverir , just next to the Ring Road. The colorful landscape with mud cauldrons, steaming vents, and fumaroles, makes this one of the most unique places to see along the Ring Road in Northern Iceland. Just be prepared for the strong smell of sulfur and stay on the marked paths!
After this, you can take a small detour to Grjótagjá , an underground lava cave with water inside. It only takes a few minutes to see the cave, so it might be worth a small detour (swimming is not allowed here).
Then, head to Myvatn Lake and drive all around it.
One of the must-see stops here is the Dimmuborgir lava field. There are several short hiking trails here (partially paved and easily accessible). If you feel like stretching your legs, go for a walk on the Kirkjuhringur trail. It’s a loop of about 2.2 km (1.4 miles) and shouldn’t take you more than 30-45 minutes, or you can just do a small part on the paved track. There is also a nice cafe here where you could get lunch.
Along the southern side of the lake, be sure to also stop at Skútustaðir . This is the best area to see the pseudocraters of Lake Myvatn.
But be prepared for bugs! Myvatn literally means ‘the mosquito lake’ and it’s usually full of little flies here in summer. They don’t bite but crawl inside your ears, your nose, and your mouth if you are not careful… We recommend packing a small head net – it doesn’t cost much and fits in your pocket and you’ll be glad to have it here.
By now, you’ll have covered most of the Myvatn attractions (or at least the main ones that you can see in a day), and you could drive on to Husavik where we recommend spending the night. The drive from Myvatn to Husavik is about 45 minutes.
TIP: There is a nice geothermal pool in Husavik called Geosea , and it’s a great place to end your day. Alternatively, head to the famous Myvatn Nature Baths before you drive to Husavik.
It’s really hard to compare these pools since they are so different. The one in Husavik is more expensive and has a smaller limit on the number of people allowed at the same time. It’s more exclusive, plus it boasts amazing ocean views. Whereas Myvatn Nature Baths are much better known and quite busy (more comparable to the Blue Lagoon).
Where to stay: We recommend staying in Husavik. As already said before, Myvatn accommodation tends to be (even more) expensive, and staying in Husavik will make it easier to plan your next day too. The nicest hotel here is Fosshotel Husavik . A better value hotel is Post-Plaza Guesthouse , one of the top picks in Husavik. Accommodations in this part of Iceland are quite expensive and often fully booked long in advance. So you really should reserve as soon as you know your travel dates.
Day 6: Whales, Godafoss & Akureyri
Driving distance/ time: 115 km (70 miles), 1.5 hours. This includes all detours described below.
Husavik is the whale-watching capital of Iceland . So if you want to see whales in Iceland (and summer is a great season for that), this is the best place to do that. There are many whale watching tours and their itineraries and prices are quite similar (and they’ll likely all go to the same place when the whales are located).
Be sure to book in advance and take the earliest tour you can (usually around 9.30-10 AM). These tours take about 3 hours, so it will be past noon by the time you are back and you could have lunch in Husavik. This is fine because the drive to Akureyri isn’t that long and you can choose to visit a few places along the way if you want to and make this day as full or as relaxing as you feel like.
Also, there’s a nice museum – The Husavik Whale Museum – that you could visit before or after your boat tour.
Good to know: If you absolutely want to, you could also take a detour from Husavik to the nearby Asbyrgi Canyon . But it’s about 60km (40 mi) out of the way, so you’d need at least 2 hours extra for this. While a nice place to see, if you have to choose between Asbyrgi or whale watching in Husavik, I’d go for the latter. You can also do both, of course – that would mean less time in Akureyri and surroundings, so see what interests you more. You can read about Asbyrgi Canyon in our guide to the Myvatn area .
Another must-see place today is Godafoss Waterfall . It’s located right next to Ring Road, about 35 minutes drive from Husavik. There are two parking areas on different sides of the river, and they are also connected by a small bridge. So you can leave your car on one side and go explore the waterfall on foot. You can spend just 15-20 minutes here or more than an hour – the choice is yours.
It’s just a short 30 min drive from Godafoss to Akureyri following the Ring Road westwards, via the toll tunnel. This is the only toll road on this trip and you can pay the toll 24 hours before or after you drive via the tunnel via this website . But there’s a much nicer alternative – taking the old mountain road #84, which is not just free of charge, but also more scenic. It’s a good road and – in summer – adds just 10-15 minutes to your journey, and you don’t have to worry about the toll.
Also, if you take the scenic route, you’ll drive past a small village Svalbarðseyri . There’s a quirky art gallery just next to the road that you may want to check out, and there’s also a very picturesque orange lighthouse in the village itself.
For the lighthouse, you’ll have to take a small detour off the main road, but it’s literally just a minute or two down the road. It’s such a nice place for a photo stop and no tourists in sight.
On your way to Akureyri, you could also take a small detour via roads 829 and 821 to one of the quirkiest attractions nearby – Jólahúsið (Christmas House) . It’s Christmas the whole year round in this shop!
We also enjoyed a short stop at the nearby Kaffi Ku , which is a working farm with a restaurant above the cowshed. They are open for lunch (noon to 5 PM) and serve some delicious Icelandic waffles. Coming from Godafoss, you’ll pass the cow café first, before you get to Christmas House.
In Akureyri, you can also stop at the Botanical Gardens , on the outskirts of town. The entrance is free of charge and it’s a really nice place for a short walk. Afterwards, head to your hotel, leave the car, and go explore Iceland’s second-largest ‘city’. Akureyri is so small that you can see the city center in an hour or so. You’ll find lots of nice cafes and restaurants here for dinner and there’s also a nice public pool in town that’s usually open late in the evening.
TIP: If you didn’t do the whale-watching trip in Husavik, you could also opt for a whale tour from Akureyri . There are quite a few tour options , including a midnight-sun/whale-watching combination trip on summer evenings. Also, there is a new geothermal pool opening in Akureyri – Forest Lagoon . It could be another nice addition to this itinerary if you have an hour or two to spare.
Where to stay: There are lots of accommodation options in Akureyri , and since there’s not that much choice further westwards, it’s probably better to just take it easy and stay here for the night. Hotel Kea by Keahotels is one of the nicest hotels in town. On a mid-range budget, check the Centrum Hotel . On a lower budget, Hrafninn Guesthouse .
However, keep in mind that parking can be a bit problematic if you stay in the center on weekdays. It’s usually not a big issue to find a spot not too far from the hotel, but sometimes you also have to pay, so keep an eye on that. We recommend Icelandair Hotel Akureyri ; it’s just a bit outside of the busiest area (still very close to everything) and parking is much easier here.
Day 7: Tröllaskagi Peninsula
Driving distance/ time: 265 km (165 miles), 3.5 hours. This includes driving past all the stops mentioned below, but not the sightseeing time.
Today, we recommend that you visit one of the nicest areas of Northern Iceland, the Trollaskagi Peninsula . This is a place that you’ll hardly ever see in any Iceland Ring Road itineraries, but we find that it’s worth your time more than some places that others visit in western Iceland just because they are closer to the main road…
The first stop is Siglufjörður , about 1-1.5 hours drive from Akureyri. This is a nice little town with an extremely picturesque harbor area.
There are some nice things to do in Siglufjordur , but if you visit just one place, don’t miss the Herring Era Museum . Please note that the museum is open daily from 10 AM in June, July, and August, but only opens in the afternoon during the shoulder season (more info on their website ).
Continue your trip further along the coast and soon you’ll see Trollaskagi Lighthouse at the northernmost tip of the peninsula. The road to get to it is quite steep and gravel, but you can just see it from the road. The scenery here is beautiful!
From then on, the views just keep getting better and better, and if you are driving here on a sunny day, you’ll have to agree with me that the scenery along Road #76 is one of the most scenic places in Iceland!
The next stop is a small village called Hofsós. The main reason to come here is the local Hofsos swimming pool which has some of the best pool views in Iceland!
Following this itinerary, you’ll likely be here in the middle of the day, but I really recommend stopping here. It’s such a nice place! If the weather would be really bad, then skip it, but if it’s not raining, definitely go for a swim or a soak in the hot tub. This pool is normally open daily, from 9 AM to 9 PM. We spent about an hour here.
Just outside the village, you can find one of the oldest turf churches in Iceland, Grafarkirkja . It’s extremely picturesque and the surroundings make it look even more special. Don’t miss it! Here you can read our detailed guide for all the places mentioned above: Road 76, Hofos, Grafarkirkja, and more .
There is one more nice place to check out before you get back to the Ring Road, Glaumbær Farm & Museum . This is a reconstructed farm where you can see how people used to live in Iceland about 150-250 years ago. It’s really worth a visit, which shouldn’t take more than 30-45 minutes. In the summer season, it’s open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. More info on their website .
Once you reach the Ring Road, we recommend taking a small detour south on Road #752 to a beautiful waterfall called Reykjafoss .
It’s a bit of a hidden gem and there is a natural hot tub in that same area. It was well indicated when we visited and there were quite some people here, so it seems that it’s not that unknown anymore. Also, you have to walk for about 10-15 minutes to reach the falls, and a few minutes extra to find the hot tub next to the river. I’d say it’s not a must, but if you have some time left, it can be a nice stop.
Good to know: The natural hot tub can be found on the other side of the wooden bridge and over the hill to the right. If you plan to go swimming here, you should know that there are no facilities whatsoever. And the hot tub was also crowded when we were there. Let’s just say that we prefer the Hofsos swimming pool by far, and there’s also a nice swimming pool in Blönduós where we recommend spending the night. So plenty of places to go for a swim in the warm geothermal waters today!
The last photo stop today is Víðimýrarkirkja. It’s another really nice turf church, but because it’s located just next to the Ring Road, it can get quite busy here. It doesn’t take more than 5-10 minutes to visit, so be sure to check it out!
End your day in Blönduós, one of the bigger towns in this area. You’ll find all kinds of facilities here and also some accommodations. As already mentioned, there is a nice public swimming pool in this town as well, and it’s usually open quite late.
Where to stay: We recommend Brimslóð Atelier Guesthouse , or on a somewhat lower budget – Hotel Blanda . Both are really nice places and the hotel also has a good restaurant. There are several other options on a lower budget here as well, but accommodation choice is quite limited.
Day 8: North Coast to Snaefellsnes
Driving distance/ time: 260 km (160 miles), 4 hours. This includes all the detours mentioned below.
Today, you could just take the Ring Road and head straight to western Iceland, but you can also opt for a few short detours along the way. There are several places that we recommend checking out and I think they’re worth it more than some of the places in the west (in particular, Hraunfossar and Barnafossar waterfalls that are quite often included in the Ring Road itinerary).
Just as you leave Blonduos, you could take a detour on Road #721 to see Þingeyraklausturskirkja church , one of the oldest stone buildings in Iceland.
One of the best stops we recommend today is Hvitserkur , a rhino-shaped rock just next to the beautiful black sand beach on Vatnsnes Peninsula. On the way there, you could also stop at Borgarvirki , a medieval fortification that dates from the 9th-11th centuries. There are also several places where you can see seals in this area.
In addition, close to Ring Road 1 in this area, there’s also a nice canyon with a waterfall, Kolugljúfur Canyon . You can find more information about all these places in our guide to visiting Hvitserkur .
Continuing your way to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, you can also stop at Eiriksstadir – Viking Longhouse . It’s a replica of a Viking-era farm with turf buildings, guides dressed in period clothing, etc. It’s a great place to learn more about Iceland’s history, so it’s better to ask for a guided tour, or you won’t appreciate it the same way. This open-air museum is open daily from June to September, from 10 AM to 4 PM. More info on their website .
Next is the famous Snaefellsnes Peninsula , home to one of Iceland’s most photographed mountains and waterfalls – Kirkjufellsfoss . You’ll have an entire day here the next day as well, but there’s so much to see and do in Snaefellsnes that it’s better to visit a few places today already.
Be sure to visit Stykkishólmur , a picturesque fishing village and the main town in this area. You can leave your car by the harbor and take a short walk to Súgandisey Island Lighthouse . Stykkisholmur is also one of the best places to stay in Snaefellsnes Peninsula , and there are some nice hotels and restaurants here. But ideally, for this itinerary, you drive just a bit further west today.
On the way, check out the Berserkjahraun lava field and potentially also the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum (it’s usually open until 5 PM in summer).
TIP: We recommend staying in Grundarfjörður town, which is just near Kirkjufell mountain and waterfall . This would give you a unique opportunity to visit this popular place without the crowds and maybe even see a really nice sunset here.
Where to stay: Accommodation options in Grundarfjörður are quite limited, but if you book in advance, it’s usually possible to find something suitable. The nicest place to stay is Dis Cottages , and the most popular highly-rated option is Kirkjufell Guesthouse and Apartments .
We stayed at Grundarfjordur Bed and Breakfast , which was the only accommodation available here that could accommodate a big family like ours. It’s a good no thrills choice in Grundafjordur, and they also have a nice local restaurant where you can have dinner (also if you are not staying here).
Day 9: Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Driving distance/ time: 265 km (165 miles), 3.5 hours. This is the distance counting from Grundarfjörður, visiting all the Snaefelsness Peninsula attractions as described below and ending in Reykjavik. Driving time doesn’t include sightseeing.
Today, spend as much time as you can exploring Snaefellsnes Peninsula, before driving to Reykjavik. We have a very complete guide to the area where you can find all the practical information for your visit to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, so please see that article for more details. It even has a suggested 1-day itinerary.
Below is just an overview of the best places not to miss, listed in the right order, how you’ll be driving. Start with Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss . Even if you already saw this place last night, you may want to stop here for a quick picture in a different light once again. Then continue to Skarðsvík Beach where you can also visit the Öndverðarnes and Svörtuloft Lighthouses .
Other nice places along the way are Svödufoss (waterfall) and Ingjaldshólskirkja (church), but with so many other amazing places, don’t feel bad if you skip these two.
Don’t miss the Saxholar Volcano Crater – you can take stairs and see it from the top. And also Djúpalónssandur Beach is a beautiful place where you can take a walk between some cool rock formations and on a nice black sand beach.
If you do just one tour on the peninsula, make it the 8000-year-old Vatnshellir lava cave . It’s best to book your time slot in advance (try by phone +354 787 0001 since their website isn’t really working as it should) or you risk that it’s sold out as it was when we visited.
This tour takes about 1 hour and is one of the most unique places you can see here! I’d book it for either 1 PM or 2 PM. There are many other places nearby, so you can quite easily adjust your visit to the other areas based on the tour time you booked here.
Driving further around the peninsula, check out Malariff Lighthouse and Londrangar View Point .
Next, head to Arnarstapi where you’ll find the most spectacular coastline and interesting rock formations. There’s a nice hike that you can do here, between Hellnar and Arnarstapi, but with just a day in Snaefellsnes, it’s going to be difficult to squeeze it all in. That’s why we recommend going straight to Arnarstapi and making a short walk along the coast there. This is a must-see, so don’t miss it!
Other nice stops include Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge , Búðakirkja , and Bjarnarfoss . You could also stop at Ytri Tunga beach , where you can sometimes see seals. As you drive in the direction of Reykjavik, you can also stop for a photo at Gerðuberg Cliffs . You can find more information about all these places in our guide to the best things to do in Snaefellsnes Peninsula .
Where to stay: With 10 days in Iceland, we recommend that you drive to Reykjavik in the evening on day 9, after visiting Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Here you can find our detailed guide on where to stay in Reykjavik .
In case your flight departs very early the next day, it’s best to sleep closer to the airport. B&B Hotel Keflavik Airport is a good choice with easy parking, a restaurant next door, and a free airport shuttle if you need it.
Day 10: Reykjavik, Reykjanes Peninsula & Departure
Driving distance/ time from Reykjavik to the airport: 50 km (30 miles), 45 min.
Depending on your flight time, you may want to explore more of Reykjavik. See our suggestions on day 1 of this itinerary or check out this guide to the best things to do in Reykjavik .
Alternatively, go bathing in the Blue Lagoon if you didn’t do it at the beginning of your trip, or visit some of the attractions of Reykjanes Peninsula on your way to the airport.
Another nice geothermal pool to check out is the Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik. This warm pool boasts amazing ocean views and is a great alternative to the Blue Lagoon (and a wonderful way to end your trip).
READ ALSO: One Day in Reykjavik: Detailed Itinerary
If you have more time…
One area where you could easily add a day or two extra is Iceland’s South Coast , from where you can also take a day tour to Landmannalaugar in the Icelandic Highlands. I really recommend adding a day between day 3 and day 4 in this itinerary and doing the South Coast over two days if you can squeeze it in. You’ll have more time to explore all the places mentioned in this guide, instead of just passing by. In that case, stay in Vik on day 3.
You could also spend more time in the north or northwest , visit the Westfjords , etc.
Many standard Ring Road itineraries also include a day in West Iceland , an area a bit in between Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Reykjavik. With just 10 days in Iceland and doing the entire Ring Road, we recommend Trollaskagi Peninsula (see day 7) instead of this area, but if you have a day extra, you could definitely add it here.
In that case, stay in Borgarnes town or e.g. Icelandair Hotel Hamar on day 9 of this trip. Then on day 10, visit Deildartunguhver , the largest hot spring in Europe (not for swimming), Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls , and – if you are into history and Icelandic sagas, you may want to check out the Snorrastofa museum , the medieval research institute in Reykholt.
In this area, you can also take a tour of a man-made ice cave at Langjökull glacier , and the largest lava cave in Iceland, Víðgelmir . You can visit the Vidgelmir lava cave or the Langjokull glacier separately.
TIP: Don’t miss the recently opened Krauma Geothermal Baths in Reykholt.
As you can see, there are so many nice places that you could add to your Ring Road itinerary if you have more time! But if you are visiting Iceland for the first time, have about 10 days, and want to see the musts along Iceland’s Ring Road, then this itinerary is truly one of the best ways to do that.
Iceland Ring Road Itinerary on the Map
TIP: To make your trip planning easier, I also created this map , indicating all the places mentioned in our detailed 10-day Iceland Ring Road self-drive trip itinerary.
As you can see, we gave each day a different color so that you have a better idea of where everything is located and how it all fits in this itinerary.
Further below – under the FAQ section – you can also see a map indicating the total distance and driving time for Iceland’s Ring Road.
How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.
So, this is my suggested 10-day Iceland Ring Road itinerary. As you can see, it’s quite packed and includes not just the very best places, but also some hidden gems that will make your trip even more special.
Please note that driving the entire Ring Road in 10 days will be rushed, even in summer when the days are long and the roads are good. So if you can, plan a few days extra. But if you want to make the most of your time, this is the best way to see all the best places in Iceland that you can indeed see in about 10 days.
Below, you can find some of the frequently asked questions that we get from our readers. Check it out and – if you don’t find an answer here or in our article – feel free to leave a reply below and I’ll try to help. Alternatively, please join our Facebook group for Iceland & Scandinavia Travel – it’s a great place to meet other travelers, ask questions, and share travel experiences.
Iceland Ring Road FAQ
Iceland’s Ring Road no. 1 encircles the entire island and is about 1,320 km (820 miles) long. Driving the entire Ring Road without any stops or delays would take about 16 hours (see the map above). However, this isn’t a very realistic estimate because driving in Iceland is much slower than what Google Maps indicates, and there’s so much to see and do along the Ring Rod that you wouldn’t want to just drive by anyway.
While you can drive the entire Ring Road of Iceland in just a day or two, you need at least 7 days if you want to see just the main landmarks. Ideally, plan 10-12 days for Iceland’s Ring Road. This will allow you to see all the best places along Route 1, get a bit off the beaten path, take a tour or two, and explore some areas a bit deeper.
Yes, it is possible to see the main highlights along Iceland’s Ring Road in 7 days. It will be rushed and you won’t have time to explore deeper, but you will be able to see some of the best places and get a taste of what Iceland is about. If you only have 7 days and absolutely want to do the entire circle, we recommend this itinerary: Day 1: Arrival, Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik Day 2: South Coast to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Day 3: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the Eastfjords Day 4: Lake Myvatn area Day 5: The North Coast of Iceland Day 6: Snaefellsnes Peninsula Day 7: Reykjavik and departure
While it is usually possible to drive around the entire Ring Road in Iceland in winter, we do not recommend a self-drive trip around the entire island in the darkest and coldest months. There are just a few hours of daylight at that time of the year, the weather is very unpredictable, and snowstorms are common. Furthermore, the roads in the Eastfjords and in North Iceland often get closed in winter, disrupting your travel plans. If you want to do the Ring Road in winter, we recommend going with a local driver/ organized tour. If you are doing a self-drive trip, it’s best to stick to the South Coast. Also, be sure that you know what to expect when driving in Iceland in winter and keep your travel plans very flexible.
All these suggestions are based on our multiple trips to Iceland. And while this trip covers all the main sights along the Ring Road, you won’t find the exact same self-drive itinerary anywhere else. I hope that these additional details and our recommendations will help you plan a more memorable trip to Iceland than just using a standard copy-paste Ring Road itinerary used by most agencies and tour operators.
Have a wonderful time in Iceland!
TIP: If you are looking for more information for your trip to Iceland, practical travel tips, clothing & packing advice, etc. please check our complete travel guide to Iceland . It contains an overview of all our articles about Iceland.
READ ALSO: How Expensive is Iceland (+ How To Save Money)
More tips for your trip to Iceland:
- When to travel: Best time to visit Iceland: summer vs winter
- What to see: Best places to see in Iceland
- Airport transfers: How to get to Reykjavik city from Keflavik airport
- Packing: What to wear in Iceland in summer
- Tours: Best tours in Iceland
- Itinerary Suggestions: Iceland Itinerary Suggestions for 1 to 14 Days
- South Coast: 4 days in Iceland – best short itinerary for your first trip
- South & West itinerary: 7 days in Iceland
If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .
Wednesday 14th of February 2024
Jurga, I found that your article is very helpful, It quite hard for me to plan my trip on Myvatn area, I can spend at least 4 nights here and I really like to stay at Husavik and take a slow time at these lovely village and also I like to take a day tour to Askja Caldera, it so much things to do, ha ha. Could you help me plan on this area? Please🙏 Thank you so much, NANTY
Sunday 18th of February 2024
Hi Nanty, please take a look at our guide to the best things to do in Myvatn for suggestions on what to see and do there. As for help with the planning, unfortunately, we really have no time to help our readers with individual itinerary advice. As much as I would like to help everyone, it's just not feasible. There are also too many options and everyone has different interests, budgets, etc. But 4 nights in that area should be enough for all the highlights, just be sure to book all tours/excursions in advance.
Wednesday 17th of January 2024
Great article. The information and effort is very much appreciated!
I'm planning a trip to Iceland, (first time) but I'm only in the researching stage. My main interest is landscape/nature photography. I have little interest in some of the more commercial tourist locations. The wilder, the quieter and the less traveled the better. I've lived in Alaska and the western US, so I'm used to the back country. It also means I've seen the northern lights countless times although it never gets old! Still... while I'd love to finally photograph them, they're not my number one priority. Finally my question(s). :-) What would you consider the best time of the year and the ideal length of time, (within reason of course) for a trip? That should at least be enough to get me started but if you know of any general areas to avoid or that are "must sees" please let me know.
Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and experience, Rick
Thursday 18th of January 2024
Hi Rick, that's really hard to answer since everyone travels with different expectations. For the best season. If you don't absolutely need to see auroras, ice caves, and wintery landscapes, then the summer months are by far the best time to visit, with endless daylight and easy travel conditions. For more in-depth info and what to expect in summer vs winter, please see this guide: Best time to visit Iceland. As for non-touristy locations, this depends. Even the busiest places can be very quiet if you are there at a less popular time. If you absolutely want to avoid the most popular spots, then skip the Golden Circle and the waterfalls of the South Coast. But remember that they are popular for a good reason. So my advice would be to visit those early in the morning or late in the evening. If traveling in the summer, the days are so long that you can easily do this. If you want to get completely off the beaten path, go deep into the highlands, but remember that traveling there comes with many challenges, such as dangerous river crossings which also require a certain type of car and experience. Easier to visit are the Eastern fjords which are also generally very quiet. The Westfjords also have some amazing places where you hardly meet anyone even in the summer. Here are a few articles you may want to check out: - Icelandic highlands with a private driver - 10-days North and West Iceland itinerary As for the ideal duration, it really depends on what you decide to do and in which season you travel. You can visit for a week or for a month - there's plenty to see and do. Whatever you decide, remember that Iceland has limited options when it comes to accommodations outside the main tourist hot spots, so booking long ahead is a must, definitely in the summer. If you plan to rent a car, also do it as soon as you know your travel dates. Good luck!
Sunday 14th of January 2024
On day 9 of your Ring Rd itinerary, you mention staying at B & B Hotel Keflavik Airport if flight leaves early next day. I clicked on your link and it took me to Booking.com. Does hotel have its own website so I can book with them directly? Or is it only available via third party? Thanks for all the info you have provided! It helps us to make better decisions.
Tuesday 16th of January 2024
Hi Val, most hotels have their own websites if you prefer to book directly and I'm sure you can find them online. We personally book all our accommodations via Booking.com and that's also what we recommend to our readers. I could write the whole article about what and why, but it's really up to you. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!
Friday 29th of December 2023
Hello Jurga,
For someone visiting Iceland for the first and last time, do you recommend the 10 days in Iceland Itinerary for the West, North & the Highlands OR the Complete Iceland Ring Road itinerary (Also, 10 days long)?
Thanking you in advance.
Best, Parag
Saturday 30th of December 2023
Hi Parag, it really depends on your interests and the time of the year when you travel. The Ring Road itinerary covers all the 'must sees' and is therefore a better option for first timers who want to see all the top spots. The other itinerary - as explained in that article - takes you a bit off the beaten path and is more suitable for someone who has been to Iceland before and is looking for something different for a repeat trip. You can also make a combination of the two... But if you only have ten days and you want to see all the places that made Iceland famous, then this Ring Road itinerary is the way to go. Just book well in advance, especially if traveling in the summer!
Monday 6th of November 2023
Hello. We can spend 12 days in Iceland. I really want to see the aurora. Would it be ok if we are there 28Sept-9Oct 2024? (I dont think we are fit to travel during peak winter Nov-Feb/Mar).
& can we do the Ring Road trip?
Thank you in advance
Hi Shahidah, yes, the end of September - beginning of October is a good time to see the Northern Lights. It's also not wintery yet (normally), so driving the entire Ring Road should be perfectly doable. Just keep in mind that the days are shorter and it gets darker earlier, so start your days early and you should be able to cover most sights on this itinerary.
Experience the Land of Fire and Ice on This 7 Day Iceland Itinerary
The writer was hosted.
Get ready for an exciting adventure through the land of fire and ice with a carefully crafted 7-day Iceland itinerary along the famous Ring Road. From the dramatic landscapes of the Golden Circle to the enchanting waterfalls of the South Coast, this itinerary offers a blend of natural wonders and cultural experiences. Prepare to immerse yourself in the surreal beauty of Iceland as you explore volcanic lava fields, soak in the Blue Lagoon and witness the mesmerizing dance of the Northern Lights in the night sky.
Day 1: You’ve Arrived in Iceland!
After landing at Keflavik Airport, grabbing your bags and picking up your rental car, you’re ready to start your Iceland adventure. But, of course, you’ve likely just spent the night on the airplane and a bit of refreshing is required. Fortunately, Iceland’s famed hot springs, The Blue Lagoon, is just a 22 minute drive away. Make your reservations before you arrive and head straight to The Blue Lagoon for a dip in this geothermal hot spring because no trip to Iceland is complete without this experience.
Once refreshed, a driving time of 40 minutes brings you to Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city. If a self drive road trip isn’t part of your itinerary, bus service is available from Keflavik Airport to the Blue Lagoon and on to Reykjavik.
A guided tour by locals is an excellent way to spend your first day in Reykjavik as an introduction to the capital city and Iceland in general. We chose the free tours by locals , a company with knowledgeable and entertaining local guides that lead walking tours of downtown Reykjavik. The “tip what you think the tour was worth” concept is unique and the tour focuses on highlights like the stunning Hallgrímskirkja church, historic buildings and the city’s colorful neighborhoods. The guided tours introduce visitors to the stories of one of Europe’s most unique countries.
Whale watching tours provide another interesting experience in Reykjavik. Departing from Reykjavik Harbor, the tours not only search for whales but also keep an eye out for puffins and other migratory birds that visit Iceland seasonally.
Day 2: Drive the Golden Circle
Depart Reykjavik on Day Two of your self drive road trip to experience the natural wonders of the Golden Circle. The first stop, Thingvellir National Park harbors history and the marvels of nature within its boundaries. The park sits in a rift valley where the tectonic plates of North America and Europe meet.
Another must-see along the Golden Circle, the geyser geothermal area houses several geysers including Strokkur – Iceland’s most visited active geyser. Walk alongside the geysers and feel the steam as it erupts. Or stretch your legs on the hiking trail for a view overlooking the geothermal area.
Another must-see, Gullfoss Waterfall – which translates as Golden Falls – is one of Iceland’s most beloved waterfalls. Gullfoss is fed by the waters of Hvítá River that travel from the glacier Langjökull, before cascading 105 feet down the Gullfoss Waterfall’s two dramatic stages.
Continue Along the Ring Road
Next up on the Golden Circle, a stop at South Iceland’s Kerid Crater seems almost otherworldly. This volcanic lake with deep blue-green water surrounded by red rock and lush mossy vegetation formed over 6500 years ago after an eruption. Allow yourself enough time to explore the hiking trails the circle the rim of Kerid Crater. Or venture down the hiking trails to the waters of the Kerid Crater for another perspective.
Continue east along the Ring Road on a two-hour drive to Vik. Of course those two hours may become three with all the sightseeing possibilities along the south coast of Iceland. Highlights include the Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, Reynisfjara black sand beach and the Fjadrargljufur Canyon.
Overnight near Skaftafell nature reserve and get ready for the next day’s big adventures.
Day 3: Experience Black Sand Beaches and an Ice Cave Tour
Day Three unveils a full day of adventure. Start with a walk along one of Iceland’s most striking black sand beaches. Framed by dramatic basalt columns, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is a must-see. As you make your way along your Ring Road itinerary to Vik, take the turn off to Dyrhólaey to view the spectacular arch in the sea. During nesting season it’s possible to spot puffins and other bird life here. A 19 minute drive east from here leads to the lovely village of Vik.
For an experience off the typical tourist track, book an Ice Cave Tour with Southcoast Adventure . The experience begins with a pick up location in central Vik and a drive through ancient lava fields. You’ll then strap on some crampons for a short glacier hike on the mighty Myrdalsjokull glacier and into the ice cave. Plentiful shops, restaurants and lodging options make Vik an ideal place to overnight before continuing on your Ring Road itinerary.
Day 4: Waterfalls, a Glacier Lagoon and Europe’s Largest Glacier
As you continue east on the Ring Road, a drive time of under two hours brings you to Svartifoss waterfall – another gorgeous must-see waterfall framed by black basalt columns. Continue east to reach the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon where massive icebergs can be seen floating in the lagoon. For an up close view of the floating icebergs, consider taking a glacier lagoon boat tour. Be sure to allow enough time to see nearby Diamond Beach as you follow the road to the breathtaking east fjords. Overnight in a hotel or guesthouse in Höfn and rest up for the next day. From Höfn you’ll have a clear view of the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull.
Day 5: Driving and Sightseeing on the Ring Road
Today you’ll continue your Ring Road itinerary driving north to Lake Myvatn. Detour onto Iceland Road 864 for an additional drive time of about an hour to capture spectacular photos of the Dettifoss waterfall.
When you reach Lake Myvatn, more geothermal areas await exploration at Hverir and Kfafla. A must-see, Godafoss waterfall, located in the river Skjálfandafljót in north Iceland, falls from a height of 39 feet and has a width spanning 98 feet. Hiking trails provide an ideal way to see more of this region considered part of the Diamond Circle for sightseeing.
Continue traveling on Ring Road another 45 miles to overnight in Akureyri, the largest city outside of the greater Reykjavik area. Akureyri is a renowned cultural center with many galleries and museums. It’s also home to the world’s northernmost botanical gardens.
Day 6: Travel the Iceland Ring Road to Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Driving in Iceland is an adventure in itself and today’s 230-mile drive from Akureyri to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula proves my point. Drive time typically runs about 4 hours and 30 minutes without stops. But the jaw-dropping vistas along the way beckon you to stop and take photos. A couple of not to be missed sights along the way are Hvítserkur and Kolugljúfur Canyon.
Visible from the impressive black sand beach at Húnaflói Bay, Hvítserkur is a distinctive rock formation often referred to as the Troll of Northwest Iceland. The 49 ft tall basalt sea stack features two unusual holes at its base and creates a silhouette often likened to a dragon drinking from the sea.
A short detour off of Ring Road, the breathtaking Kolugljúfur Canyon and Kolufossar waterfalls make an ideal stop to stretch your legs and take in these beautiful wonders of nature. It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the canyon which is accessed by a footbridge.
As you continue to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, you’ll leave the Ring Road behind to take route 54 at Borgarnes. Overnight nearby to rest up for a full day of adventure on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
Day 7: Exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
While day tours are available from Reykjavik, Snaefellsnes Peninsula deserves a nearby overnight stay to allow a full day to explore this gorgeous peninsula. Home to Kirkjufell – the country’s most photographed mountain – the landscapes leave you breathless. Just steps from Kirkjufell the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls add to the serenity of this place.
A counter-clockwise drive along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula leads you through picturesque fishing villages, miles of lava fields, a volcanic crater and new discoveries at every turn. The peninsula is home to Snaefellsjokull National Park – a park filled with all the geological wonders Iceland offers along with intriguing human history. You’ll find black sand beaches, picturesque churches, soaring cliffs, volcanic craters and miles of lava fields.
When your explorations conclude, an hour’s drive time along Iceland’s west coast leads you back to Reykjavik.
Best Time to Visit Iceland
Deciding when to visit Iceland presents a few choices. If your focus is chasing the Northern Lights, visiting in the aurora season that runs from October until April gives you the best chance. Of course, mid-winter guarantees dark skies for hours, increasing opportunities to view the elusive Northern Lights. But, the downside to a winter visit is limited daylight. So if you want to cover as much of Iceland’s awe-inspiring landscapes in seven days, you may need a season with more light.
Also, for those hoping to self drive on a road trip along the entire Ring Road, winter often means unsafe road conditions due to heavy snow and ice in some areas. For a winter visit, consider guided day trips from areas along the south coast of Iceland.
In summer months, the Northern Lights aren’t visible. But, the midnight sun extends your day giving you more time to explore each destination you visit. If there’s a downside to spending the mild summer months (mosquito free by the way) in Iceland, it’s the crowds. You know that Golden Circle you want to see? Everyone else wants to see it too. That means bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Personally, I prefer the shoulder season. And on our recent visit to Iceland, we arrived in mid-April for a week exploring this magnificent country minus the crowds. It’s early for bird and whale watching, but not impossible to catch a glimpse of some of the early arriving puffins and whales on a boat tour. Lingering Northern Lights are also possible on a clear night in April. Autumn presents another viable option for a crowd-free Iceland road trip.
What to Know Before You Go
Most travelers who visit Iceland arrive at Keflavik Airport. Located 50 kilometers outside the capital city of Reykjavik, Keflavik Airport is a relatively small airport compared to some of our mega-sized airports in the US. It’s also easy to navigate and rental car counters are located inside the airport.
Unless you plan to use a tour company for guided day trips, a rental car is the best way to really explore this magnificent place. Always up for a self drive road trip, we reserved a rental car in advance of our arrival. Small vehicles make the most sense on the narrow-ish roads throughout Iceland, but if you’re venturing outside Reykjavik in search of secret lagoons, lava fields and black sand beaches, it’s best to rent a small SUV with 4-wheel drive. Some roads are unpaved and road conditions are unpredictable so that extra power comes in handy.
Although I don’t typically use the extra insurance offered for rental cars, Iceland’s extreme wind and unpredictable weather warranted the need for rental car insurance just for peace of mind.
Camper vans provide another option for intrepid travelers up for a rugged adventure. Campgrounds throughout Iceland offer various types of hook-ups and facilities.
Packing for Iceland
Your packing needs for Iceland vary greatly depending on whether you visit in the winter or summer months or the shoulder season I chose. One thing remains the same – you need layers! You also need a waterproof rain jacket. And, of course, pack a swimsuit for soaking in the country’s hot springs. You’ll find more information to aid in planning your packing list here .
- Expeditions
- Complimentary Brochures
- Reykjavík to London (Greenwich)
- London (Greenwich) to Reykjavík
British Isles & Iceland Explorer
- From $15,698
- 20 Guided Tours
- 8 Countries
- Dates & Pricing
- 2024 2025 2026
- Reykjavík to London (Greenwich) London (Greenwich) to Reykjavík
British Isles & Iceland Explorer Map
Remote outposts & maritime gems
Follow in the footsteps of Viking explorers as you journey to the majestic shores of Iceland. Witness unparalleled beauty amid breathtaking volcanic landscapes and encounter centuries-old traditions of the Faroe Islands. Cross the Norwegian Sea and explore Norway’s thriving coastal towns. Discover the legendary Scottish Highlands, immerse yourself in the Celtic customs of Ireland and be captivated by the bustling maritime charms of Liverpool and Greenwich.
SPRING SALE
Viking Inclusive Value
Pricing that covers everything guests need—and nothing they do not.
To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.
Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.
More features, services and excursions included
One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
Port taxes & fees
Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
Visits to UNESCO Sites
Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
Complimentary access to The Nordic Spa & Fitness Center.
Self-service launderettes
Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge
24-hour room service
Your Stateroom Includes:
King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linen
42" flat-screen LCD TV with intuitive remote & complimentary Movies On Demand
Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
Premium Freyja® toiletries
Direct-dial satellite phone & cell service
Security safe
110/220 volt outlets
Ample USB ports
Pre & Post Cruise Extensions
More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities. Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.
Pre: Greenland: Arctic Landscapes & Seascapes
From $4,999 | 3 Nights
Pre: Reykjavík
From $999 | 2 Nights
Post: Great Homes, Gardens & Gin
From $1,999 | 4 Nights
Post: London
From $1,299 | 2 Nights
Post: Churchill's Britain
From $3,799 | 5 Nights
Post: Best of London
On this itinerary, your Viking Resident Historian is delivering the following iconic lectures:
- - Iceland - Land of Fire & Ice
- - The Hanseatic League
- - The Vikings
- - Vikings on the Move
- - History of Britain
- - The Bayeux Tapestry
Viking Resident Historian
As part of our onboard cultural enrichment program and commitment to destination-focused learning, our Viking Resident Historian faculty provides guests with lectures and roundtable discussions on the arts, architecture, music and culture of upcoming ports and various aspects of world history.
Sign up to receive updates from Viking
Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.
Company Information
- Order a Brochure
- Special Offers
- Sweepstakes
- Travel Advisors
- Media Center
- Health & Safety Program
- Privacy Policy
- Cookie Policy
- Manage Cookies
Viking River Cruises
- Mississippi
Viking Ocean Cruises
- Scandinavia
- British Isles & Ireland
- North America
- Caribbean & Central America
- South America
- Mediterranean
- Quiet Season Mediterranean
- Australia & New Zealand
- World Cruises
- Grand Journeys
Viking Expeditions
- Great Lakes
- Longitudinal World Cruises
Natural Sciences and Mathematics
An exclusive experience
Embark on a 7-day, 6-night adventure in Iceland from September 7-13, 2024, delving into the breathtaking landscapes and geological wonders. This boutique trip, exclusive to friends and alumni of the UTD School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, promises unforgettable sightseeing.
Want to get a spot?
We have a large waiting list and only 20 spots available. Please fill out the interest form by April 1, 2024 to be considered to attend this trip. Please do not make any flight arrangements at this time.
- September 6: Arrive in Reykjavík by this date, the day before the excursion begins.
- September 7: Trip to Blue Lagoon. Overnight at Hotel A in Borgarnes.
- September 8: Snaefellsnes Peninsula sights and Vatnshellir Lava Cave tour. Overnight at Hotel A in Borgarnes.
- September 9: Golden Circle sights. Overnight at Blue Hotel.
- September 10: South Coast sights. Overnight at Hotel Laki.
- September 11: Skaftafell, glacier lagoons, and Diamond Beach. Amphibian boat tour at Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon. Overnight at Hotel Laki.
- September 12: Back along the South Coast, Hellisheiei Geothermal Plant, Reykjavik sights. Overnight at Skuggi Hotel Reykjavík.
- September 13: Inside the Volcano tour (optional add-on), Reykjanes Peninsula sights. Departure day.
Below is the estimated price per person. The final amount is subject to change and does not include the cost of flights or most meals.
$3,150 (double room; single room supplement will be determined once we know more traveler details) + optional $457 – $650 for volcano tour
- 7 nights of accommodation at selected hotels with private bathrooms and breakfast.
- Private driver and guide for 8 days with airport pickup and drop-off.
- 24-hour emergency contact person in Iceland.
- Entrance fees to various attractions, including the Hellisheiei Geothermal Plant and Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon.
- Vatnshellir Lava Cave tour.
- Blue Lagoon comfort admission with towels.
Does not include:
- All airfares, departure taxes and fuel surcharges. Icelandair is a leading airline offering flights to and from Iceland, and an option for cross-Atlantic flights.
- Airport transfers/transportation to and from Keflavik airport.
- Personal items and meals unless listed in itinerary.
- Please click here for information on purchasing alcohol at duty-free and importing it into the country.
- Optional activities, museums, entrance fees, etc.
- Passport fees. Passports must be valid for three months beyond your planned date of departure from Iceland.
All about Iceland
Iceland covers an area of 103,000 km 2 , approximately 20% larger than Ireland. Its highest point, Öræfajökull volcano, rises to 2,119 meters, while the bottom of Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon is about 250 meters below sea level.
Iceland enjoys a temperate maritime climate, with mild winters and cool, wet summers. The convergence of ocean currents fosters a rich marine ecosystem, supporting diverse wildlife such as puffins and humpback whales.
Situated at the boundary of the North American and Eurasian plates, Iceland is a hotbed of geologic activity. Its unique position allows for the exposure of spreading center plate boundaries and mid-ocean ridges on land.
Iceland experiences frequent volcanic eruptions, with an average of one eruption every five years. Major volcanic systems dot the landscape, contributing to the island’s dynamic geology.
Glaciers have played a significant role in shaping Iceland’s terrain. Currently, 11% of Iceland’s surface area is covered in glacial ice, with Vatnajökull being the largest glacier in Europe.
The island’s geologic record spans millions of years, showcasing ancient basalts, fossil-bearing sediments, and evidence of past glacial episodes. Iceland’s landscape reflects a history of erosion, volcanism, and climate change.
Iceland’s nutrient-rich waters support a thriving marine ecosystem, attracting seabirds, whales, and sustaining a vital fishing industry.
Iceland’s volcanic eruptions have had profound historical impacts, such as the devastating Laki eruptions of 1783-1784, which led to widespread famine and societal unrest across Europe.
Climate change is causing Iceland’s glaciers to retreat at an increasing rate, leading to land rebound, formation of glacial lakes, and potential impacts on volcanic activity.
Iceland’s terrain is marked by rugged mountains, lava fields, geothermal areas, and stunning natural wonders like waterfalls and geysers, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
- Skip to right header navigation
- Skip to main content
- Skip to secondary navigation
- Skip to primary sidebar
Learn how to easily plan your dream trip to Iceland with helpful guides and tips!
The Ultimate Reykjavik Itinerary: 1, 2, and 3 Day Options
March 21, 2022 // by Iceland Trippers // Leave a Comment
Are you looking for options for your Reykjavik itinerary? Whether visiting for 1, 2, 3 or an extended weekend or weeklong trip we have a list of the best things to do in Reykjavik!
Planning your trip to Reykjavik last minute?
Make sure to book ahead! Hotels and tours often sell out the closer you get to your trip. Here are our top picks for Reykjavik!
Top Experiences And Tours In Reykjavik:
- Golden Circle Full-Day Tour From Reykjavik (Likely To Sell Out!)
- Northern Lights Bus Tour (Go with a local guide)
- Whale Watching & Marine Life Cruise (Often sells out!)
- Keflavik > Reykjavik Bus Airport Transfer (Skip the line!)
- South Of Iceland Full Day Trip (Our pick!)
Top Hotels In Reykjavik:
- 201 Hotel (Highly rated!)
- Reykjavik Residence Apartment Hotel (Includes a kitchen)
- Center Hotels Plaza (Central location in Old Town)
- R13-A Townhouse Hotel (Great for families!)
For this guide you will use the Reykjavik itineraries as building blocks, you will complete all of day one and then on your second day add on, and so on! We have you covered whether traveling with a rental car or by booking tours to see the sights!
Whether you’re looking to connect with Viking culture, venture to see majestic landscapes and natural wonders to its vibrant cultural scene, thriving nightlife, world-class restaurants , or visiting art galleries, museums, shops, the Icelandic capital is the perfect home base for exploring! We have curated the perfect itinerary no matter the length of your trip!
Ultimate 1 Day in Reykjavik Itinerary
If visiting Iceland from the United States, most flights will land early in the morning! Or if arriving from Europe or another destination we recommend booking a morning flight to maximize your first day!
We have a day packed full of activities on your first day in Iceland! And have even put together a list of prices so you can budget for your trip ! You will for sure sleep well after exploring Reykjavik in one day! Not to worry if you are only here for a long layover or day trip, we have the perfect action-packed one-day Iceland Itinerary for you.
Whether you are renting a car or looking check our post on how to get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik. For those spending more than one day in Reykjavik check our list of the best things to do in Reykjavik!
Book Here: Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavik transportation
Stop 1: Blue Lagoon
What better way to relax after a long flight than a visit to the Blue Lagoon hot springs ! It is one of the 25 wonders of the world, and one of the must visits on your one day in Reykjavik! You must book your visit online – during peak season book as soon as you know your trip dates.
The walk into the Blue lagoon is stunning with a paved path between volcanic rocks and the glacier stream, bringing you to the Lagoon! There are several options, just a visit to the Blue Lagoon but even booking the most inexpensive you can get a free silica face mask mud from the swim-up bar!
Spend an hour or two if your morning here relaxing at one of the most famous Icelandic geothermal spa. Not to worry the water stays at a constant temp and even during winter the water is warm!
You can either rent a car at the airport or you can take the Blue Lagoon bus from the airport to the Blue Lagoon and then into Reykjavik! Check out our complete guide to the Blue Lagoon !
For those on just a layover, why not book a tour to the Blue Lagoon.
Book Here: Blue Lagoon Tour from KEF Airport
Stop 2: Exploring Downtown
The downtown area is your next stop. After checking into your hotel or Airbnb head to one of the oldest streets in Iceland, Laugavegur Street. For a bite to eat at the numerous restaurants and bars. Or stroll along and visit the shop and boutiques. You can even start your Reykjavik city tour itinerary here and save the Blue Lagoon for evening time.
Be on the lookout for street art as it is all over the city, and a great free way to learn about the culture. Next, head to the park and square to have a picnic or just watch people. You can visit the Reykjavik Cathedral or the Parliament as you spend a leisurely day exploring downtown Iceland on foot.
Better yet take a tour that explains the history and take the guesswork out of what to do! Tours range from free ( please tip!) to more specialized food or history tours. A great option for those visiting Reykjavik in one day for the first time.
Book Here : Reykjavik: Sightseeing Walking Tour with a Viking
Stop 3: Hallgrímskirkja
Is one of the most famous sites in Reykjavik as it is the tallest church in Iceland. Best known for its pipe organ, which is almost 50 feet high the church took over 40 years to build. A statue of Leif Erickson is also on the property. The church is free to visit but please know it has regular religious services.
Every visitor needs a view of the entire city on your Reykjavik Itinerary! Make sure to head to the observation deck for that view. The admission for the observation deck is under $10- and an elevator that takes you to the top.
Stop 4: Museums
There are several museums to choose from if looking for things to do in Reykjavik depending on age and interests for your Reykjavik Itinerary.
A visit to the National Museum will give visitors the history of Iceland from the Viking exploration to modern-day history. Explore artifacts, exhibits, artwork, and more. Open daily 10 am to 5 pm and costs $20 to enter for adults and is free for those under 18!
If looking for something a little more interesting on your Reykjavik city tour itinerary why not visit the Icelandic Phallological Museum (Penis Museum)! Here you will see over 200 phallic specimens from mammals in Iceland. Admission is $20 to enter.
Stop 5: Harpa Concert Hall
Next stroll along the harbor, we recommend this stop as part of your evening stroll. You will reach Harpa Concert Hall, an architecturally stunning multicolored glass building that lights up nightly.
Opened in 2011 the Icelandic opera is performed here as well as various other shows and events. Visitors who can’t catch an event will still be awarded with vistas of the mountains and the water.
Stop 6: Sun Voyager
Finish your night by walking along the water until you reach Sun Voyager. As you walk along the ocean towards the beach you will find the Sculptures walk.
The Sun Voyager is a steel sculpture that is reminiscent of a Viking ship and the Viking heritage in Iceland. Made by Icelandic sculptor Jon Gunnar Arnason. The backdrop of the sculpture is against Mt. Esja, did those visiting during summer it is perfect for a late evening stroll with plenty of daylight.
With 2 days in Reykjavik
For those looking to build an Itinerary for 2 days in Reykjavik, we have you covered, with another full day of exploring Iceland. You will complete all of the day one itinerary and use day two as an add-on list of things to do. This is perfect for those spending a weekend in Reykjavik and want to explore outside of the downtown area. From a spa visit, National Park, whale watching, and Northern lights you are sure to see it all!
Stop 1: New Sky Lagoon
After spending all of yesterday exploring downtown Reykjavik, what better way to reset than a visit to another geothermal spa. Located just 15 minutes from the city center, New Sky Lagoon opened in 2021 and became the go-to for rest and relaxation.
Visits start at $50, but we suggest splurging for the 7-step ritual! Start with the relaxing geothermal lagoon, followed by glacier cold pool, saunas, cold mist, scrub, steam, and end with a shower.
After being thoroughly relaxed, you can enjoy a bit to eat in the cafe or head to the next stop.
Stop 2: Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir National park is a must for those wanting to explore more than downtown Reykjavik in 2 days! It is just a 45-minute drive from downtown and is a very popular destination for those looking to experience the natural beauty of Iceland.
For those who did not rent a car, there are plenty of tours you can book to visit here. It is worth noting that the National Park is free to visit but there is a small parking fee.
Stop in the visitors center to learn about the National Park , at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Warm-up with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and snack, shop for souvenirs, and grab a map of the park! It is also one of the Game Of Thrones Filming Locations !
Now it is time to explore the National Park. We think one of the coolest things to do in Thingvellir National Park is to walk between the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasian that meet here! Snap a photo of yourself straddling the divide. Or for the adventurous traveler and scuba certified you can snorkel or scuba diving the Silfra Fissure .
Finally, visit the first waterfall on our Rekjavik itinerary! The Oxarafoss waterfall is really easy to get to from one of the car parks in the park. It is an easy 10-minute walk. An added bonus is the Thingvellir Church. Not only one of the prettiest churches in Iceland but also one of the oldest.
Stop 3: Whale Watching Tour
For those looking to stay in town and looking for what to do in Reykjavik take a Whale watching tour from the harbor. The whale watching season in Iceland spans from May-September, with June, July, and August being the peak months.
From the harbor, your will board a boat for your 3-hour tour on the Atlantic Ocean. Guests will be on the lookout for whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
The tour operator guarantees, if you don’t see a whale, you will be booked on the next trip for free! We have put together a complete guide with all our tips for whale watching in Iceland!
Book Here: From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour
Stop 4: Northern Lights
Every traveler dreams of seeing the Northern Lights on their trip to Iceland! We had to put this as the last stop on your Reykjavik Itinerary!! One of the best ways to see the northern lights is on a tour. But, if that is not in the budget, not to worry we have put together a guide of where to see the Northern Lights near Reykjavik!
We have chosen two options for those looking for tours to take the guesswork out of finding the lights. The first is aboard a luxury yacht from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor . Over 2 hours you will sail along with the small islands in Faxafloi Bay and along the coast away from the lights of Reykjavik.
The second option is a Northern Lights Bus tour . This four-hour tour departs at 8:30 or 9:30 pm depending on the season. The tour guide will give you fascinating facts along the drive away from the city lights, as you chase down the Northern Lights during the winter months. The guesswork is taken out of finding the best spot to get a stunning view of the sky! This tour includes a complimentary ticket to visit the Northern Lights museum in Reykjavik.
Book: Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik
Book : Reykjavik: Northern Lights Luxury Yacht Tour
3 days in Reykjavik itinerary
For those with 3 days in Reykjavik, we highly recommend getting outside the city! Having an extra day is perfect for taking a Golden Circle tour or a South Coast tour! You can choose from either a full-day tour or a half-day tour.
Stop 1: Golden Circle
For those who rented a car, we have but together a guide with all the tips for exploring the Golden Circle. This iconic 190-mile route brings you through some of the most spectacular landscapes and adventures. We consider it to be one of the best road trips in Europe and a great option for exploring outside of Reykjavik in 3 days!
From the powerful eruptions of the Strokkur geyser, the Bruarfoss Waterfall and Gullfoss (Golden) Waterfall, Kerid Crater, to the geothermally heated waters of Hrunalaug, to hiking the Reykjadalur hot springs there are so many sites to explore.
Not to worry if you didn’t rent a car! We have put together a list of the best tours worth your hard-earned money! Relax on a bus and let a guide take you to all the popular stops. Most of the tours leave from Reykjavik and you can often get picked up from your hotel.
Pick from an existing Golden Circle & Ice Cave Super Jeep Tour where you will visit the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall, and adventure off the beaten track to the ice cave in Langjokull glacier. You can even add on a snowmobile ride on the glacier!
The more traditional Golden Circle Full-day tour the Golden Circle full day tour takes in all the main sites of The Golden Circle for over 6 hours. You will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Thingvellir, the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall, and visit two geothermal geysers, Geysir and Strokkur.
Book Now: Golden Circle & Ice Cave Super Jeep Tour
Book Now: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater
Stop 2: South Coast Tour
The southern part of the country is home to some of the best stops on the Ring Road In Iceland! You will be exploring awe-inspiring waterfalls (Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Gljúfabúi) to dramatic black sand beaches (Reynisfjara Beach) the town of Vik, and all the beauty that Iceland’s nature has to offer. This is a must on any Reykjavik itinerary!
The South of Iceland Full day trip is 10 hours of exploring everything the south has to offer! Sit back and relax along the drive as your guide gives history of the area and tips for the best picture spots at each stop!
Book Here: South of Iceland Full-Day Trip
Stop 3: Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting
After exploring Iceland all day, why not book a Distillery Tour with tasting for your last stop on your 3 day Reykjavik Itinerary. What a perfect way to end your last night in Iceland, than with a tasting of Icelandic spirits. On this tour, you can sample and learn about the processes involved in creating spirits.
On the tour you will tour the distillery and get to sample Icelandic barley, Flóki Iceland’s only whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. Plus at the end of the tour you get to sample your final glass!
Book : Reykjavik: Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting
Reykjavik with 4, 5, or more days
This section is perfect for those looking to expand their Reykjavik itinerary you can check out our guide for a full 5 day Iceland Itinerary and week in Iceland. For longer trips, we highly recommend renting a car for day trips on your itinerary for Reykjavik!
Visit Snaefellsnes Peninsula with sparkling fjords, stunning glaciers, beautiful beaches, world-class landscapes, and more!, Take a longer tour of the Iceland Ring Road where Iceland’s spectacular landscape changes wildly from place to place. You can even keep Reykjavik as your home base and take day trip.
Or book a tour! Take the Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour where you will explore lava fields, waterfalls, seals, volcanic craters, and mountains. For those more adventurous travelers looking to hike on their Reykjavik itinerary, take the Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike . After departing from Reykjavík you hike to a volcanic eruption at Geldingadalur and see hot flowing lava. Finally, Skaftafell National Park: 3-Hour Glacier Hike gives travelers the opportunity to hike on Vatnajökull – Europe’s largest glacier!
Book Now: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour
Book Now: Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike
Book Now: Skaftafell National Park: 3-Hour Glacier Hike
Best restaurants for your Reykjavik itinerary
There is no shortage of amazing places to eat in Reykjavik to eat. It is worth noting the capital city is more expensive than you will find once you explore the Ring Road or Golden Circle Route. We have curated a list of the best places for breakfast , and great restaurants you must try on your Reykjavik Itinerary.
Noodle Station
One of our favorites is Noodle Station! The restaurant (while not cheap) is on the inexpensive side as far as Iceland goes.
Noddle Station is frequented by locals and visitors alike who all seek out the delicious chicken, beef, or vegetable noodle soup. Mixed into the broth are secret ingredients that come straight from a family recipe passed down from the owner’s grandmother.
You can expect noodle soup full of delightful flavors, and you’ll wish the ingredients weren’t such a well-guarded secret. With solid portion sizes and quick service, Noodle Station is the perfect stop to thaw out and warm up before continuing to explore the stops on your Reykjavik itinerary.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
You may think, why go to Iceland to eat hot dogs at an unassuming hot dog stand? The answer is that Bæjarins Betztu Pylsur serves uniquely Icelandic hot dogs and has become almost as much a tourist attraction as it is a destination for excellent Reykjavik street food. Plus, it is one of the most inexpensive places you will eat.
The little red stand has been serving up hot dogs near the Reykjavik harbor since 1937. Delighting many a local with its lamb hot dogs topped with fried onions, raw onions, ketchup, Icelandic sweet mustard, and remoulade.
Visit the one at Tryggvagata 1 in downtown Reykjavik.
Sea Baron (or Sægreifinn) is located on Reykjavik’s harbor. If you’re looking for fresh, Icelandic seafood done right, this is one of the best places to eat!
Known for their famous, mouthwatering lobster soup, Sea Baron also offers delicious fish skewers featuring all kinds of fresh fish grilled on a spear. The bonus is the delicious restaurant won’t break the bank!
Pair your meal with a beer or a free cup of coffee and you’ll have all the fuel you need to keep exploring this beautiful country.
Reykjavik Fish
The best fish and chips in Reykjavik is served at Reykjavik Fish. After a busy first day of exploring, the large portions of delicious battered cod paired with one of five different sauces will hit the spot. Cod is the only option for the fish and chips, but it’s unbelievably fresh and distinctly Icelandic!
Also served are other traditional Icelandic dishes such as arctic char, Icelandic plokkari (gratinated fish and potatoes), and fish soup. Finish your meal with a taste of one of the local beers in Iceland.
Best hotels in Reykjavik
We have put together a great list of places to stay in Reykjavik !
Affordable: Hotel Klettur
Hotel Klet tur is a nicer hotel with an affordable option. You will want to book the budget twin room to save a little money for all the tours on your Reykjavik Itinerary. The hotel staff is super friendly and will help you book tours and plan activities! Don’t forget to check out our Tips For Traveling Iceland On A Budget!
Plus continental breakfast is included each day in your room price. The hotel is located right next to the main Laugavegur shopping street and gives you easy access to great restaurants and cafes as well.
Check rates: B o oking.com
Mid-Range: Centrally Located Apartment
This centrally located apartment in the Hlíðar neighborhood is in a great location. You will be near stores and bakeries as well as the Pelan museum and walking trails. There are two beds and a futon in the living room if you need another.
When you are not out looking for the Northern Lights, you can relax with Netflix or study the giant wall map to find your next travel destination. There is plenty of storage and a full kitchen ready for cooking.
Check Rates: Vrbo.com
Mid-Range: Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Center
For those looking for a reputable chain hotel, or using points the Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Center is your best option. Just a short walk ( less than 2 minutes) to Laugavegur Shopping Street and Harpa Concert Hall, Parliament, and more.
This hotel has an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center. And features gorgeous rooms with wooden floors and a gorgeous modern bathroom. Each room comes with a full Icelandic breakfast buffet included each morning.
Check Rates: Booking.com
Luxury: Skuggi Hotel
Skuggi Hotel offers great accommodation as it is only 450 feet from Laugavegur shopping street, meaning you are close to the heart of the district! With an on-site bar, free underground parking, modern and spacious rooms, and breakfast on site this hotel also offer a bike and car hire if this is of interest to you.
You will be in the heart of the action here at one of the best luxury hotels in Reykjavik with fantastic comfortable beds! Check this place out when weighing your options of where to stay in Reykjavik!
Check rates: Booking.com
Reader Interactions
Leave a reply cancel reply.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
IMAGES
COMMENTS
Day 7: Walk on a Glacier. Day 8: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Day 9: Reykjavík. Day 10: Fly Home. #2: 10 Day Ring Road Iceland Itinerary. Day 1 & 2: Blue Lagoon, Glymur, Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Day 3: Drive to North Iceland. Day 4: Godafoss and Whale Watching. Day 5: Myvatn & Dettifoss.
Day 4 - Skaftafell & Jokulsarlon. Day 5 - The East Fjords & Egilsstadir. Day 6 - Asbyrgi. Day 10 - Reykjanes & Homecoming. Discover 10 adventure-filled summer days of authentic travel—our ultimate 10-day Iceland itinerary is sure to cater to your highest expectations. In addition to guiding you to incredible landscapes and secret natural gems ...
Rick's Best Five-Day Iceland Trip. Day 1: Arrive, pick up car, go to the Blue Lagoon, then head to the South Coast (sleep along the South Coast) Day 2: Westman Islands day trip (sleep along the South Coast) Day 3: South Coast sights, to Reykjavík (sleep in Reykjavík) Day 5: Reykjavík, or excursions — whale watching, horseback riding ...
3 Days In Iceland Itinerary. If you have three days in Iceland, the itineraries below will ensure that your trip is jam-packed with the amazing natural beauty of nature. 3 Day Iceland Itinerary Without A Car. Day 1: Reykjavik And Blue Lagoon. Day 2: The Golden Circle Or Snæfellsnes Peninsula Tour. Day 3: South Coast
Day 2: Golden Circle. From Reykjavik you're going to head to one of Iceland's most iconic road trips - the Golden Circle. There are three must-visit stops on the golden circle. These are Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park, the Geysir Hot Springs Area, and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.
Day 1: Arrive in Iceland, Visit the Blue Lagoon. Driving Distance and Time: 22 km, 20 minutes. Flights to Iceland arrive at Keflavík International Airport, which is located on the Reykjanes peninsula. Pick up your rental car at the airport. Lines can be very, very long, especially midday in the summer months.
Iceland Tips. Iceland Itinerary 7 days. Day 1: Fly Into Keflavik, Blue Lagoon and Hang Out At Reykjavik. Day 2: Explore Reykjavik. Day 3: Golden Circle. Day 4: South Iceland. Day 5: South East Iceland. Day 6: Explore Höfn and Stokksness and Drive Back To Reykjavik. Day 7: Head to The Airport.
Iceland itinerary for three days (no rental car needed) Day 1: Reykjavik city + Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon (see our recommended itinerary for a day in Reykjavik ). Day 2: Golden Circle. Day 3: South Coast. If you have three days in Iceland, you definitely should try to take a tour of the South Coast.
It contains the need to knows, things you probably didn't think about, and everything else in between that'll make your trip kickass. Getting Started. 8 Day Iceland Itinerary. Day 1 - Black and Blue. Day 2 - Exploring Reykjavik + Buubble. Day 3 - Golden Circle. Day 4 - Snaefellsnes Surprise.
Find out the best time to visit Iceland for your personal travel needs. Iceland 7-Day Itinerary Map. Here is a map of the general route for 7 days in Iceland (starting and ending in Reykjavík): A note about this itinerary: This Iceland itinerary is based on a 7 day/6 night trip. The itinerary covers many highlights of the southern part of ...
10 Day Ring Road Itinerary. Day 1: Arrive in Iceland, visit the Blue Lagoon Day 2: Snaefellsnes Peninsula Day 3: North Iceland Day 4: Godafoss and Whale Watching Day 5: Mývatn, Dettifoss & Selfoss Day 6: East Iceland Day 7: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Glacier Walk Day 8: South Coast Highlights Day 9: Golden Circle Day 10: Fly home. The ...
Mulagljufur Canyon is one of Iceland's lesser-known canyons along the South Coast, but it is certainly a gem to see during your 4 days in Iceland! Once you reach the gravel parking area you'll hike along a moderately difficult trail for roughly 1.5 miles to reach the canyon. Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots.
From Reykjavík: 4, 5, 6 or 7-Day Small-Group Ring Road Tour Iceland: 3-Day Golden Circle, South Coast, & Glacier Tour Reykjavik: 4-Day South Coast, Golden Circle, and Snæfellsnes Iceland 6-Day Ring Road Adventure. Now you have reached the end of your amazing itinerary for Iceland for 5 days.
7 Days in Iceland | The Perfect Iceland Road Trip. Day 1 - Keflavik, Blue Lagoon & Reykjavik. Day 2 - Wander the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Day 3 - The Golden Circle. Day 4 - Explore the South of Iceland. Day 5 - Drive South East of Iceland. Day 6 - Höfn and Stokksness & Head Back to Reykjavik. Day 7 - Reykjavik or Reykjanes Peninsula.
Day 2 of the Iceland 6-Day Itinerary. The second day on your Iceland 6-day itinerary explores one of the largest ice caps in Europe! Vatnajökull National Park is huge, offering many things to do with something for everyone! I highly recommend going on a tour to explore the glacier.
If you absolutely want to see 'everything' in Iceland in one week, then you could use this alternative 7-day Iceland Ring Road itinerary: Day 1: Arrival, Blue Lagoon/Sky Lagoon, Reykjavik. Day 2: South Coast to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Day 3: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the Eastfjords. Day 4: Lake Myvatn area.
Stokksnes peninsula can't be missed on this 7 day Iceland itinerary. The peninsula is famous for the Vestrahorn mountains, one of the most beautiful mountain range in Iceland. With cool steep mountain cliffs, 454 meters (1490 ft) tall peaks, and black sand beaches, it's an impressive area.
This is followed by an more detailed daily itinerary with places to go, driving times, advice on where to stay, and links to articles that have even more information. Day 1: Arrive in Iceland, visit the Blue Lagoon. Day 2: Glymur waterfall and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Day 3: Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Akureyri.
EXPERIENCE ICELAND'S HIGHLIGHTS IN 7 DAYS. You can see and do a lot with a 7-day itinerary in Iceland. One option is to drive around the Ring Road on an express full circle tour. Alternatively, you could easily explore the many wonders of South or West Iceland in 7 days. Choose between a self-drive adventure , activity-filled city break, guided ...
AND GOOD NEWS: This may in fact be the easiest trip you ever plan, since all you really need to do is book a few tours (links below), airfare, and hotels, and your one week Iceland itinerary is basically complete. General Tips for Visiting Iceland: 1) Iceland is very credit card friendly. If you're going to exchange money, do as little as ...
Day 1: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour (8.5 Hours) This trip is one of the bestselling guided tours in Iceland! This tour mimics day 1 of my self-drive 3 days in Iceland itinerary. This 8.5-hour Golden Circle Full-Day Guided Trip will bring you to Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss, and the Kerid Crater.
This is our recommended 10-day itinerary for Iceland's Ring Road: Day 1: Arrival, Blue Lagoon & Reykjavik. Driving distance/ time: 70 km (45 miles), 1 hour. Upon arrival at Keflavik airport, pick up your rental car.We recommend checking this website for the best car rental deals.You don't need a 4×4 for this Ring Road trip, but a 4WD is always a good idea in Iceland, especially if you are ...
The writer was hosted. Get ready for an exciting adventure through the land of fire and ice with a carefully crafted 7-day Iceland itinerary along the famous Ring Road. From the dramatic ...
Follow in the footsteps of Viking explorers as you journey to the majestic shores of Iceland. Witness unparalleled beauty amid breathtaking volcanic landscapes and encounter centuries-old traditions of the Faroe Islands. Cross the Norwegian Sea and explore Norway's thriving coastal towns. Discover the legendary Scottish Highlands, immerse yourself in the Celtic customs of Ireland and be ...
An exclusive experience Embark on a 7-day, 6-night adventure in Iceland from September 7-13, 2024, delving into the breathtaking landscapes and geological wonders. This boutique trip, exclusive to friends and alumni of the UTD School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, promises unforgettable sightseeing. Want to get a spot? We have a large waiting list and […]
The guesswork is taken out of finding the best spot to get a stunning view of the sky! This tour includes a complimentary ticket to visit the Northern Lights museum in Reykjavik. Book: Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik. Book : Reykjavik: Northern Lights Luxury Yacht Tour. 3 days in Reykjavik itinerary