Itinerary
- Day 1
Keflavik to Reykjavik
You'll arrive at Keflavik Airport and pick up your rental car for the drive to your hotel. The Reykjanes Peninsula is right there if you want to explore it, which features volcanic geology and lava cliffs along the Mid-Atlantic ridge. The Blue Lagoon's turquoise water is an option (you'll need to book ahead), or check out the colorful mud pools and steam vents at Gunnuhver. It's really your call on how much you want to do after travel.
Optional Activities
- Explore Reykjanes Peninsula
- Walk on bridge dividing Europe and North America
- View colorful mud pools and steam vents at Gunnuhver
- Relax in Blue Lagoon (must be booked in advance)
Landmarks/POIs Keflavik International Airport Reykjanes Peninsula Blue Lagoon Gunnuhver - Day 2
Golden Circle to Vik
Start with the Golden Circle region at Thingvellir National Park where you can see the continental plates and walk historical trails. From there you'll head to Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir geothermal field to see Strokkur geyser shoot off. After that, drive along the south shore to see Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, then continue to the black sand beaches near Vik and Myrdalsjokull glacier. Snowmobiling or ATV tours are available if interested, and you might spot puffins at Dyrholaey during May through early August.
Optional Activities
- Walking trails at Thingvellir National Park
- Hiking trails at Thingvellir National Park
- Visit Gullfoss waterfall
- Explore Geysir geothermal field and Strokkur geyser
- View Skogafoss waterfall
- View Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Explore black sand beaches around Vik
- Visit Myrdalsjokull glacier area
- Snowmobiling tour
- ATV tour
- Visit Dyrholaey for birdwatching and puffin viewing
Landmarks/POIs Thingvellir National Park Gullfoss Geysir Strokkur Skogafoss Seljalandsfoss Myrdalsjokull Dyrholaey - Day 3
Vik to Hofn
Drive through the Eldhraun lava field left behind from a volcanic eruption, then pass through Kirkjubaejarklaustur where a medieval convent once stood. You'll cross black sand plains before reaching Skaftafell, a green area below Vatnajokull glacier in the national park. Stop at Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon (you might recognize it from movies) and walk on Diamond Beach nearby where photographers love to shoot. End in Hofn, which is known for lobster.
Optional Activities
- Explore Eldhraun lava field
- Visit Kirkjubaejarklaustur
- Explore Skaftafell
- Visit Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon
- Photograph at Diamond Beach
- Dine on langoustines in Hofn
Landmarks/POIs Eldhraun Kirkjubaejarklaustur Skaftafell Vatnajokull National Park Vatnajokull Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon Diamond Beach - Day 4
Hofn to Eastfjords
Head along the Eastfjords coastline, which has been shaped by glaciers over time. Each fjord has fishing villages and natural harbors worth checking out. You can stop in Djupivogur to see seabird egg sculptures, visit Petra's Stone Collection in Stodvarfjordur (open in summer months), or try the Beljandi microbrewery in Breiddalsvik to connect with local culture. The Vok geothermal area near Egilsstadir has floating pools if you want to relax.
Optional Activities
- View seabird egg sculptures in Djupivogur
- Visit Petra's Stone Collection in Stodvarfjordur (summer months)
- Visit Beljandi microbrewery in Breiddalsvik
- Relax in floating pools at Vok geothermal area
Landmarks/POIs Eastfjords Djupivogur Stodvarfjordur Breiddalsvik Vok geothermal area Egilsstadir - Day 5
Eastfjords to Lake Myvatn
Travel north to Vatnajokull National Park and cross the Modrudalsoraefi highlands past the historical Modrudalsoraefi farm. You'll reach Dettifoss waterfall, which is Europe's most powerful, and see the unusual landscape around it. From there, walk around Asbyrgi canyon carved by the Jokulsar river with great viewing areas. Drive to the Tjornes Peninsula (fossil-rich area) to reach Husavik, Iceland's whale watching hub. The Eurovision museum and GeoSea Baths are there if you're interested, and optional whale tours can be arranged before heading to Lake Myvatn.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Icelandic style breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Visit Dettifoss waterfall
- Explore canyon areas carved by Jokulsar river
- Walk trails at Asbyrgi canyon
- Whale watching tour from Husavik
- Visit Eurovision museum in Husavik
- Swim at Husavik's GeoSea Baths
Landmarks/POIs Modrudalsoraefi Dettifoss Jokulsar river Asbyrgi Tjornes Peninsula Husavik Lake Myvatn - Day 6
Lake Myvatn to Akureyri
Start at Lake Myvatn exploring the volcanic formations at Dimmuborgir, pseudo craters at Skutustadir, and the colorful slopes of Namaskard with sulfur activity. Hverfjall volcanic crater is worth a visit, or spend time at Myvatn Nature Baths which has natural steam baths and saunas. Continue to Godafoss, a half-circle waterfall with Viking connections, then drive into Akureyri, North Iceland's main town. Forest baths at nearby Skogarbod offer views of flat-topped mountains and the Eyjafjordur fjord if you want an extra activity.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Icelandic style breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Explore Dimmuborgir volcanic formations
- Visit pseudo craters at Skutustadir
- See colorful sulfurous slopes of Namaskard
- Visit Hverfjall volcanic crater
- Relax at Myvatn Nature Baths
- Visit Godafoss waterfall
- Visit Skogarbod (Forest Baths) near Akureyri
Landmarks/POIs Lake Myvatn Dimmuborgir Skutustadir Namaskard Hverfjall Myvatn Nature Baths Godafoss Akureyri Skogarbod (Forest Baths) Eyjafjordur - Day 7
Akureyri to Reykjavik
Drive through Skagafjordur, known for horse breeding, and visit the Glaumbaer farmstead to see traditional turf house architecture and a museum about Icelandic history. Cross the Holtavorduheidi plateau into Borgarfjordur to see Hraunfossar lava falls and Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot springs. Krauma geothermal spa nearby uses water from those springs. Head back to Reykjavik through scenic Hvalfjordur. If you have a 4WD vehicle and visit mid-June through early September, an alternative highland route via Kjolur road is available.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Icelandic style breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Visit Glaumbaer old farmstead
- Explore Hraunfossar lava falls
- Visit Deildartunguhver hot springs
- Visit Krauma geothermal spa
- Take alternative Kjolur highland route (mid-June to early September with 4WD)
Landmarks/POIs Skagafjordur Glaumbaer Holtavorduheidi Borgarfjordur Hraunfossar Deildartunguhver Krauma Hvalfjordur Kjolur Hveravellir - Day 8
Reykjavik to Keflavik
Plan to depart your hotel 3 hours before your flight to Keflavik International Airport, which takes about 1 hour to drive. Check-in opens 2 hours before departure. If you haven't been to the Blue Lagoon yet, you can stop there on the way (add 2-2.5 hours). Return your rental car at the airport service area (2 minutes from the terminal), then take the shuttle to departures.
Optional Activities
- Visit Blue Lagoon en route to airport (if not visited on Day 1)
Landmarks/POIs Keflavik International Airport Blue Lagoon
