Itinerary
- Day 1
Reykjavík
You'll arrive in Iceland and collect your rental car, then drive to your accommodation. Once you've settled in, there's time to walk around Reykjav\u00edk if you're not too tired from your travel. Most people use this evening to get oriented, grab dinner somewhere central, and adjust to the local time.
Included Activities
- Car rental pickup
Optional Activities
- Explore Reykjavík capital city
Landmarks/POIs Hallgrímskirkja Church Perlan Reykjavík Art Museum: Kjarvalsstadir - Day 2
Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon
This is the Golden Circle day. You'll start at Thingvellir National Park early, where you can actually see where the tectonic plates meet. From there, head to Geysir to watch Strokkur shoot water high into the air, then drive to Gullfoss waterfall which is quite powerful. After seeing Br\u00faarfoss with its blue water, you'll end the afternoon by soaking in the Blue Lagoon. The drive between stops is fairly straightforward, and you'll want to get back to Reykjav\u00edk by evening.
Included Activities
- Visit Thingvellir National Park
- View Strokkur geyser at Geysir geothermal area
- View Gullfoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Trek to Brúarfoss waterfall
- Immerse in Hrunalaug Hot Spring
- Relax in Blue Lagoon
Landmarks/POIs Thingvellir National Park Strokkur Geyser Geysir Geothermal Area Gullfoss Waterfall Brúarfoss Waterfall Hrunalaug Hot Spring Blue Lagoon - Day 3
South Coast Wonders
Start your morning in Reykjadalur valley exploring the hot springs there, then drive south toward the coast. You'll check out Kvernufoss waterfall, trek across black sand to the old plane wreck at S\u00f3lheimasandur, and visit S\u00f3lheimaj\u00f6kull glacier where you can see the ice caves up close. Later you'll pass through Dyrh\u00f3laey to see the rock arch and coastline, then finish at Reynisfjara black sand beach as the sun gets lower. This is a packed day covering about 250 kilometers of driving.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Buffet breakfast)
Included Activities
- Hike to Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River
- View Kvernufoss waterfall
- Trek to Sólheimasandur plane wreck
- Explore Sólheimajökull glacier
- Visit Dyrhólaey rock arch
- Explore Reynisfjara Beach
Landmarks/POIs Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River Kvernufoss Waterfall Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck Sólheimajökull Glacier Dyrhólaey Rock Arch Reynisfjara Beach - Day 4
East Iceland Glaciers
Early on you'll reach Diamond Beach where icebergs sit on black sand, creating a cool contrast. Then drive to J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n Glacier Lagoon and spend time watching the big ice chunks float around. After that, hike to Svartifoss waterfall where black basalt columns frame the water perfectly. You'll also stop at Hofskirkja, a turf church, and visit M\u00falagl\u00fafur Canyon. This area is in the southeast, so most of your day involves driving between these glacier and canyon viewpoints.
Included Activities
- Visit Diamond Beach
- Observe Jökulságlón Glacier Lagoon
- Hike to Svartifoss waterfall
- Visit Hofskirkja turf church
- Explore Múlaglúfur Canyon
Landmarks/POIs Diamond Beach Jökulságlón Glacier Lagoon Svartifoss Waterfall Hofskirkja Turf Church Múlaglúfur Canyon - Day 5
Departure
Your final day is relaxed. Spend the morning in Reykjav\u00edk picking up any last souvenirs you want or just walking through the city center one more time. After lunch, drive to Keflaw\u00edk International Airport with enough buffer time to return your rental car and get through check-in before your flight departs. Most people arrive at the airport 2-3 hours early for international flights.
Optional Activities
- Explore Reykjavík capital city
- Shop for souvenirs
- Day 6
Vatnajökull & Vík
You'll begin at Skaftafellsj\u00f6kull to see the glacier formations and deep crevices, then continue to Sv\u00ednafellsj\u00f6kull where the ice walls look blue. After that, explore Fj\u00e1dr\u00e1rlgl\u00fafur Canyon with its riverbed and tall cliffs, which involves some hiking. You'll also find the Yoda-shaped cave at Hj\u00f6rleifsh\u00f6f\u00f0i, and wrap up the day in V\u00edk village surrounded by black beaches and those distinctive Reynisdrangar rock formations. This route covers significant ground in the southeast.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Buffet breakfast)
Included Activities
- View Skaftafellsjökull glacier
- View Svínafellsjökull glacier
- Explore Fjádrárlglúfur Canyon
- Discover Yoda-shaped cave at Hjörleifshöfði
- Experience Vík village and Reynisdrangar rock formations
Landmarks/POIs Skaftafellsjökull Glacier Svínafellsjökull Glacier Fjádrárlglúfur Canyon Hjörleifshöfði Vík Reynisdrangar Rock Formations - Day 7
South Coast Waterfalls
This day focuses on waterfalls and hot springs. You'll see Sk\u00f3gafoss, one of Iceland's largest, where you often get a rainbow from the mist. Next is Hestva\u00f0sfoss which is quieter and more peaceful. Later you can soak in Seljavallalaug hot pool surrounded by mountains, then walk behind Seljalandsfoss where you'll actually go behind the water curtain. You'll finish at Glj\u00fafrabui, a hidden waterfall tucked in a narrow gorge. All these spots are on the south coast and pretty close to each other.
Included Activities
- View Skógafoss waterfall
- Discover Hestvaðsfoss waterfall
- Take dip in Seljavallalaug thermal pool
- Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Find Gljúfrabui waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Skógafoss Waterfall Hestvaðsfoss Waterfall Seljavallalaug Thermal Pool Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Gljúfrabui Waterfall - Day 8
Departure
Your final day is relaxed. Spend the morning in Reykjav\u00edk picking up any last souvenirs you want or just walking through the city center one more time. After lunch, drive to Keflaw\u00edk International Airport with enough buffer time to return your rental car and get through check-in before your flight departs. Most people arrive at the airport 2-3 hours early for international flights.
Optional Activities
- Explore Reykjavík capital city
- Shop for souvenirs
