Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Reykholt
After landing at Keflavik Airport, you'll pick up your rental car and drive to Reykholt, which serves as your home base for the next several days. Once you arrive, take time to check in and rest up from your journey.
Landmarks/POIs Keflavík Airport - Day 2
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Head out to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, often called Iceland in Miniature for good reason. Stop at Ytri Tunga beach to look for seals, then see the Black Church of Budur and walk through Raudfeldsgja gorge. Later you'll find the black sand at Djupalonsandur, climb Saxholl crater for views toward Snaefellsjokull glacier, and check out Kirkjufell mountain with its waterfall. By evening, keep watch for Northern Lights.
Included Activities
- Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Encounter seals at Ytri Tunga beach
- Visit the Black Church of Búðir
- Ascend Saxhóll volcanic crater
- Experience Kirkjufell mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Northern Lights viewing
Landmarks/POIs Snæfellsnes Peninsula Ytri Tunga Beach Bjarnarfoss Waterfall Black Church of Búðir Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge Djúpalónssandur Black Pearl Beach Saxhóll Crater Snæfellsjökull Volcanic Glacier Kirkjufell Mountain Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall - Day 3
Golden Circle
Begin with Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, then move into the Golden Circle. You'll stand between tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park, see Oxararfoss waterfall, and experience the geysers Strokkur, Stori, and Great Geysir at Haukadalur geothermal area. Finish at Gullfoss waterfall, and if time allows, visit Kerid crater lake on your way back.
Included Activities
- Visit Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls
- Explore Thingvellir National Park
- View Öxarárfoss waterfall
- Witness Strokkur geyser
- Discover Great Geysir and Haukadalur geothermal area
- Experience Gullfoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Visit Kerid crater lake (admission payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Hraunfossar Waterfall Barnafoss Waterfall Thingvellir National Park Almannagía Gorge Öxarárfoss Waterfall Haukadalur Geothermal Area Strokkur Geyser Stóri Geyser Great Geysir Gullfoss Waterfall Kerid Crater Lake - Day 4
South Coast
Travel along Iceland's South Coast to see some of its most dramatic features. Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, then head to the powerful Skogafoss waterfall surrounded by ice and snow. After that, hike through the otherworldly black sand landscape to reach the mysterious Solheimasandur Plane Wreck. Time your visit for sunset or Northern Lights if possible.
Included Activities
- Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Witness Skógafoss waterfall
- Explore Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck
Optional Activities
- Northern Lights viewing at Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck
Landmarks/POIs Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Skógafoss Waterfall Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck - Day 5
Skaftafell and Southeast Iceland
Start at Skaftafell National Park and hike through lava plains and clear rivers to Svartifoss waterfall, where dark basalt columns frame the falls. Then drive to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon to watch icebergs drift in blue waters. Walk across Diamond Beach to see ice crystals scattered on black sand. Finish at Stokksnes peninsula for views of Vestrahorn mountain and potential Northern Lights (note: online admission required for Stokksnes).
Included Activities
- Trek through Skaftafell National Park
- Admire Svartifoss waterfall
- Experience Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- Stroll along Diamond Beach
- Witness Vestrahorn mountain on Stokksnes peninsula
Optional Activities
- Northern Lights viewing at Stokksnes
Landmarks/POIs Skaftafell National Park Skeiðarárjökull Glacier Morsárjökull Glacier Skaftafellsjökull Glacier Svartifoss Waterfall Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Diamond Beach Stokksnes Peninsula Vestrahorn Mountain - Day 6
Reykjavík
Drive to Reykjavik, Iceland's capital. Visit Hallgrimskirkja Church to get panoramic views across the city from high up. Explore the harbor area where you can see Harpa Concert Hall and other architecture. If you're interested, the Perlan museum has exhibits on Iceland's history, plus you can walk through a real ice cave and watch a Northern Lights show in their planetarium.
Included Activities
- Explore Reykjavík
- Ascend Hallgrímskirkja Church
- Marvel at Harpa Concert Hall
Optional Activities
- Visit Perlan museum with ice cave and Northern Lights planetarium show (admission payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Reykjavík Hallgrímskirkja Church Harpa Concert Hall Perlan Museum - Day 7
Reykjanes Peninsula
Explore the Reykjanes region and its geothermal features. Walk wooden pathways through Krysuvik's colorful volcanic area with steaming hot springs, then visit the recently active Fagradalsfjall volcano and hike through its dragon-like lava landscape. Experience the intense heat at Gunnuhver, Iceland's hottest geothermal area. End your day at the Bridge Between Continents, an 18-meter structure connecting the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
Included Activities
- Explore Krýsuvík geothermal area
- Walk through Fagradalsfjall volcano landscapes
- Witness Gunnuhver geothermal area
- Stand at Bridge Between Continents
Landmarks/POIs Krýsuvík Volcanic Area Fagradalsfjall Volcano Gunnuhver Geothermal Area Bridge Between Continents - Day 8
Departure from Reykjavík
Return your rental car at Keflavik Airport and head home, carrying memories of waterfalls, volcanic craters, geysers, glaciers, and fjords from your time across Iceland.
Landmarks/POIs Keflavík Airport
