In Iceland for a week and want to fill your 7-day itinerary with amazing sights and activities? Here’s how I spent 7 days in Iceland. This itinerary includes the western region of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and southern region with Golden Circle and along the Ring Road.
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- Intro
- Getting To Iceland
- Getting Around Iceland
- Where to Stay in Iceland
- Recommended Iceland Tours & Activities
- Iceland 7-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Reykjavík (Capital of Iceland) & Blue Lagoon
- Day 2: West Iceland – Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Day 3: Golden Circle & Silfra Snorkel
- Day 4: South Coast Iceland – Ring Road trip to Vík
- Day 5: South Coast Iceland – Ring Road trip to Kirkjubæjarklaustur
- Day 6: South Coast Iceland – Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Return Reykjavík
- Day 7: Reykjavík
- Final Words
Intro
Iceland is the land of fire and ice, and you’ll understand why when you get there! It contains large icy glaciers, beautiful waterfalls, and spectacular volcanic lands. Iceland is a large island country and it will take more than a week to explore everything it has to offer. However I’ve curated a 7-day Iceland itinerary that will include areas you can visit and enjoy in a week’s time. It will cover exploring the western region of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and southern region with Golden Circle and along the Ring Road. Additionally, this itinerary will put you on the road and out in Iceland’s nature.
Getting To Iceland
You can either get to Iceland by ferry or airplane. The ferry departs from Denmark and will take several days to arrive. This sounds like a great experience if you have the time! However, the most common way to get into Iceland is by plane. You will land at Keflavík International Airport (KEF), which is Iceland’s main gateway to enter and leave Iceland. Additionally, there is the Reykjavík Airport (RKV) but that’s primarily for domestic flights to get to other parts of the country.
Search for your flight to Iceland below:
Getting Around Iceland
You will definitely need to rent a car if you want to explore Iceland on your own. I recommend getting a 4WD vehicle to be able to drive on different terrains. Additionally, I recommend purchasing insurance to protect you in case you have an accident since anything can happen! Especially depending on the season you go, it can rain and roads may get icy, so better safe than sorry.
RELATED: Renting a Car in Iceland: A Comprehensive Guide
Most landmarks and sights are spread far and wide so expect to be on the road for a good amount of time. Because of this, my 7-day itinerary in Iceland will contain a lot of driving so I’ll provide approximate driving and sightseeing durations for each day. I actually consider my Iceland trip to be an epic road trip just based on how much time we spent on the road; but it was fantastic! Get your road trip games ready 🙂
Where to Stay in Iceland
Since this 7-day itinerary includes a lot of on-the-road time traversing through Iceland, several cities will have one-night stays. The below is where my itinerary’s accommodations were located at and how many nights we spent at each location:
- Reykjavík: 2 nights at Airbnb
- Golden Circle, city of Laugarás: 1 night at Airbnb
- South Iceland, city of Vík: 1 night at hotel
- South Iceland, city of Kirkjubaelarkstur: 1 night at hotel
- Reykjavík: 2 nights at Airbnb
We stayed at a mixture of Airbnbs and hotels since I traveled with a group of 5 adults, so some accommodations made more sense than others for my group. We covered a lot of land to see as much of this beautiful country as we can in a week.
Search for your Iceland stays below:
Recommended Iceland Tours & Activities
Book unforgettable experiences and check out the below recommended Iceland tours, activities and attractions that are mentioned throughout this post:
Additionally, depending on what time of year you go, it may be a bit chilly. I visited in September and I brought 5 clothing items that kept me warm and comfortable. Check them out at 5 Must-Have Clothing Items for Exploring Iceland in September.
Iceland 7-Day Itinerary
The above map shows all the points of interest mentioned in this Iceland itinerary. The points are color-coordinated as:
- Day 1 Points of Interest → MAROON
- Day 2 Points of Interest → ORANGE
- Day 3 Points of Interest → YELLOW
- Day 4 Points of Interest → GREEN
- Day 5 Points of Interest → TEAL
- Day 6 Points of Interest → DARK BLUE
- Day 7 Points of Interest → PURPLE
HOW TO USE THE ABOVE ICELAND MAP:
| Action | Description / Step-by-Step Instructions |
|---|---|
| Click a Colored Star Point of Interest | Shows additional information and details of the selected Point of Interest |
| Click the STAR ☆ right of the “Iceland” | Adds the Map to your personal Google Maps account for viewing* |
| Click the Four-cornered Square at the Top Right | Opens the map in a Larger Map view in your personal Google Maps account |
| *To view the Map in your Google Maps Account (computer) | In your Google Maps, Click the “hamburger” Menu at top left → Click “Saved” → Click “Maps” → Locate “West/South Iceland” → Click it to open the Map |
| *To view the Map in your Google Maps Account (phone) | In your Google Maps app, Click “Saved” on the bottom bar → Scroll to the bottom → Click “Maps” → Locate “West/South Iceland” → Click it to open the Map |
Day 1: Reykjavík (Capital of Iceland) & Blue Lagoon
Begin your 7-day Iceland itinerary relaxing at the world famous Blue Lagoon! Then explore Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík. Note that Icelandic words are unique and complex to pronounce, so no worries if you have trouble reading them! I will provide phonetic pronunciations as best I can to help you. But many apologies in advance if the phonetic pronunciation is still off!
Today’s Icelandic word pronunciation:
- Reykjavík: Rayk-yah-veek
Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a must-visit spa pool regardless of the popularity it has gained. The warm milky blue waters, swim-up bars, and otherworldly atmosphere make this magical lagoon a one-of-a-kind in Iceland. There are rock tunnels you can wade through and waterfalls you can soak in. Not to mention, they have silica mud face masks where you can exfoliate while enjoying the warm mineral-rich water.
If you want additional details check out my Blue Lagoon Review and Tips for Your Icelandic Adventure
Tickets
Blue Lagoon requires pre-purchased tickets to enter, which can be purchased here (or at the widget below). They have a few packages that you can choose from that ranges in inclusions.
- Comfort package: includes entry, mud mask, towel, and a drink
- Premium: same inclusions as Comfort but adds 2 additional masks, a bathrobe, and a glass of sparkling wine if dining
When you purchase, you will have to specify a date and time entry of your visit, however once you enter, you can spend as much time inside as you’d like.
Purchase your Blue Lagoon tickets using one of the widgets below:
Reykjavík
If you have time, get an introduction of the city with a Reykjavík Walking tour! It’s a guided tour that goes around some of the major highlights of Reykjavík. It’s a great and quick way to learn more about the city and Iceland.
Also, while you’re in Reykjavík, take the opportunity to do some grocery shopping for snacks, food, or alcohol. During my trip, it was quite difficult to find liquor stores, so I recommend buying while in Reykjavík. Although note that there will be liquor stores in some of the smaller cities, but they close early and are crazy expensive. If you are searching for liquor stores, the only store that sells alcohol in Iceland is Vinbudin Liquor Store. You can check out their opening hours throughout the country here.
Northern Lights
If you’re in Iceland during viewable Northern Lights (a.k.a aurora borealis) season, then I would recommend booking a Northern Lights chasing and gazing tour. Booking with a tour will maximize your chances of seeing them. In Reykjavík, there are options to go on boat tours to chase and view from the water, as well as tours that go more inland away from the city lights. Check out this Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavík.
Most tours allow you to reschedule if you are unable to see them during the tour. On this 7-day itinerary, there are a total of 4 nights in Reykjavík where you can try to schedule or reschedule the tour if needed. While in more remote areas of Iceland, however, you may be able to view them very easily. Just make sure to look up at the night sky, you might get lucky!
Day 2: West Iceland – Snæfellsnes Peninsula
On your second day of your 7-day trip in Iceland, head over to the Snæfellsness Peninsula and check out beautiful rock formations and the most photographed mountain in Iceland! Snæfellsnes Peninsula has the Snæfellsjökull national park, home of the Snæfellsjökull glacier and volcano.
As mentioned, this itinerary will contain a TON of driving since a lot of landmarks are spread far and wide. This day will have approximately 5.5 total hours on the road, and 6 total hours of sightseeing.
Today’s Icelandic word pronunciations:
- Snæfellsnes: Sny-fell-snes
- Snæfellsjökull: Sny-fells-yo-kull
- Gerðuberg: Gehr-dah-berg
- Rauðfeldsgjá: Reds-felds-gehl
- Arnarstapi: Ar-nar-stah-pee
- Kirkjufell: Kirk-kyu-fell
- Berserkjahraun: Bear-sehr-kehr-rayn
Gerðuberg Cliffs
On the way towards the Snæfellsnes Peninsula (Sny-fell-snes), take a stop at Gerðuberg Cliffs (Gehr-dah-berg). They’re right off the highway and there’s a small area you can park right off the road. The Gerðuberg Cliffs are a wall of tall basalt columns. They’re 23 to 46 feet (7 to 14 meters) and the bases are hexagonal in shape. They’re quite the natural wonder that you’ll want to stop by and check them out yourself. I was able to walk around the rocks and admire these monolithic basalt columns. They made me feel like I was on another planet!
Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge
About 50 min from the Gerðuberg Cliffs, you’ll pass by the Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge (Reds-felds-gehl). The gorge is a deep ravine that cuts into the east side of Botnsfjall Mountain that you can easily see from the road. There will be a parking lot where you can park at as well. Hiking to the gorge takes about 30 minutes, and once you are there you can climb inside the gorge! There’s a river inside of it and a waterfall. My group got out to take some pics but we opted to not do the hike inside since we had more stops to visit today. But if you have time or are into a hiking challenge, it’s about a 30 minute roundtrip hike with a small waterfall at the end.
Arnarstapi
A short drive from the Gorge is the cute fishing village of Arnarstapi (Ar-nar-stah-pee). Take a pit stop here and fuel up before you head into the Peninsula. Additionally, you can stop by at the beach where you can see a rock arch formation, Gatklettur, protruding from the Atlantic Ocean.
Kirkjufell Mountain
The next stop will take about 40 min from Arnarstapi, to Kirkjufell Mountain (Kirk-kyu-fell). Kirkjufell Mountain is considered the most photographed mountain in Iceland and you’ll see why! It’s also been in the Games of Thrones series if you’re a fan. To get an awesome photograph, head up and around the waterfall and down the trail a bit, then you’ll have an awesome shot with the Kirkjufellfoss waterfall and the mountain in view. Amazing! Be sure to stay within the roped trail paths to protect the vegetation.
Additionally, if you want another point of view, there is another viewpoint from the opposite side of the road where a lake resides. And if you like a challenge, you can also hike up the mountain, however it is considered steep and dangerous, and it’s advised to go with a tour guide for safety reasons.
Berserkjahraun Lava Fields
The last stop is about 20 min away and will take you to the Berserkjahraun Lava Fields (Bear-sehr-kehr-rayn), where you’ll see a field of mossy lava rocks. These ancient lava fields were formed about 4000 years ago when four craters erupted and created this large lava field that reached the sea. There’s a road where you can drive through the lava field, although it might be hard to miss. Driving the loop will take about 30 minutes and I also advise to use a 4WD vehicle. You can also park right off the road and get out to admire the complex-shaped lava rock and landscape.
Return to Reykjavík
If you choose to stay in Reykjavík for your second night like I did, then it will take about a 2 hour drive to get back. Since we had an early start to our day, we were able to make it back to Reykjavík for dinner.
Northern Lights
If you had opted for a Northern Lights chase and gaze tour, tonight will be your second opportunity to view them if you aren’t able to do so the night before. Otherwise, don’t forget to look up in case you can see them through the city lights of Reykjavík.
Alternatives/Additions
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is full of majestic lava formations, caves, beaches, and mountains – it’s hard to fit everything in a day! If you’re staying a longer time and would like to add more stops, or simply replace any of the above-mentioned stops, then the below are great candidates to modify your day(s) in Snæfellsnes Peninsula!
Lóndrangar
A short 8 minute drive from Arnarstapi are two towering rock formations right along the coast: the Lóndrangar basalt cliffs. They are tall columns of basalt where, from afar, look like a fortress. You can reach them by crossing mossy lava fields.
Djúpalónssandur Black Sand Beach
About an 8 minute drive from Lóndrangar is the Djúpalónssandur Black lava pearl beach. The area is filled with beautiful lava rock formations, and the beach has seemingly-polished black pebbles.
Vatnshellir Cave
The Vatnshellir Cave is 10 minutes away from Arnarstapi. It is a natural wonder and one of the coolest caves in Iceland! The cave was formed about 8000 years ago by a volcanic eruption’s flow where the top layer had hardened but the lava continued to flow underneath, creating a vast cave system. You can take a tour down to the cave with a guide and explore the underground caverns. If you have time to fit visiting the Vatnshellir cave while in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, check out this guided tour here.
Day 3: Golden Circle & Silfra Snorkel
Head towards the Golden Circle and make a stop at Silfra! Then spend the day checking out the Golden Circle sights! The Golden Circle has several beautiful landmarks you should check out, such as Geysir and Gullfoss Falls. Today, you’ll be on the road for approximately 3 total hours, with 8.5 hours of sightseeing time.
Today’s Icelandic word pronunciations:
- Geysir: Guy-zeer
- Þingvellir: Thing-vel-leer
- Strokkur: Stroh-kur
- Flúðir: Flu-dehr
Silfra Snorkel
Check off a bucket list item and snorkel between the North American and Eurasia tectonic plates at Silfra! Purchase tickets here. This was an awesome experience and one of the most unique places you’ll ever snorkel! You’ll snorkel in crystal clear glacial water that’s filled a fissure separating the North American and Eurasia tectonic plates.
The Silfra snorkeling meeting point is about 50 minutes from Reykjavík in Þingvellir National Park (Thing-vel-leer). The snorkel company also does pickup from Reykjavík if you prefer to not make a stop on the way to the Golden Circle.
Snorkel Experience
The snorkel company provides you with all the necessary gear to enjoy the swim. They provide a dry suit, swimming cap, gloves, shoes, fins, goggles and snorkel. If you haven’t worn a dry suit before, they will keep your clothes and body dry, and the only part that gets wet is your face!
During the snorkel, the guides brought us through the plates as we floated through the fissure. My dry suit was extremely buoyant so I didn’t need to worry about sinking! The water is also incredibly clear where I saw all the different colors of the underwater rock formations all the way to the bottom. Additionally, the glacial water is so clean and pure that I actually took a drink of it while snorkeling!
Geysir Hot Springs
About a 50 minute drive from Silfra and Thingvellir National Park, you’ll make a stop at Geysir Hot Springs. Geysir (Guy-zeer) is in a geothermal area and has a ton of natural hot springs and geysers. Also, if you’re wondering, the word “geyser” that’s known all around the world originated from the Great Geysir here! Unfortunately the Great Geysir is not much active nowadays, but the area is home of the famous active Strokkur geyser (Stroh-kur)! The Strokkur geyser will shoot a burst of hot water high up into the sky. It will reach heights up to 100 ft (30 m) about every 6-10 minutes so you won’t have to wait very long to witness it erupt.
Additionally, note that all the hot springs here are at extremely high boiling temperatures and are roped off from people to prevent getting too close and burnt, so don’t expect to touch or swim in these geothermal pools!
Gulfoss Waterfall
The Gulfoss (“Golden Falls”) waterfall is 10 minutes from the Geysir Hot Springs. When you park it will be about a 5-10 minute walk to get to the waterfalls for a closer view, but you can admire them from afar almost immediately. Gulfoss is a majestic waterfall made up of smaller cascading waterfalls that lead down to the larger 69-ft (21-m) tall waterfall. When you get to the bottom lookout point, you may get soaked in the waterfall’s mist and the ground can get very slippery too, so dress accordingly and watch your step!
RELATED: Best Waterfalls of Southern Iceland: Golden Circle and Ring Road
Secret Lagoon
From Gullfoss Falls, the Secret Lagoon is about a 30 minute drive. The Secret Lagoon’s warm water is fed by natural hot springs that lead to this man-made hot pool that you can enjoy, swim, and relax in. It is also the oldest swimming pool in Iceland! Pre-purchasing a ticket is advised if you want to be guaranteed entry, and choosing the time is necessary to also book a locker for you at that time. Although, my group had decided to purchase our tickets upon arrival since we did not want to worry about missing a ticketed time entry, and we got in with no issue! If you prefer guaranteed entry, then you can purchase Secret Lagoon tickets here.
Similar to Blue Lagoon, you will be expected to thoroughly rinse your body and hair in a communal shower before entering the lagoon. Additionally, if you have longer hair, put it high up in a bun to prevent it from getting wet from the lagoon water, and from shedding into it. I left my hair up and above the water, but people have claimed that their hair was fine after wetting it in the Secret Lagoon. Up to you! The Lagoon also provides free floaties, and you can purchase beverages to drink in the pool as well.
Right by the Secret Lagoon is the city of Flúðir (Flu-dehr). I suggest stopping by here if you need to make a grocery shopping trip for snacks, food, or drinks. They do have a Vinbudin Liquor Store where you can purchase alchohol, although it closes early and even earlier on Saturdays. Check out their store hours here.
Stay in Laugarás & Northern Lights
30 minutes from Flúðir is the city Laugarás. We stayed in a cute cabin Airbnb where we cooked our own dinner and relaxed in the cabin warmth, perfect after a long day on the road and sightseeing. Also, this area is much darker than Reykjavík, so don’t forget to check the skies for Northern Lights!
Alternatives/Additions
The Golden Circle is full of amazing landmarks – it’s hard to fit everything in a day! If you’re staying a longer time and would like to add more stops, or simply replace any of the above-mentioned stops, then the below are great candidates to modify your day(s) in Golden Circle!
Brúarfoss
Brúarfoss (“Bridge Falls”) is a small waterfall that cascades into pretty sky-blue waters. The roundtrip hike to the falls is 4.4 miles (7 km), and you can get a good view right on the bridge in front of them.
Kerið Crater
Kerið Crater is a 3000-year old volcano that theoretically fell into itself. Due to this and periodic rainfall, the Kerið Crater became a volcanic crater lake. The slopes of the crater are red in color due to the iron deposits, which contrasts beautifully to the blue-colored crater lake at the center.
Day 4: South Coast Iceland – Ring Road trip to Vík
On your 4th day of your 7-day itinerary, you will be heading to the southern region of Iceland! South Iceland has a ton of landmarks and attractions worth stopping at along the Ring Road, the road that encircles the entire island. Because of this, experiencing South Iceland will be split over the next 3 days.
Today you’ll make your way down to the region and end at the town of Vík. There will be approximately 3 total hours of driving, and 6 total hours of sightseeing.
Today’s Icelandic word pronunciations:
- Vík: Veek
- Raufarhólshellir: Ray-var-hohl-shel-leer
- Seljalandsfoss: Sa-lya-lands-foss
- Gljúfrabúi: Gyu-frah-boy
- Sólheimasandur: Sol-haym-mah-sahn-dur
- Reynisfjara: Ray-nees-fee-ar-rah
Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel Tour
If you stayed in Laugarás, your first stop of the day is about 50 min away. The first stop will be at the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel (Ray-var-hohl-shel-leer) where you will tour incredible caverns and tunnels for about an hour. Pre-purchase tickets here.
The Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel is one of the longest lava tubes in Iceland, and was formed about 5200 years ago from a volcanic eruption. When the lava was flowing, the top hardened but the lava underneath continued to flow, creating a long 4500-ft (1360-m) lava tube!
Lava Tunnel Tour Experience
When we began our tour we were provided a helmet with a headlamp to protect our head and illuminate the way since we will go underground. Then our guide brought through the immense tunnel where lava once streamed through. We noticed angelic skylights naturally-formed by the ceiling caving in in these areas, as well as amazing lava formations and colors!
Once we got deeper into the tunnel, we left the naturally-lit area and went into a cavern. Here we were able to experience the true darkness and silence of being in an underground cave. Amazing!
Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi Waterfalls
The next stop will be about 1 hour and 20 minutes away, at the Seljalandsfoss (Sa-lya-lands-foss) and Gljúfrabúi (Gyu-frah-boy) Waterfalls. These waterfalls are next to each other so you can park in the lot right in front of Seljalandsfoss and walk to the other Gljúfrabúi afterwards. Additionally, if you’re hungry, you can find places to eat right off the road along the route. Since my group went grocery shopping in Flúðir the night before, we decided to make sandwiches for lunch and enjoyed it at this stop with the view of Seljalandsfoss.
RELATED: Best Waterfalls of Southern Iceland: Golden Circle and Ring Road
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
The Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is an amazing waterfall and one of my favorites in Iceland! The water drops 200 feet (60 meters) and you can walk behind it and experience being behind a mighty waterfall. There is a path that leads you behind the water, but prepare to get wet as the water can reach inwards to the walkway. There are also a few spots where you can stand almost directly under the waterfall if you want to get even closer to the falling water. When you exit the other end, you’ll get yet another amazing view of the majestic waterfall.
Gljúfrabúi Waterfall
After exiting from being behind the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, you can continue walking north to the Gljúfrabúi Waterfall. You will see a crack in the side of the cliff, with a stream coming through. You can walk through the rock opening, although your shoes may get wet from the water stream. But once you’re inside you’ll find the amazing Gljúfrabúi waterfall coming down through the ceiling in the cave. There is a huge rock at the base of the waterfall where you can take amazing photos on. Do not miss this hidden gem while here!
Solheimasandur Plane Wreck
A 30 minute drive away will be the Solheimasandur Plane Wreck (Sol-haym-mah-sahn-dur). On the way here, you will pass by the Skogafoss, another popular waterfall spot. However, today we will pass it as we will take a pit stop at this waterfall on the way back to Reykjavík on Day 6. The Solheimasandur Plane Wreck is an abandoned DC plane that was left on the black beach. The plane had crash landed on the beach back in 1973 by U.S. Navy pilots. Fortunately, no one perished in the crash. The plane now serves as a great photo opportunity as it is a light-colored plane contrasted on the black sand grounds, with an amazing Icelandic landscape as a backdrop.
To get to the plane wreck, there will be a parking lot off the road, then you’ll have to walk 1 hour to get to the wreck. The walk itself is flat and easy, but prepare for a 2-hour roundtrip hike. To ensure you’re going the right way, you can input its coordinates (63 27.546- 19 21.887) into your Google Maps which will lead you right to it. When you get to the plane, you can admire it from the outside, and you can also enter it on the righthand side of the plane.
Reynisfjara Beach
The last stop of Day 4 will be at the Reynisfjara Beach (Ray-nees-fee-ar-rah), just 20 min away. There is a large lot you can park in, and a short walk to get to the beach. The Reynisfjara Beach is a famous black sand beach with basalt columns along the shore, and larger towering ones off the coast!
Once on the beach, you actually can’t swim in the ocean and you’ll need to be careful to not get too close to the crashing waves. The waves here are considered to be extremely dangerous and are deadly sneaker waves, where the strength and height of the waves will sneak up with no warning. So it’s best to stay a safe distance from the shoreline, be cautious, and never turn your back to the ocean. The waves can surprise people and unexpectedly pull them in and carry them out to sea, which have resulted in several fatalities here. Other than that, the black sand beach itself is very beautiful, with mighty crashing waves, and unique rocky formations in view. Bonus points if you managed to get here while the sun is setting.
Stay in Vík
Not far from the Reynisfjara Beach is the charming village of Vík (Veek). Vík is a seafront village and is Iceland’s southern-most city. Spectacular natural landmarks surround the city: black sand beaches, glaciers, and volcanoes. You can stay the night here and enjoy a nice Icelandic meal at one of the restaurants in this area. If you have time, check out Vík’s Lava Show where you can see real molten lava and experience its heat, sizzle, and flow. Check out their schedule and purchase tickets here.
Day 5: South Coast Iceland – Ring Road trip to Kirkjubæjarklaustur
On your 5th day, take an Icelandic adventure and do a glacier hike! Afterwards, get back on the Ring Road and head towards Kirkjubæjarklaustur (Kirk-kyu-bye-ya-la-stur), where you’ll stay for the night. Today will include about 2 hours on the road and 4.5 hours of sightseeing.
Today’s Icelandic word pronunciations:
- Kirkjubæjarklaustur: Kirk-kyu-bye-ya-la-stur
- Solheimajokull: Soul-hey-ma-yo-cull
- Fjaðrárgljúfur: Fiath-raor-gliu-vur
Solheimajokull Glacier Hike
Start your morning with a once-in-a-lifetime hike atop a giant glacier and purchase tickets here. The hike is on the Solheimajokull Glacier (Soul-hey-ma-yo-cull), about a 30 min drive away from Vík. You’ll meet with your guide at the parking lot and you’ll be provided gear and equipment once you get to the glacier. They will provide ice axes, crampons and safety rope, and if needed, you can also rent hiking boots and rain gear. Since you will be on an icy glacier, wear warm clothing and don’t bring too much with you. Additionally, you don’t need any glacier hiking experience to participate in this hike.
The hike is very easy and the tour will last about 3 hours. During the hike, you will get to see amazing Icelandic landscapes, look in deep crevasses, see crystal clear glacial water, and witness the different colors of a glacier. After the glacier hike, you can make a stop at Vík to rest and recharge and prepare for a 1 hour 20 minute drive to the next stop.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Your next stop will be at the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon (Fiath-raor-gliu-vur), and is right next to the town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. If you didn’t take a break at Vík after the hike, then you can make a stop at Kirkjubæjarklaustur to rest from your morning adventure. Before heading to the canyon, make sure it is open. There are times when it’s closed off to the public to allow the grounds to heal from the heavy foot traffic.
When you get to the canyon, you will hike along the canyon rim on the two-mile long trail. Be sure to respect the fences and signage and stay within the trail paths to protect the vegetation. The hike will take about 1.5 hours roundtrip including stops to enjoy the scenery. When you get to the end, there will be a viewpoint of the serpentine-shaped canyon and you can see the Mögárfoss waterfall in view whose stream falls into the canyon. Additionally, you are able to walk down the canyon, however you may need to wade in the waters. If you want to do this, plan to add another 1.5 hours to your time here.
Stay in Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Stay the night in Kirkjubæjarklaustur (Kirk-kyu-bye-ya-la-stur) and enjoy an authentic Icelandic meal. Then rest and reflect on your hiking-filled day, and don’t forget to check the skies!
Day 6: South Coast Iceland – Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Return Reykjavík
The 6th day of your 7-day itinerary will take you to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where you will see large Icelandic icebergs! Then make your way back to Reykjavík along the Ring Road and make a couple stops at more incredible waterfalls. Today you’ll spend the longest time on the road heading back towards Reykjavík. It will have approximately 7.5 total hours of driving and 4 hours of sightseeing.
Today’s Icelandic word pronunciations:
- Jökulsárlón: Yo-cull-sohr-lohn
- Svartifoss: Svar-tee-foss
- Skógafoss: Skoh-ah-foss
Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour
Have you ever seen an iceberg or have been able to see the underside of one? If you haven’t, take an amphibian boat tour of the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier lagoon (Yo-cull-sohr-lohn)! Purchase tickets here. The tour will take you on the glacier lagoon where you’ll cruise by giant icebergs and learn about the geology of the glacier and the lagoon. The meeting point is 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Kirkjubæjarklaustur, and is right off the Ring Road. There will also be a large parking lot and a café. Since today will include a lot of driving, I recommend booking an earlier tour time if possible.
Boat Tour Experience
You will be in a cold on-the-water environment, so dress warm! While waiting for the tour to begin, we hung out along the side of the lagoon and admired all the beautiful white, blue, and black icebergs. Then once the tour was ready to start, we boarded the amphibian boat which begins on land. If you haven’t been on an amphibian boat before, it is a vehicle that can drive on land as well as float and be steered on the water. We were then provided a life jacket before the amphibian boat drives its way onto the water.
During the boat tour, we maneuvered through icebergs of all shapes and sizes, and we were lucky to be able to witness one flip around! We also learned about iceberg geology and colors and what they mean. And we even got the opportunity to taste 1000-year old ice! Additionally, make sure to look out for wildlife as seals can frequent these waters. We saw a few poke in and out of the waters. The tour will take about 30-40 minutes, and you can grab a bite to eat at the café before you head on the road back towards Reykjavík.
Svartifoss Waterfall
Your first stop on the journey back to Reykjavík is at Svartifoss waterfall (“Black Falls”) in Skaftafell. It will be about 45 minutes away from the Jökulsárlón Glacier lagoon. Svartifoss (Svar-tee-foss) is my favorite waterfall in Iceland because it falls over a beautiful wall of natural hexagonal-shaped lava columns, perfectly framing this unique waterfall!
Choose a Trail
To get to the falls, you will have to hike a trail which will range in time depending on what trail you want to do. Make a stop at the Visitor Center to get more information on the trails and how to get to the waterfall.
My group and I decided to do the shortest hike to the falls, and then head back to the car right after. This took about 90 minutes roundtrip with stops to enjoy the scenery and take photos. You also have the option to take the longer trail that circles around the park, which can take about 3 hours. If you have more time in this area, you can certainly do the longer hike, but if you plan to reach Reykjavík today, then it would be better to take the shorter hike to and from the falls so you can get into the city at a decent time.
Trail to Svartifoss
On the way to the Svartifoss, there will be a slight incline in the trail, although it is not difficult. You’ll eventually pass over the small river that the falls’ water cascades into, where you can see a nice view of the falls from afar. Keep going until you get to the platform right in front of them where you can take awesome pictures at. The water falls 80 feet (20 meters) and is surrounded by natural lava formations, whose bottom-ends will fall down to the base of the waterfall, creating a pile of sharp, square-like rocks.
Skógafoss Waterfall
After Svartifoss, you will make one more landmark stop at Skógafoss Waterfall (Skoh-ah-foss). Skógafoss waterfall’s sheer size is quite overwhelming, especially when you approach up close to them. It will be right off the Ring Road about 2 hours and 10 minutes away from Svartifoss. You will have passed these falls on your way towards Vík on Day 4. My group decided to stop at this waterfall on this day to break up the long day on the road with nice sightseeing spots. Feel free to place (or replace) visiting this fall on either day though!
These mighty falls come down about 200 feet (60 meters), and you’ll be able to approach them pretty close at the base, as well as see them from the top at the brink of the falls! When you’ve admired them from the base and have the time (and energy) to check them out at the top, you’ll see a series of steps to the right of the falls. You will be ascending to a height taller than the falls so go at your own pace and take rests as needed. Be careful though as it can get really windy heading up!
Once on the top platform, you’ll get a view of the brink of the waterfall and a trail you can continue down on. Due to not wanting to stay too long here, we did not continue the trail very long. We followed it a bit and stopped at some cascading falls, then headed back down to the car. By this time, it was already evening-time, where the sun was beginning to set.
Return to Reykjavík
You’ll be back in Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavík, where you can rest from your long day on the road! Grab a nice meal at one of the many restaurants that are open later than the more remote areas you were just in.
Northern Lights
Hopefully you were able to see the northern lights in the last few days while in South Iceland. But if not, or if you didn’t get to see them with a Reykjavík tour the first two nights of the trip, then tonight and the next night would be the other opportunities to schedule (or reschedule) it on.
Day 7: Reykjavík
Spend your last day of your 7-day Iceland trip in the city of Reykjavík! If you’d like, you can return to the Blue Lagoon to relax and unwind after a long week of road tripping and sightseeing, but if you want to explore the capital city, then check out some of the below while in Reykjavík. Additionally, if you didn’t get a chance to do a walking tour your first day here, then you can try to catch one on this day as well. Check out this Reykjavík Walking tour.
Today’s Icelandic word pronunciations:
- Hallgrimskirkja: Hall-creams-kirk-yuh
Hallgrimskirkja
The Hallgrimskirkja (“Hallgrímur’s church”) was named after poet Hallgrímur whose popular “The Passion Hymns” became part of Icelandic traditions. In front of the church, there is a statue of a man, but not of the poet, but of a Norse man named Leifur Eiríksson, or better known as Leif “the Lucky” Erikson. Leif is considered to be the first European to have made it to North America around 500 years before Christopher Columbus’ discovery.
Hallgrimskirkja (Hall-creams-kirk-yuh) was built over a span of 40 years and its construction finished in 1986. It is 244 feet (74.5 meters) tall and is Reykjavík’s tallest building. Hallgrimskirkja’s unique architecture is said to have been based on Icelandic nature. For example, the thinner long structures are based on the natural basalt column formations found in parts of South Iceland, such as at Reynisfjara Beach and Svartifoss!
You can enter the church for free and head to the top observation deck for a small entrance fee. At the top, you’ll get an awesome bird eye’s view of Reykjavík, with streets lined with colorful buildings and the Atlantic Ocean just beyond the city.
Laugavegur Street
Laugavegur Street is the main avenue in Reykjavík and is lined with boutique shops, bars, and restaurants. Don’t forget to go shopping for some souvenirs while here! There is also Rainbow Street where the street is painted with rainbow colors. And at one of the street’s end, you’ll have a cool view of Hallgrimskirkja.
Sun Voyager
The Sun Voyager statue is right along the waterfront, and is as if it docked right from the ocean. It is a steel sculpture abstractly-shaped similar to a Viking long-ship. However, the artist Jon Gunnar Arnason did not intend for the sculpture to be an exact resemblance of a Viking ship. It is said that it was meant to be “a dream boat and an ode to the sun”.
The sculpture is free to see and visit and is not a far walk from the city center’s Laugavegur Street. You can also walk to nearby Harpa Concert Hall from here.
Harpa Concert Hall
The Harpa Concert Hall is a beautifully-architected building right along the waterfront. It also serves as a Conference Center and has won numerous awards for being a concert house, a conference center, and for its unique modern architecture. The concert hall holds musical concerts throughout the year, as well as exhibitions and cultural events.
The building has a glass façade where the glass panels differ in shape and size, giving it its unique honeycomb-like pattern. Additionally, you can enter the hall and admire the interior architecture and design. There are also guided tours that you can take to see deeper inside as well.
Final Words
Iceland is a remarkable island country filled with unparalleled landmarks, breath-taking views, and mind-blowing natural beauty. I hope my 7-day itinerary helps you plan your amazing trip to Iceland! Bon Voyage!
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